Chapter 002: Aversion

Xue Tian'ao's words were so unbelievable, with a bloodied face and a hazy gaze, he looked at Xue Tian'ao with utter despair. How could this man trample on the dignity of others... However, upon colliding with those cold and mocking eyes, Dongfang Ningxin understood that what he said was true and could not be changed

Bang ... ...

Without any emotion, it is purely an objective evaluation of Dongfang Ningxin's appearance, summed up in one word: ugly

It is a pity that such a countenance is truly difficult to enter this king's eyes; a woman as ugly as you is only fit to associate with livestock, so please take up residence in this king's stable

In the residence of the Xiang family, she was the despised Ghost-faced Miss by everyone. Upon reaching the age of maturity, she became the object of others' disdain once again, as fate is never under one's own control. The late emperor's decree destined her to be inextricably linked with the royal family; she could not become an empress but was bound to become a prince's consort.

On a snowy day, a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "After all, you are one who knows how to be pragmatic. Since that is the case, this king shall not hold it against you."

Xue Tian'ao lowered his head slightly, gently pinching Dongfang Ningxin's chin, bringing her to eye level with him, allowing Dongfang Ningxin to clearly see the disdain in his eyes.

"Divorce? You want to divorce me? Wouldn't that make me a heartless and unfeeling person? Moreover, you are the snow consort designated by His Majesty, how could I dare to divorce you?" Though he spoke of not daring to do so, his sharp tone revealed his disdain.

He has no intention of competing with his royal brother, yet his brother has never trusted him. Marrying Dongfang Ningxin is a humiliation for him. Will he willingly swallow this humiliation? ... No, he is Xue Tian'ao, the pride of the Tianyao Dynasty. He will gradually reclaim this humiliation.

"It is Ningxin's fault, please punish her, Your Highness." It is she, Dongfang Ningxin, who should not have disfigured herself, she who should not have married Xue Tian'ao, and even more so, she who should not have survived. That great fire should have taken both her and her mother away. Her mother should not have sacrificed herself to save her. Dongfang Ningxin's eyes brimmed with tears, yet she stubbornly bit her lip, bearing her own bitterness alone.

Having been despised by the Emperor before, and now also by Prince Xue, is this the fault of Ningxin? Is the destruction of her appearance Ningxin's fault? Is it what Ningxin desires? Such thoughts occupied Dongfang Ningxin's mind, yet her expression remained one of calm composure.

"Ugly woman." Unlike Dongfang Ningxin's evaluation of Xue Tian'ao, when Dongfang Ningxin's half face, as beautiful as white jade, and the other half, burned and resembling black charcoal, fell into Xue Tian'ao's sight, he simply stated these two words calmly

The seemingly gentle action caused Dongfang Ningxin to shed tears in pain, while Xue Tian'ao, being a martial artist, with just this slight movement had already left Dongfang Ningxin's chin bruised. Yet, she did not dare to move at all, allowing Xue Tian'ao to grip her as if she were merely an ant.

With a slight raise of her eyebrows, Xue Tian'ao looked at the calm and composed woman before him. The momentary feeling of admiration quickly faded away; as soon as he thought about the reason she married him, he cast aside that admiration entirely. Dongfang Ningxin was a woman whom his elder brother had insulted, and the woman his elder brother did not want was one that Xue Tian'ao had to take on.

Without any mercy, he forcefully pushed away the woman in front of him, causing Dongfang Ningxin's forehead to collide with the beam. Blood flowed profusely from her forehead, and her already unattractive face appeared even more grotesque and tragic.

Hearing Ao's words on this snowy day, Dongfang Ningxin quietly knelt, neither happy nor sad, simply entrusting her fate to this man before her, who was her husband yet less than a stranger. She did not wish to passively await a verdict in this manner, but she had no right to struggle.

Sigh... Dongfang Ningxin let out a faint sigh in her heart. Mother, you said that for a woman, talent and virtue are the most important, and appearance is not significant. However, the men Ningxin encounters all judge by looks, leaving her with no opportunity to showcase her abilities.

Her life, like an ant, is truly insignificant in the eyes of Dongfang Ningxin on a snowy day; as long as he wishes, he can easily crush it

Stable, ha ha ha, on a snowy day, Ao actually wants her, a dignified princess, to associate with horses, simply because of her ugly appearance, forcing her to stay with livestock. She reaches out to touch her left cheek, feeling the bloodied visage, as Dongfang Ningxin smiles through tears...

The prince said, if it is not too much trouble for the prince, I humbly request a letter of divorce, so that I may willingly depart. Being divorced is not considered honorable, but it still allows one to live, does it not? At the very least, it is better than living in such a humble manner as I do now

"It hurts so much." Dongfang Ningxin stood up unsteadily, the thick blood making her dizzy, but at this moment, she could not care less about how uncomfortable she felt or how terrifying her face looked in the candlelight

"You are quite self-aware, but unfortunately, your appearance does not befit being my consort," Snow Tian Ao coldly uttered this statement, completely disregarding that Dongfang Ningxin was still kneeling on the icy floor. In the depths of winter, the coldness of the ground was unbearable; although it was not bone-chilling, kneeling for too long could still harm one's health. Yet, in this world, is there anyone who cares about Dongfang Ningxin's well-being? Even if there were, it would not be the current Snow Tian Ao.

My mother said that a young woman should be able to endure and adapt, but she must also live with dignity and pride. She strives hard to survive, to live with dignity, but it is so very difficult.

Indeed, it is not that Xue Tian'ao lacks the courage, but rather that he looks down upon it. The purpose of the Emperor marrying this Dongfang Ningxin to him is to remind him that although the titles of prince and emperor differ by just one character, they are worlds apart. The Emperor is the sovereign, while he is a subject; what the sovereign bestows upon the subject cannot be refused. Even if he marries this notoriously ugly woman known throughout the world, he cannot resist.

The prince stated that Dongfang Ningxin is indeed an ugly woman. Upon hearing such an evaluation, Dongfang Ningxin did not get angry; she merely lowered her head and said with a hint of bitterness.