[1] The Whole Family Is Insanely Eavesdropping on My Thoughts

Jiang Yun Jin's face was extremely stiff, her smile barely holding. Her fingers clutched the silk handkerchief tightly, twisting it into a knotted mess, as though a thousand arrows pierced her heart, bringing unbearable pain.

Lu Yan Shu had been a prodigy since birth. From a young age, he had shown his brilliance, a towering mountain that his peers could neither gaze upon nor hope to reach. As his betrothed, she had once taken pride in his excellence.

But ever since Lu Yan Shu became crippled, all the admiration she had received turned into sharp blades, stabbing her without mercy.

"Princess Sunshine, you must be joking..." Her expression darkened, struggling to maintain a composed smile, unsure how to explain to Lu Chao Chao.

"How is this a joke? My brother even risked his life to save yours," Lu Chao Chao tilted her head, puzzled.

"Did Lu Jing Huai also stake his life to save you?"

"Did he love you as my brother did, with his very life?" Lu Chao Chao stepped forward.

Jiang Yun Jin's complexion turned deathly pale as she abruptly retreated.

Her lips trembled, but for a long moment, no words came out.

"Lu Jing Huai must love you more, right? Otherwise, why would you choose him..." Lu Chao Chao sighed softly, as if unable to understand the confusion in Jiang Yun Jin's eyes.

Jiang Yun Jin bit her lip so hard it nearly bled.

Did Lu Jing Huai love her more? Would he be willing to trade his life for hers?

She dared not think too deeply about it.

She recalled when she was young, Lu Yan Shu, at only eight years old, had passed the provincial examination. The ever-proper young boy had run all the way to her, his forehead beaded with sweat, his cheeks flushed as he declared, "Don't worry, I will never let you suffer."

"Once I achieve top scores in all three imperial examinations, I will ensure you a life of honor and worry-free days."

Back then, his eyes had shone, brighter than the stars in the night sky.

Before others, he was always strictly proper, never daring to steal even an extra glance at her. Even speaking to her would make his face turn red.

He had once said, "The world is unkind to women. I cannot let you become entangled in scandal. By upholding propriety and respecting you, I am truly protecting you."

And what of Lu Jing Huai?

Before marriage, he had coaxed her into breaking the rules.

On their wedding night, he had abandoned her, leaving her to become the laughingstock of the entire capital. In everyone's eyes, a bride who had not consummated her marriage even after three days was nothing but a joke.

[Hehe, does it hurt? Do you regret it?]

[Regret? Oh, there has been plenty of that...]

Jiang Yun Jin's face had turned ghastly. Just then, Lu Jing Huai happened to return to the residence.

He walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "How is Grandmother?"

"You must be exhausted from managing the household affairs, Jin Er," he said, only to lower his gaze and notice her pale complexion and reddened eyes.

"Is Grandmother unwell?" Lu Jing Huai's voice carried a hint of urgency.

If the Old Madam passed away, his father would have to observe mourning rites and withdraw from official duties for twenty-seven months.