Repeatedly broken branches

Zhou Tingxi didn't turn around, because he knew he had no feelings for Ouyang Meixi, and no matter what she did, it would be futile.

"General, whether you love me or not, I won't leave. I'm already married to you, I'm your woman now. If you really don't want to see me, I can stay in my own courtyard and not come out, and I won't call myself Zhou Tingxi's wife... Please, don't make me leave..."

Ouyang Meixi stared at Zhou Tingxi's retreating figure, her eyes already red with tears, and even her voice trembled. Yet, that man refused to turn around and look at her even once. She felt that her feelings were so insignificant.

Zhou Tingxi knew nothing about women, and was even more troubled by this kind of persistent pestering. He didn't come back to deal with these messes at all; time was of the essence, and he had to resolve them as soon as possible.

“Madam, the general is truly heartless…” Jiao’er, supporting Ouyang Meixi who was about to fall, couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Tingxi’s departing figure and sighed deeply.

Ouyang Meixi wept uncontrollably. In his eyes, she must now be seen as shameless and clingy. She didn't care; she was incredibly lucky to have such a husband.

She knew that Zhou Tingxi only had Xia Yunzhi in his heart, and she also knew that the locked red building contained all of Xia Yunzhi's things. He wouldn't allow anyone to go in and even sent people to clean it every day. There were even people specifically responsible for cleaning and guarding the place.

She was so jealous, jealous of this woman she had never met.

My mother always said that a girl like Meixi would be cherished and loved no matter who she married, but why is she worthless to Zhou Tingxi?

I don't understand, I really don't understand.

When Zhou Tingxi returned here, he felt that the entire house was filled with his memories of Xia Yunzhi. He didn't even have the courage to go into the red building to take a look, because he knew that he could never erase that woman from his heart.

More than a decade has passed; is it so easy to forget Qingqing?

"Where's Tingxi? Why did Tingxi leave?"

Xue and Apu had already bought everything needed for their wedding night, but when they arrived at Ouyang Meixi's courtyard, they found only Ouyang Meixi there, with Zhou Tingxi nowhere to be seen.

Ouyang Meixi sighed, "Mother, don't waste your energy. Tingxi has no feelings for me at all..."

Madam Xue glared angrily and threw the wedding candies in her hand heavily to the ground, scattering them all over the floor.

She was furious.

How could there be such an unfilial son who doesn't care about the future offspring of the Zhou family at all? What couple has feelings for each other from the beginning? Don't they all develop feelings over time? Isn't that what happened between her and Zhou Tingxi's father?

He used to be in love with Princess Xia Yunzhi of Heyang, but he still hurt her terribly.

"Go and call Tingxi here. If he doesn't come, just say that I am no longer his mother!" Madam Xue's tone was cold; this time, she was truly angry.

Apu accepted the order and went ahead.

Zhou Tingxi locked himself in his study, ignoring what Apu said outside the door. This whole thing was Xue's fault. She had brought a woman home for him without saying a word. Didn't he have the power to resist or refuse? Besides, he had other things to do when he came back. What could he do if Xue did this?

"General, please understand the old lady's good intentions, okay?"

"General, the old lady says that if you don't go, she won't be your mother anymore!"

"General! Miss Ouyang is truly wonderful. She's been keeping the Old Madam company all this time, which has made the Old Madam less lonely. The Old Madam has been very happy lately. For her sake, please go and see her too..."

Zhou Tingxi stood up, slowly opened the door, and his gaze fell on Apu's face, his eyes flashing with cold light. He said indifferently, "I know very well what kind of person Mother is. She would be just as happy to be with another woman. Ouyang Meixi is just playing to her tastes."

Apu's face lit up with joy, and she said cheerfully, "But Miss Ouyang is very sensible. She knows how to make the old lady happy, something the old lady in the past wouldn't have done..."

Zhou Tingxi gave her a cold look, his lips pressed tightly together. Apu then awkwardly shut his mouth, realizing that he had said the wrong thing.

Yes, how could Xia Yunzhi possibly try to please her own mother? She hated and despised Xia Yunzhi the most.

Well, it's just a meeting, and it won't be alone; my mother will be there too.

Upon entering Ouyang Meixi's courtyard and the main hall, Xue Shi looked at her with a serious expression, while Ouyang Meixi sat to the side with her head down, looking as pitiful and helpless as a frightened rabbit.

Zhou Tingxi sneered; they'd come to demand an explanation.

"Tingxi, what did you say or do to Meixi just now? Why is she crying like that?"

Zhou Tingxi didn't take it to heart, found a seat and sat down, crossed his legs, and casually greeted Madam Xue.

Xue's tone softened, and she glanced at Ouyang Meixi with tender eyes, feeling heartache, before glaring fiercely at Zhou Tingxi.

