Volume 1 Chapter 20: Bear the Eldest Grandson of the Lu Family for Me

Prince Ling’s gaze settled on Ruan Liuzheng for a moment before he finally looked away. He was usually taciturn, but this time he spoke, albeit rarely.

“Your Highness, please don’t make things difficult for Lady Lu.”

“The Second Prince actually defending her? It reminds me—back at the Imperial Academy, you two sat side by side. I must say, it made me quite envious.”

At that time, Ruan Liuzheng’s talent and beauty were unparalleled among women, making her the favorite of many princes.

Unbeknownst to most, countless princes wished to claim her for themselves.

Prince Xuan was especially blatant about it.

At the thought, Chu Yunze’s eyes darkened, and he finally said, “Let’s go.”

It was, in a way, sparing Ruan Liuzheng.

Only after they left did she continue on her way. After that encounter, she utterly severed her hopes for him.

He truly no longer cared for her, to treat her so openly in front of the other princes.

Upon returning, Ru Yan summoned Doctor Zhao, who carefully tended to the wounds on her fingers.

“Your tendons and bones are intact; it’s just some surface injuries. The reason you can’t play the qin is likely because you were bitten by a snake. The real barrier is psychological.”

Ruan Liuzheng dared not recall that scene and asked, “Is there any way to help me improve?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you overcome this fear.”

His words brought a sense of reassurance.

Ruan Liuzheng sincerely replied, “Thank you.”

Ru Yan brought over some chestnut cakes and handed them to Zhao Wanzhou.

“These were made by me and the young madam herself. Doctor Zhao, please try them when you return.”

Zhao Wanzhou looked at Ruan Liuzheng’s hands.

“Lady Lu can even make pastries?”

“Just passing the time when idle.”

In truth, she had once been unskilled with her hands, but within the palace, Ruan Yingying often made things difficult for her, sending her to prepare food late at night. Over time, she learned a little.

“I will savor them.”

Zhao Wanzhou accepted the chestnut cakes with heartfelt joy, even reluctant to eat them.

They were made by Ruan Liuzheng herself.

She was gentle yet strong—a truly unique woman.

When Qingye arrived, she saw Zhao Wanzhou carrying the pastries away and glanced at him once more.

“Sister, now that you have entered the palace, did Empress Dowager say anything?”

She had now been elevated to concubine status, officially becoming a consort of the Lu family.

Ruan Liuzheng said, “You will soon be Lady Lu.”

Qingye’s eyes shone with joy.

“That’s good.”

She left full of happiness.

---

Ruan Liuzheng had initially been in good spirits, but after the incident on the palace path, she could no longer be cheerful.

Ru Yan noticed her troubled expression and asked, “Did the Empress Dowager give you trouble today?”

“Every time I enter the palace, it’s a torment.”

She had grown to detest the imperial palace deeply.

“Young madam, endure a little longer. Soon you will be free.”

“Hmm. Ru Yan, I have some shops under my name. Please bring the account books; it’s time to take stock.”

“Understood.”

While reviewing the ledgers, Lu Chengze suddenly appeared.

He stormed in and fiercely told Ru Yan, “Get out.”

What was he up to now?

Ruan Liuzheng frowned.

Ru Yan stepped back worriedly.

Lu Chengze asked directly, “Did you tell Yingying about my consummation with Qingye?”

“Even if I hadn’t, she would have found out. Why are you angry?”

“Yingying said it was your idea to have Qingye join the Lu family. What are you trying to do? Have Qingye replace you as Lady Lu?”

“You don’t like me anyway. What difference does it make who is Lady Lu?”

She hadn’t even denied it!

A strange feeling surged in his heart as he stared at her intently.

“You were the one who provoked me first. Why do you want to leave now?”

“When I married into the Lu family, I had no choice. I thought I could compromise, but who expected us to end up like this? There’s no point in talking more—let’s part amicably.”

“Part amicably?”

Lu Chengze’s eyes darkened. He trapped her in his embrace and gripped her chin.

“I told you, you will bear the firstborn grandson of the Lu family.”

Ruan Liuzheng raised her hand to push him away, but he didn’t budge. He had once regarded her as a sister, but now she was his wife, and he believed he had every right!

With that thought, he produced a chain from his sleeve and locked her hand with a single cuff, fastening it to the headboard. Then he tore at her collar.

She raised her legs to kick him, striking his abdomen just as he bent over clutching his stomach. Seizing the moment, she frantically tried to unlock the chain.

Lu Chengze said, “It’s useless. You can’t break free. Until you bear me a grandson, don’t even think about leaving.”

His eyes were bloodshot. She was his wife—why shouldn’t he touch her?

Ruan Liuzheng’s wrist was rubbed raw by the chain, and only then did he notice her fingers bleeding.

Panicked, he asked, “What happened to your hand?”

How had she come back from the palace with such injuries?

Ruan Liuzheng said, “Go ask Ruan Yingying. Is it necessary for the two of you to watch me suffer until I die?”

What sin had she committed to provoke these two?

---

In the end, Lu Chengze could not bear it and bent down to unlock the chain binding her hand.

No sooner had the chain loosened than Ruan Liuzheng flung it at his face, striking him so hard he collapsed to the floor clutching his face.

She seized the opportunity to escape.

Ru Yan was waiting outside. Ruan Liuzheng grabbed her hand and ran.

“Quick, let’s leave the Lu family.”

Lu Chengze was intent on humiliating her—he had gone mad!

The two fled by carriage. Lu Chengze, after recovering from the blow, kicked over a screen in frustration.

Who was she preserving her chastity for? The Emperor?

The thought made him want to tear her apart.

He shouldn’t have let her go out of pity; she was only emboldened by it.

Ruan Liuzheng successfully returned to the Ruan residence. Upon seeing her, her parents embraced her as she broke down in tears, overwhelmed by her sorrow.

“Mother, I want a divorce from Lu Chengze. If he treats me like this, I will die!”

She showed her wounds to her mother. Her parents, intending to scold her, suddenly swallowed their words.

Her father said, “A man who bullies his own wife so—Chengze has lost his mind! Don’t be afraid, daughter. I will make him apologize to you.”

“No! I don’t want an apology. I want a divorce.”

Her father’s face darkened instantly.

“You are a noble daughter of the Ruan family and Lady Lu. How can you speak of divorce so lightly? He may have erred, but he hasn’t taken your life.”

Her mother said, “Daughter, you and your husband must communicate clearly. Don’t mention divorce. Once divorced, you become a discarded woman and will find it hard to remarry.”

“I won’t marry again. I can support myself. Father, mother, I beg you.”

Her father said, “You’re still angry now. Rest and calm down before discussing this further.”

Ruan Liuzheng knew they wouldn’t listen to her. She suddenly calmed herself and said, “My younger sister agreed to this. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her at the palace.”

“Yingying really agreed?” her mother asked.

They exchanged a glance and said no more.

In their eyes, Yingying’s word carried more weight than an imperial edict.

Ruan Liuzheng’s heart grew cold. “I’ll go back to my room now.”

With Qingye in the Lu family, Yingying no longer needed her. She should be able to divorce Lu Chengze soon.

She looked at the scars on her hands and exhaled deeply.

At least now she was safe—she had escaped!

Just as she took a sip of tea, Ru Yan entered anxiously.

“Master Lu… he said he’s coming to take you back.”