Chapter 1 - The Fallen Family

"Please, let me speak with your young master." Xiong Jingfei begged, going down on both her knees. "Only this time, I won't ever come by again."

Xiong Jingfei, the oldest daughter of the great general Xiong Guozhi, had never once begged anyone in her life. She has the heart of a warrior and the pride of a noble lady. She was someone who will never get down on her knees for anyone. But here she was on her knees begging two male servants who were guarding the Yang manor front gates.

"Hmph," The oldest looking guard grunted. "Do you think you're still a noble lady from a prominent family? Why should we let you go in? Will you shelter us after getting us kicked out?"

"Older brother, how can she do that when she could barely fend for herself?" The youngest one snickered, adding fuel to the flame the oldest one was lighting up.

They're right, what does she have over them?

She's no longer a daughter of a general, and she has no status or wealth. Xiong Jingfei was nothing more than someone who came from a fallen family. She was no longer the oldest miss everyone had once desired to marry. Worst one of all, she was no longer engaged to the person who she loved, Yang Zheyan.

Yang Zheyan's family did not hesitate to annul the marriage once news broke out about Xiong Jingfei's family rebelling against the emperor. They didn't want a traitorous daughter-in-law, and she would have nothing to bring into their household anymore.

It was all a lie.

Their clan had always been loyal to the royal family. If not for being engaged to Yang Zheyan when she was still in her mother's w.o.m.b, she would've been in training to be the crown prince's wife.

Xiong Jingfei pushed back her tears, reminding herself that a lady must not shed tears in front of others.

Sadly, the emperor feared for her family continuous growth in power. So under the pretense of treason, they lost everything in one night. Their wealth was taken, their manor was stolen, and their name was drag through the dirt. Truthfully, only a few officials know the real punishment the emperor had decided. He actually condemned her entire clan with the death penalty.

The officials there at the time begged him to rethink his decisions thrice. If he were to kill the entire clan, the world would curse him for being a merciless emperor. Therefore, Xiong Jingfei's clan was spared from the death penalty, but death would have been the better choice. A bittersweet release from all suffering.

The oldest guard peered down at the still kneeling Xiong Jingfei. Even without anything, she still has a beautiful face. Kneeling on one knee, he roughly grabbed Xiong Jingfei by the chin. "If you let me have you one time maybe I'll let you in."

Immediately, Xiong Jingfei slapped away his hand with a face filled with disgust. She would never have thought the Yang clan would raise such a vulgar servant.

"What are you doing here?"

Xiong Jingfei quickly searched for the owner of that voice. She has been longing to hear it for the longest time. When he strolled through those gated doors, he was still as handsome as the first time they met. Yang Zheyan with his long, silky black hair, dark brown eyes, and thin lips. Along with his purple outfit decorated with silver silk thread.

Her heartbeat quickens at the sight of him. Standing up quickly, she straightened out her wrinkled dress and dusted off the dirt. Xiong Jingfei no longer has the most beautiful piece of clothing or jewelry on, but her beauty remains there with her.

"Zheyan," Xiong Jingfei smiled, she was about to walk forward until his ice-cold tone froze her leg in place.

"I asked what are you doing here?" Yang Zheyan asked again, hinting the annoyance in his tone. Without anyone noticing, his hands were clenched into a tightly balled fist behind his back.

Her leveled shoulders slumped, hearing his unwelcoming tone. Does he no longer care for me?

Xiong Jingfei closed her eyes to regain her composure. At the same time, searching for the last piece of courage she had left to meet his fierce eyes again. No matter what, she had to get an answer from him today.

"I-Is it true?" Xiong Jingfei stuttered. She asked the question but was afraid to hear the truth. "You're engaged to-"

"Older brother Zheyan~!"

A sweet lovely voice called for Yang Zheyan. Then without any shame, she ran up and hugged him from the behind inboard daylight, furthermore, in front of the two male guards and the onlookers on the street.

This lady was no one else but Xiong Jingfei's worse enemy, Wen Yingyue.

Yang Zheyan didn't hesitate to hold her back either, by wrapping his arms around her waist, intimately.

"See is believing," Yang Zheyan glowered, hugging Wen Yingyue tighter in his embrace.

Xiong Jingfei's body shook uncontrollably. She felt like someone had just thrown cold water all over her. Although, on the inside, she was trying to convince herself to calm down.

He took a glance at Xiong Jingfei to observe her reaction, before turning his attention to Wen Yingyue. Then in a tender voice, he asked: "What are you doing out here, my love?"

My love? Rather than cold water, it felt like Xiong Jingfei had been struck by lightning twice in a row. The way he held her and the way he had spoken to Wen Yingyu. It originally belonged to her. He was hers, and she was his. What happened?

"Yang Zheyan! How can you do this to me?" Xiong Jingfei screamed at the top of her lungs, losing all her sanity. She was always in control of her emotions from the moment she lost everything, up until now. "You promised you'll marry me? We made plans for a happy family!"

"Have you gone insane?" Wen Yingyu sneered, seeing the pathetic state Xiong Jingfei was in. "Where is the mighty Xiong Jingfei's dignity?"

Dignity? Xiong Jingfei began laughing out loud while covering her face with her hands. She didn't have any left! The moment Yang Zheyan stomped on her love for him.

He was her fiance, her first love, her first kiss, and was going to be her one and only husband for the rest of her life. Now he was going to be with someone else. It could have been anyone else, but it had to be Wen Yingyue! Are the heavens testing her?

Yang Zheyan ignored her question, taking off his outer robe, he wrapped it around Wen Yingyue's shoulders. "My love, go back inside considering it's cold around this time of the year. Mother is waiting for you."

Wen Yingyue shyly smiled and nodded. She took one last glance at Xiong Jingfei with ridiculing in her eyes. She won against Xiong Jingfei, finally!