Author: Dray

Chapter 6: The auspicious hour’s arrived

Early the next morning, a large crowd had gathered around the gates of the Duke of Qin’s residence. Han Yunxi didn’t know, but at least 30 gambling organizers in and out of the palace had arranged betting pools on whether she’d enter the duke’s gates. Around 1,000 people had placed wagers.

The wedding music hadn’t even started, but the noise of the crowd had already made things lively with their hubbub of voices. Han Yunxi didn’t even have to worry about oversleeping since they woke her up. She stole a look at the color of the sky and gauged that there was still enough time for her to wake up completely and take care of her face.

A small malignant tumor was nothing against a gold standard poisons expert and one night was enough to destroy any evidence of its existence. Han Yunxi tore off the gauze, cleaned up the medicine, and lightly caressed her cheek. The original location of the tumor was now smooth and glossy, the skin exquisite and fine. Too bad there was no mirror, or else she could’ve seen what she looked like. 

At the very least, even if she wasn’t beautiful, getting rid of the tumor meant she wasn’t an ugly woman anymore, right?

She took some acupuncture needles from her pocket dimension to hide within her sleeves, then some poisonous powders for self-defense, before cleaning up and temporarily storing the mess inside the dimension. Even if anyone caught a whiff of medicine, they wouldn’t find any traces of it.

Replacing the bridal veil on her head, she sat up straight in the sedan chair, eyes closed to attain mental tranquility as she waited for the auspicious hour.

Time trickled by like a stream while the gathered crowd swelled in numbers. Though this was the second wedding day, the news was still the talk of the capital. Even members of the Han family had disguised themselves to hide in the crowd and see the outcome.

Finally, the auspicious hour arrived!

Creak…

As the doors to the Duke of Qin’s residence opened, the noisy crowd fell silent, no one daring to make a sound. The duke’s residence hadn’t acted perversely but generously opened the front gates. However, the bridegroom didn’t come, nor was there any parties sent out to escort the bride inside. There was only the old Gatekeeper Liu who walked out to stand by the door.

What…what the meaning of this?

For better or worse, the groom had to kick the sedan chair door before the bride could alight, right?

This situation turned the silence of the crowd into a deathly stillness. Coincidentally, everyone’s eyes turned towards the bridal sedan. No matter which outcome they’d bet on, everyone was nervously awaiting what would happen next.

The disguised members of the Han family couldn’t help but curse Han Yunxi in their hearts. Though marrying into the Duke of Qin’s family was like claiming ties of kinship with those of high social position, it didn’t mean bringing shame and humiliation onto themselves!

Nanny Wang hid a cold smile beneath her lowered eyes, keeping silent on purpose so the situation would turn more awkward as she waited for the auspicious hour to pass. But who knew that someone would kick the sedan chair door with a ‘bang’ from inside? With her phoenix coronet, embroidered tassel cape, and bridal veil, Han Yunxi confidently descended from the covered sedan.

She wasn’t very tall, and a long period of malnutrition had turned her thin so the wedding robes were an ill fit for her body. But she kept her back straight and held her head high, standing in a way that gave her a strength of character so you couldn’t look away.

“The auspicious hour’s arrived, why isn’t there any wedding music?” she asked in a loud voice.

When those words came out, the crowd finally recovered and realized what had happened. Heavens, the bride had actually kicked her own door and left the sedan, how could it be like this? This wasn’t established custom!

“A woman like you is so shameless! You actually got out yourself! Since you can’t be married off, you’re forcing your way through the door, how base!” Within the crowd, someone suddenly shouted.

Echoes of ‘how base,’ ‘shameless,’ and even ‘that wench’ rang through the four corners to curse her. Han Yunxi was still human, and a woman at that. She knew she was being shameless, but what else could she do? Stay in the sedan chair until the next auspicious hour? Could she hold out for that long?

The emperor had gotten angry at the Duke of Qin and acted rashly, commanding him to take a wife. If things got out of hand, what could the emperor do to his duke? In the end, all the fault would lie with her. If she died, then the marriage contract would naturally be annulled. Bitter sadness flitted across her heart before Han Yunxi steeled her nerves.

To continue living was the most important thing.

While they hurled invectives at her, Han Yunxi loudly said, “This was originally something the Duke of Qin should’ve done. But since the duke was too busy to come, I can only stand in for him. You mean to say that the Duke of Qin made me into a base woman?”

