Crimson Gold: Rebirths and Redemption

Chapter 1

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the imperial city. Within the elegant chambers of the Jiang residence, a small woman sat by the window, face pale and hair unbound, tracing the delicate patterns of frost with her fingers. The chill outside mirrored the frost that had settled within her heart.

In her desolate courtyard, an eerie stillness prevailed — no sound, no movement. Only the vast expanse of snow, a pristine white canvas that covered every tree and grass. The Solitude stood in stark contrast to the vibrant memories of her grand marriage to General Jiang Weimin.

It was winter as well, due to the circumstances, it was prepared in a rush, but it was prepared meticulously by her family. Her dowry, a splendid procession lining the street for hours. The city, aglow with lights like summer in winter. The laughter echoed through the air, shared by commonfolk to nobles. Celebrating the awaited marriage of the grand preceptor's only legitimate daughter, and yet her marriage now is a stark departure from the lively scenes that once felt like an eternal New Year celebration.

Her ties to the Grand Marshall of the West have always been a grand affair, from the start of their engagements, promise between two legendary figure of the kingdom until their scandalous yet glamorous marriage. In the grandeur of her marriage to the General, she held onto the hopes and dreams of a young maiden, envisioning a union filled with warmth and love, yet the warmth she had envisioned had never materialised.

It was because of him that she, a noble lady was married at twenty, a choice unusual for the time, especially one of her station. As the sole legitimate daughter of the venerable Lu Family, whose ancestors played a pivotal role in the kingdom's founding, her ancestry is honourable. Her father held the crucial position of Grand Preceptor, her mother hailed from a prestigious ducal family, her brothers were renowned scholars and fierce soldiers in their own right, and her aunt was a famed beauty that held the esteemed title of noble consort. Blood so blue, she might as well be royalty. She could marry princes, and the princes she married could become king, but she held onto a tragic general that kept postponing their marriage and look where that left her? Making deals with a demon just to do it all over again.

Tragic marriage and tragic lives, for false promises and broken oath. The whispers of society trailed her like shadows, casting her as an anomaly due to her fiancé's persistent delays in formalising their union. Rumours became her constant companion, her grand title and lineage considered a joke. After all, in the eyes of society, what worth did such a distinguished lineage hold if it couldn't secure her a man?

Toungues wag with speculation, maybe she is hideous, a monster so ugly that even the general can’t bear to look at her. Maybe she’s a shrew, fiercely furious and frightening, to the point where even the general is afraid. Maybe, maybe it’s her honour, a wanton woman, tainted and impure, a source of shame for everyone acquainted with her, especially the general, who was compelled into marriage due to their grandfathers' arrangement.

With each step, the weight of society's judgment hung heavy on her shoulders, casting a shadow on every move she made. Entering a room was akin to stepping into a sea of hushed silence, with eyes casting a collective glance of condemnation upon her. The burden extended beyond her, reaching her younger sisters, whose tears fell in silent protest some for her, and some for their own future. Her mother pleaded desperately, and her brothers, in a bid to salvage the well-being and the reputation of both herself and the family, attempted to reason with their father to sever the engagement. Eventually, against the odds, her stubborn father relented.

But a week after the message, he arrived in front of her family door. In the midst of her parents considering a new match with the second-born of the transportation minister, a man 2 years younger than him with a status lower than hers but he is as her brothers said to be kind and hardworking albeit quiet and shy, working under his father but he did not take the position for granted, a honourable man and a delight to his coworkers. 3 years after her marriage, she heard that he married the second daughter of a marquis and within a year they had a girl and a boy soon after. She frequently wondered if her life would be better if she had married that kind and quiet man?

If she had married anyone else but him? If she had closed the door to his face? If she wasn’t so foolish? Oh but she was, heart weak and soft, dreaming of fairy tales and romances.