To Wu Caiwei's surprise, Song Ziyao was indeed a scholar. He excelled in his studies and passed the imperial examination, becoming a Jinshi.
The Song family held a grand banquet to celebrate, and Old Master Song personally invited them many times. Although he eventually returned to the Song family due to social obligations, he often visited the Hu family.
Bao Ge, lacking Song Ziyao's talent, still managed to pass the provincial examination, much to the delight of the Liu family. They were now wealthy and sought status, which they now had.
Sister Ling, having followed Wu Caiwei in Yucheng for many years, had become capable and independent. Due to business dealings, she had even met the young master of the Liu family. At that time, she was the esteemed lady of the Hu and Liu families, while their Liu family had become a mere small merchant household. The Liu family regretted their past, hounding her for many times. Unfortunately, Sister Ling was no longer the country girl she once was, and no amount of sweet talk could sway her.
Eventually, she met an imperial merchant doing business in Yucheng. She married him as his second wife. Although it was a second marriage, his first wife had died in childbirth, a double tragedy, and there were no stepchildren, which made things much easier.
With her children all leading their own lives, Wu Caiwei felt content. If not for her and her husband returning to the county town to discuss Bao Ge's marriage with Liu Changhe, she would have forgotten about that person long ago.
Seeing him dressed in rags and casting lecherous glances at the passersby, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but frown. The thought of the original owner marrying this old bachelor in her previous life made her feel nauseated.
She considered confronting him, but felt he had no connection to her now, and they were no longer in the same social stratum. There was no need. Yet, not confronting him felt wrong, given the suffering the original owner had endured in his family in her past life. It bothered her immensely.
After some thought, she took advantage of a break to find a group of local ruffians, gave them money, told them the address, and asked them to teach the mother and son a lesson.
The group was quite reliable. Within a few days, they reported back to her, saying they had beaten the mother and son severely. They continued to harass them, scaring the two into hiding in the mountains and daring not to come out.
Wu Caiwei nodded, acknowledging their report, and never inquired about their whereabouts again.
When Liu Changhe first learned that the two had married, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. However, as he got to know them better and saw how Hu Lianyu cherished Wu Caiwei, he felt inferior. If he were Wu Caiwei, with such a wealthy and devoted husband, he too would choose Hu Lianyu.
In the last few years of Hu Lianyu's life, Wu Caiwei cared for him day and night. Their life together was warm and romantic, and they parted ways with deep affection.
Living alone in this world, Wu Caiwei found life meaningless. Since the Hu family had no heirs, she used all the money she earned to help those in need.
Liu Changhe never remarried over the years. Seeing Wu Caiwei alone, he tried to discuss with her the possibility of reconciliation. Unfortunately, Wu Caiwei had no such intention. After his disappointment, Liu Changhe rallied his spirits. After all, they had children together, and an inseparable bond. Although she had not agreed to marry him, she had not married anyone else either. Thus, they often appeared together, or rather, Liu Changhe frequently followed behind Wu Caiwei.
Wu Caiwei had advised him many times, but he remained unswayed, and eventually, she stopped trying. It was only when Liu Changhe lay on his deathbed, regretting his past, that he said, "The biggest regret of my life is losing you. If I had another chance, I would hold on tightly."
Watching him slowly close his eyes, Wu Caiwei suddenly felt she had no ties to this world, and soon after, she also passed away.
She seamlessly entered the next world. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw a richly dressed old woman scrutinizing her with a critical gaze.
"This must be the eldest young lady. You've lived on the estate for so many years; I wonder if your malevolent aura has dissipated." She then made a gesture as if to distance herself, afraid of being contaminated.
Although Wu Caiwei was new and didn't understand the situation, she found the woman's affected demeanor unbearable and decided to disgust her.
"I'm not sure either, but I notice they never approach me easily. Perhaps you should be careful too," Wu Caiwei said, lowering her head and adopting a subservient, timid demeanor.
She didn't understand the situation but was good at observing. Seeing the numerous maids accompanying the woman, she suspected they were here to fetch the original owner. If they were merely visiting her, one person would have sufficed.
Nanny Li, a capable assistant to the madam, had intended to mock her. To her surprise, Wu Caiwei nodded with a serious expression. The truth was, no one knew better than she why she had been sent away. However, after so many years, everyone unanimously believed the young lady was unlucky, and with constant repetition, she had begun to believe it herself. Already somewhat disgusted, she now moved her stool much further away.
Wu Caiwei watched the woman's timid and fearful demeanor and snorted softly. From her current predicament, it seemed she wouldn't have to start from scratch in this life. Regardless of her status, this situation indicated she was at least a young lady from a respectable family, with servants to attend to her needs, and no worries about food or drink.
A fawning woman entered from outside, carrying several cups of tea and respectfully placing them beside Nanny Li. She said apologetically, "This is a remote village, and we have nothing good to offer you, honored nanny. Please do not be offended."
Nanny Li carelessly picked up a cup and took a sip. The next moment, she spat it out, loudly demanding, "What kind of tea is this? It's so terrible."
The woman quickly used a handkerchief to wipe Nanny Li, saying fearfully, "Please forgive me, honored nanny. This is the best we have to offer."
Nanny Li waved her hand dismissively, telling her to leave. Seeing that she was not being reprimanded, the woman felt relieved. As she exited, she cast a worried glance at Wu Caiwei.
Nanny Li looked at the muddy ground beneath her feet and couldn't bear to stay a moment longer. She hadn't lived in such an environment for many years and found everything displeasing. She wanted to return to the city that very day.
"Eldest young lady, you shall return to the city with me now. The madam, in her magnanimity, disregarding your potential harm to her, thought that since you have reached marriageable age, she feared you would be delayed. She pleaded with the master to send us to fetch you back. You should be grateful."
Wu Caiwei looked at the woman's arrogant demeanor and knew things were likely not that simple. However, she decided to take the risk. After all, fortune favors the bold. Moreover, the original owner must have been unable to resist in her past life and ended up losing her life after going to the city with her. Only by going to the city could she find the murderer of the original owner and avenge her.