As soon as she spoke these words, the crowd exploded.

“Han Yunxi, you’re confusing right and wrong! Vicious slanderer! The Duke of Qin would never want to marry you!”

“That’s right, you really think the duke wants to marry you?! Haven’t you looked at a mirror since you were a child? Don’t you know what kind of beastly face you have?”

Han Yunxi stilled her steps, turning to face the source of the voice. Though her body was thin and frail, her voice was filled with power. “The empress dowager approved this wedding and the emperor commanded it be done before the month’s end. You all say the Duke of Qin doesn’t want to marry me, but how could he go against imperial decree or feign compliance? Who said that,  step out for me!”

When the words settled, the entire scene grew quiet. The people who’d just spoken had sickly expressions from fright, looking tongue-tied as they lost the ability to speak. None of the rest made any more comments. Who would dare to slander the Duke of Qin?

Now that the crowd had shut their mouths, everything was calm. Han Yunxi took a deep breath to steady herself and proudly shouted, “Wedding music, play on!”

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Chapter 5: A familiar warning

The skies had grown dark, but Han Yunxi was still fast asleep. Heaven knows how tired this body was. Despite this, she heard a familiar dootdootdoot, dootdootdoot from the depth of her consciousness. On instinct, she opened her eyes. Wasn’t this noise the warning signal from Lingyun Hospital’s newest detoxification system?

In an effort to keep her as an employee, Lingyun Hospital used vast amounts of funding to research and develop a poison-detection system. It was the equivalent of an intelligent pocket dimension where she could store antidote ingredients and equipment for her patients.

The system had been implanted into the nerves of her brain and was completely controlled by her mind. Han Yunxi never thought her transmigrated soul would carry over such a treasure as well. She was moved. Heaven hadn’t forgot about her!

The “doot” 「嘟」alarm sounded like “du” 「毒」, or poison. It was a reminder to Han Yunxi that there was poison within range around her. She had been suspecting whether the tumor on her face was created by toxic means. With the alert from the detox system, she was certain that was the case.

Closing her eyes, she tried to use her mind to open the detoxification system. She didn’t expect it to be just as easy to use as before. She took out a few acupuncture needles and some medical gauze from the contained dimension while checking over her supplies. There were still plenty of acupuncture needles and medicinal ingredients.

Han Yunxi then took a glance outside, seeing everyone else dozing around her. For the time being, she was certain she’d be undisturbed and started to treat the poison on her face. Originally, she wanted to collect and analyze some blood from the tumor in her detox system, until she recognized the poison with one whiff.

This toxin was also known as grape clusters, or staphylococcus, a commonplace poison used in ancient times to disfigure the face. Even poison experts with trifling abilities could dissolve the venom, yet the great medical family of Han had allowed its daughter to suffer without anyone treating her. She must have been poisoned on purpose!

Han family, was it. She’d remember this grudge for the body’s original owner. 

There was logic in not letting a doctor self-treat oneself. Although removing poison was easy, it was inconvenient when the poison was on her own face. She could only grope around in the dark to bleed out the poisonous blood and clean its remnants, choosing and applying her own medicine. Finally, she stuck a piece of gauze to her face and finished up everything within an hour.

After cleaning up her things, Han Yunxi replaced the bridal veil on her head and called out, “Nanny Wang, I’m hungry. Bring me a bowl of noodles.”

Nanny Wang had been on guard all day. When the Duke of Qin’s residence didn’t sent people to chase them off, her gut recognized the formidable person within the carriage and dared not offend Han Yunxi anymore. Immediately, she ran off to buy food.

A large bowl of delicious, steaming hot noodles was handed into the sedan chair, completely overtaking its previous scent of medicine. Han Yunxi dismissed Nanny Wang before removing her bridal veil and happily gorged herself on the fresh, hot noodles.

At the same time, Han Yunxi’s chosen husband, Long Feiye, the Duke of Qin, stood with his hands clasped behind his back atop a nearby building. He leaned against a parapet as he observed the scene in the distance. His expression was impossible to discern, but his form was tall, dashing, and as lofty as a mountain. In his black robes, he looked both mysterious and imposing as he emitted an aura of domineering arrogance. From this height, he resembled a respected god of the night, disdainfully looking upon the common people below.

“Duke, we’ve done thorough investigations. The woman inside the sedan chair truly is Han Yunxi. Nanny Wang is one of the grand concubine’s people.” a black-robed chamberlain respectfully reported.

