Looking around the room and seeing the familiar faces, Jiang Meihua immediately realized the truth—she had been reborn.
She couldn't believe it. How was she alive?
She remembered clearly how she had been killed by her so-called husband. She would never forget that day—the moment he slit her throat with his sword, his eyes void of anything but coldness and ruthlessness, as if he wasn't killing his own wife.
Had the heavens truly granted her a second chance? Tears of joy threatened to spill, but she quickly stifled them, determined not to break down just yet.
Sounds of firecrackers could be heard outside the room.
The five maidservants, having finished her makeup, quickly adorned her hair with jeweled pins and delicate hairpieces. Another maid carefully adjusted the fengguan, the majestic phoenix coronet, atop her head. The intricate crown was adorned with golden phoenixes, pearls, and dangling jade ornaments that shimmered with every movement, symbolizing nobility, grace, and the auspicious beginning of a new life.
Next, a maid placed delicate earrings on her ears, while another helped her slip into her red embroidered silk shoes. Finally, a soft red veil was gently draped over her head, partially covering the phoenix crown and shrouding her face in mystery until the moment of the wedding.
They then gently assisted her to sit on the bed. Jiang Meihua was lost in thought, letting them do everything for her. If she was truly reborn, how could she be about to marry that man again? Jiang Meihua thought, Was her past life just a dream? Or was she still dreaming now?
She pinched her arm hard, feeling the sting. It hurts… it's real. She knew, without a doubt, that she had truly been given a second chance at life. But the joy of rebirth was quickly drowned in a cold splash of reality.
When she remembered that she was getting married today, a wave of helplessness washed over her. That means she can't even stop the wedding… she still has to marry that man in this life too? Then what was the point of her rebirth? Her tragic fate began the moment she married that cold-hearted Wang Junhao. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard her mother's voice.
"Is Meihua ready?"
"Yes, madam. She is already dressed and sitting on the bed," Fang replied.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears at the sound of her mother's voice.
In her past life, her mother had always favored her second sister more, while she was the one most loved by her father and elder brother.
She still remembered how her mother came to the Duke of Loyalty and Valor's mansion,crying and begging that heartless man—Wang Junhao—to divorce her and let her come home. At the time, she had already been imprisoned by him.
If it hadn't been for his so-called beloved concubine deliberately releasing her just so she could witness the scene… she would have never known how much her mother had loved her.
Before the day of her wedding, her mother had advised her to stop thinking about the Crown Prince and to live a good life with Wang Junhao instead. But Jiang Meihua had assumed her mother was simply being biased—after all, it was her second sister who was marrying the Crown Prince in her place.
So on the day of her wedding to Wang Junhao, she had refused to even look at her mother.
Now, hearing her mother's familiar voice, Jiang Meihua felt a rush of happiness. So what if she was getting married to Wang Junhao again in this life?At least God gave her the chance to return… to five years ago, before her tragic death.
As long as she avoided that devil husband, Wang Junhao—along with his so-called white moonlight and the Crown Prince—she would surely survive this time. She would live.
While the thought lingered in her mind, a warm hand suddenly grasped hers.Fang, Ying, and Lianhua quickly excused themselves from the room, sensing that Madam Jiang wished to speak to her daughter alone. The five maidservants and two momo followed in silence, leaving the room to give them privacy.
"So… you still blame Mother for not letting you marry the Crown Prince?" her mother asked softly, her voice trembling.
"Mother, this daughter has never blamed you," Jiang Meihua said softly. "The Crown Prince and I… we were never meant to be."
Her jaw clenched slightly as she uttered his name. She despised him now—despised that treacherous Crown Prince and her scheming sister who had joined hands with him to ruin her. If it hadn't been for them… and her own foolishness… that man wouldn't have killed her, no matter how much he hated her.
Her mother's trembling voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
"Now that you're about to marry into the Duke of Loyalty and Valor's mansion, you must learn to live well," Madam Jiang said gently. "Forget the Crown Prince. Although the Duke already has a concubine, as long as you can win his favor, she will never be able to compare to you. She's just a concubine, after all."
"Just make sure you never get involved with the Crown Prince again," her mother said firmly. "Mother must say this, even if it hurts your heart. You and the Crown Prince were once nearly engaged—naturally, the Duke must feel unhappy about it. After all, the Crown Prince is also his nephew."
She paused, her tone softening.
"Bear with it for a while. Once the rumors fade and everyone forgets, the Duke—as a man—won't be so petty as to hold it against you."
Jiang Meihua slowly lifted the veil from her face, surprising her mother. But seeing the tears brimming in her daughter's eyes, she didn't scold her.
"Mother, don't worry…" Jiang Meihua whispered, her voice trembling. I will make sure to live a good life this time.
Just as they were both speaking, a knock came at the door. After receiving permission, Fang entered the room. "Madam, the Crown Prince has already arrived, but the Duke has yet to come. He will likely be here soon. The Crown Prince is heading to Second Miss's courtyard," Fang reported respectfully.
"Alright, come fix your mistress's makeup. This crybaby has ruined it," her mother said with a light laugh, though tears still rolled down her cheeks.
"Mother will go now," Madam Jiang whispered, brushing Jiang Meihua's hand one last time before leaving the room.
Ying, who was the best at makeup among them, stepped forward and carefully touched up Jiang Meihua's face before gently lowering the red silk bridal veil over her head.
Jiang Meihua took a shaky breath.
The weight of the many layers of silk she wore, combined with the heavy phoenix coronet atop her head, felt suffocating.
Suddenly, Jiang Meihua heard the sounds of movement and drums echoing from outside—but she already knew what was about to happen. He didn't come again. Just like before, her so-called husband hadn't shown up to escort her himself.
It was her brother who walked her to the ancestral hall that day… not him. That heartless man, Wang Junhao, had merely sent an official envoy—no message, no excuse. Nothing. That moment had planted the first seed of hatred in her heart.
She remembered it vividly: how the Crown Prince had personally arrived with a grand procession to pick up her sister, Her heart had been filled with envy—and that envy slowly rotted into resentment.
While her sister basked in glory, surrounded by celebration, She had stood all alone in the ancestral hall. It was awkward—humiliating, even. Though no one dared say anything to her face, she could feel the mockery behind their polite smiles.
Her sister's husband—the Crown Prince himself—had come to escort his bride with grandeur. But her own husband? He hadn't even shown his face. while she had been left with only an imperial envoy.
Of course, rumors spread like wildfire:"The Duke must hate her."
"Wasn't she almost engaged to the Crown Prince—his nephew?"
It was a humiliation she could never forget. She also couldn't help but hate her sister—for stealing her engagement to the Crown Prince.
Just then, Momo Xiuqin stepped into the room. "Miss Jiang, it's time. The auspicious hour has arrived. The Duke is occupied with official matters at the Duke of Loyalty and Valor's mansion… he couldn't come," she said with a stoic expression, not even attempting a smile.
Fang, Ying, and Lianhua's faces darkened. They had been holding on to hope—but now, it shattered. The Duke hadn't come himself. Instead, he had sent only an official envoy to collect his bride.