The striking “Double Happiness” characters, the flickering red candles, the brocade quilt embroidered with a hundred playing children, and the overwhelming sea of crimson all exuded the festive joy and beauty of this day.
However, after the bride briefly fainted, the atmosphere in the bridal chamber shifted. Just as the maid Xiangxing was about to call for help, the bride suddenly opened her eyes, sat up, and stared blankly at her surroundings.
Startled, Xiangxing thought her mistress had succumbed to the shock. Seeing her awake, she immediately choked out through tears, “Miss, if you are heartbroken, then let us not go through with this marriage! We’ll return to the Marquis’s residence right now and report Du Yuanran’s wicked deeds to the Marquis. He will surely seek justice for you! You must not throw your life away over such a fickle man!”
Jing Yun remained motionless, merely staring at her in a daze. It was not that she did not want to reply, but that she had no idea how to react for the moment.
She had just taken over the company’s shares from her father. Unable to accept that their father had entrusted the business to her, her older brother and sister-in-law had stormed into the office to cause a scene. Instigated by his wife, her worthless brother had directly raised his hand against her. Who could have thought that a single slap would transmigrate her into another world!
She desperately wanted to convince herself it was a dream, but the original host’s memories surged into her mind like a flood, forcing her to confront reality.
This place was called the Great Shu Kingdom. The body she now inhabited shared her name—Jing Yun. Her father, Jing Liangyu, was the Marquis of Anqi and the elder brother of the current Empress. Although the original host was the sixth child in the family, she was the youngest legitimate daughter of the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi.
In other words, her current identity was extraordinary.
Today was supposed to be the joyous wedding day between the original host and her childhood sweetheart, Du Yuanran.
A marriage born of childhood sweethearts blossoming into fruition ought to have been celebrated by all. Yet, the moment the bridal sedan chair entered the estate and the original host had barely finished bowing in the ceremonial hall with the groom, word came that a small sedan chair had been carried in through the side gate. It turned out the groom was not merely taking a principal wife today—on this very same day, he had also taken Tang Yingying, the concubine-born daughter of an Expositor-in-waiting from the Hanlin Academy, as his concubine!
What was more, Tang Yingying was already three months pregnant!
Setting aside the original host’s noble birth, consider their history alone: the only reason the groom, Du Yuanran, enjoyed his current status and rank was entirely thanks to her.
Du Yuanran came from humble origins. Having lost his father at a young age, he had depended on his mother, Lady Li, for survival. The two of them had scraped by solely on the wages Lady Li earned from doing needlework for an embroidery shop.
When the original host was seven, she had accompanied her mother to that embroidery shop. Playful by nature, she had slipped out while her mother and maids were not paying attention. On the street, she encountered a beggar who, seeing her dressed in exquisite finery, harbored ill intentions and tried to rob her of her valuable ornaments.
Just as she was terrified, Du Yuanran appeared.
Though twelve-year-old Du Yuanran was scrawny, he had bravely stepped forward and shouted the beggar away.
From that moment, their fates became intertwined.
Perhaps out of gratitude, or perhaps because she admired his budding manly spirit, the original host treated Du Yuanran with great kindness thereafter. Not only did she arrange for him to study martial arts and literature alongside her, but she also pulled strings to send him to the military camp for training. Once he came of age, she even recommended him to serve at the Emperor’s side, providing him with various opportunities to distinguish himself and earn merit.
Du Yuanran did not fail her expectations. Rising from a lowly imperial guard, he gradually made a name for himself. After risking his life to shield the Emperor during an ambush, he was granted an exceptional promotion to General by imperial decree, securing his place in this capital of supreme imperial authority…
Du Yuanran had also sworn solemn vows to the original host: in this life, his heart would belong solely to her, and he would never betray her.
And the result?
Never in her wildest dreams could the original host have imagined that this man, who had sworn undying fidelity, was so fickle and duplicitous—dalliance with another woman behind her back even as he made those sacred promises!
Let alone the original host, even Jing Yun, having transmigrated, felt fury blazing in her chest. The more she thought about it, the darker her expression grew.
A scumbag who kicks away the ladder once he has climbed up—how does he deserve to be her man?
She would never acknowledge this marriage!
Yet her current circumstances forced her to stay calm. After all, this was not the twenty-first century; she could not simply reject the marital system of this era on a whim. Bound by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers, extricating herself from this marriage would require careful scheming and tactics…
Looking at the softly weeping maid, she narrowed her pretty eyes and asked, “Xiangxing, I have a plan to get myself out of this, but I need your help. Are you willing?”
Hearing this, Xiangxing immediately replied, “Miss, what are you saying? My life belongs to you! Never mind lending a hand, even if you ordered me to risk my life right now to kill that ungrateful Du Yuanran, I would do it willingly!”
Her reddened eyes were filled with hatred for Du Yuanran. Jing Yun did not need to ask to know that his act of taking a wife and a concubine on the very same day had not only deeply wounded the original host, but had also thoroughly enraged those who served her.
With such a loyal maid by her side, she hesitated no longer. Rising to her feet, she began to unfasten her clothes.
