Volume One, Chapter 12: You Truly Are a Madman
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Just as Lu Chengze was about to speak, he saw Yuan Liuzheng widen her eyes.
“You’re bleeding.”
She seemed somewhat anxious, and suddenly Lu Chengze’s anger lessened.
“I’m fine,” he said.
Yuan Liuzheng wasn’t concerned about his well-being; she was worried that Hounan would be punished.
Suppressing her inner disgust, she said, “Let me help you bandage it.”
Lu Chengze was momentarily stunned but agreed, “Alright.”
Yuan Liuzheng sent Hounan to wait in the side courtyard and then took some medicine to treat Lu Chengze’s wound.
“Do you remember those times when those people insulted you, and I fought them for you? Back then, you bandaged me just like this.”
At that time, Yuan Liuzheng bandaged his wounds while crying, “Cousin, are you alright? It’s all my fault—if I hadn’t gone out, none of this would have happened.”
He comforted her, wiping away her tears, “Don’t cry. You’re such a crybaby. You must know, no matter who bullies you, your cousin will always avenge you.”
“Cousin, you’re so good to me.”
“I will treat you this well for the rest of my life.”
Yuan Liuzheng’s hand paused. The whip marks on her body still throbbed faintly.
Time had passed, and everything had changed.
Not hearing her reply, he grew angry and roughly tugged at her wrist.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Yuan Liuzheng bit her lip in pain, and only then did Lu Chengze notice the ugly whip scar on her wrist.
It looked as if it had been burned by fire. Instinctively, he released his grip.
Yuan Liuzheng sneered, “What’s wrong? Is it disgusting because you caused these scars yourself? Stop pretending to reminisce about the past. I find it revolting too.”
A knife seemed to stab Lu Chengze’s heart, the pain sharp and deep. He stared at the scar, speechless for a moment.
Yuan Liuzheng was tired of his act. After finishing the bandage, she went to find Yuan Hounan.
The moment Yuan Hounan saw her, he said, “Sister, are you okay just now?”
“Sister is fine. Why did you come here today?”
She pulled down her sleeve to hide the scars.
“I have something to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
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“Sis, I need silver.”
Yuan Liuzheng asked sharply, “Did you go gambling again?”
It was baffling how someone so young could have fallen into such a bad habit.
“No, it’s almost Grandmother’s birthday banquet. I want to buy her a birthday gift.”
Grandmother was in poor health and rarely appeared in public, but she was very kind to her grandchildren.
Yuan Liuzheng said, “It’s only right to give Grandmother a birthday gift.”
She took out some silver notes for Yuan Hounan, but he frowned.
“Is that all? Sis, don’t you have a dowry? Grandmother likes fine paintings. This money won’t be enough.”
Yuan Liuzheng felt something was off. “Why isn’t it enough? What exactly do you need the money for?”
“Why so many questions? If it weren’t for me just now, your brother-in-law would have bullied you! Give me more, or I’ll tell Mom and Dad you made him angry again!”
Yuan Liuzheng felt helpless. “Say whatever you want. This is all I can give you.”
Seeing her firm attitude, Yuan Hounan sneered, “So stingy! Don’t bother giving me anything next time!”
He snatched all the silver notes from her hand and stormed off.
She had thought Yuan Hounan had improved, but he was still the same.
He even wanted her to dip into her dowry. The thought gave her a headache.
That night, Yuan Liuzheng and Lu Chengze sat in the carriage heading to the palace.
Lu Chengze strangely asked, “If Yingying and I are inside... does that make you uncomfortable?”
“Of course it does.”
She was so nauseated she felt like vomiting, especially hearing the sounds. She wished she could throw up right there in the carriage.
Hearing this, Lu Chengze’s mood brightened. Maybe she still cared for him?
He said, “I’ll try to be quieter from now on, make less noise.”
Yuan Liuzheng was too tired to listen and opened the curtain to look outside.
By chance, she saw Chu Yunze.
Chu Yunze sat astride his horse, tall and upright, impossibly handsome. His black armor made him appear even more heroic. A golden crown bound his hair high, and his eyes held a cold, noble demeanor.
He was not only the war god of the Southern Dynasty but also the sovereign of the entire realm, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Yet this man once looked at her with nothing but adoration.
Her eyes reddened, tears slipping down her cheeks.
At that moment, he looked over.
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Their eyes met, and she quickly lowered the curtain.
Chu Yunze gripped the reins tightly. Damn this woman—how did she keep appearing before him again and again?
She seemed to have been crying just now.
He had heard she was going to bear a child for the Lu family. Was she crying tears of joy?
He masked the turmoil in his eyes and lifted his gaze, returning to his usual coldness.
Lu Chengze noticed the tear stains on her face. Could it be that she was upset about him and Yingying being together?
He said coldly, “Don’t waste your tears. You can never compare to even one finger of Yingying’s.”
Yuan Liuzheng wiped away her tears. “Lu Chengze, don’t you think you’re crazy? Who would care for your love? And how could you possibly compete with even a single hair of His Majesty’s?”
“Why do you keep bringing him up? Don’t you know how much he despises you?”
“So what? I just want you to understand. I have seen men like His Majesty. How could someone like you ever catch my eye?”
Lu Chengze’s temple veins bulged in anger. “Fine!”
Tomorrow, once we return to the Lu residence, I’ll deal with you properly. But first, I need to see Yingying.
Yuan Liuzheng knelt down again and began reciting scriptures, though this time the sounds were noticeably quieter. She suddenly recalled his promise in the carriage to be gentler, which made her shiver uncontrollably.
Behind the curtain, Yuan Yingying clung to Lu Chengze.
“Brother Chengze, I miss you so much.”
Lu Chengze kissed the corner of her lips but glanced sideways at the figure outside the curtain. Her leg still hurt, yet her kneeling posture was graceful and captivating, causing his Adam’s apple to bob.
He gripped Yuan Yingying’s waist tightly, but his eyes were filled with the image of the other woman, and he exerted himself even more...
After kneeling for a while, Yuan Liuzheng took the initiative to tell Qingye, “The Empress isn’t feeling well. I’ll go prepare some medicine for her.”
Qingye knew Yuan Liuzheng had suggested marrying into the Lu family and did not oppose her.
“Go ahead. Thank you, Lady Lu.”
Yuan Liuzheng noticed joy flickering in Qingye’s eyes, but she probably didn’t know that marrying into the Lu family meant endless suffering.
In the Changning Palace, a small imperial kitchen was specially set up. Yuan Liuzheng emptied all the medicine jars and wrapped them carefully with a cloth. While cleaning, she found some leftover medicinal residue in the corner and wrapped that as well.
Once done, she began decocting the medicine, fanning the white smoke.
Suddenly, a faint fragrance filled the air, and before long, she dozed off, falling asleep.
At the same time, a man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe emerged. He bent down and lifted Yuan Liuzheng before departing.
A careful glance revealed that even the kitchen maids and eunuchs in the small imperial kitchen had fallen asleep.