Chapter 1: Not Worthy to Be My Wife and Master

[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]

[Host: justreads . net]

It was an awful dungeon that a.s.saulted the senses - overflowing with human excrement smelling of sweat, rust, and waste . All of it mixed together to create a rotten sour pungent smell . The constant screams of prisoners declaring their innocence and unwillingness to be there grated the ears like a cacophony of drums .

“Let me out!”

“I’m innocent, let me out of here!”

“What’s with all the shouting!?” yelled the jailor . “Dinner is here . ” He violently banged the cell bars with an iron rod to emphasize his point . For a moment the prison quieted as everyone waited for their meal . They scrambled after the chunks of hard sour bread tossed haphazardly at them as though they were wolves feasting on plump sheep, their eyes bright and ruthless .

Xiao Wan thought it was a disgrace . She sat in a corner only looking at the scene for a moment before turning her head away in disgust . She was the eldest born daughter of her mother’s first husband, cherished since she was a baby, spoiled beyond belief . Whatever she wanted she would get . It was shameful she was here at all .

The official performing the investigation was her good sister the Empress’s third daughter Chu Muqing, so how could she not be exonerated soon? Just Wait . Once out she would personally deal with the grievances the Xiao House suffered .

Xiao Wan was full of confidence despite being in the damp dungeon and rooming with several mice .  Wait . Are those Droppings? “Ahhh! Mouse! There’s a mouse! Someone come!”

“What?! So noisy . What the h.e.l.l’s the problem? It’s just a couple of mice . ” The jailer frowned, then spoke again after thinking it over . “You from the Xiao House?”

“Yes yes!” Xiao Wan replied quickly . Finally these miscreants recognized her status . “The Xiao family is innocent . Let me see Her Royal Majesty and His Royal Highness . Let me see the Third Imperial Princess!”

“Ha! Every prisoner here says they’re innocent . If it’s true, there wouldn’t be anyone here . As for you, you’re currently just like any other prisoner . Nuthin’ special . Want to see Her Majesty and His Highness… tch! Dream on . ”

He rubbed his chin in thought before speaking again . “I heard there was a good looking guy running around this morning gifting the guards with money so they’d treat you well . Yeah, before that I heard he knelt in front of the Ministry of Justice pleading for the Third Imperial Princess to speak to Her Majesty and His Highness on your behalf . But for an official like you?” He sighed shaking his head before going on . “Considering how heavy your crime is . . . it won’t do any good no matter how long he pleads or who he pleads to . ”

The summer days were really hot in late June . Xiao Wan became distressed and her heart turned sour at the thought of her wonderful husband kneeling all day in the hot sun . The ground would be scorching, surely burning that delicate skin of his . How could a pregnant man[notes] bear such a thing?

Xiao Wan couldn’t help but remember their last meeting . She had torn the doc.u.ment out and handed it to him . She had also severed his ties with her and the Xiao House, hoping he wouldn’t be dragged into the whole affair .

About a month and a half ago Imperial Prince Qi led 200,000 troops to southern Xinjiang . Victory was a.s.sured as it was supposed to be an easy campaign . Instead the battles were fierce and the army lost ground - in just one month they lost three cities . The most devastating news was the death of Imperial Prince Qi and the subsequent attack on Eastern Wei . It was clearly coordinated and executed in one fell swoop . The enemy’s momentum was so strong that the entirety of Eastern Wei fell into a panic .

At that time Chu Muqing personally led a troop of 150,000 elite soldiers to defend against the southern Xinjiang invaders . They even took the initiative and left the city to attack the enemies beyond . Taking advantage of the uproar and the disorder in the enemy camps they were able to completely oust the Xinjiang troops from their territory . Afterwards the Third Imperial Princess’s[notes] reputation as a G.o.d of war spread like wildfire making the citizens appreciate her even more .

Eastern Wei’s victory came at a tremendous cost though . How did the Prince’s troop of 200,000 lose to the Xinjiang troops of 100,000? An investigation showed treachery was the cause, that intelligence was leaked about the army’s formation and its location . This allowed the enemy forces to ambush the troops resulting in his death . Unfortunately for Xiao Wan, the primary culprit was her mother, Xiao Yurong, thus the current situation .

