Yu Yao didn't know if this was a coincidence or something else.
Desperately wondering within, Yu Yao asked the system, "Tongtong, what's going on with this man? He looks too much like Mo Jue!"
"What's going on? He's the reincarnation of Mo Jue, and having the same appearance is quite normal, isn't it?"
The system yawned lazily and spoke up in her mind.
Yu Yao's expression froze, stupidly staring at the man seated tall and proud on his horse, with his smile growing ever brighter.
It's really him, but unfortunately, he doesn't recognize himself in this lifetime.
Dujiye was being stared at like this, still smiling foolishly and slightly frowning. He thought to himself: I wonder if I've met an idiot?
His gaze fell on her slightly rounded belly. Well, it seems she's a pregnant idiot too.
She doesn't even know who her husband is or how she ended up running out like this, without worrying about encountering danger.
At this moment, the servant who was originally behind Dujiye trotted forward and scowled at Yu Yao, "This woman is incredibly impolite. We master is asking you a question. If you have nothing to say, please step aside."
Dujiye narrowed his eyes at the servant and bellowed, "Get back, or there might be a reason this lady can't speak."
"Yes."
The servant's face paled, and he hurriedly spurred his horse back to the rear.
Yu Yao immediately regained her composure, realizing she had lost her composure. She quickly bowed and kowtowed, her voice shaking with a hint of trembling: "I'm truly sorry, Your Lordship. Seeing your appearance so similar to an old friend, I couldn't help but feel emotional. Please, Your Lordship, please forgive me."
Dujiye nodded slightly, his expression softening a bit, with a hint of curiosity: "Oh? Is there such a coincidence in the world? I wonder who the old friend the lady mentioned is. What significance does this person hold to the lady?"
At his words, a surge of indescribable bitterness and sweetness welled up in her heart, and her eyes softened like water: "He is my husband, but unfortunately, he is no longer with me."
Dujiye's expression froze, realizing she was a widowed woman. His gaze fell on her slightly rounded belly, and his eyes showed a hint of compassion.
Her husband had passed away, leaving her and the unborn child, quite pitiful.
"Madam, the deceased has passed, but life goes on. I hope you will take good care of yourself, especially since you are pregnant. You must be extra careful. If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to tell me."
Yu Yao met his gaze, as if she saw the gentle and profound love of Mo Jue in that lifetime.
"Thank you for your concern, I will. However…"
She hesitated, then decided not to reveal that he was the reincarnation of Mo Jue.
After all, everything was too incredible and he had already forgotten his past.
"What is it?"
Dujiye pressed further, surprised to find himself having an unusual patience for this woman he had never met.
The few servants following Dujiye's horse widened their eyes, surprised to see the Crown Prince acting so kindly and patient.
Having a conversation with a widow for so long? Offering help to her voluntarily?
Is this the cold and merciless Crown Prince they knew?
Not to mention a widow, even the nobility in Beijing would dare not get close and would definitely distance themselves from her.
Much less patiently chat for so long.
But thinking of the woman's condition, they assumed the Crown Prince was showing sympathy and did not give it much thought.
Yu Yao didn't know what the servants were thinking, but upon hearing Dujiye's words, she shook her head slightly and said, "There's nothing to it, it's just gratitude for your kindness. I wish you a happy and prosperous future."
After speaking, she gently bowed and turned away, leaving a faint shadow of her figure that seemed exceptionally delicate yet resilient under the warm spring sun.
Dujiye watched her leave, feeling a strange sensation rise up in his heart for no apparent reason.
The feeling couldn't be described, but it always felt suffocating in his heart. There was an urge to rush after her and hug her tightly, never letting her go again.
He was startled by his own thoughts and felt like he had gone mad.
No matter how beautiful this lady may be, she is pregnant and someone else's wife.
Although her husband has passed away, it cannot be denied that she is a married woman.
He felt like his brain had rusted and he had such a weird and inexplicable idea.
Dujiye struggled to suppress the strange urge in his heart, tilted his head slightly, and ordered the few servants behind him, "Let's go."
Then, he continued on horseback.
The few servants followed closely, the gallop of their horses echoing and the mane flying up and down. They quickly vanished from the street.
On the other side, Yu Yao, after leaving, couldn't calm her heart for a long time.
As she walked, she kept recalling her short encounter with Dujiye. The familiar face and caring words made her feel as if she had returned to the time in the beast world, as if she had returned to the wonderful times with Mo Jue.
Thinking about it, she smiled, with tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
"Alas, it is water under the bridge. He has been reborn as a human and no longer remembers himself. Why dwell on it?"
She reached out to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes, and unconsciously, she had already returned to the front of the newly purchased house near Baichuan College.