"Now that you are husband and wife, can't you treat each other with proper respect?"

Zhou Tingxi picked up a date, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly, then spat out the pit and said two words.

"No." She glanced at Ouyang Meixi and said without hesitation, "We're not husband and wife. We didn't have a wedding ceremony, we didn't consummate our marriage, we didn't even drink the nuptial wine. What kind of husband and wife are we?"

Ouyang Meixi blushed and stared blankly at Zhou Tingxi. How could he say such a thing? She was clearly carried into the Zhou mansion in a grand procession with a red bridal procession and eight bearers. She was rightfully married!

Madam Xue stared at him, gritting her teeth, "Be serious, I'm talking to you nicely. Also, Meixi was married into the family according to proper etiquette, you must treat her well and live a good life with her!"

Zhou Tingxi's gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "Unless I die on the battlefield, it's impossible. My heart is as firm as a rock, and I only care about the Xia family. Don't force me."

Ouyang Meixi's heart turned cold. He disregarded his own face and reputation by saying this in front of everyone; he was truly heartless.

Ouyang Meixi lowered her eyes. What else could she say? Her family had always arranged everything for her. Now that things had come to this, she couldn't utter a single word.

"You unfilial son, kneel down before me!" Madam Xue pointed at Zhou Tingxi and shouted, "Although Madam Xia is good, she has already found her own husband. I tolerated your willful behavior with Ye Wanwan before, and you didn't even ask me about your divorce from Madam Xia. I tolerated that too. When will you tolerate me?"

Zhou Tingxi stood up, walked to Xue Shi, and knelt down without saying a word, but he still couldn't tolerate Ouyang Meixi.

"What exactly do you want?" Madam Xue stared straight ahead, her anger barely contained, yet she still patiently asked Zhou Tingxi.

Ouyang Meixi also knelt down, crying pitifully, "Mother, please don't force Tingxi anymore. I don't ask him to be good to me, just don't send me away. Let's live together from now on, okay? I don't care if Tingxi doesn't have me in his heart, really!"

Madam Xue bent down to help Ouyang Meixi up, then glared at Zhou Tingxi, who was kneeling on the ground. "Our mother-son relationship ends here. From now on, do whatever you want. Don't bother me. Do you understand?"

"No, I must divorce Ouyang Meixi."

He couldn't implicate the innocent Ouyang Meixi's family, because it was his mother's fault to begin with. He couldn't let his mother's willful actions harm others. If Yin Fu'an really refused to let him go, the Ouyang family would also be doomed.

Although he disliked Ouyang Meixi, human lives were at stake, and he could not hesitate or be soft-hearted, because if he hesitated or was soft-hearted, more people would die.

"Do you want me to die!" Madam Xue roared to the sky. What sins had she committed to give birth to such a rebellious son? She didn't understand, she couldn't comprehend it.

“Ouyang Meixi, I will announce to the world that we are not husband and wife in reality. You can still marry someone else and live a good life. There is no need to live in fear with someone like me. Because of me, you have defected. Are you satisfied now? Your husband is not an invincible general, but a cowardly deserter. Are you satisfied now?”

Xue and Ouyang Meixi could not believe their ears. How could Zhou Tingxi have defected? He was only devoted to the court. How could that be?

Madam Xue's eyes widened. "You unfilial son! Our family has served in the military for generations. When have we ever had a deserter?"

Zhou Tingxi said without changing his expression, "Don't you know about the massacre of Deng Yizhi's family? We're next. Yin Fu'an and I are now irreconcilable enemies. I'm not a deserter, I'm a defector. I have no military power. I gave the military seal of Xueyu Kingdom to the Emperor of Chaoyang Kingdom as a wedding gift. Now I have nothing. If you stay here, you will only be in great danger."

Ouyang Meixi was shocked. Zhou Tingxi had actually given the military tally of the Snow Region Kingdom to the Emperor of Chaoyang Kingdom? That was his most important bargaining chip.

Giving it to the Emperor Chaoyang is the same as giving it to Xia Yunzhi. She really has some tricks up her sleeve. Even after the two of them are divorced, she still won't let Zhou Tingxi go.

Even though he no longer held any power, Ouyang still had no intention of leaving him. Once she married him, she was his woman and should share his hardships.

"Why did you give him the military tally of the Snow Region Kingdom? Why didn't you give him something else?" Madam Xue was exasperated. Why did her family only produce such heartbreakers?

Zhou Tingxi found it difficult to answer. He looked straight at Xue Shi with a pleading look in his eyes. He pleaded with Xue Shi to follow his wishes and stop forcing him.

Madam Xue was determined to have only Ouyang Meixi as her daughter-in-law. No matter what the situation was, she would not abandon her and would go together with her.

Where do you plan to take us?

