In his previous life, everyone thought that Zhi Baiju committed suicide by drowning because of pessimism and world-weariness.

It wasn't until Xie Zhaozhao was dying that Guan Yingying told her, "Zhi Baiju died because of you..."

That time, when Gu Chengyan wanted to consummate their marriage, the person standing at the door in a bright red robe was not Gu Chengyan, but his cousin Zhi Baiju, who looked almost exactly like him.

In his previous life, Gu Chengyan was riding high, had a close relationship with the Crown Prince, helped Zhi Baiju find an academy, settled the lawsuit in Ouyang's hometown, and promised to help Zhi Baiju pass the imperial examination with flying colors and enter the court.

Gu Chengyan even promised to arrange for the Zhi family's daughter to enter the palace as a concubine.

The Zhi family was overjoyed by this promise and practically worshipped Gu Chengyan as a god.

When Gu Chengyan asked Zhi Baiju to consummate his marriage, the Zhi family readily agreed and forced Zhi Baiju to consummate the marriage with Gu Chengyan.

They even congratulated him with envious and jealous tones, saying that he could sleep with the most noble lady.

If he's lucky, the most noble lady might even give him a son or daughter.

Zhi Baiju arrived, being pushed and shoved. He was wearing Gu Chengyan's bright red robe. Under Gu Chengyan's arrangement, he entered Fanghua Garden after the lights were turned off and went to Xie Zhaozhao's bedroom.

But at the door, Zhi Baiju stopped. He could vaguely see the woman waiting inside.

Her beauty was delicate and captivating, her bearing as dignified and elegant as Guanyin. Her complexion was like the morning glow reflecting on snow, or like a lotus emerging from the water; her hair was like spring clouds, and her eyes like autumn waves.

That was his most respected cousin-in-law!

His heart was trembling.

He fled without hesitation; he couldn't possibly hurt that woman.

He drowned himself, leaving behind the filthy Zhi family and the filthy world.

...

“Madam,” Yuanyuan returned from outside and, seeing her lost in thought, whispered, “Gu Chengyan and the young mistress have returned from outside.”

Knowing that Gu Chengyan had once again used Zhi Baiju to consummate their marriage, Xie Zhaozhao was so angry that she lost control of her emotions.

She harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Wei clan, represented by the Crown Prince, and an intense loathing for Gu Chengyan.

You may not love, but you cannot be utterly devoid of conscience.

In her past life, she was the one who, in this life, was Xie Xiangxiang. Didn't they both happily wish to grow old together? What's wrong with that?

Gu Chengyan is utterly despicable.

Whoever encounters it is doomed, whoever is near it will suffer, it is extremely poisonous!

Xie Zhaozhao said to Yuanyuan, "I'm going to Moon Lake Garden. Will you come with me?"

Yuanyuan responded and went out to find Moyan to prepare the carriage.

Xie Zhaozhao then said to Bei Chen, "If Zhi Baiju runs out of Fanghua Garden later, follow him. If he tries to commit suicide, bring him to me."

Bei Chen: "Yes."

After making the arrangements, she went to the study and told Gu Shaoyu, "I'm going out for a bit to take care of something, I'll be right back."

Gu Shaoyu stared at her for a few moments, wanting to ask her if she could take him with her.

Xie Zhaozhao smiled and said, "It's a minor matter in the inner quarters; I can handle it."

Gu Shaoyu watched her and Yuanyuan leave.

Oh well, she prefers to handle things alone, so he won't interfere any further.

Bei Chen watched as his elder brother sat reading a book, seemingly very serious, but staring at a single page for a long time without turning it.

"My lord, the madam has gone to Moon Lake Garden, probably to help a person who has gone astray and has come back to the right path... I will go there later as well."

The lady did a good deed.

Gu Shaoyu felt relieved when he heard about Moon Lake Garden; it was his home, so there was no safety issue.

