Volume One, Chapter 6: You Were the One Who Provoked Me in the First Place

Today, on the palace path, she cried out in pain, and his heart was instantly gripped with anguish. The imperial physician had said she had nearly died.

The thought of this sent him into a panic.

For the past two years, he had forced himself not to pay attention to her, to forget her. Yet she had almost been strangled to death?

“You really do have a remarkable talent,” he muttered bitterly.

What had this foolish woman gained from betraying him?

Ruan Liuzheng’s mind was in turmoil, but she clearly understood one thing: she was about to formally divorce Lu Chengze. If Ruan Yingying discovered that Chu Yunze was with her—and had even kissed her—then she would never be able to finalize her divorce with Lu Chengze in this lifetime.

She struggled to rise from Chu Yunze’s embrace.

“Your Majesty, this is unreasonable. I am Lady Lu, your wife’s elder sister,” she said, trying to reason.

But he only scoffed coldly in response.

“Do you think anyone can stop me from doing as I please now?”

What did that mean? Her heart raced with confusion. She bit her lip and said, “I wish to leave the palace, Your Majesty.”

She could not let Ruan Yingying find out.

Chu Yunze gripped her wrist tightly. “If you want to leave the palace, beg me, and I’ll let you go.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes stung with tears. Did he, like Ruan Yingying, want to see her humbled utterly?

But she was already so low; he need not humiliate her further.

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked fragile, as if burdened with the greatest grievances.

Was it so difficult to simply show a little submission to him?

Chu Yunze cursed inwardly and spoke stiffly, “Do you think your tears mean anything to me? I detest women who cry. Leave.”

He ordered her to be sent away without another glance.

Supported by a maid, Ruan Liuzheng left.

He violently kicked over the incense burner in the hall, his eyes burning with fury.

“Do you really not want to stay by my side?”

Staring at the empty bed, the corners of his eyes reddened.

For these two years, only when she had been in his arms moments ago had he felt any peace.

Why should he continue to endure?

Clearly, she was unhappy too.

Suddenly enlightened, he lay down on the bed she had just left and closed his eyes.

Her scent still intoxicated him as always.

---

After leaving the palace, Ruan Liuzheng boarded a carriage back to the Lu residence.

The warm sensation of his lips on hers lingered, refusing to fade. Why had he kissed her? Was it to humiliate her?

Just the thought pierced her heart.

Even he wanted to torment her so cruelly?

But she had not drugged herself.

She had drunk the wine Ruan Yingying had handed her, which had dulled her senses and caused her to faint. When she awoke, everyone was blaming her.

No one cared if she was suffering—only accusations and insults.

She had endured for two years, only to be subjected to ever-worsening cruelty.

Yet Ruan Liuzheng was not naturally so weak.

Her endless endurance had been for her parents, for the family’s reputation.

But now she saw it was pointless.

Her parents were not worth it.

In their eyes, only Ruan Yingying mattered. Whether she lived or died, no one cared.

The pain in her leg and neck reminded her that it was all painfully real.

No matter how unwilling she was to believe it, this was the naked truth.

Only Ruyan remained who cared about her.

Upon arriving at the Lu residence, she had not even dismounted when Lu Chengze lifted the curtain and carried her down.

He took her straight to the Jingying Pavilion, his fury palpable.

She said, “Why are you so angry? Don’t worry, once we divorce, you and your sister can get along however you want.”

Emphasizing the word “get along,” Lu Chengze placed her on the beauty’s couch and leaned close.

“Today I saw His Majesty carry you away from the palace path. You really have some nerve. What, you want to divorce me and become His Majesty’s consort?”

Ruan Liuzheng replied, “My leg hurt badly; I fell. His Majesty only pitied me. Don’t think everyone is as depraved as you.”

“Me depraved? Then let me show you what true depravity is.”

He reached to tear her clothes, and with a thunderous rush in her mind, she wondered if he intended to force himself on her.

She struggled, panic on her face.

“Lu Chengze, what are you doing?”

He had just been with Ruan Yingying in the palace… and now he wanted to touch her?

She raised her hand and slapped him hard, mercilessly saying, “You disgust me.”

---

Lu Chengze was caught off guard by the slap. He had never imagined she would strike him, and it jolted him awake to his own actions.

He regretted it for a moment but was angered by her words.

“Don’t think you can provoke me and I’ll touch you—I won’t! As for divorce, it’s not that easy; you were the one who seduced me first.”

He slammed the door and left.

Ruan Liuzheng curled up weakly.

For two years, they had treated each other like strangers, even worse than strangers, yet he refused to let her go.

She clutched her clothes tightly, her lashes trembling, though her worry lay elsewhere.

As expected, word of Chu Yunze carrying her back to the palace had reached Ruan Yingying’s ears.

The next day, Ruan Yingying rarely let Lu Chengze enter the palace with her, sending Ruan Liuzheng alone.

In the chamber, she flew into a rage and smashed a fine porcelain vase at Ruan Liuzheng’s feet. The shards scratched her face, leaving a bleeding wound.

Ruan Yingying, with fingers stained bright red, deliberately pressed on the cut.

“Sister, shouldn’t you explain yourself? Why would His Majesty carry you?”

Ruan Liuzheng bit her lip against the pain and said, “My leg was injured, and I couldn’t stand. He only pitied me. Don’t think everyone is as filthy as you.”

“He’s carried only a handful of women. Do you really expect me to believe your words?”

“If you don’t believe me, then let me divorce Lu Chengze quickly. Then I won’t have to come to the palace again, andI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.