Volume One, Chapter Nine: The So-Called Lover

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Zhang Huaijin questioned relentlessly, yet Shi Zhao found it quite amusing. Zhang Huaijin’s eagerness to know what she had told His Majesty the Emperor—was it out of concern for her safety or worry over the downfall of the Marquis of Wen’an’s household? Or perhaps he feared that he himself had lied to His Majesty a month ago, thereby committing the crime of deceiving the sovereign?

With this in mind, Shi Zhao said leisurely, “Young Master Zhang, there’s no need to worry. You are the top scorer in the imperial examinations, the champion scholar. You were merely covering for the Marquis of Wen’an’s household, not deceiving the Emperor. There’s no need to be so anxious.”

Zhang Huaijin’s heart sank. “Did you really tell His Majesty everything?”

“I’ll say the same as before: if you want to know, go ask the Emperor or Empress Dowager yourself,” Shi Zhao replied, then turned away without a trace of hesitation.

Zhang Huaijin stared at her retreating figure, a sudden panic rising within him. Abruptly, he grasped her arm.

Shi Zhao stumbled backward a few steps and fell into Zhang Huaijin’s embrace. She struggled to break free, but his hold was firm.

“Have you stopped wanting to marry me?” Zhang Huaijin’s gaze was heavy as he looked at the girl in his arms. Never before had he acted so boldly, but now he was truly flustered.

Since Shi Zhao had been released from the inner prison, he felt as if she had become a different person. In the past, Si Yao had consulted him on everything. That little girl who had always followed closely behind him had suddenly become so distant, almost unreachable.

Shi Zhao was angry. She tried to wrench his fingers apart, but she was no match for his strength.

The scent of Zhang Huaijin on him only made her more agitated. She snarled, “You never wanted to marry me; you only wanted that obedient puppet with a noble background.”

Zhang Huaijin retorted, “That’s not true. I simply didn’t stand by your side this time. I did it for our future. Only if the Marquis of Wen’an’s household truly accepts you can our marriage succeed. It’s all for our own good. Can you stop being childish?”

Childish?

Shi Zhao struggled in vain, her chest tightening with anger as she snapped, “If you loved me, you wouldn’t have let me rot in the inner prison, risking my life just to win the Marquis of Wen’an’s favor. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have played both sides, comforting Yuxuan Yao and me when we quarreled, even giving gifts to both of us!”

Zhang Huaijin’s eyes flickered. “I gave Yuxuan Yao gifts because I wanted to make it up to her on your behalf.”

Shi Zhao’s clear eyes locked onto his. “Is it really to make amends to her, or to show off your gentlemanly grace in front of him?”

Zhang Huaijin knew clearly that his future wife would be a girl from the Marquis of Wen’an’s household. He did like her, which was why he had fought his family to marry her.

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But he also knew that if the Marquis of Wen’an’s household intended to marry their biological daughter to him, he could not refuse.

He would never marry a commoner girl, which is why he was determined to elevate Shi Zhao’s status within the Marquis of Wen’an’s household at all costs.

At first, Shi Zhao was touched.

When Zhang Huaijin had come to the Marquis of Wen’an’s mansion with bloodstains on his back, she thought he truly loved her.

But as he continually tried to balance between her and Yuxuan Yao day after day, she suddenly felt lost.

Did Zhang Huaijin really love her? Would a man deeply in love give various gifts to other girls?

It was not until the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, when Zhang Huaijin treated Shi Zhao’s life-threatening crisis as a great opportunity, that she truly saw the truth: Zhang Huaijin did not truly love her.

Shi Zhao’s eyes were filled with scorn, forcing Zhang Huaijin to look away in embarrassment.

He loosened his grip and said painfully, “I am the eldest legitimate son of the Zhang family. From a young age, I have borne the heavy responsibility of supporting my clan. I dare not and cannot marry a commoner, but I do truly like you.”

Shi Zhao seized the moment to break free from Zhang Huaijin’s embrace, stepping back and putting distance between them.

“If it’s not possible, then please, Young Master Zhang, spare me.”

Zhang Huaijin’s expression was unsettled. Suddenly, he stepped closer to Shi Zhao. “We are betrothed. After the wedding, you will understand my true feelings.”

Shi Zhao curled her lips, unwilling to say more. “I take my leave.”

“You still haven’t told me what His Majesty the Emperor said to you.”

Zhang Huaijin took a step forward, trying again to grasp Shi Zhao, but this time she was prepared and deftly evaded him.

Shi Zhao was rendered speechless with anger. She whispered harshly, “If I really said anything, do you think you and the Marquis of Wen’an’s household could still stand here unscathed?”

Zhang Huaijin remained uneasy, fearing that something she said inadvertently might sow trouble later.

He blurted out, “You don’t understand these matters. Tell me quickly, so I can help you analyze.”

Shi Zhao laughed bitterly. She hadn’t expected that in Zhang Huaijin’s mind, she was just a foolish child who needed him to handle everything because she was reckless and careless.

Before she could voice her sarcasm, the sound of rustling clothes came from a nearby thicket.

Shi Zhao and Zhang Huaijin quickly turned to look in that direction. Zhang Huaijin’s face darkened; he hadn’t expected anyone else to be there.

The person in the thicket seemed aware their presence was discovered. He pushed aside the bushes and calmly stepped out.

Folding his hands in a respectful salute, he said, “I was passing by and did not expect to disturb your conversation.”

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The newcomer was dressed entirely in black, with sharp phoenix-like eyes beneath finely arched eyebrows.

Though polite in speech and smiling faintly, his entire aura exuded cold indifference and an intimidating presence.

Xue Ming.

Zhang Huaijin silently cursed.

Xue Ming was like the Emperor’s own kin—cold and ruthless, caring for no one’s face but obeying imperial orders, commanding the palace guard responsible for palace security. He was truly someone no one dared provoke.

If he reported their conversation to the Emperor...

Zhang Huaijin suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, realizing the gravity of the situation.

If the newcomer was a palace servant, they would have no way out. But if it was Xue Ming...

Upon hearing the name, Shi Zhao quietly observed the man before her.

Despite his young age and great power, he did not look as fearsome as rumors suggested; his complexion was pale and scholarly.

Xue Ming seemed to notice Zhang Huaijin’s anxiety and said calmly, “I happened to pass by and overheard some arguing, never expected it to be Young Master Zhang confessing his feelings.”

Zhang Huaijin gave an embarrassed smile. “Just joking with my fiancée. General Xue, please don’t mind.”

Fiancée? Who was her fiancée?

Shi Zhao furrowed her brows, about to deny it, when a plump, cheerful eunuch approached and greeted them with a smile, “Greetings, General Xue and Young Master Zhang.”

Zhang Huaijin grew flustered. “Eunuch Yuan, what brings you here?”

Eunuch Yuan was the chief steward close to the Emperor. Could it be that Si Yao had said something disrespectful, and now the Emperor intended to punish him?

Zhang Huaijin’s nervous sweat poured down his face. What was to be done?

Eunuch Yuan ignored him, instead smiling at Xue Ming. “General Xue, by imperial decree, I have come to deliver a gift to Miss Shi Zhao.”

Zhang Huaijin was momentarily stunned, failing to catch whom Eunuch Yuan was referring to, when the young girl beside him spoke up.

“I wonder what gift His Majesty the Emperor intends to give me?”

Eunuch Yuan continued smiling, “Miss Shi Zhao is truly blessed. The Empress Dowager favors you and bestowed upon you the name Shi Zhao. His Majesty fears that you, being young and devout, might be too restrained, so he sends you a golden oriole to amuse you.”