In early December in Chang'an, the first heavy snowstorm since the beginning of winter lasted for two consecutive days.
The white was blinding.
The Yong'an Marquis Mansion in the south of the city used to be bustling with people and full of joy.
Tall white lanterns have already been hung.
White and black silk were hung all over the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion.
The servants in the mansion were walking in a hurry, each with a heavy expression on their face.
Outside the ancestral hall in the marquis's mansion, heavy snow fell like goose feathers on the woman in white mourning clothes.
"Today, I, an old woman, will make the decision for my ill-fated grandson. With this divorce letter, you will have nothing to do with my Yong'an Marquis Mansion from now on."
Inside the ancestral hall, the old lady of the Marquis's Mansion was sitting upright on the armchair, her cold and hard face revealing an endless indifference.
The girl kneeling outside the ancestral hall raised her eyes slightly when she heard the voice and looked in the direction of the sound.
There was a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his lips.
She, Zhao Yunzhu, is the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Tutor and was once the most talented woman in Chang'an.
Three years ago, the prince of Yong'an Marquisate came to the palace to ask for her hand in marriage.
When the imperial edict was delivered to Zhao's residence, Grand Tutor Zhao refused to agree.
If the old lady of the Marquis' Mansion had not come to visit her three times and knelt before her grandfather, Grand Tutor Zhao, she would have been qualified to be the Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace based on her status.
"Old Madam, I have been in the Marquis' Mansion for three years, and have been filial to the Crown Prince for three years. Now, Old Madam, you are abandoning me like this. Aren't you afraid that the Marquis' Mansion will become a laughing stock in Chang'an?"
"Oh, if it weren't for you, this evil creature, how could my grandson have been killed by you! How dare you say this to me?"
The old lady sneered, "If my mansion hadn't asked for your hand in marriage back then, what difference would there be between you and the entire Zhao family waiting to die in prison? I advise you to learn your lesson sooner rather than later, otherwise..."
The old lady's cold and indifferent voice came to an abrupt end.
Then he let out a sinister laugh that made one's heart tremble and hair stand on end, "I think you would be very happy to be sent to prison to accompany your own loved ones."
Zhao Yunzhu frowned slightly and looked at the old lady coldly.
She knew that the old lady could do what she said.
But she couldn't. If she really went to jail, the Zhao family would really have no hope.
Three days ago, an urgent report came from the border that her husband, who had led troops to war since the day of his wedding, was leading an army of 30,000 and marching north.
Who could have expected that she would be away for three years, and that the news sent back to Kyoto was actually the report that her husband Du Ming'an had died in battle.
In the hazy memory, the heroic eyes and eyebrows of the young man in a bright red wedding dress are still vivid in my mind.
She clearly remembered the boy's deep eyes as he looked at her, with a hint of reluctance hidden in them.
He held her hand tightly, his tone full of pity.
The last thing he said to her was, "Wait for me."
She looked at him, her eyes also filled with determination.
So, this wait lasted for three years.
During the three years she spent in the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion, she was nominally the Crown Prince's Consort, but secretly, she was managed by the old lady and her mother-in-law.
Whenever I think of the day of separation, Du Mingan’s reluctant eyes, so even if it is difficult to take a step forward in the Marquis’ Mansion.
She never once thought of going back to her parents' home to complain.
"What's wrong? Are you dumb? You've been making a fuss all day and all night, why are you quiet now?"
Seeing that she was silent, the old lady sneered coldly.
The Zhao family is now like a grasshopper in autumn. Right now in Chang'an, no one wants to have anything to do with the Zhao family.
After all, the Zhao family committed a capital crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of the family. If the emperor had not remembered their old friendship, the married daughter of the Zhao family would have been affected as well.
"Old Madam, even considering that I have been filial to the Crown Prince in the Marquis' Mansion for the past three years, you are unwilling to help the Zhao family?"
Deep down, she wanted to try one last time.
Even though she already had the result in mind, she was still willing to put her dignity at the lowest level.
If the old lady was willing to plead for the Zhao family, at least the last trace of the Zhao family's bloodline could be saved, which would be the best outcome.
"Zhao Yunzhu, I advise you to learn your lesson sooner rather than later. If it weren't for the fact that you have been filial to me, an old woman, for three years on behalf of my grandson, I would have been willing to sacrifice my own family for the sake of justice and send you to reunite with the Zhao family!"
The old lady has no regard for the old times.
The last glimmer of hope in Zhao Yunzhu's heart was completely shattered.
She supported herself on the cold ground with her hands, and the thin layer of snow on her shoulders slowly slid off.
The chill in her heart made her feel even colder to the bone than the heavy snow.
Zhao Yunzhu exuded a strong chill all over her body.
"what are you up to!"
When the old lady saw her suddenly stand up, there was a deep chill in her eyes.
There was no trace of her usual gentleness and respectfulness. This was the first time the old lady had seen Zhao Yunzhu like this.
For some reason, she suddenly felt a little afraid of the girl in front of her.
The old lady had never seen Zhao Yunzhu like this before.
"Then please give me the divorce letter as soon as possible so that I can leave the mansion sooner."
Zhao Yunzhu smiled indifferently.
During these three years, I have been working in the Yong'an Marquis' Mansion, being humble and doing my best to be filial to Du Ming'an.
She just thought of it as fulfilling Du Ming'an's love for her when he braved the biting cold wind to pick a peach blossom for her at the hot spring villa sixty miles outside Chang'an City when she was ten years old.
From then on, Zhao Yunzhu and Du Mingan were completely cleared of each other.
For some reason, she felt a slight pain in her heart.
A helpless and desolate smile appeared on the corner of her lips. She only felt that her pupils were inexplicably hot, and the figure of the old lady in front of her gradually became blurred.
"Heh, from today on, you, Zhao Yunzhu, will no longer have any connection with my Yong'an Marquisate. From now on, when you are in Chang'an, do not rely on the name of my Yong'an Marquisate to do anything."
While the old lady ordered someone to write a letter of divorce, she gave Zhao Yunzhu a final warning.
"Don't worry, old lady. From now on, I, Zhao Yunzhu, will be a member of the Zhao family in life and a ghost of the Zhao family in death. From today on, I will no longer have any connection with the Yong'an Marquis Mansion."
Three years ago, Zhao Yunzhu got married in a grand ceremony from the residence of Grand Tutor Zhao in Chang'an.
Three years later, Zhao Yunzhu, dressed in plain clothes and with a pale face, left the Yong'an Marquis Mansion alone through the side door.
The servants of the Yong'an Marquis Mansion were in a hurry, and when they passed by Zhao Yunzhu, they couldn't help but quicken their pace.
But the subtle discussion still fell into her ears.
In the past three years, Zhao Yunzhu has been kind to everyone. Since the Zhao family fell into trouble in the past ten days, no servant in the Yong'an Marquis Mansion has ever made things difficult for her.
The heavy snow in Chang'an still showed no sign of stopping.
The moment she stepped out of the Yong'an Marquis Mansion, she, Zhao Yunzhu, no longer had any connection with the Yong'an Marquis Mansion.
She turned and looked at the plaque on the door of Yong'an Marquis Mansion behind her.
These three years seem like a dream.
A desolate and weak smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his lips.
She slowly raised her hand and unbuttoned the white pearl buttons on her plain dress.
"Miss Zhao, what are you going to do?"
The nanny who was ordered by the old lady to watch Zhao Yunzhu leave the mansion suddenly panicked when she saw her actions. She quickened her pace and ran hurriedly from the front door of the mansion.
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