Inside the military tent.
Song Yunying never imagined she would be framed, let alone caught in bed by the husband she loved so dearly.
“Last night, the casualties among the soldiers were heavy. I was busy treating wounds in the camp all night. I only drank a bowl of Xingshen Tang because I was exhausted…”
Crown Prince Dugu Kan clearly did not believe her, his voice brimming with fury. “The soldiers were fighting at the front, yet you, as a military physician, were engaging in illicit acts with several prisoners?!”
“I did no such thing, husband! I married you when you were still just the Second Prince and have remained devoted by your side until this day. Why won’t you believe me!”
At that moment, Song Yunying heard voices outside the tent:
—I heard a traitor has appeared by the Crown Prince’s side!
—If this battle ends in a crushing defeat, he might lose his position as Crown Prince—unless that traitor is found!
Filled with worry, Song Yunying looked at the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, have you found out? Who exactly is the traitor in the army?”
Regrettably, Song Yunying did not receive an answer.
What she received instead was a sword through the chest.
White blade in, red blade out.
“The traitor is you, of course, my dear Crown Princess.”
Dugu Kan’s smile gradually turned devious. “You have helped me so much since you married me; you might as well help me one last time!”
Song Yunying realized in a flash that being caught in bed was merely a pretext.
He had chosen his scapegoat long ago.
In an instant, the absurdity of her wasted devotion washed over her. She died with her eyes wide open!
When she opened her eyes again, Song Yunying stared fixedly at the bed curtains before her.
She had actually returned to the day she was betrothed to Dugu Kan.
Her maid, Nainai, was rambling on about what had happened a few days ago.
“How strange, the Fourth Miss woke up from her illness and refused to marry the Ninth Prince! She’s insisting that the Master marry her to the Second Prince instead. She’s even been on a hunger strike for three days.”
Song Yunying understood immediately: her legitimate younger sister, Song Yaoxian, had also been reborn.
In their previous lives, they were both daughters of Duke Song, and many nobles in the capital sought to marry into their family.
As a concubine-born daughter, Song Yunying chose the low-born Second Prince, Dugu Kan, as her husband.
Meanwhile, Song Yaoxian married the Ninth Prince, Dugu Yu, who was then considered the most likely candidate to be named Crown Prince.
To everyone’s surprise, after the wedding, Song Yaoxian discovered that the Ninth Prince was a foolish man who could not produce an heir…
Rumor had it that the Ninth Prince was slow of speech and rarely appeared in public, merely being a bit different from ordinary people.
Who could have guessed he would have an episode on their wedding night?
Mad and foolish, he was entirely unable to perform his husbandly duties.
How was that any different from being a living widow for Song Yaoxian?
Later, the Ninth Prince lived a short life and died early. Song Yaoxian, having no children, was ordered by the Emperor to guard her late husband’s tomb.
She wasted her prime years before the tomb, remaining in that desolate place until she died.
Conversely, Song Yunying’s marriage to the Second Prince had been seen as a stroke of immense good fortune.
Although Dugu Kan was of low birth—his biological mother being nothing more than a foot-washing maid in the Empress Dowager’s palace—he succeeded by outliving the legitimate sons. Possessing great martial skill, he achieved repeated military honors and earned the Emperor’s favor, eventually being named Crown Prince.
In this life, Song Yaoxian was adamant about marrying Dugu Kan. She must know that he would achieve great military feats in the future and enter Donggong, and she intended to sit comfortably in the position of Crown Princess.
Nainai was still voicing her grievances. “Master favors the Fourth Miss the most. I’m worried that once she starts making a scene, you won’t be able to handle her, Miss.”
Song Yunying had no biological mother to look after her and no father to protect her; she had suffered plenty of bullying within the great manor.
“They were the ones who picked the Ninth Prince first, and now that you are about to be betrothed to the Second Prince, she starts causing trouble again…”
Hearing the words “Second Prince,” Song Yunying’s hands clenched instantly, her nails drawing blood from her palms.
What was the point of being a dutiful Crown Princess after marrying the Second Prince in her past life?
In the end, she was discarded, used as a scapegoat, and her tragic life was cut short.
Song Yunying smiled faintly. “The Ninth Prince is quite good. He is of the Emperor’s direct lineage, possessing a unique nobility. If the match is truly swapped, I would be the one climbing the social ladder.”
“I heard the Ninth Prince is a quiet one who barely says two words.”
“There are no inherently right choices in this world; what I must do is make the choice right.” Song Yunying patted Nainai’s hand to comfort her.
Well, her mistress was speaking profoundly, and Nainai didn’t quite understand.
“I just can’t stand it. The people in the neighboring courtyard have to fight for everything. They’ll surely try to throw mud at us again.”
Song Yunying stood up. “Don’t worry. I will make sure that bucket of mud is boiling hot before I throw it back at her.”
Did Song Yaoxian really think Dugu Kan was just lucky and capable? That he became a regular victor, outlived the legitimate sons, rose through the ranks, and inherited the throne all on his own?
It was Song Yunying who used her miraculous medical skills in the army to win him prestige.
It was she who went deep into enemy camps, risking her life to administer poison.
It was Song Yunying who saved his life multiple times!
Dugu Kan’s ability to be appointed as Zhenbei Jiangjun, take charge of Donggong, and become the Crown Prince was all due to her efforts!
Now, she saw him for who he truly was. Having studied under Yisheng, with her skills, why would she fear being unable to forge her own future?
By the time she reached the front hall, her legitimate sister Song Yaoxian was already weeping piteously, like pear blossoms in the rain.
In this house, as soon as she cried, their father’s heart would soften, and he would ignore all family rules and regulations.
“Yunying, the Ninth Prince possesses the most esteemed status in the palace. If you marry him, your future prospects will be limitless.”
Song Yunying lowered her head and eyes. “This daughter knows.”
Song Yaoxian stole a glance, a smile inadvertently flashing in the depths of her eyes—did this concubine-born daughter really think marrying into a high-ranking family would grant her endless wealth and honor?
Keep dreaming!
In her past life, she only found out during the wedding night that the Ninth Prince was a fool.
All that talk about the Emperor’s legitimate son surely taking control of the empire, and being as handsome as carved jade and Pan An, was just a facade maintained by the palace to deceive others.
What was the use of being good-looking?
A mad and foolish man couldn’t even manage marital affairs, let alone talk about a legacy for thousands of generations or the affairs of the state.
In this life, let’s see if that forceful Empress and those difficult concubines will let her off easily.
Father Song was waiting. “Yunying, do you agree?”
Song Yunying knew that her legitimate mother, Madam Yuan, was observing her from the shadows. She couldn’t show even a hint of covetousness.
So, she would put on an act—
Tears immediately fell like pearls from a broken string.
“Father, I am afraid.”
“Mother, I am just a concubine-born daughter who hasn’t seen much of the world. How could I survive the bloodshed within the palace?”
“Sister, how about we don’t swap?”
Wasn’t it just acting?
After living two lives, moving from Prince’s consort to Crown Princess, she had been immersed in these tactics and could perform them with ease.
To her surprise, Song Yaoxian wiped her tears and refused to back down. “Father, I will marry no one but the Second Prince. If you do not permit it, I shall shave my head and go to the mountains to become a nun!”
“Nonsense again. Look at how steady Yunying is,” Madam Yuan scolded.
Seeing that the little concubine-born daughter was as submissive as ever, she felt secretly relieved. “Yunying, I have never cared for the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born; I have always treated you as my own daughter. To be perfectly honest, the Ninth Prince is a man of striking talent. He is set to be titled a Prince soon and is the prime choice for Donggong. You must cherish such a wonderful marriage match.”