It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

The name Fangxi Tower is well-known to everyone in the capital. It is not only a theater, but also a gathering place for dignitaries and celebrities. Its folk songs and storytelling all reveal the unique charm and prosperity of the capital.

Zheng Chengyan recalled the past when he was still a talented scholar praised by everyone. He often led a group of literati to Fangxi Tower to drink, write poetry, enjoy music and watch plays. Those were such glorious days.

Facing Gu Linjun's sudden question, Zheng Chengyan felt puzzled and confused. He carefully raised his head, trying to find the answer from the other party's expression, "Your Majesty, what do you mean...?"

Gu Linjun slightly turned sideways and looked at Zheng Chengyan out of the corner of his eye, his tone steady and powerful, "Does the name Duochenqi sound familiar?"

Zheng Chengyan's heart suddenly shook, and he once again looked at the emerald green jade ring in Gu Linjun's hand.

This jade ring is emerald green and translucent, and its texture and color are both extraordinary. It is surprisingly similar to the pair worn around his wife Su Wanyu's waist.

In an instant, he recalled the few words that Gu Linjun had said at the banquet. Those words, which sounded insignificant at the time, now struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

"I recently reunited with my childhood crush, and I am extremely happy."

"Unfortunately, that person is already someone else's wife."

It turns out that the merchant's daughter that Gu Linjun liked was Zheng Chengyan's wife Su Wanyu!

A feeling of powerlessness instantly swept over Zheng Chengyan's body, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. The advice he had given to Gu Linjun now lingered around him like a nightmare, making him regret it endlessly.

Is the purpose of Gu Linjun's trip to put him to death?

Use this play "The Minister's Wife" as a final warning?

"Seizing the Minister's Wife" tells a tragic story that happened in the previous dynasty. The emperor's debauchery and tyranny, his obsession with the minister's wife, and the cruelty of his methods are all frightening.

Zheng Chengyan couldn't help but imagine himself as the minister in the play, forced to endure the end of his family being torn apart and having to witness his lover fall into the clutches of the devil.

Gu Linjun's words seemed to carry endless chill, penetrating the night and reaching the depths of Zheng Chengyan's soul, "Second Young Master Zheng, please go back early and don't keep Madam waiting for too long.

Remember, I am usually easy-going, but I will never let go of anything that hurts my loved ones."

"Anyone who causes her pain will be repaid a hundredfold."

Zheng Chengyan felt his heartstrings tense and his body trembled constantly. Even though he felt resentment in his heart, he did not dare to resist.

In the face of General Guo's sword and the words of the Regent, he seemed so small and helpless.

"I see……"

He barely raised his hand, hunched over and saluted to Gu Linjun, his voice trembling and weak, "Your Highness, please...go slowly..."

Gu Linjun's figure flashed and he boarded the carriage. The luxurious carriage quickly disappeared into the night.

Zheng Chengyan finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by fear and despair.

His legs were shaking, his face was as pale as paper, his eye sockets were sunken, and there was nothing in his eyes except fear and shock.

"How could it be... How could Gu Linjun have feelings for Su Wanyu? She is just a merchant's daughter, how could she possibly attract the attention of the Regent?!"

Self-doubt and disbelief are intertwined, forming his complex inner world at this moment.

He had never expected that the wife he once despised would become the beloved of the Regent. This realization was like a thunderbolt that shook his soul.

"No, that's impossible. I must have misunderstood..."

Even though he was unwilling to accept the reality in his heart, Gu Linjun's actions today were clear enough. It was a silent warning, requiring him to recognize the current situation and give up Su Wanyu on his own initiative to avoid mutual losses.

Zheng Chengyan recalled the tragedy of Concubine Rong and his fourth sister, and the fear surging in his heart made his body tremble even more.

Once upon a time, he had great ambitions and wanted to show his prowess in the court, but now, his mother's family has declined and all his dreams have been shattered.

His sister's experience is like a mirror, foreshadowing the misfortune he may face in the future.

In anger, he punched the wall hard, struggled to stand up, and staggered towards Zheng's house.

Along the way, he was filled with thoughts and felt confused. The road ahead seemed even darker and more unknown than the night in the capital.

Should he choose to please the powerful regent, hand over his wife like a commodity, and sacrifice her happiness in exchange for temporary peace for his family?

Or should he resolutely draw a line between himself and the Regent, regardless of the possible disaster that might result, and guard his responsibility and loyalty to his family?

Faced with such a choice, his heart was in turmoil and every step seemed to be of great weight.

When the night deepened and the stars were sparse, Zheng Chengyan returned to the quiet yet turbulent Zheng Mansion with a lot on his mind.

His steps seemed unusually heavy, as if every step was on his heart, and he walked step by step towards the familiar yet unfamiliar place - outside Su Wanyu's residence.

The candlelight in the house had gone out, and the silence in the night added a bit of indescribable desolation and helplessness. He stood there, hesitating, with mixed feelings in his heart, not knowing whether he should step into this silence.

The servant who had been with him for many years noticed something was wrong with his master and asked in confusion. His voice was particularly clear in the quiet night.

"Second Young Master, since you're already here, why don't you just go in?" The servant's words contained some confusion, but more of it was concern for his master.

Zheng Chengyan had a sad face and shook his head gently, with an indissoluble melancholy condensed between his brows. "Wanyu has rested, we should not disturb her sleep anymore."

His tone was gentle and full of compassion, and every word revealed his deep apology and love for his wife, but this emotion seemed to come too late.

Seeing this, the servant couldn't help but persuade him again, saying earnestly, "Second Young Master, the Second Young Lady is your first wife after all. If you keep ignoring her like this day after day, even a stone will get cold after a while."

The servant's words were like a thin needle, piercing through the long-standing numbness and hitting the softest part of Zheng Chengyan's heart.

Zheng Chengyan's footsteps suddenly paused, as if a heavy hammer hit his heart.

It turned out that he had always thought that it was because of Zhang Yingying that Su Wanyu treated him coldly, but he never expected that what really chilled her heart was his ruthlessness and cruelty over the past three years.

Those hurtful words on the wedding night, the three years of neglect and mental torture that followed, and even the time he conspired with his mother to try to end her life with drugs, all for that selfish and pathetic expectation.

He suddenly realized that he was the one who had extinguished her enthusiasm and hope for this family bit by bit.

Regret surged into his heart like a tide. Zheng Chengyan reached out to hold the old tree beside the courtyard gate. The rough bark rubbed against the back of his hand, and the exposed blue veins were just like the entanglement in his heart at the moment.