Offered as a Lucky Bride to the Mad Princess to Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 2

2: What Does It Feel Like to Be Bitten to Death? Would It Be Worse Than…

When Yu Nanqing woke again, her fever had subsided, and she finally had the energy to think about her current predicament.

For any unmarried noblewoman, being personally granted a marriage decree by the emperor—especially as the principal wife of a prince—would be an extraordinary honor.

The problem was, the prince she had been betrothed to, Prince Ning, had been stripped of his position as Crown Prince just a few months prior. Moreover, rumors in the capital claimed that the deposed Crown Prince had contracted a madness years ago, losing all reason during episodes and needing to kill and drink bl00d to quell it.

The emperor had tolerated the deposed Crown Prince for years before finally removing him from the position last year. Since then, Prince Ning’s madness had worsened, and even imperial physicians were at a loss. This marriage decree was intended as a “joy-bringing” measure—a desperate attempt to cure him through matrimony.

For an ordinary commoner, such an obviously fatal marriage arrangement would be avoided at all costs, let alone for Yu Nanqing, the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household. Naturally, she had no desire to comply.

In her past life, after waking, Yu Nanqing had immediately informed her father that she had already passed the preliminary imperial examinations under her maternal family’s household register, earning the title of a provincial graduate. With the help of Prince Chen, she disguised herself as a man to continue her scholarly pursuits, eventually standing in the Golden Hall and carving out a path for herself.

But the path she thought would save her had instead become the beginning of her tragedy.

Yu Nanqing slowly walked to the window and pushed it open. A biting wind rushed in, carrying the familiar sight of rock gardens, pavilions, and carved railings—unchanged from her memories.

Her gaze dropped to her hands, still pampered and unblemished, pale as snow. After her illness, even her fingertips seemed to carry a lingering chill.

In her past life, she hadn’t understood the importance of concealing her brilliance. Under Prince Chen’s false pretense of valuing talent, she had schemed tirelessly for him, believing she could achieve scholarly honors like a man. Instead, she was ostracized by his inner circle, distrusted by other strategists—all of which she endured.

But she never expected Prince Chen to collude with foreign enemies for his own gain. Nor did she anticipate that when the city fell, she—who had exhausted herself in his service and fallen gravely ill—would become his first discarded pawn, handed over like a gift to the enemy commander. All the past tales of their harmonious lord-subject relationship became nothing but a cruel joke.

Now, she faced two paths. One was to retake the imperial examinations as she had in her past life, pledging loyalty to a doomed dynasty. The other was to accept the imperial marriage decree and become the “joy-bringer” for the deposed Crown Prince.

After a long silence, low laughter spilled from Yu Nanqing’s lips. She studied the faint blue veins on her wrist, feeling not fear but a strange eagerness.

What does it feel like to be bitten to death? Would it be worse than the poisoned wine she drank in her past life?

Her reflection in the bronze mirror smiled back, the corners of her eyes lifting like peach blossoms in full bloom, dispelling the sickly medicinal gloom that filled the room.

“Miss, the Fourth Miss has come to see you.” Chenxiang entered at that moment, hurrying over when she saw Yu Nanqing by the window. “The physician said you mustn’t catch a chill. Did you need something?”

A hand warmer was pressed into her palms. In the past, Yu Nanqing had found this little maid noisy, but after their separation in her past life, she no longer minded the chatter. She stared at Chenxiang, momentarily lost in thought.

Chenxiang guided her to a reclining couch, then noticed the fine sweat on Yu Nanqing’s forehead. Wiping it away with a handkerchief, she fretted, “I was so focused on keeping you from the wind that I didn’t notice how hot the room was. Are you feeling unwell?”

Chenxiang had served Yu Nanqing since childhood and didn’t need to refer to herself humbly as “this servant” like other maids—she always spoke plainly.

Yu Nanqing quickly resumed her languid demeanor, nodding slightly with half-lidded eyes.

The heated floors and braziers made the room as warm as summer, despite the lingering chill of early spring outside. Even in thin robes, one wouldn’t feel cold.