Xiao Yurong’s defection made the Empress so angry she imprisoned all 120 members of the Xiao House and personally interrogated Xiao Yurong herself . The news of her betrayal was especially distressing because of the sensitive position she held . Xiao Yurong was head of the Ministry of War, was responsible for all military affairs and was essentially the chief administrator in charge of all the branches related to the nation’s defense . She held an incredibly important position .

If she was found guilty it would be inevitable that the entire House would be implicated . Surely the whole family down to the third generation would be executed .

She again remembered the last time she saw Ji Shumo . At that time, in order to keep him safe she had given him the marriage doc.u.ment after tearing it out . She had also handed him a sealed letter addressed to the Third Imperial Princess . She and the princess were good friends; based on this friends.h.i.+p she was sure the other would initiate an investigation and be able to prove her House’s innocence . Now even more so since the princess had sway given her reputation as the “G.o.d of war . ”

By the fifth day Xiao Wan was no longer the same pristine looking eldest daughter of her House . Her current appearance was unkempt and she stank like she’d been rolling around in a barn, looking unwashed and dirty . She no longer looked on with disdain at the rations either, instead joining in the fray and fighting like her life depended on it . In her hand she held a piece of the c.r.a.ppy stale bread given at every mealtime .

She was used to eating and having whatever she wanted . But within a few days the lack of provisions in prison led her to feel a sense of food insecurity . It was especially acute when she saw how hard everyone fought in order to get their share .

The others started hara.s.sing her once they found out she was the eldest daughter of a wealthy house too . They united in their hatred for the rich and bullied her, while the prison guards ridiculed her from the side, even going so far as to make bets on if she’d be able to fight for any of the food .

Stuck in prison for the last few days gave her a taste of what it was like to be alienated . She was no longer surrounded by sycophants eager to please her as the eldest daughter of the Minister of War . Instead she was surrounded by people who wasted no opportunity to kick her while she was down .

Ji Shumo was the only one! He was the only one, regardless of the situation, who stayed by her side willing to suffer through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad times . She really didn’t love the wrong person! Ji Shumo didn’t abandon her despite her imprisonment . He was out there praying and pleading on her behalf, not hesitating even in the heat, despite his physical condition . These thoughts really made her heart warm . He was her driving force . She was going to stay alive to be with him and their baby . She really wanted to be there for the baby’s delivery!

Xiao Wan was just thinking how cold she felt, how parched her throat was, and how empty her stomach had been when she heard the sound of the gate opening . The movement brought a strong cold wind into her cell causing her single candle to flicker . She s.h.i.+vered huddling in a corner . “Has the truth been revealed? Are you here to let me go?”

“Go?” The guard laughed in a sinister voice . “When Xiao Yurong was interrogated by the Empress she was so afraid of her crime she committed suicide . But the arms of justice has a long reach and even death won’t stop it . It turns out Xiao Yurong was in league with the First Imperial Princess to a.s.sa.s.sinate the Imperial Prince to further her schemes for the throne later . Everyone related to the First Imperial Princess has already been gathered up . The Empress was so angry that she ordered the entire Xiao House be executed today at noon . You’ll be following along very shortly . ”

Mother committed suicide by taking poison? Did she really aim to kill Prince Qi? Wasn’t the Xiao House framed?

“What are you doing? Hurry it up!” yelled her jailor as he dragged Xiao Wan’s stiffened and weak body up off the ground .

Her feet were bare and weighted down by manacles . The heavy chains pressed her down barely allowing her stand up . She was a little scared and had frozen up because of that fear . Before she could even properly balance herself she was shoved from behind straight out of the prison cell . The motion forced the heavy chains to scratch hard at her skin tearing a bit of flesh off .

“Ah!” She cried out in pain . As a pampered Young Miss, she really wasn’t used to this kind of treatment .

“Listen it’s hopeless for you . ” Her jailor whispered to her .

Xiao Wan was deeply touched that the gentle Ji Shumo would disregard his pregnant body in order to plead so desperately for her . Her eyes filled with tenderness and her heart was moved, but at the same time she was glad that she made the wise decision to tear his name out and give him the marriage doc.u.ment . At least this way even if the entire Xiao House perished, he and the baby would be spared and the Xiao family bloodline would still continue .

