Volume One, Chapter Two: My Husband Is Stunningly Handsome, Yet Truly Detestable

“What?”

Xie Mingyue opened her mouth in shock. Although she was unaware of what had transpired when she was poisoned, poisoning herself?

She was the cherished gem of the Xie family, raised in utmost luxury and care. Even in the worst of times, she would never stoop to such a despicable act!

She hurriedly threw on her outer robe and approached Qi Jinshan. “Who conducted the interrogation?”

That maid named Fen’er must have been acting under orders!

“The Marquis’s wife personally conducted the interrogation,” Qi Jinshan’s pupils contracted slightly as he observed her actions without a flicker of emotion. “Fen’er confessed that you instructed her to put the throat-breaking powder in your tea bowl, all to frame Xie Wanqing. Now, the Marquis’s wife believes you poisoned to gain favor and cannot tolerate a sister-in-law.”

Hearing her younger sister’s name, Xie Mingyue was taken aback.

Sister-in-law?

The Marquis of Shunqing had two sons: the eldest illegitimate son Qi Jinshan, and the legitimate younger son Qi Xiuyu.

She was married to Qi Jinshan, making Xie Wanqing her sister-in-law.

So, her own younger sister was married to her fiancé?

She lowered her eyes and gently curled her fingers. She had glanced around the room just now.

Though they had been married for ten years, her chamber resembled that of an unmarried girl’s, without a trace of Qi Jinshan.

It was clear their marital relationship was strained, and Qi Jinshan did not stay here.

Qi Jinshan remained silent. Xie Mingyue stepped closer and lifted her head. “Husband, don’t you believe me?”

Though composed, she was still a young woman in the bloom of youth, with a flicker of spirit in her heart.

Cornered before the folding screen, Qi Jinshan’s gaze paused. Between them flowed a tense, dangerous atmosphere.

Nearby, Wutong wore a pleased smile.

Previously, the master had often offered opportunities for reconciliation, but the lady refused. Just moments ago, she worried they might quarrel, yet now Xie Mingyue was actively defending herself!

Seeing his silence, Xie Mingyue frowned slightly, her voice tinged with grievance. “Qi Jinshan, they’ve wronged me.”

He was tall, and she seemed to have grown somewhat taller, yet she still had to look up to him.

Qi Jinshan quietly studied her. Seeing the smudged lipstick on her lips, his eyes darkened.

After a moment, he spoke coldly, “You did this because of Qi Xiuyu?”

At that, Xie Mingyue’s heart skipped violently, her gaze rippling.

Half a day ago, she still believed she would share a respectful partnership with Qi Xiuyu for life. But now her husband had been replaced by Qi Xiuyu’s elder brother; to feel no stir in her heart was impossible.

Qi Jinshan noticed her reaction, and the coldness in his eyes deepened. “Because Qi Xiuyu is about to return to the capital to assume office, you took such a cruel step?”

Since their marriage, Xie Mingyue had done many disheartening things to distance herself from him. Perhaps this time was also to anger him and sever ties.

How many times had this happened?

A trace of weariness flashed in Qi Jinshan’s eyes.

“Xie Mingyue, don’t test my patience.”

For a moment, he could not discern her true intentions.

“Qi Jinshan!” Xie Mingyue, scolded unfairly, spoke with a mix of reproach and grievance. “Before, when you saw me, you didn’t dare utter a word, and now you maliciously suspect me!”

Her words stilled Qi Jinshan for a moment. The waiting maids and servants outside widened their eyes.

Heavens, after so many years, the lady’s attitude toward the master had finally changed!

Though they argued, the suffocating stillness between them had lifted.

“Husband, I am your wife and have been wronged. Why won’t you believe me?”

Seeing his strange expression, Xie Mingyue nervously lowered her head.

A glimmer of light flickered deep within Qi Jinshan’s eyes. Hearing the word “wife” from her lips was unexpected.

“You dared not say a word?” He reined in his aura, twisting the white jade lion-head finger ring on his hand. “When have I ever done such a thing?”

Xie Mingyue unabashedly replied, “When I went to the mountain temple to pray at sixteen, you were under the tree but hid behind it, not even greeting me. It wasn’t that you didn’t dare.”

That was...

Ten years ago... she still remembered.

Qi Jinshan gave her a cryptic glance but said no more. His twisting of the ring stopped.

Xie Mingyue refused to let him evade the matter. “I said I did not poison anyone. Fen’er must have been ordered to frame me. If your mother’s interrogation is insufficient, I want a new one.”

“Lady Luo is not my mother. If you want an interrogation, have another,” Qi Jinshan’s expression softened slightly. His gaze fell on the dark medicine bowl but grew heavier. “Why didn’t you take the medicine?”

“Madam, the imperial physician just said you carry heavy worries and liver qi stagnation. This medicine relieves the stagnation.”

Wutong noticed Xie Mingyue’s blank look at the bowl and quickly reminded her.

Over the years, the master had grown increasingly melancholy and forgetful, so she was used to constantly reminding him.

Qi Jinshan stared intently at Xie Mingyue.

Heavy worries, indeed!

He had no idea whom she worried about so deeply that it had affected her health to such an extent.

“I don’t want to drink it.”

Xie Mingyue refused outright. It was too bitter; she had never endured much hardship since childhood.

Qi Jinshan stepped closer.

“Xie Mingyue, what are you thinking again?” His voice was cold, a stark contrast to his earlier softened expression, seeming like a different man. “Even if you die, you will be my deceased wife. Don’t entertain any needless fantasies.”

Here it comes again.

Xie Mingyue inwardly cursed. Why did Qi Jinshan always speak to her in such a somber manner?

No wonder their relationship was strained.

She couldn’t help but retort sarcastically, “It’s been ten years. What fantasies could I possibly have?”

Turning her head in frustration, she angrily raised the bowl and gulped down the medicine. The bitterness made her frown tightly, and she refused to speak.

Watching her turn away, Qi Jinshan’s eyes darkened.

This was how she usually treated him. The earlier behavior was likely a facade.

All of this was for that man returning to the capital.

His face darkened inch by inch.

Years ago, she would have argued with him, but as she grew more silent and frail, even arguments between them were nearly nonexistent.

She had never married him willingly. A broken mirror was hard to mend, and their relationship had never been whole.

But he couldn’t let go, so they tormented each other, holding onto a red thread that should never have bound them, slowly unraveling.

Thinking of something, a trace of mockery flashed across Qi Jinshan’s face, and he turned away coldly.

“If you want to clear your name about the poisoning, I will conduct the interrogation for you. If not, then forget it.”

No matter how much she fussed, after today, he would no longer care.

Yet Xie Mingyue immediately turned back and stepped forward, volunteering, “Of course I want to. Let’s go now, I’ll go with you.”

Without that gloom, she had almost grown accustomed to dealing with the Qi Jinshan of ten years later.

Being new here, she knew nothing of the household’s affairs, and the interrogation would be difficult. Since he was willing to support her, she was naturally glad.

She wanted to see who was truly scheming behind the scenes.