The Truth-Telling Bride

I've been cursed with an illness that forces me to tell nothing but the truth.

The Prince brought a woman home and demanded I vacate my position as his rightful wife.

I was so overwhelmed with joy that tears streamed down my face. I grabbed the woman's hands and exclaimed, "Dear sister, you are a saint! From now on, I will burn incense and pray for your longevity and happiness every single day!"

My dear "sister" turned pale. The Prince's face darkened like a storm cloud.

1.

On the day I married into the Seventh Prince's manor, the streets were lined with dowry gifts for miles. Everyone envied me.

But on our wedding night, the Seventh Prince gave me the cold shoulder:

"Marrying you was my mother's idea. I've had someone else in my heart all along. Don't expect anything from me except the title of Princess."

I couldn't control my mouth. I snapped back at him, "Are you kidding me? You look like a respectable man, but you're just a momma's boy with no backbone!"

The Seventh Prince stormed off in a rage.

Now, he brings another woman home.

Not only am I perfectly fine with it, I'm moved to tears!

Unfortunately, the Seventh Prince has a type, and his brain seems to be lacking.

Her name is Blanche.

When I first saw her, she was dressed all in white. Whether that's bad luck or not, the moment she opened her mouth, I was stunned.

"Tsk. Women in this era are so pitiful!"

I thought I'd misheard.

"Do you have a problem?"

Blanche lifted her chin, radiating arrogance. "I'm nothing like you. I'm destined to be the woman they can never have!"

"Clearly, I'm not worthy," I muttered. "I'm too normal to fit in with you."

Blanche stumbled back, furious, just as the Seventh Prince walked in.

"Blanche, I've summoned the managers of the cosmetics shop and the tavern. Show them what you've got!"

He didn't even look at me, so I had to speak up.

"Um... Damian, have a proper conversation with your Princess. Don't lump me in with someone as narrow-minded as her, a woman who'll never see beyond her little world!"

Blanche radiated an aura of "I'm too高贵 for you commoners."

"A woman like that can't compare to you. I'll demote her to a concubine!" The Seventh Prince echoed her like a lovesick fool.

I'm the jewel of the Grand General's household. When have I ever endured such humiliation?

I immediately pulled out a massive blade and snarled, "You filthy pair, prepare to die!"

2.

Chaos erupted in the Seventh Prince's manor:

"Guards! Protect me! No, protect Blanche first!"

The palace guards rushed in, saw it was the Princess doing the beating, and all looked down, pretending not to see.

"Useless servants! Can't you see this shrew is attacking me?"

The guards pushed and shoved each other.

Finally, they sent a representative to summarize the situation for the Prince:

"Your Highness, our salaries have been paid from the Princess's dowry lately. We really can't lay a hand on her. Perhaps you could settle our wages first?"

Prince Damian probably never imagined this day would come.

His own wife was chasing him with a weapon, and his guards were demanding back pay!

I have my principles. I don't drag the mistress into it, so I only went after Damian.

Blanche stood to the side, shouting at me as I pummeled him: "You're so barbaric and unreasonable! No wonder Damian doesn't love you! You're just jealous that he's good to me! Jealousy is tearing you apart!"

Well done, Blanche. You've successfully ignited my fury!

I hit him even harder.

3.

My beating of Damian reached the Emperor's ears.

He summoned me alone to the palace.

Before I could even leave the manor, the servants, maids, guards, and stewards were all in tears:

"Your Highness! You can't go!"

"What will we do without you? Take us with you!"

I couldn't help but twitch my lips.

I'm just going to the palace, and they're all acting like I'm about to die.

Well, to be honest, I feel like I might be.

"Your Imperial Majesty, your subject's wife has sinned!"

Knowing when to yield, I kowtowed to the Emperor first.

"What is your crime?"

Hearing that opening, I knew the Emperor was about to interrogate me.

"Your subject's wife should not have laid hands on the Prince when he threatened to demote me to a concubine!" I should have hit him harder and become a widow—that would have been the cleanest solution!

