After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 28

Wu You sat on a stool in the courtyard, watching Wu Zhan bustle around without a moment’s rest—hanging couplets one moment, lanterns the next. She wanted to help, but he waved her off, telling her to just sit quietly.

After a while, though, guilt got the better of her. Ignoring his protests, she pitched in anyway.

With the two of them working side by side, the General’s Manor finally began to look festive. Wu You looked around and felt quite satisfied.

Wu Zhan, climbing down the ladder after hanging the last lantern, clapped his hands clean, then thought better of it and wiped them on his clothes.

Wu You noticed the sweat on his brow and quickly poured him a cup of water. He drained it in a few gulps and passed her the empty cup, which she dutifully set aside.

With nothing left to do, and both of them a little hungry though it wasn’t quite mealtime, Wu Zhan—long absent from the capital—suggested a stroll. Wu You agreed, and off they went.

The streets, thick with New Year’s cheer, were bustling. Unlike usual, the vendors didn’t shrink away at the sight of Wu You. With Wu Zhan beside her, they knew she wouldn’t dare run amok.

The capital was far richer than the borderlands Wu Zhan was used to. He soaked in the liveliness… until he realized something was missing. Turning, he saw his daughter trailing silently behind.

That was it—the quiet. In the past, whenever he came home, she’d be tugging on his sleeve, clamoring for this or that. Today, nothing. He remembered missing her birthday yet again, thanks to war and snow. A pang of guilt struck him.

He patted her shoulder. “Sanya, what do you want? Father will buy it for you!”

Wu You had been drifting, not knowing what to say to this “father.” From the original’s memories, she knew the girl had only ever wanted weapons—and Wu Zhan had always refused. That little black dagger she’d given Zhao Qingzi, in fact, had been from him. He hadn’t been able to withstand his daughter’s pleas, so he chose a small blade for her protection.

But Wu You herself couldn’t think of anything. Smiling faintly, she said, “I don’t want anything. Just… take care of yourself, Father.”

Wu Zhan blinked, surprised. She tensed. Did he notice something? Cold sweat prickled down her back. But instead, his face softened with relief.

“My daughter really has grown up,” he said warmly. “Seems Marshal Zhang was right—the Yongding Marquis’s girl is a capable one.”

Wu You froze. Wait—what does this have to do with A-Zi? It felt like the whole world was pushing her and Zhao Qingzi together. Oddly enough, the thought made her both shy and happy.

Catching herself, she realized her own heart was acting strangely.

Wu Zhan had never seen her like this before. He was astonished. Still, career-driven as he was, he knew little of capital gossip. He only knew the Marquis’s daughter was Princess Mingyue’s child.

Fate was funny that way. Just as they were talking about Zhao Qingzi, she appeared ahead, her brother Zhao Qingshu pushing her wheelchair.

Wu You spotted her at once—the person who lingered in her heart. Zhao Qingzi waved, smiling sweetly. Wu You waved back, resisting the urge to rush over. Not with her brother right there.

Wu Zhan, seeing his daughter so alight, guessed the truth. Such a lovely girl—pity about the legs. Still, if his girl was happy, that was all that mattered.

“That’s the Yongding Marquis’s daughter?” he asked.

Wu You nodded, then quickly warned him, “Father, don’t say anything reckless later. No calling her my ‘wife’ or anything.”

Wu Zhan chuckled mischievously. “I never said that word. I only said what Marshal Zhang said.”

Wu You nearly rolled her eyes. So this seemingly honest man does know how to tease.

Seeing her flustered, Wu Zhan relented. Curious about his daughter’s chosen person, he led her over.

Zhao Qingshu, spotting them approach, stiffened. He respected Wu Zhan, but had always lamented that such a man’s daughter was a notorious bully.

“General Wu,” he greeted politely, “I am Zhao Qingshu, eldest son of the Yongding Marquis.”

Wu You glanced at him. Something seemed off—he looked tense. She shot Zhao Qingzi a questioning look, but Zhao only smiled back.

Wu Zhan, seeing the young man’s nerves, laughed heartily. “No need for formality! We’re all family here.”

Wu You nearly keeled over. She slapped a hand over his mouth in panic. Hadn’t she just told him not to—?

Zhao Qingzi’s cheeks flushed, her mind short-circuiting.

Zhao Qingshu’s face twisted oddly. He sneaked a warning glance at Wu You: Just how many people have you been spinning this tale to? Even both generals think you and my sister are a couple?!

Wu You wilted under his glare, oddly guilty.

Wu Zhan pulled his daughter’s hand away, but her fierce look made him back down. Clearing his throat to cover the awkwardness, he said, “I mean, since fate has brought us together, why not all walk together? There’s Tengyun Zhai up ahead. My treat.”

Everyone agreed, and the four of them entered the restaurant. Because Zhao Qingzi couldn’t manage the stairs, Wu You scooped her up again.

Zhao Qingshu followed behind, sourness pooling in his chest at the sight.

Wu Zhan, walking beside him, first felt pleased at the harmony up ahead, then noticed the young man’s gloom. So, is that ‘son-in-law’? Or should I call him son-in-law-to-be? He tied himself in knots for a while, then gave up. Forget it. As long as they call me Father, that’s what counts.

Once seated in a private room, Wu You and Zhao Qingzi naturally sat close. Zhao Qingshu didn’t like it, but said nothing.

Dishes arrived, lavish and plentiful. Wu You, mindful of Zhao Qingshu’s presence, ate more daintily than usual. Zhao Qingzi, however, kept piling her bowl with food—especially braised ribs. She remembered sneaking a visit to Wu You at night, hearing her mutter in her sleep about wanting ribs.

Wu You’s bowl quickly filled. Her heart warmed, and she reciprocated, filling Zhao Qingzi’s bowl in turn.

The two went back and forth, merrily serving each other, forgetting anyone else existed.

Wu Zhan and Zhao Qingshu both felt the secondhand awkwardness. To break it, Wu Zhan turned to the young man. “Tell me, Young Marquis—how old are you now? Have you taken a wife?”

Startled by the general’s attention, Zhao Qingshu focused at once. “I am twenty-two, and not yet married.”

Wu Zhan found it surprising—good looks, good character, and yet unmarried. He didn’t know how precarious the Yongding Marquis’s household truly was: a title in name only, stripped of real power.

He didn’t pry further. But watching his daughter and Zhao Qingzi practically glowing together, he couldn’t help reminiscing about his youth—boasting in the barracks about how he’d won his wife. He thought no one had overheard him, but Zhang Wenqi had. That was the “never eaten pork, but seen pigs run” line she’d later thrown at Wu You.

Wu You might faint when she learned that.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qingzi, delighted by Wu You’s appetite, asked softly, “Is it good?”

“It is, but… the flavor’s a little light,” Wu You admitted honestly, still dropping food into her bowl.

Zhao Qingzi’s eyes flickered. Seeing her own bowl piling higher, she quickly grabbed Wu You’s hand to stop her before the mountain grew. She opened her mouth to speak—

Bang!

Her brother’s head hit the table. She panicked—only to hear Wu Zhan’s sheepish explanation.

“I didn’t think his tolerance was so low. I only let him sip a little, and down he went.”

Wu You resisted the urge to facepalm. Guess we’ll have to send them back to the Marquis’s estate.

Relieved he was merely drunk, Zhao Qingzi couldn’t help laughing. Seeing her smile, Wu You smiled too.

Their gazes met—then darted away, hearts hammering.

Wu Zhan paid the bill and escorted the siblings home. Night had fallen by the time he and Wu You returned.

It was New Year’s Eve, and his heart swelled with joy.