The Prime Minister takes a wife; the General marries off his daughter.
The wedding procession carried the dowry while scattering wedding candies along the way, enveloping the entire city in a joyous atmosphere.
The crackling sound of firecrackers faintly reached the deepest part of the mansion, clearly falling into Jiang Wan’s ears.
Difficult labor coupled with heavy bleeding—after hours of struggle, she no longer had the strength to speak.
The scent of blood dominated her senses, while sweat and tears intertwined, blurring Jiang Wan’s vision.
Her consciousness gradually faded, only to be pulled back by the deafening sound of gongs and drums.
The firecrackers grew louder and closer—the wedding procession had returned.
Jiang Wan’s mind suddenly sharpened. Counting the days, it had been half a year since she last saw Fu Ci.
Today was the day he took a wife. She wondered what he looked like at this very moment.
He must be as she imagined—riding a tall horse, dressed in the groom’s auspicious robes, his face as fair as jade, so noble and captivating that one couldn’t look away.
Jiang Wan’s pale, bloodless lips trembled slightly.
She had fantasized about such a scene countless times since they first fell in love.
Unfortunately, in the end, she did not become Fu Ci’s wife.
Today, he married someone else.
A feeling of pain and suffocation rose from the depths of her heart—Jiang Wan’s heart condition flared up again.
More fiercely than ever before.
Jiang Wan felt she might die.
Perhaps it was for the best—a way to fulfill his wishes.
If not for concerns about her health, Fu Ci should have married two years ago.
Jiang Wan gritted her teeth, refusing to let out a groan.
She knew all too well—many in this mansion wished for her death.
Even if she cried out in pain and begged for help, no one would pity her.
“Concubine Jiang, it’s not that we refuse to call a physician for you. It’s the Master’s order—no one in our courtyard is allowed to step beyond the gate today.”
“The little lady was born without a breath. Calling a physician would be useless. Please don’t make a fuss, lest you anger the Master and lose even this small courtyard.”
“Today is the Master’s auspicious wedding day. No bloodshed is allowed. Tomorrow, we servants will report the news of your difficult labor to the Master and the new Madam.”
“If you’re tired, just sleep. It won’t hurt as much when you’re asleep.”
“Concubine Jiang, we servants are only following the orders of the Old Madam and the Master. If you don’t survive, please don’t come back to haunt us.”
“…”
Listening to the old maids’ voices, Jiang Wan found them unbearably noisy.
She touched the small infant beside her, already cold. So tiny, she hadn’t even had the chance to open her eyes and see the world before slipping away silently.
Not even a single cry had escaped her lips.
Jiang Wan carefully examined the baby’s features—she looked so much like Fu Ci.
Her eyebrows, nose, chin… every part resembled him.
In the past, Fu Ci would have adored this child.
But now, everything had changed.
Since learning of her pregnancy, Fu Ci had never appeared again.
With his actions, he made it clear he had no anticipation for this child’s arrival.
Jiang Wan gently tugged the baby’s small hand.
Perhaps, compared to a future of cold indifference, this was the best outcome for the child.
Another wave of pain struck. Her heartbeat grew faster and faster. Jiang Wan gasped for breath like a fish out of water.
Her gaze fixed on the direction of the courtyard gate. “Fu Ci…”
“Concubine Jiang, the Master will not come.”
The ceremonial official’s loud proclamation of “The rites are complete!” echoed throughout the mansion.
At the same moment, Jiang Wan’s hand fell limply by the bedside.
The porcelain-white jade bracelet slipped from her thin wrist.
It hit the floor with a clatter.
Shattering into pieces.