C2 An Orphan and a Widow.

In the Su Family's private courtyard, the backyard garden was a riot of color, with flowers vying for attention in a dazzling array of hues.

Leaning against the pavilion stood Su Yuetong, a young woman of eighteen or nineteen, her black eyes clear and otherworldly. Her beauty was striking, with a touch of frost that only heightened her allure. Clad in a white dress pure as snow, her face was expressionless, yet a faint blush tinged her cheeks.

"Did he really say that with his own lips?" she asked after a pause, her voice carrying a chill that seemed both deliberate and unintentional.

Cuilan, her personal maidservant, nodded vehemently. "Indeed, that good-for-nothing is not only alive but had the audacity to create a scene at our Su Family estate. He's even threatening to exact bloody revenge on us. The nerve of him!"

Cuilan's voice was thick with loathing. Over the past month, she had shown nothing but disdain for Du Shaomu. Learning that he had survived and was making such bold claims only added to her irritation.

As Cuilan's gaze returned to her mistress, she suggested, "Eldest Miss, if we allow such a braggart to live, he could tarnish the Su Family's reputation. Perhaps it would be best to end him and feed him to the dogs."

Su Yuetong remained impassive, offering no reaction to the suggestion. "My cousin is still waiting, isn't he? Please go and ask him to come here," she instructed Cuilan.

"At once, Eldest Miss," Cuilan replied, quickly excusing herself.

Alone, Su Yuetong stood in contemplative silence, her white dress billowing like snow in the breeze, her long black hair cascading down her back. She was a vision of icy perfection, almost too daunting to behold.

Before long, a young man dressed in fine garments, his eyes dark with intent, approached her excitedly. "Cousin, I've heard that wretch didn't perish. Shall I send someone to dispose of him now? It would be as trivial as crushing an ant."

Su Yuetong turned to face Zhao Hu, her cousin. "We mustn't speak of such things again. Taking a life is a crime, and regardless of what has transpired, Du Shaomu was once our family's son-in-law."

Zhao Hu was momentarily captivated by her gaze, his heart fluttering. "Cousin, you know how I've felt about you since we were children. I had resolved to join your family, to be with you, even if it meant marrying in. But you chose him, and I've heard your regrets. Now that you've cast him out, my feelings remain unchanged. I am as devoted as ever, and I would do anything to marry you."

"Cousin, you're making too much of it," Su Yuetong replied calmly. "My husband's indiscretions have brought shame upon our family, and the clan elders are greatly displeased. I had no choice but to divorce him. As for marriage, I have set such thoughts aside and vowed to honor my father with ten years of mourning. You are a man of great talent and martial prowess, and there will be many women from whom you can choose in the future. I appreciate your sentiments, but that is all they can be."

With a perfectly measured smile, Su Yuetong met Zhao Hu's gaze. Yet her cool, clear voice left him momentarily lost for words.

"After ten years of loyalty, cousin, didn't you once say that if given the chance to choose again, you'd be extra cautious?"

Zhao Hu was taken aback. Su Yuetong had recently mentioned that, given another opportunity, she would choose very carefully, giving him the impression that he stood the greatest chance.

"Regrettably, life doesn't offer the chance to start over."

Su Yuetong's gaze turned icy as she confronted Zhao Hu. "I've been informed that Du Shaomu was poisoned, a poison potent enough to be lethal. And wasn't he last seen with you, cousin? This incident must be connected to you. Regardless, he was still my Su Family's son-in-law yesterday. Should this scandal break, the Su Family elders won't let it slide for the sake of our reputation. This could be disastrous for both our families, and cousin, it would ruin you."

"Cousin, I..."

At her words, Zhao Hu's eyes flickered. His plan had been to eliminate Du Shaomu, win the lady's heart, and claim the Su Family's fortune.

He had dreamt of this exquisite woman, believing she was destined to be his alone.

Yet, reality had unfolded so differently from his expectations.

"Enough, cousin. You should leave now; I have matters to attend to. Look after yourself!"

With those chilling words, Su Yuetong dismissed Zhao Hu.

...

Du Shaomu was rushing home, learning the full story from Du Xiaohou along the way.

The Su Family had sent a message early that morning, falsely accusing him of misconduct and claiming he had perished at Yi Hong Lou. They left some money and demanded his mother, Jiang Rou, vacate North Cloud City within three days. When she resisted and sought news of her son, she was shoved to the ground by the Su Family's messengers.

Du Shaomu had believed he felt no attachment to his mother in this life, but the urgency of the situation had his heart racing as he hurried home.

At the entrance to their modest courtyard stood Jiang Rou, frail in her faded dress, her eyes searching the distance with worry, waiting for Du Xiaohou's return.

