Cheng was at a loss for words as she gazed at the cold and ruthless eyes of Zhao Changdu. She didn't know what to say, feeling both aggrieved and resentful.
She resented herself for not having been ruthless enough back when Mrs. Lin died and Zhao Changdu was still a child. At that time, she had absolute control as an adult. She really shouldn't have listened to Zhao Rou and spared this wolf cub's life.
She should have gotten rid of him early on. Then she wouldn't be in the situation now where he lorded over her.
"My lord... I... I didn't do anything wrong to the former Mrs. Lin or to you, Changdu. Over the years, I have served our Guogong's residence diligently, managing the inner residence well. Which part have I not done properly?" Cheng sobbed as she wiped away her tears and leaned into Zhao Hui's embrace.
Zhao Changdu watched the intimate couple coldly, his eyes devoid of ripples like an ancient well.
Zhao Hui was furious but held Cheng comfortingly as he yelled at Zhao Changdu, "Do as you please! If you continue to be arrogant and unruly, disregarding propriety, I won't mind asking your grandfather to come back personally to see how you throw your weight around at home!"
"Forget this meal. Let's go!"
With that, he slammed down his chopsticks and left, pulling Cheng along.
The vast Chunshan Court instantly fell silent.
Zhao Changxing remained seated, picking up a slice of ham and putting it in his mouth. He chuckled in amusement, "Second brother, shall we continue eating?"
Zhao Changdu gave him an icy look.
Unfazed, Zhao Changxing merely shifted his eyes and laughed as he ordered, "Ah Yun, my second brother is afraid we've poisoned the food. Come, you were once close to him. Serve him food and if he still refuses to eat what you pick, it would be letting down the one who is to be his wife."
Huo Qiyun's fingers curled involuntarily as her heart tightened.
Zhao Changxing's eyes darkened. "What, you won't listen to me anymore?"
Huo Qiyun's face paled. She parted her red lips timidly. "No, I didn't mean that."
She then reluctantly walked over to Zhao Changdu's side. Her slender, fair hand hesitated before picking up a small piece of steamed fish from the plate and placing it in his bowl.
Seeing this, Zhao Changxing's lips curled into an aggravating smile. "Second brother, hurry and eat. Ah Yun is thoughtful to remember your favorites. If you still refuse to eat, it would be an insult to her."
Zhao Changdu's frown deepened as his somber eyes instantly chilled over with icy coldness.
He gave a mocking laugh. "Is this how you treat your wife?"
Zhao Changxing just smiled. "Forgive me for letting second brother see something unseemly. It's just that this woman has been married into our family for ten years but hasn't borne eldest brother a single child. I have long intended to divorce her."
Hearing this, Huo Qiyun lowered her head as her body trembled.
Zhao Changdu's eyes narrowed dangerously. He didn't care if Zhao Changxing was testing him. His last bit of patience had run out.
He stood up and pulled Huo Qiyun to her feet, then placed his palm on Zhao Changxing's bony shoulder. His voice lowered. "Zhao Changxing, don't push me. You know what I'm capable of. If you dare bully the weak again, I'll make you wish you were dead."
His tone was steady yet somehow more terrifying for its lack of emphasis.
Zhao Changxing was still smiling but his eyes had gradually frozen over before going blank.
He knew about the past affection between Zhao Changdu and Huo Qiyun and had deliberately used her to provoke him. But he didn't expect Zhao Changdu to threaten him for her sake.
No matter. At least now he understood one thing - Zhao Changdu still had this weakness called Huo Qiyun.
As for his newly wedded wife, that would be an interesting story once she entered the Guogong residence.
"Second brother jests. Eldest brother was merely too heavy-handed just now." As Zhao Changxing spoke, he turned to the red-eyed Huo Qiyun. "Ah Yun, you can't blame me, can you?"
Huo Qiyun pressed her lips together and said nothing. Over the years, he had always liked humiliating her in front of the servants. She was used to enduring submissively.
But now, she didn't want that person to see her weak side. All she could do was bite her lip and resist silently.
