The curse of the Southern Border Princess was extremely vicious. After Meng Ke died, he became a ghost and wanted to return to his hometown to find Red Peony. However, because he died a violent death, he was quickly taken away by the soul-reaping messengers of the underworld and forced to reincarnate.
In every lifetime that followed, as if cursed, he was abandoned by his family and lover, died alone, and before he died, he would remember Meng Ke's previous life, remember that he had let down the red peony, that he was a heartless man, and leave this world in guilt and pain.
They will never find liberation, life after life.
After hearing the white-haired old man's story, Red Peony's eyes filled with tears. She never expected the truth to be like this.
The white-haired old man looked at her, sobbing uncontrollably, and said in a choked voice, "In the end, I was the one who wronged you in that life. The curse of countless lifetimes is what I deserve. Now I entrust my life to you. You can do whatever you want with me. I only hope that you can let go of your obsession, stop being obsessed with the pain of your previous life, let go of everything, and be reincarnated to welcome your new life."
After saying this, he closed his eyes and waited for the red peony to end his life.
Red Peony stared at him, blood-red tears streaming down her face. She wanted to reach out and strangle him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She remembered years ago when she was seriously ill and thrown into a mass grave. Several people passed by, but only Meng Ke was willing to save her.
He took her home, and despite being so poor, he was willing to use all his savings to treat her illness.
She said she was a prostitute in a brothel, dirty and lowly, and everyone despised her. He could ignore her life or death, but Meng Ke said to her, "You were originally a daughter of a good family, but you were forced by life to be sold to a brothel."
Even though you're working in a brothel, you're still trying to live. You shouldn't belittle yourself. You're not dirty; you're just as clean as everyone else. They despise you only because they're narrow-minded. You're not wrong; it's the world's fault. You must take good care of yourself and live a good life.
Living in darkness, this was the first time she had heard such words. It turned out that there were still people who didn't mind her being dirty and wanted her to live a good life.
At that moment, it felt as if a ray of warm sunshine had shone into her cold heart, making it feel warm.
She listened to him and tried her best to live on.
Later, she recovered from her illness, and they got married.
After marriage, in order to allow Meng Ke to focus on his studies, she worked hard to manage the household chores and also went out to do business. Meng Ke felt sorry for her and would always sneak out to help others copy books when she was not at home. He would use the money he earned to buy her the snacks she liked, as well as pretty hair accessories and clothes, while he himself always lived frugally.
When she returned home, Meng Ke would cook her delicious meals, massage her shoulders and wash her feet, acting like a devoted husband.
The neighbors always teased him for being henpecked and spoiling his wife too much, but he would always smile and explain, "My wife works so hard. As a husband, it's my duty to love and cherish her. Only when my wife is happy will the family be happy."
At that time, everyone around her envied her for having a good husband. Although they lived a poor life, they were very happy.
Meng Ke respected her and cherished her.
No one had ever treated her so well in her entire life; those days were the happiest time of her life.
Later, Meng Ke went to the capital to take the imperial examination and never returned. People around him said that he had become a heartless man. She also felt resentful, but she always held onto a glimmer of hope. Meng Ke was really good to her, not only to her but also to others.
He was gentle and polite, grateful and kind, and he truly loved her. How could such a person become a heartless man like Chen Shimei?
She waited day after day, hoping day and night to see him again and ask him in person if he had really let her down.
This wait lasted for 800 years.
Now, she has met his reincarnation, and he tells her the truth: Meng Ke had no choice but to betray her back then.
All the resentment and bitterness quickly dissipated in her heart.
Red Peony lowered her raised hand, a look of relief flashing in her eyes: "I already know the truth, I don't hate you anymore."
The white-haired old man opened his eyes and looked at her, tears welling up again. He looked at her guiltily and said, "My wife, in the end, I am the one who has wronged you, but in that life, the only person I ever loved and thought of was you."
After I achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, I used the reward money from the court to have a very beautiful peony hairpin made for you, intending to give it to you upon returning home, but the opportunity has passed.
His face was full of regret.
Red Peony's soul trembled. She remembered that before Meng Ke went to the capital for the imperial examination, he accompanied her shopping. She saw a peony hairpin at a jewelry stall. It was very beautiful and she liked it very much, but it was a bit expensive and they couldn't afford it.
She had no choice but to tell Meng Ke that she didn't like the hairpin. Unexpectedly, Meng Ke remembered it and, after becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, ordered a peony hairpin. Unfortunately, it was never delivered to her.
She burst into tears: "So you still remember."
Meng Ke said gently, "I have always remembered your preferences. Alas, it is a pity that fate plays tricks on us. I hope you can let go of everything, be reincarnated, and have a loving family in the future. You will meet someone who loves you very much, form a happy family, and grow old together with him."
Red Peony wiped away her tears and asked with a worried look, "And what about you?"
Meng Ke smiled helplessly and said sadly, "The curse is not over yet. I will continue to atone for my sins in my next life."
Red Peony thought of how he had been abandoned by his family and lover for countless lifetimes, died alone, and died in pain and regret. She felt a pang of heartache and said, "Enough, enough. You have suffered so much, enough to atone for your sins. I forgive you."
Upon hearing this, the white-haired old man was moved to tears.
She forgave him, but he still couldn't forgive himself.
Red Peony turned to Chu Yu and pleaded, "How can I remove the curse from him? If you can do it, I'll do anything for you."
Chu Yu glanced at the white-haired old man and calmly said, "Although he was lonely and helpless in this life, he has been doing good deeds and accumulating merit. He has helped many people and saved several lives. He has accumulated enough merit to offset the curse on him. When he dies and goes to the Bridge of Helplessness to be reincarnated, I will have my senior brother brew a special Meng Po soup for him. After drinking it, he will be able to get rid of the curse."
Red Peony's eyes lit up with joy: "That's wonderful!"
A hint of joy flashed in the white-haired old man's eyes; the curse that had tormented him for countless lifetimes was finally about to be lifted.
At this moment, he felt a sense of relief he had never felt before. He calmly said to Chu Yu, "My wish has been fulfilled, and I will be leaving soon. In order not to cause you any trouble, you should leave first. After I die and become a ghost, I will come to find you."
Chu Yu nodded: "Okay, we'll wait for you outside the hospital."
She left the ward with the red peony.
An hour later, the white-haired old man passed away peacefully. He became a ghost and went to find Chu Yu and his group.
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