Chapter 3 — One Sword Cuts Our Ties

Indeed, it has been over a month now.

The young maidservant of our household says this is her first child, and she is feeling anxious within, wishing to invite the Marquis over for a visit.

I nodded in complete agreement. Pei Ze stood frozen in place, gazing at me in a daze. I smiled at him, my brows curving gently.

Go quickly to visit her, my Lord. She needs you the most at this time.

Pei Ze’s expression suddenly darkened. He grabbed my chin with a force great enough to make me slightly knit my brows. Forcing me to lift my head and meet his gaze directly, his eyes bloodshot, he demanded:

Shen Ming Tang.

Why are you not kicking up a fuss?

I was taken aback. My chin was trapped firmly within his grasp, unable to lower, leaving me no choice but to lift my face and look up at him just like that. Thus, I could clearly perceive the rising storm of fury deep within his eyes, accompanied by a sudden, faint trace of panic. I lowered my gaze, refusing to look at him any longer.

A Tang, do you resent me?

Pei Ze’s eye rims turned red, his voice raspy.

I do not resent you.

I said softly.

Then do you hate me?

He knitted his brows, the crimson veins in his eyes growing even more pronounced than before.

I do not hate you either.

Both resentment and hatred required the expenditure of energy. Yet Pei Ze was far from satisfied with my response. He stared fixedly at me, without even blinking.

You ought to resent me.

Pei Ze’s expression held a touch of madness. Seeing this, I had no choice but to alter my words.

Resentment... I do resent you.

His expression softened slightly, a smile breaking across his lips.

You should resent me.

He said hastily:

Tell me, how would you have me compensate you?

I shall make amends to you, and then you will no longer be angry with me.

From now on, I will treat you truly well and never let you suffer any grievance again.

He was terribly anxious. Just like a drowning man exhausting every ounce of strength to crawl ashore. Looking at him like this, I did not quite know what to feel inside. In the past, I would have dreamed of hearing these words from him. Yet now, all I wished for was to leave.

Any form of compensation will do?

I looked straight into his eyes. He quickly nodded, the corners of his eyes slightly red. I smiled faintly and spoke calmly:

Then let us seek a divorce and part ways.

Pei Ze’s entire body stiffened. The smile that had just appeared on his face froze before it could even fully recede.

What did you say?

His voice was exceedingly soft, as though he dared not believe what his ears had just received. I simply remained silent, refusing to open my mouth. For I knew he did not require me to repeat myself. He had heard every single word with utmost clarity.

Shen Ming Tang.

He called my name, his voice growing even hoarser than before.

Just now you said you resented me. Resentment means you still care. You still care about me, do you not?

I looked into his eyes and said calmly:

You were the one who told me to say it just now.

You wished to hear it, so I spoke. But truly, I neither resent you nor hate you.

Observing his reddened eye rims, I pronounced each word with deliberate slowness:

Pei Ze, I merely wish to no longer share my life with you.

Once those words fell, a terrifying silence settled over the room. After a very long while, Pei Ze finally spoke.

I do not agree.

His voice was very faint, akin to someone talking to himself. Then, suddenly raising his head, his voice rose by several notches, carrying a tremor bordering on a complete loss of control.

I do not agree!

His voice was raspy and hoarse, his gaze never once departing from my form.

If I do not sign the paper, you cannot leave.

Hearing his declaration, I let out a sigh. This was an outcome well within my expectations. I did not argue, nor did I display anger, merely replying with serene indifference:

I understand.

Pei Ze looked upon my placid countenance, utterly at a loss for words.

Shen Ming Tang, when on earth did it begin, that even quarreling with me is something you no longer desire to do?

I offered no reply, only gazing at him. It seemed he dared not face me any longer, leaving behind a single parting phrase before turning and hastily walking away.

I will not let you leave.

As he crossed the threshold, he even stumbled a step. After Pei Ze departed, Yun Yan stepped into the room.

Yun Yan.

Prepare brush and ink.

Since Pei Ze refused to sign, I would seek Xiao Jing Xing instead.

On the second day after the letter was dispatched, the imperial decree arrived from the palace. The messenger sent to convey the words was Eunuch Chu, who served directly before the emperor’s presence. He stood within the courtyard and proclaimed the imperial edict.

By the decree of His Majesty, Lady Shen is invited into the palace to reminisce over old times.

I received the decree and instructed Yun Yan to comb my hair and change my attire. Eunuch Chu stood with his hands folded beneath the veranda, waiting to accompany me into the palace. When I finished changing and emerged from the chambers, Pei Ze had already rushed over upon hearing the news. He had come in such haste that even the jade belt on his official uniform remained unfastened. He strode into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over my form before coming to a halt upon Eunuch Chu, who waited beneath the eaves, causing his complexion to turn even more unsightly.

Why has His Majesty summoned you into the palace?

I cast a placid glance in his direction.

To reminisce over old times.

Reminisce what old times? What old times could you possibly share with him?

He stepped forward, closing the distance aggressively, and lowered his voice. Within his eyes churned both fury and a nameless, frantic panic. I lifted my gaze to look at him. If it were the past, this demeanor of his might have filled me with dread. Yet at this moment, it merely felt somewhat absurd.