Liang Shuyu’s words prompted deep reflection. Indeed, why was that? Throughout that year and more, with skin torn and flesh split, covered in wounds, she suffered severe abuse and had been humiliated countless times. Even with the slightest means, any person with a shred of pride would not endure such treatment. However, since the day his wife entered the Liang family through a marital arrangement, she became their wife—a bond that couldn’t be shaken off, that couldn’t be escaped from. Even in death, one couldn’t hope to escape her clutches. A year ago, one day when everyone was battered and bruised, the eldest brother had carefully analyzed their possible escapes. If she divorced them, they could only be conscripted into the army or become prostitutes. But if the brothers were to kill her, according to the laws of the current dynasty, he who murders his wife would implicate all his brothers in the crime. And if she were to die in an accident, according to convention, the Government Office and the Department of Surveillance would first investigate the possibility that the brothers of the Liang family had committed the crime. This woman, who couldn’t be driven away or killed, nor could they cleverly plot against her, endured because they really had no other choice but to bear, to suffer, to agonize. Shujun looked at Shuyu, "Since you don’t want to take action, why keep that thing?" He glanced at the guqin with a wary expression. Shuyu suddenly smiled, "I’m keeping it because I’m keeping it. Why so many questions?" The object inside the guqin was originally prepared for himself. Later on, he had contemplated whether to use it on the wife. His own death wasn’t significant, but what about elder brother? And the younger brothers below him? He felt a touch melancholic again, "Let’s go, let’s head back." Afterward, holding the guqin, he slowly left the riverside. Shujun watched his retreating figure; his eyes flickered. Shuyu... perhaps deep down, he didn’t believe that the wife could truly cure him. Sometimes, Liang Shujun had also thought, were they, the eldest brother, he himself, fourth brother, fifth brother, and Little Liu, too cruel? Clearly, Shuyu had long lost the will to live. To live was a burden; living was too painful, and he would rather die. Death would bring an end to all his suffering and grant him release. That’s why he kept that thing—that object he prepared for himself. But he couldn’t die. He knew if he died, his brothers would be heartbroken. Yet, to live and helplessly watch himself become a burden on the family—how could he bear it in his heart? Shujun’s heart ached; he felt very oppressed. Pressing his chest, he took deep breaths forcefully, but his heart continued to hurt deeply, aching for Shuyu. When Liang Shuyu returned from the riverbank, Liang Yixuan had just finished cooking. Yixuan looked at his little wife, who was leaning against the doorframe, sitting on a stool—she had fallen asleep? After wiping his hands, he slowly approached her. Bending over, he watched her for a long while before gently picking her up. It seemed... she had gained weight? Liang Yixuan glanced at her oddly. She was deeply asleep, and even when Yixuan picked her up, she didn’t wake up but instead snuggled her little head into his chest, sleeping even more peacefully. Yixuan couldn’t help but think of the third brother, fourth brother, and fifth brother; the complexions of the few brothers were also good. The fourth and fifth brothers had become more robust, while the third brother was slender, but because of his delicate bone structure, even if he put on weight, it didn’t show—he was secretively gaining weight. A twitch appeared at the corner of Yixuan’s mouth as he carried his wife into the eastern room, which he had come to clean almost every day. Hence, even though no one lived in it, it was very clean. After placing her on the bed, he pulled over a quilt to cover her. Then, as he gazed at her sleeping face, he thought that having been out for so long, she must have suffered a lot. Yet contrary to his expectations, she had gained a bit of weight, which seemed to indicate she had not had a bad time outside. But what about at home?