Chapter 1: The Wedding Procession

Winter was approaching, and a biting wind swept through Yongyang Village at the foot of the mountain. Yet the village was unusually lively.

The He Family, who had fled the city after their misfortune, was holding a wedding today. Rumor had it that Second Young Master He Yunhuai was bedridden, unconscious for five days. Despite repeated visits from the physician, it seemed he might not survive.

Though the He Family was a minor clan in the village, their glory days were long past. Scholar He, father of Second Young Master He, had been the first imperial examination graduate from Yongyang. But fortune’s wheel had turned; what good was being a scholar when he had died far from home?

The villagers whispered that the He Family’s downfall was due to offending powerful officials in the city. Since their return, the villagers had avoided them, even Scholar He’s own brother refusing to offer assistance, fearing bad luck.

If not for He Yunhuai’s wedding, meant to ward off ill fortune, who would brave this bitter cold to stand beneath the bare trees, curious about the bride?

Second Daughter-in-Law Yang, bundled in a patched-up old coat, tucked her hands into her sleeves and nudged the woman beside her. “Fourth Daughter-in-Law, if the He Family’s wedding is meant to ward off misfortune, I wouldn’t expect a grand feast. But not even a simple banquet? How stingy!”

The woman beside her clicked her tongue, fully understanding what she was thinking. Second Daughter-in-Law Yang’s words rang true: even the poorest families in the village would put on a wedding feast, whether it was twelve dishes or six. But the He Family had truly foregone the banquet. Whether they could afford it was one thing; whether they even bothered was another.

“If you ask me, we should all stop standing here in the cold,” Auntie said. “How long have we been waiting? Have any wedding processions come by?”

“What? Auntie, what do you mean? Is there no bride coming today?”

The nearby women quickly gathered around, eager not to miss any news.

“Everyone knows the He Family’s situation. Two disabled members and no one who can work. Who would want to marry into such a household? Even if it’s for good luck, you need money. No family would give away their healthy daughter without some compensation.”

The women pondered this, finding it reasonable.

As they spoke, a group of outsiders approached the village entrance. As they drew closer, a bridal sedan chair became visible in the center, its crimson curtains a striking contrast against the winter landscape.

News of the He Family’s bride’s arrival spread like wildfire through the village. Before long, a crowd had gathered outside the He residence.

The villagers had never seen such a wedding procession before. There were no gongs or drums, nor any groomsmen to welcome the bride. Yet the two dowry chests at the rear of the procession stood out conspicuously, far exceeding the typical dowry brought by brides in the village.

“Who do you think the He Family found?” Yang Er muttered, his eyes fixed on the wooden chests as if trying to see through them. “To actually send their daughter to ward off misfortune, and with such a lavish dowry?”

“Who knows?” another man replied. “Let’s wait and see. I wonder what the bride looks like. She might end up a widow the moment she arrives.” Though his words carried a hint of concern, deep down he secretly hoped the bride would indeed become a widow.

His motives weren’t lustful; rather, he coveted the He Family’s fertile fields.

Years ago, when Scholar He left Yongyang Village, his six acres of prime farmland had been entrusted to clan members. Now that the family had returned penniless, the village elder had ordered the fields returned to them.

Though the fields weren’t technically theirs, some villagers resented relinquishing land they had cultivated for years, secretly wishing the He Family would leave again.

Now, despite the He Family’s numerous male heirs, the two eldest were considered useless, and the youngest was only six. If no one could eventually manage the household, wouldn’t the fields inevitably revert to their hands? The thought of such an unexpected windfall filled the man with renewed hope.

The mountain path was treacherous, and the He Family’s estate lay at the foot of the mountain. Despite the sedan bearers’ careful steps, one of them stumbled into a hole, causing the sedan to tilt sharply. Fortunately, the accompanying servants quickly steadied it, preventing it from crashing to the ground.

The sudden jolt startled Su Yi’an, who had remained silent throughout the journey. “Mama Li, are we there yet?” she asked.

“Almost, Miss. Please be patient,” Mama Li replied, glaring at the sedan bearers. “You clumsy fools! Did the Miss hit her head?”

