The sound of chanting filled the Buddhist temple, and the bell rang out in the distance.
In the meditation room, Wei Song asked to see his younger uncle from the clan.
His former wife had arrived in Liangzhou not long ago. He asked his uncle about her recent situation and entrusted him to look after her.
Wei Wujiu still carried the dampness of a recent bath. He casually straightened his collar and nodded with an unconcerned smile. "I'll take good care of her."
Wei Song bowed in thanks, feeling much more at ease.
He had come to reclaim the divorce letter and reconcile with her.
Behind the screen in the same room, there was no light, only dim darkness. Warm, damp steam drifted above the bathing tub.
Chu Qingyi curled up with her knees drawn to her chest in the tub, her skin flushed red from the heat, her face pink as a cloud. She held her breath.
Ripples lapped at the side of her neck behind her ear, where tooth marks appeared and disappeared from view.
-
Born into a humble family, Chu Qingyi married into the Liangguo Duke's household at seventeen.
Her father told her, "The Wei family is an illustrious clan. This is the best marriage your father could find for you. You must cherish it." He also taught her that a wife must be virtuous and bring honor to the Chu family, and that she had to set an example for her younger siblings.
She followed his instructions, devotedly caring for her frail husband and diligently serving her parents-in-law. Her husband had a first love he could never forget, but she neither grew jealous nor complained. The couple were distant beneath a show of harmony, but at least they treated each other with respect. She quietly played the role of his wife, never daring to hope for his love.
For a time, she became the very model of a virtuous wife in Chang'an.
In the instant she died inexplicably outside Liangzhou, she looked back on her life.
For her parents and siblings, for the Chu family, for her husband and parents-in-law,
she had been a filial daughter, a gentle older sister, a virtuous wife, and a respectful daughter-in-law.
It was as if she had no name. She had spent her whole life living for others.
*
When she opened her eyes again, she was in Liangzhou.
She decided to find out who had really killed her and avoid the fate of being assassinated soon and dying far from home for no reason. She would divorce and escape a marriage like a besieged city. She would no longer care about her parents' expectations or bear the burden of bringing honor to her family.
Reborn, she would live for herself.
Chu Qingyi turned her gaze toward her husband's younger uncle, a man who commanded a mighty army and ruled his own domain:
Wei Wujiu, Military Governor of Hexi.
He was the person in all of Hexi best able to keep her safe.
She deliberately drew close to him, cautiously relying on his power to stay alive.
-
Wei Wujiu once believed that
Chu Qingyi was a docile rabbit without claws, nothing more than prey that had approached him with an innocent air and piqued his interest.
He took his time playing along with her and keeping her at arm's length.
Later, desire took hold, and he couldn't resist taking that rabbit for himself, claiming her completely.
Later still, he realized that she was the hunter who had woven a vast net to ensnare him.
-
By-the-book, gentle young wife x rebellious, carefree younger uncle
1. In her previous life, the heroine was selfless and devoted to others, with no sense of self. After being reborn, she embarks on a journey to find her own identity, reshape herself, and awaken to her own needs.
2. A forced-takeover romance; no romantic feelings during the marriage. The younger uncle is the male lead, and they have a seven-year age gap. The heroine is not a virgin, while the hero is.
3. Set in an imaginary Tang dynasty. Please don't scrutinize the historical details.
Theme: Only today do I know who I am
