Ch 35: Marriage

Fifth Prince?

Meng Tingyue’s eyes dimmed slightly, a dark glint flashing subtly in their depths.

Could it be that the Fifth Prince, like her, was reborn?

However, on second thought, Meng Tingyue felt it was impossible.

Based on the Fifth Prince’s level of concern for Meng Qingjiao in their past life, if he had truly been reborn, he certainly wouldn’t have done this.

After all, the Fifth Prince in the past life absolutely adored Meng Qingjiao, and even took her life for her.

Could it be her father who did it?

Meng Tingyue felt that was unlikely. Her wedding dress had only been delivered a few days ago. If her father had intended to make an identical one, he wouldn’t have had the time, let alone entrust it to the Fifth Prince and have him deliver it.

The Fifth Prince is currently in decline, the one among all the princes who is least “ambitious” for the throne. If her father had favored the Fifth Prince, he wouldn’t have tried so hard to get Meng Qingjiao married to the Crown Prince.

She only felt her head was as muddled as a mess of gruel, seemingly shrouded in a fog, making it impossible for her to sort things out.

As for Qin Mama, even if she racked her brains, she never could have imagined that Mr. Meng was so audacious as to meddle with the royal betrothal.

Meng Tingyue couldn’t figure out the reason, so she could only temporarily focus her attention on the Embroidery Shop.

The wedding dress was made by the Embroidery Shop. If there was a duplicate, it must be that someone in the shop had malicious intentions and leaked the design drawings.

She just needs to investigate later; she will be able to find some clues.

Xiao Wuyou and Xiao Huaifeng vaguely heard some news, and Xiao Wuyou took the initiative to visit.

Seeing her hurried and worried look, Meng Tingyue understood her intentions, showing a faint smile of reassurance, “Aunt, rest assured, I have my own way of handling this.”

Through their recent close contact, Xiao Wuyou also saw that Meng Tingyue was not as weak, gullible, and ignorant as she appeared on the surface. At least she was far more intelligent than her foolish and naive elder sister, and she was always prepared for whatever might come.

This made the big stone in Xiao Wuyou’s heart quietly fall to the ground, giving her much peace of mind.

“Since you have a plan, I’m relieved.”

Xiao Wuyou slowly strolled to Meng Tingyue’s side, the twilight falling on her pure and flawless face.

The fair face gradually became adorned with makeup, the sickly look in her eyes slowly fading, turning into a bright and flamboyant demeanor, her lips crimson, as bright as her wedding dress today.

Her wedding dress and phoenix crown were even more exquisitely beautiful. On her, paired with Qingdian’s attire, the whole person seemed to have changed.

Xiao Wuyou was captivated for a moment, her lips slightly pursed, speechless.

If Tingyue hadn’t been plagued by illness, she should have been this bright and flamboyant, should have been like an ordinary woman going out to make friends with similar interests, instead of staying in the boudoir drinking bitter herbal medicine.

“Aunt, Aunt.”

Meng Tingyue’s voice brought Xiao Wuyou back from her memories.

She subconsciously averted her gaze, unwilling to meet Meng Tingyue’s eyes, casually humming in response.

“I hope the Crown Prince will be your good match.”

Xiao Wuyou’s voice, like a sigh, softly fell into Meng Tingyue’s ears.

“Perhaps,” Meng Tingyue subconsciously replied.

Whether it’s a good match or not doesn’t really matter.

Anyway, the Crown Prince is short-lived.

She didn’t live long in her last life either.

Thinking like this, the two of them were indeed destined, both Short-lived Ghosts.

Xiao Wuyou smiled, her tone light, “You may not remember, but when you were three years old, your mother took you out and met a fortune-teller monk. That monk said you had a calamity in your life, and as long as you find a good husband, everything will turn out well.”

Hearing this, Meng Tingyue smiled sweetly, “Really or not? Wasn’t he just a con man?”

Xiao Wuyou shifted her gaze to the scenery outside the window.

“Perhaps there’s some truth to it. I guess the calamity he mentioned was your prolonged weakness after your serious illness. Perhaps the Crown Prince is your good match, perhaps after you marry the Crown Prince, your body will gradually recover.”

Meng Tingyue didn’t believe Xiao Wuyou’s explanation.

If what the fortune-teller said was true, then marrying the Fifth Prince would be her fateful calamity.

“Is the jade pendant you’ve worn since childhood still with you?”

“Jade?”

Meng Tingyue took out the jade pendant hanging around her neck, “Aunt, is this what you mean?”

Xiao Wuyou nodded, “This jade pendant was given by that fortune-telling monk. When you were only three years old, you loved it at first sight and insisted on having it, so your mother decided to buy it.”

“Who knew that the fortune-telling monk didn’t accept money, but instead gave the silver to a small beggar beside him. He said the jade was originally yours, saying everything was destined, that you were a Noble Person, or something like that, I don’t remember clearly. Your mother thought he was a con man at the time, and was startled.”

“She was afraid the jade was some kind of big trouble and wanted to return it to the fortune-telling monk, but he disappeared without a trace.”

“She later wanted to throw it away, but you cried and refused to let her, so she had to keep it. Later, she had people investigate the origin of the jade pendant, but they found nothing wrong, so she let you keep wearing it.”

Meng Tingyue didn’t know that this jade pendant seemed to have quite a connection with her.

Her fingertips gently caressed the surface of the jade, “I heard there’s another half to this jade.”

Xiao Wuyou said, “We don’t know where the other half ended up. After you were found after getting lost, you fell ill and forgot many things, and the jade pendant was only half left. Too many things happened during that time, and we had no time to look for the other half of the jade.”

“Do you want to find that half of the jade?”

Meng Tingyue shook her head, it’s just a jade pendant, not something important, maybe she accidentally broke it and lost the other half.

She already knew the origin of the jade pendant, so that’s enough.

As for the fortune-teller’s words, she didn’t believe them. Even if they were true, so what? Whether she was a Noble Person or not, she didn’t know, and she didn’t care who she was noble to.

She just wanted revenge.

“Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince are almost here.”

A maid servant from the outer courtyard came in to announce.

Qin Mama took the nearby veil and carefully placed it over Meng Tingyue’s head.

Meng Tingyue said, “Bring that box over.”

Qinglan knew which one it was and quickly fetched it and handed it to Meng Tingyue.

Meng Tingyue opened the box, took out the fragrant sachet inside, and hung it on her waist.

The color of the fragrant sachet was similar to that of her wedding dress, and it didn’t look out of place when worn.

“I’ll go now.” Xiao Wuyou glanced at the fragrant sachet on her waist and left in a hurry.

Meng Tingyue’s hands rested on her knees, quietly waiting for time to pass.

She was calculating the time of the Crown Prince’s arrival.

She was guessing how the person behind this would contrive to switch her and Meng Qingjiao’s identities at the wedding.

A hand reached out from the side, and Qinglan’s voice sounded in her ear.

“Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. I’ll help you go out.”

Meng Tingyue nodded gently, her hand resting on Qinglan’s, and went out with her support.

With the red veil covering her head, her vision was limited, and she could only see a small patch of ground at her feet, so she walked very slowly.

Shortly after she arrived at the Main Hall, Meng Qingjiao also arrived at the Main Hall, supported by a maid servant.