Chapter 35: The Crippled Young Lady (Thirty-five)

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Chapter 35: The Disabled Young Lady (Thirty-Five)

Habit truly was a terrifying thing.

When Lord Jun had been at home, Su Kui had always found him unbearably clingy. Whenever he was in the residence, he insisted on staying by her side.

Yet he had been gone for barely a month, and already she had begun to feel a growing panic in her heart. The plot of the world had completely veered off course.

She had not entered the imperial harem, her grandmother remained in good health, and the Feng family’s future was still full of promise.

But—

That was precisely what frightened her.

Every night, she was jolted awake by nightmares. She dreamed of Jun Mo lying in a pool of blood with his eyes tightly shut. She dreamed of being dragged back onto the original path, where she would spend the rest of her life beside a cold lamp and ancient Buddha.

The mission would fail, and she would never again have any hope of seeing her loved ones from her previous life.

Only after sitting bolt upright, drenched in sweat, did she realize that it had all been nothing but a nightmare—one cruel beyond measure.

They said dreams were the opposite of reality. She hoped that was true.

Outside the window, summer was at its height. Flowers bloomed in luxuriant profusion, and the fragrance of white magnolias drifted indoors from tree after tree. The sunlight was bright and warm, with summer for company.

Hearing Su Kui’s piercing scream, Green Waist hurried into the inner chamber. She saw that the hair at Su Kui’s forehead was damp with sweat, while her once-full cheeks had grown so thin that her pointed chin showed clearly.

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Green Waist could not help feeling distressed. “My lady, another nightmare?”

She had always seen Su Kui laughing and joking, bright and spoiled. When had she ever seen her so haggard?

Even Green Waist was frightened by the sight.

Su Kui waved a hand. Her body felt weak, and she slowly burrowed back beneath the covers, lowering her eyes as she said, “It’s nothing. I’ve probably been overthinking things lately. I’m a little tired. I’ll sleep a while longer.”

Green Waist looked at her, hesitating to speak. “My lady… you’re not going to eat breakfast again?”

“I have no appetite.” Su Kui was already drifting toward sleep.

“Look how thin you’ve become. At least eat a little. If His Highness comes back and sees you like this, he’ll surely be heartbroken…”

Su Kui, who had nearly sunk into darkness, suddenly opened her eyes.

She remembered the night before Jun Mo’s departure, when they had been entwined together, whispering softly beside one another’s ears.

“Wait for me at home. Eat properly, behave yourself, and don’t get hurt. Promise me, hmm?”

How had she answered him then?

She had giggled mischievously and bitten the old tooth mark on his shoulder. There, a deep imprint remained—the mark she had left on their wedding night.

By now, it had long since become deeply etched into his shoulder, clear and unmistakable.

“Who do you think I am? How could I possibly mistreat myself? But you—now that you’re a man marked by this princess consort, don’t go fooling around outside—”

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She had confidently vowed that she would take excellent care of herself, yet in barely a month, she had tormented herself with her own restless thoughts until she had become this wretched.

Was this really the same Su Kui who had once blazed like the sun?

Her eyes, clouded with gloom for days, suddenly lit up. Her cherry lips pressed tightly together, while her catlike eyes, made to appear even larger by her thinness, slowly narrowed.

That was right. Was this really her?

Her battle with Feng Qingqing was not yet over. The imperial family was also watching her husband every moment like a pack of vicious dogs, ready to pounce and sink their teeth into him at any time.

As the only person currently able to manage the residence, how could she allow herself to remain so weak?

She rose from the bed, her voice regaining its former clarity and determination.

“Green Waist, serve the meal.”

Green Waist had no idea what her mistress had suddenly realized, but she was overjoyed all the same. She immediately acknowledged the order, and the maids who had been waiting outside entered in procession, carrying trays.

After being helped to dress and wash her face, Su Kui sat down at the dining table. She had taken only a few bites when Li Jin, the steward of the residence, came to report that Consort Rou of the palace had sent an imperial summons for Su Kui to enter the palace.

Su Kui gave a cold laugh and picked up a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

It had only been a few days, and they were already unable to wait any longer to make their move against her?

End of Chapter