Volume One, Chapter 2: The Wager

“Wait!”
Qiu Shuang shrieked, “A daughter born out of wedlock dares to marry into the royal household? Have you ever looked in the mirror to see what your status is?”
Her sharp voice echoed through the hall, laced with undisguised malice.
She struggled to her feet, pointing at Lin Wan Ti’s retreating figure, screaming hoarsely, “You’re nothing but a lowly—”
“Qiu Shuang!”
Murong Yun Yi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was deep and cold, carrying an unquestionable authority.
Qiu Shuang’s voice was abruptly cut off. She stared at Murong Yun Yi in terror, her body trembling.
Yet Murong Yun Yi’s gaze did not fall upon her, but lingered instead on Lin Wan Ti. In his fathomless eyes, his emotions were unreadable.
Lin Wan Ti slowly turned, the corners of her lips beneath the bridal veil lifting ever so slightly.
She paid no heed to Qiu Shuang’s clamor. Instead, she looked directly toward Murong Yun Yi and said, word by word, “Miss Qiu Shuang is right—I am indeed a daughter of lesser birth, and my status is humble. But that does not mean I lack ability, nor does it mean I am unworthy to stand here.”
Her voice was crisp and powerful, filled with an undeniable confidence.
She paused, then continued, “I, Lin Wan Ti, though born lowly, have never belittled myself. Your Highness, shall we make a wager? Let us bet that, relying on my own abilities, I will establish myself in this household—and I will earn your respect. If I fail, I will leave willingly.”
Her tone was resolute and assured.
The hall was silent; everyone was awed by Lin Wan Ti’s presence.
No one had expected that a daughter of lesser birth would dare to be so bold before the prince.
Qiu Shuang’s face was ashen; she could not have imagined Lin Wan Ti would dare such audacity.
Murong Yun Yi’s eyes flickered with a trace of barely perceptible curiosity as he listened.
He regarded the young woman before him with interest, as if he wished to see through the crimson veil and glimpse her true face.
This woman was unlike any he had ever encountered.
She possessed a demeanor both neither servile nor arrogant, brimming with calm and self-assurance.
This quality deeply intrigued him.
A faint smile played at Murong Yun Yi’s lips. “Then I shall look forward to seeing it for myself.”
He cast an indifferent glance over the crowd, then waved his hand, signaling the wedding matron to proceed.
The matron hurriedly acknowledged, and continued to lead Lin Wan Ti toward the main hall.
Lin Wan Ti moved with steady steps, her figure veiled in red, advancing one step at a time.

The maids and servants around her watched Lin Wan Ti’s back, their eyes filled with complicated emotions—surprise, doubt, jealousy, and disdain.
They could not fathom how a daughter of lesser birth could possess such a formidable presence.
Under their gaze, Lin Wan Ti was escorted to the rear courtyard.
The prince’s residence was like a vast whirlpool, fraught with unknown dangers.
She was but a solitary boat, drifting amid the vortex.
She would have to tread carefully, step by step, to survive in this place.
Lin Wan Ti drew a deep breath, her gaze steely as she looked ahead.
She knew her journey had only just begun…
Beneath the red veil, her lips curled into a cold smile. This royal household was even more intriguing than she had imagined.
She raised her hand and gently touched the jade bracelet on her wrist…
The wedding matron led Lin Wan Ti through winding corridors, all the way to the rear courtyard.
Outside, the prince’s residence was exquisitely beautiful—rock gardens, flowing water, pavilions and towers, all showcasing its opulence.
Yet Lin Wan Ti had no mind to admire it. Beneath the veil, she caught every mocking word and disdainful glance along the way.
She knew this was merely the beginning—the true challenges lay ahead.
Arriving at the rear courtyard, she was shown into a place called “Rain Listening Pavilion,” which would be her future abode.
Rain Listening Pavilion was modest, seeming cold and even simple compared to the grandeur of the household.
The wedding matron recited a few customary blessings, then hurried off, leaving Lin Wan Ti with her two attendant maids.
There was no consummation on her wedding night.
Murong Yun Yi did not set foot in Rain Listening Pavilion.
The two maids, Spring Peach and Summer Lotus, looked at Lin Wan Ti with worry.
“Miss, the people here seem difficult to get along with,” Spring Peach said cautiously.
The household had assigned two more maids, but only Emerald was the slightest bit respectful.
Summer Lotus echoed, “Yes, Miss, that Qiu Shuang was far too much, daring to treat you so rudely.”
Lin Wan Ti gently lifted the edge of her veil, revealing a pair of clear, bright eyes.

She smiled lightly and reassured them, “Don’t worry. When soldiers come, I’ll block them; when water flows, I’ll dam it. Since I am here, I won’t let myself be bullied.”
She was not one to be cowed. In her previous life she had been a secret agent, possessing unrivaled medical skills.
What scene had she not witnessed?
Such petty tricks were not enough to unsettle her.
The veil dropped back over her face, hiding the fleeting gleam in her eyes.
She caressed the jade bracelet on her wrist, thinking quietly: Murong Yun Yi, just what kind of man are you?
As she pondered, a plump, heavy-set old woman entered.
She wore a dark robe and silver hairpins, her flesh quivering with each step—a figure saturated in harshness.
This was Madam Li, the housekeeper of the prince’s residence.
Madam Li sized Lin Wan Ti up, her eyes filled with disdain.
“So, this is the new princess? She doesn’t look like much,” she said with biting sarcasm, her tone dripping with ridicule.
Lin Wan Ti said nothing, merely standing quietly, waiting for Madam Li to continue.
She knew this woman was not here with goodwill.
“Princess, you don’t know the rules, you don’t understand propriety—how can that be?”
Madam Li went on, “I am under the prince’s orders to teach you properly, lest you disgrace him in the household.”
Still, Lin Wan Ti did not speak; she lowered her gaze, hiding the cold glint in her eyes.
She was curious to see what tricks Madam Li had up her sleeve.
Madam Li, seeing Lin Wan Ti remain silent, mistook it for fear and grew even more smug.
“Princess, since you are new and unfamiliar with the rules, you shall start by sweeping the courtyard.
This Rain Listening Pavilion must be spotless every day—not a speck of dust allowed.”
As she spoke, she threw the broom at Lin Wan Ti’s feet. “Why are you standing there? Sweep!”
Madam Li barked, her plump face twisted with malice.
She eyed Lin Wan Ti with a flash of venom in her gaze.