“Miss, what are you doing?” Xiangxing asked, utterly baffled by her actions.
“We are swapping clothes. Call Nanny Fu and Nanny Liu inside. I will give them instructions and have them cover my escape from the bridal chamber. You will stay here for the time being in the bridal gown. If Du Yuanran discovers you, insist that they brought the wrong bride. Once I return home and inform my father of everything, I will bring men back to escort you all to the Marquis’s residence!”
…
Today, the Residence of the Fuyuan General was packed with guests. It was precisely the hour when the banquet commenced, and almost everyone was gathered in the main courtyard. Even if there were people along the garden paths, they were merely the estate’s servants bustling about.
Having inherited the original host’s familiarity with the estate, Jing Yun easily avoided the populated paths once she slipped out of the bridal chamber. Before long, she reached the rear courtyard where the horses and carriages were stationed.
Suddenly, hearing approaching footsteps, she decisively ducked into a carriage without a second thought.
Her plan was simply to hide until the person left, then find a low wall to vault over and escape.
What she had not anticipated was that there was already someone inside the carriage—
Their eyes met!
For a moment, not only was she stunned, but the man inside the carriage also seemed caught off guard. A flicker of astonishment crossed his captivating peach-blossom eyes, and his body, which had been reclining lazily against the carriage wall, instinctively stiffened and sat upright.
Jing Yun quickly retrieved the man’s identity from the original host’s memories—
Prince Yu, Xia Yanli!
Speaking of Prince Yu, Xia Yanli was by no means an ordinary figure. While alive, his father had been the Grand Preceptor of the Great Shu Kingdom and the tutor to the current Crown Prince. Not only did Xia Yanli hail from an illustrious lineage, but with his exceptional talent in both civil and military affairs, he was deeply valued by the Emperor. He had even been granted a princely title, making him the only prince of a different surname in the Great Shu Kingdom!
Because of the Grand Preceptor, Xia Yanli had grown up alongside the Crown Prince—who was also Jing Yun’s cousin, Sikong Hengyi—and the two shared a very close bond.
Consequently, Xia Yanli also had frequent dealings with the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi, so the original host was no stranger to him.
However, Xia Yanli was known to be dissolute, unruly, and a notorious libertine, leaving a rather poor impression on the original host.
“What is the Sixth Miss doing?” Having regained his composure, the man raised a brow and scrutinized her up and down, his magnetic voice laced with playful mockery. He was clearly intensely curious and amused by her current attire and sudden appearance.
Jing Yun self-consciously brushed back her bangs to mask her embarrassment.
Yet she did not shrink back. Instead, she sat down across from him, assuming an air of humble vulnerability as she lowered her gaze and pleaded softly, “I implore Your Highness Prince Yu to do me a favor and take me back to the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi.”
“Your Highness…” Approaching from the direction of the latrine, Yingfeng sensed an extra presence inside the carriage. Guardedly lifting the curtain, he caught sight of the woman seated demurely across from his master, and his eyes went wide. “Si-Sixth Miss…”
It was no wonder he cried out. The marriage of the youngest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Anqi was known throughout the entire capital today.
They had come to the Residence of the Fuyuan General precisely to attend the wedding banquet.
Could someone please tell him why the newly wedded bride had appeared in his master’s carriage dressed as a maid?!
Fearing his eyes were playing tricks on him, Yingfeng vigorously rubbed his eyelids and looked again, only to find it was no illusion.
Before he could utter another sound of shock, the man inside—whose face had been full of amusement just a moment ago—suddenly darkened and commanded coldly, “To the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi!”
Catching his master’s displeased expression, the words stuck in Yingfeng’s throat. Despite his overwhelming shock and myriad questions, he swiftly regained his proper deference and solemnity, immediately mounting the carriage.
Jing Yun had initially felt rather apprehensive. Although Prince Yu had frequent ties with the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi, asking him to carry off another man’s bride from his own estate was something virtually no one would easily agree to. Even if he had refused, she would have understood and simply found another way…
Hearing him issue the order, she was genuinely surprised. She could not help but glance up, allowing a look of gratitude to show on her face.
Being Prince Yu’s carriage, the gatekeepers of the Residence of the Fuyuan General naturally dared not question it.
Quietly peering through the small window, watching the estate fade into the distance, Jing Yun breathed a sigh of relief while a chill settled into her eyes.
Once she was away from here, she would make Du Yuanran understand the consequences of biting the hand that fed him!
“Is the Sixth Miss not planning to enlighten this Prince?”
Hearing the teasing, laughing voice, she quickly reined in her thoughts and looked seriously at the man across from her. He was staring at her maid’s attire, his eyes brimming with amusement.
She had to admit, Prince Yu was truly striking!
With a tall, slender frame, a jade crown, and a golden belt, he possessed an imposing nobility alongside the breathtaking beauty of Pan An. Though he had a reputation for being a libertine, he certainly had the looks to back it up, didn’t he? Looking closely at his features—long, narrow peach-blossom eyes that naturally exuded a soul-stealing charm, lips that curved into an effortless smile, radiating an innate, roguish magnetism even when solemn, paired with skin fairer than a woman’s—it would not be an exaggeration to call such peerless elegance devilish.