The gathered neighbors, and women of Jiang Rou's age, offered words of comfort. "The Su Family has gone too far. We've watched Shaomu grow up; his character is no mystery. He would never frequent such disreputable places. Clearly, the Su Family is fabricating excuses to drive him away."

"Jiang Rou, stay calm. Let's wait for Xiaohou's news. Perhaps Shaomu wasn't at Yi Hong Lou after all. The Su Family could be spreading lies."

Jiang Rou's gaze remained fixed on the alley entrance, her anxiety palpable as she awaited Xiaohou's return.

"Mother."

Du Shaomu returned breathlessly, spotting his mother from a distance. Influenced by the restless spirit within, he rushed to Jiang Rou's side.

"It's Shaomu! The boy's alive!"

"I told you the Su Family was spouting nonsense."

The neighbors, though initially uncertain, now felt vindicated seeing Du Shaomu alive; they were convinced the Su Family had been deceitful.

"Shaomu, are you unharmed?"

Jiang Rou, seeing her son before her, could hardly believe her eyes. She approached him with tears brimming, her rough hands tenderly touching his cheeks. Her eyes, filled with worry and relief, scanned him, as if to ensure he was truly whole. She longed to check every inch of him, just to be certain.

Looking into her mother's eyes, Du Shaomu could see a deep-seated concern and anxiety that resonated with his own innermost feelings.

Initially, his worry for his mother might have been influenced by a lingering sense of injustice in his mind, a shared empathy that made him anxious. But now, Du Shaomu was genuinely moved, his heartstrings plucked by emotion.

"Mother, I'm fine, really. Did you get hurt anywhere?" Du Shaomu reassured his mother that he was unharmed, yet he was unaware of any injuries she might have sustained.

"Shaomu, I'm just relieved you're back. The Su Family has been too oppressive. As a widow and an orphan, I've had no choice but to endure their bullying," his mother lamented.

"The Su Family is despicable, and we, your neighbors, are to blame for our lack of courage to stand up to them," the neighbors added, expressing their regret. They were decent, hardworking folks who felt powerless to intervene. After all, in North Cloud City, the Su Family reigned supreme, and no one dared to cross them.

"Don't worry, I'm alright. I just took a little fall," Jiang Rou assured her son, her spirits lifted by his return. The fall was minor, and she didn't consider it significant. Knowing her son was alive was all that mattered to her.

"Madam, Young Master, perhaps we should continue this conversation inside," suggested Du Xiaohou, who had just arrived at the doorstep. He was puzzled; usually, he could easily keep up with the young master, but today, for some reason, he had been left far behind.

"Yes, let's go inside and talk," Jiang Rou agreed, her mood brightened. She thanked the neighbors for their concern and led Du Shaomu into the yard.

Their modest home provided little more than basic shelter, but it was kept spotless.

The furniture was simple and sparse, yet everything was arranged with care.

Du Shaomu remembered how the Su Family had once offered to buy his mother a better house as compensation for marrying into their family. But she had steadfastly refused, not taking a single penny from them.

In the small living area, there was just an old wooden table, scrubbed clean. Jiang Rou gestured for Du Shaomu to sit and poured two cups of warm water—one for him and one for Du Xiaohou. "You must be thirsty from the run. Drink up. Xiaohou, you too. Are you hurt? You've been through a lot. Next time, don't be so quick to confront them. You're not trained in martial arts; you're no match for the Su Family. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."

"Madam, I'm tough. A few bruises are nothing to worry about. The important thing is that the Young Master is safe," Du Xiaohou replied, his thirst quenched by the warm water. He felt a comforting warmth in his heart.

Over the past five years, despite the Du Family's poverty, both the madam and young master had treated him exceptionally well. The madam had been especially kind, treating him almost like a son.

Today, facing the Su Family, Du Xiaohou was determined to protect his madam at all costs, even if it meant risking his own life.

"Silly children, I'm just glad you're both safe," Jiang Rou said, her heart full of joy. Her son was alive and had come home; that was all she needed.

"Sigh..."

Jiang Rou let out a sigh, her gaze settling on Du Shaomu. "My child, I never approved of you marrying into the Su Family. We may have been poor, just a widow and her orphan, but we lived honestly, without stealing or robbing, and our lives were comfortable and peaceful. Yet, you, in your filial devotion, wanted me to have a life of luxury. You went behind my back to the Su Family and agreed to marry in, making it so hard for me to even see you. But now, let's not think about returning to the Su Family. We'll pack our things and leave North Cloud City first thing tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing these words, Du Shaomu came to understand that the original owner of this body had secretly married into the Su Family, driven by the hope of providing his mother with a better life. Despite being born with sealed meridians, rendering him effectively disabled, he was deeply devoted to his mother. It was no surprise that a lingering, somewhat resentful soul remained; he must have been unable to leave his mother behind with peace of mind.