“If that’s the case, the current situation of the two of them is indeed very similar to the story you described. They were torn apart by villains like you. Isn’t that despicable?” Huang Zilan suddenly realized, finding it amusing.

“Nonsense, we’re not villains. And the two people in my book end up happily together because the author is very talented. Despite their poverty, they have skills like winemaking and cooking, and they become rich. More importantly, they are far-sighted and resolute when facing challenges. If the villain tests them but they still stay together, it’s because there are many discerning people who recognize their worth!” Liao Tingyu defended, denying the villainous label.

This was the first time Huang Zilan heard this argument. He angrily grabbed Liao Tingyu’s ears. “So, did you marry me because of my good family background?” he asked, teasingly.

Liao Tingyu’s poor ears were suddenly tugged. His face turned red as he begged for mercy with clenched teeth and cracked lips: “Zilan, I didn’t. It was your cousin who set us up. Besides, I am talented, and you are beautiful—a perfect match made in heaven.”

“You’re just playing around,” Huang Zilan replied. “Don’t try to deceive me now. You only wanted to marry me for my family’s money, but you disguised it well, and your thieving skills were superb. You didn’t steal the money; you took the golden egg home,” he said proudly.

“That’s true. I was greedy for your money, and I got lucky with the golden egg. Now, I’m afraid someone will take away my little golden egg in a few years. Alas, having money is not always a good thing,” Liao Tingyu said seriously.

What he said was true. Thinking about marriage, when he had Mi Li, he was so happy and full of love. But now, as he watched his child grow up day by day, he couldn’t help but worry about the future—whether his son would marry someone else and leave him.

Huang Zilan couldn’t help but find it amusing when he thought about Liao Tingyu teaching his son strange questions about inheritance and intelligence instead of focusing on his studies.

“I’m telling you, since you know you’re hugging a golden egg, you have to cherish it,” Huang Zilan said.

“Don’t you think I’m cherishing it?” Liao Tingyu pulled Huang Zilan into his arms, holding his close.

“You’re becoming more and more talkative now. But tell me how to deal with this matter quickly. If these two people develop a deep attachment and cannot let go or are forcefully separated in the future, you will be the one to blame,” Huang Zilan said.

“I think he should handle this matter himself. It’s not our place to intervene,” Liao Tingyu said.

“Do you mean to send Zhao Han to the capital? Or do you want to send him away like this? It’s easier said than done,” Huang Zilan remarked, knowing that Zhao Han was very intelligent. If they tried to get rid of him too easily, they might encounter difficulties in the future.

“It’s not necessary. Let’s wait until things get out of control. That kid is smart and will understand just by hinting at it,” Liao Tingyu said.

.

Soon, more than a dozen government officials entered. Liao Tingyu took a look and selected a few to stay.

“I’ll give you a task today. Go tell Zhao Han that his father is about to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. You usually get along well with him, so it’s your turn to deliver this message,” Liao Tingyu instructed.

The yamen servant wondered why he should inform Zhao Han when the young master could be told upon his return. Additionally, children typically know when it was their father’s birthday.

However, out of loyalty to their master, the yamen servant quickly found Zhao Han and delivered the message.

Zhao Han calculated the time and realized that it was indeed his father’s birthday. He should return home no matter what. If he didn’t go back, his brothers and sisters might not be able to do the celebration.

But…

Zhao Han stopped walking toward the alley. In the past, he always wanted to see his father, but now he was suddenly worried. He was nineteen now. In a big family, it was time for him to marry a wife and have children. Although he had several concubines, he had no first wife.

He didn’t know if his father and mother would let him get married if he went back this time. Even his fifth brother, who was one year younger than him, had an oldest child which was already three years old.

Zhao Han looked at the alley far and near with great sadness.

He felt like the person the master mentioned, walking alone in the alley with an umbrella, listening to the sound of rain, and no one knew his loneliness.

The rain broke his dream, and he saw the reality through the dream.

He had been immersed in false dreams before. When he stopped and thought carefully, he realized that everything was just a mist, which could never be retained and was fleeting.

Zhao Han suddenly felt very sad. This time, he did not return to the county government office immediately. Instead, he went to the tavern. The government officials took him there once and the wine there was very delicious.

Holding the wine in an exquisite wine glass, Zhao Han looked at the wine and felt a sense of sadness in his heart. Even with such wine, he would not be willing to take a sip.

Zhao Han thought.

As for the food and wine on this table, each plate costs dozens of wens. But how many people in the county are willing to pay for it?

In the Duke’s Mansion, a simple dish would cost one or two taels of silver, and the cheapest piece of clothing would cost dozens of taels. There was such a huge gap.

And a boy got a penny on the ground and smiled so brightly.

As Zhao Han thought about it, tears fell down. Seeing that his mood was a bit wrong, the people around him turned away to give him some independent space.

For the first time, Zhao Han had a feeling of wanting to write poetry. He hated the literati’s sentiments of sadness for spring and autumn. Unfortunately, he did not have such good cultural cells, so he could only toast himself to the bright moon and toast himself to this poem. A love that was extinguished before it could burn.

He made up his mind never to read his teacher’s novels again; they were all false.

The teacher was a big liar, a liar who was responsible for deceiving people but didn’t want to help them woke up.

Note: aww, I thought Zhao Han and Jinli would be a couple.