《Reborn Roses》 Chapter 1: Elopement "Rong''er, let''s rest here for a moment. Our escorts will arrive soon!" Shen Wenyuan plucked a peach blossom and handed it to her. A sharp pain pierced Jiang Rong''s mind, countless memories flooding back, ultimately settling into a calm state. She gazed steadily at the person before her, then glanced around... It was the peak of spring, peach blossoms in full bloom, a gentle breeze rustling. Shen Wenyuan, with a tender expression, stood opposite her, offering her a blossom. This scene...Was all too familiar. It was ten years ago, the scene of her elopement with Shen Wenyuan. She often fantasized afterward, if that day they hadn''t encountered bandits, if Xie Lingxi hadn''t appeared. Could they have lived happily ever after? Only on the brink of death did she realize, her entire life had been lived in lies. Ridiculous, despicable. Never did she expect that upon opening her eyes after death, she would return to ten years ago. "The bandits you arranged indeed arrived quickly," Jiang Rong stared at him, a hint of self-mockery curling her thin lips. Shen Wenyuan''s expression changed instantly. How did she know he had hired bandits? "This slap is for my father!" Jiang Rong raised her hand, swinging her arm around, and harshly slapped Shen Wenyuan across the face: "He raised a white-eyed wolf!" Jiang Rong''s father and Shen Wenyuan''s father were close friends. When Shen''s father offended the emperor and was exiled, no one dared to help the Shen family. Only Jiang''s father, just and loyal, took in Shen Wenyuan as his own, betrothing him to his beloved daughter, and treating him like his own son. Countless gossips circulated behind their backs, saying that a daughter of the Jiang family, an esteemed noblewoman, was paired with a traitor''s son. But Jiang Rong never cared about his identity. They grew up together, and pledged their love to each other. Shen Wenyuan once said that from then until now, he loved only her. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "This slap is for your father!" Before Shen Wenyuan could react, Jiang Rong delivered another slap, hitting the other side of his face with her backhand: "Lord Shen has always been loyal. With a son like you, he''s doomed for generations." Half a month ago, the emperor ordered Lord Shen''s return and appointed him as Grand Tutor. Shen Wenyuan immediately felt that as the son of the Grand Tutor, he was no longer the same person as before. How could Jiang Rong, a mere orphan from a fallen noble family, be worthy of becoming his lawful wife? But with Jiang''s family helping him through thick and thin for fifteen years, he wanted to call off the engagement, yet feared Shen''s disapproval. So, he bribed bandits, intending to abduct Jiang Rong and ruin her innocence. This way, he could rid himself of Jiang Rong with a clear conscience. However, before he could take action, Jiang Rong got herself into trouble. The eldest son of the most influential family in Great Xia, the Northern Prince''s Mansion, became infatuated with Jiang Rong at first sight and forced her into marriage under Empress Dowager''s decree. Shen Wenyuan should have been overjoyed, rid of a nuisance. But someone didn''t want Jiang Rong to marry into the Northern Prince''s Mansion, and paid a high price to sabotage the marriage. So, Shen Wenyuan, on one hand, persuaded Jiang Rong to elope, and on the other, arranged for bandits to intercept them halfway. He incited chaos from beginning to end, refusing to let Jiang Rong have a peaceful ending. Extremely malicious. "Shen Wenyuan, I must dig out your heart to see if it''s black!" A glint of malice flashed in Jiang Rong''s eyes. "You dare to hit me, you wretch!" Shen Wenyuan snapped back, his anger uncontrollable. Jiang Rong was about to be killed by bandits, so he no longer needed to pretend, reaching out to grab her collar. But before he could make a move, Jiang Rong raised her leg and fiercely kicked him in the abdomen, knocking him to the ground. Followed by another kick to his stomach. The moves were clean and ruthless, indicating they were well-practiced. "Ah!" Shen Wenyuan cried out in pain, unable to get up. He never expected Jiang Rong to strike twice. Before this moment, Jiang Rong was indeed a delicate and helpless noblewoman who couldn''t take care of herself. That was until someone taught her during those ten years at the Northern Prince''s Mansion. "I''ll get you for this!" Shen Wenyuan threatened fiercely. Jiang Rong chuckled, kicking Shen Wenyuan like a sandbag again and again, leaving him bloody and unable to even scream. In the distance, the sound of galloping horses grew louder, a dark mass of masked bandits rushing over. A glimmer of hope sparked in Shen Wenyuan''s eyes. "Jiang Rong, you''re as good as dead..." A teenage boy on a white horse appeared in the peach forest in the distance. With a noble demeanor, sword-like eyebrows, and a free-spirited elegance, he was as radiant