To Love a Ruined Man - Chapter 15

When Xie Yun’s identity spread, this chaotic world boiling like hot oil was as if a single drop of water had fallen in.

With a sizzle, the entire court and the common people erupted.

The war dragged on for three years, and finally Xie Yun pacified the land.

When I returned to the capital from beyond the frontier, I arrived just in time for the New Emperor’s ascension.

“Who would have thought that the one to take the throne was actually the youngest son of the Southern Garrison Prince?”

“Ah, the Crown Grandson truly was farsighted. He had long known that the Ai Emperor would move against the Southern Garrison Prince’s Mansion, so he made sure everyone in the prince’s household slipped away early.”

“Do you think… that one can really trust the Crown Grandson?”

“Who can say what will happen with the royal family?”

“A person with a disability cannot inherit the throne. The Crown Grandson is deaf; it’s impossible for him to become emperor.”

In the tavern, everyone’s faces were excited as they discussed the affairs of the royal family.

The world had been in chaos for so many years, and noble sons and daughters died like cabbages and radishes, one after another.

The common people had long since lost some of their reverence for the secrets of the imperial family.

As the topic turned to Xie Yun’s deafness, someone added even more exaggeration, claiming they’d seen Xie Yun kneeling in the street, begging for mercy.

“The Crown Grandson was reduced to the streets, anyone could tease him. Back then, I spent five taels of silver and made the Crown Grandson do things for me…”

A fat man with big ears was winking and making up stories out of thin air.

I listened, furious, and strode over to slam my knife heavily on the table.

“Shut your filthy mouth, or I’ll show you how to write the word ‘death.'”

“What’s your problem!” The man looked up and glared at me. When he saw my outfit, he sneered, “Oh, so you’re a merchant from beyond the frontier. You people who lick blood from the blade might die out there any day, and you still have time to meddle in my business!”

I punched his front teeth out and ground him into the floor.

Jiang Cheng came forward and whispered, “Boss, we have big business to take care of in the capital this time, don’t draw too much attention. We have brothers from the Broker Army here-let them handle this guy.”

I broke the filthy pig’s arm with a kick, and after someone called the authorities, I led everyone away.

My grandfather was granted the title of Marquis of Anding by the New Emperor, and could now enjoy a life of glory and wealth in his old age.

What was interesting was that my mother was actually awarded a Chastity Archway by the New Emperor.

When I heard this, I laughed so hard I couldn’t straighten up.

With a Chastity Archway bestowed by the court, my mother would have to wear plain clothes for the rest of her life and stay secluded at home.

To my mother, this was practically a fatal blow.

When I returned to the Anding Marquis Manor, I happened to run into Zhao Jingcheng.

The moment he saw me, his eyes turned red and he spat out, “Zhao Yunshu, you dare to come back!”

I looked at his empty right sleeve and said with a smile, “Oh, haven’t seen you in three years, you’ve gotten thinner. Is it hard to eat now that you’re short an arm?”

“Zhao Yunshu, I’ll kill you!” Zhao Jingcheng screamed and charged at me.

I lifted my foot and easily kicked him away.

Three years ago, before I ran away from my wedding, I did something big.

I snuck into Zhao Jingcheng’s room and cut off his arm with one stroke.

I had endured that grudge for a long time.

When Old Qin and I returned to the Zhao family, Zhao Jingcheng tried to bully me several times, but was always suppressed by me.

He actually took the opportunity while I was away in Qingzhou to have someone break one of Old Qin’s arms!

I have never forgotten that grudge.

“I don’t have time for you. Where’s Grandpa?” I asked, stepping on his chest.

Zhao Jingcheng actually grinned and said, “Zhao Yunshu, my sister is about to become the Princess Consort. When the prince becomes my brother-in-law, you’re done for!”

Zhao Mingyue is marrying Xie Yun?

I hadn’t heard about this at all.

Just then, someone walked out from the main hall.

He stared at me for a long while before speaking indifferently, “Zhao Yunshu, before you left you took the thousand tael silver note I gave as your betrothal gift. By all rights you should have lived well-so why have you come back looking so shabby?”

After three years apart, Xie Yun didn’t seem to have changed much.

He wore a splendid brocade robe, standing not far away, his eyes cold as he looked at me.

I looked at him and smiled. “You sent word to the various branches of the Broker Army that you would marry a Zhao family lady on the third day of the third month. I rushed all the way here without stopping, didn’t even have time to wash up, so I look a little down-and-out.”

The third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival-a good day for lovers to be united.

I hurried all the way, and finally, on the day of the Shangsi Festival, I saw Xie Yun.