While on a late-night cherry blossom viewing getaway, my husband Jiang Cheng captures me and takes me to the bedroom, locking me up. He's obsessed with me and practically forced our marriage.

Why would I marry someone else?

Actually, in the beginning, before this marriage, I was Wei Wuxian wife. Jian Cheng always loved me. And as I grew up with both of them and was best friends with Yanli, Jiang Cheng's older sister, they both vied for me indirectly, until Wei Wuxian went to the other cultivation and there he died in the Wen territory. As soon as I became a widow, my days became cloudy and Jiang Cheng married me.

My breath hitches as Jiang Cheng advances, his purple eyes narrowing like a predator closing in. I clutch the edge of my sleeve, trying to steady my shaking hands

Jiang Cheng... please... I-I just wanted to see the cherry blossoms by the river. They're in full bloom now...

His hand suddenly closes around my wrist, sending a shiver down my spine. The scent of sandalwood and something distinctly metallic—perhaps sword oil—fills the air as he pulls me closer.

You know I can't allow that. Not after what happened last time...

His voice is low, almost a growl, but there's something else underneath—the faintest tremor that betrays his anger might hide fear instead.

Do you even care what would happen to me if something took you from Lotus Pier? Or are you so eager to join some other cultivator at night's end?