An imperial edict was issued, and Princess Qingqian insisted on marrying Lu Chongwei, the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Zhenguo.
This marriage forced upon him was the last thing Lu Chongwei wanted.
Cold and aloof by nature, he couldn't stand being controlled by others.
To get out of the engagement, he made things difficult for her at every turn, spoke harshly, and tried every means he could think of to make the princess give up of her own accord.
But Princess Qingqian was set on having her way. No matter how coldly he treated her or how deliberately he humiliated her, she refused to back down. She was willing to endure the criticism of the court and everyone around her, and insisted on entering the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.
After they married, Qingqian would often gaze at him, her eyes full of tender affection. Lu Chongwei assumed all that love was meant for him. Though he'd resisted her wholeheartedly at first, over time he was moved by her gentle affection and quietly gave her his heart.
Only later did he learn that those tender eyes had never once been looking at him, Lu Chongwei.
Qingqian had insisted on marrying him at all costs not because she loved him, but because the remnant soul of someone from her past was dwelling inside his body.
All the affection he'd seen was nothing but her distant longing for that remnant soul. The love he'd given her had been, from beginning to end, nothing more than a foolish one-sided affair.
The truth struck like a thunderbolt, filling Lu Chongwei with fury. So the princess had always been in love with someone else. He had given his heart to the wrong person, and how could he possibly stand by and watch his wife think of nothing but the soul residing inside him?