“What’s the situation inside the imperial palace?” his voice was deep and chilly.

“The news has spread. Many are making private bets as to whether she’ll pass through the gates tomorrow,” replied his interior bodyguard, Chu Xifeng.

Only then did Long Feiye turn around, his handsome face cold, as if carved by the Heavens. Those looks were enough to arouse the indignation of both men and gods, yet the lamp light shining on his face did nothing to illuminate those dark eyes. They were like icy pools with endless depths, an eternal riddle.

“Your lordship[2] is also curious to see if she’ll enter.” Long Feiye said coldly before stepping into the air and leaving the Duke of Qin’s residence behind him.

Chu Xifeng was stunned. Heavens, had he heard incorrectly? Even the Duke of Qin could be curious, and the object of interest was a woman?

Was the sun going to rise from the west tomorrow?

-o-

[1] Chu Xifeng (楚西风) －bodyguard for the palace. Chu can mean “distinct, clear, pain, suffering,” Xifeng is “west wind.”

[2] your lordship (本王) －benwang, a pronoun used to refer to oneself in third person.

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Chapter 4: Then let her keep waiting

Right as Nanny Wang lifted a corner of the door curtains, Han Yunxi stepped on her hand with her foot, asking in a dark tone, “You want to invite me out before the auspicious hour comes?”

“N-no! I…it was an accident, an accident!” Nanny Wang explained, not daring to cry out from the pain. Only then did Han Yunxi release her, gracefully withdrawing her foot to lean lazily against the sedan walls.

The Han family usually treated her cruelly, but they hadn’t shortchanged Han Yunxi for her wedding. The interior of the sedan chair was spacious and comfortable, perfect for sleeping. She wouldn’t be so stupid as to leave and come back tomorrow. If she really went back, there was no promise she wouldn’t be delayed and miss the auspicious hour again.

The Duke of Qin dared not obstruct the emperor’s orders, but they could try out all sorts of delaying tactics. 

In the end, it’d still be her who got the worst of it. Though Han Yunxi didn’t want to marry, she knew that she had to cross those doors into the Duke of Qin’s residence. Otherwise, when the palace came to place blame, she’d be pushed out as the scapegoat. The Duke of Qin’s marriage to an official wife was the talk of the town. News of her waiting at the gates would definitely make its way to the imperial palace. When they started paying attention, the duke’s residence would have no choice but to let her in tomorrow!

Thinking up to here, Han Yunxi shifted to a more comfortable position before feeling assured enough to fall asleep.

—

At this moment, the Grand Concubine Yi who lived in comfort and enjoyed her high position had lost her usual ease. She personally rushed to the side doors and saw the red of the bridal sedan through its cracks. The face she’d always taken good care of turned a little ghastly.

“Mufei[1], this Han Yunxi woman is so strange. The rumors all say she’s timid, but how did she turn so daring today? The palace just sent people over to ask what was the matter.” Murong Wanru said in an anxious voice.

She was Grand Concubine Yi’s adopted daughter. Sweet-tempered, virtuous, and meek, she’d served the Grand Concubine Yi since her youth and was closer to her than any daughter of flesh and blood. A single ‘mufei’ from her lips was enough to outline her position within the Duke of Qin’s household.

“This ugly woman dares to tussle with me on my doorstep?” Grand Concubine Yi narrowed her eyes in an awful expression, swiping a finger across her neck to signal Murong Wanru to kill the interloper.

Murong Wanru’s face drew into a panic. “Mufei! If the person dies on our doorstep, it’d be so unlucky! What if the emperor blames it on big brother?”

There were guards on watch around the Duke of Qin’s house as well. It would be difficult to explain a death on their door, especially with the whole capital spectating on the events. Grand Concubine Yi wasn’t stupid and came to this conclusion after some careful thought. “Good, then! So she’s decided to shamelessly stay here! Tsk, how could this ugly woman scheme so thoroughly?”

“Mufei, what do we do now? When the auspicious hour comes tomorrow, do or don’t we open the gates?” Murong Wanru asked helplessly.

“Hmph, since she wants to come in so much, then we’ll let her in! I’d like to see how long she can stay!” Grand Concubine Yi wouldn’t attract any attention. No matter what sorts of things happened inside the Duke of Qin’s residence, none of it would ever get out. Murong Wanru could only nod in acceptance, but a glint of self-satisfaction shone in her eyes.

