Chapter 1: Scandalous

Ling Kingdom, the twenty-second year of Tianhe, winter.

In the front hall of the Mu residence in Linyang City, an elder with a majestic face sat in the main seat, his expression grave and his brows knitted with fury. The others present wore vastly different expressions, most of them gloating. A young woman knelt in the center, biting her lip hard, looking exceptionally stubborn.

This was the legitimate daughter of the Mu household, Mu Liuyun.

"I did not," the eldest young lady replied with ironclad certainty. Her proud eyes stared fixedly at the young man beside Master Mu, as if hoping he would speak a few words for her, but the man merely looked away, his expression indifferent.

"You still dare to be stubborn? How could I, Mu Qingyang, have a daughter as shameless as you? To do such a thing before marriage—you have truly brought disgrace upon my Mu household!" Master Mu’s veins bulged as he slammed his hand against the table, looking as if he wished he could tear her limb from limb.

"Father..." Before Liuyun could say more, someone else cut in. She turned her head to see it was the concubine who usually doted on her most. Although not her biological mother, she had cherished her for eight years. Madam Lin’s face was filled with sorrow, yet her words were heavy with deep distrust. "Liuyun, how could you be so foolish? You are to be married in a few days, how could you... Tell your aunt, who is it? Who exactly defiled your body?"

Liuyun’s eyes were filled with tears, her hands clenched into fists inside her sleeves, unaware that she had bitten her lip until it bled.

"Where did the child in your womb come from? Speak!" Master Mu threw the cup in his hand; it struck her forehead fiercely, drawing a stream of blood as the cup shattered on the floor.

"Father..." Bright red blood flowed slowly down her forehead. She felt a sharp pain and couldn't help but wipe her brow, staring blankly at the crimson on her hand.

Mu Qingyang was absolutely livid. Today was supposed to be the day Liuyun’s fiancé, Shen Yi, came to the residence to discuss the wedding arrangements for a few days later. He never expected such a scandal to emerge—to be diagnosed with pregnancy before marriage. The Mu household was a family of status in Linyang City, and for his daughter to commit such an indecent act—if word got out, he truly wouldn't know where to hide his face.

"Your mother was dignified and virtuous; how could she give birth to a shameless hussy like you? This is truly a family disgrace!" Mu Qingyang was consumed by rage, not only because his daughter had done something so scandalous, but more importantly, because Shen Yi was present. Such a scandal was laid bare before everyone. Shen Yi was the eldest legitimate son of Prefect Shen of Linyang City, the ideal husband for countless young ladies in the city.

"Yi, are you not willing to say a single word for me?" Mu Liuyun raised her head slightly, looking up at the expressionless Shen Yi. Her tears and blood mixed together; she no longer possessed her usual peerless beauty.

This was the man who had held her tenderly, telling her she would be his only wife, telling her he loved only her in this life. He said he wanted her—he only wanted her.

He said they had already set the wedding date, but he could not bear the longing; he wanted her, thinking day and night only of her belonging entirely to him.

So, she agreed, letting herself belong to him completely. She thought she had found someone who truly loved her.

Little did she know, that day of sweetness and happiness was the beginning of a tragedy.

Shen Yi paced over to her, leaned down slightly, and tenderly wiped away her tears. His dark, deep eyes rippled with softness, like a bright crescent moon in the night sky. He looked at her with focused intensity, as if time itself had stilled.

Just when she thought he would explain for her, he finally opened his mouth, only to push her ruthlessly into hell.

He curled his lips in indifference and asked softly, "Yun'er, have I not treated you well enough? Since you did not want to marry me, why did you agree to it? You know that if you had brought it up, I would not have forced you."

Liuyun froze, staring at the man before her, unable to speak.

He was usually cold, but he had always been very gentle with her. "Gentle as jade" described someone like him, yet at this moment, he was like a dagger—sharp and pointed, piercing her heart viciously.

"Why?" She bit her lip hard, tilting her head to see his face clearly. Was this man really the same one who had been so intimate with her that day? Was he the man who had promised her eternity?

She didn't understand. Why would he treat her like this? She truly didn't understand.

"Yun'er, I truly wanted to marry you." His voice remained as gentle as water. He lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of seduction. His large hand caressed her cheek, his eyes filled with a trace of disappointment. "I don't blame you, but the Shen household cannot have such a mistress."

A single sentence stated his position and passed her death sentence.

The man who had been intimate with her was unwilling to stand up and shield her from disaster. Even though he knew hell lay before her, he still wore a faint smile, enjoying her death throes.

Had he ever loved her? She wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come out.

Liuyun finally realized something. She shook her head desperately, her pupils shrinking violently. "I did not betray you. I didn't."

It was clearly he who had taken her; it was clearly his child she carried. But why, why did he deny it so cruelly? Did he not know that his detachment would destroy her, turning her into a woman despised by all? This man who kept saying he loved her, who would treat her like a precious treasure—why was he being so cruel to her?

Shen Yi looked deeply at Liuyun. She possessed a peerless beauty; even in such a disheveled state, she could not hide her extraordinary grace. Such a woman... He suddenly remembered her beneath him that day, crying like rain on pear blossoms, her slightly sweet, cloying voice tugging at his heart. He had almost been moved.

But what could be done? Such a woman was destined never to marry into the Shen household. He would absolutely not allow such an unchaste woman to become the mistress of the Shen household.

He withdrew his hand, looked at the bloodstains on it, and said indifferently, "Uncle Mu, let us call off this marriage."

"If this wicked creature has truly done such a shameless thing... Uncle Mu will certainly give you an explanation." After Master Mu finished speaking, he slammed the table again, his already calmed expression reignited with fury.

"Father, even if Sister has truly done something scandalous, she is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Mu family. If this were to spread..." A young woman who looked to be about the same age as Liuyun stepped forward gracefully, bowing slightly. The worry in her eyes seemed as if she were truly concerned for the reputation of the Mu household.

"Legitimate daughter? I, Mu Qingyang, have no such scandalous daughter." As if stepped on a sore spot, he pointed at her, his voice trembling with rage. "To let people know that the legitimate daughter of my Mu household is such a shameless person, I..."

"Father, take care of your health." The woman who had spoken took two steps to Master Mu's side, carefully smoothing his chest. "Don't let your anger harm your health."