Volume One, Chapter Four: That Lady Is Your Sister-in-Law

Ruan Liuzheng’s pupils contracted, and she tumbled from the bed. Ruyun, tears streaming down her face, shook her head at her. The Old Madam simply watched her, refusing to let anyone assist her.

"If you are ill, then stay put. Nurse Liu, help the Young Madam lie back down."

"Yes," Nurse Liu replied. She then forcefully shoved Ruan Liuzheng back onto the bed.

Ruan Liuzheng spoke, "Old Madam, I merely asked my maid to deliver a letter to my parents. Am I not even allowed to write to them? Have you forgotten that I am the Empress’s own sister? If I were to tell her about this, how do you think she would react?"

Although she hated Ruan Yingying, the tragedy was that she was forced to use Ruan Yingying’s name to intimidate others. Perhaps the Old Madam had not expected her to resist, let alone use the Empress to pressure her.

The Old Madam said, "Of course you may write letters, and I have had them delivered. But your little maid was acting suspiciously, and I was merely worried she might be plotting something against you."

Nurse Liu chimed in, "Indeed, Young Madam. What if she were dishonest, or went about spreading rumors that would ruin your reputation? The Old Madam is only looking out for you."

Ruan Liuzheng did not want to accept this kindness. Ruyun had been beaten to this state—this was a direct slap to her own face!

"I was the one who sent her to deliver the letter, Nurse Liu, and you know that. But now she has been beaten like this; shouldn't you give me an explanation? I will be entering the palace in two days, and by then..."

The Old Madam was still wary of the Empress. Although the sisters' relationship was merely average, she was, after all, the Empress’s kin. She said to Nurse Liu, "Have you not knelt yet to apologize to the Young Madam? And slap yourself."

Nurse Liu knelt and began slapping her own face, saying, "It is this old servant's fault. Please forgive me, Young Madam."

The Old Madam asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

Ruan Liuzheng continued, "I must trouble the Old Madam to summon a physician to treat Ruyun."

The Old Madam replied, "Nurse Liu, why haven't you gone to fetch a physician yet?"

"Yes, I will go at once," Nurse Liu said.

Only then was Ruan Liuzheng relieved. The Old Madam tossed a letter before her and said with a touch of mockery, "It seems the Ruan family does not care much for a daughter like you."

The Ruan family had replied with only a single sentence: "Recover your health properly at the Lu residence; we will come to see you."

As for when they would come, they did not say. It sounded more like a perfunctory dismissal. Ruan Liuzheng’s face turned pale.

After the Old Madam left, the physician arrived to bandage Ruyun. Seeing her covered in wounds, Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes reddened. "Ruyun, it is my own uselessness that has implicated you."

Ruyun whispered, "It is not the Young Madam’s fault... What did your parents say?"

Ruan Liuzheng felt a chill in her heart. "Ruyun, they don't hold me in their hearts at all. If I were to die, I doubt they would even care."

They did not care how humiliated she was in the palace, nor how she lived in the Lu household; they only cared whether Ruan Yingying was doing well. Ruyun wept as well. "Poor Miss..."

In the past, her mistress had been doted upon, but now she was isolated and helpless. Ruan Liuzheng’s heart felt dead. She gripped Ruyun’s hand, determined to find a way to obtain a divorce agreement and leave the Lu residence.

The memory of Lu Chengze’s hands around her throat made her skin crawl. If she remained in the Lu house, she would truly die.

Two days later, Ruan Yingying sent for her to enter the palace again. Ruan Liuzheng knew clearly that she wanted to meet with Lu Chengze once more. If Lu Chengze refused to divorce her, she would have to start with Ruan Yingying. Didn't Ruan Yingying love him so dearly?

Ruan Liuzheng was very proactive about entering the palace this time, yet she did not expect to encounter the one person she wished to avoid most. As she and Lu Chengze sat in the palanquin, everyone outside knelt.

"Your Majesty, the ambassador from Cangzhou has entered the palace and is waiting."

"Mm. Who is in that palanquin?"

Ruan Liuzheng and Lu Chengze exchanged a glance. They had never encountered Chu Yunze on previous visits; why such a coincidence today? By protocol, she should step out and pay her respects. She stepped out of the carriage, but her legs were weak, and she stumbled.

Just as she expected to fall, she felt a tightening at her waist. Chu Yunze steadied her and said coolly, "Mrs. Lu, can you not even stand properly anymore?"

His gaze fell upon her, sharp and intentional, as if he meant to see through her. Ruan Liuzheng recoiled and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Forgive my lack of manners."

Chu Yunze’s hand was suddenly empty. He rubbed his fingers together, as if a faint fragrance lingered. "The Empress is frail; I trouble you to come and look after her."

It was called "looking after," but in reality, she was nothing more than a servant. It was something he had personally promised Ruan Yingying. Ruan Liuzheng felt a prick of pain in her heart, but she masked it, saying, "The Empress is my sister; it is only right."

To hide the bruises on her neck, she wore a veil, obscuring her expression. A gust of wind blew, lifting the veil, and Ruan Liuzheng quickly pulled it back into place. However, Chu Yunze’s sharp eyes caught the marks on her neck. His gaze turned icy, and he mocked, "It seems Mrs. Lu’s life is not as pleasant as it appears."

Knowing he harbored hatred for her, Ruan Liuzheng quickly replied, "I shall not disturb Your Majesty further. I must go in; Her Majesty is waiting."

She stepped back into the carriage, her legs clearly struggling.

Watching the carriage depart, Chu Yunze said to his guard, Song Huai, "Investigate her."

Song Huai looked at him strangely. "Your Majesty, she is your sister-in-law..."

Chu Yunze shot him an icy, piercing glare. "Is there a problem with me showing concern for a subject?"

There was, of course, a problem, but Song Huai dared not say it. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Inside the palanquin, Lu Chengze reached out to touch the bruises on her neck, but she instinctively shrank away. Lu Chengze felt a sour bitterness in his throat. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to scold her, let alone choke her; he did not know what had come over him. Whenever he heard her speak of divorce, he lost all control.

"I apologize. It was my fault."

Ruan Liuzheng did not accept it. She pressed her lips together and said, "You are indeed at fault." She would never forgive him.

Seeing her cold indifference, his temper flared again. "What? Did you fall into the Emperor’s arms on purpose just now? Trying to seduce him again?"

Ruan Liuzheng wondered if he had been possessed; he felt like an entirely different person.

"Not answering me?"

"Are you insane? Even if I had intentions toward him, that is impossible now, isn't it? He hates me to the bone!" She still could not forget the look of profound betrayal in his eyes from all those years ago.

A nameless fire burned in Lu Chengze’s chest, and he began to lash out wildly. "You are truly unworthy of him."

Ruan Liuzheng replied, "Yes, I am unworthy. Ruan Yingying is the most worthy."

Lu Chengze grew even angrier and raised his hand. Ruan Liuzheng sneered. "What, are you going to hit me again? I never expected Lord Lu to be such a man. What kind of man beats a woman? If you have any courage, you wouldn't be hiding in my palanquin to sneak off and see her!"

"The reason I am like this is all because of you! Ruan Liuzheng, this is the retribution you deserve."

Lu Chengze lowered his hand. He had seen the tears in her eyes earlier. He had only intended to frighten her; why did she have to put on such a pitiful act? It was nothing but crocodile tears. She had used that very face to manipulate everyone in the past.

When they arrived at the palace, Lu Chengze entered through the secret chamber while she knelt outside. Before long, the sounds from the bedchamber began once again.