Volume One, Chapter One: Three Years of Chastity, Lost in a Single Night

A waning moon hung like a hook, casting a dim pall over the dense forest. Suddenly, a sharp, brief cry split the silence of the night.

A feverish body seized Shen Yurou from behind, catching her off guard. She forced herself to remain calm, though her subdued voice trembled slightly.
"Where did you come from, thief? Let me go! Or I'll call for help!"

Not far off lay the temporary encampment of the Grand General of the Western Garrison’s army. She was gambling—gambling that this criminal wouldn’t dare act so brazenly.

Upon hearing her threat, the man’s chest shook with laughter. His ragged breath drew closer, brushing against the nape of her neck, lingering at her ear.
"Then go ahead and call out. Louder."

Shen Yurou’s face turned deathly pale. She fell silent.
She had to admit, her bravado was just a façade.

She dared not scream.

This was the ancient world—a place of inequality between men and women.

Even if someone discovered her, the only one to come to ruin would be herself.

Besides, her husband was on duty at the military camp.

In this era, a woman’s chastity outweighed her very life. If she were found out, even if she somehow survived, her marriage would be over.

She bitterly regretted refusing her husband’s offer to escort her back to the inn. Who could have foreseen that such calamity would befall her on such a short stretch of road?

Her hands were pinned, forced into the weeds. The next instant, her body was wrenched apart, pain tearing through her in an instant. She bit down hard on her lip, but still, muffled cries escaped in broken fragments. The tears she tried so hard to hold back trembled at the edge, then finally fell.

Thick leaves blocked out the starlight; in the darkness, she could not see her assailant’s face, but the pain on her body was all too real.

Her strength gave out; she abandoned her struggle. All she could hope for now was that the man would hurry, so this humiliation would end quickly.

Seeing her cease to resist, he released his grip. His callused hand slid wantonly to her waist, kneading her flesh with impunity.

"Well? Are you enjoying it now?"

Shen Yurou, burning with shame and fury, refused to yield. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the authorities?"

"The authorities? Which ones? I’d like to see which official would dare meddle with me. Ha!"

His hand moved to her cheek—he looked as if he feared nothing under heaven.

Seeing her chance, Shen Yurou seized his hand and bit down viciously. Her sharp teeth pierced skin, drawing blood in an instant.

The man grunted in pain and flung her aside. Shen Yurou crashed heavily to the ground, her head spinning.

"If you’re so uncooperative, don’t blame me for not being gentle!"

His massive form pressed her down again, wild and predatory, a beast tearing at its prey.

The night air of early spring was unexpectedly cold. Shen Yurou shivered involuntarily.

Suddenly, the man paused, sighing, "Truly a tormenting little vixen."

Shen Yurou secretly rejoiced, thinking it was finally over. But as she tried to rise, he forced her down again.

Then came another relentless, violent storm.

She covered her face, turning toward the direction of the military camp, and waited in utter despair.

The night dragged on bitterly cold. Unable to bear it any longer, Shen Yurou finally lost consciousness.

When she awoke again, it was already morning. Shen Yurou blinked, staring dazedly at the ceiling for a long while.

Was it all just a nightmare?

No—it was painfully real. Her body ached as though trampled by horses and carriages.

Struggling to sit up, she realized she was in a completely unfamiliar place. The room was grandly appointed, an enticing aroma of incense curling in the air.

She recognized the scent. Back at her family home, her younger sister Shen Yuan often used it in her room.

But here, such incense would only be burned for honored guests.

She suddenly slid off the bed, but her legs gave out beneath her.

Just then, a young maid entered, carrying a tray of food and a set of clothes.

Quickly, the girl rushed to support her.
"Miss, are you all right? If you need anything, just ask."

A chill ran through Shen Yurou. "Where am I?"

Could her assailant have dared imprison her?

"This is Yunsheng Post House!"

Relief washed over her.

"The gentleman who brought you paid a large sum. Don’t worry about your stay. He said he’ll come for you tomorrow."

Come for her?

Shen Yurou scoffed, contemptuous. She snatched up a stool and, with a crash, smashed several ornate floor vases in the corner.

"Put it all on his tab!"

Without a backward glance, she strode out. The young maid stared, dumbfounded, too afraid to stop her.

Back at the inn she rented, Shen Yurou was utterly exhausted. To endure such a violent first encounter—the frailty of her body could hardly withstand it.

But the stickiness and unfamiliar scent clinging to her skin was intolerable.

She requested hot water from the attendant and began to undress.

Something fell from her clothes with a soft clatter.

It was a small jade seal, exquisitely translucent. On its base, a single character was carved: "Ting." The stroke was bold, exuding strength and freedom.

Had that man left this deliberately?

What did he take her for?

Furious, she raised her hand, intent on smashing the little object to pieces.

But the cool, smooth feel of it made her pause.

She hesitated.

Unable to punish her tormentor, what use was there in destroying this thing? The seal looked quite valuable; if she sold it, she could surely fetch a good sum.

Her husband’s salary was modest, and her own shop barely covered daily expenses. But now that her husband held office, appearances had to be maintained.

Moreover, her sister-in-law, Xie Fangying, was of marriageable age—she ought to prepare a proper dowry.

All this required money.

Her father, though the wealthiest man in Ye Capital, would not spare her a copper. Her mother’s situation was difficult as well; she could not bring herself to ask for more.

She lowered her raised hand, clutching the seal tightly, forcing herself to breathe evenly.

Afraid to dwell on it, Shen Yurou stripped off her remaining clothes, wrung out a cloth, and stepped into the bath.

Her fair body was mottled with bruises.

At least she had protected her face last night—otherwise, she would not dare show herself at all.

Gritting her teeth against the pain, she began to cleanse herself, bit by bit.

She tried to console herself.

"It’s nothing—just a run-in with a scoundrel looking for a thrill. No reason to brood over it.
It’s not as if I’ve never been with a man before.
At least he had a decent figure and skill—not a total loss."

But the hurt festering in her heart grew like bamboo after rain, new shoots multiplying wildly.

Tears streamed down, unchecked.

Since transmigrating here, life had its bumps, but had generally been comfortable. Especially after marrying Xie Zhi’an, she finally had something to hope for.

Xie Zhi’an was a man of responsibility and ambition.

Yet, on their wedding day, before they could even complete the rites, an imperial edict arrived. He, a mere martial scholar, was promoted out of turn to deputy general, dispatched to the western frontier to repel the Xirong invaders.

Thus, she, once the illegitimate daughter of a merchant, was transformed into the wife of a deputy general.

Xie Zhi’an had been gone for over three years.

She understood that the nation came before family.

She bore no resentment.

She devoted herself to serving her mother-in-law, caring for her young sister-in-law. Even when criticized, she remained cheerful.

Each month, his letters and stipend arrived without fail. A few brief lines always filled her heart with sweetness.

But over time, longing became a sickness.

This time, the Grand General of the Western Garrison returned to the capital on official business, bringing a hundred elite soldiers—Xie Zhi’an among them.

It was the Shangsi Festival.

She seized the opportunity, crossing the entire capital from west to east to find him.

Who could have guessed, after all her efforts, she would fall victim to such misfortune?

"That wretched man—may he never know peace!"

Shen Yurou ground her teeth in fury.

She had hoped to use her husband’s days in the suburbs to finally complete the unfinished wedding rites.

She had carefully chosen this inn for its romantic atmosphere.

Now, all was ruined.

The bruises covering her body—who knew when they would fade?

Shen Yurou sighed heavily, immersing her face in the basin and letting her tears dissolve into the water.