TFSRITA Chapter 152

“How could you marry that good-for-nothing scoundrel!”

“My poor son, this is such an injustice!”

The woman’s voice sounded older, and her tone was one of despair, almost as if she were mourning. Yet outside, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air with a sense of celebration.

Yan Qing opened her eyes to a sea of red, illuminated faintly by the light outside. The vague silhouette of the woman in front of her was visible, but her features were indistinct.

Though her memories had been erased, leaving her outwardly calm, her chest felt weighed down with a suffocating emptiness, as if something vital had been hollowed out.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pushed aside her unease and looked down at her attire. She was dressed in the unmistakable ceremonial robes of a bride, suggesting she was about to be wed—but the circumstances didn’t seem ideal.

Based on the woman’s words, Yan Qing deduced their relationship and gently patted the hands gripping hers to offer comfort. She remained silent, which the woman didn’t find unusual.

The woman sighed heavily. Ever since her daughter’s failed attempt to escape this marriage, she had been in a despondent state. The mother understood—anyone forced to marry such a notorious man would feel deeply wronged.

As the daughter of the Prime Minister, Yan Qing could have aspired to become a royal consort. Instead, she was being wed to someone who was the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. The woman, trying to hold back tears, said with a trembling voice, “If he dares to mistreat you, come back home. Mother will stand up for you! Even if your father won’t, your uncle will!”

“Mm,” Yan Qing responded softly, her heart tightening in fear of breaking character.

Thankfully, the woman didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. She wiped her tears and walked out, leaving Yan Qing to face the inevitable.

As the door opened, the muffled noise from outside erupted into a cacophony, a deafening clash of celebration.

Yan Qing was pulled forward by an enthusiastic bridal attendant and ushered outside.

The sunlight was so harsh it stung her eyes, and she squinted as her vision adjusted. Before her crouched a young man, his expression cold and detached. A glance told her this must be her elder brother.

As she climbed onto his back, she braced herself for any potentially revealing conversation. To her relief, the young man remained silent, his demeanor distant as he carried her forward.

The streets were packed with onlookers, their chatter and laughter filling the air. The women gossiped excitedly, and the men’s voices grew louder and more boisterous as they reached the next street.

Judging from the lively scene, this wedding was a grand affair, though Yan Qing was too preoccupied to enjoy it. Once seated inside the sedan chair, she closed her eyes and prepared to absorb the original host’s memories.

Just then, a cocky male voice interrupted her focus. “Brother-in-law! We’re family now. Next time I visit the Cinnabar Pavilion, I’ll be sure to bring you along!”

A cold scoff followed. “Hmph…” It seemed the brother had no interest in entertaining such nonsense and walked off without another word.

Unbothered, the cocky man chuckled. “Ah, why’d he leave so quickly?”

Another young man joked, “Well, you are talking about his sister. You’re lucky he didn’t hit you on the spot!”

“Whatever,” the first man muttered disdainfully. “No fun at all.”

Then, with a mischievous grin, he turned to the sedan chair and kicked the door hard, making it shake. He laughed triumphantly as if proud of his action.

Yan Qing, startled by the sudden noise, realized this was one of those ancient customs she had heard about but never witnessed. Judging by the force of the kick, it seemed her groom wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about the marriage.

Closing her eyes again, Yan Qing began to receive the original host’s memories in earnest.

The original host, also named Yan Qing, was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister of Dayan. She had a younger half-sister, Yan Yue, born to a concubine. Despite her lower status, Yan Yue’s exceptional beauty made her stand out, causing the original Yan Qing to feel constantly threatened.

Spoiled and pampered since birth, Yan Qing was used to having her way. Her mother, the Prime Minister’s wife, came from a prominent military family and was fiercely protective of her position. She harbored deep resentment toward her husband’s concubines and their children, using various underhanded methods to suppress them.

Yan Qing’s mother gave birth to two children: Yan Qing and her elder brother, Yan Xu. Raised directly under their father’s guidance, Yan Xu grew up disciplined and impartial. He treated all his siblings equally and often reprimanded Yan Qing for her misbehavior, much to her frustration.

The turning point came six months ago.

Yan Qing and Yan Yue had a heated argument, during which Yan Qing impulsively pushed her sister into a pond during the frigid winter. Though it wasn’t intentional, the act caused severe harm to Yan Yue.

While Yan Yue recovered, Yan Qing was punished by her father, but her frail constitution caused the punishment to be cut short. Meanwhile, Yan Yue succumbed to her illness and died.

Or so everyone thought. In reality, Yan Yue’s body had been taken over by a spirited girl from the modern era.

The new Yan Yue quickly adapted, using her sharp wit to turn the tables. Yan Qing’s every move began backfiring spectacularly. Her reputation plummeted, and her father and brother grew increasingly distant.

Yan Qing, once proud and confident, found herself pushed to the brink. Out of desperation, she devised a reckless plan…