"Outrageous!" The Emperor was indeed furious. "How dare that wretch treat you like this!"

"Your subject's wife—wait, what?" I stopped mid-sentence and looked up in confusion.

Who was the Emperor scolding just now?

"Good child, you've been wronged! I promised your father I'd take care of you, and this wretch dares to treat you like this!"

"Your judgment really isn't great. Of all people, you picked a momma's boy!"

"Ahem! I was joking!" Curse this illness, I couldn't help myself!

The Emperor's lips twitched. "Don't worry, Vivian. I have plenty of sons. If this one doesn't work, we'll find another! What about the Sixth Prince, Dorian? He's only two years older than you. You'll have things to talk about!"

"True."

The Emperor sighed in relief, his lips about to curl into a smile.

But I added, "He spends all his time in the Red Lantern District studying the cosmetics the courtesans use. Plenty to talk about."

"Then..." He hesitated for a long moment. "The Eighth Prince!"

I jumped up. "The Eighth Prince is only ten years old! I couldn't bring myself to do that even if I wanted to!"

We stared at each other and fell silent.

I was silent, mourning for this mouth that never knows when to shut up.

The Emperor was silent too. I think I might have traumatized him.

We sat on the floor together, having already exhausted our conversation.

"In that case... it will have to be your younger brother-in-law."

A third voice suddenly chimed in, startling us both.

4.

The Emperor quickly stood up, putting on a stern face. "Adrian, how did you get in here?"

Adrian jumped down from the rafters. "I may be a bit older, but I know how to cherish a woman. I certainly won't let Vivian suffer."

"No, no, no! Your Majesty, let's stick with the Sixth Prince! I heard your brother is impotent!" I wanted to slap my own mouth!

In my past life, I must have committed terrible crimes to deserve this mouth in this life.

The Emperor coughed violently. "What nonsense! Adrian, don't worry. I'll issue the marriage decree for you and Vivian right away!"

Before I could say anything else, the Emperor had me thrown out of the study.

"Go pack your dowry and move it to the Southern Garrison Manor!"

When the carriage arrived at the Seventh Prince's manor, I hadn't even had time to share my joy.

Before me lay a sea of white!

The entire manor was draped in white!

Could it be...?

I thought back. Had I hit Damian too hard and killed him?

No way!

I hurried inside. If Damian was really dead, then I'd be a happy little widow, living like a fairy!

But along the way, I didn't see a single servant. What was going on?

Before I reached the main hall, I heard loud wailing coming from inside.

Quite the commotion!

I quickly rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, sniffled, and joined in the crying. "Oh, my Prince! How could you leave so soon!"

Before I even stepped through the door, my eyes landed on a memorial tablet in the center.

It read: "In Memory of Vivian Gu, Princess of the Seventh Prince."

I gritted my teeth, my face twisted with rage.

"I can't believe you people! You're all wishing for my death!"

5.

"A ghost!"

"It's a zombie!"

The scene was utter chaos.

Funeral paper money flew everywhere.

I yelled at these ignorant fools to calm down, then announced the good news of the divorce and started packing my dowry.

The number of servants who chose to follow me back to the General's mansion far exceeded those I'd originally brought from there.

They'd all had enough of being poor.

Before I married into the manor, the Seventh Prince's household was so broke they had nothing left but the plaque on the gate.

Damian put on airs of grandeur outside but was a miser at home, living off his mother's handouts.

But I'm kind-hearted, so I let them carry my dowry and come with me.

Before leaving, I even set off firecrackers to ward off bad luck.

The next day, I heard from the visiting Sixth Prince that Damian had lost his voice.

He'd woken up in his room and screamed until his throat went hoarse, but no one answered.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Serves him right!"

The Sixth Prince leaned in. "I heard Father was going to betroth you to me?"

"That was the plan."

