Chapter 2: Betrayal and Blood

She heard people screaming in terror.
“What’s happened?” She threw on a coat and hurried toward the door.
“Miss, please don’t go out!”
Before Aunt Zhou could stop her, a figure burst into the room, grabbed Jiang Mei, and dragged her outside. She felt the cold metal of a gun pressed against her head.
The attacker wore a clown mask and pulled her down the stairs.
Chaos reigned below.
“The car! Prepare the car! Now!” It was Fu Yu’s voice—sharp and urgent. He held Chen Yu Wei in his arms.
“Young Master Fu!” someone called out. From the staircase, the gunman held Jiang Mei at gunpoint.
“Damn it!” Fu Yu cursed.
“Everyone stand back! Get me a vehicle or this woman gets it!” the kidnapper shouted.
Jiang Mei had been wearing slippers, which slipped off as she was dragged. Barefoot, in her thin pale purple nightgown, disheveled and terrified, she was held tight in his grip.
“Young master, please save her! She’s your wife—she’s…” Aunt Zhou’s voice cracked.
“A-Yu… it hurts… please help me…” Chen Yu Wei cried out in pain.
“It’s alright, the car will be here soon. We’re going to the hospital. I’m so sorry you got hurt for me tonight. Don’t be afraid! Where is that car?! Liu Hao! Hurry!” Fu Yu’s eyes blazed like a wounded beast.
A car horn blared outside. Fu Yu carried Chen Yu Wei toward the door.
“Stop! That car is mine! Or she dies right now!” The kidnapper pulled Jiang Mei forward. She stumbled, her hair falling loose around her face.
“Fu Yu!” she called out.
Fu Yu paused—but did not look back. He kept walking.
Guards poured into the house. The kidnapper panicked—he hadn’t expected such a quick response, nor had he imagined Fu Yu would care so little about the woman he held.
“Damn you! If you don’t stop, I’ll kill her!” He pressed a knife to her throat, nicking her skin—blood trickled down.
“She means nothing to me. Do as you please.” Fu Yu kept walking, carrying Chen Yu Wei out into the rain.
The kidnapper froze, uncertain what to do.
Jiang Mei watched him shield Chen Yu Wei and run out into the storm.
Forgetting her captor for a moment, she reached out. “Fu Yu! How could you be so cruel!”
Her scream startled the man. She slipped and fell.
Bang!
A guard fired. Warm liquid splashed across Jiang Mei’s face and clothes. She blacked out.
She woke the next morning.
Above her was a white ceiling. Then Fu Yu’s face came into view—still handsome, still cold, yet now mixed with something she couldn’t quite place.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked quietly.
Jiang Mei flinched at his callousness and pulled away.
“And the child is mine?”
“Fu Yu… you’re despicable.”
“We’re getting divorced. I’m marrying Chen Yu Wei. She took a bullet for me. I can’t treat her unfairly. You will step down as wife—you’ve held the position for two years already.”
Jiang Mei sat perfectly still. Her temples throbbed. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
“Fu Yu… I’m pregnant too! Don’t you remember? You and your father came to my home to ask for my hand! You promised my father you’d protect me for the rest of my life! Was every word a lie?” Tears finally spilled over.
“I had no choice. I had to save the Fu family. Otherwise I never would have let Yu Wei go.” His tone remained flat, emotionless.
“Here is the divorce agreement.” He handed her a sheet of paper.
“I will provide for your living expenses. Once the child is born, it belongs to me. You are not to leave this estate without my permission—or I’ll have Aunt Zhou cut up and fed to the dogs. Though… if you wish, you may stay as my mistress.”
How could someone be so heartless? She had been the daughter of a respected household, his lawfully wedded wife—and now he offered her the role of a mistress.
Jiang Mei sat up, biting her lip until it bled.
Her heart turned cold.
Two years of marriage had been nothing but a cruel joke.
“Fine. I’ll sign.”
She took the pen and signed her name without hesitation.
She knew this was all for Chen Yu Wei’s benefit. He could have cast her aside like trash without a single document.
He truly felt nothing for her—yet she had given him her heart at fifteen.
He had been nineteen then, in his military uniform, standing tall and proud beside his father when they came to call.
“Hello. I’m Fu Yu.” His dark, bright eyes had looked right at her—and stolen her heart in an instant.
Five years of loving someone… how long would it take to forget?
And she still loved him.