The sunset glow fell on the ancient wooden door, casting a warm and peaceful scene.
At the door, the elderly couple was waiting for her. Their figures elongated by the setting sun, appeared particularly wizened and kind-hearted.
The ground was piled high with various items, including rice, flour, grain, fabrics, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea - some essential household items.
The little boy was playing around, jumping up and down, and his clear laughter sounded like a silver bell, piercing the surrounding tranquility and adding a touch of vitality and liveliness to this new home.
He seems much more lively than when he was at the commodity market.
She smiled faintly and walked over.
The elderly couple saw her and hurriedly bowed, pulling the jumping little boy along: "Greetings, madam."
Their expressions were respectful yet unfamiliar, clearly afraid and curious about the new owner.
She smiled faintly, her tone calm and even: "There's no need for such formalities. From now on, we are one family. I'm new here, and I'll rely on both of you for many things. By the way, I still don't know how you two prefer to be addressed?"
Upon hearing this, the elderly woman looked up at Yu Yao with respect and said, "Madam, the surname of my husband is Zhou. We don't have a name for him, and everyone used to call me Madam Zhou."
She then pointed to the old man beside her and the little boy, "This is my husband, Zhou Fuyuan, everyone calls him Old Master Zhou. And this is our grandson, Zhou Heng, his nickname is Dog Egg."
Yu Yao gently nodded, understanding in her heart.
"I have a very simple life here, without any other people, just me. I don't have many rules, but there is one thing I require - clean and diligent hands."
She spoke, already turning to the door, and pulled out the key to open the gate of the courtyard.
"Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, you two go ahead and move the things inside. Later on, find yourselves a room to settle in, and you can also take Dog Egg for a stroll around the courtyard."
She said again.
"Yes, madam."
"Uncle Zhou" and "Aunt Zhou" immediately responded, and began to busy themselves, carrying things from the doorway inside and arranging them.
Yu Yao raised her foot and walked in, her gaze sweeping over the new courtyard.
Although the courtyard was empty, it exuded a sense of ancient simplicity and elegance as well as tranquility. This would be her home now.
"Madam, where should we put these grains and flours?" Aunt Zhou asked while moving them, her voice tinged with carefulness.
She scanned the surroundings, pointing to the empty room on the west side: "There's a spare room over there. Let's use it as a storage room temporarily. We can adjust it later if there's a better arrangement."
"Alright, good."
Aunt Zhou nodded in response and quickly carried the bags of rice and flour inside with ease, despite their weight.
Uncle Zhou saw Aunt Zhou carrying the bags of rice and flour and quickly grabbed them, taking them to the western room himself.
Yu Yao watched the scene with a faint smile, although it was a very ordinary gesture, it revealed Uncle Zhou's care for Aunt Zhou.
Perhaps this is what a lifetime of marriage is like: ordinary yet warm.
Aunt Zhou's face flushed slightly, and she didn't try to take over from her husband. She turned around and moved the fabric, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea inside the house.
The little boy, Dog Egg, ran around excitedly and occasionally helped move some lighter items. Although he wasn't very strong, his eagerness to help warmed Yu Yao's heart.
"Dog Egg, are you tired? If you are, take a break."
She gently bent down, patting the little boy's head with tenderness.
Dog Egg shook his head and smiled brightly: "I'm not tired. I want to help Grandma and Grandpa."
Yu Yao smiled faintly, gently touched the little boy's face, and felt that he was very sensible and obedient, just a bit too thin.
She thought about taking good care of him from now on, so that when her two babies are born, he can play with them.
The items were soon neatly arranged. The furniture that should be in the mansion was all there, and it was all new, so there was no need to buy any more.
Just clean up and it can be moved in.
Uncle Zhou was cleaning the courtyard, while Aunt Zhou was wiping things here and there with a cloth.
Thinking that standing idly was the same as working, she also picked up a cloth to wipe the windows.
Although she was pregnant, it wasn't heavy work, and her belly wasn't very big.
Aunt Zhou was startled and quickly rushed over, carefully advising, "Madam, you are pregnant, how can you do these things? It's best for you to rest over there. Let's take care of it together, my husband and I."
Yu Yao smiled faintly, "It's fine, it's not heavy work. We can do it together and get it done quicker."
"But what about you, Madam?"
Aunt Zhou hesitated to speak, for how could the owner do the work herself, especially with a big belly.
"I'm fine. If I get tired, I'll rest on my own."
She didn't pay attention to Aunt Zhou's words and continued to wipe the windows with the cloth.
Aunt Zhou, seeing the mistress's determination, couldn't say anything more and quickly turned to work.
But she kept a close eye on this side, watching carefully.
