He wanted to harshly question her, to rage with madness, to flay that sickly man right in front of her.

Is he so good that you can’t forget about him?

Does letting go of him cause you so much pain?

Last night, the two of them were entwined, sharing in their descent, but now as their eyes meet, their hearts are filled with coldness.

......

On this day, Xie Wanqing was carried onto the carriage. Her legs were weak and sore, and she couldn’t stand upon getting off the bed, let alone walk.

In both lifetimes, this was the first time she had been brought to such a state, and it seemed he was not yet satisfied... His response was obvious while helping her dress.

...Only when the reality presented itself did Xie Wanqing realize that in their past life, he might have been as restrained in bed as he claimed.

At lunchtime, the carriage stopped, and Xie Wanqing did not get off; Lu Ziyuan personally brought the food up.

Seeing the girl lying motionless on the bed, he reached out to hold her shoulder and softly asked, "Can you sit up?"

"..." Xie Wanqing was silent. She didn’t know whether she should feel ashamed or angry, but finally, with a stubborn determination, she sat up strong.

"Does it hurt? Do you want some medicine?" Lu Ziyuan said, "It was my fault for losing control. I promise I’ll be gentler in the future."

"Future?" Her hand holding the bowl froze, and Xie Wanqing looked up at him, wary, "Do you still want to do what happened last night a few more times?"

Lu Ziyuan was silent for a while, and Xie Wanqing continued, "Not even once!"

"You’re making things difficult for me," Lu Ziyuan’s voice was light, and a shadow passed over his cold face, "Wanwan, I can’t help but touch you. Don’t use that marriage contract to reject me. The day I saved you, I sent a letter via Yun Jin to the Capital City, asking the Emperor to annul your marriage. Counting the days, it should have arrived."

Xie Wanqing was unaware of this. Hearing what he said, she frowned and asked, "Will the Holy Emperor agree?"

"He will agree," Lu Ziyuan smiled slightly, "Tomorrow we’ll reach the Northern Border. Since Wanwan values status so much, how about we hold a wedding in the Northern Border?"

Their wedding in the past life was grand and ceremonious, but rumors about him and Liu Manrou spread throughout the Capital City. Thinking back now, it truly caused her grievance.

If they’re going to start anew, they should hold another wedding to inform the world.

But the Northern Land is harsh, with only flying sands of the desert, broken walls, and no masses of servants to attend to—it might be a bit unfair to her...

After pondering for a while, he added, "Otherwise, we’ll hold one first at the Northern Land, and then another lively one after we return to the Capital City."

Seeing him already talking about marriage within a few words, Xie Wanqing couldn’t be bothered with the rule of speaking silently during meals, she hurriedly swallowed her rice and refused, "No way!"

The tenderness in his gaze darkened, and his tone was calm, "Wanwan doesn’t want to give me a status?"

"..." Xie Wanqing was silent for a while, and said with difficulty, "Marriage is not a trivial matter... How can it be so hasty?"

"Is that so?" He curled his lips with a smile, "Was it not hasty when you married him?"

This should not be mentioned. When mentioned, he becomes murderous.

Even though the killing intent isn’t aimed at her, Xie Wanqing could feel it. Her body tensed slightly, and she tentatively spoke softly, "If... If I start anew with you, can you spare Pei Yuqing?"

The other day he said that he would chop Pei Yuqing into minced meat...

This man always keeps his word. She had seen with her own eyes the Jin people being chopped into minced meat, and also saw him crush Jin Wuji’s hand bones, cut off his ears, and blind him.

Just thinking that Pei Yuqing might suffer such torture someday made Xie Wanqing feel icy cold throughout her body.

...She has already wronged Pei Yuqing. How can she let him fall into such a situation because of her?

No, impossible!

Her face turned pale, and Lu Ziyuan saw, feeling extremely displeased, and said with a somewhat mocking smile, "It truly makes me seem like a villain breaking up a pair of lovebirds."

The harsh reality she least wants to face is right before her; she has truly fallen for that sickly man. They are a loving couple, and for the safety of her husband, she has no choice but to bow down to him, giving herself over.

How could it be so quickly that she has fallen for him!

"Promise me not to kill innocent people anymore, and especially do not harm Pei Yuqing," Xie Wanqing clutched his sleeve, whispering, "Promise me these things, I... am willing to marry you again."

I am willing to marry you again...

Lu Ziyuan was stunned, his gaze blurry for a moment.

He almost forgot how long he had been waiting for these words.

Such an unfeeling lady, she says to sever feelings and does, says to marry someone and does, leaving him in pain and despair, mad with regret, yet refusing to turn back and give him another glance.