She had long hoped for Han Yunxi to enter the gates. Grand Concubine Yi had a mind to pair her with the Duke of Qin. Unfortunately, her birth status was petty and low so she had no chances of being his wife, only a secondary concubine. The one thing she feared was someone powerful and influential stealing away the position of head wife.

This Han Yunxi with her ruined looks was just a tool used by the emperor to humiliate the Duke of Qin. Both he and mufei would only hate and spurn her, giving her no chance to turn her prospects around. If the proper wife selected by the empress dowager could die, then the position would be left open. This was her most ideal ending.

Murong Wanru was in a good mood as she held Grand  Concubine Yi’s hand and carefully accompanied her back.

“Aye, if the empress dowager could pair you with Feiye, then my life’s wish would be fulfilled,” Grand Concubine Yi lightly patted Murong Wanru’s hand, filled with regrets.

“Mufei, Wanru only wants to serve at your side for the rest of my life,” Murong Wanru hastily declared.

“You can still serve me for the rest of my life if you’re my daughter-in-law. When you have nothing else to do, go visit the Duke of Qin in his study, understood?” Grand Concubine Yi smiled.

Murong Wanru’s face almost turned red as she lowered her head. It was a sight that anyone could love, and made Grand Concubine Yi like her all the better.

“Mufei, the duke should return tonight, right? Otherwise, who’ll kick the sedan chair door[3] tomorrow?” Murong Wanru asked again.

“It’s better if there’s no one to kick it. She can keep on waiting inside.” Grand Concubine Yi’s tone sounded like she was discussing the weather.

-o-

[1] mufei (母妃) －literally “mother concubine,” a title/name for Grand Concubine Yi from her foster daughter.

[2] Murong Wanru (慕容宛如) －Murong is a two-character surname, Mu can mean “admire, yearn for”, Rong is “hold,” “tolerate/permit”, “facial expression.” Wan is “winding, tortous”, Ru is “like, as if”, “surpass/exceed”. Wanru together also means “just like.”

[3] kick the sedan chair door (踢轿门) －tijiaomen, in ancient China the groom traditionally kicked the bride’s sedan chair door before accepting her inside. This was meant to make sure that the husband wouldn’t be henpecked and the wife wouldn’t fight back in the future. Chinese weddings are ridiculously complicated things, I recommend you read up on them, it’s fun~ Han Yunxi’s progress so far has been highly irregular.

Chapter 3: Not leaving, this sister’s no pushover

Stillness and silence settled around them, though occasionally there would come bursts of loud laughter. This was probably Tianning Country’s first time seeing a new bride being told to come back tomorrow, it would likely never to happen again in the past or future!

The crowd was laughing. Even in the group of people that had delivered the bride, there were a few who couldn’t resist a snicker. It really was the first time something like this had happened. Inside the bridal sedan, the calm, composed Han Yunxi finally narrowed her eyes. The Duke of Qin’s household had really gone too far!

Nanny Wang was crestfallen as she returned, sighing and disappointed. “Aiya, how unlucky. I’ve been a wedding nanny for so many years but I’ve never seen something like this! Let’s hurry up and go, quickly, go back!”

Yet just as the sedan bearers lifted her carriage, Han Yunxi spoke up. 

“Hold it!”

Eh…who talked?

The crowd stilled and looked around, but couldn’t find the speaker.

“Nanny Wang, I’d like to trouble you to ask at what time tomorrow we should arrive?” When Han Yunxi spoke again, her quiet tone was filled with a dignity that was hard to cross. Though her voice wasn’t very loud, the crowd could clearly hear her.

In one second, all the onlookers turned disbelieving gazes towards the bridal sedan chair. Were these words really from Han Yunxi? Shouldn’t she be secretly crying in such a situation? She actually dared to speak out, and so loudly as well?

“Nanny Wang, what are you dawdling for? Do you want this Miss to pile responsibility on you for taking us down the wrong path?” Han Yunxi’s voice suddenly turned stern.

Nanny Wang hadn’t expected this and was frightened. It had been the grand imperial concubine[1] who’d ordered her to take the wrong path. Of course the Duke of Qin’s household wouldn’t investigate the matter, but she couldn’t bear the responsibility if the Han family did. If that happened, the grand imperial concubine wouldn’t protect her at all.

How did this meek Han Yunxi suddenly turn so fierce?

