Chapter 1: Three Years Later

“Yan has neither talent nor virtue; she is disrespectful to her elders and unkind to her juniors, jealous and overbearing—unfit to be the mistress of the Bo residence. Today, I formally divorce you; from now on, we shall be strangers, never to see each other again, not even in life or death...”

“Seeing you in such a sorry state today, if you sincerely repent, return to the residence, kneel and admit your faults, I can allow you to stay for the sake of our child. This will spare you the hardship of wandering aimlessly.”

Those resolute words from three years ago still echoed in her ears, and now, three years later, his offer of charity struck her mind anew. For a moment, Yan Chaonian was stunned.

She could not understand how, being thousands of miles away in the southwest, she could still encounter the ex-husband who had forcefully cast her out three years prior. A flood of memories surged in her heart.

At sixteen, she married into the Bo residence and once experienced brief days filled with warmth and harmony.

Her mother-in-law was neither kindly nor harsh; her husband, though not passionately devoted, treated her with respect; her son was distant but well-behaved. She had thought her life would be like that of many women—enduring year after year until she became the mistress, the most honored woman in the household.

That was until a certain Jia Ruzhen appeared—a daughter of the Flying Eagle Fort’s master, skilled in martial arts, strikingly handsome, unbound by convention yet clever and perceptive. Her presence made the man before her come alive.

Together, they unraveled mysterious cases, raced horses, sparred in martial arts, laughing and teasing, endlessly sharing stories and thoughts.

His affection for her grew day by day, culminating in a day when they both fell off a cliff during a horseback ride in the countryside, spending seven days and nights entwined, taking the heavens as a cover and the earth as a stove.

What followed was a relentless chase—a vow never to be a concubine and a determination never to let go—a love so earth-shattering that all knew it.

Yet, as his lawful wife, she became the laughingstock of the capital. Her mother-in-law scolded her as dull and uninteresting, unable to captivate the man; even her son said she was no match for Aunt Ruzhen’s lively wit, urging her to be magnanimous...

At this moment, Jiang Wencheng’s eyes were filled with disdain. Seeing Yan Chaonian again after three years caught him off guard. She no longer wore makeup, dressed plainly, reminding him of her former self in the Bo residence, stirring a faint regret in his heart.

Considering she was the biological mother of the Bo residence’s eldest son, and knowing her wandering outside was disgraceful, he resolved to bring her back.

“Three years ago, I promised that for the sake of your son Yuan’er, if you repented, there would still be a place for you in the Bo residence. You left without a word for three years—are you still resentful?”

Yan Chaonian pulled herself from the past and looked up to assess him. He was the same man, but no longer the refined and noble figure of old; it was clear that life after marriage to the one she loved had not been as easy as she'd imagined.

And she...

Thinking of her victorious husband on his way home and her son who was already toddling about, her expression softened slightly, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on her lips.

Seeing joy dawn on her face, Jiang Wencheng’s heart filled with contempt. She smiled so lightly at the prospect of returning to enjoy comfort—how cheap! His tone grew colder.

“In your absence, all affairs of the Bo residence have been managed by Ruzhen. Now, Ruzhen is the mistress of the house. If you return, you can only be a concubine.”

“Ruzhen has always been generous and kind, not fussing over trifles. As long as you behave well, serve your mother properly, and fulfill your duties, no one will make things difficult for you.”

Yan Chaonian remained silent, not knowing what to say to this presumptuous man. At that moment, a handsome young boy ran over carrying a paper kite, his face full of eagerness to please.

“Father, look at this exquisite kite. Take it home for my younger brother; he will surely like it.”

“By the way, I heard that the master of Chaojin Lane, whom you are searching for, will be here tomorrow. I also heard they have rare brocade. Shall we go see it? If it’s truly as exquisite as people say, we can bring some back for mother—she loves beautiful clothes.”

The mother and younger brother he referred to were Jia Ruzhen and the child she bore. Yan Chaonian examined the boy closely. He had grown much taller in three years and seemed more mature.

“Have you seen your mother?”

Jiang Wencheng looked awkward. Only then did eight-year-old Jiang Chongyuan recognize Yan Chaonian. Yet at that instant, his eyes showed not joy at seeing his mother but a desire to dissociate from her.

“What is father talking about? My mother lives in the capital; I do not know this person.”

Suddenly, it felt as if a giant hand gripped her chest, painful and tight.

A bitter smile curled on Yan Chaonian’s lips. She had thought she had weathered all storms, that the past could no longer wound her. Yet, a word from her own son could still cut deeply, and memories overwhelmed her, nearly causing her to falter.

“The young master is right—we do not know each other. This gentleman has mistaken me for someone else.”

She turned to leave, but Jiang Wencheng suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“You are as petty as ever. Yuan’er is your son. It’s normal he feels distant after three years apart. Can’t you comfort him and apologize?”

“If you weren’t so narrow-minded, Yuan’er wouldn’t have been apart from you for three years. This is all your fault.”

Yan Chaonian shook off his hand. “I told you, you have the wrong person.”

“Playing hard to get won’t work, Yan. My patience is limited; I won’t keep giving you chances. Soon, you won’t even be a concubine.”

If not for the Bo residence’s reputation, he would never bother with her. Though he had been somewhat unfair to her back then, if only she had agreed to be moved to the concubine’s position, she would still be the lady of the Bo residence, enjoying honor and respect.

Ruzhen was a free spirit from the martial world, unable to be restrained and uninterested in household affairs. The authority over the home would still belong to Yan, yet she not only refused but nearly harmed the child Ruzhen was carrying—a heart as venomous as a serpent. He was already being merciful by giving her another chance.

“Father wants to bring her back? Absolutely not—that would be unfair to mother.”

Jiang Chongyuan panicked.

“If she returns, how will people in the capital see me? How will they see mother?”

Since mother had another son, she no longer cared for him as before. If this woman returned, mother would surely ignore him, the Flying Eagle Fort would bar him from going there again, and he would no longer learn those exquisite skills—how could he stand out in school?

He stepped forward and shoved Yan Chaonian hard. “Are you doing this on purpose? You tracked father’s whereabouts and followed him here. You’ve had a hard life outside; now you want to come back to the Bo residence?”

“I’m telling you, don’t even think about it. I won’t agree.”

Seeing his fierce expression, the anger and disgust in his eyes genuine, Yan Chaonian took two steps back to steady herself, dispelling the sour memories with a deep breath.

“You two really have the wrong person.”

“Yan, your act has gone too far.”

Jiang Wencheng didn’t care whether she came here deliberately. He had offered her multiple ways out, yet she remained obstinate—laughable indeed.

“Do you think the Bo residence can’t do without you? Or are you relying on being Yuan’er’s biological mother to control him, making him beg you to come back and giving you face?”

“If that’s the case, reflect carefully. When you’re ready, come find me. Whether I agree to your return depends on your attitude.”

With that, he swept his sleeves and left. Jiang Chongyuan shot her a harsh glare before following his father.

Watching their departing backs, Yan Chaonian exhaled a heavy breath, her heart in turmoil.

This unexpected reunion after three years caught her completely off guard. It only reminded her of those humiliating past days, without a single warm memory.

Thinking again about what Jiang Chongyuan said, could it be that they had traveled all the way to the southwest for her sake?