Chapter 77 A Sincere Apology
The moon was high above the branches, but the sound of the carriage was still not heard.
He thought worriedly again, with so many people gathered there today, his relationship with her, and the grievances she suffered in the capital would probably spread everywhere soon.
She would definitely be hurt. In these country families, if someone lost a chicken, they would talk about it for half a year, let alone something like hers.
He was somewhat annoyed that Zhao Xun spoke without restraint and pushed her to the forefront, but now the only thing he could do was to apologize to her and tell her that he would take care of what happened next. He had a way to make the rumors disappear.
As for the drinking and tea gambling on the pleasure boats and the betting of prostitutes, he could explain them away. He had no such hobby and no such interest.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he heard the sound of a carriage in the alley. He heard the driver say, "Slow down."
Then came the sounds of the gate opening and closing, and soon silence returned to the surroundings.
He slowly walked out of the room. The moon was high in the sky tonight, shining like fog, which inexplicably filled the ground with a sense of mystery.
If it were in the past, he would definitely be in a very good mood and would even find various reasons to invite her to watch the moon together.
But now he dared not move his hand to knock on the door. He was too scared...
He stood for a while, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door with determination.
Soon, someone came out. She opened the door and showed a puzzled face, "What's the matter, sir?"
Zhao Yan looked into her eyes carefully, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was not crying. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "I'm really sorry about what happened today..."
Yu Huatang looked over and asked, "Did he drink the mung bean soup when he got home? His leg should be okay, right?"
"It's okay... just a little mark." He continued obscurely.
"Well, Ji An likes to raise some of these things, but they are not poisonous."
Zhao Yan immediately continued, "I know this snake is definitely not poisonous. If it were, they would have called for help right away. Zhao Xun was wrong today. He shouldn't have gone to the reed marsh. Not only did he ruin your cousin's livelihood, he also stole things and brought disgrace upon the family. I apologize to you and your cousin on his behalf. If possible, I would like to take him to apologize to your cousin in person..."
Yu Huatang chuckled, "Your Excellency, what are you talking about? We country folk don't deserve your respect. What happened has already happened. Let's forget it."
Zhao Yan understood the sarcasm and ridicule in her words and said anxiously, "I'm sincere. If I wanted to make fun of you, I wouldn't have waited until now. I really want to apologize. Besides, we were husband and wife before, and your cousin is also my cousin. What we did today is entirely our fault, and we should admit our mistakes in person."
"No need. It's over. There's no need for that." Yu Huatang said seriously.
Zhao Yan was stunned, not knowing what to say for a long time. "Whether you want it or not, I think this is all our fault. He shouldn't have openly brought those people to your cousin's reed marsh, nor should he have done those things..."
"Sir," she interrupted him, "don't say any more. If you really feel sorry, please keep this apology in your heart and don't come to me again. Don't mention our previous relationship to anyone."
"Years ago, I married you without knowing the world's limitations, thinking we would live in harmony like any other couple. But I was wrong. I didn't know that no one in your family had ever considered this marriage. It's just that you are a well-educated family, so you can't say such decisive words. You also hope that I can be sensible and say it myself."
She took a deep breath, tears welling up in her eyes. "But I was only a teenager at the time. I hadn't been anywhere else in over a decade, so I naturally couldn't read people's expressions, and naturally didn't understand your hidden meaning. I didn't even know that your family actually wanted He Rongjin, and that I wasn't even as good as a maid in the mansion..."
"Later, I finally understood. My existence had caused your family to be talked about and had lowered your reputation. Three years later, we divorced, and I reaped the consequences!"
She choked up and took a deep breath. "So many years have passed, and every time I think of what happened back then, I regret it. If I hadn't been dreaming of the bright moon in the sky, perhaps today wouldn't be happening. Now I'm all alone, and I just want to be a craftsman and live my life on my own. I never thought about meeting you, nor did I ever think about having anything to do with you again..."
"Zhao Yan, I was the one who blocked your marriage before. Now I've repented and received the punishment I deserved. So, please, don't come looking for me again, okay? I just want to live a simple life. I don't want to have anything to do with you or anyone in your family. We've been divorced for a long time, and I don't want to think about the past anymore, so please don't appear in front of me again, okay? Finally, I hope you can rise step by step in the future and leave this small place. I hope you will have a happy marriage and get what you want. From now on, we owe each other nothing and will never have any contact again, okay?"
He staggered a few steps towards his stepmother and had no idea how he got home. He only knew that after he returned to the study, Zhao Xun followed him in.
He asked, "I just found out that she lives diagonally across from here. Brother, what were you doing over there just now? You didn't want me to apologize, did you?"
Zhao Yan looked over but said nothing.
Zhao Xun continued, "I've asked Anfu about this, and she said she's really a craftsman now, and she doesn't plan to get married again. But this is strange. Her cousin doesn't try to persuade her. She stays with men every day, and goes out in public to buy and sell things. What's she going to do in the future..."
"Does anyone really buy the things she makes? I don't think she's exaggerating."
Zhao Yan suddenly looked over coldly and said sternly, "Her craftsmanship is excellent, even the most skilled craftsmen are ashamed of themselves. Why is it that no one buys her lamps? Her lamps are priceless. Zhao Xun, I used to remember you as someone who neglected her and didn't know the importance of her teaching. Today, I realize you don't even have a basic sense of compassion."
"Even if she hadn't married me before, shouldn't we all be in awe of a woman who survives on her own? In this world, men can barely survive, let alone a woman who wants to excel where men should. You shouldn't reflect on yourself for not having achieved anything despite being born into a wealthy family, but instead blame her for disregarding her reputation! Zhao Xun, in the eyes of others, you're just relying on your family's power. If it comes down to it, you have no right to say such things!"
Zhao Xun was also angry. "Why can't I say it? Others can say it, but I can't! This world divides people into different classes. If she wants to blame someone, she should blame herself for not being born into a good family. Besides, haven't you two already divorced? Why are you lecturing me time and again for her today? Who is closer to you, me or her?"
Zhao Yan glared at him again, "I'm only telling you this based on facts. If you keep yelling like this today, she'll be talked about in the future. Have you ever thought about this..."
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