"What's wrong with you?" The Sixth Prince clicked his tongue. "I invited you to play mahjong back then, but you had to listen to Consort Hui's lies about my seventh brother having no concubines or bedmates. Turns out he's just a broke loser."

The Sixth Prince winked at me. "When's the wedding? My place is still short a player!"

"Dream on. It's not you."

The Sixth Prince froze.

"How is that possible? Besides me, Father has no other sons. Unless..." He swallowed hard. "No way, Vivian. Are you sick enough to go after my eighth brother? He's just a kid!"

"Dorian, have you lost your mind? It's your uncle—the one you told me was impotent!"

"So, you're the one who said I was impotent."

The Sixth Prince spun around and closed his eyes. "My concubine is calling me home for dinner. Farewell!"

6.

The Sixth Prince vanished as if he had wind under his feet.

That left me and Adrian staring at each other.

I immediately raised my fan to cover my face. "It's bad luck for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding! Stay back!"

I tried to flee too.

"I brought ten thousand gold pieces as a betrothal gift."

My love for money made me slam on the brakes.

"My husband is so generous! Are we really this wealthy?"

"Mhm." His voice was softer than before, clearly pleased with my quick change of heart.

I sidled up to him. "Where's the gift?"

He pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve and handed it to me. "It's deposited in the Worldly Silver Bank. This is the receipt."

"Wow!" My eyes lit up, and I was about to tuck it away.

Suddenly, a pig-headed figure came charging out of nowhere.

Before he could get close, he was kicked flying.

He traced a beautiful arc through the air, accompanied by the words, "Baby, I ate noodles today because I suddenly wanted to see you!"

"What the hell?"

7.

I stared at this pig head. Why did he look familiar?

The pig head stubbornly picked himself up and continued his assault. "Baby, have you heard? The night I miss you~"

I gagged!

Thankfully, Adrian stepped in front of me.

No more eye pollution!

"Damian, mind your place!"

"Vivian was just upset with me yesterday. Uncle, don't meddle in other people's business!"

This pig head was Damian? I was shocked!

Yesterday, he was all arrogance, threatening to demote me to a concubine.

Today, had he taken the wrong medicine?

"Vivian? Is that how you address her? She is now the future Princess of Southern Garrison, your aunt!" Adrian's voice was ice-cold. The desire to kill was unmistakable in his eyes.

"Impossible! Vivian loves me!"

Adrian scoffed. "Do you have money?"

The Seventh Prince looked as if he'd been stabbed. He insisted, "She loves me! And I love her!"

Adrian scoffed again. "Love her? You love her money. You're pathetic!"

The Seventh Prince ran off crying. "I'm going to Father to settle this!"

Then, we were both summoned to the palace.

"This has nothing to do with me! It's him, him, him!"

8.

I pointed at the sobbing pig head.

I mean, the Seventh Prince.

The Emperor's lips twitched. "I've already severely reprimanded this wretch and confined him to his quarters for three months. Adrian, don't stoop to a child's level. I've also had the astrologers pick a date. How about the eighth day of the third month?"

"I think the eighth day of next month would be better."

"Isn't that too rushed?" I couldn't help but interject.

These two were haggling like they were at a market, and I, the person involved, was standing right here!

"I've already prepared the wedding dress."

I pursed my lips, wanting to fight for a little more time as a single woman.

Adrian suddenly leaned in and whispered, "The Southern Garrison Manor is wealthier than a nation. The Princess is welcome to come and count the money."

My eyes lit up!

That's my favorite activity!

"Your Majesty, I also think the eighth of next month is perfect!" The key point was counting money!

"Vivian, I've given you nothing but love and even handed over my family's debts! Have you lost your mind marrying this old man over thirty?"

"Show some respect. He's not an old man—he's my old baby!"

What else could the Emperor say?

He smiled politely and awkwardly and told them to get the hell out.

"Your Majesty, you've worked hard."

"Not at all." The Emperor waved his hand. "It's my fate that's hard."