Fu Yu looked at her in surprise, picked up the agreement, and walked away.
Jiang Mei collapsed back onto the bed. She had already been unwell; the shock and grief had taken their toll. She lay bedridden for nearly two weeks.
When she finally rose, she found Aunt Zhou sitting beside her, wiping tears.
“What is it?”
“Young mistress… today the young master…” She trailed off.
Jiang Mei had been moved to the Cloud Pavilion, a separate wing at the back of the compound—far from his quarters. The estate held three main villas, each with its own side building. The main house stood three stories tall; hers only two.
She had thought moving away would mean leaving his world behind.
But music, laughter, and the sound of gongs filled the air.
Through her window, she saw them—two figures standing together. The tall, smiling man was Fu Yu. Beside him in a white wedding gown was Chen Yu Wei.
He was getting married today.
“Please don’t call me young mistress anymore,” she said softly.
She told Aunt Zhou she wanted to walk alone—she needed to be away from the noise. She had nowhere to go, but she could not bear to hear the celebration. She knew she was already discarded.
She returned late that night, pale and exhausted.
“Young mistress! Where have you been? I’ve been so worried!”
“I told you not to call me that.”
As she stepped inside, someone grabbed her arm. “Where were you?” He reeked of alcohol.
Fu Yu wore a white silk shirt and purple tie—the groom.
Jiang Mei looked at his handsome face, and a sharp pain twisted through her chest, making it hard to breathe.
“Groom… what are you doing here?” She felt drained, wanting nothing more than to lie down.
“I asked you—where have you been all day?” His voice was low and strained.
“You confiscated all my papers. Where else could I possibly go?”
Her words were cold. Her heart had turned to ice.
“For the last time—where were you?” He gripped her arm hard, his expression twisted with rage.
He couldn’t understand why he had been so frantic searching for her on his wedding night.
“The hospital.”
“The hospital?” Aunt Zhou asked trembling.
“Why were you at the hospital?” There was a hint of genuine alarm in his voice.
“Why do you think? To make things easier for you. I could never bring myself to give birth to your child.” She looked away, a bitter smile touching her lips—her eyes colder than he had ever seen.
He slammed her against the wall. “How dare you?! Who gave you the right?! That is my child! No one touches what is mine!”
Jiang Mei met his gaze directly—for the first time, she did not look away. “Why should I keep it? You’ve already thrown me away! It’s done!”
His eyes blazed like a hawk’s. Veins bulged on his forehead. He grabbed her by the collar and raised his hand.
Slap!
“You are just as cold and ruthless as your father! Vile woman! Listen well—even if the child is gone, you will not leave this house—not while I say so!” He threw her to the floor and stormed out.
The next morning, two guards stood posted outside her door. She was under house arrest.
Aunt Zhou told her Fu Yu had left for Di Mountain to put down a band of rebels.
Jiang Mei listened in silence, motionless—lost in a dream she did not want to wake from.
She remembered the day they had first become engaged. She had been at school, marching with fellow students in protest. Machine guns were set up ahead. Through the crowd, she had seen him standing beside a black car—tall, commanding, in his crisp blue uniform and polished black boots. He had seemed to glow with power and grace—the kind of man girls dreamed of.
Then gunfire erupted from the sides. Panic spread through the crowd.
He had spotted her knocked to the ground, staring up like a frightened deer.
That day, his sector had held fire—only one person had been detained: Jiang Mei. He had walked up to her, gun in hand, lifted her up, and tossed her into the backseat.
He slammed the door shut and glared at her. “Do you even know who you’re protesting against? Stop acting like a foolish child! Liu Hao—keep an eye on her!”
Liu Hao saw the small sign she held: Down with the Warlords!
He grinned, showing two sharp little teeth. “Trying to overthrow your future husband?”
That was the moment she had fallen completely in love. Was this how she would pay for it—with her whole life?
Jiang Mei sighed.
Two days later, Chen Yu Wei arrived. She was now the official wife of the Fu family.
She sent Aunt Zhou outside and looked at Jiang Mei with a smile. “How does it feel to be cast aside? I’m amazed you still have the face to stay here.”
Jiang Mei met her gaze. She had to protect herself—and her unborn child. She had only said she’d gotten rid of it in anger.
“Come in!” Chen Yu Wei called out.
