Chapter 1

When the housekeeper Gao from the Duke of Rongguo's residence came to summon someone, Bao Ning was sitting on the kang playing with the puppy she had just raised.

A few days ago, the big yellow dog raised by Zhang in the kitchen had just given birth to a litter of puppies. However, Zhang had returned to her hometown to retire, and in the cold weather of the first month, the mother dog died after only a few days, leaving only one puppy alive from the litter. Bao Ning carried it back to the house.

Incense was lit in the room, and a faint fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air. Bao Ning leaned against the soft cushion, feeding the little puppy spoonfuls of milk.

Gao stood at the doorway, pursing her lips. She thought to herself, people always say that the Fifth Miss of the Xu family's courtyard has been absent-minded since she was a child, completely unambitious. She was born with a beautiful face, but now, it seems like those words are true. It's already this late, nearing her marriageable age, yet she still hasn't settled her marriage. She should follow the example of the Sixth Miss and quickly please the mistress to gain favor, striving to marry a respectable husband in the future. Instead, she spends all her time in this small courtyard, treating herself like a dog-mother.

Although she didn't like it, she still had to be respectful on the surface. Gao lightly knocked on the door three times. "Fifth Miss, the mistress is asking you to go to the Yimei Garden. It's urgent, so please hurry."

Bao Ning raised her head, surprise written all over her delicate face. "Mother is looking for me?"

Gao nodded. "Yes, and Madam Xu has also been summoned. They're on their way, and Master is also there."

Bao Ning was even more surprised.

The Duchess of the Duke's household had always been at odds with her aunt because the Duchess had no children of her own, and the only boy in the house was born to her aunt, named Ji Yun, who was twelve years old this year. The Duchess felt that her aunt threatened her position, so over the years, she hadn't shown any kindness to them, finding their presence bothersome. Why the sudden change today?

Bao Ning thought, there must be something going on.

She nodded and said, "Wait a moment," then called for a maid to come in to fix her hair and dress. In a hurry, she left the room.

As she walked out of the courtyard gate, Bao Ning reminded, "Don't forget to feed the puppy, and when Ji Yun comes back from school, keep him away from my dog."

The maid smiled and replied, "Miss, rest assured."

Bao Ning adjusted her clothes, smiled, and then walked away.

Gao watched her figure as she left, shaking her head. She muttered to herself, "She's really hopeless, always thinking about dogs. She's not even as good as our Fourth Miss by half a finger."

...

Along the way, Bao Ning kept thinking about why the Duchess had summoned her. She wondered why there was such a big fuss. Could it be that someone was coming to propose marriage?

But upon further thought, it seemed unlikely.

Over the years, there had been many matchmakers coming to the door, mostly legitimate sons from small families or illegitimate sons from noble families, all with good character and considered suitable matches. However, the Duchess had turned them all away, claiming that the Fifth Miss Bao Ning was still young and not in a hurry, wanting to carefully choose a husband for her.

The Duchess had her own calculations, but Bao Ning was as clear as a mirror in her heart. The Duchess hoped she would marry someone slightly worse off, preferably someone with mental or physical issues, to make her Fourth Sister look happier and more noble.

This was the life in the inner courtyard, full of calculations, dull and irritating.

Bao Ning couldn't change anything, nor did she want to bother changing anything. She only hoped to leave the mansion as soon as possible, away from this suffocating place, to a cleaner place.

Fortunately, this kind of life seemed not too far away, because Ji Jiaying had already been betrothed. In a few days, she would be betrothed to the Fourth Prince of the current emperor, Prince Pei Yuan of Jibei.

Marrying into the royal family and becoming an official royal consort, although Prince Pei Yuan's reputation wasn't very good and had a somewhat infamous feel to it, this still made the Duchess and Ji Jiaying proud for a long time.

Bao Ning thought, hopefully the Duchess's mood would improve because of this matter, and she wouldn't nitpick anymore. She couldn't handle those tricky and vicious methods.

...Speaking of which, Ji Jiaying's marriage could be considered a stroke of luck.

The old Duke of Rongguo was a remarkable figure, having fought alongside the previous emperor to conquer half the country. The two were extremely close, and one day, after drinking and chatting, they mentioned that both their daughters-in-law were pregnant. Feeling the strange coincidence, they immediately arranged a marriage between their grandchildren, saying that when their grandchildren were born, if they were of the same gender, they would become sworn siblings, and if they were one of each, they would become in-laws.

Later, it turned out to be one boy and one girl. However, just three days after Ji Jiaying was born, the previous emperor passed away, and a new emperor ascended the throne. A month later, the old Duke of Rongguo also passed away. That arranged marriage was never mentioned again.

Until a few days ago, the Duchess had an idea and bribed her brother, Tao Maobing, who held the position of Tiger Might General, a second-ranking official in the court, to bring up this matter to the current emperor.

