When Prince Rui grew angry, all trembled—no one dared plead.
Watching her enemies fall into disgrace, Yun Zheng felt exhilarated, her heart light. She even found herself warming slightly toward Prince Rui.
“Daughter of the Yun family greets Prince Rui. May Your Highness be free of worry, free of calamity.”
Li Wuyang raised his brows faintly. “Yun Zheng?”
Yun Zheng bowed gracefully, neither humble nor arrogant. “Yes.”
Li Wuyang looked at her deeply. “I hear you intend to give the other half of your dowry to me?”
Yun Zheng’s expression was calm. “Yes. Please wait a moment.” She ordered the four treasures of the study to be brought, then wrote a testament: if she died suddenly, the other half of her dowry would go to Prince Rui.
Words alone were not enough—she sealed it in writing. She presented it with both hands. “This is the document, and this is the dowry list. If I should die suddenly, please, Your Highness, take these and claim the dowry.”
Her manner was so unrestrained, as though this were the most ordinary matter. Yet everyone knew—millions in wealth were changing hands.
The guests’ feelings were tangled: envy, jealousy, and a touch of sorrow.
Li Wuyang glanced at her writing. The characters were elegant yet strong, full of vigor—a fine hand. “You are not afraid I might harbor ill intent?”
That he might covet the fortune and send assassins after her?
Yun Zheng’s eyes shone brightly, full of trust. “No. You are a man of an open heart.”
In truth, their fates were intertwined across lifetimes. He had been her collector of the dead. For that kindness alone, she felt giving him wealth was worth it. And years ago, they had crossed paths once. Her trust was so plain, so bold, it startled Li Wuyang. A ripple stirred in his heart. The world feared him, dreaded him like a tiger. Only she, foolishly, trusted him.
But she was clearly not foolish.
Li Wuyang raised his brows. “Your flattery is poor.”
Yun Zheng didn’t mind, her smile radiant. “I beg Your Highness to show mercy.”
Looking at her pleasing smile, Li Wuyang’s heart stirred faintly. He casually pulled the jade pendant from his waist and tossed it to her. “If you encounter difficulty, you may bring this to my residence for aid—but only once.”
Yun Zheng caught the jade pendant, her eyes lighting up at the imperial emblem carved upon it. She beamed with joy. “Thank you, my lord. You will be repaid with blessings.”
The crowd was consumed with envy and jealousy. So Prince Rui responded to this kind of flattery! If only they had known—they too could flatter! Your Highness, look at us!
Marquis Pingxi’s pupils contracted in disbelief. This was no mere token—it was a life-saving charm!
The Yun girl was fortunate indeed to secure Prince Rui’s protection. Even once was enough to change her fate.
Just then, Jiang Wenzhou’s panicked voice came from outside: “Father, Zhenzhen is at death’s door. Whatever else, we’ll discuss later…”
Smack, smack. Two sharp slaps rang out.
Jiang Wenzhou stared in shock at the noblewoman before him. “Mother—you struck me?”
Never in his life had she laid a finger on him.
The Marchioness, who had always spoiled her son, now glared coldly, bitterly disappointed. “Even if Ye Yizhen dies today, you must still complete the wedding rites with Yun Zheng.”
No matter what, they had to coax Yun Zheng into using the jade pendant to restore her son’s path to office, and her dowry to pave his way to success.
Jiang Wenzhou’s face turned pale. He opened his mouth, but his parents’ expressions were so grim he dared not speak.
Marquis Pingxi drew a deep breath and made a decisive declaration. “Zheng’er, the auspicious hour cannot be delayed. Perform the wedding rites. I promise—you are the sole heir’s wife of the Pingxi household. Ye Yizhen is merely the elder brother’s widow, a figurehead.”
“Once you marry in, you will hold the household keys. All within will obey you.”
Yun Zheng’s thoughts spun. Others coveted the power of household management—but she did not.
“The heir finds this so difficult—why not cancel the marriage altogether?”
But at this point, Marquis Pingxi would never let her leave. As long as she lived, half her dowry could still be used. Most importantly, she now held Prince Rui’s jade pendant.
“You have entered the Marquis household gates. You are already one of us. This marriage is nailed in place—no one can change it.”
