Chapter 2

A change of bride!

Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but laugh as she remembered the reason for the Huainan Prince visiting today. It was because she had fallen into the water a few days ago, and they feared she might never be able to bear children. As a result, he had come to arrange a change of bride.

However, this mention triggered a memory in Jiang Peihuan that she couldn’t quite place. In her previous life, she couldn’t recall how she had been rescued, but this time around, she had a distinct impression of it.

Suddenly, a pair of cold and piercing eyes flashed in her mind, and she realized that the owner of those eyes was someone she knew.

So, it was him…

King Cheng, Xiao Nanye!

He was the youngest son of the previous emperor and the younger brother of the current emperor. He had an extremely noble status and had been outstanding since he was young.

In addition to his exceptionally handsome face that was the envy of countless women in the capital.

It was just that his personality was ruthless. Anyone who offended him did not have a good ending.

She didn’t expect that the person who saved her when she fell into the water was him!

Jiang Peihuan shivered for some reason when she suddenly learned of such an unexpected truth.

It wasn’t that she had anything against him personally. But in her previous life, King Cheng’s sudden and mysterious death had resulted in anyone and anything associated with him vanishing without a trace.

It was as if he had never existed.

Jiang Peihuan had been reborn to protect her family and seek revenge. The last thing she wanted was to get entangled with King Cheng.

Fortunately, from her previous life, she was destined not to have any interactions with him.

Yue Er, Jiang Peihuan’s servant, listened to the little maid’s gossip with a troubled expression.

“Miss, I’m sure this maid’s words are nothing more than hearsay. Please don’t take it seriously.”

Jiang Peihuan laughed lightly, her face remaining calm.

“I’ve been in bed for too long. It looks like it’s time to get up.” Jiang Peihuan said, as she got out of her bed.

Yue Er couldn’t help but mutter to herself, but she didn’t dare to say anything and silently helped Jiang Peihuan apply her makeup.

Jiang Peihuan looked at her from the reflection in the mirror and smiled.

“Let’s go. Accompany me to watch a show.”

After saying that, she casually picked up a cloak and draped it over her body before heading out.

Thinking back, the Prince of Huainan also came to propose to the daughters of the Jiang family early on because the Jiang family had rendered meritorious service in protecting the former emperor, and their reputation had greatly risen.

Originally, they valued her because at the age of eight, she had learned to ride a horse and had mastered martial arts.

At the age of fourteen, she went to battle with her grandfather and was as brave as any man.

However, to her surprise, after falling into the water and getting sick, the Huainan Prince was eager to replace her with a new wife.

It was really amusing.

At this moment, snow was still falling. Yue Er, worried, followed closely behind Jiang Peihuan with an umbrella. Together, they walked through the snowy landscape side by side.

As they walked, Jiang Peihuan heard a crisp “snap” sound. It was a tree branch breaking under the weight of the thick snow.

The snow, mixed with the fallen tree branch, landed on Yue Er’s umbrella.

Jiang Peihuan’s cold fingers tightened around the umbrella handle, and she gave a slight smile.

Perhaps it was fate. Fate was telling her that everything from the past was broken, just like how the tree branch would soon regrow fresh leaves and buds. She, too, would begin a new life.

As they approached the main hall, Jiang Peihuan overheard her grandmother’s voice from inside.

“Your Highness, Peihuan merely fell into the water by accident, and she is still recovering from her illness. It seems unfair for the Huainan Mansion to change the bride and add insult to injury.”

Zhao Fuqing, the heir of Huainan King, spoke with a displeased tone.

“Old madam, you can’t say that. This marriage was arranged by my grandfather, who valued the Jiang family for their noble status and loyalty.”

“But you have to understand that I’m the only son of Huainan Mansion. Now that Miss Jiang has been sick for so long, I’m afraid her health… You can’t just watch my family’s line end.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang became even angrier.

How could they humiliate her daughter like this?

Unfortunately, the Huainan Prince’s title and status meant the Jiang family could not easily offend them.

“Therefore, Old madam, we Huainan Mansion had no choice but to do this.”

“Our families’ marriage agreement still stands. It’s just that the daughter who will be married must be changed.”

As Zhao Fuqing spoke, his eyes unconsciously glanced to the side.

Jiang Ruyun stood there in a peach-colored dress, her hair neatly arranged, a sign of her careful preparation.

Madam Zhou Rongfang, the second wife of the household, looked pleased. As fortunes changed, if Jiang Ruyun were to marry the Prince of Huainan Mansion, then they, the second wife’s household, would no longer have to be inferior to the first wife’s household!

As Old Madam Jiang was about to speak, Jiang Peihuan walked in.

“Grandmother, our Jiang household is really lively today.”

Everyone was surprised to see Jiang Peihuan.

“Eldest sister, your illness hasn’t fully recovered. Why did you get up?”

Nanny Xu, who was beside Old madam, quickly walked up to Jiang Peihuan and helped her up.

“Fortunately, I got up, or else I wouldn’t have been able to see this liveliness.”

Jiang Peihuan smiled and patted Nanny Xu’s hand, indicating her not to worry.

“Peihuan…”

Zhao Fuqing’s arrogant demeanor faded slightly upon seeing Jiang Peihuan.

At the same time, a worried look flashed across Jiang Ruyun’s face.

“How dare you still speak my sister’s name!”

Before Jiang Peihuan could say anything, a spoiled little girl jumped out and pointed at Zhao Fuqing’s nose, scolding him.

Jiang Peihuan turned to see her youngest sister, Jiang Sijin, dressed in a dark red dress, bright and flamboyant. Seeing her sister, Jiang Peihuan became emotional.

If it weren’t for that despicable man, her life would have been different.

“Sister, how can you speak like that?” Jiang Ruyun asked gently. “He will still be your brother-in-law in the future. Don’t let others say our Jiang family is impolite because of your actions.”

Zhao Fuqing nodded in agreement, then glanced at Jiang Sijin with fear. He was relieved that he didn’t marry Jiang Peihuan. If her biological sister was this fierce, then her sister would be even more terrifying.

Recalling that Jiang Peihuan had fought and killed on the battlefield, Zhao Fuqing’s resolve to change brides grew stronger.

Jiang Peihuan smiled contemptuously, adjusting her cloak as she asked casually, “So, the prince came today to change brides?”

“That’s right, I want to marry Jiang Ruyun!” Zhao Fuqing declared.

Jiang Peihuan stared at him, memories of their past surfacing. Zhao Fuqing had met her when she was just five years old. He often watched her practice martial arts, handed her water, and stutteringly vowed to marry her.

Now, here he was, declaring his intention to marry her cousin instead.

How quickly people’s hearts change.

Thinking back to her previous life, she had felt deeply sorry for him because of Xiao Junhao. She even knelt down and begged her grandmother to change the marriage arrangement.

Now that she thought about it, she found it even more amusing.

Seeing Jiang Peihuan looking at him, Zhao Fuqing thought she was refusing and was about to say something.

“Pa!”

The sound of a crisp slap echoed, startling everyone.