Chapter 3

  Only Murong Feng was almost a non-existent person.

  His mother, Mrs. Qiu Yan Yue, was also from a prestigious family. When Murong Feng was born, he was sent to his grandparents' home in the mountains due to his weak physique. The climate there was warm and pleasant. Later, after Old Lady Qiu passed away due to illness, she was brought back home but was ignored by everyone because of her timid personality and poor communication skills.

  Actually, the Empress Dowager and the Queen had originally chosen the fourth Miss Murong Xue, who was not yet sixteen years old, for the Fourth Prince. However, Murong Qingliang couldn't bear to marry his most beloved youngest daughter to the Fourth Prince, who was notorious in the imperial court, so he used the excuse that his youngest daughter was still young and instead chose his third daughter, Murong Feng, whom he didn't care about as much.

  But unexpectedly, Murong Feng's life defied her parents' wishes for the first time. She knelt down in front of them and begged them not to marry her off to the Fourth Prince, but it just so happened that a torrential autumn rain poured down overnight, causing her to fall into a coma for three days and three nights. In the end, she was still unable to change the fact that she had to get married.

  As for the Fourth Prince, his full name is Sima Rui, and he is the second son of the Empress. Although he shares the same mother as the Eldest Prince Sima Zhe, their personalities are worlds apart. The Eldest Prince is fair-minded and gentle, whereas the Fourth Prince is unbridled and notorious for being a womanizer without emotions. He always has women by his side but has never been faithful to any one of them.

  As for why the Empress Dowager and the Queen chose a girl from the Murong family as the second son's partner, everyone guessed that it was because of the fourth Miss Murong's stunning beauty, but why did they agree to give up and choose Murong Feng instead? Everyone also guessed that perhaps it was because Crown Princess Murong Xuan intervened.

  But what it is, no one really knows.

  Bai Min learned about these from Chun Liu's mouth. She also met Murong Xue.

  Although she said no one was allowed to visit her, Mu Rong Xue still couldn't be stopped from coming to see her. It seemed like everyone had no immunity to the fourth miss of the Mu Rong royal family, who was as elusive as a celestial being. So, Mu Rong Xue appeared in front of Bai Min without any obstruction.

  Murong Xue was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, so beautiful that it took one's breath away. But Bai Min just nodded in her heart and said "Indeed, she is as beautiful as a flower". She thought Murong Xue was too perfect, too flawless, and had lost her unique charm, like a jade carving of a flower, which although exquisite, lacked the vitality of a real flower. Murong Xue was indeed beautiful, every move, every smile, enough to captivate the city and the country, but what did all this have to do with Bai Min?

  "Third sister." Murong Xue's voice was also soft and pleasant to hear, lightly calling out, like the music of heaven.

  Bai Min let out a soft sigh, she didn't have the mood to entertain this Murong Feng's younger sister, lazily saying, "Chun Liu, I'm going to rest, please send Fourth Miss back for me."

  "Third sister." Murong Xue called out again, "I want to have a conversation with my sister."

  Bai Min turned around with a smile, "I will be leaving the manor in two days' time, and I really don't have the mood to chat with anyone right now. You should leave." Glancing at Chun Liu, he said lightly, "See him off."

  Turned around and left immediately.

  Murong Xue watched her leave, feeling a little strange, this was not like the three sisters of the past. Her mother told her that the third sister had taken her place and married the fourth prince, she felt guilty in her heart, so she came to visit specifically. Her mother also said that after the third sister recovered from her illness, her personality changed greatly, but she didn't expect it to be so cold, even the expression between her eyebrows was just a faint indifference, neither close nor distant.

  To be honest, Bai Min felt that she still preferred the story-free Murong Feng who was merged with her. If it was fate, perhaps she could let this Murong Feng live a carefree life, after all, her soul had borrowed someone else's body. She remembered that when she was Bai Min, she read books that said "once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering the deep sea", and watched many TV dramas about the intrigue and backstabbing in the imperial palace. Now it was her turn, and she would see how thrilling and frightening it would be.

  If it's true what Chun Liu said, Murong Feng's parents sacrificed the happiness of this daughter they didn't value much to fulfill their other daughter. Then it's natural that she would be resentful, although her soul is Bai Min's, but she can't completely reject some things about Murong Feng, the two are one and the same, she feels like she's just speaking out what's in Murong Feng's heart.

  Murong Feng is a rather intelligent woman, Bai Min has seen her embroidery, seen her calligraphy and painting, low-key but elegant style, must be a wise and gentle woman, after all, Qiu Lao Furen is also a noble lady, and she also carefully taught this granddaughter who grew up by her side.

  Murong Feng is not good at speaking, has a dull personality, and is weak in handling matters. It must be related to her being sent to live with others since childhood. In the Qi family, there are grandchildren of similar age to hers, Chun Liu said they often secretly bully her, but she had no one to cry to, so she could only endure it, thus developing a personality that always yields and doesn't argue with others.

  Before leaving the mansion to get married, Bai Min made Chun Liu shut her mouth and thank guests. Except for Murong Xue, no one could step into her boudoir half a step. Since seeing Murong Feng send off Fourth Miss with an attitude that was neither hot nor cold, Chun Liu didn't dare let anyone appear in front of Bai Min again, including Master and Madam.

  Everything is ready, only waiting for the east wind.

  Murong Wangfu had already prepared a generous dowry for Murong Feng, firstly to save face, secondly because he felt somewhat guilty towards this daughter, and thirdly because it was necessary to make such a big show.

  No one ever knew that the third young lady of the Murong royal family had knelt down to refuse a marriage proposal because she was unwilling to marry the fourth prince. The common people in the city only knew that another daughter from the Murong royal family got married, and also married a prince. Although this prince had a bad reputation, for ordinary people, being able to marry into the imperial family was something they didn't even dare dream of.

  Let Xi Niang dress herself up, Bai Min's eyes were closed, her face was calm as water, and she couldn't see any joy or sorrow. All she could hear was the sound of laughter and music, gongs and drums shaking the sky, and people's voices boiling over.

  Murong's wife allowed Chunliu and Chuntiao to follow her into the palace, as for whether they stayed or left, it was up to them to decide.

  The sedan chair's gentle swaying made her drowsy, rocking back and forth in a rhythmic motion. She couldn't believe the distance from the Murong Wangfu to the Imperial Palace was so great, and estimated it would take at least two hours to arrive. Along the way, she didn't feel like looking around, her face hidden behind a veil of silk gauze that had been carefully made up with cosmetics. The bright red wedding dress made her eyes dizzy, and the phoenix coronet pressed down on her temples, causing a dull ache.

  It's finally arrived, and she was dazedly helped down from the sedan chair. Following the lengthy ceremony step by step, she was like a wooden puppet, being manipulated at will. All she could think about was finding a place to rest soon, taking a sip of water, and eating something. She was truly exhausted, weak, thirsty, and hungry. If only she had known earlier, she should have asked Chunliu to prepare some snacks for her to hide in her clothes when she got on the sedan chair.

  The groom stretched out his hand, white and slender, with clean fingernails. But Bai Min felt a undisguised coldness and rejection, even the bright red wedding dress couldn't suppress this repulsion. She mechanically placed her hand on his, feeling as if she had put it on an ice cube, at that moment she suddenly felt a little sober, as if from head to toe.

  No need to ask, Bai Min also knew that the Fourth Prince was not welcome to Murong Feng's marriage at all. It's better this way, you are ruthless, I am indifferent, and it's just right to leave each other alone.