Su Tang lay in bed, staring at the white jade carved bird-patterned sachet dangling below the gauze curtain. With a lifeless expression on her face, she remained silent. The maidservant Banxia knelt by the bed, sobbing again.

"My dear, please don't think about it any more. You'll only be going through the motions when you marry into Prince Jingnan's Mansion as a replacement bride. The master of Prince Jingnan's Mansion is already seriously ill and close to death. Once he passes away, your grandfather and grandmother will take you back home, and they will then find you a suitable match…"

The noise was deafening, Su Tang's eyes rolled, and she let out a sigh.

This little maid tried her best to sweet-talk, but she just kept repeating the same phrases over and over. I'm about to get ear calluses!

If it were that simple, this marriage wouldn't have fallen to the mistress. The mistress wouldn't be accused and left speechless, so frustrated she couldn't bear it and took her own life early in the morning before dawn.

Even considering the current situation, Su Tang was very remarkable.

Yes.

I traveled through time.

The blind date was a disaster. I met a real jerk, and in the middle of it all, my high heel twisted, sending me tumbling down the stairs. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself lying on this intricately carved sandalwood bed. Apparently, I'd switched places with my unlucky namesake, becoming her lowly servant girl.

Thinking about the original owner's experiences over the past half month, Su Tang sighed with emotion. It was even more thrilling than a roller coaster ride.

The Su family originally lived in a well-off household on the outskirts of Qingzhou, by a lake and mountains. Though not wealthy, they were free from worries about food and clothing.

Half a month ago, the manager of Xinfu Palace rode hard to the Su family, saying that Xinfu Palace had suffered a major change, and there was no heir. They wanted to take back the illegitimate son of the current Uncle Emperor Xinxing Lao Wangye, who is also Su Tang's father, Su Hongshen.

This is like manna from heaven for the Su family. In a single day, the Su family went from being poor commoners in a remote town to the heir apparent of the only remaining marquis title.

"Only having... left means as long as you keep your life, you win."

Su Hongshan hastily packed his belongings and, without even bothering to wait for his son who was out meeting friends, immediately returned to Beijing with his wife.

On the road to enter Beijing, I was attacked several times and barely escaped death. Finally, I managed to reach Xinxing Prince's Mansion safely, thinking that since I had survived such a calamity, there must be good fortune waiting for me. However, fate had other plans.

The third branch of the Xiwangfu obstructed Su Hongshan's claim to ancestral recognition and his return to the family. They sought life or death, refusing to allow Lord Wangye to appoint Su Hongshan as heir.

Three days ago, because of the issue of acknowledging their ancestry, Su Tang and Yun Jia, the eldest daughter of the third wife, had a dispute at the lake in the garden. When they were arguing fiercely, Yun Jia pushed Su Tang. Su Tang couldn't stand it and pushed back, as a result, Yun Jia took advantage of the situation and jumped into the lake.

At that time, there were only Su Tang and Yun Jia by the lake, not even a maid. Su Tang naturally became the prime suspect for pushing Yun Jia into the water, causing her to fall unconscious.

Yun Jia and the eldest son of Jingnan王府 had a marriage pact long ago. Before Su Tang entered Beijing, the Empress Dowager ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious day, which is today's wedding day.

And the eldest son of Prince Jingnan's Mansion suffered from a strange illness, unable to get angry. The slightest anger would cause dizziness at light, and fainting spells at worst.

Strictly speaking, news of Yun Jia's accident should have been kept tightly hidden from the eldest son of Jingnan王府. Yet, it reached his ears first thing.

The result was predictable. The eldest son of the Jingnan王府 flew into a rage, his heart seized by anger, and he spat out blood before collapsing unconscious.

And this time it's worse than ever, he hasn't woken up yet. It is said that the imperial physician has tactfully reminded Prince Jingnan's Mansion to prepare for the worst.

A sudden accident! Lord Wang's marriage has to be postponed. The Jingnan王府 disagrees, and it's understandable. After all, the Jingnan王府 relies heavily on this marriage for luck, and now it's even more urgent. They wouldn't dare delay the wedding; postponing it is simply unthinkable.

It was just that Yun Jia had fallen into a coma and couldn't make it to the flower palanquin. The Jingnan王府 couldn't force the issue, either. They couldn't possibly disregard other people's lives for their own son's sake.

I don't know what Jingnan王府 is thinking. Perhaps the master of Jingnan王府 is truly ill and has reached the point where he has to try anything. In order to appease the heavens, they even disregarded all standards and wanted Su Tang, this culprit, to take Yun Jia's place on the sedan chair.

He was even afraid of another accident and specially went to the palace to seek an imperial decree.

But Su Tang wouldn't agree, this was clearly a scheme, pushing her into the fire pit.

Having never experienced the splendor and riches of a day at Xiwangfu, I couldn't bear to suffer this torment for others.

Crying, screaming, struggling...

It's a shame.

No one can help, for the emperor's command is difficult to disobey.

The original owner pretended no one believed him, even his parents. Heartbroken and disillusioned, he chose to use his life to prove his innocence.

That's so stupid.

Thinking back to waking up, with the original owner's mother, Xu Shi, holding him in her arms, Su Hongshan's eyes were even more bloodshot. He wanted them to know how much pain it was that their beloved son was gone.

There were faint sounds of bustling activity, it seemed that the sedan chairs from Jingnan王府 had arrived to pick someone up.

Su Tang sat up and asked Ban Xia, "Where are my parents?"

Before waking up, she was still dazed and afraid of saying the wrong thing, so she kept silent. Su Hongshan felt sorry for her and said he would go to the Emperor to dissolve the engagement. Then he left. “My father won’t really go to the Emperor, will he?”

It's said that it wouldn't be so easy for the Emperor to meet someone, especially since Su Hongshan hadn't formally acknowledged his ancestors. He might not even be allowed into the palace.

Banh Xia's eyes were bloodshot as she shook her head, "Master was supposed to enter the palace. But just as he left the courtyard, Old Master struck him unconscious, taking Madam away with him."

If not for fear that the young lady might attempt suicide again, who would there be to accompany and comfort her? I estimate that she would also have been imprisoned.

Su Tang's heart sank.

Knock out dad and mom, it seems like this time I'm looking for death. There's an 80% chance they'll shove me into the bridal sedan while everyone's still hot.

It's so infuriating how they treat people like this. I feel guilty for not doing something to make them pay.

Su Tang motioned Ban Xia to come closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Banxia was astonished.

At this time, several people walked in. Leading them was an elderly woman, about forty-five or forty-six years old, with her hair neatly combed. Just by looking at her, one could tell she was capable.

Grandma walked up and saw that Su Tang was still lying in bed. Her brow furrowed, and she reprimanded Banxia, “The sedan chair from the Jingnan王府 has arrived, yet you haven't helped Miss get dressed and ready! This delay will anger the Jingnan王府, and your mistress will be the one to suffer.”

Semi-xia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.

How could you bear to force the young woman into marriage? Seeing her bridal attire, I almost wanted to set it all on fire.

Even Granny doesn't refer to Ban Xia. She turns to the two maidservants behind her and says, "Quickly attend to Miss and help her change into her wedding garments."

(Editor in charge：novel update)