Chapter 1: The Sisters’ Marriage Swap

Xie Yao heard that her legitimate younger sister had gone on a hunger strike for three days, refusing to marry the Crown Prince and insisting on marrying the poor scholar Song Wenbo instead. At once, she understood that her sister must have been reborn as well.

In their previous life, her sister Xie Yujiao had married the Crown Prince. But the prince had been frail and weak; only a few years later, he passed away. Since Xie Yujiao bore him no children, she spent the rest of her life cloistered by candlelight and incense, a lonely widow in prayer.

Meanwhile, because of her extraordinary fertility, Xie Yao married Song Wenbo and within a year gave birth to twins: a boy and a girl. With those children, Song Wenbo’s career rose steadily until he became Grand Chancellor. He even gave her the promise of “one lifetime, one pair,” a love exclusive and eternal.

Jealous of Xie Yao’s fortune, Xie Yujiao tried to seduce Song Wenbo. When that failed, she thrust a dagger into Xie Yao’s heart, ending her life.

But what Xie Yujiao never knew was that the Song household was the true hell.

When she opened her eyes again….

Xie Yao vaguely heard Xie Yujiao’s voice.

“Father, Mother, Elder Sister is the eldest daughter. Naturally she should marry the Crown Prince and enjoy that boundless glory and wealth.”

“Let me marry into the Song family instead of Elder Sister!” Xie Yujiao’s eyes swept across Xie Yao, flashing with malice.

Once Xie Yao married, she would learn the truth: this so-called “lucky marriage” of the Xie family was nothing more than a casual arrangement, because the Crown Prince was out of favor!

And the Crown Prince… he was not even capable of consummation! A useless man who could not be called a man at all. That kind of trash matched perfectly with Xie Yao, that low-born wretch.

In this life, the devoted husband and the title of Grand Chancellor’s Wife, all of it would belong to her, Xie Yujiao.

Xie Yao was destined to be trampled beneath her feet!

“That won’t do,” Master Xie frowned.

Madam Xie added, “The marriage was agreed upon long ago. How can you suddenly say it should be changed?” Her warning gaze fell on Xie Yao.

“I don’t care!” Xie Yujiao, spoiled from childhood and used to getting anything she wanted, spoke recklessly. “If I can’t marry Song Wenbo, I’ll die right here in front of you!”

Both parents jumped in fright and hurried to coax and comfort their precious daughter.

Sitting to the side, Xie Yao only watched coldly, her heart filled with bitter laughter.

Xie Yujiao only saw the prestige of becoming the Grand Chancellor’s Wife, never knowing the torment hidden behind it. Song Wenbo had long since engaged in illicit affairs. Night after night he forced her to act as a living candlestick while he and his lover enjoyed themselves. He whipped her, beat her, and treated her worse than livestock.

That promise of “one lifetime, one pair” was never meant for her. The woman he truly loved was someone of extraordinary identity. Xie Yao had been nothing more than a shield.

Without Song Wenbo deliberately allowing it, how could weak little Xie Yujiao have possibly killed her within the Song household?

Compared to entering that hellish home, she would rather spend her life chanting before the Buddha’s light.

Since Xie Yujiao so desperately wanted this “good marriage,” Xie Yao was more than willing to offer it up with both hands and even set up a spirit tablet in her honor later. Truly, she was a “good person.”

No matter what Master Xie and Madam Xie said, Xie Yujiao repeated only one thing. “I don’t care. I must marry Song Wenbo!”

Madam Xie grew anxious. Catching sight of Xie Yao out of the corner of her eye, she immediately said, “Jiao-jiao, has someone been whispering poison into your ear? Don’t be afraid. Whoever it is, your father and I will stand up for you…”

Every word pointed to Xie Yao.

Hearing this, Master Xie’s suspicious gaze also turned to her. “Xie Yao, was it you who incited Jiao-jiao?”

Madam Xie dabbed at nonexistent tears and leaned weakly against her husband. “Other matters aside, Jiao-jiao has always been frail since childhood. If she truly marries into the Song family, I fear…”

“Eldest Miss, why don’t you be kind and let your younger sister have this marriage?”

Master Xie patted his wife’s hand soothingly and then turned to glare at Xie Yao with undisguised disgust. “What’s there to let? Both matches were arranged by me! Xie Yao, you are so young, yet already so scheming. With such a character, how could you dream of marrying the Crown Prince?”