as a jade tree in the wind. Dressed in bright red wedding attire, he exuded unparalleled charm and elegance. The Northern Prince''s eldest son, Xie Lingxi. With bandits in the front and Xie Lingxi in the back. Jiang Rong hated him to death in her previous life. She even fled toward the bandits, preferring death at their hands rather than being caught by him... And now... Jiang Rong''s face twisted in panic and fear, clutching her skirt as she stumbled and ran towards him. Chapter 2: Husband As soon as Prince Xie Lingxi dismounted, he was unexpectedly collided into by a young girl dressed in white, her fragrance enveloping him. "Dear husband, I''m afraid!" Jiang Rong''s soft voice sounded weak and fearful as if she were trembling with fright, clinging tightly to him. Prince Xie Lingxi''s entire body stiffened. After the Empress Dowager arranged their marriage, Jiang Rong, this young lady, had someone send him a "threatening" letter. The letter contained only one sentence: "If you dare to marry me, I will dare to become a widow. Either you die, or I die." How much she hated him, he knew in his heart. How noble her character was, he understood even better. Even if she ran towards bandits, he wouldn''t find it strange. She actually called him dear husband? Prince Xie Lingxi was extremely surprised, his mind somewhat dazed by this endearment. Regaining his senses, Prince Xie Lingxi suppressed his chaotic thoughts and briefly paused his gaze on the blood-soaked Shen Wenyuan. With Jiang Rong''s leg techniques, dealing with a mere group of bandits was nothing. Was she afraid? It should be these bandits who were afraid. But Prince Xie Lingxi didn''t expose her. Instead, he just slightly tilted his head and ordered the guards behind him, "Kill them." "Yes!" The guards of the Northern Prince''s Mansion were elite warriors, charging into the bandits like cutting vegetables, swiftly dispatching them. Only Shen Wenyuan, lying on the ground with serious injuries, frantically shouted, "My father is the Grand Tutor, don''t come near me!" "Jiang Rong, you eloped with him, why cause such a commotion?" Prince Xie Lingxi raised an eyebrow, his expression ambiguous, revealing neither joy nor anger. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Jiang Rong immediately lifted her tear-streaked face buried in his chest, her eyes red, "How can my dear husband tarnish my innocence? I didn''t elope with him!" "Miss Jiang, you''ve already been caught in the act with him. Do you still want to deny it?" the leader of the guards interjected. That''s right, she still had a cousin, Jiang Wan, who was married in her place. Jiang Rong''s mother died early, and she grew up under her uncle''s care, treating him like her own father. She had a deep bond with her cousin, Jiang Wan. After the Empress Dowager arranged their marriage, her uncle and Jiang Wan came to find her. "Rong''er, we all know you and Wenyuan share deep affection, but that dandy ruined the lives of both of you. Your uncle really can''t bear it. After discussing with Wanwan, we decided to have her marry in your place. You and Wenyuan can leave!" her uncle persuaded. Jiang Rong was deeply moved, "But, that dandy is not a good person. If Wanwan marries him, wouldn''t it ruin her entire life? I can''t let Wanwan suffer for me!" "Sister, don''t worry, I have my own way to deal with that dandy. If I marry him, I will definitely become the prince''s consort. If you marry him, you''ll only be bullied by him. This is a win-win situation for both of us. Sister, hurry and escape with your husband!" Jiang Wan comforted. That day, Jiang Rong, who had eloped, thought she had the closest sister and the most beloved lover, believing herself to be the happiest person in the world. As a result, she was just a pawn from beginning to end. They used her throughout her life, and in the end, they even used her to harm Xie Lingxi. She wouldn''t let any of these people off the hook! "Dear husband, I don''t know anything. After I fell asleep last night, I woke up here. My dear husband, you are as handsome as a celestial being. Shen Wenyuan can''t even compare to a single finger of yours. How could I possibly elope with him?" Jiang Rong firmly denied it, pushing all the blame away. "He abducted me, and I was desperately struggling. Fortunately, my dear husband, you arrived in time. I was so scared..." Prince Xie Lingxi''s gaze shifted downward, glancing at the half-dead Shen Wenyuan. Who was desperately struggling? Huh? "So you''re saying that today''s marriage substitution has nothing to do with you?" Prince Xie Lingxi looked at her. Jiang Rong nodded obediently, "Of course not! With such a dear husband like you, how could I bear to give myself to someone else? It''s all your fault for being so charming, valiant, and outstanding, making my sister momentarily confused and commit such a mistake..." The leader of the guards and others couldn''t bear to listen anymore. Who didn''t know that