After Marrying the Disabled Prince (BG) - Chapter 1: Substitute Marriage

When Nanny Gao, Madam Rong’s trusted servant, came to summon someone, Bao Ning was sitting on the brick bed, playing with a puppy she had recently taken in.

A few days earlier, the large yellow dog in the kitchen, raised by Nanny Zhang, had given birth to a litter of puppies. However, Nanny Zhang had retired to her hometown. In the bitter cold of the first lunar month, the mother dog had fallen ill and died within days, leaving only one puppy alive. Bao Ning had brought it into her room to care for it.

The room was scented with a faint waft of incense, carrying a pleasant woody aroma. Bao Ning leaned against a soft cushion, holding the tiny puppy in her arms as she fed it milk spoon by spoon.

Standing at the door, Nanny Gao pursed her lips and thought to herself, Everyone says the fifth young lady from Concubine Xu’s courtyard has always been a little slow as if missing a string in her head. Not ambitious at all. Such a pretty face, and yet she’s utterly hopeless. Now I see they weren’t wrong.

At her age, nearly ready for her coming-of-age ceremony, she doesn’t even have a marriage prospect. She should be like the sixth young lady, actively seeking favor with the Madam to secure a match with a respectable husband. Instead, she spends her days holed up in this little courtyard. Truly, she thinks she’s just a dog’s caretaker.

Though displeased inwardly, Nanny Gao maintained a respectful demeanor as she knocked lightly on the door three times. “Fifth Young Lady, the Madam has asked you to come to Yi Mei Courtyard. It’s urgent, so please hurry.”

Bao Ning looked up, surprise written all over her delicate, doll-like face. “Is mother going to come?”

Nanny Gao replied, “Yes, and Concubine Xu has also been summoned. She’s on her way, and the Master is there as well.”

Bao Ning was even more surprised.

Madam Rong, Tao Shi, had always been at odds with her mother. Being childless herself, Tao Shi felt threatened by Concubine Xu, as the concubine’s son, Ji Yun, was the only male child in the household and twelve years old this year. For years, Tao Shi had treated their family coldly, barely tolerating their presence. Why the sudden change today?

Bao Ning thought to herself, Something’s definitely up.

She nodded and said, “Wait a moment,” before calling her maid in to help fix her hair and dress. She then left in a hurry.

Before stepping out of the courtyard, Bao Ning didn’t forget to give instructions: “Don’t forget to feed the puppy. And when Ji Yun comes back from the academy, keep an eye on him. Don’t let him near my dog.”

The maid chuckled and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Young Lady.”

Bao Ning adjusted her coat, smiled faintly, and then headed out.

Watching her retreating figure, Nanny Gao pursed her lips again and muttered to herself, Completely hopeless. All she thinks about is that dog. Her temperament doesn’t even match a fraction of the Fourth Young Lady’s.

On the way to Yimei Courtyard, Bao Ning kept pondering why Tao-shi had summoned her in such a grand manner. Could it be that someone had come to propose marriage?

But after thinking it through, she felt it was unlikely.

…..

Over the years, many matchmakers had come knocking, mostly on behalf of legitimate sons from modest families or illegitimate sons from prestigious ones. These were all respectable suitors, good matches by any standard. Yet, Tao Shi had turned them all away, using the excuse that the Fifth Young Lady, Bao Ning, was still young and that her husband should be chosen carefully over time.

Bao Ning understood Tao Shi’s schemes perfectly. Tao Shi wanted her to marry someone stupid preferably an illiterate, lunatic, or an invalid so that Bao Ning’s misfortune would highlight the happiness and nobility of Tao Shi’s beloved Fourth Young Lady.

Such was the reality of life in the inner court: petty, tedious, and endlessly frustrating.

Bao Ning couldn’t change anything, nor did she bother to try. All she hoped for was to leave the household as soon as possible, to escape the suffocating confines of this toxic place and find somewhere peaceful.

Fortunately, that day didn’t seem too far off. Ji Jia Ying, the Fourth Young Lady, was already betrothed—to none other than the Fourth Prince of the current emperor, the King of Jibei, Pei Yuan. The formal betrothal gifts were due to arrive in just a few days.

To marry into the royal family as a legitimate princess consort was a source of immense pride, even if Pei Yuan himself carried a notorious reputation. His name was often spoken with disdain, yet the match had brought Tao Shi and Ji Jia Ying great satisfaction for quite some time.

Bao Ning thought to herself, “I hope Tao Shi’s mood improves because of this. If only she’d stop finding fault with me. Her sharp and shrewish ways are something I’m truly tired of dealing with.”

…Speaking of which, Ji Jia Ying’s marriage could be considered a stroke of luck.

…..

The old Duke Rong had been a celebrated war hero, a man of great merit who had helped the late emperor conquer half the kingdom. The two had been close friends. One day, over drinks, they discussed the pregnancies of their respective daughters-in-law. Marveling at the serendipity, they decided on the spot to arrange a “womb betrothal,” agreeing that if their grandchildren were of the same gender, they would become sworn siblings; if one was a boy and the other a girl, they would be married.

It so happened that a boy and a girl were born. However, just three days after Ji Jia Ying’s birth, the late emperor passed away. The new emperor ascended the throne, and a month later, the old Duke Rong also died. The betrothal arrangement was quietly forgotten.