Xie Yao had known from the day her mother died that she had no family left in this world.

So when she heard these words, her heart felt no ripple.

“Are you blind or deaf? It’s Xie Yujiao who wants to change the marriage!” Xie Yao said sharply, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Wha…what?

Master Xie and Madam Xie both froze, never expecting their usually docile daughter to suddenly speak so rudely.

Master Xie’s fury flared. He raised his hand, ready to strike her.

But Xie Yao was prepared. From the moment she spoke, she had stepped back quickly, silently counting down: three, two, one…

“Master!” The steward’s excited voice rang out. “A lady from the palace, Momo Xu, has arrived!”

It had been decreed by the Emperor himself that a daughter of the Xie family would marry the Crown Prince. The wedding was in three days. In her previous life, at this exact time, the palace had sent Momo Xu to instruct the bride in etiquette.

Master Xie froze mid-swing, lowered his hand reluctantly, smoothed his robes, and led the household out to greet their honored guest.

Xie Yujiao gave a cold snort and followed, unwillingly.

Xie Yao glanced at her, lips curling slightly, then murmured to her maidservant, “It seems Second Sister’s scheme is about to fail.”

“Unless she dares to refuse the Crown Prince in front of Momo Xu from the palace, she has no other way,” the maid replied softly.

Catching the gleam in Xie Yujiao’s eyes, Xie Yao withdrew her gaze.

Soon, Master Xie and Madam Xie were exchanging pleasantries with Momo Xu, treating her as a revered guest.

Momo Xu’s eyes swept over the two sisters, and then she smiled faintly. “Which one of you is to be the Crown Princess?”

Madam Xie opened her mouth to answer, but Xie Yujiao suddenly pointed at Xie Yao. “It’s her!”

Madam Xie’s face changed drastically. Forcing a smile, she said, “Jiao-jiao, what nonsense are you spouting? It’s clearly you…”

“Mother, I don’t want to marry the Crown Prince!” Xie Yujiao cut her off loudly. “If you force me, I’ll…”

Smack!

Madam Xie slapped her across the face, her expression dark with rage. “Shut your mouth! Have you lost your senses?”

To disparage the Crown Prince in front of a palace servant, did she have a death wish?

Never before had Xie Yujiao suffered such humiliation. She clutched her face and ran out crying.

Momo Xu’s expression had turned thunderous. She said meaningfully to Madam Xie, “Madam Xie, you have indeed raised a fine daughter.”

Madam Xie’s legs nearly gave way. “Momo Xu, my younger daughter, she…”

But Momo Xu raised her hand, signaling her to stop. Turning instead to Xie Yao, she scrutinized her carefully.

Xie Yao wore a pale green, slightly worn dress. Her figure was a little plump, her skin fair and smooth. At this moment she sat demurely with lowered eyes, a picture of modest grace that stirred goodwill.

“This is the eldest young lady?”

Supported by her maid, Xie Yao rose gracefully and bowed. Her voice was soft and clear, “Xie Yao pays her respects to Momo Xu.”

“Eldest Miss, are you willing to marry the Crown Prince?” Momo Xu’s tone carried authority.

Master Xie interjected anxiously, “Momo Xu, she…”

“Master Xie,” Momo Xu cut him off coldly. “I am speaking to the young lady.”

Xie Yao slowly raised her eyes, a gentle smile on her lips. “Xie Yao is willing.”

Master Xie finally let out a long breath. The Crown Prince might not be favored, but he still possessed noble status and represented the dignity of the imperial family.

If both Xie daughters rejected the marriage and defied the imperial decree, the Xie family itself would cease to exist.

“Why?” Momo Xu pressed further.

Xie Yao replied calmly, “Firstly, it is His Majesty’s command. I dare not disobey.”

“Secondly…” She lowered her gaze slightly, letting a faint blush bloom on her cheeks. “While in the boudoir, I often heard of His Highness the Crown Prince, composing poetry at five, crafting essays at seven, and gifted with extraordinary talent. Yao-y….this humble girl has long admired him.”

She knew well; the Momo Xu before her was none other than the Crown Prince’s former wet nurse, someone deeply close to him.

Naturally, she had to perform flawlessly.

Notes:

• Momo Xu: A palace matron, here specifically the Crown Prince’s former wet nurse and now a senior attendant.
• “One lifetime, one couple.” – A vow of lifelong fidelity.