Chapter 3: Escorting the Bride

In the boudoir.

Jiang Rong sat in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection dressed in phoenix coronet and red bridal robes. Her bright eyes, pearly teeth, graceful demeanor, and the appearance of coming of age made her feel somewhat dazed.

She couldn’t believe she had truly returned to ten years ago.

Was it divine mercy, or some kind of cruel fate?

“Rong’er, why have you come back?” Madame Chang, her second aunt, pushed open the door, her face showing complex emotions.

She truly hadn’t expected that even through the bridal veil, Xie Lingxi could sense something was wrong.

Seeing it wasn’t Jiang Rong, he immediately became furious and left.

But Madame Chang was not panicked now, because the Northern Wang Residence wouldn’t let the world know that on the wedding day, the heir’s bride had run away.

Today, they must first bring Jiang Wan into the house and complete this marriage.

Later, they could find an excuse to say she was mistaken for Jiang Rong at the wedding, turning the official bride into Jiang Wan seamlessly.

Although the heir was angered and left in a huff, the Northern Wang Residence would surely send someone to tidy up the mess.

So, they still planned to have Jiang Wan wear her wedding dress and pretend to be Jiang Rong.

Unexpectedly…

Xie Lingxi returned, and this time, he brought Jiang Rong back with him.

Jiang Rong saw him and let out a long, faint sigh. “Auntie, we were caught by Xie Lingxi outside the city. If I didn’t come back with him, what else could I do? Please forgive me, I didn’t run away secretly—I know nothing about the substitute marriage…”

“Or else, he might have beaten me to death in anger?”

Madame Chang’s heart tightened, her anxiety growing. “Isn’t the heir about to blame us?”

“Don’t worry, Auntie. Rong’er will naturally protect you. When I was taken back by him, I was heartbroken and thought I was going to die. But remembering the kindness of Uncle and Auntie raising me, I want to honor you in old age, pay respects, and mourn your death—how could I go ahead of you?” Jiang Rong’s eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall.

Madame Chang inhaled sharply, feeling a mix of relief and unease. Everything she heard sounded wrong—something was definitely off.

“Don’t be sad. You still have time. In the future, you and Wen Yuan will still have opportunities…” Madame Chang fake-sympathetically comforted.

In truth, she was sneering inwardly.

Even if you marry into the Northern Wang Residence today, what good will it do? You’ll only survive a month!

If only Wanan could be the substitute bride.

Then the Jiang family could also benefit from the prestige of the Northern Wang Residence.

But now, with Xie Lingxi’s people outside the door, she had no way to get her daughter onto the bridal sedan…

She could only lower her expectations.

“Rong’er, I’m worried about you marrying alone to the Northern Wang Residence. Your maid, Ying Chun, grew up with you and trusts you most. Why not have her be your accompanying maid and even make her your concubine? She can help you in the future!” Madame Chang suggested, seemingly caring.

Jiang Rong glanced at Ying Chun, who was combing her hair behind her, and smiled. “That’s a good idea. Auntie’s thinking is thorough.”

Madame Chang deliberately came to gather intelligence, then based on the current situation, made the most advantageous plan, and after feigning concern for Jiang Rong a few more words, left.

Jiang Rong clearly understood her intentions.

She must think she won’t live long, and if she doesn’t quickly leave a concubine behind, the Northern Wang Residence’s big tree will be out of reach.

Jiang Rong quietly looked down at her wrist, where a small red dot like cinnabar shimmered.

This was a mark left by the poison from the underworld.

In her previous life, Xie Lingxi had told her that the Underworld poison was a strange toxin that required continuous consumption for a month to take effect, and only the Jiang family could manage that.

She didn’t believe a word.

To her, Xie Lingxi was just a tyrannical bully who forcibly took women. How could she trust an evil person and not her own family?

In her previous life, he only learned she was poisoned recently, suspected Jiang family was a den of wolves and knew Shen Wenyuan’s true nature.

So, he married her back, risking everything to find medicine and cure her.

But Jiang Rong never believed a single word he said.

Everyone knew that the heir of the Northern Wang was a spoiled playboy, cheating, bullying women, forcibly marrying the Jiang second miss, breaking a perfect match.

But no one knew he only wanted to save his beloved.

“I hope you live well,” still echoing in her ears.

Jiang Rong clenched her fist under her sleeve, determined that in this life, she would no longer betray Xie Lingxi’s good intentions…

“Ying Chun, these years, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take you to the Northern Wang Residence. Are you willing?” Jiang Rong casually said.

Ying Chun quickly bowed. “As the young lady commands. Wherever the young lady goes, I will go too!”

Jiang Rong curved her lips.

Before death, she finally realized that the poison of the underworld she was afflicted with was caused by her most trusted maid—every day served with a bowl of ginseng soup, personally fed by her.

All her maids were placed there by Madame Chang. Ying Chun was just her spy and overseer.

In the Jiang family, she couldn’t even manage a maid properly.

But once she went to the Northern Wang Residence, Madame Chang wouldn’t even have the chance to claim her body.