My becoming the Princess of Southern Garrison was set in stone.

I didn't have much of an opinion on who I married.

As the daughter of the Grand General, my husband had to be a member of the royal family to ensure my father wouldn't rebel.

All I could do was work hard to make money and make sure my father had no worries on the frontier.

9.

My happy days as a single woman dwindled one by one.

Even playing mahjong with the Sixth Prince made me sigh.

"You've won so much money, and you're still sighing!"

"The closer I get to becoming the Princess of Southern Garrison, the sadder I am about losing my freedom."

"Cheer up. Uncle is wealthier than a nation. Now that he's back in the capital and in charge of the national treasury, you won't have to worry about funds anymore!"

We chatted as we played.

"That's true. He sincerely invites me to his manor every day to count money, but I've been holding back."

The Sixth Prince gritted his teeth. "Damn, you're so annoying!"

I grinned, pushed my tiles, and won again!

The Sixth Prince immediately tried to welch, claiming he'd lost everything down to his underwear.

He suggested taking me to the Red Lantern District to listen to some songs and look at pretty ladies instead.

I scoffed.

But later, having a beauty on each arm turned out to be pretty great!

"Do you think having money makes you special? You need to apologize to me!"

I heard a familiar voice.

"What's wrong with her?" The Sixth Prince was about to go in, but I grabbed him.

That white sleeve was way too familiar.

"Wait! Apologize to me! You must apologize to me!"

Well, well, well. Wasn't that Blanche?

What was she doing in the Red Lantern District?

"Why is she here again? So unlucky!"

"Get the madam to throw her out before she scares off the guests!"

I asked, "Is there a story behind this?"

The two ladies eagerly told me.

When Blanche first showed up, she said she wanted to discuss a big business deal with the madam.

At first, the madam thought she was trying to sell herself.

But then Blanche criticized the dances and songs they'd choreographed, calling them worthless. She even talked about "marketing" and creating a "girl group."

She wanted them to sing some weird song that was terrible!

The madam felt mocked and threw her out.

The ladies' faces twisted with disgust. "She stood at our door and yelled something about 'Don't bully the youth!' And then some rich fool actually fell for her act and pressured our madam into negotiating with her, even offering to cover any losses."

After hearing that, I rubbed my chin.

There was so much wrong with this, I didn't even know where to start.

10.

"It's you!"

Blanche pointed at me and launched into a tirade. "You got Damian confined to his quarters, and here you are, fooling around with other men? Don't you have a conscience?"

I was indignant. "You can insult me, but you can't slander the sincere friendship between me and my sisters!"

"You!" Blanche choked, then changed tactics. "Doesn't your era emphasize the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? What respectable woman goes to a brothel!"

"Don't you have two faces? You're here too, aren't you?"

Blanche lifted her chin, her arrogance returning. "I'm different from you. I'm a woman on a mission!"

Well, well. After all this time, she was still true to herself.

"I believe anyone can be a person on a mission!"

Another man, holding a folding fan, emerged from the crowd.

The lady on my left whispered, "Miss, that's the rich fool."

My eyes lit up. Just hearing the words "rich fool" made me smile involuntarily.

That man had already caught my attention!

"Please, come in!"

My enthusiasm was a bit much. The man was momentarily stunned.

"Sixth Prince, won't you invite this gentleman in?"

The Sixth Prince pointed at himself, bewildered.

I shot him a meaningful look.

"Oh, right, right! Please, come in!"

I dismissed the others so we could hear about this "big deal."

"Simon, don't let her fool you!"

"It's fine. Blanche, go ahead with your inspection." Simon sent Blanche away, and the frivolous expression on his face disappeared.

"You clearly have an air of distinction, sir, and you and your wife make a perfect match! Would you be interested in joining our uprising?"

The Sixth Prince and I exchanged a glance.

Was this for real?

Simon didn't notice our exchange and launched into a long-winded speech.

To summarize:

He was a member of the former imperial family. Send money.

