Breaking the Proud One

(This story is copyrighted by Jinjiang. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.)

At twenty, Zhao Yu placed third in the imperial examinations. His father was a fifth-rank official at court, and Zhao Yu had a promising career ahead of him. But then he was implicated in a major examination fraud case.

His father had backed the wrong side and been framed. He resigned from office and asked the emperor for permission to retire and return to his hometown.

On the way, his father died when his heart condition flared up.

Zhao Yu observed mourning for his father and could not take the imperial examinations again for three years.

His father was gone, his younger sister was married, and Zhao Yu had lost heart.

He never expected to meet a Shuang'er who would haunt his thoughts.

When they first arrived in the prefectural town.

Zhao Yu: "Absolutely not! I, Zhao, am no libertine. Young Master Lu, please show some restraint."

Lu Qingmeng gave a cold snort. "If you won't give in to me today, don't blame me for having you tied up and brought back to my residence."

Zhao Yu: "...Young Master Lu, please don't be rash."

Lu Qingmeng swept the celadon teacups to the ground with one hand. Shards were scattered all over the pavilion.

Lu Qingmeng: "If you don't give me an explanation today, there's no more talking about the restaurant. I'll make sure to see how many days your Gu Yun Restaurant can stay open in this town after crossing me."

Zhao Yu: What a headache.

Zhao Yu: "Qingmeng, my dear Qingmeng, it was all my fault. I never should have angered you."

Lu Qingmeng shot him a sideways glance and softly said, "Get lost."

Zhao Yu: "My dear Qingmeng, I was so blind and foolish. Please be the bigger person and forgive me."

Lu Qingmeng ignored him. A servant, taking the hint, helped the young master into the residence.

Zhao Yu was left standing outside the gate. After a while, the gate opened a crack.

Overjoyed, Zhao Yu was about to say something.

Instead, the servant handed him a jade pendant and said with a smile, "Young Master Zhao, my young master says he's not destined for great fortune and isn't fated to be with you. Please take this jade pendant back. My young master doesn't want it."

Zhao Yu: "..."

How could a betrothal token be given back after it had already been given?

Extra Scene

"You damn mule! If you touch me like that again, I'll have someone cut it off tomorrow!" Lu Qingmeng was so angry that the corners of his eyes reddened. He clutched the brocade quilt and wouldn't let Zhao Yu pull it away, but his lame leg was left exposed.

Lu Qingmeng was furious, his voice harsh. "Don't, Zhao Yu!"

"Yes, dear husband?" Zhao Yu's lips curved slightly as he picked up the pale foot. He was nothing like the elegant gentleman he appeared to be in public. Instead, he seemed all the more obsessed.

He even lowered his head and kissed it.

Lu Qingmeng's round eyes widened. His fingertips trembled, and he pointed at Zhao Yu, unable to say a word.

His right foot had been lame from birth. He could never put much weight on it and needed servants to help him walk. Since he rarely used it, it had long since shrunk to the size of a child's foot.

What he hated most was that lame foot.

But Zhao Yu seemed to have gone mad. It wasn't even some flawless jade worth playing with.

Did he really not know that the foot was useless?

Theme: When one door closes, another opens.