-Aaaaaaa.
Vương Bá, if I die, even as a ghost, I will never let you live in peace.
Inside a dilapidated palace, a woman's voice echoed.
Just one look was enough to tell how much she had been tormented by the people inside.
She was tied tightly to a wooden stake.
Her clothes were tattered, and her entire body was covered in wounds.
Those wounds were even still oozing blood.
Her once beautiful face was now disfigured by the beatings and bloodstains.
The man named Vương Bá in front suddenly approached her.
His large, brutal hand clamped onto her delicate chin.
He flashed a disgusting smile:
-What do you think you can do without me? Hahaha! Who do you think you are?
Vương Bá raised his arm, intending to teach her a lesson, when a bone-chilling voice suddenly rang out from outside:
-Stop.
Following that, a man's figure stepped in. He wore a black ancient-style robe, looking both arrogant and cruel.
His eyes, filled with murderous intent, glared at Vương Bá.
She widened her eyes in surprise, looking at the man.
Wasn't that the husband she had harmed time and again? What was he doing here? Had he come to mock her for foolishly loving and trusting the wrong person? Or had he come to watch her die a miserable death?
Vương Bá glanced at his subordinates, who immediately charged towards the man.
The man's face showed no trace of worry. He drew the sword from his hip, and with just a few simple strikes, he took down the group of overconfident men.
Vương Bá watched him, his entire body trembling. He cowered into a corner, then hastily fled outside.
The man didn't even spare him a glance, walking straight towards her. Deep in his eyes, she could see an unusual sorrow and grief.
She didn't understand, truly didn't understand. What was he grieving over? Could it be... for her?
Raising his sword, the man cut the ropes binding her.
As soon as she was freed, she weakly collapsed onto the cold ground.
The man held her tightly in his arms, his hand gently stroking her long, lustrous hair, comforting her:
-It's alright now! I've come to save you.
I'm sorry I came too late; you've had to endure so much pain.
She stared in astonishment at the man who was her husband before her.
Even though they had been married for three years, she harbored no feelings for him whatsoever.
She had even betrayed him for that scoundrel.
So why was he still so gentle with her at this moment? Didn't he hate her for what she had done?
While she was still lost in her thoughts, an arrow, seemingly from nowhere, flew straight towards them and lodged itself in the man's broad back.
She frantically reached out to touch the man's face, her voice weak as she spoke:
-Why didn't you run? You're usually so agile!
-If I ran, who would protect you?
-I've done so many wrong things to you, why save me?
Even now, the man showed no hatred towards her. He offered a gentle smile, his eyes dotingly gazing at her.
Suppressing the pain in his back, he spoke:
-I love you.
I truly love you very much.
No matter what you do, I will always love you, so please let me protect you.
With that, the man held her body tightly.
No matter how much she pushed, the man refused to let go.
By now, his entire body had completely lost all strength.
He had just finished fighting in the capital and immediately rode his horse here.
Not only was he struck by this arrow, but he was also injured from the battle.
He knew that if he let go now, he would never again have the chance to hold his beloved like this, and she would also be in danger, so he held her even tighter.
Three more arrows unexpectedly flew towards them.
He endured it all just like that.
Vương Bá and two soldiers, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, stood behind him, laughing loudly:
"What a foolish man."
The man's eyes closed, and his hands began to loosen.
Vương Bá ordered the two soldiers to set the fire, then leisurely walked away.
She looked at the face before her with agony, and tears began to stream down.
She reached out to touch his exquisite features:
"If there is a next life, I will surely not fail you."
In the end, only he and her mother had treated her with true sincerity.
She was originally Ái Nhược Lam, the eldest daughter of the Ái family.
Three years ago, Prince Dương Lục forced her into the palace.
During a time of chaos, the First Prince, Thiên Trực, ascended the throne. But because he was young and lacked leadership ability, his position was often coveted by court officials.
Dương Lục was a member of the imperial family, holding a high position, and possessed a powerful army that helped the First Prince quell the chaos.
From then on, Dương Lục seemed to gain even more power.
His noble title and powerful army were such that even Emperor Thiên Trực had to show him some deference.
To be Dương Lục's wife was the dream of many girls, but for Ái Nhược Lam, it was a nightmare she never wanted, because her heart already belonged to someone else—none other than Vương Bá.
He was her father's student.
From their very first meeting, she was attracted to him by his scholarly appearance and sweet words.
For him, she resorted to countless schemes to help him ascend the throne, even betraying her own husband.
She caused Dương Lục to lose everything in one night, poisoning him.
Yet, when Vương Bá ascended the throne, he flatly denied her contributions.
He and her paternal half-sister became husband and wife.
Not only that, he also cruelly imprisoned, tortured, and killed her.
By now, she understood.
This cruel, despicable man was only capable of such treachery.
Her eyes were truly blind to have loved him and overlooked someone who truly loved and cared for her like Dương Lục.
She truly regretted it.
If she could fulfill a wish, she wished she could go back in time.
In this life, Dương Lục protected her, disregarding his own life; in the next life, let her protect him.