Chapter 3: To Go This Far, All for Him

The marquis's household had fallen into decline. In a moment of desperation, Old Marquis Xie took bribes to purchase official positions for others. Now that the matter had come to light, the old marquis's reputation was ruined in his twilight years, and he was thrown into prison.

Xie Zhiyun was a scion of a noble family, a spoiled and good-for-nothing young man who always sought shortcuts. Now, seeing Shen Jin return to the capital and hearing the thrilling rumors circulating outside, Xie Zhiyun set his sights on Lu Qingqing—after all, they had grown up together as childhood companions.

“What did Shen Jin say to you last night?”

Xie Zhiyun only dared to ask after Lu Qingqing had soothed her daughter in her arms. Whether the Xie family could weather this storm depended on a single word from Shen Jin.

Lu Qingqing let out a cold laugh. The memories of the previous night still stabbed sharply at her heart. “He didn’t even spare me a glance.”

“How is that possible? Shen Jin was once willing to risk his life for you!” Xie Zhiyun was nearly driven mad with frustration, pacing back and forth.

Now, Shen Jin had become an untouchable figure to them all—the god of war of Northern Qi, the pillar upon which the entire dynasty relied.

Lu Qingqing couldn’t be bothered with Xie Zhiyun. Cradling Manman in her arms, she returned to her room and reached out to tease the little one.

“Manman, did you sense it too? Don’t be afraid. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect you.”

Manman giggled gleefully at her mother’s teasing, her laughter warming Lu Qingqing’s heart. As long as Manman was with her, she could endure anything from the past.

...

Fearing the events of the previous night would implicate him, Xie Zhiyun hurriedly threw another banquet for Shen Jin.

This time, Shen Jin specifically insisted on dining at the marquis’s residence. When Lu Qingqing heard this, she anxiously called for Yuanyuan.

“Hide Manman well. Don’t let Shen Jin see her.”

“Miss, you’re Mrs. Xie now. Even if he—”

“I know Shen Jin’s temper better than anyone. If he finds out Manman is his daughter, he’ll do anything to take her away. Yuanyuan, I’ve already lost everything. I can’t lose Manman too.”

Lu Qingqing was agitated. The past three years had been unbearably hard—living with the pain of losing Shen Jin, pretending everything was peaceful in front of Xie Zhiyun and the world.

She was tired of the charade.

Changing into a plain dress, she made her way to the front hall, where Shen Jin’s voice was already audible.

Xie Zhiyun was fawning over Shen Jin like a loyal dog, his ingratiating words making Lu Qingqing feel sick. Shen Jin, however, was unmoved—he wouldn’t even take a sip of wine.

The atmosphere at the banquet was tense. Only when Lu Qingqing entered did Xie Zhiyun breathe a sigh of relief and whisper, “Why are you only coming now? If you neglect General Shen, we’re finished.”

“You. Come here.”

Shen Jin suddenly pointed at Lu Qingqing. The old madam’s face darkened instantly.

“Come pour me a drink.”

Before all the guests, Shen Jin made no attempt to hide his intentions toward Lu Qingqing, as if eager for everyone to speculate about their relationship.

When Lu Qingqing hesitated, Shen Jin smiled coldly. “Last night, you weren’t so reserved, little madam. What’s wrong? Can’t be bothered now?”

“Hurry up,” Xie Zhiyun urged.

Now, even a single breath from Shen Jin could spell doom for the entire Xie family.

Even if the old madam sensed something was amiss, she dared not make a scene. After all, the family’s fate rested on this banquet.

Lu Qingqing found it laughable. These supposedly upright people were rotten to the core. She sat beside Shen Jin as he indicated, lifting her hand to pour wine.

But Shen Jin seized her wrist. “Suddenly, I find the cup unsatisfying. Why don’t you drink straight from the jug, madam?”

His palm was icy, just like the look he cast upon Lu Qingqing—endless ambiguity on the surface, but unbearably cold at its core.

The boy she once knew had become a stranger.

Without hesitation, Lu Qingqing raised the jug and drained it dry. Bloodshot anger flared in Shen Jin’s eyes, his hand clenched tightly on the table.

“So, for the sake of a useless man, you’d go this far?”

She had never been able to hold her liquor. Even a sip would bring angry red welts to her skin, but for Xie Zhiyun, she hadn’t hesitated for a moment.

She raised the empty jug, smiling. “It’s finished. Are you satisfied, General Shen?”

Last night he’d forced her to drink so much, and now he feigned concern. Lu Qingqing set the jug back down.

“As you wish, General.”

She was as stubborn as ever. But Shen Jin was unsettled—his chest felt stifled, a nameless fire burning within him. Beneath the table, his hand gripped Lu Qingqing’s wrist fiercely.

He leaned in, the sharp scent of wine clinging to him.

“Do you truly love Xie Zhiyun that much?”