Whoosh—

A basin of water, mixed with ice shards, was splashed onto Qing Jiu's back. The water carried a pungent, fishy stench. The icy water seeped into his thin shirt, and the bone-chilling coldness quickly spread throughout him.

Qing Jiu suddenly opened her eyes, her hair still dripping with water, she shivered from the cold and instinctively curled up.

Before my eyes stood a vicious-looking old woman. A black mole the size of a bean sat on her forehead, giving me a chill.

With one hand holding a wooden basin and the other clutching her waist, she glared at Qing Jiu and shouted, "You useless wretch! You dare to attempt suicide on the day of the Wangye's wedding! What bad luck! If it weren't for the Wangye's orders, you would have already gone to meet Yama!"

The midwife's words were accompanied by a spray of saliva, making people nauseous.

Qing Jiu narrowed her eyes, looking around before realizing she had been transported to another time.

The original owner, Qin Jiu, was a concubine's daughter who wasn't favored by the family. She was abandoned in the countryside since she was young and only returned to Kyoto a month ago. Threatened by her stepfather, the prime minister, and her step-mother, she had to marry into Qi Wangfu in place of her elder sister, Yu Yan. She became the nominal but powerless Qi Wangfei, living in a shabby side courtyard and eating stale food.

Qi Wang Gu Hanxiu ignored everything and everyone, letting his servants mistreat him at will. He lived a life worse than death!

Gu Hanxiu felt extreme disgust. He hated the deception and the forced marriage, and even more so that he had taken the position of Qi Wangfei, only to be married off to his childhood sweetheart after just a month of their union.

The original owner hasn't eaten enough this past month, and even a maid could beat her at will. If the new bride enters the household, how would she survive?

Dejected and heartbroken, he contemplated suicide by hanging. However, he was discovered before carrying out his plan and locked in the firewood shed.

What they didn't know was that the original owner was already dead! When he was rescued from hanging, his breath was faint. After being locked in the firewood house, no one checked on him, and he died!

The original owner did nothing wrong. When he was in the countryside, a stranger broke into his room and raped him. Since then, the child has become weak, timid, and self-deprecating.

It was these venomous people who killed him!

That's why I had the chance to travel here!

He was the heir of a renowned medical family, murdered by rivals. His laboratory was bombed, leaving no trace of him.

Unexpectedly, heaven gave me a chance to be reborn!

The original owner died unjustly. Since I have taken over, I naturally have to seek justice for them!

Qing Jiu raised her head and glared angrily at the old woman.

As soon as the Wu's woman opened her eyes, she raised the wooden basin in her hand and smashed it towards Qing Jiu. It hit his forehead squarely, and blood streamed down his cheek.

"You dare glare at me! You're just a lowly peasant, don't you think you're the Princess Consort of Qi? What daydreams are you having? The Princess Consort of Qi Manor can only be my sister, Song. Who do you think you are?"

The original owner was so weak, Qiong Jiu only felt that her hands and feet were very soft.

But! I can't die waiting here!

Qing Jiu used all her strength and charged headfirst towards Mrs. Wu. Mrs. Wu was caught off guard and fell to the ground with a thud.

Then, she picked up a wooden basin and smashed it repeatedly against Mrs. Wu's head.

"A mere slave, daring to strike his master like this!"

After throwing the wooden basin, Wu Po's face was full of anger.

Qing Jiu squatted down, grabbed her hair with her hands, and pulled it back forcefully: "Open your dog eyes and look clearly! I am the Queen of Qi, written in the imperial jade tablet! This life, forever your master! Forever!"

Mrs. Wu had never seen Jiu like this before, her eyes were like those of a demon, filled with coldness that seeped into the depths of her pupils.

"Your Majesty, please spare my life... This servant... this servant dares not do so again!"

The woman, Wu, trembled and begged for mercy.

Qing Jiu didn't waste words. She found a rope and tied Wu Pozi's hands together directly. Then she tore off her clothes and stuffed them into Wu Pozi's mouth, and finally kicked open the door to the firewood shed with her foot.

So the King of Qi took a concubine, huh! How could the main wife not be present?

I still have to personally send them a big gift!

Qing Jiu slightly raised the corner of her mouth, revealing a cold smile.

Back in her dilapidated room, the maid Ziyun was bound hand and foot, gagged and tied to a chair.

Ziyun's eyes lit up the moment she saw Qing Jiu, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Qing Jiu stepped forward, untied the ropes, and her voice was colder than ever before: "Zi Yun, comb my hair for me, and then find a red dress."

Purple Cloud God was taken aback, he had never seen Qing Jiu so cold. For a moment, he was stunned.

"Hurry up." Qing Jiu frowned and sat down in front of the dressing table.

Ziyun didn't have time to think much, she hurried forward and helped him comb his hair and change his clothes.

—

Past Hall

Guests lined both sides, and King Qi glanced at his consort, Song Xuanyi, as they walked in step by step.

A warm smile, something unusual for his usually cold and aloof expression, graced his face.

Under the shadowed eaves, Song Xu's gaze softened slightly.

Today, I finally married Brother Han Xiu.

All around was the sound of celebration.

"Bow to heaven and earth!"

"Two bows to the elders!"

"Husband and wife..."

Before the word "greetings" could even leave his lips, a chilling voice suddenly cut through the air, interrupting the two men's bowing.

"Hold on! The lord is taking a concubine, how can I, the main wife, not be there!"

Everyone was taken aback, following the sound. They saw a woman in a dazzling red dress, Qing Jiu, walking towards them slowly. She wore a white veil over her face, concealing it except for a pair of eyes.

Gu Hanxiu's eyes instantly narrowed coldly.

"Qing Jiu, what are you going to do!"

Qing Jiu glanced at Gu Hanxiu with a faintly clear gaze.

In a crimson robe, her figure was tall and graceful. Her two brows were as dark and finely drawn as if brushed with ink, giving her a dignified and beautiful appearance. She was indeed a vision of elegance.

No wonder the original owner fell for Gu Hanxiu at first sight, but was unable to be with him. She lived her days trying to please him, and was ultimately driven to suicide!

Seeing the arrival, Song Xiyi instinctively clenched her fingers. Qing Jiu's crimson attire was clearly intended to make things difficult for her. On their wedding day, she too wore red.

But, Qīngjiǔ's actions this time are nothing more than bringing shame upon herself! How can that face match this attire! And it pales in comparison!

Still wearing a veil, it's like trying to hide something! It must be because her appearance is so hideous that she is too ashamed to show her face!

"Sister... Sister..." A boneless voice with a hint of crying made those around her feel pity: "Little sister Song Xu Yi bows to the Princess. Please don't blame your brother-in-law, it's all my fault. I wasn't considerate enough and forgot to ask your brother-in-law to invite you."

Qing Jiu's eyes narrowed.

Invitation?

This is clearly saying that it's an outsider! What a white lotus!

"Invitation? That's a strange thing to say. I am the princess, after all. The king marrying a concubine, the main wife should naturally be present! Besides, you still have to toast me! How come, did the king not tell you?"

Qing Jiu naturally sat in the main seat, her gaze sweeping across Song Xiyi with a hint of disdain.

Song Xu yi clenched her fingers.

Toast? Why would you toast to a village girl?

(Editor in charge：dystopian novels)