A Precious Bargain

Updates follow the platform ranking schedule; otherwise, new chapters come every other day. [Picking Up Men] | [Twists] | [Faking Her Death] | [The Chase After the Breakup] Yun Qi had carried a terrible blood feud from childhood. Unfortunately, her enemy was a powerful figure in a high position. After several failed assassination attempts, Xie Qizhou was caught in an ambush and fell off a cliff with severe injuries. By chance, he appeared before her. To take her revenge, Yun Qi did everything she could to please him and get close to him. No matter how attentive she was, Xie Qizhou remained indifferent, treating her with cold detachment. But that didn’t matter. Yun Qi had plenty of tricks and stamina. She trekked across barren mountains and wilderness, searching everywhere for medicinal herbs to treat his injuries. She stayed by his bedside day and night, tending to him with care and never leaving his side... Later, when pursuers caught up with them, she threw herself in front of him without hesitation, taking a fatal arrow for him. Everyone thought she must love Xie Qizhou desperately to risk her life like that. As time passed, even Xie Qizhou came to believe it. Xie Qizhou was born into privilege, but from childhood he was caught up in a struggle for power. He thought he was destined to drift through life alone until Yun Qi entered his life when he was cornered and on the brink of death. Someone climbed mountains to gather herbs for him. Someone stayed by his side day and night. Someone was even willing to risk her life and take a sword for him. He thought he’d finally found a light of his own. Overjoyed, he prepared a lavish bridal procession and married her in grand style. But on their wedding day, every beautiful dream shattered. The woman he had welcomed with all his defenses down, giving her his whole heart, had been deceiving and using him from beginning to end. In that moment, the red silk draped throughout the hall seemed especially glaring. At first, Yun Qi had only pretended to be sweet to him for the sake of revenge. After she got her revenge, she was imprisoned in a cold, dark cell. Under questioning, Yun Qi confessed to everything she had done without making excuses or offering a defense. Someone nearby deliberately tried to provoke her, asking, “You were with Xie Qizhou every day and even risked your life to protect him. Did you ever have even a shred of genuine affection for him?” Yun Qi already felt guilty toward him and certainly didn’t want to drag him down any further. “Never.” In the corner, Xie Qizhou heard her words, and his heart turned to ashes. When they met again, the world had changed beyond recognition. He held power over the court and occupied a lofty position, full of confidence. She was battered and disheveled, reduced to a prisoner, utterly wretched. Xie Qizhou sat high above her, regarding her coldly. Every word was icy and mocking. “Tell me, what are you trying to scheme out of me this time?” More than anything, Xie Qizhou hated being manipulated. His sincere feelings had been trampled so carelessly. Fine. If you have no genuine affection for me, then there’s nothing left between us but hatred. If hatred can make someone toss and turn, unable to sleep night after night, then how is it any different from love? Content Warnings: 1. The blurb and the plot differ; the plot takes precedence. The story follows an outline and is a melodramatic hodgepodge, very melodramatic. I’ve read so much of this stuff that I wanted to try writing it myself. If it’s not for you, please stop reading. 2. Neither lead is perfect. They both have their own character flaws. 3. The heroine takes the initiative to pursue him at first, but she doesn’t see herself as lowering herself. She’s always doing it for her ultimate goal. 4. There are Miaojiang poison-insect elements, including love-binding and mind-bewitching gu. They only play a small role in the plot. Theme: Remember your original aspirations, and you’ll reach the end.