Divorced woman with child travels through time

After much hesitation, the princess, still worried about Mu Tou, had a long talk with him. Only after learning that he did not object did she send the invitation over.

The day before Zhao Yirong's wedding, Mu Tou finally asked to see his mother, Wei Shi.

Zhao Yirong knew that Mu Tou was doing this for her own good, because she would definitely meet Madam Wei at the wedding. If it were Madam Wei's first time meeting Mu Tou, she might faint from excitement, which would affect the wedding. Therefore, he went to see her a day early to fulfill her wish.

In the pitch-black night, the vast mansion of the Duke of Cao was only lit by a dim yellow light, like a lurking beast ready to devour people at any moment. Since the eldest princess divorced and took all her dowry, the Duke of Cao's mansion was managed by Cao Xiangru's concubine, Li Jing. The family was struggling to make ends meet and was living a very frugal life. As a result, many servants were dismissed, and the lights in the courtyards that were not usually used were turned off.

Cao Jun, having learned that Mu Tou was coming, waited at the door early on. As soon as Princess Luan arrived, he immediately came out to greet her.

"Mother, little sister, you've all come." Cao Jun looked at the large group of people in front of him, a little confused. There were about thirty of them, including his sister, maids, servants, guards, and a handsome scholar who had also brought his guards.

Not to mention my own mother, with a large entourage of over a hundred people, anyone who didn't know better would think they were causing trouble at the Duke's mansion.

“Well, I’m afraid those clueless people in your family will bully my grandson, so I’m here to give him courage.” Zhao Roufu rolled her eyes at him, took Qianji’s hand, and gracefully got off the carriage.

“Yes, I’m here to give Rui’er courage too. With us here, let’s see who dares to look down on him. Unlike you, brother, it’s your family, yet you let your own son be bullied.” Zhao Yirong’s words were barbed and sarcastic, making his face turn bright red.

With a wooden hand in his left and Zhao Yirong's right arm around him, Zhao Roufu, accompanied by a group of people, held his head high and elegantly glanced past his own son before heading to the mansion.

"Then let's go in. Shen is in the Buddhist hall." Cao Jun opened his hand to welcome him, lowered his head, and looked at his son who was walking past him without looking at him. He said softly.

The wooden figure seemed not to hear, and walked step by step toward the place where he used to have nightmares.

Inside the main hall, Cao Xiangru sat upright, talking with his concubines and sons. Suddenly, a large group of people rushed in, led by his ex-wife. His face turned pale and then red. What happened to the princess? Did she not even need to greet him before entering his residence?

Zhao Roufu watched him from afar with little expression. Seeing that he didn't come to greet her, she curled her lips slightly, gave a disdainful snort, and turned directly towards the side courtyard.

To be ignored! Cao Xiangru was even angrier. He stood up and roared at Cao Jun, who was standing behind him, "You unfilial son, didn't you need to inform your father before you brought people here?"

Concubine Li Jing stared at the radiant Princess and her daughter, who remained beautiful even in the dim light, with a sinister expression. Her resentment was so intense that she tore a hole in the handkerchief she was holding.

Cao Jun's face showed a hint of panic. Upon hearing this, the Princess and the others stopped and stared at him together with Mu Tou.

Cao Jun glanced at the wooden figure, tried to regain his composure, and turned to bow to Duke Cao, saying, "Father, please forgive my filial impiety. I will come to apologize after this matter is settled."

Cao Jun quickly stepped forward and pointed the way, saying, "This way, please!"

Zhao Roufu was also somewhat emotional. Five years after the divorce, everything had changed, and she no longer recognized the roads. If it weren't for this child, she thought she would never have stepped into this garden again in her entire life.

The covered corridor was long and dark, seemingly without end, and finally stopped in front of a house filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Mu Tou stood in front of the house with a cold face, hesitant to go inside.

Cao Jun walked up to her and said in an almost pleading tone, "Rui'er, I am sorry for you and your mother, but your mother is innocent. Go and see her."

Seeing her son's embarrassed state, Zhao Roufu felt a pang of sympathy. Then, glancing at the furtive servants in the distance, she knew that her son had ultimately stood by her side and hadn't told anyone about the wood incident. So, she gently advised, "Rui'er, your mother was just a new bride back then. She didn't understand the wickedness of people's hearts, which is why she was left to wander among the common people. Now, her hair and beard are all white, and she's barely alive. She has already tasted the bitter fruit of her actions. You should go and see her; she is, after all, your mother."

Mu Tou turned around, and Zhao Yirou nodded as well. Even the maid beside him looked at him encouragingly. Only then did Mu Tou remember what she had said: "At least your mother is still alive. I've never even seen my mother's face, and I don't even know if she's dead or alive, but I'm still alive."

Fine, let's go see her.

Once he understood, Mu Tou stepped forward and opened the door.

A strong scent of sandalwood wafted through the air. In the dimly lit room, in front of the Buddha statue, on a worn-out prayer mat, a thin, white-haired woman, resembling a puppet, knelt blankly. Upon closer inspection, one could see that she was kneeling crookedly, her body seemingly in discomfort as if she were forcing herself to stay upright.

"I...cough cough...I said you don't need to bring me food anymore...don't bother me!cough cough..." Hearing the door open, she didn't even turn her head, supporting herself on the prayer mat with her hand, coughing and whispering to shoo them away.

The wood quietly watched her retreating figure, remaining silent.

Cao Jun rushed over with a pained expression, helped Shen Shi up, and pointed at the wooden board with teary eyes, saying, "Lin Niang, our Rui'er is back! Look, he's back!"

"Huh? Ha!" Shen's unfocused eyes seemed to snap out of their daze. Her mouth moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped. Her gaze followed his hand and focused on the wooden body.

The candlelight inside wasn't very bright, and Zhao Yirong and the others were outside, not wanting to go in.

Shen stared intently at the motionless wooden board, then suddenly seemed to understand something, and tears streamed down her face.

"Ah..." With a sudden burst of strength, her claw-like hands pushed away Cao Jun, who was holding her, and pounced on Mu Tou. She gripped his arms tightly, making him wince in pain.

Shen Shixiu's face now resembled that of someone terminally ill, with bulging eyes and sunken cheeks. She stared intently at Mu Tou while she wept, making muffled sounds. When she saw Mu Tou frown, she realized that she had hurt him and subconsciously let go of him, wanting to hug him but afraid of making a mistake.

"He is Rui'er, really Rui'er." Cao Jun brought his face closer to Mu Tou's, a warm male body feeling approaching. Mu Tou subconsciously flinched for a moment, then returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

Two faces with identical eyebrows and eyes, no one would doubt that they were father and son by blood. But even so, Shen still sobbed as she pulled Mu Tou's hand and pushed aside his sleeve. Only after seeing the bluish-green birthmark on his forearm did she hug Mu Tou tightly and burst into tears.

"My child, I miss you so much... I'm so sorry, I failed to protect you, I deserve to die..."

The composure that Mu Tou had been feigning crumbled completely after Shen Shi broke down in tears, and tears streamed down his face with red eyes.