Recklessly Entering His Cage

Xie Muning died without ever understanding why her younger sister, whom she had always been close to, had gotten involved with her husband, or why the man who had always seemed so devoted had personally pushed her into the depths of despair.

All the oppression, betrayal, and humiliation made her feel that her life had been truly miserable.

But heaven had mercy on her: she was reborn!

The first thing Xie Muning did after being reborn was call off her disgusting engagement to the Liang family.

Since her dear little sister liked that kind of scum, why not let her have him?

She could always find a decent husband for herself!

But no matter how carefully she chose, every time she was close to getting what she wanted, something unexpected would happen and ruin everything.

The Zhao family’s heir was a refined gentleman, courteous and upright. He clearly wasn’t the sort to sell out his wife for status. Perhaps she should marry him? A peaceful, steady life.

But Zhao’s mother wanted to secure her son’s position as heir, so she announced that she would only accept Xie Muning as a concubine. And the heir himself actually came running over, pleading with her to agree!

Bah! What kind of upright gentleman was he? He was just a selfish coward who cared only about himself!

The young master of the Lin family spent his days gambling on cockfights and cricket fights, and had no learning to speak of. But he was innocent by nature, and would cling to her, saying, “Third Miss Xie, I want to marry you! I’ll make you the freest, most carefree woman in all the Sheng Dynasty!” Perhaps she should marry him? A carefree, unrestrained life.

But only a few days later, the young master Lin was clutching his injured rear end, stammering awkwardly, “Third Miss Xie, I’m sorry. I can’t marry you.”

Hmph! Fine, don’t marry me! I can live freely without you!

Just as Xie Muning was widening her eyes and preparing to look for yet another husband, Zhang Jingheng, the ruthless, smiling Asura, abruptly cornered her against a wall.

“Since those men were good enough for you, why not consider me, Third Miss? I can give you everything you want, and I’d be glad to. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

Xie Muning shrank into the corner. He’s terrifying...

Zhang Jingheng narrowed his eyes. “What, Third Miss? You don’t want to?”

Xie Muning: “Ah... It’s not exactly that...”

The world revered him, feared him, accused him of wielding overwhelming power, and condemned him for taking what he wanted by force. But only she knew that at first she had used him, and later she fell in love with him.

Zhang Jingheng had crawled out of hell carrying a blood feud, climbing step by step to the imperial court until he became the Minister of Justice, revered and feared by countless people.

Those who didn’t know him had only heard of his reputation as a smiling Asura, ruthless and merciless. Those who did know him were either trembling in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, or had their lives in his hands and wished they could tear him limb from limb.

Countless people hated him, cursed him, and hoped he would spend his life alone and die without heirs. Even he himself, despite having long kept someone in his heart, had never imagined sharing a bed or a life with anyone.

But then he watched her kick her fiance to the curb and secretly start looking for a new husband. He was consumed by jealousy, unable to sit still or sleep, and unwilling to accept it.

He wanted her.

Even knowing she would use him and order him around, he still wanted her.

Zhang Jingheng: In a barren place no one knew existed, I once planted a seed called Xie Muning. And now, she has bloomed. Dazzling, unrivaled in all the world.

Notes:

This story is set in an imaginary world.

The characters’ views do not represent the author’s.

Theme: Be the protagonist of your own life.