Nanny Wang couldn’t attend to too many details at once, but hastily replied, “Yes, yes! Eldest Miss, please wait a moment.”

Knockknockknock! This time she pounded on the door none too gently. It was still the same old gatekeeper that opened them. “What are you doing? Don’t you understand that we want you to come back tomorrow?”

“The bride asked what time tomorrow! Please trouble the grand imperial concubine with our question,” Nanny Wang entreated kindly.

The old gatekeeper was astonished. This new bride was somewhat interesting. “All right, wait a while.”

—

Within a pavilion in the back gardens of the duke’s residence, Grand Imperial Concubine Yi[2] and a few royally appointed wives were playing mahjong. She’d totally set aside the issue of her new daughter-in-law. After the current emperor took his throne, the wives left behind by the previous emperor were all put to death or set to watch his tomb. Only the wives under Grand Concubine Yi were left untouched. Even the empress dowager had to yield a bit before her. Three years ago, she’d felt it was oppressive living in the palace and moved to her son’s house instead.

A maidservant approached, lowering her head to speak by her ear. “Mistress, the new bride is asking what time tomorrow she should arrive?”

Grand Concubine Yi’s hand stiffened in the middle of her play, whirling her head around. “Who did you say was asking?”

“The…the new bride,” the maidservant replied in a low voice.

“What nerve!” Grand Concubine Yi was bewildered, but more engrossed in playing mahjong than the matter at hand. Casually she replied, “At Yǐ[3] hour, like before.”

So what if she’d asked about the hour? When tomorrow came, they’d make her late again.

—

“Yǐ hour,” Nanny Wang reported to the bridal sedan.

No one expected that Han Yunxi would reply with the three icy words: “Stay and wait.”

Quite a few people around them had sensed that something was off about this young Lady Han. Nanny Wang raised her voice abruptly without reason. “What?”

“A new bride can’t be like this. We can’t block someone’s gates, right? They’ll laugh at us! No, this is no good, there’s no such logic! What kind of person comes to a family’s doorstep and waits to get married?”

“You’re the one who said that we can’t turn back. What now, you want to curse me to be divorced and returned to my home?” Han Yunxi asked coldly.

Weren’t these Nanny Wang’s own words?

“Those who can’t wait can leave. If you can’t get your wages after returning to the Han house, don’t come looking for me.” Han Yunxi reminded them helpfully.

The hired help looked at each other, not expecting the new bride to be so fierce. None of them dared to leave, but all of them sat down in place to wait with her together. Seeing that no one was backing her up, Nanny Wang could only sit down by the sedan chair. She had the irresistible urge to lift the hanging door curtains and see the new bride for herself. Was she really as ugly as the rumors said? And as cowardly and self-abasing? They didn’t switch her with someone else, right?

After a moment’s hesitation, Nanny Wang nervously reached out a hand…

-o-

[1] Grand Imperial Concubine (太妃) －taifei, in this case it refers to the concubine of the previous emperor and the mother of the Duke of Qin (Long Feiye). Will be referred to as “Grand Concubine Yi.”

[2] Yi (宜) －surname of #1. Yi means “suitable, appropriate, fitting”, or a negative version of “should, ought to.”

[3] hour of Yǐ (已时) －yishi, which in Chinese time rests between 9~11AM.

Chapter 2: Shameful, come back tomorrow

It was her wedding day and this nanny was shouting ‘terrible’ in the streets? She had to be doing it on purpose…

Han Yunxi prepared to lift the window curtains and see what was the matter but she stopped to reconsider. A new bride would be forgoing etiquette if she showed her face to the public before to her husband. Wouldn’t the ancients drown her in spittle if she did such a thing? She gave up the idea to instead listen quietly. It was obvious that the commotion had attracted quite a few spectators.

“Aiya, it’s wrong, we’ve picked the wrong path! At the fork back then we should’ve turned right, but we went left!” The wedding nanny seemed on the verge of tears as she shouted.

“And here I had thought something serious happened with all your fuss. This road leads to the Duke of Qin’s residence, too.”

“Yes, yes. Nanny Wang, you’re always so muddled-headed. How could you say such unlucky words on the wedding day? Weren’t you the one who took us on left path before?”

As the sedan-chair bearers spoke in turn, Wedding Nanny Wang stomped her feet and cried out, “I am muddle-headed! Bad news! Taking this path means traveling for two more hours, which means the new bride will miss the auspicious hour[1]!”