“I’m fine, Mama Li,” Su Yi’an said, lifting her veil. She glanced down at her wedding gown. People said a bride’s wedding day should be a joyous occasion, and her gown should be personally crafted. Yet this hastily made garment, rushed by her family, was a symbol of their eagerness to be rid of her.

How laughable, how pitiful, how utterly shameful, she thought.

That day, she had been in a car accident and believed death was certain. Yet she had inexplicably awakened in the body of another woman with the same name.

Before she could rejoice in her second chance at life, the original owner’s memories flooded her mind, replaying the experiences of this body over and over.

The original Su Yi’an had lost her mother to illness at the age of three. Soon after, her father had elevated his concubine to the position of legal wife. In this household, only her two-year-older brother had protected her. But their brief solace ended when he reached school age.

Her stepmother always said that scholars must study diligently to rise above others, and promptly sent Su Yi’an to Green Mountain Academy, over a hundred li from home.

Su Yi’an could only see her elder brother once a year. Each time, she shared only good news, fearing that her troubles would distract him from his studies. Yet the more she concealed her suffering, the more her stepmother’s daughter bullied her.

Not only did they steal the marriage agreement she had made in her youth with Second Young Master He of the He Family, but they also confined her to the inner quarters, forbidding her from seeing outsiders.

Year after year, she sat by the window, longing for her brother’s return to take her away. But before he could come back, her own marriage was arranged.

To curry favor with powerful officials, her family planned to send her to the Prefect as a concubine. Upon hearing this news, Su Yi’an lost all will to live and fell ill within days.

A vibrant young woman’s life was extinguished on that cold, dark night. When she opened her eyes in this new place, she found a room full of people treating her with warmth.

At first, she thought the family had finally repented. But she soon realized they merely wanted her to marry and bring good fortune to the household. The smiling faces that greeted her awakening were false and ugly, their joy stemming solely from the fact that their own Second Young Miss would no longer have to marry.

“Miss, the He Family’s courtyard is packed with people, but none of them have come out. What should we do?” Mama Li, feeling uncertain, leaned forward and whispered through the small window of the sedan chair.

Su Yi’an snapped out of her thoughts. She reached out and lifted the soft curtain of the sedan chair’s window, peering outside.

Beneath the large tree ahead stood a crowd of people, laughing and chatting, but their words were laced with mockery.

Su Yi’an sighed deeply. “Second Young Master He is bedridden with illness and unable to come out. Mama, please go and announce that Miss Su has arrived.”

Su Yi’an cared little whether the He Family was good or bad. Having witnessed the Su Family’s true colors, she had long since seen through human nature. If Second Young Master He passed away, she would simply leave. In this place free from social constraints, changing her name and starting anew would be effortless.

Since returning from town, the He family had been living in their old mud-brick house, its roof thatched with straw.

Inside, the family huddled around the earthen kang bed, their faces etched with worry. Second Son remained unconscious, and they didn’t know what to do.

“Mother, there’s one dose of medicine left. I’ll brew it for Second Brother,” He Ningwen, the youngest daughter of the He family, said, her gaze fixed on Mother He’s face. Her heart clenched. “He’ll definitely wake up after drinking it. The physician said the medicine would take effect once finished.”

He Ningwen spoke the truth, but she omitted the physician’s full warning. He had added that if Second Son didn’t regain consciousness after finishing the medicine, they would have to prepare for his funeral.

The family understood this grim reality, yet clung to a sliver of hope. They would wait a little longer, just a little longer.

Outside, Mama Li straightened her robes before walking toward the He family’s house.

The villagers’ eyes followed her. The fabric of her clothes looked expensive, its vibrant colors and intricate patterns far surpassing the coarse cotton cloth found in town. Such styles were rarely seen even in the town itself.

As Mama Li drew closer, her heart shattered. The mud-brick house stood forlornly at the foot of the mountain, its roof patched with dry straw. One section had partially collapsed, and there were no windows. Though called a home, it lacked even a simple fence around the yard.

Seeing the state of the He family’s home, Mama Li couldn’t imagine how they managed to survive. Her young mistress was truly walking into a living hell by marrying into this family.

Mama Li shook her head and sighed. “It’s all fate,” she murmured.

She took a few more steps forward, stopping just short of the house. After clearing her throat, she announced, “Miss Su of the Su Family has arrived.”

