Chapter 33: Her Heart Softens a Little 33

Fu family

Fu Qiwei took out an extra-large suitcase, Yi Ruan stood at the side directing.

"I often wear that piece of clothing." She pointed to a beige coat in the wardrobe.

The man took the coat from the wardrobe, placed it on the bed, removed the hanger, and with his distinct, good-looking fingers folded the coat neatly and put it into the suitcase.

Yi Ruan, protecting her five-month pregnancy, leaned her tall, slender figure against the wall.

She quietly watched Fu Qiwei tidy up; seeing him organize things neatly, she also sat down and stopped worrying.

……

……

Around ten o'clock in the morning.

The old residence of the Fu family, a half-moon.

"Ruanruan, we'll go see Grandfather later." So the man lowered his head, helped her tie the scarf, his warm breath spraying over her ears and neck, his voice faint and clear.

Yi Ruan nodded, protecting her belly as she lifted her head to look at him, her eyes blinking twice, "Then do I also need to go see Mother?"

He hesitated in his hand, slightly lowered his head, a flicker of surprise crossed his deep eyes, "Ruanruan, when you see her you need to detour."

It's best not to see Rongwei; why are you still eagerly sending yourself up?

She hummed in agreement, taking his words to heart as well.

On the blue stone slab road.

She wore a beige overcoat, a knitted slit long skirt, wrapping her exquisite figure, her slightly protruding belly, inadvertently adding a touch of gentleness.

Fu Qiwei held her hand.

It is said that lovers whose fingers are interlocked can stay together till old age, never parting.

"Through life and death, I vow with you; holding your hand, I will grow old with you."

"Is Grandfather's residence far from us?" she asked softly.

"Not far, soon."

After turning a corner, we arrived at the Guard Moon courtyard.

Yi Ruan and he stood at the gate; this courtyard was indeed not an ordinary one.

From the carved architecture to the plants and furnishings inside, everything was the finest.

The old steward opened the door and invited them in.

In the courtyard, Old Master Fu was playing chess, with an old man sitting opposite him.

"Yo, Qiwei is back." The old man stood up, clapped his hands, and said with a smile, "Then I'll be off."

The old man walked past her with brisk steps; as he was leaving, he glanced at her pregnant belly, and although he wore a smile, that smile made her shiver.

Startled, she shivered; the man beside her said lightly, "Are you not wearing enough?"

She shook her head slightly.

"Qiwei, come play a game of chess with me." Old Master Fu looked at them both with a kind smile, "Old Qin, go fetch a chair for Ruanruan."

The old steward set off, she stood where she was, Fu Qiwei walked over steadily and sat opposite Old Master Fu.

After the old steward brought the chair, she smiled, "Thank you."

She sat down, watching the two play chess; in her previous life she didn't know how to play chess, nor had she studied it much; among many board games, she only knew how to play flight chess and five-in-a-row.

She wasn't far from them, but their conversation was soft, so she could only catch the gist.

"Now the Fu family no longer needs a business marriage." Old Master Fu pinched a black stone and slowly placed it.

Fu Qiwei hesitated, his hand movement paused slightly, the finger holding the white stone lightly touched the intersection, and he said lightly, "In the future we also won't need a business marriage."

Old Master Fu raised an eyebrow at him, speaking leisurely, "I'm old, so it's inevitable to make foolish mistakes."

He said nothing, merely watching the game.

Just now, that move Grandfather made was wrong.

"Sometimes I can't resist the pleas of the younger generation, but now thinking about it, one mistaken step leads to another." Old Master Fu said earnestly.

He lifted his head, looking at Old Master Fu's meaningful gaze, coldly saying, "As long as I like it, I'd rather persist in the mistake."

One stone placed decides the slaughter, like the whole board full of Fu family members.

Yi Ruan quietly watched the board, her eyes unfocused and lost.

The old steward watched the game while paying attention to the young madam's expression; the young madam seemed to be in a daze?

These days, she constantly thinks about her past life; each time she recalls it, she feels some longing for her father, mother, and brother.

Sometimes, when her thoughts are stirred, she can't help but have tears swirl in her eye sockets.

The old steward observed that this young madam lacked the former vitality, not knowing whether it was due to her pregnancy making her more steady.

Grandfather and grandson, with hidden meanings in their words, finished a game of chess fraught with killing intent; Fu Qiwei stood up, patted himself, looked at the seated young woman, and smiled.

"These days there are many people; Ruanruan, you'd better not go out, lest you bump into something bad." Old Master Fu also stood up, looking at Yi Ruan as she rose slowly, speaking kindly.

Yi Ruan nodded, her voice softening, "I will pay close attention, Grandfather too, you should also look after your health."

He looked at her, his gaze very gentle, "Grandfather, then we'll be leaving."

"Okay."

Old Master Fu stood at the gate of the Guard Moon courtyard, watching the two figures gradually fade into the distance, the old steward standing beside him.

Master and servant, one on the left and one on the right, walked into the courtyard.

"I owe this girl an apology, and also owe the unborn great-grandson." Old Master Fu's voice was low, somewhat choked.

The old steward lowered his head, "This great-grandson has no fortune to come to our Fu family in this life; let him come in the next."

A heavy sigh.

"I'll go check the ancestral hall."

In the ancestral hall

An old man knelt on a futon, the memorial tablets above—some new, some worn—showed in full display the status and power of generation after generation.

The Fu family's young great-grandson will be strangled by my own hands.

I shouldn't have agreed to let him marry a powerless woman back then; now one mistake leads to another.

I thought the Fu family, having attained this power, could not be shaken by anyone, yet I never expected to be held back by romantic love.

I must consider the Fu family; when the nest is overturned, are there any intact eggs? Sacrificing a woman and a child is nothing.

I, Fu Zhan, am sorry to my ancestors, and sorry to that girl.

For the Fu family, for the clan-head heir he has long yearned for, despite his advanced age, he still must kill.

Qinggeng Small Courtyard

Rong Wei sat on the sofa, the fireplace blazing with fierce flames, and from time to time one could hear the crackle of burning kindling.

On the expensive Persian carpet knelt a delicate young lady.

She wore a thin summer-style dress; the widow's autumnal gaze evoked pity, with tears still hanging at the corners of her eyes.

She knelt helplessly on the carpet, her long hair disheveled, her face resembling Yi Ruan's still streaked with tears, she whispered hoarsely, 'Madam, Ruan Ruan begs you, let me see my sister.'

Yi Ruan, after turning 16, has been imprisoned by Madame Rong; for years she has been locked in the basement, her bodily torment never ceasing—rape and forced cohabitation have become routine.

Rong Wei appears so dignified and graceful, yet behind the scenes she is cruel and heartless.

She has tormented Yi Ruan's mind and body day after day for years, yet she does not let her die.

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