The Male Lead of a Heartbreaking Ancient Story

With this book, she changed her fate and plotted to snatch the man she yearned for, right when she saw him for the first time.

Her eyes turned red. She swore to be the strongest of them all and no one could stop her!

…

When Shen Mingjiao and the other two returned to the courtyard, Mrs. Zhao seemed to have gotten even sicker.

She leaned weakly against the back of the chair and her face was pallid.

Shen Mingjiao sighed and walked over to pour her a cup of tea.

When Mrs. Zhao saw her coming over, she waved at her and picked up a booklet on the table. "This is my favorite poem. Can you come over and read it to me?"

Shen Mingjiao took the booklet and flipped through it. She realized that it was a strange article and it did not look like a poem or a common article.

She clearly knew every word, but when they were put together, she felt that it was indescribably strange.

Shen Mingjiao just thought that Mrs. Zhao was either in a bad mood or that she could not sleep.

So she sat across from Mrs. Zhao and started reading softly.

At first, she only felt that it was like a tongue twister, but for some reason, as she read, she began to feel that these awkward words had gradually become clearer and more connected in her mind.

Her lips moved uncontrollably, as if she had entered a strange state.

At this moment, there was a heavy slam on the door, which shocked her back to her senses. She thought to herself that this book was really hypnotic. She was about to fall asleep from this poison.

When she looked up, she saw Zhao Ke staggering in.

When she got closer, a strong smell of alcohol immediately filled the air. Shen Mingjiao frowned. How much did he drink?

Zhao Ke walked in front of Mrs. Zhao and stared at her. Then, he raised his hand and swept the tea set on the stone table away. At the same time, he cursed loudly.

"Jiang Susu, why haven't you f*cked off?"

Mrs. Zhao's heart ached, but she looked at him indifferently. "You're drunk."

Zhao Ke took out a piece of paper from his pocket and threw it at her. "This is the divorce letter. Sign it and get lost."

Mrs. Zhao picked up the letter with trembling hands. The cold expression on her face could no longer be maintained. Her eyes were red as she asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you… really hate me so much?"

Zhao Ke sneered. "How do you still have the cheek to ask such a thing? Have you forgotten how you treated me back then? You broke off the engagement and hit me when I was down!"

Mrs. Zhao muttered, "I didn't…"

Zhao Ke continued to sneer, "Heh! Do you know why I married you in the first place? Because I want you to see how the man you abandoned back then achieves glory step by step. I want you to see how he pampers another woman greatly! And you, the once high and mighty Eldest Young Miss, have now become the laughing stock of the Luo Capital."

Shen Mingjiao's lips twitched speechlessly. What a male lead in a heartbreaking ancient story! Is this what it meant when they said that reality reflects fiction?

Mrs. Zhao's face turned pale. She could no longer hold it in and she covered her mouth as she coughed softly.

Shen Mingjiao pulled Mrs. Zhao behind her and said calmly, "Sir, enough is enough. If something bad happens to Mrs. Zhao out of anger, I'm afraid your reputation won't be any better!"

Zhao Ke snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves before leaving.

Mrs. Zhao said softly at his back, "Wait for a few more days… When the time is up… I… cough cough… will leave… I won't be an eyesore to you anymore…"

Zhao Ke, whose back was facing the two of them, paused imperceptibly before he left them without looking back.

Seeing that he had completely gone out of sight, Mrs. Zhao covered her chest and bent down to cough.

Shen Mingjiao quickly stroked her back gently.

After a while, she slowly calmed down. Shen Mingjiao poured her a cup of tea and looked at the tears in her eyes. She couldn't help but ask, "Is this worth it?"

Mrs. Zhao raised her head and forced her tears back. Then, she smiled weakly. "You don't understand. If you really like someone, you will always like them no matter what they do to you."

Shen Mingjiao was speechless. "…Okay!" She could not relate.

She only knew that people had to learn to love themselves first, before they love others.

She might never be able to sacrifice her life for a man.

Mrs. Zhao picked up the book that Shen Mingjiao had just read. "You and I are rather fated. I copied this book when I was free. Since I'll be leaving soon, I'll give it to you!"

Seeing how weak she was, Shen Mingjiao couldn't refuse. It was just a book, she thought.

Shen Mingjiao and Xiao Die helped Mrs. Zhao into the house and laid her down. When they left the courtyard, Xiao Die said angrily, "I don't know what's wrong with him lately. He had not stepped into this courtyard for a year or so, but these days, he has been coming here almost every day. Each time he comes, he makes Madam cry secretly."

Shen Mingjiao's heart skipped a beat and she asked, "Did you say that Official Zhao rarely came to this courtyard in the past?"

"Yeah. In the past, Official Zhao rarely came to Madam's courtyard. When they met occasionally, he would only pass by her. But this month, he often barges into the courtyard in a drunk state for some reason, and says all kinds of harsh words to Madam."

Shen Mingjiao looked down thoughtfully.

…

When she returned to the servants' room, she saw that Feng Lisheng had not returned. They must have achieved some progress in the case.

After washing up, she lay on the bed in boredom and thought that she could leave once the people she dispatched to Jiangnan sent her news.

She thought of the book Mrs. Zhao had given her. She couldn't help but take it and she started flipping through it with the light from the oil lamp.

Unknowingly, she got engrossed in reading it. Those strange sentences seemed to gradually connect in her mind and fuse with her brain bit by bit. They were becoming a part of her body.

When she woke up the next day, she found herself lying on the bed with a blanket over her.

She rubbed her forehead. She seemed to have gotten too tired from reading last night and fell asleep on the table.

At this moment, Feng Lisheng walked in. Shen Mingjiao asked him, "Were you the one who got me into bed last night?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Lisheng's ears turned red for some reason and he responded "yes" softly.

Shen Mingjiao did not care much about it. After all, they were already so familiar with each other. Feng Lisheng probably did not treat him as a woman.

"By the way, where's the book I was reading last night?"