When these words came out, the entire group fell silent.

Auspicious hours were something that not only the ancients, but even contemporary people took seriously. It was a long while before a sedan-bearer asked, “Then…should we turn back and take the right path?”

“What are you saying?” the wedding nanny gave a vicious stomp, her thick layer of rouge and powder ended up splitting a crack from her temper. “A new bride can never turn back[2] or retrace roads she’s already traveled. Are you cursing her to be divorced and returned to her home?”

Hearing this, the sedan-bearer grew speechless.

Han Yunxi rolled her eyes within the covered sedan. This matchmaker obviously wanted to make her late on purpose. The Duke of Qin’s household hadn’t sent anyone to escort her and the bridegroom wasn’t even here, only this wedding nanny.

They hadn’t even crossed the threshold of the bridegroom’s door and here was the woman with a show of force. To miss the auspicious hour meant that the Duke of Qin’s household could blame her for all the unlucky things that happened in their future. Han Yunxi wished she could alight from the sedan chair and refuse the marriage, shaking off her husband entirely. But, she knew with her background that there were jackals and wolves in the bridegroom’s house and tigers and leopards in her own. Since assuming the identity of this ugly, good-for-nothing miss of the Han family, she couldn’t afford to be rash. She could only take it step by step. In any case, it was the empress dowager who offered her as a bride and the emperor who ordered the marriage. She’d like to see the Duke of Qin’s residence dare and try anything against her.

The matchmaker discussed things with the sedan bearers for a while before deciding they could only hurry along ahead. The four sedan-bearers ran for their lives, violently jolting Han Yunxi inside. But they still missed the auspicious time and were a full hour late.

The Duke of Qin’s residence had their dignified doors shut tightly. Even the side gates were closed, though the entrance was surrounded by a crowd of city residents long gathered to gossip and discuss amongst themselves.

“I heard Han Yunxi’s extremely ugly, no wonder the Duke of Qin isn’t even willing to show his face.”

“Heheh, even the world’s top beauties want to marry into the Qin duke’s house, what’s Han Yunxi worth? I’m betting that even if she enters, she’ll stay alone in an empty bedchamber for the rest of her life.”

“Still, that woman’s got some nerve showing up an hour late. Yowch, I waited so long my face started hurting!”

—

If this was the Han Yunxi of the past, wouldn’t she have cried herself to death upon hearing these words? Unfortunately, the current Han Yunxi was nothing like that shrinking violet, self-abasing woman who had long given up. Ignoring the difficulties, she felt the tumor growth on her face while peeking outside the curtains. The front gates of the Duke of Qin’s residence were deserted, and there were no wedding decorations anywhere. If it wasn’t for the bridal sedan chair resting at the entrance, no one would know this household was getting a bride today.

Such a cold and cheerless scene was a clear message to Han Yunxi that she wasn’t welcome, that they didn’t even want her here. Nanny Wang was currently knocking on the door, her movements very light. A while passed, but there was no reaction from the main gates. A side door opened, and an old gatekeeper stood just inside the entrance with no intentions to come out.

Nanny Wang ran hastily over, assuming a professional air as she smiled and laughed joyously. “The new bride is here! The new bride is here!”

Who knew that old servant would only shoot them a few glances before speaking disdainfully, “The grand imperial concubine has orders. Since you’ve missed the auspicious hour, come back tomorrow!”

When he finished speaking, the door slammed shut with a pah!

-o-

[1] auspicious hours (吉时) －jishi, lucky hours in the day where good fortune follows certain deeds. Also applies to days, months, seasons, etc.

[2] a new bride can never turn back – women being carried off to their grooms’ families needed to keep going forward. Turning back was equal to being rejected for marriage, which could lose a lot of face for the bride’s family and ruin her future prospects.

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Chapter 1: Surprise, she’s getting married

21st century, Donghai City’s high-ranked private hospital, Department Head’s office.

Thunk went the thick stack of medical reports on the table. Department Head Lin’s complexion was ashen and he was beside himself with rage.

“Han Yunxi[1]! Mr. Li is one of Lingyun Conglomerate’s directors that possesses 40% of our hospital’s equity shares. You have to treat his poison first!”

Faced with the man’s wrath, Han Yunxi stuck both hands in the pockets of her doctor’s coat, completely calm. “Department Head Lin, I’m very sorry, but Mr. Li’s been afflicted with a slow-acting snake venom. Unless it’s a critical situation, I won’t let him cut to the front of the line.”

