On the day the Xiongnu came to seek a marriage alliance, Father Emperor decided to choose from a collection of handkerchiefs. Whoever owned the handkerchief he picked would be sent to marry into the Xiongnu.
I had never given him a handkerchief, but in the end, I was the one he chose.
My imperial brother and childhood sweetheart knelt before the throne for three days and three nights, but that only made Father Emperor more determined to send me to the Xiongnu.
For seven years there, I lived in a sheep pen,
was abused by countless men, and lost six children over those seven years.
Only after my imperial brother ascended the throne was I rescued and brought back to the capital.
My brother took pity on me and bestowed upon me the most lavish princess’s residence.
My childhood sweetheart still cared for me and was willing to continue the engagement we had never fulfilled.
I thought I had finally escaped the darkness, until one day, as I passed the study, I heard the conversation inside.
My brother said, “Ever since Zhenzhen returned, Wan’er has been terribly unhappy. I know this is unfair to you, but there’s no other way to make Wan’er happy except for you to marry Zhenzhen.”
My childhood sweetheart, the top scholar, replied quietly:
“When the marriage alliance was arranged, I switched Zhenzhen’s handkerchief with hers so Wan’er wouldn’t be chosen. Everything Zhenzhen suffered in the Xiongnu was because of me.”
“Letting me marry Zhenzhen now is a way to… atone for what I did.”
I stood outside the window, my fingers icy cold.
So all the blood and tears I shed over seven years had done nothing but pave the way for the woman they loved.
My heart was hollow, and the last trace of warmth had gone out completely.
