Volume One Chapter One Defiled and Married in Another’s Place

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“Lingxi, you lost your virtue before your wedding, and now rumors are swirling outside without end. This disgrace is of your own making. Only by dying to atone can you preserve the reputation of the Marquis of Dingbei’s household.”

The Marquis of Dingyuan, Mei Yuanyi, spoke with a cold, implacable face; his words were as frigid as ancient ice.

Mei Lingxi had been kneeling on the icy stone steps for three days and three nights.

Though it was the height of spring—lush with verdant grass and blooming flowers—she felt as if she were locked in the grip of a harsh winter, numbed and paralyzed by the biting cold.

On the ground, Bishui knelt in disbelief, clutching tightly at Madam Wang’s sleeve, her pleas choked with tears. “Madam, please, say something. I beg you, plead with the Marquis to spare Miss her life.”

Wang was silent for a long moment, her slanted eyes drooping as she glanced at the length of white silk on the ground. She spoke in a low voice, “Bishui, obey the Marquis’ command.”

With that, she turned and left without a trace of hesitation, following the Marquis out of Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Mei Lingxi gazed at the white silk before her, her heart as still and lifeless as a dead lake.

She had planned to take advantage of accompanying Wang to Tianhua Temple to escape from this cold-hearted household, but not only had she failed, her purity had been stolen by a thief.

She gripped the silk tightly, feeling its cold, smooth texture at her fingertips, thinking to herself that if it were to be wound around her neck, perhaps it would not be too painful.

“Miss, for four years you’ve cared for me with tenderness and devotion. Let me die in your place.”

With desperate resolve, Bishui snatched the white silk from Mei Lingxi’s hands.

But Mei Lingxi suddenly offered a faint smile, her snowy-pale face blooming like a lotus—save for the tear that slipped from the corner of her eye, trailing down her cheek.

“Why must you die?” Mei Lingxi’s tears fell as she choked out the words, still calm. “Bishui, go quickly and find my eldest brother. He will surely find a way to help me.”

...

Spring fled, and winter arrived.

In the depths of winter, snow and wind tangled through the night, covering the ground with fallen white plum blossoms.

The blossoms blanketed by fresh snow were untainted by dust.

A gust of wind sent the papers on the desk flying.

Bishui pushed open the door, and a sheet of white paper fluttered to her feet. She picked it up and glanced at it.

Upon it were but a few words: “Should you have words for me, across endless clouds and a thousand snowy peaks at dusk—whom does your solitary shadow seek?”

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Bishui sighed inwardly. Surely Miss was thinking of the young master again.

A low, persistent cough came from inside. Bishui hurried to the window, closing it as she spoke with concern, “Miss, why are you letting in the cold again?”

Mei Lingxi turned and offered a faint smile. “I just wanted some fresh air.”

The brazier in the room had died, the acrid smoke dispersed by the chill, and the cold was settling in.

Bishui glanced at her mistress, dressed in only a plain single-layered robe, not even a padded jacket. Her heart filled with worry. “Miss, you must look after your health.”

She fetched a thick cloak and draped it around Mei Lingxi’s shoulders.

Mei Lingxi gathered the cloak around herself, her almond eyes as serene as water, though a trace of indifference flickered across them. “It’s nothing.”

Bishui went to the table, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to Mei Lingxi to warm her hands.

“How are things outside now?” Mei Lingxi asked.

“The rumors have lessened a little,” Bishui replied, watching Mei Lingxi closely. Aside from her pallor, there was nothing unusual about her expression.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Before Bishui could open it, it was pushed open from outside.

A woman in luxurious purple robes, not yet forty, hurried in.

“Lingxi, my child!” Wang’s voice was thick with emotion. Entering the room, she was struck by the cold, no different from outside.

“Mother.” Mei Lingxi rose to greet her, her voice weak. No sooner had she spoken than a fit of coughing seized her.

Wang stepped forward, patting her back as she took Mei Lingxi’s cool hand. “Lingxi, you’ve suffered so much these days, shut away here.”

She heaved a long sigh. “In the end, it is your mother’s fault. If I hadn’t brought you to Tianhua Temple to pray, this disaster would never have happened…”

“That wretched thief ruined your innocence. How can my child go on living?”

Her grief seemed genuine, and she wept a few tears.

At the mention of Tianhua Temple, the memories Mei Lingxi had tried to seal away surged up. Her eyes stung, lips pressed tight and pale, her body tensing.

Seeing her daughter’s distress, Wang changed her tone. “But now fortune has turned. I have a way to not only get you out of here, but let you enjoy wealth and honor.”

Mei Lingxi looked up, meeting her gaze for a moment. “What way is that?”

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At last, Wang showed her anxiety. “Your second sister, Lingyi, was engaged to the heir of Prince Ning’s household, but today she’s run away.”

“Is that so?” Mei Lingxi was mildly surprised, already guessing what Wang would say next.

“Tomorrow is the wedding day, yet the bride is missing. If Prince Ning’s family finds out, disaster will befall our house. Of the three legitimate daughters in this household, your eldest sister is already married, your second sister is gone—only you can take her place. If you marry in her stead, you’ll become the heir’s consort, revered and honored.”

Mei Lingxi frowned delicately, puzzled. “But I am no longer pure…”

Wang raised an eyebrow and whispered in her ear, “The rumors have been dealt with. The Marquis made sure no one would dare gossip about a daughter of this house. All you need do now is marry quietly; the matter of the wedding night is easily managed. I’ll assign you a maid who will help you through it.”

As Mei Lingxi was about to speak, the Marquis, Mei Yuanyi, strode in.

Though over fifty, he was still vigorous and imposing. He wasted no time: “Tomorrow, you will marry into Prince Ning’s household in your sister’s place. Once there, you must be cautious and diligent. Do not make a single mistake.”

Suppressing her grief, Mei Lingxi paused before answering, “I will do as you ask, Father. But you must promise me one thing.”

“A condition?” Mei Yuanyi seemed to find this amusing, snorting coldly. “You’re lucky you weren’t hanged outright, and now you dare bargain with me?”

Wang, nervous, tugged at Mei Lingxi’s hand, signaling her to be silent. But Mei Lingxi was undeterred, her gaze unwavering. “If I agree to marry, then Second Sister must be struck from the family register. From now on, I will be the second legitimate daughter of this house, in name and in truth.”

The loss of her innocence—Mei Lingxi had long suspected it was Lingyi’s doing. It had been Lingyi who was to accompany Wang to the temple, but she’d feigned illness at the last moment and asked Mei Lingxi to go instead. What was more, news of her disgrace had somehow reached General Zhenyuan’s household overnight, and by the next day, the general had arrived to break off the engagement.

So many coincidences left too much to be ignored.

Today, she meant to claim justice for herself.

A crisp, resounding slap rang out. Mei Lingxi, unable to dodge, was struck so hard she fell to the floor.

A burning pain seared across her cheek, as if scorched by fire, and blood slowly welled from the corner of her mouth—startling and vivid.