11.

Simon downed his tea in one gulp. "What do you think?"

I coughed. "A wife follows her husband."

Simon turned to the Sixth Prince.

He didn't bat an eye. "Henpecked, henpecked!"

Simon: ???

"Mr. Simon, I think you should show us a bit more sincerity." I leaned in and whispered, "For example, by picking up the tab. After all, my family taught me that while the person who pays for you might not necessarily want to be your friend, the person who doesn't pay definitely doesn't!"

Simon looked dazed. "Then I..."

Suddenly, the door to our room was kicked open from the outside.

I reacted the fastest, rushing over immediately. "Husband, this man is a liar! I was forced into this!"

"Oh, right, right! Look at him, all proper and respectable, but he's a scumbag!"

Simon: Who am I? Where am I? What's happening?

12.

Adrian waved his hand and had Simon taken away!

The Sixth Prince and I tried to slip away but were grabbed by the collars.

"Tell me, how do you want to die?"

Adrian was asking the Sixth Prince, but my guilty conscience and quick mouth made me blurt out, "Can I die of old age?"

The Sixth Prince quickly followed suit.

Adrian glanced at us.

We immediately fell silent.

"Go home. I have things to do."

With that, Adrian swept away.

I couldn't tell if he was angry or not.

The Sixth Prince and I exchanged a look and went our separate ways.

I'd left home so happily, only to return dejected.

The maids thought the Sixth Prince had welched on his debts again and were ready to roll up their sleeves and go to his manor to collect.

"It's not about him." I sighed, collapsing onto the soft couch and resting my chin on my hands.

"Then did someone talk behind your back, miss? We'll get back at them for you!"

"No, that's not it either!" I sighed again. "My new husband is mad at me. Do you think he'll call off the wedding and take back the betrothal gift?"

I made a face, opened my jewelry box, and sighed at the receipt for ten thousand gold pieces lying inside.

"If I lose you, my little treasure, how will I go on?"

The maids knew my personality well and quickly offered advice: "Miss, if you're worried, why not go and sweet-talk the new master? He said you could come and go from the Southern Garrison Manor as you please. There's no harm in visiting."

"Wouldn't it be improper to just show up?" I hesitated for a moment.

Then I decided to bring two roasted pork knuckles.

But when I arrived, I saw Adrian pinning Blanche against the wall.

The basket in my hand crashed to the ground, interrupting what looked like a passionate scene.

Adrian's face was panicked. He pushed Blanche away immediately. "Vivian, let me explain!"

Why would I listen? I turned and ran!

13.

I ran straight to the Sixth Prince's manor.

When I got there, the Sixth Prince was in a meeting.

"Vivian? What are you doing here?"

"Let's go see the Emperor. Change my husband to you."

The Sixth Prince, not understanding what was happening, changed his tune from inviting me to play mahjong. "Vivian, I treat you like a sister, and you want to sleep with me?"

"Your Highness, this is a great opportunity!" The strategist standing nearby immediately spoke up.

"What opportunity?" I caught the warning look the Sixth Prince shot him.

I squinted at this goateed man. "Are you also a member of the former imperial family?"

The goateed man was startled, his eyes darting between the Sixth Prince and me. "No, I'm not, but you are! You're the lost princess of the former dynasty!"

I sneered.

There were so many swindlers in the capital. They'd even made it to the Sixth Prince's manor!

"Fine. If I'm a princess, then send money!"

I was in a bad mood, and only money could cheer me up.

The goateed man was stunned.

"Send... money?" He looked at the Sixth Prince, clearly confused.

"Since I'm a lost princess, you'll need to support me if you want to rebel. You can use my name however you want. Just give me nine hundred and ninety-eight thousand taels of silver."

The goateed man was speechless.

"Princess, we don't need to rebel. We can take a more clever approach!" He laid out his plan.

The Emperor had eight children. The first five were princesses, and the princes weren't counted separately.