Xie Zhaozhao didn't wait too long in Moon Lake Garden. She read a book while waiting. At 9 PM, she heard a noise outside.

Upon opening the door, Bei Chen dropped a person on the ground—a white horse.

He was wearing an old long gown, his whole body was soaking wet, his hair was disheveled, and he had lost one of his shoes.

He looked up and saw Xie Zhaozhao, and was very surprised. He quickly covered his feet with his long robe.

His face flushed red and then turned pale, and despair appeared in his eyes.

He lowered his head and remained silent.

"Zhi Baiju, your death will have no impact on anyone. You might as well live well and do something meaningful."

Zhi Baiju shook his head, his face ashen: "There's nothing I can do."

"You can expose Gu Chengyan. He is of despicable character and utterly shameless. The Zhi family is only interested in profit and has no shame whatsoever!"

Zhi Baiju shook his head again. He felt that even if he lived, he would be powerless to change such relatives and such a family.

"You're not afraid of death, so why are you afraid to do something meaningful?"

Zhi Baiju was speechless for a long time.

After waiting for a long time, Yuanyuan got a little annoyed and said, "A real man either does it or he doesn't. Why be so clingy? No wonder Gu Chengyan chose you to trick him!"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Baiju looked up and asked Xie Zhaozhao, "What should I do? I really don't want to see the Zhi family again."

"Then choose to sever ties with them and leave the Zhi family."

"I'd rather die than lose all ties with them!"

I saved you, why are you still going to die?

Xie Zhaozhao spoke with him for a long time. At the end of the night, Zhi Baiju mustered his courage and, with renewed confidence, knocked on the door of the Ci'en Courtyard of the Earl's Mansion...

After leaving the Bo Mansion, Zhi Baiju returned to the courtyard where the Zhi family lived in the North City without a care in the world.

Upon entering the courtyard, a suffocating feeling immediately hits you.

His mother, his third aunt, his eldest aunt, ... even the three sisters of Zhi Yaoyao, were not asleep and were all waiting for him.

The mother (Gu Shaoyu's maternal aunt) asked Zhi Baiju anxiously, "Is it done?"

Seeing the anxious look on his mother's face, Zhi Baiju's long-standing worries suddenly subsided.

"Mother, what if I say it didn't work out?"

The mother's expression immediately changed: "How could it not work? Is there a mistake in the arrangements?"

"No, I won't! To take away a woman's innocence like this, especially my cousin's wife..."

Mother, I too have studied the classics; how am I any different from an animal in doing this?

The mother angrily scolded, "You useless thing, you can't even do this simple thing? Have you thought about us?"

The courtyard was bought by your cousin, the academy was found for you by your aunt, and your niece was sent to the Crown Prince's side by your cousin...

We owe so many favors, do you think they helped us for nothing?

The eldest aunt scolded, "If we can't stay in Kyoto, we'll have nowhere to go."

Third Aunt's eyes were bloodshot as she hysterically said, "Your father is already a rat crossing the street, and he's going to be executed in the autumn. Three generations of our family can't participate in the imperial examinations. Are you telling us to all die?"

My cousin's wife said, "Because of my second uncle's influence, Yao Yao's path to the palace is now in my nephew's hands..."

"The sins of the father are to be repaid by the son; you owe us."

"You're letting me sleep with a woman for free, and you're not even willing to take advantage of me?"

"She's not some lowly country bumpkin; she's the legitimate daughter of the Xie family!"

"If she can bear you a child, you will be the luckiest person in the world..."

"You are selfish."

"You're a piece of trash!"

The three sisters, Lianzhi and Yaoyao, tearfully accused him: "If it weren't for our grandfather/second great-uncle/second great-uncle, we could have openly entered the Crown Prince's residence to compete for the Crown Princess..."

This time, Zhi Baiju didn't cry in despair, but laughed heartily.

He was tired of hearing these words after a month; his ears were calloused from hearing them so much!

He laughed for a while, then said resolutely, "Let's sever ties!"