Chapter One: Xu Chumian's Heartbreaking and Tragic Death
Zhao Yu has been going to the palace for several days in a row.
He went to see his childhood sweetheart, the young Empress Dowager Shen Lingyin.
Today is Xu Chumian's birthday, and Zhao Yu has promised to come back tonight.
The Zhao family's courtyard was quiet, with the maids carefully carrying out their tasks, not daring to make a sound.
If we're talking about those who married well in Beijing, Xu Chumian is undoubtedly one of the best.
Xu Chumian was just the daughter of a poor family from out of town, yet she managed to marry Zhao Yu, the eldest son of the Zhao family. In the year they got married, Zhao Yu had already risen to the position of Grand Secretary.
Everyone envies Xu Chumian; she truly has a blessed life.
Today is Xu Chumian's fifth birthday at the Zhao family home.
Xu Chumian stood at the entrance of the courtyard. The young woman had high-piled hair, a slender figure, and a beautiful and delicate face, but there was a hint of sorrow between her brows.
She stared blankly ahead. Zhao Yu had promised to return that afternoon, but had he been held up by that person in the palace again...?
Three years ago, the late emperor and the late crown prince passed away one after another. The eldest grandson of the emperor ascended the throne in a time of crisis, and the chief minister Zhao Yu was appointed regent, exercising the power to oversee the country and participate in politics.
At the beginning of the new dynasty, Empress Dowager Shen ruled from behind the curtain and often summoned Zhao Yu to discuss political affairs in secret.
Throughout the capital, everyone knew that Zhao Yu and Shen Lingyin had been childhood sweethearts. Alone, the man and woman spent the entire night together; no one in the palace dared utter a word, yet rumors were bound to spread.
The two were almost engaged back then, but the Crown Prince intervened and requested an imperial decree to grant them a marriage, which led to the end of their relationship.
Whenever Xu Chumian asked, Zhao Yu would only tell her it was a political matter and there was no need to worry.
Suspicion, jealousy, and doubt still lingered in Xu Chumian's heart. She was like a withered flower in the backyard of the Zhao family, drooping and lifeless.
Zhao Yu was obsessed with bedchamber matters, never stopping until he had exhausted Xu Chumian's strength, and the two grew further and further apart.
The tender moments of the first two years of marriage have become nothing but a mirage.
In the three years that followed, Zhao Yu abandoned Xu Chumian multiple times for Shen Lingyin, even on her two previous birthdays.
This morning, Zhao Yu went to the palace to discuss the border military pay. He told Xu Chumian that when he returned in the evening, he would take her out of the mansion to see the lantern festival.
Xu Chumian waited from day to night until a familiar, tall figure finally appeared at the end of her line of sight.
Zhao Yu is still three years away from turning thirty, yet he holds a high position at such a young age, second only to the emperor. His every move exudes authority, and even his appearance is exceptional.
Zhao Yu approached and naturally took Xu Chumian's hand. "Why are you standing here like an idiot? Come inside, I have something to tell you."
Xu Chumian looked at their clasped hands without moving, and after a moment said, "I want to go see the lantern festival."
Zhao Yusheng was extremely tall. He looked down at his wife's trembling eyelashes and said with pursed lips, "His Majesty was assassinated in the palace today. The entire palace is under martial law. I need to stay in the palace for a while."
Xu Chumian smiled sadly. Sure enough, just as expected…
Everything changed after Shen Lingyin became Empress Dowager.
Zhao Yu, who used to be so caring towards her, was nowhere to be found.
Instead, the regent Zhao Yu prioritized Shen Lingyin in everything.
Shen Lingyin is Zhao Yu's white moonlight, so what is Xu Chumian?
One was the regent of the current dynasty, and the other was the empress dowager.
What can she use to fight for it?
After repeated disappointments, Xu Chumian grew weary.
She didn't want to continue living the life of a stay-at-home woman, waiting endlessly for her husband to return home; if this continued, she would go mad.
"Zhao Yu, let's get a divorce. I'm tired."
A night breeze stirred, and the two stood close together, their clothes intertwining.
Zhao Yu narrowed his long, phoenix-shaped eyes, his expression displeased, but he still patiently said, "Chumian, when did you learn these tricks? Palace matters are important, so please pack a couple of clothes for me first."
Xu Chumian's eyes reddened: "Zhao Yu, I said I want a divorce. I don't love you anymore. I don't want to stay in the Zhao family anymore. I want to go back to Jiangnan."
Zhao Yu sneered, pinching Xu Chumian's chin: "You don't love me? Then who do you love? Don't forget, you were the one who provoked me first."
Tears streamed down Xu Chumian's face.
Zhao Yu's brow furrowed.
Xu Chumian quickly wiped away her tears, took a step back, and her vision blurred.
When the Xu family suffered a disaster, her father and stepmother Zhao passed away. Xu Chumian took her seriously ill younger sister to the capital for medical treatment and unexpectedly met the third master and his wife of the third branch of the Zhao family, who were her stepmother's own brother and sister-in-law.
Unexpectedly, the two intended to poison Xu Chumian and arrange a ghost marriage for their seriously ill son to be buried with him.
Xu Chumian was an orphan girl, and the Zhao family was powerful. Out of fear and helplessness, she had no choice but to find Zhao Yu, the eldest son of the Zhao family.
Zhao Yu promised to protect the Xu Chumian sisters and even found a doctor for the younger sister who suffered from a strange illness.
The ambiguous relationship lasted for more than a year before Zhao Yu defied public opinion and married Xu Chumian.
Because of the mismatch in social status, Xu Chuming suffered all kinds of harsh criticism and cold treatment from the elders of the Zhao family. She thought that as long as the couple were of one mind, there was no obstacle they could not overcome.
But she was still naive; the most uncontrollable thing in the world is the human heart.
If it gets dirty, she won't want it anymore.
Xu Chumian's voice was resolute: "I have no feelings for you, and you have other people to take care of, Zhao Yu. I don't want to be your cover-up anymore."
Zhao Yu's face was extremely grim, as if a storm was brewing.
Xu Chumian clenched her fists, meeting his gaze defiantly.
Zhao Yu was furious. He gave Xu Chumian a deep look, then left without even packing his clothes.
As soon as Zhao Yu left, Xu Chumian felt completely drained. She slowly returned to the couch and lay down, tightly hugging the doll her sister had left behind, her tears soaking the pillow.
After an unknown amount of time, Xu Chumian experienced severe abdominal pain, and blood began to flow from her lower body...
Zhao Yu rode his horse all the way to the palace gate, his wrist veins throbbing, he was quite angry with Xu Chumian.
My wife is usually gentle and charming, but she is acting very strangely today.
"Investigate who Madam has been in contact with recently."
"yes!"
Just as I entered the palace gate, a hurried shout came from behind me:
"Master, Madam has passed away! You must return to the manor at once!"
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