chapter 11

The wind was cool, but his embrace was burning hot.

So hot that tears streamed down my face.

“Are you stunned?”

Duan Jing saw me silent for a long time, lowered his head and kissed me: “Which family’s little Wife is this, such a poor memory. Only a few days apart, and you’ve forgotten what your Husband looks like.”

Breathing in his familiar scent, all the grievances I had buried in my heart surged up at once. I buried my face in Duan Jing’s chest and sobbed quietly.

Duan Jing stopped mid-sentence, suddenly silent, and stroked my head: “What’s wrong? Why are you crying like this?”

“Have you eaten?” I asked.

Duan Jing replied softly, “Not yet.”

“Let me make you a bowl of noodles.” Luckily the room was dark, so Duan Jing couldn’t see the palm print. Just as I was about to turn and get busy, he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me over.

A hand gripped my chin and lifted it.

Duan Jing’s eyes were sharp, instantly locking onto the spot of the palm print. His face turned cold: “Who bullied you? Was it that bastard Li Shi? Damn!”

He turned to go seek justice for me.

I hurriedly grabbed the corner of Duan Jing’s robe and whispered, “It wasn’t her…”

“Then who? In this whole Capital City, anyone who dares bully Young Master’s Wife must have a death wish!”

Chunsheng stood awkwardly outside and said in a low voice, “Young Master… it was the lady’s Parents… they came.”

Duan Jing, in the midst of his rage, froze, his eyelid twitching: “What Parents?”

“My Parents.”

Duan Jing pressed his lips tightly together, silent for a long while. His thumb gently stroked my cheek, his tone stiff: “Why did they hit you?”

I couldn’t speak.

Could I say that they wanted money, didn’t get it, and quarreled with me?

I tried to change the subject: “Let me make you a bowl of noodles.”

Duan Jing stood still, suppressing his anger: “Chunsheng, you tell me.”

“They wanted money. Forgive me for speaking out of turn. Parents who ask for money and beat their daughter-there aren’t many like that in the world.”

Afraid Duan Jing would get angry, I wrapped my arms around his waist and didn’t move.

Duan Jing’s face was dark as he reached for his purse: “How much do they want?”

He couldn’t really be thinking of giving them money, could he?

I quickly pressed his hand: “This is my own matter, you don’t need to get involved.”

“Zhang Wanyi, your matters are my matters.”

I felt so sad, lowered my head, tears falling one by one. After a long while, I whispered: “The bracelet broke… I’m sorry…”

That bracelet meant so much-no amount of money could make up for it.

Duan Jing’s body stiffened. After a long time, he gently hugged me: “It’s alright, it’s just a bracelet. I’ll give you another one.”

Hearing this made me feel even worse. I wrapped my arms around Duan Jing’s neck and looked up at him.

There were faint dark circles under his eyes, stubble on his chin, but his eyes were bright and full of deep affection as he gazed at me.

I put a little strength in my arms, hooked them around Duan Jing’s neck, pulled him down, and kissed him softly.

Duan Jing’s lips trembled, then he instantly reacted, wrapped his arm around my waist, set me on the stove, and kicked the door shut with a bang.

He pressed the back of my head firmly, seized control, and then a scorching, intense deep kiss swept away my senses, as if I were drifting in the waves of the sea.

His hot breath spilled against my ear as he lowered his gaze: “I missed you so much…”

As he spoke, he bit my hair and whispered: “I’m going crazy missing you. How could anyone bully someone so precious…”

All the sadness and pain in my heart tangled together. With tears in my eyes, I said, “I am willing to be a beast of burden for Young Master.”

Duan Jing’s expression froze, his grip suddenly tightened, veins bulging.

“Say that again!”

“The debts of this life I can never repay. I am not worthy to be your Wife, I am willing to-”

Duan Jing suddenly pulled my hands away, twisted them behind my back. His dark eyes were full of heavy anger: “Where did you learn to talk like that?”

Ignoring Duan Jing’s fury, I opened my mouth to kiss him, but he pressed my shoulder and pushed me away.

Duan Jing was thoroughly enraged: “Zhang Wanyi, explain yourself.”

“Young Master’s future is bright, I can’t drag you down.”

I’ve thought it through. If my Parents cause trouble in the future, they can only be Zhang Wanyi’s Parents, not Duan Jing’s father- and mother-in-law.

They gave birth to me and raised me. Even if it comes to the magistrate, I can’t escape this blood tie. A Wife from a family like mine would only bring Duan Jing shame.

He still has a great future ahead, perhaps even a high position one day. Throughout history, many have lost their prospects because of their Wife’s troubles. Since I’ve already fallen into the mud and can’t climb out, why drag him down with me?

Under Duan Jing’s angry gaze, I said, “Young Master can take me as a concubine, treat me as a servant, or even drive me out of the residence-Wanyi will accept it all. The Wife Position is precious; don’t grant it to someone as lowly as me.”

Duan Jing’s face turned paler and paler: “Zhang Wanyi, are you giving me a concubine? You’re making yourself a concubine! Is that it!”

