Many years ago, when he first saw Fang Qianxue at Grand Tutor Fang’s residence, he thought the girl was breathtakingly beautiful. After returning home, he could think of nothing else, determined to marry her.
But once he had married her, he felt it was nothing special. Beautiful, yes, but ultimately bland and uninteresting.
“I truly don’t understand you women. Clearly, you love me in your heart, yet you still pretend to be reserved…” Today, under the influence of the deer penis wine, he mistook Fang Qianxue for Xu Miaoyan.
“Mmm…” Unable to push him away, Fang Qianxue simply yanked off the tablecloth covering the desk.
With a loud clatter, teacups and oil lamps crashed to the floor.
“Are you alright, Madam?” Cuishuang and Suiqiong rushed in with hurried footsteps, tidied up the mess on the floor, and relit the candles.
As the room’s lights flickered off and on, Cuishuang and Suiqiong stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes. Lu Changqing sobered up a little, released Fang Qianxue, and sat up straight. “Leave us! I have a few words to say to Madam.”
Cuishuang and Suiqiong glanced at Fang Qianxue before withdrawing.
“How strange. You came today not to take my Heart’s Blood?” Fang Qianxue adjusted her collar as she spoke.
“Taking Heart’s Blood requires your willing consent. If you truly refuse, how could I force you? I’m not some heartless monster.” The man used a small wooden stick to adjust the candle flame, feeling a pang of regret as he spoke of taking the blood.
If Lady Fang continued to refuse to give her blood, would Miaoyan have to suffer from that heart ailment for the rest of her life?
Fang Qianxue sighed softly. “Second Master, you should leave quickly. If Madam Xu finds out about what just happened, she’ll likely make another scene.”
Every time Lu Changqing visited Plum Blossom Pride to see the two children, Xu Miaoyan would find ways to stir up jealousy, either feigning illness or threatening to return to Jiangning.
Then Lu Changqing would go all out to coax her, giving her the moon if she asked for the stars, as if willing to tear out his own heart and lungs.
After this happened repeatedly, Lu Changqing became extra cautious every time he stepped into Plum Blossom Pride.
“Today, Yan Fenghua said something to me that reminded me of our past. What I feel for Miaoyan now is exactly what I once felt for you, yet she still refuses to agree to marry me…” The man set down the small stick used to adjust the wick and took Fang Qianxue’s hand. “Qianxue, you once said we would be united as husband and wife. How can you bear to watch me love without gaining? Other wives help their husbands take concubines. Can’t you help me?”
His starry eyes reflected the candlelight, seeming to hold infinite affection when he looked at her.
Yet he was a heartless man.
“How can I help?”
“Miaoyan has long been devoted to me, but she’s afraid you won’t accept her,” Lu Changqing said, as if seeing hope, and tightened his grip on her hand. “If you would only agree to let me practice Dual-lineage Succession and give your Heart’s Blood to cure Miaoyan’s illness, she would gladly marry me.”
“What a pity. She isn’t truly devoted to you, and she never had any heart ailment.” A bitter smile touched the corner of Fang Qianxue’s mouth. “You’ve given her your all, yet she’s schemed against you in every way…”
“Enough!” The man’s face turned pale, and he abruptly released her hand. “Fang… Fang Qianxue, don’t start spouting nonsense just because you’ve heard a few sweet words! Miaoyan has had a heart ailment since childhood. Even Elder Brother mentioned it in his letters. This is absolutely true!”
“If you don’t believe me, nothing I say matters.”
“Then tell me, if she has no heart condition, why would Miaoyan need your Heart’s Blood?” Lu Changqing pressed one hand against his wildly thumping chest while pointing at Fang Qianxue with the other. “Don’t tell me she’s as jealous and scheming as you are!”
Fang Qianxue lowered her gaze without speaking, only tightening her fists until her knuckles turned white inch by inch.
“What? Can’t find the words?” A cold sneer appeared on the man’s handsome face. “Fang Qianxue, you come from a noble family yet resort to deceitful schemes. Did you think slandering Miaoyan would bring me back to you? Ridiculous! How could the Fang family raise a daughter like you, with no regard for propriety or shame…”
“Every word I’ve said is true. Xu Miaoyan never had any heart condition. She used your hand to take my Heart’s Blood because she wants to kill me and exchange fates. Only when I die can she replace my Fate Pattern and Karmic Fortune,” Fang Qianxue stated.
“Preposterous!” Lu Changqing slammed the table and stood up. “Miaoyan is a Natural Auspicious Omen! Look at yourself—bringing misfortune to family and husband. What Karmic Fortune could you possibly possess that she would covet?”
“What’s preposterous isn’t me, but the one who wants my Heart’s Blood!” Fang Qianxue rose to her feet, meeting him head-on.
“I think you’ve gone mad!” Veins bulged at Lu Changqing’s temples as he paced back and forth in the room. “Don’t you dare spread these superstitious nonsense outside, or I won’t spare you!”
“Since Second Master doesn’t believe me, why not grant me a letter of separation?” Fang Qianxue said softly. “Let us part amicably and go our separate ways. I wish you and Xu Miaoyan a century of marital bliss.”