Chapter 359

Chapter 359: Reunion After Wu Hui finished listening to what Cui Zeyu said, she was stunned for a long time. Her tears fell first. Opening her mouth, Wu Hui could not produce a sound. "You and I both know full well what this marriage of ours truly is. Since Young General Dai has returned safely, at least you can have a complete ending." Cui Zeyu said. "If you wish for a Mutual Divorce, I will cooperate with you, and I can also help explain things to Young General Dai." Between the two of them, if one could find happiness, that would be a good thing. During the time he had been married to Wu Hui, they had been more like close friends, each knowing the other's secrets, neither ever crossing the line. When Wu Hui spoke again, her face was already streaked with tears. "He... is he well?" Cui Zeyu shook his head. "I don't know the specifics. But if a man can come back alive, he can keep living." "You..." For a moment, Wu Hui's mind went blank. She wanted to see him, yet dared not go. And then there was Cui Zeyu—he would actually say he would cooperate with her. What a good man he was. Wu Hui lowered her head. "Can you first help me find out what the situation is with the Dai family?" "I can." Cui Zeyu, afraid that Wu Hui might overthink, emphasized again, "Don't put any psychological burden on yourself. You waited for him. If he has you in his heart, he will surely understand your difficulties. Think it over carefully, and tell me whenever you've made up your mind. A person only lives once." "What about you?" Wu Hui suddenly said. "My sister has already had a Mutual Divorce. You and my sister..." "Between my sister and me, we will only ever be brother and sister in this life." Cui Zeyu cut off Wu Hui's words. "The more you care for someone in your heart, the more you want her to live well—not necessarily to possess her. My sister is living well now. She may find someone new, and I will bless her. If I were not a member of the Duke of Dingguo's household, if I had not entered officialdom, perhaps I would have tried. But as I am now, I cannot let my sister bear a tarnished reputation." Wu Hui listened, stunned. "Then your feelings for your sister—she will never know them in this lifetime." "That's all right. It's enough that I know." Cui Zeyu pressed his lips together bitterly and walked out of the room. Only then did Wu Hui begin to cry softly. Mama He came over to comfort her, and Wu Hui asked, "That day when Cui'er came over, it was to tell you about this matter, wasn't it?" "Yes, but this servant truly didn't know how to handle it, so I could only send someone to the Wu family first." Mama He said. The Wu family was one of the most prominent noble houses in Bianjing. Wu Hui didn't need to think to know that her father and mother would never permit her to have a Mutual Divorce and remarry. Even if her marriage to Cui Zeyu was nominal in name only, she had already married into the Duke of Dingguo's household. If she immediately divorced and remarried because Young General Dai had returned, what would the people of Bianjing say? And then where would the Duke of Dingguo's household put its face? Once she divorced, the Duke of Dingguo's household and the Wu family would become enemies. Moreover, the Dai family might not even let her through their doors. But thinking that he was still alive, Wu Hui desperately wanted to see him. Years of longing surged forth at this moment like a rushing river. "Go on down. Let me be alone for a while." Wu Hui said. Mama He sighed, her heart aching for her mistress, but there was nothing she could do. Early the next morning, Lady Wu arrived. The moment she came, she brought up the matter of Young General Dai. "You already know, don't you?" Wu Hui nodded. "Mother, if you have something to say, just say it directly." "My daughter, you were raised in the palm of our hands." Lady Wu was also distressed. "If Dai Xin had returned earlier, even if you were already betrothed to the Duke of Dingguo's household, as long as you hadn't married yet, the Wu family would have helped you. But now... let alone the fact that he's lost a leg, even if he were whole, you can no longer think of him." "What did you say? He lost a leg?" Wu Hui pressed down on the table. "You didn't know?" Lady Wu glanced at her and understood. "It seems you truly didn't know. Ever since we learned Dai Xin had returned, your elder brother immediately went to the Dai residence to visit. Dai Xin lost one leg and has grown much thinner, but thankfully he came back alive." "Then... then has he suffered greatly all these years?" Wu Hui asked. "That's inevitable. On the battlefield, he was presumed dead and thrown into a mass grave. He barely crawled out, only to fall ill afterward. If not for his tough constitution, he wouldn't have survived to this day." Speaking of these matters, Lady Wu was also grieved. The Wu and Dai families had been close for generations—that was why the marriage had been arranged. Later, when Dai Xin died, it was the Dai family that had taken the initiative to propose dissolving the engagement. The Lady of the Dai family was a good person. She said that since the man was dead, there was no reason to waste Wu Hui's youth, and no justification for her to marry over and become a widow. Thus, when Wu Hui married, the Dai family had also sent additional dowry gifts and came to the Wu residence to offer congratulations. "The Dai family are honorable people, but you are already married." Lady Wu gripped her daughter's hand with heartache. "Hui'er, you are a clever girl. I know you're suffering inside, but this is fate. Your husband is currently at the height of his prominence. If you divorce and remarry, you'll make the Duke of Dingguo's household lose face, and the Wu family cannot afford to offend the Duke of Dingguo's household." Wu Hui trembled all over. "But Mother, what if my husband agrees?" “Agree to a mutual divorce? Did you say something to him? You silly girl, even if you really do get a mutual divorce, how will you face the Dai family? Will Dai Xin still want you?” Madam Wu grew anxious. “You must stay clear-headed, not just for the Wu family, but for your own sake. Dai Xin is Dai Xin, and you are you—you are destined to belong to two different noble houses.” Wu Hui lowered her head and said nothing more. She knew that no matter what she said, the Wu family would never agree to her mutual divorce. Besides, her mother had a point. Even if Dai Xin were still willing to accept her, she would have no face to face the rest of the Dai family. “Hui'er, I came today to urge you to let things go. What's past is past. Dai Xin is a good man, but your husband is even better. He is young and accomplished, respectful and courteous—your father and brothers all speak highly of him.” Madam Wu emphasized again and again. “If your husband has any misunderstandings, you must clear them up. Once you have a child or two, your life together will be even better.” Seeing that her daughter remained silent, Madam Wu sighed. “Hui'er, accept your fate.” Wu Hui wanted to cry, but no tears came. Even after her mother left, Wu Hui remained in a daze. It was only when Jin-ge came bringing food that she snapped back to attention and looked over. “Mother made some pastries and asked me to bring them over.” Song Mingjin noticed his aunt's red-rimmed eyes. “Aunt, are you feeling sad?” “No, I'm not.” Wu Hui's worries were not something she could share with a child. “You are sad.” Song Mingjin was very fond of his aunt and couldn't help saying, “Though I really hope you and Uncle can be together, your own happiness matters most. If you don't want Uncle anymore, please don't abandon me—I can still be your nephew.” Wu Hui was taken aback, never expecting that even a child like Jin-ge would know. Song Mingjin added, “You should be happier. I'll come see you again later.” Mama He watched Jin-ge's retreating figure and couldn't help remarking, “That child Jin-ge truly remembers your kindness.” “He's a good boy.” Wu Hui smiled slightly, but once she left the Duke of Dingguo's residence, she and Jin-ge would no longer be relatives. Wu Hui's heart was filled with a thousand emotions, and she couldn't make up her mind for the moment. Right now, all she wanted was to see Dai Xin. She wanted to know how Dai Xin was doing now. What she never expected was that that evening, Cui Zeyu took her out for a meal, saying they were going to a colleague's home. Unexpectedly, the carriage turned into an alley, and after entering the gate, Wu Hui saw the person she had been thinking of day and night.