Volume One Chapter One Freezing to Death on the Streets on New Year’s Eve

Jingan Marquis’ Residence, New Year’s Eve.

Snow had fallen only yesterday, and tonight the chill was at its harshest. Song Qinghuan, clad in thin garments, knelt with effort before the gates of the Marquis’ residence. “Brother, Mother... don’t abandon me…”

Her hands were covered in frostbite, and even her voice, worn by years as a hostage in an enemy nation, had grown hoarse and grating. Despair flooded Song Qinghuan’s eyes. Her home was within reach, yet she could not return.

Just then, the heavy iron gates of the residence slowly opened. Song Qinghuan lifted her head in hope, only to meet the impatient gaze of her eldest brother, Song Shuheng.

“What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and drive her away!”

“Yes, on such a good New Year’s Eve, don’t let her sully the Marquis’ threshold!” Second brother Song Shuyan nodded vigorously, as if wishing he could tear down the door she had knocked upon and cast it into the fire.

Stung by the loathing in their eyes, Song Qinghuan could not help but crawl forward on her knees. “Why, Brother? I am your own sister!”

“Bah! What sister?”

“Since you were taken as a hostage to the Rongdi, ten years have passed. For you to return whole after so long, you must have groveled for survival in their capital, disgracing the honor of our Jingan Marquis’ household!”

Third brother Song Shuche rolled his eyes, looking at Song Qinghuan as if she were something filthy.

Hearing this, Song Qinghuan shook her head instinctively, trying to defend herself. “I haven’t…”

Twelve years ago, Tianqi and Rongdi waged war. The Song family of the Marquis’ residence, a renowned military household, led troops to battle by imperial decree. The war lasted two years. Tianqi suffered a crushing defeat, and for peace, sent the Marquis’ sole legitimate daughter to Rongdi as a hostage.

Song Qinghuan remained in Rongdi for ten long years. Enduring humiliation and hardship, she never forgot her identity and refused to bow or yield to Rongdi.

To force her into submission, her cabin in Rongdi always burned coals in summer and was damp in winter. She was never allowed to rest, rarely ate her fill, and labored ceaselessly day and night. To preserve the pride and dignity of the Marquis’ family, Song Qinghuan endured countless beatings; even now, scars from her time in Rongdi lingered upon her body.

She fought so hard to survive, believing her family waited for her at home. Yet, upon her return, she discovered that her brother and mother had already welcomed others into their hearts.

The matron of the Marquis’ residence, Song Qinghuan’s birth mother, Madame Chen, grasped the hand of the girl beside her, mercilessly declaring, “You haven’t fulfilled your filial duty for ten years. All these years, Mingzhu has stayed by my side. Since that’s so, you needn’t remain with me any longer, lest you bring misfortune upon me.”

Song Qinghuan forced a bitter smile and raised her head to look at the person next to Madame Chen. The maiden shone like a pearl, her raven hair coiled into an elegant bun adorned with priceless jewelry, and even her clothes were treasures Song Qinghuan had not dared dream of in ten years.

“Mother, Qinghuan is not unlucky. Qinghuan wishes only to be filial by your side. Please, Mother, don’t cast me away...”

Kneeling before Madame Chen, Song Qinghuan kowtowed ceaselessly. Blood stained her forehead, soaking into the snow at the steps.

“Enough!”

“If you must kowtow, do it elsewhere. Your filthy blood isn’t even fit to feed a dog—how dare you dirty the Marquis’ threshold!”

Song Shuheng, teeth clenched in fury, strode forward and kicked Song Qinghuan’s shoulder. With a crack, her shoulder broke, half her body went limp, and she lay prostrate on the ground, utterly humbled.

Bang!

A speeding carriage barreled forward, running right into Song Qinghuan. Instinctively, she looked up to see Lu Yumou descend from the carriage, his face cold.

He was the young man of peerless character, once her betrothed ten years ago.

Song Qinghuan reached out to grasp the hem of Lu Yumou’s robe. “Lu...”

“Get out!”

Lu Yumou narrowed his eyes, drew his sword from his waist, and slashed at Song Qinghuan’s fingers. Three were severed mercilessly, blood pooling on the ground. Unable to bear the pain, Song Qinghuan cried out where she lay.

“Lu, why? I am your fiancée…”

“Silence!”

“You spent all those years in Rongdi; your body is utterly tainted. You dare dream of marrying into my family? Someone like you isn’t even worthy to carry my shoes as a concubine!” Lu Yumou sneered, using the tip of his sword to trace Song Qinghuan’s blood in the snow, writing out a divorce letter.

“From this day forth, you and I are strangers. Don’t bring up that worthless betrothal again!”

“No…”

Song Qinghuan’s face went pale as she shook her head in desperate denial.

Lu Yumou tossed aside his sword in disgust and strode straight toward Song Mingzhu in the crowd. With tender affection, he took Song Mingzhu’s hand and declared, “Now that I’ve severed all ties with that wretch, one day I will personally bring you into my home with all honors.”

Moved by his gentleness, Song Mingzhu’s cheeks flushed. “Lu, I’ll do as you wish.”

“Good, good. Once Mingzhu is married into our Song family, we can finally be at ease.”

“Lu, Mingzhu is our only daughter. You must treat my one and only sister well!” Song Shuyan threatened, and Lu Yumou immediately bowed respectfully.

The family laughed and crowded around Song Mingzhu at the center, entering the gates of the Marquis’ residence together.

In the unnoticed corner, Song Qinghuan lay broken and bleeding, her fingers severed, her body battered, and in bitter agony, she froze to death at the Song family’s gate...

Only Mingzhu is a daughter...

The only sister...

Ha...

The north wind howled, finally scattering the last remnants of her soul.

When she opened her eyes again, Song Qinghuan found herself unexpectedly inside a carriage returning to the capital.