In July, Yu arrived at the imperial city. The sun was blazing overhead.

Before dawn, the front of the Ji family's house was crowded with onlookers.

Today is the auspicious day for the current Fifth Prince to marry the eldest daughter of the Ji family. However, at this moment, only royal palanquins and flower sedan chairs following the imperial marriage system, along with a dozen or so musicians, are stopped at the gate of the Ji family. As the groom, the Fifth Prince is strangely absent.

The onlookers watched the empty saddle on the powerful horse, their murmurs growing louder.

"Tsk tsk tsk… on such a joyous occasion, even the groom didn't show up. What an ill omen."

"I'd heard that this Fifth Prince was a coward, but I never thought he'd even back down on such a joyous occasion."

"He was always timid, and now he's marrying a daughter of the Ji family with such a bad reputation. It's understandable that the Fifth Prince wouldn't come. Look at the Ji family, full of martial arts experts. All the other sons are both scholarly and martial, but this eldest daughter is a spineless coward who hasn't even stepped out of her door."

"I heard that the eldest daughter of this Ji family is actually a fool..."

Wearing dazzling finery, the matchmaker ignored the whispers around her and smiled as she ascended the steps. She looked at Lin Wan Yun with a helpless expression and said, "Madam Ji, you know that the Fifth Prince is timid and fearful. In this situation... we can only ask Miss Ji to go first."

Lin Wan Yun's face fell further upon hearing this. "Even on a day of great joy, it wouldn't be right for my son to go alone. Is this the way Fifth Prince raises his children?" Seven

The Ji family is a renowned military clan with a history spanning centuries, holding a position of great importance in the emperor's heart. Even as an ordinary prince, one would not dare to intimidate Madam Ji, the matriarch of the Ji family.

When the matchmaker heard this, she awkwardly froze in place.

Under the big red veil, Ji Zi Zhao lowered her eyes and softly said, "Mother needn't worry, I'll go there myself."

It's settled anyway.

Regardless of who she marries, she's going to get married.

"Unexpectedly, Miss Ji is so considerate. Let me help you, and take it slow." Saying that, Xi Po reached out and grasped Ji Zi Zhao's wrist. Though her words were polite, there was a hint of force in her grip.

He's just a spoiled brat from a lowly family. To marry the Fifth Prince is a blessing earned over countless lifetimes.

Lin Wan Yun watched as her son got into the flower palanquin, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

Inside the carriage, Ji Zi Zhao under the red bridal veil remained as indifferent as ever, her eyes lowered.

It has been fifteen years since I opened my eyes in this different world.

...I had long since learned and grown accustomed to indifference to all things.

This marriage was arranged by my grandfather.

From a young age, my grandfather was the most loving and caring. He would never let anything happen to him.

Getting married is just getting married, for him it's just a change of scenery to continue drifting with the world.

As the flower sedan was lifted by the bearers, the wedding procession turned and slowly made their way back to the residence of the Fifth Prince.

As he was about to pass the city gate, a sound of hurried hooves suddenly came from afar and drew nearer.

Heart Orchid, who was following behind the palanquin, exclaimed, "Miss, it's a pack mule that passed through the North Gate!"

The order arrow is a military report, coming from the North Gate...

That is the military report from Grandfather and Uncle in Yiliang City!

"Qingzhu, hurry back to the estate and investigate!" Beneath his hat, Ji Zi Zhao's usually calm eyes lifted slightly, revealing a composure that no one had ever seen before.

The galloping hoofbeats just now, accompanied by a flurry of panic and haste, were surely not a good omen.

The bamboo behind the Heart Orchid quickly turned, passing by the welcoming procession without a sound.

The flower palanquin was still swaying as it made its way toward the Fifth Prince's residence, but Ji Zi Zhao inside was on edge, every nerve taut.

According to my grandfather, this marriage was personally requested by the Fifth Prince.

The grandfather, seeing that the Fifth Prince spoke sincerely and with a genuine attitude, finally agreed to this matter.

It takes courage to propose in person, but not the courage to get married?

Then, thinking of the just-departed courier, Ji Zi Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

I'm afraid...

A medley of scents rose from outside the palanquin, a fleeting fragrance of returning green bamboo.

At this moment, my eyes are red. Even though I try my best to hold back the sound, my voice still trembles uncontrollably. "Miss, it's not good. The messenger just arrived and said... that the battle at Yì has been lost. The old master and several elders all… perished on the battlefield…"

Ji Zi Zhao's scalp went numb.

All burials...

...none left.

It felt like being pierced by a thousand arrows, my heart ripped apart with pain.

Ji Zi Zhao closed her eyes, but tears still flowed down her cheeks frantically.

Xilan feared that her young mistress would cry on her happy day, so she whispered, “Miss, even if you're sad, please bear with it for now. You will soon be the Fifth Prince's consort. If you lose your etiquette, people will surely talk.”

Under the red bridal veil, Ji Zi Zhao suddenly opened her eyes wide when she heard this.

When the Ji family was still at the height of its glory, the fifth prince came to propose marriage.

Now, it's likely that they changed their attitude towards the Ji family after learning about the deaths of our grandfather and uncles on the battlefield.

What words are sincere, and attitude is earnest...

He's just a petty person who loves to put others down.

The voice of the matchmaker suddenly rang out from outside the flower palanquin, "Miss Ji's family, you are about to arrive at the Fifth Prince's residence."

Inside the palanquin, Ji Zi Zhao was filled with cold indifference and sorrow, steadying her breath.

Qingzhu was the most thoughtful among several maidservants who followed Ji Zi Zhao.

Listening to the matchmaker's words, she first raised her head and looked towards the Fifth Prince's Mansion ahead.

The messenger who had just gone to the Ji family to deliver military dispatches was now dismounting in front of the Fifth Prince's gate.

"Miss, why don't we go back first?"

Where is there a day of great joy that will send messengers to the doorstep?

In the palanquin, however, came a steady voice from Ji Zi Zhao, "Why go back?"

Here it is as it was.

That's just perfect, then.

I'm really curious to see what other bullying tactics the fifth prince has up his sleeve.

Not only was there a military courier at the gate of the Fifth Prince's Mansion, but also Luohong, the chief steward of the Fifth Prince's Mansion.

Luohong, a girl of eighteen, was sent to the Fifth Prince's side by Concubine Xi back when she was favored. She was tasked with taking care of the Fifth Prince's daily life.

Everyone knows that over the years, Luohong has taken care of the Fifth Prince with utmost care. However, few know that some years ago, Luohong secretly developed feelings for him.

Looking at the grand red palanquin slowly being carried over, Luohong's clenched fist in her sleeve tightened with each step, and the hatred in her heart grew stronger.

He's nothing but a spineless weakling from the Ji family. What qualifications does he have to marry the Fifth Prince?

Now that the Ji family is down and out, even if this useless good-for-nothing wants to enter the house, he would have to crawl in on his knees!

Thus thinking, the moment the flower sedan settled to the ground, Luohong looked down at the steps.

"Army report! General Ji acted recklessly! The sons of the Ji family, single-mindedly pursuing their own path, led to the defeat in Yip's battle! Therefore, all male members of the Ji family were buried on the battlefield! The Second Prince, merciful and compassionate, could not bear to see my soldiers and generals, reduced to mere skeletons far from home. In ten days, he will personally return with a coffin!"

As soon as the news came out, it shocked all the people outside the Fifth Prince's mansion.

Luo Hong stood tall on the steps, overlooking the flower palanquin that rested peacefully below.

Is the useless person from the Ji family loved?

But this is just the beginning.