Just as this thought flashed through Wei Tingyu's mind, he extended his index finger and gently scratched the palm of the soft, delicate hand he held.
This subtle gesture was completely hidden from the eyes of others. Only Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao were aware of it.
The ticklish sensation in her palm made Dou Zhao's face flush an even deeper red.
After all, wasn't this broad daylight? And in the presence of family and friends—was she truly being teased by her husband right now? What woman could endure such shameless flirtation?
Yet to Dou Zhao's own surprise, a strange thrill bloomed in her chest.
To think—she was secretly flirting with her husband before so many people, including her elders and close sisters-in-law. Just imagining it made her heart race!
Dou Shiying, seeing his daughter's face turn beet red, assumed she was overwhelmed with shame after being scolded by his fifth brother. Wanting to mediate, he hurried forward with a sheepish smile.
"Let it be, Fifth Brother! This really isn't that serious a matter. His Lordship dotes on Shou Gu so much—it's a blessing for her…"
This was already the utmost protection a timid man like him could offer his daughter.
"Not a big deal?" Dou Shishu's brows furrowed. "As an elder, am I not even allowed to teach the younger generation a lesson? What kind of absurd logic is that—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Wei Tingyu's brows knit coldly. His free right hand rose and struck down upon the stone table beside him with a loud—
Boom!
The solid stone table instantly shattered into pieces, fragments blasting in all directions!
With five years of cultivated inner energy and mastery of the Purple Cloud Divine Art, Wei Tingyu's martial prowess, though not profound, was more than enough to obliterate a mere stone table.
The sudden display left the entire courtyard in stunned silence.
Even Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying stared wide-eyed, terror flickering in their gazes as they looked toward Wei Tingyu.
The women standing near and behind him—including Dou Zhao—were all startled by the unexpected burst of power.
But after the shock came awe. One by one, their gazes toward Wei Tingyu were filled with admiration and worship.
Indeed, the admiration of strength is a woman's instinct. Crushing a stone table with one palm—wasn't that something too exaggerated even for the storytellers of old?
Wei Tingyu glanced around at the stunned faces, many with jaws hanging slack nearly to the floor. A smug satisfaction surged within him.
As expected, even when not on the battlefield, martial prowess was still the best way to awe the crowd! With this alone, even pretentious scholars like Dou Shishu would be too afraid to breathe loudly in front of him!
But wait—why was this little lass Dou Zhao still in a daze, staring at him with those big, sparkly eyes full of admiration? Did she forget to continue the act?
Exasperated, Wei Tingyu gave her soft hand a gentle squeeze, reminding her not to lose the thread of the play.
Dou Zhao, smart as ever, caught the hint immediately. Her eyes turned, lively as always, and she took a step forward, reaching out with her left hand to gently pat Wei Tingyu's chest.
"My lord, please calm your anger! My fifth uncle meant no offense!" she said sweetly, all the while gently rubbing his chest in a mock attempt to soothe him. Her tone carried a hint of coquettish concern, "Do not injure your body over anger. Hurting others is one thing, but if you were to harm yourself, this wife would be heartbroken!"
…Huh?
Hurting others is one thing?
With the power of that palm just now—anyone struck would be no different than a sack of rotten melons, splattered and broken!
At this moment, Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying were already trembling involuntarily, their bodies stiff with fear. Were it not for their stubborn pride, they would have collapsed to their knees.
True, they didn't believe Wei Tingyu was mad enough to kill someone in the Dou family's own residence… but what if he did?
One's life is only given once. If this demon lord lost his temper and struck, even if one were to die and plead before the King of Hell, there would be no justice!
Wei Tingyu nodded faintly, then turned to glance at Dou Zhao beside him. Her once-adoring eyes now sparkled with cunning mirth.
Naturally, only he—gazing into her eyes at that very moment—could see that.
Though husband and wife for just three days, the tacit understanding between them had already begun to bloom.
"If not for my dear wife's words, I might have lost my composure again," Wei Tingyu said calmly, nodding with appreciation. His words gave Dou Zhao ample face.
The others in the courtyard could only stare wide-eyed at this scene. So this was the Marquis of Jining in a fit of anger?! And it seemed… the only one capable of calming him was Dou Zhao?
"Fifth Uncle, did you not just say you were disciplining Zhao'er as an elder scolding the younger?"
Wei Tingyu patted the hand still resting on his chest, his eyes landing coldly on Dou Shishu.
"I…," Dou Shishu froze awkwardly.
How should he respond? He had indeed said that. But to deny it now would be cowardice in front of all the young scholars and noble sons present.
Yet if he admitted it and Wei Tingyu grew enraged again… what if this time Dou Zhao wasn't fast enough to stop him, and that deadly palm landed on his head instead?
These scholars might be all high-sounding ideals and righteous posturing on paper, but when their lives were on the line, that was a whole different matter.
Of course, Wei Tingyu had already predicted all of this. Seeing the man's stammering silence, he wasn't surprised in the least.
Scholars might act noble and aloof while studying for the imperial exams, but once they entered officialdom and tasted its dirty waters, which of them didn't become cowards, hypocrites, and sycophants?
Did anyone rise by virtue alone?
"What Fifth Uncle said is not wrong," Wei Tingyu suddenly chuckled, breaking the tension.
"That's right! Elders disciplining juniors is only proper…" Dou Shiying, always the peacemaker, immediately nodded in agreement.
But halfway through his words, he felt Wei Tingyu's cold, murderous gaze fall upon him. His voice grew smaller and smaller, eventually fading into silence.
"However," Wei Tingyu continued, wrapping an arm around Dou Zhao's shoulders and looking at everyone present, "allow me to remind you all of one thing."
"Zhao'er is now my wife. A married woman follows her husband. Since she now belongs to the Marquis' household, no outsider may discipline her—not even her natal family."