In the Marquis Estate, everyone from top to bottom knew that Xiao Jingheng and Jiang Wanfu had grown up together since childhood, sharing a deep bond…
Xiao Jingheng had always yielded to her, doted on her, and indulged her in everything since they were young.
Because her name contained the character “Fu” and because she loved hibiscus flowers, he had planted hibiscus all over the estate’s courtyard.
And those vast blooming hibiscus flowers—Jiang Wantang had seen them too when she first entered the estate. It was clear that the person who tended them had truly cherished her to the core.
In the eyes of outsiders, she and Xiao Jingheng were a deeply affectionate couple, treating each other with respect and living in perfect harmony.
But in the eyes of everyone in the Marquis Estate, Jiang Wanfu was Xiao Jingheng’s beloved, the one he loved but could not have.
They whispered privately that Xiao Jingheng treated her well only because she was Jiang Wanfu’s younger sister.
That she was merely a substitute.
Jiang Wantang was not indifferent to these rumors; she simply wanted a home of her own.
Fortunately, after their marriage, Xiao Jingheng treated her well, respected her, and even protected her in a way.
She once thought it would be fine if they continued to live like this—respectful and harmonious, leading a peaceful and stable life.
But now, it seemed she had hoped for too much.
What was never truly hers could never be held onto…
As her thoughts settled, a faint, bitterly mocking smile curved at the corner of Jiang Wantang’s lips.
On such a cold winter day, she had waited at the palace gates for a long time, her face and nose red from the chill, but Xiao Jingheng never appeared. In the end, she returned to the Marquis Estate alone.
……
Pingyang Marquis Estate.
As soon as Jiang Wantang returned, a servant hurried forward to report that the Chancellor’s wife had been waiting in the estate for quite some time.
Madam Qin, the Chancellor’s wife, was her birth mother and also Jiang Wanfu’s stepmother.
She understood this mother of hers all too well—she never acted without gain and never visited without a purpose.
No doubt, it was about Jiang Wanfu again.
After all, in the eyes of this “good mother” of hers, Jiang Wanfu was as precious as a pearl, while she, the birth daughter, was as worthless as grass.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wantang nodded slightly, her expression indifferent. “Very well, I’ll go over now.”
As soon as she stepped into the front hall, Madam Qin eagerly approached, took her hand, and sat her down, her face brimming with warmth. “Tang’er, your mother was passing by on her way back to the estate and thought she’d come see you.”
Passing by?
The Chancellor’s Estate and Pingyang Marquis Estate were clearly in two different directions…
A cold laugh echoed in Jiang Wantang’s heart, though her expression remained calm. “Mother, if you have something to say today, please speak plainly.”
Madam Qin paused for a moment, her gaze shifting uneasily as she looked at Jiang Wantang. “Your mother came not only to see you but also to inform you of one more matter.”
“Your elder sister has been confined to the Cold Palace by His Majesty and is living in hardship.”
“You two sisters bear some resemblance in appearance, and since you rarely leave the estate while she sees no outsiders in the Cold Palace…”
Here, Madam Qin hesitated, her eyes avoiding Jiang Wantang’s. “Your father’s intention is for you to enter the Cold Palace and take your elder sister’s place.”
After speaking, Madam Qin discreetly observed Jiang Wantang’s expression.
Inform?
That meant the decision had already been made, leaving no room for her objections.
With this thought, the chill in Jiang Wantang’s heart grew even colder.
Seeing her lower her gaze in silence, Madam Qin’s tone turned a few degrees colder. “Tang’er, you must know that this marriage was originally your elder sister’s. You are only occupying her position and benefiting from her fortune to enjoy such a comfortable life in the Marquis Estate.”
“The harem is a place of deep suffering. She only endured such torment and ended up being consigned to the Cold Palace because she entered the palace in your stead.”
“You must remember her kindness for the rest of your life.”
As Madam Qin spoke, she observed Jiang Wantang’s expression closely.
Seeing that the latter remained silent, she continued, “Now the opportunity has come. Your elder sister suffers in the palace, and it is time for you to return everything that rightfully belongs to her.”
Madam Qin spoke with righteous indignation, placing all the blame for Jiang Wanfu’s misfortune squarely on her shoulders.
Jiang Wantang’s hand, holding the teacup, froze instantly. Her heart felt as if pierced by something sharp, a pain so intense it stole her breath away.
Even though she had long been utterly disappointed in this mother, hearing these words still wounded her deeply.
To deceive her into entering the palace, even such lies about their similar appearances could be uttered.
Outside, the wind and snow seemed to grow fiercer, carrying with them a heavy, oppressive chill.
The bone-piercing cold relentlessly seeped into her body, reaching every limb and joint.
Yet Jiang Wantang felt that nothing could compare to the coldness in her heart at this moment.
This biting chill suddenly reminded her of a decade ago, on a similarly harsh winter day with heavy snowfall.
That day, a banquet was held at the mansion. The young and playful Jiang Wantang sneaked out and was spotted by a noble lady visiting the estate. The lady smiled and praised, “The second young lady of Xiangfu is truly beautiful. When she grows up, I fear no one in the capital will compare. Minister Jiang is truly blessed—each of his children is more outstanding in appearance than the last, truly worthy of being the Tanhua Lang once personally selected by His Majesty!”
These words quickly reached her father, Jiang Zhixu. The gentle expression he always wore in public cracked instantly, visibly turning cold and sinister.
Upon closer inspection, one could even detect a flicker of murderous intent in his dark, heavy eyes.
That night, her father ordered a bowl of poison to be prepared.
He intended to poison her.
At the time, she was only six years old. Servants held her arms, pried open her mouth, and prepared to force the poison down her throat.
In her eyes, the father who had once seemed so tall and majestic suddenly transformed into a terrifying, demonic shadow.
Jiang Wantang had known from a young age that her father disliked her.
Every time he saw her, his expression would darken, his eyes growing unnervingly gloomy.
Neither father nor mother showed her affection.
When her mother witnessed her father attempting to poison her, she merely watched coldly from the sidelines.
Not a single word of plea escaped her lips.
It was only when her elder brother, Jiang Huaizhou, arrived in time that he stopped their father’s attempt to kill his own daughter.
Her father glared at her with venomous eyes, pondering for a long while before finally sparing her life.
As if allowing her to live was an immense act of mercy.
But staying in the mansion as the second young lady of the Jiang family was utterly impossible.
After all, with her elder sister Jiang Wanfu—the jewel of the family—already shining brightly, the Jiang family had no need for two exceptionally beautiful daughters.
“Tang’er doesn’t want to leave. What did Tang’er do wrong?”
“Mother, please save Tang’er. Don’t make Tang’er go, wuwuwu…”
Small and helpless, she was pinned to the ground by servants, stretching her hands out desperately toward her mother…
But her mother only glanced at her before turning away to embrace her younger sister, Jiang Wanhe, who was surrounded by maids and nannies.
All that remained for her was a cold, indifferent back.
She said, “Tang’er, leave.”
“Don’t blame your mother for being heartless. This is simply your fate.”
“Your very existence only causes Mother to be disliked by Father, and your sister to be treated poorly.”
“Tang’er, for the sake of Mother and your sister, please leave quickly!”
Once you leave, never come back.
At that time, Jiang Wantang did not understand—what had she done wrong? Why did her parents despise her so?
Later, she realized it was not her who was at fault, but them.