Ji Shumo was pregnant but still knelt for her for five days . Remembering this, Xiao Wan gritted her teeth and endured the pain in her ankles as she struggled forward one step at a time, leaving a trail of b.l.o.o.d.y footprints behind her .

Once outside, the fierce sunlight a.s.saulted her eyes leaving them quite pained . In a panic she shook her head and closed her eyes making her lashes quiver and cast a shadow on her pale weak face that hadn’t seen the sun in days . She really did look sickly all over .

Just as she turned around she saw a youth of about eighteen bathed in the light of the sun . He had on a loose white robe making him look cool and beautiful, clean and elegant . He was like a snow lotus with a complexion clear as jade, lips as crimson as hibiscus, and a head of long beautiful dark silky hair . He s.h.i.+ned like a golden b.u.t.terfly sunning in the sun .

The youth’s belly was slightly swollen, like a person three or four months along in their pregnancy . His movements were flowing and smooth and made it seem like he just stepped out of an ink painting . The fluttering robe only served to bring out his best features and made him look like a fairy .

“Shumo, Shumo…” Xiao Wan’s eyes lit up when she saw him . Her feet moved toward him of their own accord . The tears rushed down her face unchecked . “Silly Shumo, you’re pregnant . How could you kneel for so long just to ask for them to intercede on my behalf… I heard you came down with a fever from the rain . Are you OK now?”

She extended her hand out to touch him .  He’s so beautiful and pure .  But he moved to the side and avoided it, leaving her hand hanging empty in the air . The confusion and embarra.s.sment showed on her face as she took back her hand awkwardly . Ji Shumo looked at her with a cold expression .

Xiao Wan had been in prison for five days and the marks it left on her were clearly visible . Her once beautiful face was now mottled black and blue with patches of swollen skin all over, courtesy of her fellow inmates . Her hair emitted a horrid stench when she moved and it lingered in the air between them . She looked nothing like the eldest daughter of a high house who would spend money like it grew on trees . There was absolutely nothing left of her aristocratic bearing .

He didn’t think the always beautifully dressed and vain Xiao Wan would look this filthy . He covered his nose with his hand and took several steps back . There was a scornful look in his eyes . “Fever? You think I would do such a foolish thing for you?”

“Shumo be careful not to hurt our baby . ” Xiao Wan watched as he nearly tripped on a rock while retreating from her . Although he spoke his words clearly, she knew she must have heard wrong . Afterall how could Shumo speak to her in such a tone? He must not want to make me worried by admitting it . Shumo is so considerate .

Xiao Wan looked at his belly with an incredibly tender expression, like it was the only treasure in the world . Ji Shumo’s eyes flashed with malice when he saw her gaze . It filled him with hate and disgust . He spoke maliciously when he said, “You are so naive . You really think this baby is yours?”

Her body was frozen, stunned by his words . He walked over to her and after laughing lightly whispered, “Xiao Wan ah… Xiao Wan how can I possibly be pregnant with your child? How can you be worthy of me - a stupid fool like you . You’re just a hedonistic idiotic buffoon with rich parents . You are not worthy to be my wife and master!”

Bile rose in his throat when he remembered the year and all the things he did to in order to get closer to her and gain her trust . He rubbed his nose and stepped away from her again in disgust .

No it couldn’t be! Shumo for me, he knelt outside for five whole days pleading for help . How could the child not be mine? She was most definitely his beloved wife!

“Do you think it’s a joke? ‘Cause I’m not joking . ”

“Do you think it’s a joke? ‘Cause I’m not joking . ”

It was then that a young woman in a fancy dress stepped next to Ji Shumo . The woman caught sight of Xiao Wan and gave her smile . She leaned over and draped her arms on his waist before kissing him and declaring, “The child in Shumo’s belly came from me so naturally his love belongs to me as well!”

“From Princess?” Xiao Wan whispered . “Yours, Chu Muqing?” she looked towards her old friend the Third Imperial Princess Chu Muqing .