Unless both parties agreed to dissolve the betrothal, even the Emperor could not interfere.
Yun Zheng stroked the jade pendant, her heart surging. Could this be her chance to escape the Marquis household? No—impossible. If even the Emperor could not intervene, then neither could Prince Rui. Those two exalted imperial brothers- their bond was far too tangled with love and hate. She could not, for her own sake, provoke the Emperor’s suspicion, nor endanger Prince Rui. Besides, she had more important matters to ask of him. Forget it. As long as she lived, there would be opportunity.
“Very well. But I am unwell, unable to move freely. Let my maid carry a hen to bow with the heir in my place.”
She would never bow with that vile man—too disgusting.
The guests roared with laughter. She truly held grudges, and always repaid them—never overnight.
The Marquis household’s faces darkened.
Jiang Wenzhou was furious. “Yun Zheng, you go too far! How dare you humiliate me like this?”
Yun Zheng’s expression remained calm. “As you treated me, so I treat you. Fair, isn’t it?”
“What fairness? I am a man, your husband, your Heaven. You must respect and honor me…” Jiang Wenzhou’s face flushed red, whether from rage or shame.
Yun Zheng’s eyes sparkled, her smile sly. “Why not cancel the betrothal then?”
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. Jiang Wenzhou was chilled to the bone. “You…”
Marquis Pingxi glanced secretly at Prince Rui, his heart in turmoil. “Your Highness, what do you think?”
Li Wuyang’s gaze was icy. “Your son allowed a servant to carry a rooster for the wedding rites. Why then can Miss Yun not have her maid carry a hen? Be fair—stop bullying with power.”
The guests understood at once, casting sympathetic looks toward the Marquis and his son.
Marquis Pingxi was so provoked he nearly spat blood, but forced it down.
“Fine. So be it.”
Yun Zheng’s eyes shifted toward the courtyard, where her dowry maids and attendants were being held.
“Chunlan, Chunhua, Chuntao, Chunyan—you are my most trusted maids. Who among you will share my burden?”
The four exchanged glances, their expressions varied. Two spoke at once: “We are willing, mistress.”
It was Chunlan and Chunyan.
Yun Zheng looked at them deeply. “Then Chunlan.”
Named, Chunlan’s face lit with joy, while Chunyan’s eyes clouded with faint resentment.
Yun Zheng saw it all, her heart sinking. So—it had all been foreshadowed.
At the wedding hall, Chunlan stood beside Jiang Wenzhou, holding a hen.
One face beamed with springtime joy; the other was dark as if attending his own funeral.
The officiant’s mouth twitched. What nonsense is this? Spread abroad, it would be the greatest joke under heaven. He raised his voice: “First bow to Heaven and Earth.”
Chunlan bent low, bowing. But Jiang Wenzhou stood rigid.
“Your Highness, heir, heir…”
“Jiang Wenzhou!” Marquis Pingxi roared.
Jiang Wenzhou shuddered and bent his body unwillingly. Humiliation surged like a tide. His eyes reddened, hatred burning deep within.
Watching from the crowd, Yun Zheng’s lips curled wildly upward: Delightful—so delightful! At last, you taste this day. And this was only the beginning.
“Second bow to the elders.”
On the dais sat Marquis Pingxi and his wife; below stood their heir. Their faces were ghastly, none able to endure such humiliation—yet they had no choice but to grit their teeth. He dared not imagine how the world would judge him, how the Emperor would see him.
“Bow as husband and wife.” Jiang Wenzhou was forced to lower his noble head, his palms digging so hard into his flesh that blood welled. This was the most humiliating moment of his life. The dignified heir of the Pingxi household, compelled to marry a hen! He would never be able to face anyone again. Lifting his head, he glared coldly at the red‑clad maiden—Yun Zheng. All her fault! He swore he would make her life worse than death, to avenge today’s disgrace.
Yun Zheng did not flinch. Her eyes were clear, her lips curved in mocking disdain—useless coward.
A thunderclap seemed to explode in Jiang Wenzhou’s mind. She dared to laugh at him! Ahhh—he would kill her!
All of it fell into Li Wuyang’s gaze. His lips curved faintly, amusement and irony glimmering. This long, tedious life had finally met someone vivid and intriguing. Perhaps it was time to fan the flames a little.