So the Sixth Prince, Dorian, was the Emperor's first son.

If I married Dorian and helped him ascend the throne, my son would be the crown prince.

A perfect, peaceful world!

The goateed man was proud of his plan.

But the Sixth Prince and I both looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Even swindlers work so hard these days, and here I am, wasting time on love and romance. I've seen the light!"

"Wait, don't..." The Sixth Prince had a headache.

Just then, Adrian arrived.

"Uncle, explain things to your wife!"

The Sixth Prince grabbed the goateed man and said he needed to have a "talk" with him somewhere else.

The stage was left for me and Adrian.

We locked eyes. In the end, I bowed my head for the ten thousand gold pieces.

"I was rude earlier."

"Who would have thought that Blanche would target me like this?"

"If she becomes your concubine..."

"I was about to kill her." Adrian interrupted me.

14.

"Huh?" My face was full of disbelief.

"If you hadn't shown up, Blanche would already be dead." Adrian didn't bother to hide the murderous intent in his eyes.

"What did she do to you?"

Adrian turned his gaze to me.

"It's fine. If you think killing her would be fun, I have no objections."

I shrank my neck, recalling the scene earlier.

When I saw him pinning her to the wall, I thought they were about to kiss. Who knew it was a murder attempt?

"My fault?" I stared at him, not sure where this sudden audacity came from.

Adrian chuckled lightly. "My fault."

I was a bit dazed.

Not because I was swooning over a handsome man, but because something seemed to flash through my mind.

My mouth, as always, was ahead of my brain: "Have we met before?"

I could clearly feel the smile freeze on Adrian's face.

He turned colder, his voice flat. "Perhaps."

So, had we met or not?

Adrian clearly didn't want to talk about it.

Just as the atmosphere became awkward again,

the Sixth Prince returned.

"Uncle, Auntie, are you two reconciled?" The Sixth Prince's gaze darted between us, full of teasing.

I clicked my tongue. "Dorian, I never thought you, of all people, would want to rebel against your father!"

The Sixth Prince stumbled back two steps, his face screaming "Don't mess with me." "Rebel? And you're the princess of the former dynasty? You're betraying Father's love for you!"

When he finished, I hooked my arm through Adrian's. "Husband, he's found us out. What should we do? How about we kill him on this dark, moonless night?"

Adrian added the perfect finishing touch. "My wife speaks wisely."

15.

The Sixth Prince screamed in terror, thinking he was about to die.

I laughed heartily. "Serves you right for teasing me!"

The Sixth Prince looked up and complained, "You two are too much!"

Adrian interrupted him and told him to get to the point.

The Sixth Prince said, sulking, "The one who approached me is from the peaceful faction. Apparently, the war faction approached my seventh brother. They're planning something big on your wedding day."

"Rebels with internal conflict, and they chose that loser, the Seventh Prince?" I couldn't help but interject.

"That's right." The Sixth Prince got excited again. "I heard he agreed immediately, without a second thought!"

I thought of the poor Emperor and clicked my tongue. "What a filial son."

Later, they decided to go discuss countermeasures with the Emperor.

I chose to go home and eat.

As for the whole "former dynasty princess" thing,

if my father were here, he'd beat those people to death with a hammer.

16.

The carriage that was taking me home had just arrived at the gate.

A white figure suddenly shot out of the pitch-black night.

Before it could get close, I kicked it flying!

This was a side effect of that pig-head incident last time.

"It's mine! Your body is mine!"

Her white clothes were filthy, and her hair was a tangled mess covering her face. She staggered to her feet, muttering incessantly, "This is my body! Mine!"

"Protect the Princess! I mean, the miss!"

The former palace guards who now worked for me formed a circle around me.

They all drew their weapons, but every single one of them was trembling.

Because the scene before us could have been straight out of a horror movie!

"Blanche, have you lost your mind?" I recognized her voice.

I didn't expect her to have escaped from the Southern Garrison Manor.