She had a fresh and pure beauty, with large eyes and two dimples. Despite her youth, her astounding talent with acupuncture had made her well-known in the traditional Chinese medicine circles as a seldom-seen detoxification expert. Whether it was a chemistry-based poison or endotoxins within the body, eliminating either counted amongst her strong points.

“You! Get it straight woman! This is the Lingyun Conglomerate!” the department head was indignant enough to slam the table and rise to his feet in anger.

“Department Head, I’ll say it again. Mr. Li’s condition isn’t urgent. No matter who it is, before a doctor, everyone is…” Before Han Yunxi could finish, she was interrupted.

“Enough, don’t talk to me about equality in a doctor’s eyes. There are only differences between men and women. Han Yunxi, let me tell you, arrange to treat his poison immediately or else you can leave the medical community today!”

A warning? He thought that’d scare her, but her face was as calm as ever. 

“Department Head Lin, there’s no difference between men and women for me either, only people I will or won’t help. I’m not helping Mr. Li, so please find someone better qualified!”

When she finished, she gave a polite smile and turned to leave. That thin and delicate body was graceful and unhurried, with a beautiful tranquility that revealed her lofty, unyielding character. But as Han Yunxi opened the door, Department Head Lin suddenly exploded with fury.

“Han Yunxi, how dare you talk to me like this! I’m telling you to stop!”

So speaking, he heaved a thick stack of medical reports towards her skull. Seized with shock, Han Yunxi felt a trickling warmth trailing down the back of her head. A little stunned, she turned to look back, but before she could catch sight of Department Head Lin, her entire body collapsed…

3,000 Years Ago, Country of Tianning

Han Yunxi woke up groggily inside a bridal sedan chair, hearing the jubilant sounds of celebration around her. Someone was playing the suona and beating the drums, and a veil of darkness shrouded her eyes.

What was going on?

Han Yunxi removed the thing on her head, glanced at it and sucked in a cold breath. Wasn’t this a bridal veil? Examining herself from head to toe, she discovered she was dressed in a phoenix coronet and an embroidered tasseled cape, just like a bride on her way to get married…Ridiculous!

The sedan chair rocked and bumped, giving Han Yunxi a headache as foreign memories began pouring into her brain. Somehow (but undoubtedly), she had time-traveled and was now being married off!

The original owner of this body was the daughter of the Han family matriarch in the country of Tianning. This daughter’s name was also Han Yunxi. Because her mother had once used her medical skills to save the previous empress (now the empress dowager), she had been betrothed to the seventh prince (now the Duke of Qin, Long Feiye[2]). Her mother’s deed had been praised far and wide as a well known story, sharply elevating the Han family’s social status.

But, who knew that Han Yunxi’s birth would kill her mother, or that she’d grow to be a useless, ugly girl who didn’t have any medical skills? The proposed marriage to the Duke of Qin was delayed again and again until it became a taboo topic. Yet, just in the last few days, the Duke of Qin had offended the emperor, who then commanded the wedding take place before the month was over.

Today was her wedding day.

This Duke of Qin, Long Feiye, had been bestowed his title in his youth. He was the only prince left after the struggles for the imperial throne, not more than a little over 20 years old. Yet, within the royal hierarchy, he was the Imperial Uncle, which qualified him as the most important person in Tianning Country short of the emperor himself.

The Duke of Qin lived in the southern part of the capital while the Han family resided in the north. The bridal sedan chair had to travel through the entire city to reach its destination. Even if the Duke of Qin didn’t show his face, her trip still caused a sensation in the city.

While Han Yunxi was digesting this information, the joyful music outside her sedan chair abruptly stopped as the old wedding nanny[3] cried out, “Terrible, terrible! This is a big problem!”

-o-

[1] Han Yunxi (韩芸汐) －our lovely protagonist. The Han Yunxi of the past is from a family of skilled medical practitioners. Han is just a surname. Yun means to “rue” (regret), Xi means “tide during the night, nighttide.”

[2] Long Feiye (龙非夜) －the Duke of Qin, formerly the seventh prince of the previous emperor. Long is “dragon”, fei is “run counter to, be not”, ye is “night”.

[3] old wedding nanny (喜婆) －xipo, an older woman in charge of walking alongside the bride’s carriage and bringing her to her new home, usually the matchmaker or similar.

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