Xiao Wan had met her a year ago . Back then Chu Muqing was the unfavored third princess, but somehow they hit it off really well and became fast friends . She did not expect that that same woman would one day turn herself into a national hero . Not only that, she even gained the Empress’s recognition and was conferred the t.i.tle of Crown Princess .

Seeing Xiao Wan’s confused expression made Chu Muqing laugh . “Xiao Wan . . . . it’s gotten to this point and you still haven’t figured it out? The Xiao House being accused of treason and the matter with my eldest sister . Think back to the battle . Back then I specifically requested permission to go out . Then I completely and perfectly defeated the enemy troops . Not only did I win the people’s hearts, I also got Mother Empress’s approval and became the Crown Princess . ”

Xiao Wan s.h.i.+vered and looked at Chu Muqing . Speaking with confidence she said, “The one that leaked information about our troops, it was you . Why? Why would you entrap the Xiao House like that? Why frame my mother that way?”

“Why? Because your House supports my sister Chu s.h.i.+yu . Because your mother despises and looks down on me . Because the Xiao House has a daughter as stupid as you!”

That b.i.t.c.h always scolding me for being too calculating and scheming, too short-sighted and not a good person . Makes my blood boil! I wanted to kill her so badly . It was because of her that I lost favor with Mother Empress to begin with . Tch . You won’t support my bid for the throne? Fine then I’ll destroy the one you support, destroy your precious daughter, and destroy your precious House!

“Xiao Wan, your role in the Ministry of War is to maintain the records . Every single piece of military intelligence has to pa.s.s through your hands . ” Chu Muqing looked down at Ji Shumo nestled in her arms . Then raised her head to look at Xiao Wan . The meaning of that action was clear .

Xiao Wan thought back to the last month and half and how she had spent day and night at the office becoming a crazy workaholic because of the conflict with the south . At that time Ji Shumo would often bring her nouris.h.i.+ng medicinal soup . She thought he was incredibly considerate to do so in person .

Normally the office of the Ministry of War was off limits, especially so those places that held confidential information . Even the Emperor needed the Empress’s permission to enter . However despite this, Ji Shumo was allowed to constantly enter and leave at will . The guards recognized that he was Xiao Wan’s husband and had been stunned that he was given this kind of permission . Who was Xiao Wan? Though she was only a small clerk, her name was well known throughout the military as she was the favored daughter of Xiao Yurong, the head of Military Affairs .

Chu Muqing used Xiao Wan’s desire to pamper and spoil Ji Shumo to gain entrance to those confidential places in order to steal as much information as possible . In addition to that, Ji Shumo also planted incriminating evidence to frame Xiao Yurong as a traitor .

“Shumo, why… why would you do such a thing . Was I not good to you? Why betray me?”

Ji Shumo smiled condescendingly at her words . It was as though she asked a really stupid question .

Xiao Wan’s heart was shaken but she was unwilling to give up . “These past few years… have you really never loved me at all?”

“Love you?” Ji Shumo snorted like it was a funny joke . “I married you because you were convenient and easy to take advantage of . Honestly you’re even more stupid than Xie Chuchen . Thanks to your money I was able to revive my Ji House . You’re completely idiotic and spoiled by your rich family . How could you possibly be worthy of my love?!”

His words were like a knife, painfully cutting her heart out . “And mother? Did you kill her?” Mother lived her life for this nation . That at her death she’d be suspected of treason… Xiao Wan oh Xiao Wan… how could you possibly be this stupid? She stumbled nearly collapsing under the heavy weight of the realization .

Seeing this Chu Muqing stabbed her with even more cold truths . “I managed to poison your mother with an insidious and slow acting poison that would only take full effect during her interrogation, making it look like she committed suicide to escape . Xiao Yurong was a really smart person that Mother Empress trusted . Any credibility she had vanished when she committed suicide though . The only way to interpret her suicide is that the Xiao House colluded with the enemy to sell the nation out so that Chu s.h.i.+yu would have enough military strength to usurp the throne . ”

Seeing this Chu Muqing stabbed her with even more cold truths . “I managed to poison your mother with an insidious and slow acting poison that would only take full effect during her interrogation, making it look like she committed suicide to escape . Xiao Yurong was a really smart person that Mother Empress trusted . Any credibility she had vanished when she committed suicide though . The only way to interpret her suicide is that the Xiao House colluded with the enemy to sell the nation out so that Chu s.h.i.+yu would have enough military strength to usurp the throne . ”

Upon hearing this Xiao Wan wanted to tear the Empress to pieces . She understood now the trickery involved . “With just those few bits of evidence, Her majesty was willing to condemn my mother, the Xiao House and the First Imperial Princess? How foolish of her!”