Seeing Huo Qiyun refuse to give him a way out, Zhao Changxing's expression soured and he spoke condescendingly, "Fine. It was just a slap, not intentional. Come find me after you've cooled down."
With that, he left Chunshan Court without another glance.
The hall fell completely silent once Zhao Changxing departed.
Huo Qiyun stubbornly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and gave Zhao Changdu a carefree smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Zhao Changdu's frown deepened as he looked at her swollen face. "Has he always treated you like this?"
Huo Qiyun smiled woodenly. "It's not so bad, actually..."
He didn't beat her every day, only when he was in a bad mood or drunk.
In the past decade, her body had been covered in injuries, to the point she could barely join them at the table for meals.
As the sole daughter-in-law, not only did she serve him, but also Cheng. Her work was no different from that of a maid, except maids were maids while she had the nice-sounding title of Lady.
It seemed glamorous but only she knew how miserable such days were.
However, this was the path she had chosen herself, so she couldn't blame others or complain to them.
The two fell silent for a while.
Huo Qiyun gave a small laugh. "Your wedding date is approaching, isn't it?"
Zhao Changdu's expression was aloof. "Mm."
Huo Qiyun clenched her hands tightly, her palms already damp with sweat.
After a moment, she forced out a smile. "The residence has been decorated with red banners and double happiness characters everywhere on the walls and windows. It looks so lively and cheers me up. Changdu, I'm truly happy for you."
The woman he was marrying had been spirited and graceful at the winter hunt. Even she had liked the woman, not to mention the men.
Although he had said he didn't love the young lady.
But he was getting married. She inevitably felt a little loss in her heart.
Zhao Changdu gazed at her with knitted brows, his handsome features cold and bleak. Suddenly, he said, "It would be good if he divorced you."
Huo Qiyun froze in surprise. "What... if he divorced me..."
The Huo Family wouldn't let her off easily.
Zhao Changdu's mouth twisted sardonically. "What, reluctant to give up your status as the lady of the household?"
Cheng was at a loss for words as she gazed at the cold and ruthless eyes of Zhao Changdu. She didn't know what to say, feeling both aggrieved and resentful.
She resented herself for not having been ruthless enough back when Mrs. Lin died and Zhao Changdu was still a child. At that time, she had absolute control as an adult. She really shouldn't have listened to Zhao Rou and spared this wolf cub's life.
She should have gotten rid of him early on. Then she wouldn't be in the situation now where he lorded over her.
"My lord... I... I didn't do anything wrong to the former Mrs. Lin or to you, Changdu. Over the years, I have served our Guogong's residence diligently, managing the inner residence well. Which part have I not done properly?" Cheng sobbed as she wiped away her tears and leaned into Zhao Hui's embrace.
Zhao Changdu watched the intimate couple coldly, his eyes devoid of ripples like an ancient well.
Zhao Hui was furious but held Cheng comfortingly as he yelled at Zhao Changdu, "Do as you please! If you continue to be arrogant and unruly, disregarding propriety, I won't mind asking your grandfather to come back personally to see how you throw your weight around at home!"
"Forget this meal. Let's go!"
With that, he slammed down his chopsticks and left, pulling Cheng along.
The vast Chunshan Court instantly fell silent.
Zhao Changxing remained seated, picking up a slice of ham and putting it in his mouth. He chuckled in amusement, "Second brother, shall we continue eating?"
Zhao Changdu gave him an icy look.
Unfazed, Zhao Changxing merely shifted his eyes and laughed as he ordered, "Ah Yun, my second brother is afraid we've poisoned the food. Come, you were once close to him. Serve him food and if he still refuses to eat what you pick, it would be letting down the one who is to be his wife."
Huo Qiyun's fingers curled involuntarily as her heart tightened.
Zhao Changxing's eyes darkened. "What, you won't listen to me anymore?"
Huo Qiyun's face paled. She parted her red lips timidly. "No, I didn't mean that."
