Chapter 56: Past
Xu Fu saw that his senior sister had hit the nail on the head, and said awkwardly, "Then... then I'll go back first and practice for a while..."
Yu Huatang watched him leave, and when it was late at night and everyone was asleep, she realized that everyone thought her current condition was caused by Zhao Yan.
Including Zhao Yan.
Because they had divorced, the marriage was difficult, so the Baili family had never shown up until now.
But she didn't think so. When she divorced, she thought clearly about the difference between them and didn't blame Zhao Yan.
Although he behaved politely, he could not force himself to like such a marriage.
In the final analysis, it was her destiny, and she obeyed its choice.
What she said to Xu Fu today was also what she said to herself.
When her cousin took him to the capital, he was just hoping for a lucky break, thinking that even if the wealthy family didn't recognize her, they would give her some money so that she could live a good life in the future.
It was she herself who fell in love with him at first sight with his handsome appearance and fell head over heels in love with him without any response.
She was still too young at that time and didn't know the prejudices of human nature. She thought that with the passage of time, the two of them would respect each other as guests. She worked hard for many years just to take a step further with him.
But she forgot why Zhao Yan, such a gifted man, should reward her efforts. There were countless famous ladies in the capital, and she was overestimating herself.
Now she has just returned to her original position, and she is very content.
After Zhao Yan returned home, An Fu saw that he had been busy with An Yuan for a long time, and both of them were covered with sawdust. He asked anxiously, "Young Master, are you helping Miss Yu to make a mechanism?" An Yuan was originally sent here to protect the safety of the adults. His martial arts and mechanical skills are both top-notch.
Zhao Yan didn't reply. He turned around to look at the two of them and said to An Yuan, "Pay more attention to Miss Yu in the future. If there is any situation or any bad people, report to me immediately." After that, he went into the inner room to change clothes.
After hearing this, An Yuan was a little confused and asked An Fu, "Didn't they say that the young master and Miss Yu had a falling out that day? Why are they starting again now? Has the young master not given up yet?"
An Fu was also puzzled by what he said. He shook his head and said, "It doesn't seem like it. If he had revived, wouldn't he be running around every day? I haven't seen you act like this."
"But I definitely haven't given up completely. Look, you've even been sent there to protect them."
An Yuan also said, "Since you are so undecided, why don't you ask."
An Fu shook his head. "Whoever dares to ask, I wouldn't dare. If it were you, I'd just listen to the Master's instructions. We can't guess anything else."
"That's right. Madam and Master can't guess what the Master wants to do every day, so how can we guess it?"
After hearing An Yuan's words, An Fu remembered the young master's reply that day. Although he went out to do business, An Yuan said that the young master wrote the three words "dream lover". After thinking about it, he also had the answer.
The next day, Baili came to Dengshi Hall to ask about Yu Huatang's condition.
Yu Huatang poured him tea and talked about what happened with Zhao Yan yesterday, and recalled Zhao Yan's original words carefully and repeated them.
Finally, he said, "Master Zhao means that we don't have to worry. He will tell his subordinates and the local county magistrate."
After listening to this, Baili nodded and said that this was a good thing and Lord Zhao was very thoughtful, but he had helped us so much that we had to show our appreciation.
Yu Huatang thought it was unnecessary, "Lord Zhao probably won't accept our gift."
"It's his business whether to accept it or not, but if he doesn't send it, it's our fault." Baili said.
Yu Huatang felt that what he said made some sense. "Then I'll go buy him some calligraphy or painting tomorrow."
"How can I ask you to buy it? If you give it to him, how can it be considered a private transaction?" Baili disagreed. "I'll take care of it. I'll buy a painting first, and then treat him to a meal."
"Why are you the one to do it? It was all because of me. No matter what, I'm the one who paid for it." Yu Huatang said.
"Why should you pay for it? I was the one who beat him up, so of course I should go and thank him. It's none of your business as a woman. Besides, these paintings aren't cheap, five hundred taels each. Do you have that kind of money? Do you have to sell the house and then go to the bank to borrow money?"
"Who said I didn't have it? I..." Yu Huatang thought helplessly. The one thousand taels of silver she brought back was just a gesture of anger, and she didn't expect Zhao Yan to really give it to her.
After returning here, she paid for the round-trip carriage and the yard, which cost a total of three hundred taels.
The remaining seven hundred taels were buried under the tree. She had originally planned to return them to Zhao Yan when she had saved up one thousand taels.
She originally wanted to settle the score with Zhao Yan, but she was really penniless at the time, so she had no choice but to use the money.
Now she is almost done.
"Alright, Huatang, if you keep talking I'm going to get angry. Who has a better relationship with you, me or with Lord Zhao? We've known each other for so many years, why bother with this?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I just want to thank them..." Yu Huatang said helplessly.
"I was the one who beat him up, why should I ask you to thank me? Okay, don't argue with me about this..." Baili made the final decision.
"Okay... okay. I owe you so much, I don't know how to pay you back. I just hope you live long, and I'll do something for you..." She no longer knew how to repay his kindness.
Baili, however, didn't think it was a big deal. He hoped that the two of them would never be able to settle the score, and it would be best if they were entangled for the rest of their lives. "Then I'll tell Lord Zhao tomorrow?"
She said, "You go, I won't go. I'm not used to this kind of occasion..."
Sure enough, a few days later, Baili Yunzhou finally saw Lord Zhao at the government office gate. He stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Lord Zhao, thanks to your care, that Chen Juezi dared not come here again."
Zhao Yan thought he was here for Yu Huatang's matter, so he said, "It's just a small favor. Besides, Miss Yu and I have some past friendship. Master Baili, there's no need to be so polite."
After saying that, he walked forward, as if he was going to leave immediately.
Baili immediately followed, "Your Excellency has worked diligently and thriftily for the people, and I am deeply grateful. I invited you to this meeting simply to express my gratitude. Please do not refuse."
After that, he continued, "Miss Yu actually wanted to thank you first, but as a woman, she didn't understand these things and was afraid of being impolite."
Zhao Yan stopped and looked at him for a while. He took care of this matter because he wanted to get close to Yu Huatang. Privately, he didn't want Baili to avenge her.
Logically, Baili and Huatang's relationship has not reached this point yet.
"No need. I already know what Master Baili is thinking. I'm busy right now, so I won't bother with the formalities." He glanced at Baili and said, "I'll have a chance to have a feast with Master Baili again in the future."
Seeing him about to get on the carriage, Baili immediately handed over the calligraphy and painting in his hand, "Your Excellency's kindness, I will always remember it. However, I am a common man and I am afraid that this calligraphy and painting will be wasted. Please accept it."
Zhao Yan waved his hand and refused, "Really, that's not necessary, Master Baili. Miss Yu and I have some history. Master Baili, please stay. There's no need to see me off."
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