Chapter 7: Never Parting Ways

A glint of scorn flashed in Suyuxin's eyes. Is this all it takes to unsettle her? For all she had done in her previous life, she was prepared to pay it back a thousandfold. This was merely the beginning.

"The General and I are husband and wife by all rights." Suyuxin lifted her gaze to meet Suyu Xiang's eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Suyu Xiang felt a piercing pain in her eyes. She wished she could rush forward and scratch Suyuxin's face, wiping that smirk away. Wasn't she the one who despised the General the most? Wasn't she constantly plotting ways to separate herself from him? Didn't she detest others calling them a married couple, addressing her as the General's wife? How could she now admit it herself, wearing that blissful and bothersome smile?

Suyu Xiang clenched her fingers, taking two deep breaths to subdue the rage boiling inside her. After clearing her throat slightly, she softly lamented, "What about Cousin Jingwei?" She knew Suyuxin had admired Cousin Jingwei since childhood. Her constant concerns about separating from the General were undoubtedly her desire to be with Cousin Jingwei. However, she was certainly unaware of how much Cousin Jingwei loathed her. Although he maintained a gentlemanly demeanor, he never failed to express his displeasure towards her. Her arrogance and domineering behavior were infamous in the capital, making her a subject of amusement for many.

Yet, she couldn't fathom what the General saw in her, why he sought permission from the Emperor to marry her. Although everyone said that the Reaper and the fool were a match made in heaven, both repulsive and absurd, their union seemed to bring disaster upon themselves only. It might have seemed like a good deed, sparing the sons and daughters of other families from their calamity. But Suyu Xiang didn't see it that way.

She had inadvertently discovered a major secret about the General. Since then, her admiration for him grew day by day. But just as she started to think of ways to marry him, the General approached the Emperor personally to marry Suyuxin. Wasn't she far superior to Suyuxin, a mere good-for-nothing? She couldn't accept it. Hence, she used her identity as Suyuxin's younger sister to frequently visit the General's mansion, stirring up trouble and plotting against her. She hoped for a day when the General would tire of Suyuxin and issue a divorce decree, giving her a chance.

Seeing the opportunity arise, she didn't expect it to turn out like this. Moreover, witnessing Suyuxin's attitude toward the General soften was unacceptable. The General belonged only to her. Fortunately, Suyuxin was foolish and dim-witted. If she continued to provoke and tempt her, she would surely cause a scene as she did before. Eventually, the General's heart would turn cold.

Suyu Xiang's vision was naive; she didn't realize that the current Suyuxin was no longer the same as before. She had experienced hardships, the warmth and cruelty of human nature, and even life and death. Now reborn from the ashes, she had undergone a profound transformation.

"What do you mean by that, younger sister?" Suyuxin glanced at Suyu Xiang, her expression turning slightly serious.

"Don't you want a chance to be with Cousin Jingwei in the future?" Crack! Before Suyu Xiang could finish her sentence, her cheek received a resounding slap.

A crisp sound echoed in the room. Everyone was stunned. Suyu Xiang's voice changed sharply, her eyes reddening as she exclaimed, "How dare you? You dare to strike me?"

Ignoring the pain for now, the humiliation was what mattered. She had never been scolded like this in her life, let alone publicly slapped by Suyuxin. She felt a mix of embarrassment and anger, her expression inadvertently becoming fierce.

Suyuxin looked on, feeling quite satisfied. Striking these consecutive blows against the evildoer was indeed invigorating. Moreover, this kind of appearance suited her venomous nature, tarnishing the usual elegant and dignified facade. After savoring Suyu Xiang's anger and distress, Suyuxin's face turned serious as she said coldly, "Why wouldn't I dare? In terms of seniority, I am the elder sister, and you are the younger. In terms of status, I am the General's esteemed wife, while you are just an unmarried girl. Furthermore, you invited this yourself. I am married to the General; he is everything to me. I will never part from him."

Under Suyuxin's merciless reprimand, Suyu Xiang's anger reached its peak. Her voice, sharp and piercing, retorted, "Do you dare say that your wish to divorce the General isn't because of Cousin Jingwei? Do you dare say you don't like Cousin Jingwei?"

At this moment, she cared not for gentleness, dignity, or elegance. She only wanted to release the anger deep within her heart. It would be best if everyone knew she was a fickle woman. Then the General would surely divorce her.

"What right do you have to question me, and on what grounds?" Faced with Suyu Xiang's sharpness, Suyuxin responded lightly. Suyu Xiang was suddenly silenced. Her face flushed crimson, and her pent-up rage lingered in her throat. Her lips moved a few times, but no words came out.

Suyuxin raised her eyes, icy and distant. "I am married to the General. He is mine forever. I will never divorce him."