Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Years ago, to drive a wedge between Lu Jinghuai and me, my Imperial Father committed a wicked deed: he bestowed Sixth Sister in marriage to Lu Jinghuai, forcing her to bear the infamy of “adoring” him and “shamelessly” stealing her younger sister’s beloved.

By doing so, Imperial Father and Mother Empress did not have to expose their own anxieties or sacrifice the dignity of the imperial family.

And I, in turn, could hate her with a clear conscience.

Later, when I finally understood everything, I knelt and begged Imperial Father to cancel the engagement between Sixth Sister and Lu Jinghuai. I also requested that he strip me of my title as princess so I could return to being Luo Qinxin, a daughter of the Luo Family, and formally reject Lu Jinghuai.

I told him that although I was no longer a princess, as a daughter of the Luo Family, I only sought peace for the country and the safety and health of my family. I would not challenge the imperial power for the sake of love, nor would I cause worry to the Imperial Father and Mother Empress who had once cherished me.

Our love was insignificant when compared to the state and the family.

At that time, I was prepared to grow old alone.

I never expected things to take such a turn.

I never expected Lu Jinghuai to go to the border in a fit of rage and achieve such illustrious military merit.

Even less did I expect him to give up everything just to marry me.

On the day of our wedding, Sixth Sister came.

The way she looked at Lu Jinghuai was distant and scrutinizing, a kind of probing gaze.

Toward me, she showed a form of pity.

Back then, I felt a surge of indignation.

I wondered, why look at me with such eyes?

I swore that I would live a good life.

Lu Jinghuai had given me the most precious affection in the world, so naturally, I wanted to make him the happiest young man in the capital.

Now, of course, I understand. She likely saw even then that Lu Jinghuai and I were destined to end in tragedy.

Lu Jinghuai’s grand gesture made the noble ladies of the capital envy me for years.

He raised our love to the clouds.

But when that love fell, it nearly shattered me into a thousand pieces.

I stayed at Sixth Sister’s princess manor for many days.

She was wonderful, and Sixth Brother-in-law, Song Zhi, was wonderful too.

They lived in perfect harmony, their home filled with constant laughter.

It wasn’t until I saw her packing her luggage bit by bit that I realized nothing was as simple as it appeared on the surface.

They were so good together; why were they also walking toward divorce?

Sixth Sister smiled and said, “I simply don’t want to live in the palace anymore. From the very beginning, my marriage to Song Zhi was a sham. He has someone else in his heart and only wanted to appease his family. We were a perfect match for this arrangement. Now that the three-year agreement is up, it’s time to go our separate ways.”

I felt a sense of panic.

I didn’t know why, but subconsciously, I didn’t want her to leave.

She sighed softly, took me into her arms, and gently patted my back.

“My divorce papers were signed on the day of the wedding. I cannot help you with your affairs.”

“Furthermore, no one can make decisions for you, and you shouldn’t let anyone make them for you.”

“You must remember: you are a human being, not a pet.”

“A human has thoughts and a heart. You must decide the path you want to take, rescue yourself from your misery, and be your own hero.”

“It’s time for you to grow up. After all, you have a little girl now.”

“You must raise her well, just as you should have raised your former self.”

She was a ray of light in my messy predicament, bringing a sliver of warmth to my frozen heart.

During those days at Sixth Sister’s manor, I did nothing but eat and sleep.

I was in a daze.

In truth, I didn’t know what kind of person I was; I hadn’t even considered the question. I certainly didn’t know how to save myself from the depths of despair.

But when I woke up this morning, my thoughts suddenly cleared.

It was fine. I didn’t need to solve every problem at once.

I could take it one step at a time.

I could also set an example for myself-I could live like Sixth Sister.

Therefore, the first thing I did upon leaving Sixth Sister’s residence was to replace all the maids and older servants around me.

I didn’t need a group of people who spoke on behalf of Lu Jinghuai.

I needed people who spoke for me.

Like Aunt An, Fangcao, Ruxia, and Sui’an by Sixth Sister’s side… they only spoke for Sixth Sister, and Sixth Sister would risk her life only for them. That was the kind of person I wanted-someone who would stand and fall with me.