Volume One, Chapter 13: Wishing to Kill Him

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Chu Yunze gently laid her onto the couch, his fingers kneading her lips until they turned red and swollen. He had once treated her like a precious treasure, never daring to touch her even slightly; even his kisses were fleeting, like a dragonfly’s touch—light and brief. Yet now, she was to bear Lu Chengze’s child? The thought of another man touching her made his blood boil with uncontrollable rage. His eyes glowed red, burning with fierce desire.

She had told him last time to respect himself—she was his sister-in-law. Ha. He refused to heed her. Grasping her chin, he kissed her fiercely, ravaging the sweetness he had long craved.

Meanwhile, Princess Rong’an came seeking an audience with His Majesty but was stopped by a young eunuch at the door. “Your Highness has state affairs to discuss. Princess, please wait here.”

Princess Rong’an had already inquired beforehand and knew that the Emperor had not favored any consort today, and no ministers were present. It must be some lowly woman who had ensnared His Majesty! She strained her eyes but saw nothing. Turning to leave, a maid nearby picked up a handkerchief and handed it to her. Embroidered on it was the character “Zheng.”

Her eyes darkened. That little wretch—she mustn’t let her get away.

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Ruan Liuzheng woke up in the small imperial kitchen, surprised that she had slept so long. But why were her lips chapped, swollen, and sore? Perhaps from mosquito bites—she paid it no mind.

Returning to Changning Palace, she found the gathering had ended. While attending to Ruan Yingying, the latter whispered into her ear, “You managed to avoid blame for my miscarriage? How heartless of you; that was your little niece inside me.”

“The Empress is the truly heartless one.”

“Regardless, you must pay for my child.”

Ruan Liuzheng knew arguing was futile and remained silent. Thankfully, Ruan Yingying kept her promise; this time, Qingye accompanied her back to the Lu residence.

Ruan Liuzheng said to her, “You’ll first serve as a maid here. I will help you when the time comes.”

Qingye scoffed, “Madam Lu isn’t even favored by Master Lu himself, and you think you can help me? Ridiculous.”

“So you don’t want my help?”

“How dare I, Madam Lu.”

“Go now.”

Ruan Liuzheng didn’t want to argue; after all, she planned to leave the Lu household soon.

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Once back in her room, she immediately retrieved the handkerchief. She had brought extra ones to wrap medicine residues but found one missing—likely dropped somewhere. She paid it no mind and handed the medicine residues to Ruyan.

“Take these to Doctor Zhao. Remember, don’t let anyone find out.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After Ruyan left, she sat to rest, her heart aching at the thought of Chu Yunze she had seen today. She took out the long-forgotten zither, the one Chu Yunze had made for her personally. Since returning to the Lu residence, she had not played it once.

She touched the instrument carefully.

Lu Chengze saw this and was filled with uncontrollable rage and jealousy. He had come to comfort her, fearing she was upset, yet she was reminiscing about another through a lifeless object. He knew exactly who had gifted her the zither. Clearly, she had never forgotten Chu Yunze.

Her lingering affection made his heart ache. He strode over, snatched the zither, and slammed it heavily to the ground.

Startled by his action, Ruan Liuzheng rushed forward to grab the zither, but the strings cut her fingers deeply. Blood gushed from her fingertips. Lu Chengze stared in disbelief, “You’d sacrifice your hands for this zither?”

Ruan Liuzheng was a gifted artist, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her delicate hands were cherished since childhood, soaked daily in goat’s milk; she had once said her hands were her life. Yet this zither was more precious than her life itself? How deeply she must love that man.

“What do you want now? Lu Chengze, why don’t you just die?”

“For a zither, you curse me to death? Ruan Liuzheng, have you forgotten, I am your husband?”

“What kind of husband are you? You’re nothing but a favorite of the Empress. Don’t disgust me.”

The term “favorite” enraged Lu Chengze. He grabbed her hair, yanking her toward the pond outside the courtyard.

Her scalp tingled with pain. Sensing his intent, her heart skipped a beat. “Lu Chengze, no, I’m scared…”

He sneered coldly, “You brought this on yourself.”

Without hesitation, he kicked her into the pond, leaving her to struggle in the water.

Ruan Liuzheng feared water above all; she had once begged him to teach her to swim. He had said, “Zheng Zheng, you need not learn. If you ever fall in the water, I will save you.” Yet now, he was using her weakness to torment her.

She fought desperately beneath the surface, unable to breathe as water filled her mouth and nose. The people on shore seemed like demons. She hated him fiercely, wishing to kill him.

After watching her suffer, Lu Chengze finally descended slowly and pulled her from the water. She coughed violently in his arms, blood still flowing from her wounded fingers.

“I told you not to anger me. Why do you never listen?” he said.

Ruan Liuzheng slapped him hard, “You’re a beast.”

Caught off guard, anger flashed in his eyes. “You dare hit me?”

He raised his hand and struck her twice more, his strength evident as blood trickled from her mouth.

She bit deeply into his neck, the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth. Her teeth ached from the force. Only when others arrived to drag her away did he relent.

Qingye watched the scene and then turned toward the old madam Lu’s courtyard. The position of Madam Lu was hers to claim. As for Ruan Liuzheng—whether she lived or died was no longer her concern.

Ruan Liuzheng returned to her room in disarray. Ruyan brought ointment to tend her wounds.

“Doctor Zhao heard about Madam’s fall into the water and prescribed medicine. I’ll prepare it shortly.”

“Good. You and I will thank him together.”

“Doctor Zhao said it will take two more days to identify exactly what those medicine residues are.”

“Alright. Ruyan, bring me the zither.”

The instrument was shattered beyond recognition. Even Ruyan choked back tears; Madam loved that zither dearly, and now even that last attachment was gone.

Ruan Liuzheng wept, clutching the broken instrument. Was heaven telling her to let go? Yes, it was time to release her hold. After all, she and that man were worlds apart now. Nothing was possible anymore.

Suddenly, Qingye entered. “Terrible news. Master Lu has contracted a virulent illness and has collapsed, unconscious!”