There are many unsolvable problems in this world. If you care about them, they become issues; if you don’t, they’re nothing. In the same situation, some people live heavily, while others live lightly, depending on their thoughts. While saying this, many still consciously make themselves uncomfortable, tying a knot in their heart. It’s not that they enjoy torturing themselves; they just haven’t figured it out yet.
To untie this knot, one must rely on a moment of enlightenment. Some understand quickly, while others never do.
Song Sitang’s situation wasn’t too serious; she was just stuck and unable to find a way out. All I could do was guide her and whether she could escape depended on herself.
“Let me ask you, if the person who passed away wasn’t Tang Wei’s fiancée, but his elder or sibling, would you still feel this bad?”
Song Sitang thought and then shook her head: “No.”
“So what’s the difference between a relative and a fiancée?”
“One is blood kinship, the other is romantic love,” she thought. “I feel he still loves that girl from before, and marrying me is just a compromise. With Tang Gongzi’s personality, after so many years of not getting married, it would be better to say that he can’t let go of the guilt in his heart rather than still harboring romantic feelings for his former fiancée. Perhaps he feels that his inaction caused her death, leaving a huge shadow in his heart. I said with a sigh, ‘Finally, he met you, developed feelings for you, and decided to step out of this shadow. Who would have thought your words would make him fall back into the old matter, possibly feeling panic about losing you in the same way? How could he not act abnormally?’
Song Sitian listened in a daze, unable to utter a word for a long time.
I slowly drank a cup of tea. Perhaps the facts aren’t entirely as I said, but they are not far off. Tang Wei is a true gentleman with a strong sense of responsibility. If he were willing to settle, he would have done so long ago. He must have genuine feelings for Song Sitian. Since everyone has true feelings, we cannot let them fall apart.”
Song Sitian sat down silently, picking up a porcelain pillow, lost in thought. I patted her shoulder and advised, “Remember, no matter how cold or powerful your husband may appear, inside he is just a small animal afraid of being hurt. You must use your warmth and softness to accommodate, protect, and support him.”
“Second Sister…” My younger sister An Jin smiled from the doorway, leaning against the frame. My heart filled with emotion at her jade-like beauty.
“Brother-in-law is here,” she said. “Also, Tang Gongzi has arrived.”
I was speechless and pinched him hard. He recoiled, a hint of grievance in his expression. “Ah Yao, as you said, men can be fragile and need their wife’s gentle care.” He looked at me expectantly, then leaned back weakly. “I suddenly feel quite weak. Why don’t we go back to the room to discuss how to care for me?”
I smiled softly. “Since you’re weak, I might ask my mother for that medicinal soup recipe and brew it for you every day.”
His face turned slightly pale, and he gestured a polite refusal.
Back at the An residence, Que’er greeted me happily.
“Who won?” I asked eagerly.
She spread out her palm: “They fought five times. Xiao Huang won three times, Yuan Qing two. In this series, Xiao Huang won, and the madam lost five qian of silver.”
I sighed and reluctantly gave her a piece of silver. Yuan Qing was truly disappointing.
Since Xiao Huang arrived, the bird and dog had been competing constantly, likely vying for territory. Everyone secretly bet on the day’s winner, and Yuan Qing was at a disadvantage.
An Jin found it amusing yet frustrating. “You’ve bet on Yuan Qing three times, lost each time, and you still bet on it?”
I replied, “Yuan Qing is proud. If I don’t support it, it might run away.”
An Jin laughed. “It’s that smart?”
“Sir, don’t underestimate Yuan Qing,” Que’er interjected. “Today, it lost fur from being pecked by Xiao Huang. I saw it looking at the pond all afternoon, refusing to eat, hiding in the corner and crying sadly.”
Hurrying into the courtyard, I began to search for it.
A white parrot flapped its wings and flew to me, landing on my shoulder and calling twice: “Madam, Madam!” Since it arrived, An Jin had managed to change its way of speaking from “Princess” to “Madam”. Now it held its head high, displaying a proud attitude that suggested it was in charge.
I knocked on its little head. It tilted its head to dodge, its green bean-like eyes showing some puzzlement. “Yuan Qing came earlier. Can’t you recognize it as your big brother? What’s wrong with that?” I lectured it, regardless of its understanding. “Isn’t it glorious to have such a fellow as a big brother?”
An Jin took Xiao Huang from my shoulder. The parrot flapped its wings, attempting to peck An Jin’s hand but was caught by its beak, struggling unsuccessfully.
As I laughed, I noticed a large white dog hiding by the wall, looking our way. When it saw me, it hesitated and didn’t approach. “Yuan Qing!” I waved to it, but it retreated with its tail between its legs.
Surprised, I chased after it and finally found it in the horse shed, curled up next to the horses, burying its head in the hay. I squatted down, parted the hay, and pulled it out. Its once even and dense white fur had lost several patches, and a small wound under its eye made it look pitiful and tearful.
Having lost the fight and been disfigured, Yuan Qing had likely lost its confidence. I could see a dejected white dog, carrying a small bundle, slowly disappearing in the sunset.
I applied medicine to its wound and held it in my arms, comforting it. Only then did it slightly recover, extending its tongue to lick my arm.
An Jin brought Xiao Huang in and placed it in front of Yuan Qing. I expected Yuan Qing to rise in anger, but it only nestled its head into my arms.
Xiao Huang hesitated, jumping in front of it and gently rubbing its beak on Yuan Qing’s tail. Yuan Qing lazily opened its eyes and glanced at it. Was this a reconciliation?
After half a month in the An residence, peace arrived. Later, Xiao Huang could perch on Yuan Qing’s head and help scratch its itches. Yuan Qing adopted a nonchalant attitude towards the noisy bird, occasionally pretending to pounce but gently pawing it before letting go.
The neighbors now had a pair of partners that made the entire street restless. I felt gratified; with these two lively creatures, life felt flavorful, even without children. An Jin heard me say this and smiled, though there was a hint of bitterness in his eyes.
I knew he really wanted a child, but since drinking the sterility wine, we had tried every method without success. I gradually gave up hope and began to adapt to our life as a couple, while An Jin struggled to accept this reality.
Song Sitian finally got married, bringing great joy. My elder brother also married Miao Yin, spending his days happily with her. Both marriages added much festivity to our lives.
My elder brother and Miao Yin were well-matched. He retired from the Hanlin Academy to open a restaurant in Yan Feng, with him as the chef and Miao Yin as the manager. By the time we learned of their plans, they had already found a location and were preparing to set up before opening.
Those outside the family often don’t understand our troubles. This time, Mother became unhappy, treating Miao Yin coldly and finding fault with her constantly. My elder brother had to appease both his mother and Miao Yin, unable to offend either. Although Miao Yin was open-minded, she eventually retaliated against her mother-in-law’s unreasonable provocations, which only led to harsher treatment.