A man stepped forward—Liang Yu, one of her father’s former officers who had once courted her. She had never liked him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m simply doing what’s right—helping you both out while Fu Yu’s away,” Chen Yu Wei said pleasantly.
“Come with me,” Liang Yu said, reaching for her.
“No. Even if I leave this house, it will never be with you. If you don’t go, I will call for help.” She gripped the bedframe firmly.
“You are so ungrateful! Liang Yu saved my life—I owe him this. I’ve already sent the guards away. If you don’t come now, it will be too late.”
Jiang Mei did not trust her for a second.
Chen Yu Wei laughed and stepped closer. “I want you gone because I can’t stand the sight of you. Take her!”
Before Jiang Mei could scream, Liang Yu clamped a hand over her mouth and everything went black.
When she woke, she was stuffed inside a large suitcase—bound and gagged, moving fast. She had been drugged.
She came to again in a small room, lying on a bed, her limbs heavy and useless. Liang Yu sat beside her.
“Awake now, young miss?” He had served her father for years.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I heard how badly you’re being treated. I want to take you away from here.” He was broad-shouldered and dark-skinned, staring intently at her.
“I will not go with you! Where are we? How long have I been gone? Do you realize what will happen if he finds us?!”
“This is Liang County. We’ve been traveling for a day. He will never find you here.”
Seeing how pale and frightened she was, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve never forgotten you. If he doesn’t want you, I do! I’ve always loved you—come with me.”
“Let go of me! Let go!”
He pinned her down and leaned over her.
Slap!
Jiang Mei struck him hard across the face.
Slap!
He hit her back with all his strength.
“You’re no longer some precious little heiress! You’ve already been used by Fu Yu for two years—what makes you think you’re still pure?!”
“What… what do you want?” Jiang Mei stared at him in horror.
He pressed her down. “You know exactly what I want. He’s thrown you away—but I’ll give you everything you deserve.”
He breathed in deeply. “You smell wonderful.”
Suddenly, shouting and barking erupted outside. The door burst open.
Before Liang Yu could reach for his weapon, four soldiers surrounded him at gunpoint.
Fu Yu walked in slowly. His face was dark and stormy. His eyes burned with a cold fury that made her soul tremble. He strode over, grabbed her from the bed, and pinched her face hard. “I heard rumors you had someone else—but I wouldn’t believe them. But it’s true, isn’t it? Traitors!”
Slap!
He hit her again, sending her sprawling back onto the bed. He drew his sword and turned toward Liang Yu.
“Fu Yu, nothing happened! Please—don’t listen to lies!”
With one swing, he severed both of Liang Yu’s arms. Blood sprayed across Jiang Mei’s face.
Without hesitation, he struck again—smashing through the man’s kneecaps.
Jiang Mei opened her mouth but no sound came out. Fu Yu turned back toward her—his face splattered with blood, eyes like those of a demon risen from hell.
“Anyone who dares take what is mine will pay!”
He wiped his face clean with a sheet, then slowly wiped the blood from her cheeks.
Jiang Mei fainted.
Cold water splashed over her, waking her up. She shivered violently in the June chill.
She found herself in a dim, windowless room on a cold stone floor. Beside her lay Aunt Zhou—motionless.
“Aunt Zhou!” She crawled over to her. “Please—someone help her!”
She looked up to see Fu Yu seated in a large carved chair, wearing his grey military uniform. Beside him sat a massive black wolfhound named Blackie—his favorite pet. Jiang Mei had seen Blackie tear a thief’s throat out with one bite.
Chen Yu Wei sat close to Fu Yu. Four armed men and his aide Liu Hao stood behind them.
When she stirred, Chen Yu Wei spoke in a hurt tone. “Jiang Mei, why would you do this to me? He said he knew your father and wanted to speak with you. I took him to you—and you knocked me out and ran away together! You even took him into Fu Yu’s study! How cruel can you be?”
“That’s a lie! I never wanted to go with him—you had me kidnapped! I never went near your study! Please, Fu Yu—believe me!”
Fu Yu signaled with one finger. One of the men threw another bucket of water over Aunt Zhou.
“I told you—until I say otherwise, you are still mine. And you dared to run off with another man. Aunt Zhou will be fed to the dogs!”
“Fu Yu, I didn’t run away! I was taken against my will!”
“Still lying! Where did you hide what you stole from my study?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I’ve never been in your study!”