It wasn’t until recently that Tao Shi, struck by inspiration, slipped some money to her brother, Tao Mao Bing, a second-rank general in the court. She asked him to subtly remind the emperor of the old arrangement.

At the time, the emperor was troubled by Pei Yuan’s situation. The prince was untamable, wild, arrogant, and utterly undisciplined. Despite his age, no respectable family was willing to marry their daughter to him. Tao Mao Bing’s reminder came at just the right moment, resolving the emperor’s dilemma. With a flourish of his brush, the match was sealed.

…..

As Bao Ning rounded the last turn of the veranda, the entrance to Yi Mei Courtyard came into view. She paused by the frozen lake, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and allowing a faint smile to curve her lips.

She had made up her mind. When she saw Ji Jia Ying later, she would find an opportunity to flatter her and lighten her mood. If Ji Jia Ying were pleased, she might speak fewer cutting words.

She would say, “Congratulations, Fourth Sister, on finding such a perfect match. You are truly blessed to marry into the royal family. It brings glory to our household. I’m sure you and your husband will live in harmony, enjoying a life of endless happiness and peace.”

But before she could step through the gate, she heard the sound of something smashing, followed by Ji Jia Ying’s loud sobbing.

“Mother, I don’t want to marry him! You have to help me!”

Bao Ning froze in her tracks at the entrance.

…..

The room was filled with broken porcelain shards, and Tao Shi was sobbing while holding her daughter’s shoulders. Duke Rong Guo, Ji Chang Ping, paced back and forth, stamping his foot before turning back and saying, “I told you earlier, don’t meddle in the royal matters. It’s your vanity and desire to save face that pushed you into this. You thought you were so clever, but now look at this mess! I want to see how you get out of this!”

Tao Shi, eyes red, retorted, “If it weren’t for you being useless, holding the title of Duke but only managing to be a fifth-rank officer in the Tong Zheng Si, could I have walked this path? My daughter is of noble birth, yet look at the men coming to propose, none of them are decent or promising! How could I let her marry someone like that? No good family would want a useless man like you. Can’t you see who you are?”

Rong Guo sneered, “Now look at the situation. The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince conspired to poison the Emperor, the Crown Prince’s title was deposed, and the Fourth Prince was imprisoned. Their titles are gone, one is now missing, and the other is crippled. Now, you’re not willing to let your daughter marry?”

Tao Shi threw a tantrum, “I don’t care! You have so many concubines and daughters, let them jump into the fire pit if they want. My Jia Ying won’t do it!”

Hearing this, Ji Jia Ying cried even louder, “Mother, save me! The Fourth Prince won’t live much longer, I don’t want to become a widow…”

Rong Guo, trembling with anger, pointed at her, “You wicked woman…”

The old maid, not expecting the situation to escalate so quickly, awkwardly led Bao Ning to the door, whispering, “Master, madam, the fifth young lady has arrived.”

At the sound of this, all three in the room looked over.

Bao Ning quickly hid her shock, respectfully greeting, “Father, mother.”

Tao Shi wiped her eyes, sat down somewhere, and ignored her.

Rong Guo’s face turned red, and he awkwardly waved at Bao Ning, “Bao Ning, why didn’t you announce your arrival? Come here to Father.”

“Ji Chang Ping, the face is already torn, is it still meaningful to say those formalities?” Tao Shi shot a cold glance at him and said, “I told you earlier, that all of this was to give you face. Now, listen to me: this disastrous marriage, no matter what you or Xu Shi think, Bao Ning has to take her place! This is my plan for my daughter! If you dare to act up and refuse, tomorrow I’ll go to my brother and petition the Emperor, so you won’t even be able to keep your pathetic fifth-rank title!”

“You, you, you…” Rong Guo stammered, pointing at Tao Shi, unable to say anything.

Bao Ning, however, had calmed down. After listening for a while, she had already understood what had happened.

Tao Shi, desperate to secure a royal marriage for Ji Jia Ying, had found herself in a trap. Now, unwilling to let her own daughter suffer, she was trying to push another daughter into the fire instead. The household had six daughters; the eldest, second, and third had already married. The youngest, Ji Liu Xiang, was only twelve years old, leaving Bao Ning as the only eligible unmarried daughter, the scapegoat.

This was Tao Shi’s usual way of doing things.

Bao Ning turned her gaze to Ji Jia Ying, who had stopped crying and regained her composure. Realizing that her mother was backing her, Ji Jia Ying stopped being afraid and even smiled at Bao Ning.

That smile made Bao Ning’s heart grow cold.

It seemed Ji Jia Ying knew exactly what Bao Ning was thinking and said, “Fifth sister, don’t feel so resentful. How can you and I be the same? I am the legitimate daughter, and you are a concubine-born. Marrying a prince as the main wife is already a step up for you. You should be grateful that I gave you this chance instead of harboring hatred toward me, do you understand?”

Rong Guo angrily said, “Jia Ying, what are you saying!”

“Is Jia Ying wrong?” Tao Shi stood up to protect her daughter, glaring at Rong Guo, then turned to Bao Ning and asked, “I’ll ask you one thing, will you marry or not?”

Bao Ning shifted her gaze away from Ji Jia Ying’s smug face, sighed, and said, “I will marry.”