Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Xie Yijue kept his word and stayed in my courtyard for three consecutive nights.

At night, I simply used the excuse that my monthly cycle had arrived. Though he was disappointed, he remained gentle and considerate, never forcing me.

However, Ji Zhi was constantly sending people to fetch him, claiming either chest pains or nightmares.

Finally, on the third night, she managed to lure him away.

A shadow flickered outside the courtyard.

I dismissed my attendants. “I shall rest here for a moment. You need not wait on me.”

The sound of footsteps approached, coming to a halt beside me.

I looked at him.

“You’ve come.”

It had only been a few days.

He had grown much thinner; there were dark circles under his eyes, and his lips were pale.

He looked like a mere shadow of his former self.

“Why…”

His voice was hoarse. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Had I known you were… I certainly wouldn’t have…”

His eyes suddenly reddened, filled with agony.

“Such a violation of human relations… I have no choice but to die…”

I gazed at him.

“You know as well as I do that he favors my concubine-born younger sister.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that Ji Zhi’s birth prevents her from being his wife, it wouldn’t have been my turn.”

“In fact…”

I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I am merely a companion for her dowry.”

“No!”

He hurried to contradict me.

“My elder brother told me himself that you are his wife.”

“He will treat you well.”

I watched him quietly.

He seemed stung by my gaze and looked away first.

“Do you believe that?” I asked.

“On the wedding night, he abandoned his wife to go to his concubine’s room. He didn’t even complete the ritual of the bridal chamber…”

Tears slid down without warning.

I bit my lip, my shoulders trembling slightly, and fell silent.

Xie Congjin completely lost his composure. He wanted to touch me but didn’t dare, his hands hovering awkwardly.

“Don’t… don’t cry… It’s my fault…”

“I was out of my mind…”

I choked out, “That night, my heart was so full of bitterness that I somehow… ended up in your courtyard. You were drunk and said I was the only one for you in this life. I actually took it to heart and cried for half the night after I returned. Now that you regret it…”

I turned my face away, my body shaking.

“I will go and tell him that I seduced you. Even if I am drowned in a pond, I will accept it-”

Before I could finish, my wrist was gripped tightly.

Xie Congjin pulled me back with force and pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms trembling violently.

“No… don’t say it.”

His voice was raspy, carrying a desperate tenderness. “It’s my fault.”

“If only I had met you sooner…”

Warm lips carefully kissed away the tears at the corners of my eyes.

I lowered my head.

Hiding the smile on my lips.

Xie Yijue did not return that night.

The next day, Ji Zhi came to pay her respects, a full hour late.

She supported her waist, swaying like a weak willow in the wind as she entered. The corners of her eyes and brows were filled with a lazy, seductive charm.

“Please forgive me, Sister. Last night, the Lord Heir… he was a bit rowdy until late, and I truly couldn’t get out of bed.”

I slowly blew on the tea froth. “It matters not.”

Seeing that I wasn’t the least bit annoyed, she leaned closer and lowered her voice, her smile laced with venom.

“Sister really has poor luck. You didn’t consummate the marriage on the wedding night, and then your cycle came… When will you ever get to enjoy the blessings of being the primary wife?”

I set down my teacup, looked up at her, and suddenly smiled.

“You are so proud of yourself, Sister. Have you forgotten what happened to your mother?”

Ji Zhi’s expression changed instantly.

“I haven’t forgotten,” she said.

“Therefore, I must make sure you taste it as well.”

“How your mother watched with her own eyes as her husband stayed elsewhere every night; how she watched the cold candlewick until dawn; how she was so sick she only had one breath left… yet still foolishly pined for the man who was too stingy to even grant her one last look.”

She curled her lips.

Her smile was innocent yet cruel.

“So what if you hold the title of primary wife? I will make him so reluctant to even step into your courtyard that you, too, will stay in your empty room every day, facing the cold walls until your life’s blood slowly withers away.”

I lowered my head.

And drank the tea to the last drop.