Painting Enchantment - chapter 8

Lu Yanzhi let go of me.

He actually did nothing, letting me put on the Talisman.

I was shocked, delighted, hesitant, and finally silent.

I picked up the Talisman from the ground, a little uncertain: “Aren’t you going to stop me?”

While I hesitated, Lu Yanzhi even urged me:

“Go ahead, stick it on. Don’t you want revenge?”

I looked doubtfully at the Talisman in my hand.

It was indeed the one the Prefect had given me.

The Prefect did say that this Talisman could return Lu Yanzhi to his original form.

Why was he so calm?

…

I held the yellow Talisman, pausing before Lu Yanzhi’s chest.

As long as I put it on, I could fulfill my promise to the Prefect.

And I could reincarnate.

But suddenly, I remembered the days before marrying Lu Yanzhi, when I was hungry and cold, lacking food and warmth.

Those bitter days, after marrying Lu Yanzhi, had become distant memories.

He treated me so well, almost granting my every wish. Once, when snow was falling, I wanted to eat flower cakes from the town. He waited until I was napping, then braved the wind and snow to buy them, returning with his face red from the cold.

…I couldn’t do it.

Just as I was about to pull back, my wrist was grabbed again.

“Husband!”

I was stunned, crying out, and watched as the Talisman truly landed on Lu Yanzhi.

The light faded, and all that was left before me was a black Chess Piece.

…

I held the Chess Piece, dazed for a long time.

Until someone called me.

“Zhou Yan.”

That voice was icy cold.

I looked up, meeting that familiar, handsome face, feeling a little lost.

Husband.

Those eyes, neither joyful nor sorrowful, pulled me back to reality.

I spoke hoarsely:

“…Prefect.”

The Prefect’s slender fingers reached out: “Give it to me.”

I had promised the Prefect to return this Chess Piece to him.

But I hesitated, clutching the Chess Piece tightly and pulling my hand back.

The Prefect waited for a long time, did not force me, only said “Keep it safe,” and left.

I sat in a daze for a long time, my gaze falling on the Beauty Painting, lying quietly on the desk.

I wiped away my tears and walked over.

My hand trembled, and the scroll unfurled with a rustle.

Red lips bright and vivid, enchanting eyes alluring.

She truly was a beauty; no wonder Lu Yanzhi was so obsessed.

I was stunned.

My gaze fixed on the woman’s face.

A face identical to mine.

She could not speak, nor step out from the painting.

Yet she smiled gently, more beautiful than spring itself.

My face.