The emperor was currently worried about Pei Yuan's situation. This son of his was extremely wild, extravagant, and refused to be disciplined. He was already of age, but no good girl was willing to marry him. Tao Maobing happened to solve his urgent problem. With a big stroke of the pen, the emperor immediately decided on this marriage.

...

Turning the corner of the corridor was the Yimei Garden. Bao Ning stopped and patted the scattered hair around her ears, forcing a smile.

She had made up her mind that when she saw Ji Jiaying later, she would find an opportunity to flatter her, make her happy, and if Ji Jiaying was happy, she would speak fewer irritating words.

She thought, "Congratulations to Fourth Sister for finding a satisfactory husband. Sister is so lucky to marry into the imperial family. The family will also shine because of Sister. Sister will surely get along well with her husband and live a worry-free life."

She just didn't expect that before she even stepped into the courtyard, she heard Ji Jiaying throwing things and crying loudly, "Mother, I don't want to marry! You have to help me!"

Bao Ning stood at the door in shock.

...

Inside the room, there were broken porcelain pieces scattered all over the floor. The Duchess held her daughter's shoulders, crying loudly, while Duke Rong paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He stamped his foot and turned around, saying, "I told you earlier, stay out of royal matters. But you, always chasing after vanity and prestige, insisted on meddling. Thought you were some expert strategist, didn't you? Now look at the mess you've made!"

With red eyes, Mrs. Tao retorted, "If it weren't for your lack of ambition, relying solely on your title as Duke but only a fifth-rank official, could I have taken that step? My daughter is a precious gem, yet look at the suitors you've brought forth. Not one of them has a promising future. How could I bear to let her marry into such families? Good households look down on you, useless as you are. Can't you see that?"

Duke Rong sneered, "And how's it now? The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince conspired to poison the Emperor. The Crown Prince was deposed, the Fourth Prince imprisoned, and their titles revoked. Now one's missing, the other crippled. Now are you willing to marry them off?"

Defiantly, Mrs. Tao exclaimed, "I don't care! You have so many nieces and daughters. Let them jump into the fire if they want. But not my Jia Ying!"

Hearing this, Jia Ying cried even louder, "Mother, save me! The Fourth Prince won't last much longer. I don't want to be a widow..."

Duke Rong's trembling finger pointed at Mrs. Tao, but he couldn't manage a word.

In just a blink of an eye, the room descended into chaos.

Awkwardly, the maid led Bao Ning to the door, whispering, "Master, madam, Miss Bao Ning is here."

As they turned to look, the three inside the room stared back.

Bao Ning quickly composed herself, suppressing her surprise, and respectfully greeted, "Father, mother."

Mrs. Tao wiped her eyes, found a place to sit, and ignored her.

Duke Rong, his face flushed, awkwardly waved at her. "Bao Ning is here. Why don't you say something? Come over here to your father."

"Jia Changping, what's the point of saying all those polite words when our faces are torn apart?" Mrs. Tao's cold gaze swept over, snapping, "I'll tell you, I was being courteous to you earlier. But now, I'll lay it out plain. Regardless of what you think or what Lady Xu thinks, Bao Ning will take her place in that ill-fated marriage! That's the solution I've come up with for my daughter! If you dare to play tricks and refuse, tomorrow I'll go to my brother, go straight to the Emperor, and make sure you don't even get a fifth-rank official position!"

"You... you..." Duke Rong pointed at Mrs. Tao, but couldn't utter a word.

However, Bao Ning remained calm. After listening for a while, she understood what had happened.

The royal marriage Mrs. Tao had painstakingly arranged for Jia Ying had turned into a disaster. Unwilling to sacrifice her own daughter, she sought to sacrifice someone else's. With six daughters in the house, the eldest three already married off, and the youngest, Jia Liuxiang, only twelve years old, Bao Ning, unmarried and of suitable age, became the only scapegoat.

This was Mrs. Tao's usual style.

She turned to look at Jia Ying, who was sitting in the corner. Jia Ying had stopped crying so much, knowing her mother was backing her up. She smiled at Bao Ning, her smile seeming to carry a hint of provocation.

At that smile, Bao Ning felt a chill creeping into her heart.

As if sensing her thoughts, Jia Ying spoke, "Sister Bao Ning, don't feel aggrieved. Can you and I be the same? I am the legitimate daughter, you are the illegitimate one. Marrying a prince as his lawful wife is you reaching up. You should be grateful I'm giving you this opportunity, not resentful. Understand?"

Duke Rong snapped, "Jia Ying, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Did Fourth Sister say something wrong?" Mrs. Tao stood up, shielding her daughter, glaring at Duke Rong, then turning to Bao Ning, she asked, "I'll ask you one question, will you marry or not?"

Bao Ning diverted her gaze from Jia Ying's smug face, breathed a sigh of relief, and replied, "I will."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous                                                                                                        Next