“No need to fuss. Just open the window a bit.” Yu Nanqing leaned comfortably against the couch, then heard the commotion outside and remembered Chenxiang’s earlier words. “Fourth Sister is here?”

“She says she’s come to apologize for her unruly servant, but if not for her master’s permission, who would dare push you into the river? Either way, your illness is their fault. If you don’t want to see her, just say the word.” Speaking of the visitor, Chenxiang gritted her teeth.

Yu Nanqing’s mother, Lady Ji, came from the renowned merchant family of Jiangnan. Though merchants were lowly, the Ji family’s wealth was such that even officials treated them with respect—especially since their descendants were permitted to take the imperial exams, setting them apart from ordinary merchants.

When Lady Ji married into the Duke’s household, her dowry procession stretched for miles, rivaling even an empress’s wedding and earning widespread envy.

Thus, Yu Nanqing’s courtyard was more extravagantly furnished than even her father’s. While Lady Ji lived, she showered Yu Nanqing with every luxury. After her death, the Ji family continued to send rare treasures each year, rivaling imperial tributes and turning Bilang Pavilion into a dazzling display of wealth.

But Yu Nanqing’s life in the Duke’s household wasn’t as glorious as it seemed.

Her father, Duke Yu Bingru, had always harbored a white moonlight in his heart. His marriage to Lady Ji had been forced by the old Duke’s pressure, and his affections lay with Lady Li. He even turned a blind eye when Lady Li murdered the legitimate son born to Lady Ji. After Lady Ji’s death, he eagerly elevated Lady Li to the position of principal wife.

Among noble families, it was customary to remarry from an equally prestigious household after the death of a principal wife. Duke Yu’s actions had earned him ridicule behind his back, and high-ranking ladies scorned associating with the current Duchess Li.

None of this stopped Lady Li’s son and daughter from enjoying legitimate status. The Fourth Miss mentioned by Chenxiang was Lady Li’s youngest daughter, Yu Nanrou—the most doted-upon person in the Duke’s household.

Yu Nanqing had been pushed into the water just as the marriage decree was being announced. Naturally, an explanation was due.

“Should I turn her away?” Chenxiang asked when Yu Nanqing remained silent, assuming she didn’t want to see Yu Nanrou.

Yu Nanqing lowered her eyes, idly toying with the warm mist rising from the hand warmer. “Turn her away? Since she’s come, how could you stop her?”

“Then I’ll inform the Duke that you need rest after your illness?” Chenxiang gently combed Yu Nanqing’s hair, then frowned. “But it’s strange. This was their fault, and we haven’t even sought justice yet. Why is the Fourth Miss so eager to come?”

Yu Nanqing smirked inwardly. Of course Yu Nanrou was eager—if something happened to her, who else would be forced to marry the mad Crown Prince?

“You’d dare seek justice from them?”

“If not for the matron stopping me, I’d have fought them long ago.” Chenxiang paused her combing, teeth clenched. “They’re just afraid you’ll defy the decree. On such a cold day, before you could even do anything, they resorted to such underhanded tactics. They grow bolder by the day.”

Yu Nanqing chuckled but said nothing more. Chenxiang had grown up with her, always indignant on her behalf. But her father had always favored Qiu Shui Pavilion, and over the years, she’d grown accustomed to it.

Chenxiang pinned up half of Yu Nanqing’s hair with a cloud-patterned hairpin, smoothing the strands at her temples. The stifling heat faded, and Yu Nanqing, now comfortable, toyed with the dangling beads as she answered Chenxiang’s earlier question:

“She came specifically to see me. She won’t leave so easily.”

“Miss, are you saying the Fourth Miss has ulterior motives?” Chenxiang tensed. “Then you definitely shouldn’t go out.”

“No need to hide.” Yu Nanqing rose from the couch, gesturing to a fox-fur cloak. “Let’s go see what play my dear sister is putting on.”

This had happened in her past life, too. Back then, her mind had been preoccupied with securing a spot in the imperial examinations—where candidate inspections were strictest—and she couldn’t afford any missteps. So she’d swallowed the insult and let it go.

