Strange things began to happen one after another at the Yan residence, and Wen Hao stayed at home all day, neither receiving guests nor attending court, which made people in the court quite dissatisfied.
They were all impeaching Wen Hao for neglecting the Crown Prince for the sake of his deceased wife.
There are even rumors circulating in the streets that Wen Hao is possessed by evil spirits or is being haunted by malevolent ghosts, speculating that his wife was actually killed by him.
Even Yan Taiyun couldn't shut these people up, and he was even more disappointed in Wen Hao.
He could certainly use his imperial power to save someone, but a minister who was so insane that he could see ghosts was not what he wanted, even if Wen Hao was learned and talented.
He can cherish old feelings, mourn his deceased wife, and even seek out women who resemble his wife.
This is all perfectly understandable.
However, he could not allow himself to imagine that the woman was still alive, which would cause panic among everyone in the manor and make them ignore the rumors from the outside world. This would not only damage the reputation of Wen Hao alone.
Meanwhile, at the Yan residence...
Butler Hu looked at the several people leaving one after another and couldn't help but worry. After sighing, he didn't try to stop them. He not only distributed the silver that had just been given out, but also gave each person an extra 150 coins.
"Steward Hu, it's not that we're ungrateful, it's just that something's really wrong with this manor lately. Even if some of us are getting old and our eyesight is failing, surely we wouldn't all be mistaken?" The chubby cook in the kitchen, his eyes still filled with fear, took the money from Steward Hu and then whispered:
"If you ask me, you should hurry up and find another employer. Anyway, there's no place for your old master in this mansion anymore. Even if you stay, it's just an empty shell. What's the point?"
As someone who had been helped by the lady of the house back then, the chubby boy still had feelings for the Yan family.
What good are feelings? This mansion is still nominally under the Yan family name, but in reality, it changed hands three years ago and was taken over by the Wen family.
Butler Hu's face remained only slightly smiling, but he understood the meaning behind his words. He patted his shoulder without saying anything, but the light in his eyes dimmed a little more.
People leave and things cool down; now that there are so few people in this mansion, it's really hard to get used to.
Li Xiangrong, who had always been at odds with Wen Hao, couldn't sit still after learning from her father that Wen Hao was going to be dismissed, and went straight to his residence.
To his surprise, he found the Yan residence completely empty. Apart from the steward who was still on duty, there wasn't a single person left to sweep or clean.
"Wen Hao, who are you trying to fool with this act? Didn't you notice anything wrong with her before she died, and now you're still fantasizing that she'd stay by your side?"
As soon as Li Xiangrong found Wen Hao, she noticed that he was putting food into an empty bowl, and even his eyes and the corners of his mouth were smiling, full of affection, as if his lover was sitting next to him.
Li Xiangrong picked it up and smashed it on the ground, then grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against a pillar, before punching him in the cheek without any hesitation.
"How could Uncle Yan have ever taken a liking to someone like you!"
He wanted Wen Hao to face reality.
But Wen Hao's gaze was fixed on Yan Li, whom only he could see.
Li Xiangrong followed his gaze but saw nothing. She was stunned, let go of his hand, and slumped down on the stool next to him.
“I know it’s hard to accept the truth, but Li’er is dead. Can you understand? She’s been dead for a long time. You were the one who buried her.”
"The dead cannot be brought back to life."
Wen Hao: "She promised she wouldn't leave me."
“Master Liaochen once told me that there are no ghosts in this world. It’s your obsession that’s too deep. What you see is just what you think in your heart,” Li Xiangrong continued.
Wen Hao looked at the person in front of him with a smile that seemed both mocking and sarcastic: "So you gave up."
"You want me to forget her too?"
Yan Li, who was listening nearby, quickly understood the meaning behind Wen Hao's words.
"Li Xiangrong, didn't you ask me why Uncle Yan chose me?" Wen Hao's eyes were deep and dark, yet he remained as calm as ever.
"That is the reason."
"No matter what the situation, I will not give up."
Lee Sang-yong: "..."
He had no idea whether Yan Li's marriage to him was a blessing or a curse.
He couldn't help but stand up and stagger away from the spot.
That was also the moment Lee Sang-yong left.
Butler Hu then saw Wen Hao, whose mouth was bleeding and half of his face was swollen. He was stunned and looked back at Li Xiangrong.
"My lord, let me help you back to your room to rest..."
"No need," Wen Hao interrupted, leading the still-dazed Yan Li back to their room.
Butler Hu, who witnessed this scene, was stunned again: it seemed that the adult's condition had become more serious.
Inside the room.
Wen Hao sat obediently on the edge of the bed, while Yan Li took out a porcelain bottle from a small cabinet next to him.
"Wen Hao, perhaps what Li Xiangrong said wasn't entirely unreasonable." Yan Li dabbed some ointment on Wen Hao's face with her fingertip and said softly.
But these words seemed to touch Wen Hao's sore spot, and he almost instinctively grabbed Yan Li's hand, "What logic is this? The logic of letting you go?"
"Would you make me lose you again, just like I did three years ago?"
"Ah Li, don't be so cruel to me."
Yan Li was stunned.
He then responded softly.
Seemingly having received the response he wanted, Wen Hao no longer hesitated and pulled Yan Li into his arms, holding her tightly.
Meanwhile, outside the window, under the crooked tree, Butler Hu was frowning as he watched this absurd scene.
"Ah Li, in five days it will be the three-year anniversary of our marriage. Would you be willing to marry me again?" Wen Hao, who had buried his head in Yan Li's neck, did not notice anything amiss.
But Yan Li was stunned again: "Remarry?" Marry a ghost? Is this really something a normal person would say?
"No need... um~" Before Yan Li could finish speaking, she felt a light pinch on her waist. She couldn't help but let out a soft groan before belatedly realizing that something was wrong.
Upon hearing that voice, Wen Hao's ears turned slightly red, and his breathing became erratic: "Then it's settled."
Yan Li: ...
It was really hard for her not to think about Wen Hao's motives for marrying her again.
At this moment, she had already forgotten the unusual itch on her waist. She simply touched Wen Hao's head and pondered her response.
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