Aunt Zhou stirred and saw Jiang Mei kneeling on the cold floor. She tried to sit up. “Miss—please get up! Young master—please! She is still carrying your child—she has not lost it!”
“What?” Fu Yu stood up and crouched beside her. “Is this true?”
Jiang Mei remained silent.
“You still call her young mistress?” Chen Yu Wei said softly.
“Slap your own face twenty times,” Fu Yu ordered.
Aunt Zhou struck herself again and again until blood ran from her nose and mouth.
“Who knows who the father really is! It means nothing! You dare make a fool of me?! Where is it?!” He gripped her chin, his eyes icy.
“I swear—I have no idea what you mean!”
He stood up and shoved her roughly aside.
He took the leash from Liu Hao’s trembling hand.
“Master…”
“Quiet!”
He loosened his grip. Blackie lunged at Aunt Zhou and sank his teeth into her back, tearing away flesh.
Jiang Mei screamed and threw herself over Aunt Zhou. The dog’s breath was hot and rank. Its claws dug into her back, waiting for one word from Fu Yu to finish her off.
She could see the shine of his black leather boots on the grey carpet.
This was the basement interrogation room of the Fu estate—a place no one ever left unharmed.
Blackie shifted his weight, ripping new gashes into her skin.
The room was dead silent.
“Fu Yu, I have never asked you for anything in two years. I beg you—please spare her! She has done nothing wrong!”
“Young master—our lady has never betrayed you! She loves you more than anything! Have mercy on her and her unborn child!” Aunt Zhou rasped.
Fu Yu stood motionless like a statue of death, holding the leash. Blackie looked up at him eagerly. Why… do I hesitate?
Chen Yu Wei rose slowly and touched Fu Yu’s arm gently. “A-Yu, please spare them. It seems Aunt Zhou only spoke up now because she was so afraid. Perhaps you could have waited a little longer—she would have left eventually. Unless… the baby couldn’t wait?”
Jiang Mei now understood how words could kill. She closed her eyes in despair—she knew nothing she said would matter.
Fu Yu’s expression darkened further. He leaned down and lifted her face, brushing hair from her eyes. “I have never forgiven betrayal.” His voice was cold and terrifying.
He released the leash. “Blackie—attack!”
The dog sprang—but was jerked back instantly.
Liu Hao was on his knees, holding tight to the leash.
Fu Yu grabbed a whip and struck Liu Hao again and again. He had served him faithfully for ten years—anyone else would have been shot dead already.
Liu Hao did not cry out, did not flinch, did not let go.
Jiang Mei wrapped her arms around Fu Yu’s legs. “You think I married you for power? Then why would I ever leave you? I have never looked at another man! I love only you! I was cast aside—but I never betrayed you! Please—spare them!”
“A-Yu… my head hurts… and my stomach… Jiang Mei, you hit me and used me—don’t you know I’m carrying your child too? It hurts so much just thinking about it!” Chen Yu Wei sobbed weakly.
Fu Yu looked at her, his eyes flashing with rage.
“I may spare her—but you must learn your lesson. Give one of your legs in exchange for her life.”
“Done!” Jiang Mei answered at once.
“No! Young master—she carries your child! Please!” Aunt Zhou crawled toward him.
Fu Yu pushed her away. “Do it.”
Jiang Mei felt her leg pressed against something cold. A searing pain tore through her. She heard Aunt Zhou scream—and then the sound faded away. A warm flow spread from her lower body. She lost consciousness.
When she woke, sunlight filled the room. She sat up abruptly. “Aunt Zhou! Where is she?!”
A young maid hurried in. “You’re awake! She’s resting in the next room. I’m Dong Er—and this is Hong. The young master sent us to look after you.”
Jiang Mei tried to stand but fell back dizzily.
“Please lie still—you lost the baby. You need to rest.”
“Lost…?” She pressed a hand to her belly.
It was empty. So was her heart. The last tie between them was gone.
She winced as she moved—her back was raw with claw marks.
“My leg!” She pulled up her blanket. Her left leg was bandaged—but still there.
“She is older and was already hurt. She is recovering well,” Dong Er said gently.
“Help me to see her.”
Aunt Zhou tried to rise when she entered, but Jiang Mei held her down. She was wrapped in bandages.
“I am fine—he only meant to frighten me. He called the dog off before it could do more. And you kept your leg… at the cost of the child.”
So my child saved my leg…
Jiang Mei took her hand and wept silently.