Chenxiang draped the snow-white fox fur over Yu Nanqing’s shoulders, still uneasy. “Miss, what if the Fourth Miss does something outrageous and hurts you again?”

Yu Nanqing played with the soft fur, arching a brow. She’d been pushed into freezing water in the dead of winter. In her past life, she’d let it go because she had bigger plans.

Now, with nothing holding her back, she wouldn’t just let Yu Nanrou put on this show—she’d help make it even more spectacular.

Unconsciously, her grip tightened on the hand warmer. The heat seared her palm, and as she stepped over the threshold, a sharp, burning pain shot through her skin.

When she loosened her hold, the reddened marks on her fingertips faded slowly, leaving no trace behind.

As for Chenxiang’s concern about her being hurt… if Yu Nanrou did push her into the water again, so be it. Just as she was willing to marry the mad Crown Prince despite knowing his murderous tendencies, the root of it all was simple:

She didn’t want to live.

The moment Yu Nanqing stepped outside, she nearly collided with Yu Nanrou, who’d grown impatient waiting and was about to barge in.

“I heard Third Sister was gravely ill these past few days. I’ve been so worried I couldn’t sleep. Now that you’re awake, I came at once to see you. Are you feeling better?”

Yu Nanrou’s bright almond eyes and pink dress gave her a lively, youthful charm, but her tone carried an unmistakable note of schadenfreude.

The old Yu Nanqing would’ve scowled—exactly the reaction Yu Nanrou wanted, ensuring that even if Duke Yu intervened, he’d side with his favored younger daughter.

But the current Yu Nanqing had lived a lifetime and seen through such petty tricks. She wasn’t so easily provoked.

Yu Nanqing sidestepped Yu Nanrou’s attempt to take her hand and smiled faintly. “I didn’t realize Fourth Sister cared so much. It’s my fault for letting the servants fuss over a mere chill and worry you so.”

“As long as Sister is well.” Yu Nanrou’s smile visibly strained, but remembering her purpose, she blocked Yu Nanqing’s path and said earnestly, “To make it up to you, I’ve brought that clumsy maid to apologize.”

Yu Nanqing tilted her head, her narrow eyes half-lidded as she studied Yu Nanrou, her lips curving in an inscrutable smile.

Under that gaze, Yu Nanrou’s hands tightened subtly in her sleeves. For some reason, though her sister looked the same, being scrutinized like this gave her the eerie sense of prey being stalked.

Perhaps standing outside too long had blurred her vision. Yu Nanrou blinked away the absurd thought and raised her voice. “Sister?”

Yu Nanqing withdrew her gaze, adjusting her sleeves to let the hand warmer’s heat seep into her skin. She chuckled softly. “How thoughtful of you.”

“But how exactly do you plan to make it up to me?”

Yu Nanrou immediately replied, “I’ve had her restrained outside. Just say the word, and she’ll be beaten. Does that suit you?”

Yu Nanqing let out a noncommittal “Oh,” her gaze sweeping the courtyard before settling back on Yu Nanrou with amusement.

Strange how her vast courtyard couldn’t accommodate a single punished servant, forcing this spectacle outside for all to see.

“Then lead the way, dear sister.”

Outside Bilang Pavilion, a crowd of servants had gathered around a long bench. A maid in servant’s garb was pinned atop it, two long rods propped nearby—clearly the show Yu Nanrou had prepared.

“Sister, this clumsy maid has been punished many times for her carelessness. That day, I mistakenly brought her along, never expecting her to be so reckless. Today, I’ve brought her to apologize.”

Yu Nanrou spoke softly as they walked. The onlookers parted at their approach, clearing a path.

Yu Nanqing recognized the restrained maid as one of Yu Nanrou’s personal attendants. The maid’s mouth was gagged, and she writhed tearfully at the sight of them.

Yu Nanqing recalled the events of her past life. Back then, Yu Nanrou had ordered the maid beaten, and by the fourth strike, the girl had fainted, convincing everyone she’d been killed. Right on cue, Yu Nanrou’s brother—Second Young Master Yu Nanbo—arrived with Prince Chen and his entourage.

