WangXian: Reunited ✔

Extra (JFMxYZY): A Torturous Love

~YU ZIYUAN'S POV~

It's hard constantly having to look over your shoulder, only to be reminded of everything that you aren't. It's hard looking at a boy that your husband loves more than his own children, only because their mother was never good enough for him. It's even harder actually falling for said husband, only to realize that his heart doesn't have the space to fit you into it.

Yu Ziyuan hated it. She hated arguing. She hated the looks and cold stares that would ensue after fights. She hated the despair and desolation it would bring to her children, watching them as they trudged away, a pained smile on their faces. She hated it, but she could never stop herself. Could never stop herself from lashing out, projecting her own fears and insecurities on others. She could never stop being hounded by the constant jealousy that surged through her everytime she saw Wei Ying's face.

It wasn't just that Fengmian preferred the young Wei Ying to his own children, but rather that Wei Wuxian was just far too much like his mother. His laughing eyes, his teasing smile- they were all the same. He had the same easygoing persona, the same carefree look.

Even in death, Cangse Sanren destroyed her.

She hated the rumors that flew around Yunmeng- rumors that Jiang Fengmian had only taken the orphan back to Lotus Pier, because he still held a flame for his old lover. She hated the envy that surged through her at those words. She hated her own insecurity, her own fiery jealousy. Because she had won hadn't she? She was the Madam of Lotus Pier- not some Cangse Sanren. She was Jiang Fengmian's wife, not her. She had become the lady of a powerful sect, while Cangse Sanren had chosen to elope with a no name servant. She bore the Jiang sects future heirs, not anyone else. She should be happy, because the Violet Spider once again, came out on top.

But did she really? No, no she hadn't. Because if Yu Ziyuan was going to be honest with herself, she had only won because someone else had quit. And even then it was an empty victory. Empty because Jiang Fengmian still loved the other woman. Empty because of the bitter glares and cold avoidance. Empty because every time she turned around, all she saw were purple robes, fluttering in the wind.

Yu Ziyuan let out a sharp laugh. How ironic. The infamous Violet Spider, one of the strongest cultivators of the cultivational world- was crying over unrequited love. And not just any type of unrequited love- but unrequited love from her own husband.

Meishan Yu would be so disappointed.

She tsked, reaching for a jar of wine before her. "How pathetic."

"My lady?" A gentle voice asked behind her. The voice radiated calm and peace, an anchor in the storm. Yu Ziyuan closed her eyes, indulging for a moment, in the sweet smell of lotus flowers that followed her husband's stead.

"What do you want?" she snapped, before turning away in shame. Her words had come out far harsher than she intended.

Yu Ziyuan was just about to open her mouth to apologize, when a soft sigh sounded beside her. She immediately snapped her head up, eyes narrowing in irritation. How dare her husband sigh! How dare he act like she was the one being difficult here! How dare he-

Oh.

Ziyuan looked down in shock at the box that sat before her. All her frustrations from before draining away as she gazed at the beautifully carved hairpiece, resting in the center. Carved of the most priceless jade- it was truly a treasure to behold.

She arched a brow, bitterness flashing through her. She wasn't sure why she decided to open her mouth- maybe it was the alcohol speaking, but she did it regardless. "Why is this a gift for me? Goodness, didn't know you actually cared. Nice to know my husband at least thinks of me from time to time," she spit, tone mocking.