Chapter 476: Chapter 476: Wei Ruo’s Unusual Behavior_1

Wei Jinyi was also going to the Lu Residence, but not as King Rui.

Wei Jinyi changed his appearance and put on a guard’s uniform.

Watching Wei Jinyi transformed into the look of Wang Jin, Wei Ruo couldn’t help but tease, “Your current look is much more pleasing to the eye.”

It was far better than his normal look, which gave the impression he could collapse at any moment.

“Hmm,” Wei Jinyi replied.

Wei Ruo smiled and said, “We have some time, why don’t we go for a stroll in the market first?”

They didn’t need to be there so early. Given their status as King Rui and Queen Rui, showing up later wouldn’t stir any objections.

“Wherever you want to go, Ruoruo,” Wei Jinyi had no objections.

“Good, let’s get going.”

Wei Ruo planned to check out some stores. She wanted to buy two stores next to Daiyue Residence to set up Capital City’s branches of the Four Treasure House and Xuji Luwei’s branch.

The two stores appealed to the same audience as Daiyue Residence – the high-ranking officials and nobles of the Capital City, so there would be no problem starting them up there.

Having the stores together would also make it easier for Wei Ruo to manage. When she wanted to check on the stores, she could inspect them all at once, instead of having to run to different places.

The carriage made its way down White Tiger Street. As it passed a narrow alley, the sound of a family argument, coupled with a child’s crying, could be heard from one of the houses.

The commotion was loud and fierce, it seemed like the man of the house was beating his wife, with the wife and child begging for mercy.

“Stop,” Wei Ruo called for the carriage to halt, then quickly got out.

Seeing that Wei Ruo was about to enter the house, Wei Jinyi stepped forward and kicked down the dilapidated door.

Once inside, they found a woman lying on the ground, shielding her daughter who was about eight or nine years old.

A man who was somewhat drunk was holding a broom and hitting the woman with it.

Blinded by rage, the man didn’t notice the intrusion and raised his hand to strike again.

However, this time he couldn’t bring the broom down on the woman. Wei Jinyi reached out and grabbed the broom, immobilizing the man.

The man finally turned to look at Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi.

Wei Jinyi snatched the broom and fiercely lashed it against the man’s back.

“Ah!”

The man screamed in pain, the impact knocking out his drunkenness.

The man berated Wei Jinyi, “Who are you? How dare you come into my house and beat me? I’ll sue you for trespassing! You… you are coming with me to see the magistrate!”

Wei Ruo took the broom from Wei Jinyi’s hand and lashed out mercilessly at the man.

“Ah–Ah–” The man screamed, desperately trying to defend himself with his hands. In too much pain to stay still, he kept moving and hopping around.

Finally, the man was frightened and lost his previous arrogance.

“Please, let me go! Ma’am, let me go!”

“So you know what pain feels like! It wasn’t on your mind when you were hurting others, but it stings when it’s your turn!” Wei Ruo said coldly, staring at the man.

“Ma’am, this is my wife and daughter! I’m not hitting anyone else! Why does this concern you?” the man retorted.

“So you remember they are your wife and daughter? What did they do wrong to deserve your violence?”

“This woman hid money from me, why can’t I hit her? It’s a man’s right to drink and gamble. The women should be at home, prepare good meals, take care of the children and not interfere with men’s business.” The man responded without showing a trace of remorse.

3

In response, Wei Ruo stopped talking to the man and once again beat the man with the broom.

The man curled up on the ground due to the beating.

“Ah…I’m dying…I’m dying…” the man wailed, his voice weakening.

Wei Jinyi watched quietly from the side, his eyes deep. Wei Ruo seemed different today, more agitated than usual.

Wei Jinyi noticed that something was amiss with Wei Ruo, but didn’t intervene.

At that moment, the woman crawled up to Wei Ruo and pleaded, “Ma’am, please have mercy! Please spare my husband!”

Wei Ruo stopped and looked down at the woman, “He drinks, gambles, and hits you, yet you still plead for him?”

“Although he is not good, he is my husband. My life is over if he’s gone!” The woman cried.

“Why are you doing this? If you leave him, you can’t live?” Wei Ruo questioned.

“How could I live without him? I have no family. Leaving him means I have nowhere to go! Ma’am, please, spare him!”

3

With tear-streaked face, the woman knelt on the ground. She wanted to clutch Wei Ruo’s skirt, but didn’t dare to.

Wei Ruo stared at the woman for a long time before finally deciding to stop.

Wei Ruo put down the broom and went over to the little girl who was crying near a water tank.

Wei Ruo crouched down and used a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the girl’s eyes.

The girl looked at Wei Ruo fearfully, remaining perfectly still.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to hurt you,” Wei Ruo comforted. She rolled up the sleeve of the girl’s faded dress revealing numerous wounds of different depths.

It was clear to Wei Ruo that these were signs of frequent domestic violence.

1

“Let me ask you, if I’m willing to take you away, provide you with a place to stay, a warm meal, and keep you safe, so you won’t be beaten again, would you come with me?”

The girl looked at Wei Ruo nervously for a while, then finally shook her head.

“Why? Are you worried that I’m a bad person?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I…I…I want to stay with my mom and dad, I won’t go anywhere else,” The girl said timidly.

“But your dad often hits you, doesn’t he? The wounds on your body were caused by him, right?”

“Yes…” The girl’s voice was small as she slowly lowered her head.

“Your dad also likes to gamble, hasn’t he squandered all the family’s money?”

“Yes…”

“Then why would you still want to stay with your parents?”

“Because he’s my dad, it’s my fault when he hits me,” the girl answered.

“You’re at fault? What did you do wrong?”

“I don’t…don’t know. But he’s my dad, I …I should listen to him…”

“Does he treat you well normally?” Wei Ruo asked again.

Again, the girl remained silent.

“Why wouldn’t you choose to leave him if he doesn’t treat you well?” Wei Ruo asked once more.

The girl still shook her head, “Even if he doesn’t treat me well, he’s still my father and, without marriage, a girl can’t just leave her parents and live on her own.”

3

All her anger drained away, Wei Ruo let go of the girl’s arm and stood up.

Wei Ruo walked back to Wei Jinyi and simply said, “Let’s go.”

With that, she walked out towards the street.

Wei Jinyi followed her, as did Xiumei and the others, leaving the house behind.

Back in the carriage, Wei Ruo leaned against the soft cushions, eyes closed.

Wei Jinyi watched Wei Ruo with a concerned expression.

Feeling Wei Jinyi’s gaze on her, Wei Ruo slowly opened her eyes.

“Are you wondering why I was so angry?” Wei Ruo asked.