“Mother, she’s here! She’s really here!” The youngest daughter of the He family grabbed her mother’s hand, her voice trembling with excitement.

“Quick, quick, bring her in!” Mother He scrambled to her feet, clutching at this lifeline.

Among the family, only the eldest son of the He family retained his composure. He raised a hand to stop them, pausing before saying, “Mother, you can’t go out. It’s the men of the He family who must escort the bride inside.”

Silence fell over the room.

The eldest son’s legs were broken, rendering him bedridden. The second son was near death, unable to move. Who else could possibly go?

“Grandma, I’ll go!” He Xingchen climbed down from the earthen kang, his small face flushed red from the cold as he earnestly declared, “I’ll welcome Aunt Su.”

The family exchanged glances, finally nodding in reluctant agreement.

With permission granted, He Xingchen hurried outside, afraid the bride might leave if he delayed.

Mama Li waited impatiently. Just as she was about to lose her temper, a child burst through the wooden door.

The boy looked no older than six, his frame thin and fragile. His clothes were patched, and his shoes were worn. He ran straight to Mama Li and bowed respectfully.

“I’m He Xingchen,” the boy announced in a childish voice. “I’m here to greet the bride on behalf of my uncle.”

A moment of silence hung in the air before the villagers erupted in cruel laughter.

“The He Family really has no capable men left, sending a child not even six years old to greet the bride! This is a disgrace!”

“Hey, you all, the He Family is making Yongyang Village lose face,” Second Brother Lin chimed in. “What kind of logic is there in sending a kid who hasn’t even grown his hair out to greet the bride?” Second Brother Lin, once the village’s biggest troublemaker, now seized the opportunity to criticize others.

Normally, the villagers might have retorted, but today his words struck a nerve. If word of this reached other villages, what face would Yongyang’s men have left? How would they ever marry girls from neighboring villages again?

As these thoughts spread, the villagers’ murmurs grew louder, their gazes toward the He Family’s house tinged with resentment.

Inside the bridal sedan, Su Yi’an overheard snatches of the villagers’ conversation. Finally, she couldn’t suppress a laugh.

Face… What use is face in an era where even basic survival is a struggle?

Su Yi’an lowered her veil, rubbed her slightly numb calves, and, finding the commotion outside had subsided, lifted the sedan curtain.

The villagers, who had been staring intently at the bridal sedan, gasped as the curtain was lifted from within. “Look! The bride couldn’t wait and came out herself!”

“Such a lack of decorum,” an elderly woman muttered, shaking her head. “If the He family has no manners, how could they marry off a girl with such poor upbringing?” She continued to mutter, “A sin… truly a sin.”

Though Su Yi’an’s veil concealed her face, the villagers’ scorching gazes made their meaning clear. No decorum. But she was never the Su Yi’an bound by such constraints.

Just as she prepared to walk to the He family’s house herself, the boy darted forward again.

“He Xingchen, grandson of the He family, welcomes Auntie,” he stammered, avoiding eye contact. He regretted calling her “Auntie” the moment the words left his mouth, fearing he had offended the bride.

Before he could apologize, a pair of slender, pale hands reached out and took his cold little hand.

“Alright, let’s go back,” Su Yi’an said softly, her voice barely audible, yet He Xingchen heard her clearly.

The bride wasn’t displeased by his earlier words and was still willing to return to the He Family with him.

“Okay,” He Xingchen replied with a smile, leading the bride step by step toward the He Family’s house. The servants carrying the dowry quickly followed. The day’s events had been utterly absurd; if they hadn’t witnessed it themselves, they would never have believed that Miss Su, raised in seclusion, could be so unconventional.

Su Yi’an allowed the boy to lead her until they neared Mama Li, then slowed her pace. Though she had little personal connection with the old woman, the original Su Yi’an had been raised entirely by Mama Li.

“Mama, take care of yourself,” Su Yi’an said as they passed.

Mama Li stood there, her eyes instantly reddening. As a slave purchased by the Su Family, she was powerless to save the young lady, forced to watch her walk into a fiery pit.

The villagers who had been watching the spectacle since the bride alighted from her sedan chair continued to stare. As the bridal procession prepared to enter the He Family’s house, a malicious voice finally called out: “A living widowhood is a living hell! If the young lady is willing, even Gou Er here wouldn’t be a bad match!”