Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Unlike the women in other stories, I cannot say I harbor a bone-deep love for my husband. In fact, I knew from the very beginning that Rong Zhan did not love me.

We shared no childhood friendship, nor was there a moment of love at first sight.

Rong Zhan was born into an illustrious lineage. His father had rendered great service to the late Emperor as a regent and a kingmaker, eventually rising to the rank of Prince Regent. Dowager Rong was also born of a prominent family; she was the biological sister of the current Dowager Empress and had long ago been titled a Lady of the First Rank.

Among the sons of noble families, Rong Zhan possessed unparalleled character. Unwilling to simply live off his father’s achievements, he had already joined the army three times to suppress rebellions by the age of nineteen. He held the rank of General of the Brave Cavalry and was exceptionally handsome; in his youth, countless noble daughters dreamed of marrying him.

While the Rong Clan was at its peak, my own family was certainly no less impressive.

When the Zhuo Clan was at the height of its power, my father had reached the position of Prime Minister. Yet, overnight, he surrendered his military authority, settled his private grievances, and petitioned the Emperor to retire to his hometown, taking my mother to travel across the mountains and rivers.

Nowadays, the common folk often circulate my father’s writings on integrity and loyalty. For a time, everyone within the imperial court and beyond praised the Zhuo Clan for worrying about the world while in office and remaining loyal to the sovereign while in retirement. The Emperor himself once remarked, “Whether discussing the bond between ruler and subject or teacher and student, I feel a great debt of gratitude toward Prime Minister Zhuo.” Consequently, the reputation of the Zhuo Clan grew more prestigious by the day, and the status of my two elder brothers rose accordingly.

Was it truly a matter of bringing glory to the family? When the cunning rabbit is caught, the hound is cooked. My father’s move was nothing more than a way to preserve our family’s prosperity to the greatest extent possible.

My marriage to Rong Zhan was arranged by imperial decree; we were meant to be a model couple for the people.

This time, he had gone to Lingnan to suppress a rebellion. The battle was treacherous, a near-death experience. It was a great blessing that he was able to return at all, let alone receive the imperial grace of being appointed General of the Southern Pacification.

A victorious husband and a waiting wife-this should have been a beautiful tale.

But when he returned, he brought his heart’s desire, his beautiful beloved, by his side.

On the day of his return, my mother-in-law took my hand and led a group of relatives to the front gate of the Rong Manor to welcome him. I watched from afar as the tall horse drew closer. When my eyes met those of the man on horseback, his gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, staring so intensely that I uncomfortably looked away.

Before I could step forward to greet him, he dismounted. The woman before me was already pregnant. She lowered her head bashfully, revealing a slender, fragile neck that reminded me of a lamb waiting for the slaughter.

“Mother, Zhuo Hua, this is Ruzhuo. I have already obtained imperial grace; she is now a Secondary Wife,” he announced.

The surrounding crowd, which had been filled with joy, suddenly fell silent. They looked at one another in panicked astonishment before finally lowering their gazes and holding their breath, saying nothing.

“You muddled fool,” Dowager Rong snapped, flicking her sleeves and walking away in a huff.

I forced myself to rally my spirits and stepped forward to take the woman’s hands in mine. “In that case, the household will be much livelier.”

“Liu Ruzhuo is a farm girl from the Lingnan border. The General pursued the enemy alone into the depths of a dense forest; he was heavily wounded and suffered from a persistent high fever. It was Miss Ruzhuo who saved him,” Rong Zhan’s lieutenant explained, his eyes filled with pity for me.

I merely smiled. “Truly a woman of courage and resourcefulness.”

Most people thought I was merely putting on a brave face while harboring a grieving heart.

After all, I had barely been a new bride when my husband left for a distant campaign. Upon his return, he had a new woman by his side. Relying on his military merits, Rong Zhan had even petitioned the Emperor for a decree to marry her, intending to elevate this border girl to the status of an Equal Wife. It was only because the Emperor did not grant permission that she was made a Secondary Wife instead.

However, if one’s virtue does not match their position, it will only shorten their life.

They simply did not know me.