Volume One, Chapter Two: She Wishes to Divorce

Yes, it was she who took Yuan Yingying to the market to buy candied hawthorns back then, but only she returned home alone; she was the one who lost Yuan Yingying.

After endless hardships, she finally found Yuan Yingying in the home of a poor couple.

“Besides, back then Yingying clearly liked Cheng Ze. If it weren’t for you...” Father trailed off. “Forget it, let’s not bring up those matters anymore. You should enter the palace and take good care of her. Don’t let His Majesty find out.”

Yuan Liuzheng retorted, “But I wasn’t the one who drugged her.”

Mother quickly changed the subject. “Your younger brother was quite frightened just now. Go comfort him. If there’s nothing else, return to the Lu residence.”

It was obvious she didn’t want to hear any more from her.

Yuan Liuzheng had no choice but to say, “Alright, I understand.”

As she moved, pain shot through her legs, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to leave.

She still had to hobble step by step to find Yuan Haonan.

When she finally reached his door, sharp pain stabbed her knees. She spoke, “Haonan, open the door. Your sister wants to talk to you.”

But Yuan Haonan, already expecting her, deliberately shut the door tight.

“No! You’re going to nag like Father and Mother again. I don’t want to listen to you.”

“Haonan, you saw just now that my legs hurt and I even fell. Please open the door and let me sit for a while.”

“No. If your legs hurt, then just leave. I don’t want you. I want Second Sister. She won’t lecture me!”

Yuan Liuzheng’s heart shattered at his words. She leaned weakly against the door, barely able to stand.

But Yuan Haonan hadn’t always been like this.

She had raised him since he was little.

He was like her own son. She fed him herself and taught him to read.

Yuan Haonan was very dependent on her and would tell everyone, “Big Sister is the best sister in the world.”

But after Yuan Yingying returned, he only wanted to follow her and began to find Yuan Liuzheng annoying.

After a long while, Yuan Haonan still kept the door shut and ignored her.

Biting her lip, Yuan Liuzheng wanted to plead again.

But the maid Biqin from Mother’s room came over and said, “Miss, the lady said the young master probably won’t open the door. You’d better go back to the Lu residence. Later, she’ll use the toys Second Miss bought to coax him.”

Yuan Yingying was good at winning over children, often having people gather strange and interesting toys for her brother. No wonder he liked her so much.

Yuan Liuzheng didn’t insist any longer; this wasn’t the first time.

She said, “Tell Mother I’m going back.”

She was useless staying at the Yuan residence—they didn’t need her, but she wasn’t suited for the Lu family either.

The thought of returning to the Lu family filled her heart with unease and pain.

---

The Lu family was nothing but a cage to her.

But she had no choice but to go back. The family rules were strict, and Grand Matriarch Lu had never liked her.

She endured the pain and boarded the carriage back to the Lu residence. Upon entering, she saw Nurse Liu from Grand Matriarch’s courtyard coming to summon her.

“Young Madam, Grand Matriarch requests your presence.”

Yuan Liuzheng said nothing and followed along.

When she arrived, Grand Matriarch sat in the main seat, sipping tea, her voice cold.

“Kneel.”

Yuan Liuzheng’s legs were trembling, the pain almost unbearable. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

“Grand Matriarch, what is the matter? Why must I kneel?”

Grand Matriarch glanced at Nurse Liu, who pushed Yuan Liuzheng forward.

Yuan Liuzheng’s knees struck the floor hard, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.

“Cheng Ze came back today. Why didn’t you come with him? Don’t you know he needs to study as soon as he returns?”

“Grand Matriarch, there was an urgent matter at home today, so I thought to check on it.”

“You are now part of the Lu family, his wife. You should serve him well, not meddle in your own family's affairs. Cheng Ze is at a critical point in his rise. Don’t become a burden to him.”

Lu Chengze had become the youngest top scholar, bringing honor to the family and revitalizing the once-declining Lu household.

Grand Matriarch had originally hoped he would marry a princess to aid his political career, but Yuan Liuzheng had ruined those plans. She had always held a grudge against her, and today was just an excuse to make trouble.

Yuan Liuzheng was so pained she could barely speak. Grand Matriarch, tired of her feigned demeanor, said, “Go back.”

Ru Yan, who had been waiting outside, hurried in upon hearing this and helped Yuan Liuzheng up.

If not for Ru Yan, she wouldn’t have been able to stand.

Ru Yan supported her back to the “Luo Yue Pavilion,” lifted her skirt, and saw her knees bleeding and badly swollen.

Tears escaped Ru Yan’s eyes.

“Miss, how could Her Majesty the Empress treat you this way? Kneeling all night and still not succeeding? And now Grand Matriarch wants you to kneel again. Are they trying to kill you?”

Yuan Liuzheng forced a bitter smile.

“Only you truly feel for me.”

“I’ll get your medicine now.”

While cleaning the blood and applying ointment, Ru Yan couldn’t help but shed tears.

Yuan Liuzheng’s tears fell freely, but the pain in her legs wasn’t the worst—her heart felt like it was being cut apart.

---

She didn’t understand how things had come to this.

“Ever since Her Majesty the Empress returned to the Yuan residence, Miss’s life has been miserable. It’s even worse at the Lu residence,” Ru Yan spoke bitterly.

“Ru Yan, I want to leave.”

Whether at the Yuan or Lu residence, she could endure, but serving Yuan Yingying and Lu Chengze in the palace, acting as their accomplice in their secret affair, was truly a living hell.

She had to keep their secret. Every time she met Chu Yunze, she dared not look him in the eye. If he discovered she was helping them hide their illicit relationship, she would be tormented beyond endurance.

Two years had passed like this. She simply could not bear it any longer.

“But what about the young master? If you want to leave, you’ll need a divorce document. But how could your husband ever let you go?”

Yuan Liuzheng looked at her battered legs, recalling everything from today.

“I’ll find a way to get the divorce papers.”

Lu Chengze would probably be eager to divorce her.

“Good. Whatever you decide, I will always support you.”

A maid outside said, “Young Madam, the young master requests your presence.”

Ru Yan said, “Young Madam is unwell today. Can you tell the young master to wait until tomorrow?”

The maid replied, “I’m only a messenger, only passing on the young master’s orders.”

Everyone in the courtyard knew she was out of favor and openly showed their disdain.

Ru Yan was a little angry and wanted to argue, but Yuan Liuzheng stopped her with a shake of her head.

“Help me there.”

“But your legs are like this.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s a good chance for me to bring up the divorce.”

She had thought about this for a long time and finally found courage today.

Perhaps the endless misfortunes were becoming too much to bear.

Ru Yan helped her to “Jingying Pavilion,” the courtyard where Lu Chengze lived, even named after Yuan Yingying. Every time she entered, she felt deeply uncomfortable.

As soon as they entered, Lu Chengze told Ru Yan to leave.

Only the two of them remained inside.

He said coldly, “Take it off.”