She was trying to scare me. Well, I wasn't raised to be scared!

"I'm not Blanche! I remember now! I'm Vivian! I'm Vivian!"

I frowned. She must have gone crazy!

"Arrest her. Don't let her run around scaring people in the middle of the night. It's ruining my appetite."

The guards realized she was human and regained their courage. They quickly subdued her and brought her into the manor.

"Miss, you're back? Did you have dinner with the new master?"

"Spring! I'm standing right in front of you. How much do I look like I used to?"

"Where did this madwoman come from? Miss, why did you bring a madwoman home today?" Spring was also stunned.

"She's not Vivian! The real Vivian is dead!" Blanche shouted. "You're a time traveler, just like me, aren't you? It has to be! I knew it. How could a woman from this era be better than me? We're from the same place!"

Before I could respond, Blanche's expression changed again. She looked at me in terror. "You, you, you! Stay away from me!"

17.

"Vivian, are you alright?"

Adrian's face was panicked. He rushed to me in a single stride and started checking me over.

He was spinning me around so much I was getting dizzy!

"How could I be in trouble? She's the one in trouble!" I gestured with my eyes toward Blanche and whispered, "Did you go too hard on her today? She's gone crazy!"

"What did she say?" Adrian looked at me.

"She said I'm dead, that neither of us is the real me. She said she's me. What is all this nonsense?"

Adrian's eyes dropped. "Our wedding is in three days. Don't bother with irrelevant people. Leave her to me."

I was about to nod.

Blanche screamed in terror, "No! This man will kill me! He tried to kill me last time! I barely managed to start over! I don't want Vivian's body anymore! Please, we're from the same place! Let me go!"

"You're insane!" I couldn't take it anymore. I waved at Adrian. "Take her away."

Adrian gestured, and someone came to take her.

"Vivian, things might get a bit rough in the next few days. I'll assign some shadow guards to protect you."

I noticed that Adrian's tone had turned cold again.

I didn't know what I'd done to upset him.

"No need. I've been training in martial arts with my father since I was a child. Ordinary people are no match for me!"

Adrian's expression shifted slightly. He started to say, "Then..."

"Don't worry! If you're really afraid I'll go out, why not send over some account books from the Southern Garrison Manor? Counting money makes me happy. I won't leave the house even if you beg me!"

I interrupted him and patted my stomach. "I'm starving! Spring, tell the kitchen to make me something to eat."

Spring acknowledged and left.

I politely invited Adrian to stay for dinner.

He didn't pick up on my politeness and said, "I wouldn't dare refuse."

But the wait for dinner was a bit awkward.

I didn't know what to say to this new husband of mine.

"What are you thinking about?"

"About you and your money." Realizing what my mouth had said again, I wished I could crawl into a hole!

Why did I have to have a mouth?

18.

"Although the wedding is still three days away, I'd like to get to know you better, Vivian."

I was taken aback and said, "Me too."

Actually, I wanted to find out if Adrian was really as wealthy as people said.

I couldn't help it. My previous husband had left me traumatized.

God knows how I felt when I saw that thick stack of IOUs after marrying into the Seventh Prince's manor.

Marriage wasn't charity. The Seventh Prince had looked so proper, but he was a master of debt!

"The Grand General's salary isn't enough for a lavish lifestyle, but it shouldn't be tight either. Why are you so fond of money, Vivian? Is there a story behind it?"

Adrian poured me a glass of wine, his face saying he wanted to hear a story.

I took the opportunity to ask, "That depends on whether you're willing to pay enough to hear it."

Adrian smiled. "Over the years, I've amassed quite a bit of wealth fighting for my brother. And he's been generous with his gifts."

The more I heard, the brighter my eyes grew. They were practically competing with the candles beside us.

Adrian chuckled. "Enough to support an army of a hundred thousand for a lifetime."

I gasped!

I knew he was rich, but not this rich!

"Now it's your turn, Vivian."