“The Sixth Miss stares at this Prince so intently. Could it be that your flight from the wedding today was for my sake?”
“…”
Could she call him a conceited peacock displaying his feathers?
Born into a merchant family, she had been tempered in the business world from a young age and had seen all sorts of people and affairs. While she dared not claim to be the shrewdest veteran, her ability to read people was beyond question. Dealing with a shameless rogue like him, she knew that playing along would only fuel his wicked amusement; the best response was to pretend she had heard nothing and maintain a polite smile.
Thus, she said nothing, replying only with a smile, acting as if she had not heard a word.
Yet, seeing that her delicate face showed not the slightest trace of shame or anger, but instead wore a subtle curve on her red lips, Xia Yanli arched an attractive brow and spoke again with feigned surprise, “Could it be that this Prince has struck the truth?”
“…” Jing Yun’s practiced, dignified smile stiffened slightly, and dark lines seemed to slide down her forehead. Fearing that if she remained silent, he would continue to amuse himself at her expense, she pressed her lips together, adopting an air of timid demureness as she replied in a low voice, “I was only able to escape the Du family today thanks to Your Highness Prince Yu’s assistance. For Your Highness’s profound kindness, once I return home and inform my father, I will surely have him visit your residence with gifts to express our gratitude.”
Xia Yanli had clearly caught the chill in her eyes earlier, as well as her current cautious pretense. Hearing her deliberately evade the subject, the smile on his lips did not fade; rather, it curled into an even more roguish smirk. “Escape? I heard that the Sixth Miss and General Du have known each other since childhood, bound by deep affection. Now that you have tied the knot, shouldn’t you be fully content? Why escape?”
Had it not been for his assistance today, Jing Yun would have unhesitatingly given him a cold glare and rolled her eyes. But she also understood that she was now in another world, inhabiting someone else’s body and identity; as a newcomer, she could not afford to be reckless.
Her lowered eyes flickered, and a strategy suddenly came to mind. In the next instant, her red lips drooped, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing pathetically, “Your Highness Prince Yu… I beg you, please ask no more… I do not wish to speak of that man ever again… Wuu-wuu-wuu…”
Acting was hardly a challenge for a modern woman like her. Her weeping was utterly convincing—she forced out not only tears, but even a runny nose.
As she sobbed, she wiped her tears and snot indiscriminately with her hands, then proceeded to rub her messy hands all over her clothes, before going right back to wiping her face…
Across from her, the man had already been rendered somewhat speechless by her wailing. Seeing her actions, the devilish smirk vanished instantly from his face, replaced by pure disgust as his body involuntarily leaned back against the carriage wall.
Peering at his reaction through the gaps in her fingers, Jing Yun found it thoroughly amusing.
What did refined nobles like him despise the most?
Vulgarity, of course!
The Residence of the Fuyuan General was in the west of the city, while the Residence of the Marquis of Anqi was in the east. The carriage traveled for over an hour before coming to a halt, and Jing Yun cried for the entire duration.
As for a certain man, he did not utter a single word after she began her performance.
The moment she hopped down from the carriage, Jing Yun was still wiping away tears and snot, though she did not forget to curtsy toward the carriage, choking out, “This humble girl extends her deepest thanks to Your Highness Prince Yu!”
Yingfeng, who had been completely bewildered the entire journey, watched her dash into the Marquis’s estate. Unable to hold back the questions burning inside him any longer, he turned back toward the carriage and asked, “Your Highness, what on earth is going on? The Sixth Miss was already wed into the Residence of the Fuyuan General—how could she possibly flee the marriage?”
Xia Yanli lifted the curtain, his narrow peach-blossom eyes still laden with deep disdain. Yet, gazing at the Marquis’s grand entrance, his expression shifted into a mischievous smirk. “There is still a good show to watch at the Residence of the Fuyuan General today. How about we head back and enjoy it?”
“…”
“The Crown Prince should still be at the banquet. I wonder how he will react once he learns of this?”
Yingfeng wore a look between laughter and tears. A newly wedded bride fleeing the marriage would be considered a scandal for any family. To make matters worse, they were the ones who had escorted the bride back to her maiden home, and now they were going back to enjoy the groom’s misery…
Wasn’t that a bit unconscionable?
…
The Residence of the Marquis of Anqi.
His daughter was marrying out today, yet in stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the estate, the Marquis of Anqi, Jing Liangyu, had sat in his study in silence for several hours. Even when the steward came at noon to invite him to lunch, he had turned him away at the door.
His youngest daughter was the precious apple of his eye. Her marriage felt as though someone had forcibly snatched that prized pearl from the palm of his hand, leaving his heart hollow and utterly miserable.
Yet, this kind of sorrow was something he could share with no one.
“Father!”
The study door was pushed open with a loud thud.
The familiar voice made Jing Liangyu freeze in shock. Looking at the figure rushing inside, his vision blurred, as if he were dreaming.
“Father, I’m not marrying him!”