Fu Yu never returned to the Cloud Pavilion. Rumor said he had gone to Green Dragon Mountain. Chen Yu Wei also stayed away. Days passed in quiet stillness.
More than two weeks later, Jiang Mei was strong enough to sit up. One overcast, humid afternoon, Dong Er ran in excitedly holding a colorful butterfly kite.
“You’re feeling better! Let’s go outside and fly this kite!”
Jiang Mei looked at her bright eyes. Dong Er was seventeen—Jiang Mei had been eighteen when she married Fu Yu. She was only twenty now, yet felt as though she had lived a lifetime.
She took the two maids and Aunt Zhou to the open grounds behind the house.
No one noticed five riders burst through the main gates. Leading them was Fu Yu in his grey uniform—eyes sharp, face grim.
Liu Hao saw the figures on the lawn and froze. Who dares disturb him now?
Earlier that day, the governor had summoned him. An Zhen Tian of Di Mountain had accused Fu Yu’s men of a midnight raid—stealing money, three hundred crates of rifles, and killing six men. A captured bandit had confessed—then escaped on the way to prison.
The An clan had been rivals for years. The three powers—Fu Yu in Fancheng, An Zhen Tian in Di Mountain, Tian Wei Guo in Yu City—kept the region balanced. Governor Fan Da Long preferred it that way.
Fu Yu knew his men had done no such thing. It was a setup. Furious and frustrated, he had ridden out at full speed.
Aunt Zhou spotted them first. “Miss—watch out!”
Jiang Mei turned around. He pulled his horse to a halt directly before her.
He had not seen her in weeks—never really looked at her until now.
She stood with her mouth slightly open, staring up at him with bright clear eyes. Her fair skin was flushed, her figure graceful, sweat glistening lightly. She looked like a spirit not of this world, still holding the string of her kite.
Without thinking, he leaned down and reached for her.
Almost as if in a dream, she lifted her hand toward him. He caught it firmly, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her up onto the saddle in front of him.
Jiang Mei looked up at him secretly. He stared straight ahead, expressionless, his arm holding her steady as they rode. She breathed in the sharp scent of cigar smoke and felt lightheaded. The kite string slipped from her fingers—and the butterfly soared high into the sky.
“Fu Yu—look! It went so high! I never got it to fly that well before!” she cried out.
The corners of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. The darkness in his eyes softened.
Liu Hao watched them, remembering how she used to trail after Fu Yu, asking him what he liked, slipping him little gifts—until the day she became his wife. Lately, he had rarely seen her smile.
From the doorway, Chen Yu Wei watched them. She wore a honey-colored dress that hid any sign of pregnancy. A gentle smile played on her lips, but her eyes burned with cold malice.
You little witch… you still try to charm him. You will regret this.
Fu Yu rode one lap, then set her down. “This is the riding ground. Servants are not permitted here. Next time you will be punished.” His voice was calm, revealing nothing.
He walked over to Chen Yu Wei. “Are you still feeling ill? I brought you fresh melon.” He placed an arm around her gently and led her away—never glancing back.
Jiang Mei felt as though she had woken from a beautiful dream. She picked up the kite and walked slowly back to the pavilion.
That evening, as she prepared for a bath, Dong Er hurried in looking frightened.
“What is it?”
“Nothing—I’ll get your water.” She turned quickly away.
Jiang Mei knew she was hiding something—but before she could ask, footsteps approached. Chen Yu Wei entered, hand resting on her stomach, looking frail and weak.
“Jiang Mei—I know you hate me. But how could you try to kill Fu Yu’s child?”
“What are you talking about? I would never harm your baby.”
“You had Dong Er poison my soup! If I hadn’t noticed in time, you would have killed it!”
Dong Er fell to her knees. “I didn’t! I swear I didn’t!”
“So you say I’m lying?” Chen Yu Wei stepped forward and slapped her twice hard across the face.
Jiang Mei moved to stop her. “Wait until we know the truth before you strike her!”
“The young master is here!” Hong called out.
Chen Yu Wei stumbled back, eyes filling with tears, trembling all over.
“What is going on?” Fu Yu walked in, looking exhausted.
“A-Yu… I am sorry. I know Jiang Mei resents me—she lost her own baby and blames me. I only ask that she stop trying to hurt ours. I will do anything to keep it safe.” She wept softly.
“Tell me what happened,” he said gently, placing his hands on her shoulders.