I scratched my head, looking a bit lost. "Actually, I don't really know. After I fell into the water at fifteen, my memories before that are all fuzzy. I just remember promising someone I would work hard to save money, but I can't remember who."

When I finished, I noticed Adrian's smile was growing wider.

"Is what I said that funny?" I was annoyed!

"Haven't you tried to find out who you said that to?"

I was stunned and shook my head.

"Why not?" Adrian seemed puzzled.

"Because someone once said I didn't need to find him. He would come to me on his own. But over the years, he never showed up. Maybe he wasn't that important after all."

As I said this, I felt a pang of sadness deep inside.

It was better that he didn't come.

It would have only brought trouble and cost him his life.

Just as I was feeling down, Adrian suddenly stood up.

"Vivian, actually..."

I looked at him in surprise, waiting for what he was about to say.

But he was interrupted.

"Your Highness, something's happened!" A shadow guard in black rushed in urgently.

Adrian's expression changed. "Vivian, it's bad luck for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding. We'll see each other in three days."

19.

The eighth day of the tenth month. An auspicious day.

I was already familiar with the wedding process. Once bitten, twice shy.

This time was even more grand than the last.

We were to be married in the palace, stay overnight to serve tea, and then return to the manor.

The Emperor really was a brother fanatic!

I got off the bridal sedan chair, my face half-hidden by a round fan, holding a red silk ribbon as Adrian led me forward.

The atmosphere was lively and joyful. Even the confined Seventh Prince had been released to attend the wedding.

But knowing what was about to happen made me a bit nervous.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

"Second bow to the parents!"

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd.

"Die, you dog emperor!"

Here it comes!

But the assassin was only a step away from the Emperor!

In a flash, I threw my round fan, knocking the dagger away!

The Seventh Prince, who had just stood up and shouted "Hey!" before he could even deliver his lines, was subdued!

Adrian and I stood in front of the Emperor to protect him.

The captured palace maid shouted, "Your Highness, what are you waiting for? Act now!"

I frowned. "Are you still trying to fool me with that 'former dynasty princess' nonsense at a time like this?"

The former dynasty had been destroyed for over a decade. If there really was a princess, she'd be the Emperor's age by now!

"Your Highness, this dog emperor has given you a discarded woman as your princess! Can you tolerate such an insult?"

I looked incredulously at Adrian, who was standing beside me in his red wedding robe.

The joke was on me?

20.

Before even an incense stick's time had passed, all the rebels had been subdued!

Adrian still hadn't moved.

The old palace maid wasn't giving up. She played her trump card: "I've already poisoned Vivian! If I die, she dies with me!"

I was shocked!

I'd been eating and sleeping well for the past few days. I was in perfect health.

When had I been poisoned?

In my excitement, I accidentally bit into the blood pack hidden in my tooth—my emergency backup for fights.

But Adrian didn't know that!

When he saw me spitting blood, he panicked!

He immediately raised his sword, ready to kill his brother.

The Emperor cried, "All these years of brotherly love, and it was all for nothing!"

I grabbed Adrian, speaking through my bloody mouth, "I'm fine! Don't listen to her lies! You say you poisoned me? When? Where? You can't say, can you!"

The old palace maid looked smug. "You think it was recent? Of course not! I poisoned you when you returned from the Imperial Temple!"

The Imperial Temple?

That was when I started telling the truth!

I was so angry I staggered,

which probably looked like I was about to die.

"A promiscuous, discarded woman like you doesn't deserve my Highness!"

"It was you! I'll kill you!"

I spat out all the blood in my mouth and charged at her, ready to strangle her!

As I choked her, I cursed, "It's all your fault! I can't hide my money anymore, and I can't go to the Red Lantern District to see the pretty ladies! It's all because of you! Die, you bitch!"

21.

The old palace maid was almost choked to death by me.

In the end, Adrian pulled me away, stuffed the round fan back into my hand, and lifted it to cover my twisted face.

"Don't delay the ausp