A clumsy maid, beaten half to death for accidentally bumping into her? It cemented Yu Nanqing’s reputation as a cruel, murderous tyrant.

Yet just three days later, Chenxiang had stumbled upon the maid up and about, her body unmarked—proof the punishment had been staged.

In her past life, only her value to Prince Chen had saved her from the fallout. But now? Yu Nanqing thought Yu Nanrou’s little play could use some… enhancement.

She eyed the maid and asked mildly, “So she’s the one who pushed me into the water?”

“Yes, her.” Yu Nanrou pointed indignantly, and a servant stepped forward to ask how many strikes she should receive.

In such matters, the Duke’s household allowed each courtyard to handle its own. Yu Nanrou, counting on this, said magnanimously, “Though she’s from my courtyard, I defer to Sister’s judgment.”

Yu Nanqing lowered her lashes. “Any punishment I choose?”

Yu Nanrou bit her lip. “Of course.”

“Beating is too bloody.” Yu Nanqing’s voice was light. Just as Yu Nanrou began to protest, she turned to Chenxiang. “Didn’t you say I lost a hairpin?”

Chenxiang, who’d been wholly focused on Yu Nanqing’s health since the incident, hadn’t spared a thought for anything else. But when Yu Nanqing was pulled from the water, her hair had come undone, and many ornaments were lost. Quick-witted, Chenxiang grasped her mistress’s intent and said,

“Indeed! That day, you lost several pieces, but the most valuable was the phoenix-and-butterfly gilded jade hairpin from the Ji family’s New Year gifts. Your uncle specially had it blessed at Lingyin Temple for protection.”

“It seems I owe my survival to that hairpin. We must find it.” Yu Nanqing’s gaze softened as she turned to Yu Nanrou. “Since she caused this, let her retrieve it for me.”

The words stunned not only Yu Nanrou but the entire crowd.

Retrieve a hairpin? From the lake?

On such a cold day, a mere dunking had left Yu Nanqing feverish for days. Prolonged immersion would be a death sentence. The maid’s tearful eyes now held genuine terror.

Yu Nanrou’s face paled. “No! Haitang can’t swim—she’ll die!”

“Tie a rope around her waist and anchor it ashore. That’s how lost items are usually retrieved.” Chenxiang’s voice was sweetly innocent.

Yu Nanrou’s panic seemed genuine. Haitang had served her for years, and while she’d intended to use the maid to ruin Yu Nanqing’s reputation, she hadn’t meant to kill her. Hesitating, she spotted Yu Nanbo approaching in the distance, flanked by Prince Chen and several young nobles, and brightened.

She flung herself at Haitang, crying to the servants, “You can’t do this! She’ll die! Even if Third Sister resents me, she can’t take it out on an innocent life!”

The commotion drew the group’s attention. At their center was a man in indigo robes embroidered with python patterns, exuding majesty. Beside him walked a fairer-complexioned noble, a gentle jade pendant at his waist marking him as Prince Chen, Xiao Qijun, and his attendant, Yu Nanbo.

Yu Nanbo, Yu Nanrou’s full brother and the Duke’s second son, shared a maternal aunt with Prince Chen—a distant connection that had grown closer after Lady Li’s elevation to principal wife. Given their familial ties, strict gender segregation was relaxed.

Trailing them were several younger nobles, wide-eyed at the scene, the littlest hiding behind their elders.

Seeing Yu Nanbo, Yu Nanrou rushed to him as if to a lifeline, her eyes glistening pitifully. “Brother, save Haitang!”

Yu Nanbo, forgetting Prince Chen for the moment, hurried to her side, his handsome brow furrowed. “Mind your manners in His Highness’s presence.”

Yu Nanrou feigned surprise at Prince Chen and immediately curtsied, the surrounding servants kneeling in unison.

Yu Nanqing studied Prince Chen in his prime, a tumult of emotions rising—but only for a moment. As she straightened from her curtsy, the strange sense of reunion faded.

A spark of amusement lit her eyes.

Now the cast is complete.