She then reluctantly walked over to Zhao Changdu's side. Her slender, fair hand hesitated before picking up a small piece of steamed fish from the plate and placing it in his bowl.
Seeing this, Zhao Changxing's lips curled into an aggravating smile. "Second brother, hurry and eat. Ah Yun is thoughtful to remember your favorites. If you still refuse to eat, it would be an insult to her."
Zhao Changdu's frown deepened as his somber eyes instantly chilled over with icy coldness.
He gave a mocking laugh. "Is this how you treat your wife?"
Zhao Changxing just smiled. "Forgive me for letting second brother see something unseemly. It's just that this woman has been married into our family for ten years but hasn't borne eldest brother a single child. I have long intended to divorce her."
Hearing this, Huo Qiyun lowered her head as her body trembled.
Zhao Changdu's eyes narrowed dangerously. He didn't care if Zhao Changxing was testing him. His last bit of patience had run out.
He stood up and pulled Huo Qiyun to her feet, then placed his palm on Zhao Changxing's bony shoulder. His voice lowered. "Zhao Changxing, don't push me. You know what I'm capable of. If you dare bully the weak again, I'll make you wish you were dead."
His tone was steady yet somehow more terrifying for its lack of emphasis.
Zhao Changxing was still smiling but his eyes had gradually frozen over before going blank.
He knew about the past affection between Zhao Changdu and Huo Qiyun and had deliberately used her to provoke him. But he didn't expect Zhao Changdu to threaten him for her sake.
No matter. At least now he understood one thing - Zhao Changdu still had this weakness called Huo Qiyun.
As for his newly wedded wife, that would be an interesting story once she entered the Guogong residence.
"Second brother jests. Eldest brother was merely too heavy-handed just now." As Zhao Changxing spoke, he turned to the red-eyed Huo Qiyun. "Ah Yun, you can't blame me, can you?"
Huo Qiyun pressed her lips together and said nothing. Over the years, he had always liked humiliating her in front of the servants. She was used to enduring submissively.
But now, she didn't want that person to see her weak side. All she could do was bite her lip and resist silently.
Seeing Huo Qiyun refuse to give him a way out, Zhao Changxing's expression soured and he spoke condescendingly, "Fine. It was just a slap, not intentional. Come find me after you've cooled down."
With that, he left Chunshan Court without another glance.
The hall fell completely silent once Zhao Changxing departed.
Huo Qiyun stubbornly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and gave Zhao Changdu a carefree smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Zhao Changdu's frown deepened as he looked at her swollen face. "Has he always treated you like this?"
Huo Qiyun smiled woodenly. "It's not so bad, actually..."
He didn't beat her every day, only when he was in a bad mood or drunk.
In the past decade, her body had been covered in injuries, to the point she could barely join them at the table for meals.
As the sole daughter-in-law, not only did she serve him, but also Cheng. Her work was no different from that of a maid, except maids were maids while she had the nice-sounding title of Lady.
It seemed glamorous but only she knew how miserable such days were.
However, this was the path she had chosen herself, so she couldn't blame others or complain to them.
The two fell silent for a while.
Huo Qiyun gave a small laugh. "Your wedding date is approaching, isn't it?"
Zhao Changdu's expression was aloof. "Mm."
Huo Qiyun clenched her hands tightly, her palms already damp with sweat.
After a moment, she forced out a smile. "The residence has been decorated with red banners and double happiness characters everywhere on the walls and windows. It looks so lively and cheers me up. Changdu, I'm truly happy for you."
The woman he was marrying had been spirited and graceful at the winter hunt. Even she had liked the woman, not to mention the men.
Although he had said he didn't love the young lady.
But he was getting married. She inevitably felt a little loss in her heart.
Zhao Changdu gazed at her with knitted brows, his handsome features cold and bleak. Suddenly, he said, "It would be good if he divorced you."
Huo Qiyun froze in surprise. "What... if he divorced me..."
The Huo Family wouldn't let her off easily.
Zhao Changdu's mouth twisted sardonically. "What, reluctant to give up your status as the lady of the household?"
