Chapter 1
When Pei Yizhi came to see me, I was sweeping the courtyard.
He pushed open the gate and walked in, as lovely and out of place as autumn’s golden breeze and jeweled dew in a patch of wilderness.
He glanced at the broom in my hand and frowned. “Princess Duanhe and I are getting married on the fifteenth of next month.”
I straightened, keeping my expression calm. “Then I wish you and the princess a long and happy marriage.”
Surprise flickered across his face. He stood staring at me for a long time.
I knew what the old me would have done: dropped the broom, flung myself into his arms, and begged him through my tears not to abandon me.
But having lived through it once, how could I make the same mistake again?
When his silence dragged on, I asked, “What? Do you expect a wedding gift as well?”
He said nothing. His frown only deepened.
I gestured toward the gate. “I’m afraid you’ll have to see yourself out.”
On their wedding day, the long streets were in an uproar for miles.
I stood among the spectators, watching him sit astride his fine, tall horse, a red wedding flower pinned to his chest, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
Even knowing exactly what he was, I couldn’t help clenching my back teeth.
He had been an orphan my father adopted and raised in our home as my future husband.
When I was thirteen, my father fell gravely ill and went to join my mother.
Before he died, he pressed my hand together with Pei Yizhi’s and told him, “I’m leaving my girl in your care. You must treat her well!”
Pei Yizhi’s answer had rung with conviction. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll take good care of Ning’er!”
After my father’s death, I used the money he left me to support Pei Yizhi while he continued his studies.
Two years later, he took first place in the imperial examinations. In the throne hall, the emperor himself named him the top scholar of that year’s examinations.
That year, I had just turned fifteen.
Everyone in the village knew about us. When word arrived of his success, they came to congratulate me.
“What good fortune, Ning! You’ll be the top scholar’s wife!”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before another piece of news followed: Pei Yizhi was not only the top scholar, but about to become the emperor’s son-in-law.
I couldn’t believe it. I went to find him several times, but he refused to see me.
Looking at the vermilion gates of his brand-new residence and the fierce-looking servants guarding them with heavy clubs, I finally realized how far apart our stations had become.
The next time I managed to see him was at his wedding to Princess Duanhe.
I went there to make a scene, hoping to ruin the ceremony.
Instead, Princess Duanhe lifted her red bridal veil in front of everyone, gave me a cold glance, and said, “Where did this peasant woman crawl out of? Have her beaten out of here!”
I never imagined they would beat me to death.
Pei Yizhi stood watching, as though he didn’t know me.
Only when I lay on Vermilion Bird Avenue, my blood staining the ground, the pain dragging me into unconsciousness, did I finally understand.
Pei Yizhi had never intended to marry me.
I was merely a stepping stone on his path to greatness.
I died full of hatred.
When I opened my eyes again, I had somehow returned to the time when Pei Yizhi’s name topped the list of successful candidates.
The village was buzzing with talk of how I would become the top scholar’s wife and move to the city to enjoy a comfortable life.
I had already gone to see him several times. Naturally, just as in my previous life, I hadn’t been able to see him once.
Today was his wedding day. I had only happened to come into the city for supplies, yet here I was, witnessing the most glorious moment of his life all over again.
The man on the handsome horse seemed to sense something. He glanced in my direction, and our eyes met.
His face tightened at once, afraid I might rush out and ruin his wedding.
I gave a cold laugh and walked away without a backward thought.