the Northern Prince, the capital''s top dandy, had never done anything improper? How could Miss Jiang Rong praise him so sincerely? Prince Xie Lingxi raised an eyebrow, his ink-black eyes fixed on Jiang Rong as if he were looking at a stranger. The Jiang Rong in his intelligence network wasn''t like this. Were all the people under his command fools, or was this young lady hiding too deep? But that assessing gaze flickered away, replaced by an indifferent demeanor, and no one could tell what he was thinking. "Please spare the Jiang family, don''t hold them accountable. Please send me back first, and we can discuss the marriage later, okay?" With that, the young girl lightly tugged on his sleeve. Acting spoiled. Chapter 3: Dowry In the chamber, Jiang Rong sat in front of the mirror, admiring herself adorned in phoenix coronet and rosy robes, her bright eyes and dazzling smile reflecting the image of a maiden reaching maturity. She felt a sense of surrealism as if she had truly returned to ten years ago. Was it heaven''s pity upon her? "Rong''er, how did you come back?" Second Uncle Jiang Changshi pushed the door open, his expression complex. He truly didn''t expect Prince Xie Lingxi to detect the switch even with the veil. Upon realizing it wasn''t Jiang Rong, he left in a huff. However, Changshi wasn''t flustered at this moment. The Northern Prince''s household couldn''t afford everyone to know that on the day of the grand wedding, the prince''s bride had eloped. Today, they had to bring Jiang Wan in first and complete this marriage. Later, they could find an excuse, such as mistakenly bringing the wrong person, to change Jiang Rong''s identity to Jiang Wan. Even though the prince had stormed off in anger, the Northern Prince''s household would surely send someone to tidy up the situation. They would still make Jiang Wan wear the bridal attire and pretend to be Jiang Rong. However, things didn''t go as expected. Prince Xie Lingxi returned, with Jiang Rong in tow. Seeing her, Jiang Rong sighed softly, "Uncle Changshi, we were caught by Xie Lingxi outside the city. If I didn''t come back with him, what could I do? Please forgive me, Uncle Changshi. I must confess, I didn''t elope, and I knew nothing about the switch..." "Otherwise, Wouldn''t the prince blame us?" Changshi''s heart sank, anxiously asking, "Uncle Changshi, rest assured, Rong''er will naturally protect you all. Rong''er was captured and felt lifeless. She wanted to die, but when she remembered Uncle''s nurturing kindness, she couldn''t bear to leave you all behind..." Jiang Rong''s eyes reddened, tears welling up. Changshi held his breath. It all sounded so plausible, but why did everything feel so wrong? "Don''t be sad. You still have plenty of time. In the future, you and Wenyuan will have a chance..." Changshi feigned consolation. In reality, he sneered inwardly. Even if you marry into the Northern Prince''s household today, what''s the use? You''ll only live for another month! If only I could have Jiang Wan marry in your place. From then on, the Jiang family could bask in the glory of the Northern Prince''s household. But now that it had come to this, and with the Northern Prince''s men outside the door, he couldn''t possibly let his daughter ride in the bridal sedan. he could only make do. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "Rong''er, I can''t rest assured if you go alone to the Northern Prince''s household. Yingchun is your senior maid, raised alongside you and most trusted by you. Why not let her accompany you as your maid and elevate her to a concubine? She could assist you in the future!" Changshi suggested, pretending to be considerate. Jiang Rong glanced at Yingchun, who was behind her, helping with her hair, and smiled faintly, "That''s a good idea. Uncle Changshi is always so thoughtful." Uncle Changshi deliberately came to inquire about the news, and then, based on the current situation, made the most advantageous response. After hypocritically expressing concern for Jiang Rong for a while, he left. Jiang Rong was very clear about what he was thinking. he must be thinking that if he didn''t hurry up and keep a concubine with Xie Lingxi, he wouldn''t be able to benefit from the North Prince''s Mansion. Jiang Rong remained composed, lowering her head to glance at her wrist, where there was a crimson mark like cinnabar. It was the mark left by the Yellow Springs poison. In her previous life, Xie Lingxi had told her that Yellow Springs was a kind of poison that needed to be taken continuously for a month to become effective. Only the Jiang family could do this. She didn''t believe a word of it. Xie Lingxi, in her eyes, was nothing more than a ruthless tyrant who had abducted her. How could she believe a villain over her own family? He probably knew recently that she had been poisoned, suspected that the Jiang family was the culprit, and knew Shen Wenyuan''s true identity. So he married her back, sparing no effort