“It wasn’t just doc.u.mentary evidence, there were also testimonials . ”

Xiao Wan watched as Chu Muqing glanced down at Ji Shumo as she said this . The gesture made Xiao Wan’s stomach drop . She could guess what she was intimating . Chu Muqing continued with a smile .

“Aside from Shumo’s testimonial, there were the witnessed interactions between Eldest Sister and the Xiao House . Witnesses say they heard conversations between the two about building ties with outside nations -- all for their own self interests of course . Besides your younger sister also testified . I only had to promise her reprieve from death and she was more than willing to sell you lot out . She testified in front of Mother Empress that Xiao Yurong was working under the direct orders of Chu s.h.i.+yu the entire time . Mother Empress sentenced the entire Xiao House to death . Your younger sister was lucky to be spared . ”

Chu Muqing’s words echoed in Xiao Wan’s mind like a sharp sword piercing her heart, cutting it to bits before drawing blood . Her body was stiff and she felt like she was drowning . Although she wanted to speak she was unable to make a single sound .  They're doing this deliberately, deliberately told me the truth to sink me into despair, so I won’t know peace even in death .

“Now the Xiao name will be synonymous with betrayal, the infamy remembered throughout history . I bet Xiao Yurong died never expecting the house she painstakingly built up and guarded would be destroyed by her own daughters!”

Chu Muqing laughed when she saw Xiao Wan burst into tears . “Xiao Wan, in this life, the person I’m most grateful to is you . Thanks to you I was able to get rid of the three people standing in my way . I was able to get everything my heart wanted . Now I will send you on your way . Try not to be so stupid in your next life eh . ”

Xia Wan stared at Ji Shumo with red rimmed eyes . “Ji Shumo! You are my husband! We live and die together! If I die you’re coming with me!”

The beautiful teenager took three steps back and shook his head at her . He looked at her with limpid eyes, as dazzling and bright as a full moon, yet as cold as ice .

“Don’t think that I’m as stupid and desperate as Xie Chuchen, to kneel so foolishly in front of the Ministry of Justice just to save your a.s.s . Don’t forget you already gave me the marriage doc.u.ment . You and I are separate individuals with nothing to do with each other anymore! Don’t try to drag me down with you!”

Argh!!! Yes I was foolish enough to do that! d.a.m.n it!! She had wanted to save him because she trusted him, but in the end it was all a deception on his part to get the doc.u.ment from her . She felt an intense pain grip her stomach and a fis.h.i.+ness rose to her throat . She coughed violently and a mouthful of blood came out . Looking down at her hand she could see the strands of blood stuck on her palm . She couldn’t help but s.h.i.+ver .

She led the wolf into her home . She was responsible for her mother’s death and the downfall of the entire Xiao House . She had single-mindedly pursued Ji Shumo . She ignored her figure, gave up her self-respect, and spent G.o.d knows how much money for three years in her pursuit of him . At last she thought she’d finally won his heart .

She remembered how she couldn’t sleep the night the Ji House gave their a.s.sent to the marriage . Then on the wedding day, because she didn’t want Ji Shumo to feel slighted, she had personally gone out to greet him when he was only a third of a mile away from the residence . She was dressed gaily in a festive outfit . The wedding had an impressive guest list comprised of high ranking officials, n.o.bilities, and military officials . Needless to say it was an extravagant affair, bustling with noise and merriment .

She remembered the day she found out about the pregnancy; she was so happy preparing for the baby, thinking about how to raise it .

Finally she remembered when the military officers surrounded the Xiao House . She was so nervous and only thought about protecting Ji Shumo . She told the officers he was not her husband, that he was innocent and that they should release him .

As it turned out everything Ji Shumo did was for his own interests . To think she’d gone so far for someone else, thinking he had reciprocated her love . She finally understood it was all just pretend, like playing dress up .