Chapter 12: The Second Sister-in-law Who Abandoned Husband and Child in Times of Crisis

Zhu Wuhuan suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and shivered.

She instinctively glanced around.

Unfortunately, Feng Changye was hidden in a dead corner, so Zhu Wuhuan never caught sight of him.

She looked up at the dark, cloud-filled sky.

Perhaps it was going to rain, perhaps it was simply the cold.

She wrapped her cloak tightly around herself and left Changle Palace, leading two hundred imperial guards.

… At the Grand General’s Estate.

Four hundred imperial guards, their killing intent surging, gripped gleaming blades and surrounded the vast estate so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Once lively and bustling with visitors, the Empress’s natal home was now utterly desolate.

Even though many still firmly believed that such a loyal and upright man as the late General Zhu would never betray his country, when news spread that the Emperor was enraged and intended to execute the entire Zhu household, everyone fell silent and chose self-preservation.

If the General’s Estate was wrongfully accused, anyone still associated with them would be the next to suffer wrongful punishment.

People who ordinarily passed along the street outside deliberately took long detours rather than walk past the General’s gates.

The estate’s exterior was bleak, and inside it was shrouded in grief.

Servants huddled together in corners, weeping loudly.

The masters of the house gathered, tears silently flowing.

The dignified and virtuous Madam Zhu, the matriarch, sat at the head of the hall, slowly gazing at her two daughters-in-law.

“Yulan, Anqiao—” Madam Zhu called softly.

Both lifted their heads, and she clearly saw the emotions in their eyes.

The eldest daughter-in-law’s eyes held sorrow, fear, and despair, yet no resentment.

But the second daughter-in-law…

Madam Zhu sighed faintly and spoke slowly.

“Yulan, Anqiao, you are merely the daughters-in-law of the Zhu family. As long as the eldest and second sons each write you a divorce letter, you may have your fathers petition the Emperor and take you back to your natal homes.”

Neither the eldest son, Zhu Xuanyuan, nor the second son, Zhu Longyuan, were surprised at her words.

Zhu Xuanyuan clasped the hand of his wife, Chen Yulan, his thumb gently stroking hers, and forced a tender smile.

“Go back. If even one can escape, it is worth it. You were not born of the Zhu family; this disaster should not be borne by you.”

Chen Yulan gripped his hand tighter, her tears soaking her entire face.

“Who says I am not of the Zhu family? I am! From the day we married, I became Zhu Chen-shi! I carry your surname, I am part of the Zhu family!”

She pressed her cheek against his hand, her voice choked with sobs.

“I would rather die together with you and our child than live alone… When I married you, I vowed—if you live, I live; if you die, I will surely follow!”

Zhu Xuanyuan’s eyes reddened as he wiped away her tears.

“Foolish one, do you not wish to bury me properly? Would you have me and our child left as corpses in the wilderness? Be obedient, go back. At that time, our father and son will depend on you to collect our remains.”

Chen Yulan cried harder, tears falling like broken pearls.

Opposite them, Zhu Longyuan’s eyes were also red as he drew a ready-prepared divorce letter from his sleeve, his trembling hand offering it to his wife.

“Take it… It is I who wronged you…”

Song Anqiao’s eyelashes quivered. She lowered her gaze to the letter before her.

Her hidden hand in her sleeve moved slightly. She lifted her head, glancing at her elder sister-in-law, who was crying and declaring her undying loyalty to her husband.

A complex look flickered in her eyes.

What was so wrong with living?

Why rush toward death?

She loved her husband deeply as well, but when faced with life and death, that love suddenly did not seem quite as important…

Watching her elder sister-in-law’s steadfast devotion only made her feel restless and irritated.

If she were to so easily accept the divorce letter, would she not look heartless in comparison?

Should she put on an act as well?

But at this moment, she only wanted to escape this prison quickly. She had no mood even to pretend.

Lowering her eyes, she suddenly spoke.

“My monthly bleeding should have come days ago… but it has not.”

She looked up at Madam Zhu and then at her husband beside her. “Mother, Husband, I may be with child again.”

Madam Zhu was slightly startled. Zhu Longyuan was also taken aback.

Even Zhu Xuanyuan and Chen Yulan turned to look.

Zhu Longyuan instinctively asked, “Why did you not tell me?”

Song Anqiao answered softly, “How could I speak carelessly of such things without a physician’s confirmation? I was planning to wait half a month and then summon one…”

Her hand caressed her lower abdomen. “But now, it may be better that I did not. No one knows I already carry your flesh and blood. In this way, I can preserve a bloodline for you.”

Her tear-streaked face brightened with a faint smile as she looked at Madam Zhu. “Mother, our Zhu family will not be cut off…”

Madam Zhu’s expression grew complicated.

She hoped her second daughter-in-law’s words were true. She longed for the Zhu family to have descendants survive.

But recalling the trace of resentment she had glimpsed in her eyes earlier, she could not help doubting.

Still, at this moment, with the family’s fate sealed, she no longer had the heart to question whether her daughter-in-law spoke truth or falsehood.

If true, then Heaven itself was protecting the Zhu family, preserving its line.

If false… let it be.

They were going to send both daughters-in-law back regardless. If the second daughter-in-law wanted a fig leaf for her departure, so be it.

Thinking this, Madam Zhu said nothing more and instead smiled. “This is truly wonderful. Heaven has blessed our Zhu family!”

Zhu Longyuan was overjoyed to tears. “Qiao’er…”

He was a simple and trusting man. His wife said she was pregnant, and he immediately believed her without question.

He stuffed the divorce letter into her hand and embraced her.

Choked with emotion, he said, “In the future, life will be hard on you, Qiao’er… If the circumstances become too harsh, once the child is born, give it away. Do not ruin your whole life for its sake.”

Song Anqiao lowered her head, a trace of guilt flashing in her eyes.

But she had no choice!

She had not meant to deceive anyone—she only wished to survive!

“Qiao’er, before the Emperor recalls this matter, you must leave quickly! If it is delayed, and the Emperor orders the imperial physicians to examine you, you will be forced to miscarry on the spot!”

Zhu Longyuan pulled at her arm, urging her to rise and depart at once.

Song Anqiao stood, tears in her eyes, casting one last look at her husband, then another at her one-year-old son lying clueless in his cradle. Clutching the divorce letter tightly, she turned and walked out.

From the main hall to the gates was still a distance. Along the way, she encountered servants, whose eyes held contempt as they looked at the second lady who abandoned her family in times of peril.

She forced her back straight.

The Zhu family did not blame her, so why should she care about the servants’ eyes?

She was leaving only to preserve the bloodline of the Zhu family. She bore a heavy mission!