Marrying a treacherous official

"If Pei Yun risks his life to rush in and save you, I'll grant your wish."

Cui Zemin's brows were sharp as swords as he looked mockingly at Yun Ji, who was breathing slightly in the pool of running water.

The raging fire spread rapidly. Yunji was choked by the thick smoke and had no strength left to get up. She could only watch him go mad.

After marriage, the couple became increasingly distant and resentful of each other, having long since grown tired of one another. She repeatedly proposed a divorce, but to no avail.

Even now, after his family's property was raided and he was investigated, he burned down the entire Cui mansion and wanted to take her with him to her death.

Listening to the crackling of the pine wood and watching the flames rise high, she suddenly felt a sense of relief and laughed knowingly:

"My husband, why did you marry me back then?"

"I've heard that the Gu family is full of noble and distinguished members. Roujia Weize, the eldest daughter of the eldest branch, is the most famous noble lady in the capital. Naturally, one should marry a virtuous woman."

The surrounding beams, pillars, and bricks collapsed one after another. Cui Zemin walked towards her, stepping on the pool water licked by fire snakes: "A person of such noble character should be buried with a treacherous minister like me after death, rotting together in the mud."

Through the thick smoke, Yunji heard Pei Yun calling her name in a mournful voice.

He didn't rush in when the fire started, and now that flames are flying everywhere, he's even less likely to come.

Cui Zemin squatted down in front of her, his eyes full of pity, and said:

"Madam, I know you proposed the divorce because you wanted to marry Pei Yun, but look at him, he is the one who has wronged you."

Yunji stared at him with resentment, her breath coming in gasps from the thick smoke.

Seeing that she was about to die, Cui Zeming quickly wrapped her tightly in a wet purple cashmere crane cloak.

As she opened her mouth in astonishment, a damp cloth was used to cover her mouth.

Yunji didn't have time to think it over before she was swept into darkness, then scooped up and carried away.

Under the scorching heat of the flames, she could smell the burning sensation of his skin and hear the deafening roar of the roof beams collapsing.

A moment later, she landed on the ground. She shook off her crane cloak and saw that he was covered in charred black soot. He picked up his long sword and killed gods and Buddhas alike, with corpses lying behind him and blood flowing like a river.

A row of archers suddenly appeared on the high wall, followed by another row of archers standing on the eaves, all aiming their arrows at him.

He's always been arrogant; he's never been treated like this before.

No one could take his life except himself.

Cui Zemin swung the sharp blade in his hand and plunged it fiercely into his heart.

Yunji suddenly opened her eyes and saw the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva in front of her, realizing that she had just experienced another nightmare from her past life—

The great fire of the ninth year of the Jianyuan era never ceased, and continued to reignite in Yunji's nightmares.

Despite being reborn, she returned to the first year after marrying into the Cui family.

Seeing Cui Zemin lead the Tiger Wing Army into the city overnight, quickly occupy the major city gates of the capital region, and support the former crown prince to ascend the throne.

From then on, he became a mad and powerful minister who intimidated the court and the public, while she could do nothing about it.

Unfortunately, he was destined to be a lone star, cursed by fate.

As the new emperor's executioner, he slaughtered the old officials of the court, but only a few years later, he was impeached by the censor and punished for multiple crimes.

In the end, he could only suffer the fate of having his property confiscated and being exiled.

Yunji knelt on the prayer mat and devoutly asked the Bodhisattva a question.

He was determined to die, so why did he still put on an act in front of her before he died?

If rescuing her from the fire was an act of pity, then what about the past mistreatment?

The Bodhisattva remained silent, only gazing compassionately at the faces of all beings.

Fine, if the gods and Buddhas won't save her, she'll save herself.

Without any support, she would have to rely on her own strength to divorce him, get away from him, and escape from the Cui family mansion.

A loud crash echoed from the outer courtyard, followed by the rapid sound of iron hooves, like a flood bursting its banks, instantly reverberating throughout the entire mansion.

Through the many courtyards, Yunji heard the earth-shaking sound of iron hooves coming from the Imperial Street, and knew that Cui Zemin had led his troops back to the mansion.

Hua Chao, who was waiting outside the door, stepped across the threshold and hurriedly reported as soon as she entered the house:

"Madam, there's been such a commotion outside. I'll go and see what happened."

Don't panic.

Yunji stopped her panic, gathered her skirts, and stood up.

Hua Chao immediately took her arm and steadily helped her up.

Yunji knew that Cui Zemin had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor and was about to become a powerful and treacherous minister. Now that he had returned after "purging the emperor's inner circle," how could she not personally go to the gate to welcome him back to the mansion?

"Call a few old women to carry the prepared brazier to the front yard."

"Madam, why are you carrying the brazier out?"

"You'll know when you get there."

Hua Chao quietly concealed the astonishment in her eyes, lowered her head and replied, "This servant will take care of it immediately."

As the rain subsided, a small fire lit up half of the dark night sky, illuminating the mansion to the east.

The neighborhoods around the capital have always been known for their "nobility in the east and wealth in the west," especially the northeast corner near the palace gates, which was a densely populated area of ​​official residences. But now it has been engulfed in flames.

Yunji walked out of the Buddhist hall and gazed at the endless flames, her heart sinking.

She walked steadily to the front hall, where the courtyard was filled with servants. Through a golden-studded bronze door, two rows of armored soldiers stood in formation in the alley, their torches illuminating the entire dark alley.

Without orders from their commanders, the soldiers dared not step into the Cui residence.

A second, synchronized footsteps echoed through Dongyu Lane, and then someone rode into the mansion.

A thick, pungent smell of blood wafted towards us.

Yunji looked up slightly and saw Cui Zemin enter the room wearing beast-head armor. His face was as white as jade, and his demeanor was aloof. A fierce look appeared in his deep and serious eyes, and his whole body exuded a frosty aura.

He rode his horse up to her with a clattering sound, the crescent halberd in his hand still dripping blood.

"My husband is back."

Yun Ji glanced down almost imperceptibly, curtsied, and then beckoned to the rough-looking old woman behind her to bring up the copper basin blazing with charcoal.

Cui Zemin leaped off his horse, looked at the brazier at his feet, and raised his eyebrows, asking, "What is the meaning of this, Madam?"

Yunji cursed him inwardly for returning from murder and arson, how could she not get rid of the filth on him?

But what came out of his mouth was not what he said.

"When my husband returns in triumph, he should step over this fire pit to cleanse himself of all evil and bring good fortune."

Cui Zemin had never set such a rule in his residence.

His cold gaze fell on her bright, expressive face, noticing a hint of mockery in her eyes. In a moment of distraction, she sprinkled a few drops of water on him with a green stick.

"This is the nectar water I obtained from the Bodhisattva."

Yunji took the jade bottle from the maid and used a willow branch to wipe the water off his armor.

Seeing that he was about to unleash his evil nature, she pointed with a willow branch and applied the dew to his furrowed brows.

"The malevolent energy on my husband is too strong. We must use this magical water to suppress it in order to eliminate disasters and obstacles and nourish his spirit."