Madam Xue got straight to the point. She knew that Zhou Tingxi had come back this time to see them off, so that she could do whatever she wanted without any worries.

Zhou Tingxi said bitterly, "Go to Chaoyang. For your safety, we have no choice but to go to Chaoyang. Yizhi and Siwan are there too, so you won't be alone. I'll have Apu go as well. You two prepare the carriage for tonight. I'll take Miss Ouyang back." His gaze finally fell on Ouyang Meixi, who had been silent to the side.

Madam Xue glanced at Meixi and gave her a look, which put Meixi at ease. She knew that Madam Xue would not let her go back alone to face the situation.

Ouyang Meixi obediently got into Zhou Tingxi's carriage. Zhou Tingxi, sitting in the carriage, was quite grateful to her for not making him waste his time and words, and for agreeing so readily.

"Go back and find someone to marry."

Zhou Tingxi spoke slowly, his gaze shifting to Ouyang Meixi, who had been keeping her head down and remaining silent. She seemed very timid and never dared to look up at people, which was the complete opposite of Xia Yunzhi's straightforward and bold personality. Zhou Tingxi felt that Xia Yunzhi was easier to get along with, perhaps because they had grown up together since childhood.

Ouyang Meixi nodded slightly and said softly, "General, I want to know why you won't accept me. Miss Xia... isn't Miss Xia already married?"

This time, Zhou Tingxi didn't avoid her question. He said calmly, "Habits are hard to change. She's been in my heart for over ten years. How could I forget her so easily? Besides, we've never met and don't know each other. It's not fair to you. Next time, find someone who reciprocates your feelings. That's how you'll be happy."

But in my heart...

You're already in my heart. Just from hearing other people describe you, I know how much I can rely on you. I've wanted to be with a man like you since I was little.

How could Ouyang Meixi possibly say such a thing? She knew perfectly well that Zhou Tingxi didn't have feelings for her, she knew perfectly well that she held no place in his heart, yet she still shamelessly tried to get closer to him.

Zhou Tingxi looked at her gently and comforted her, "You'll understand in the long run."

Ouyang Meixi lowered her head again. She didn't understand, nor did she want to understand. All she knew was that she was already Zhou Tingxi's wife, at least in the eyes of outsiders, she was a glamorous general's wife.

They arrived at Ouyang Mansion. Zhou Tingxi watched as Meixi alighted from the carriage, and his heart finally settled. He could return to the army now. He would wait for Wei Hao to escort Xue Shi and Apu out of the city that evening, and then he would return to the desert to await his fate.

Ouyang Meixi hid behind a pillar at the gate. Only after Zhou Tingxi's carriage had gone far away did she take out the farewell letter she had written to her parents and stuff it into the threshold. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the gate of the house, silently saying goodbye in her heart.

Parents, I am unfilial and unable to serve you. I have always been devoted to my husband. Now that he has lost his power and the court is in turmoil, I have fled with my husband's family to another place. Once settled, I will come back to visit you. Please do not worry about me.

She didn't know if this path was right or wrong. Her parents had taught her since she was a child that once she got married, she should follow her husband wholeheartedly, regardless of his wealth or poverty. She knew that Zhou Tingxi's women couldn't have a smooth life all the time. She only hoped that going to Chaoyang was not a mistake, but the right one.

Zhou Tingxi rushed to the desert without stopping and finally arrived at the military camp on the morning of the second day. When Zhen Xun saw his beaming face, he knew that everything was going well and he no longer needed to pretend to be sick under the covers on the soft couch.

Zhou Tingxi was very worried about Wei Hao. Although Wei Hao's skills were undeniable, he was only one person protecting two others. If they encountered a large number of opponents, he would have almost no chance of surviving.

……

Ouyang Meixi and Jiao'er secretly hid in the carriage trunk, not daring to breathe or make a sound. But she knew that this time, she was truly Zhou Tingxi's wife, and they would share hardships together.

"Miss, my back is so sore."

"Jiao'er, just bear with it a little longer. We can't be discovered, otherwise Lord Wei will definitely send us back. I heard it's only a day or two's journey to Chaoyang, so let's hold out for a day or two..."

"Miss, it's so stuffy in the box. Lord Wei is rushing to catch us, so we shouldn't be noticed if we stick our heads out..."

Ouyang Meixi frowned slightly. "Alright then, you go first..."

Jiao'er gently pushed open the box door, took a breath, and exclaimed excitedly to Ouyang Meixi, who was inside the box beside her, "It feels so good to breathe in the fresh air."

"Miss, please come out quickly, don't hold it in."

Ouyang Meixi slowly pushed open the door, took a deep breath, and immediately felt relieved and less suffocated. She had never suffered such hardship since childhood, and now, for Zhou Tingxi's sake, she had resigned herself to the fate of the hidden box.