Chapter 1: Belated Affection Is Worth Less Than Grass

The sunlight outside the city warms the body, so gentle!

Yu Nianzhao tilted her head and squinted her eyes, feeling the warmth that Tomb Guard City had never offered!

This is the warmth of the human world!

"Zhaozhao!"

A soft call pulled her back to reality, and she looked up to see the marquis couple who had personally sent her into Tomb Guard City, now with reddened eyes, looking at her.

Behind them stood her eldest brother Pei Yunqing, second brother Pei Yuncheng, and Pei Yunzhi. They were right there, seemingly close, yet felt a world apart.

If the old Yu Nianzhao who once craved familial love were here, she might have cried tears of joy.

But the current Yu Nianzhao, devoid of all emotions, only found their fake tears laughable.

"Zhaozhao, my Zhaozhao."

Ms Lien, seeing Yu Nianzhao with tattered clothes, disheveled hair, and blood dried on her body, walking with staggering steps, could imagine how bitterly she lived in Tomb Guard City. Her heart tightened, and tears fell.

Supported by Marquis Wu’an Pei Yuanzheng, she reached out, trembling, to touch Yu Nianzhao’s cheek, but Yu Nianzhao avoided it. Her hand hung awkwardly in the air, and thickly nasal, she said, "My Zhaozhao has grown so tall, mother missed you so much. Knowing today is the day to leave the city, we rushed over early to ensure you see us first when the gates open."

Pei Yuanzheng, looking at her scars, felt a sting in his heart and softly sighed, "Yes, your mother kept talking about you on the way. She even got up early and prepared your favorite pea cake, which is in the carriage now. Zhaozhao, come home with us, change your clothes, and let’s welcome you back."

"No need!"

Yu Nianzhao quietly watched their tears, devoid of any emotion. Meeting their expectant eyes, she coldly said, "My name is Yu Nianzhao, not Pei. I have no home!"

Her words struck like a thunderclap, shaking every Pei family member.

Ms Lien’s eyes widened, tears cascading down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She raised her hand to her mouth, sobbing, "Zhaozhao, it’s mother’s fault, it’s mother’s fault. The Pei family had no choice; the emperor ordered that a descendant be chosen. Yunzhi was weak since childhood, and I had no other option. Mother knows it hurt you. Please give mother a chance to make it up to you. Let’s go home. You are flesh from mother’s body; how could mother not feel pain for you?"

Yu Nianzhao sarcastically curled her lips, "A biological daughter is no match for a counterfeit daughter raised for ten years."

She mercilessly rubbed salt into Ms Lien’s wounds.

The atmosphere instantly quieted down.

Pei Yunzhi, teary-eyed, walked over to plead, "Zhaozhao, it’s sister’s fault. I stole your identity. My fault, don’t blame mother. She felt guilty in sending you to Tomb Guard City for five years, unable to eat or sleep well, dreaming of you every night, even falling sick. Blame me instead!"

Yu Nianzhao said nothing, just gave her a cold glance.

That glance stung Pei Yunzhi and further stoked Pei Yuncheng’s anger.

Originally feeling guilty seeing Yu Nianzhao’s scars, as he saw Ms Lien and Pei Yunzhi incessantly crying, he suppressed his anger and rebuked, "Yu Nianzhao, why blame mother and Yunzhi? You are indeed the true Pei family daughter; the emperor demanded sending a Pei descendant to Tomb Guard City. Sending you was appropriate, wasn’t it? Yunzhi isn’t an actual Pei family descendant, hence didn’t need to enter Tomb Guard City. Why be so aggressive? If not for circumstances, who would drag you to such a place?"

"Since you’re a Pei descendant, then Pei Yuncheng, why didn’t you enter Tomb Guard City?"

Yu Nianzhao’s lips curved in a mocking smile, "Yunzhi is weak. But I see you are quite robust. Even if you entered Tomb Guard City, you wouldn’t be beaten daily without the ability to resist, starve yet help with laundry, cleaning, even cleaning toilets, right? You’re impressive, surely living better in there than me. So why were you not sent in as a Pei descendant? But choose me, an outsider not given the Pei family name for a year?"

Yu Nianzhao’s words pierced their hearts like needles.

Pei Yuncheng, eyes showing disbelief, spoke weaker, "You were beaten daily in Tomb Guard City? Who dares hit the Wu’an Marquis’s daughter? Tell me their names, I’ll confront them!"