I’ve never seen Duan Jing so furious. He silently straightened my clothes, then stormed out without looking back.

The door slammed with a loud bang, nearly breaking off its hinges.
I sat on the stove for a while, curling up and covering my face.

I messed up…

What a complete disaster…

I wanted to be more tactful, but when I saw Duan Jing’s eyes, guilt pressed on my heart like a mountain. I just wanted him to live a better life, like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, shining over the world-if only he could share a sliver of that light with me, it would be enough.

After a long time, I wrapped my cold clothes tighter, wiped away my tears, and went out toward the East Side Room.

It was already late at night, but the lamp by the window was still lit.

I knocked on the door. Mother asked, “Who is it?”

I answered, and only then did the door slowly open a crack.

Mother’s face didn’t look good; she was still angry about what happened during the day. She said stiffly, “What are you here for?”

I took out a pouch of silver from my bosom. “I’m here to bring money.”

Mother’s expression softened a little, and she reached out. “Give it to me.”

“Wait.” I held the pouch back, “First, tell me honestly-what exactly happened to my brother?”

“I already told you, it’s his wife-”

“Mother, if something serious happened to him, I can go plead with the Eldest Young Master and ask for more silver. So don’t hide it from me.”

Two thousand taels would be more than enough to settle the matter and buy a new mansion.

My Parents definitely didn’t come just for this.

Mother’s expression wavered, and after a long struggle, she said, “Your brother… he… he’s got a life on his back.”

My mind buzzed suddenly, and I swayed, barely steadying myself.

“When did this happen?”

Mother hesitated.

For the first time in my life, I raised my voice: “When!”

“Just… just a month ago…”

I suddenly gripped Mother’s wrist tightly. “How did you come to the Capital City?”

It’s impossible to get here so quickly on foot. On my way to the Capital City, I braved the elements for months before arriving. In just one month, unless they used horses, and knowing my Parents’ temperament, they would never spend money on horses-someone must have helped them.

Mother complained, “Don’t even mention it. The In-law Mother said it was urgent and hired a few fast horses for me and your father. Nearly jolted my old bones to death.”

She hadn’t finished speaking before I turned and ran out.

In the courtyard, Chunsheng was sweeping. Seeing me rush back, he was quite surprised. “Miss, why are you coming in from outside?”

I couldn’t care about anything else. “Where’s Duan Jing?”

Chunsheng was stunned. “He went to the Front Hall. I heard the Master and Madam have important matters to discuss. Maybe because the official list will be announced tomorrow, and old friends from court came to bring the good news.”

My palms were sweating, and a wild idea spun in my mind.

If Duan Jing’s brother-in-law had killed someone, then with the official appointment tomorrow, Duan Jing would inevitably be affected. Worst of all, my Betrothal Letter was still in Madam Duan’s hands. Even though I wasn’t married yet, I was already tied to Duan Jing.

I had never seen the open and hidden struggles of great families. At this moment, I even wondered if I was going mad, overthinking and guessing people’s hearts.

If their plan from the start was to target Duan Jing.

Months ago, when Eldest Aunt proposed the marriage, that was the beginning of the scheme. As my brother made a grave mistake, Duan Jing would be dragged into the abyss.

Trembling, I grabbed Chunsheng’s collar and roughly pulled him into the study. “Brother Chunsheng, do you know how to write an Indenture Contract?”

Chunsheng was confused. “Of course, I’ve seen plenty of them.”

I shoved the brush into Chunsheng’s hand. “Write.”

“Huh?”

I was nearly in tears. “Just take it as me begging you.”

Chunsheng said, “No need, I’ll get you one. In our manor, we buy many servant girls, all stamped by the Government Office. As long as you report it at the end of the month, it’s fine.”

I nodded, watching Chunsheng rummage for a long time before pulling out a yellowed sheet of paper.

Then, as Chunsheng shouted in fright, I bit my finger and pressed my bloody fingerprint onto the contract.

The study fell silent.

“M-miss… If the Young Master finds out, I…”

I carefully folded the Indenture Contract. “I’ll go to the Government Office tomorrow.”

If a servant’s family committed a crime, it wouldn’t implicate the master’s house. At this point, this paper was my only proof to sever ties with Duan Jing.

But I didn’t expect the situation to change so quickly.

When someone summoned me to the Main Hall, the room was packed with people. Looking closely, there were many Duan Clan Relatives, several officials in uniform, and my Parents.

As soon as I entered, Duan Jing grabbed me and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. Later, keep your mouth shut and don’t say a word.”

I knew then-they were making their move.

Lord Duan’s face was extremely unpleasant. He hurled a cup of tea at me, but Duan Jing blocked it.

“Why are you still protecting her? She’s just a village woman with a corrupt family! She’ll ruin you sooner or later!”

Even so, the shattered porcelain shards flew up and struck the back of my hand, sending a sharp pain through it.

I looked down and saw blood. I silently pulled my sleeve over it and pressed down, making sure Duan Jing didn’t notice.

All around, a dense murmur of voices rose: “That’s right… carrying a murder case… Jiming is completely ruined…”