Su Tang lay in bed, staring at the white jade carved bird pattern sachet hanging from under the gauze curtain. Because of her pale face and lifeless expression, she remained silent. The maid Banxia knelt beside the bed, weeping again:

“Miss, don't think about it anymore. Marrying into the Prince Jingnan's Residence for a rush wedding is just a formality. The master of the Prince Jingnan's Residence is already seriously ill and his life is nearing its end. When he dies, your master and mistress will take you back to the residence. Then they will choose a good match for you again…”

The noise was incessant, Su Tang's eyes twitched, and she let out a sigh.

This little maid tried her best to fool me, but she kept repeating the same few phrases over and over again. I was starting to feel like my ears were developing calluses!

If it were truly that simple, this marriage wouldn't have fallen onto the master's shoulders. The master wouldn't have been so wrongly accused and left speechless, feeling deeply resentful and heartbroken. In a fit of despair, he couldn't bear the shame and took his own life early in the morning before dawn even broke.

Even Su Tang, looking at the current situation, felt quite helpless.

Yes.

I have traveled through time.

I was unfortunate in my blind date, I met a jerk. My high heels twisted and I rolled down the stairs. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on this rosewood bed carved with floral patterns, becoming the unlucky mistress of this little maidservant, a girl who shared the same name and surname as me.

Thinking about what the original owner had been through these past two weeks, Su Tang sighed with empathy. It was more thrilling than a rollercoaster ride.

The Su family originally lived by the mountains and lakes in Qingzhou, a prosperous household. Although not particularly wealthy, they were well-off and never worried about food or clothing.

A half month ago, the manager of Xinfu Mansion rode as fast as lightning to the Su family, saying that Xinfu Mansion had suffered a huge change, with no heir. They wanted to bring back Su Hongshan, the illegitimate son of the current uncle Wangye (King) Xinlaowangye who was left outside. This was also Su Tang's father.

This was like hitting the jackpot for the Su family. They went from being ordinary people in a remote town to the heir of the only remaining title held by the emperor's uncle overnight.

"Only being left... means you win just by surviving."

Su Hongshan hurriedly packed his belongings, not even bothering to wait for his son who was out with friends, and immediately returned to the capital with his wife.

On the road to Beijing, I encountered assassination attempts one after another. Several times I narrowly escaped death. Though I finally made it safely to Xin Wangfu, thinking that "out of danger comes good fortune", fate had other plans.

The third house of Xiwangfu obstructed Su Hongshen's acknowledgment of his ancestor and return to the family, seeking life or death refusing to allow Lord Xin Lao Wangye to establish Su Hongshen as his heir.

Three days ago, due to the matter of acknowledging their ancestors, Su Tang and Yun Jia, the legitimate daughter of the third house, had an argument by the lake in the garden. When they were arguing heatedly, Yun Jia pushed Su Tang. Su Tang was indignant and pushed back, as a result, Yun Jia jumped into the lake.

At that time, there were only Su Tang and Yun Jia by the lake. Not even a maid was present. Su Tang naturally became the prime suspect for pushing Yun Jia into the water, causing her to fall into a coma.

Yun Jia and the eldest son of Jingnan王府 had a betrothal since long ago. Before Su Tang entered the capital, the Empress Dowager ordered the Celestial Observatories to choose an auspicious day for her marriage, which is today.

And the eldest son of Jingnan王府 was afflicted with a strange illness. He couldn't get angry, and even the slightest anger could cause him dizziness, or in severe cases, vomiting and fainting.

Speaking of which, the news of Yun Jia's accident should have been kept strictly confidential within the Jingnan Prince's Mansion. Yet, it reached his ears first thing.

The result was predictable. The eldest son of the Jingnan Palace flew into a rage and fainted on the spot.

And this time it's worse than ever before, he hasn't woken up yet. Rumor has it that the imperial physician has already subtly reminded the Jingnan王府 to prepare for the worst.

A sudden accident occurred: Old Wang, the matchmaker, wanted to postpone the wedding date. The Jingnan王府 disagreed, which was understandable. After all, the Jingnan王府 relied on a hasty marriage for its success. Right now, it's more urgent than ever – they're lucky the wedding isn't being moved up! They definitely wouldn't agree to a delay.

It's just that Yun Jia is in a coma and can't get on the flower sedan chair. The Jingnan Royal Residence can't force it either, they can't disregard the lives of others just for their own son.

I don't know what the Lord of Jingnan Palace was thinking. Maybe the Lord of Jingnan Palace is really sick and can only try anything to save himself. To appease the situation, he even disregarded any propriety and wanted Su Tang, this culprit, to carry out Yun Jia's marriage by taking her place on the sedan chair.

He was even afraid of another accident and specially went to the palace to seek an imperial decree.

But Su Tang would never agree to this. This was clearly a scheme, pushing her into a pit of fire.

Having never experienced even a day of the splendor and riches of the Xiwangfu, it is unbearable to endure this suffering on behalf of others.

Crying, screaming, struggling...

It's a pity.

No one can help, for the imperial decree cannot be disobeyed.

The original character only considered himself innocent, even when no one believed him, including his parents. Dejected and heartbroken, he chose to defend himself with his life.

That's incredibly stupid.

When he woke up, thinking of the original owner's mother Xu Shi hugging him in her arms, Su Hongshan's eyes turned even redder. He wanted them to know how heartbroken it was that his beloved son was gone.

A faint rustling sound could be heard, it seemed the sedan chair from Jingnan Wangfu had arrived to pick someone up.

Su Tang sat up and asked Ban Xia, "Where are my parents?"

When I woke up, I was still groggy and afraid of saying the wrong thing, so I just stayed silent. Su Hongshan felt sorry for me and said he was going to find the Emperor to break off the engagement. Then he left. "My father wouldn't really go to the Emperor, would he?"

It's said that it wouldn't be so easy for the Emperor to meet him, especially since Su Hongshen hadn't formally acknowledged his ancestry. He might not even be able to enter the palace.

Banxia's eyes were bloodshot, she shook her head and said, "The master is going to the palace, but as soon as he left the courtyard, Old Wangye knocked him unconscious. He even took his wife away along with him."

If it weren't for the fear that the young lady might attempt suicide again, someone trustworthy would be needed to accompany and comfort her. I reckon they would both be locked up together.

Su Tang's heart sank.

Knock out father and mother, it seems that this will be a death wish. It is almost certain they will shove me into the bridal sedan while people are still hotheaded.

It's so infuriating to be treated this way. I feel like we should do something to make their lives a little more difficult, otherwise, it feels wrong to the original owner.

Su Tang motioned to Ban Xia to come closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Ban Xia's face was full of astonishment.

At this time, several people walked in. Leading them was an elderly woman, about forty-five or sixteen years old, with her hair neatly combed. She looked capable at a glance.

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Banxia niǎo bàn, yǎn lèi pū susun xià wàng diào.

Banxia niǎo bàn, yǎn lèi pū susun xià wàng diào.

How can you bear to force a girl into marriage? Seeing the wedding, I almost want to set everything ablaze.

Grandma didn't refer to Banxia either. She told the two maidservants, “Hurry and help Miss change into her wedding attire.”