On that day, he took the paper to the yamen and obtained household registration. He moved into the courtyard that Wu Caiwei had prepared for him and then sent people to spread the news of what had happened at the Wu mansion.
Soon, people on the street were saying that the Wu family had behaved badly. Regardless of anything, Wu Yuxuan was the eldest son of the Wu family, so why should he be made to leave with nothing?
Sensing that the situation was turning against them, the Wu family quickly explained to the outside world that Wu Yuxuan himself had requested to leave with nothing and sever all ties with them.
But who would believe them? Everyone knew that the Wu family had a vast fortune, and he was the legitimate eldest son, who should have inherited the majority. Didn't they see that he was now living in the county princess's courtyard?
In an instant, the Wu family's reputation plummeted to the bottom, affecting even marriages and funerals.
Wu Caiwei feared that too much contact with Wu Yuxuan would damage both their reputations, especially since outsiders believed they had no relation. At the same time, she thought that she would eventually have to leave. No matter what, she had to give him some background and support, so that no one would dare to bully him easily after she was gone.
So, she held a grand banquet in her garden, inviting officials and their wives from the city, and publicly became sworn siblings with him.
Immediately, people looked at Wu Yuxuan differently. Some of the quick-witted ones began to inquire about his marriage. Upon hearing that he was not yet engaged, their eyes lit up. However, Wu Yuxuan had his own plans. He publicly stated that he was not considering marriage recently and wished to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to studying again and participating in the imperial examinations.
Even so, it did not dampen their enthusiasm. From then on, whenever Wu Yuxuan went out, he found many young ladies shyly encountering him. He would get goosebumps at such encounters and quickly try to escape.
At this time, A Mu Yun, who had disappeared for several months, finally deigned to send her a letter. He wrote a long scroll, explaining the reason for his prolonged silence. It turned out that before he could return to Dali, he had been ambushed on the road and severely injured. After a period of recovery, he found that things had changed drastically by the time he returned to the court. The Second Prince had rallied his subordinates and successfully forced the abdication, becoming the King of Dali.
He then hid in the outskirts of the royal city, secretly contacting his subordinates and enduring hardships. On a dark and stormy night, he launched a desperate counterattack and successfully ascended the throne.
To stabilize the situation, he had been working tirelessly, day and night, handling matters. Once he had finally stabilized things, he eagerly wrote her a letter. He had also already submitted a memorial to the Emperor, requesting that the Emperor choose a date for their imperial marriage. He believed they would be married before long.
Although the letter briefly mentioned his injury and the matter of seizing the throne, Wu Caiwei could imagine the critical situation at the time. While feeling somewhat pained, she also felt some regret and decided not to separate from him again, lest he find himself in a situation of isolation and helplessness.
Soon, she received the imperial decree for the wedding and began packing to return to the capital. On the day she left, Wu Yuxuan prepared many gifts for her. He was particularly reluctant to part with her, knowing that she would be married to a neighboring country and might never see him again in her lifetime.
However, all good things must come to an end. The two finally parted with lingering reluctance. Thus, Wu Caiwei had completed her mission. For the remaining time, she would live her life well and maintain contact with them.
Three months later, she gloriously married into the Dali kingdom and became the Queen of Dali, ruling hand in hand with A Mu Yun, deeply loved by the people.
Wu Yuxuan, who had become the father of three children, listened to the legends of the King and Queen of Dali being told in the streets and alleys, and exchanged a knowing smile with his wife.
As for Lin Ziyou, she felt her life had been like that of a spoiled young girl, doted on by Dong'er before her marriage, by her husband after her marriage, and by her children in her old age. Before leaving this world, looking back on her life, although there were inevitably some regrets, she had been happy.
After A Mu Yun closed his eyes, Wu Caiwei also chose to leave the mortal world. Instantly, Dali was plunged into mourning. The Emperor and Empress departed on the same day, bringing sorrow to those who heard and tears to those who listened. When their funeral procession passed, people spontaneously lined up along the roadside, silently sending them off.
Seeing the golden water fall into the bottle once more, Wu Caiwei seamlessly entered the next world.
As soon as she regained consciousness, she saw a plainly dressed woman beside her talking incessantly. Wu Caiwei had just arrived and had not yet understood the situation. She dared not voice an opinion, only looking at the woman with innocent, wide eyes.
Mother Xu looked at her and felt a headache. Other families feared that their son's death would lead their daughter-in-law to remarry, but their family wanted their daughter-in-law to remarry, yet the other party refused to listen.
"You don't have to look at me like that every time. You're still young and can find someone with good conditions. In a few years, when you're a bit older and your conditions are slightly better, someone else will have already found a partner. My son has been dead for two years, and there's really no need to delay your future," Mother Xu sighed and said earnestly.
"But I just want to stay with you and take care of you in your old age," Wu Caiwei replied cautiously, having gleaned much useful information from her words.
"Why are you so stubborn? I've told you so many times, and you just won't listen. You're such a good girl, he doesn't deserve you, and he's not worth you waiting for him," Mother Xu said anxiously.
This scene had clearly happened many times. Although Mother Xu was anxious, she was not surprised. Wu Caiwei had a feeling that something was not quite right with her.
A moment later, a little girl, three or four years old, skipped in. Mother Xu's eyes lit up upon seeing her granddaughter. "Come to Grandma."
The little girl's eyes crinkled into smiles, and she happily called out "Grandma" before nestling into her arms. One asked with concern, and the other replied with childish innocence. The scene was exceptionally harmonious.
Wu Caiwei had thought that Mother Xu had given up for the time being, but who knew that right after lunch, she pulled her to the door of a family in the village.
After knocking, a middle-aged woman opened the door. Upon seeing them, the two began to exchange pleasantries.
The woman seemed to know why they were there, her gaze occasionally scanning Wu Caiwei up and down. Indeed, as soon as they sat down, Mother Xu couldn't help but say, "We're all from the same village. You know what kind of person my daughter-in-law is, I believe you don't need me to tell you. If it weren't for my son's accident, I truly wouldn't bear to part with her."
As she spoke, she gently patted Wu Caiwei's hand in her own. Wu Caiwei quickly said, "Mother, let's go home quickly. You are reluctant to part with me, and I am reluctant to part with you. I don't want to remarry."
Hearing their words, the middle-aged woman looked at them with suspicion, unsure of their intentions. One wanted to help her find a partner, while the other did not want to marry, which made her feel somewhat troubled.