to find medicine to cure her. However, Jiang Rong never believed him for a moment. Everyone knew that the North Prince was a young dandy who bullied men and women, forcibly marrying the second daughter of the Jiang family and breaking up a good match. But no one knew that he was just trying to save his beloved. "I hope you can live well," his words lingered in her ears. Jiang Rong couldn''t help but tighten her fist under the sleeve of her robe. From now on, she would never let down Xie Lingxi''s intentions. "Yingchun, you''ve worked hard over the years. I''ll take you to the North Prince''s Mansion. Are you willing?" Jiang Rong asked seemingly casually. Yingchun quickly bowed and saluted, "It''s up to Miss''s orders. Wherever Miss goes, I''ll follow!" Jiang Rong curved her lips slightly. Before she died, she finally realized that the Yellow Springs poison she had been exposed to every day was administered by this trusted maid, Yingchun, who fed her a bowl of ginseng soup personally. All the maids around her were arranged by Mrs. Chang, Uncle Changshi''s wife. Yingchun was the one who kept an eye on her for Mrs. Chang. In the Jiang family, she couldn''t even handle a maid. But now, in the North Prince''s Mansion, Mrs. Chang wouldn''t even have a chance to collect her corpse. Chapter 4: The Grand Wedding "One bow to the heavens and the earth!" "Two bows to the parents!" "The exchange of vows between husband and wife!" "The ceremony is complete, escort the newlyweds to the bridal chamber." Jiang Rong, surrounded by a crowd of servants, was led to the bridal chamber. Removing her veil, she scanned the room briefly. Dragon and phoenix candles cast dancing shadows, and the canopy exuded a fragrant aroma. With the servants withdrawn, Xie Lingxi was outside offering toasts. At this moment, only she remained, along with her maid who never left her side. From her pocket, Jiang Rong retrieved a small bottle and handed it to Yingchun. "Take this, pour the powder into the wine." "Mistress, what''s inside?" Yingchun asked curiously as she emptied the powder into the wine. "Crimson Crane, a poison that seals the throat upon contact with blood." "Ah... then you..." Yingchun''s face registered shock. "Are you planning to poison the crown prince?" Jiang Rong smiled faintly. "Not me, but you." With a sudden shout towards the door, she cried, "Someone, the crown prince is being poisoned!" Xie Lingxi hurriedly entered. "Husband, I lifted the veil and peeked into our bridal chamber quietly, only to find this maid putting poison in our wine. She was plotting against us!" Jiang Rong, looking frightened, clung to Xie Lingxi''s sleeve, appearing fragile and pitiful. Yingchun knelt on the ground, banging her head like pounding garlic. "I didn''t! Mistress, it was you who gave me Crimson Crane! I dare not harm the crown prince!" "Conspiring to murder one''s husband is a heinous crime. Why would I court death? Besides, if I wanted the crown prince dead, why would I expose your crime?" Jiang Rong argued logically. Yingchun never expected Jiang Rong to set her up like this. Panicked, she pleaded, "I''m innocent! Mistress, you framed me! Crown Prince, see the truth!" "Take her away and execute her by beating." Xie Lingxi''s voice was cold as he cut off her pleas. "I''m innocent!" Yingchun cried desperately, but her mouth was sealed by the guards as they dragged her out. In an instant, only the two of them remained in the room. In the previous life, Xie Lingxi had executed Yingchun. With Jiang Rong poisoned, only the closest maid could carry out the deed. He killed Yingchun and replaced her with another maid by Jiang Rong''s side. The result was Jiang Rong avenging the maid''s death by stabbing him. They had missed each other in a lifetime of misunderstandings and entanglements. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Jiang Rong looked up at the person before her. Indeed, she vowed not to let the tragedy repeat itself in this life. Xie Lingxi also stared at Jiang Rong. What was she planning by killing her maid? What did she want? But he didn''t want to delve into her secrets. As long as she stayed in the North Palace, under his protection, he feared she might only pretend to be obedient and yearn to escape. "Husband, it''s getting late. Shall we..." Jiang Rong''s face blushed slightly as she spoke. A maid''s anxious voice came from outside the door. "Your Highness, something''s wrong! Second Miss suddenly started spitting blood. Please come and see." Jiang Rong''s eyes darkened. Oh, disturbing our bridal chamber, aren''t they? ........................................ North Mansion, Leisure Pavilion. A woman dressed in a robe embroidered with goose-yellow butterflies and hibiscus sat in front of the dressing table, instructing a maid to apply white powder to her face. "Cousin cried so miserably. She''s the only sister-in-law I acknowledge. I won''t let Jiang Rong, that wicked woman, snatch my brother away!" She was Xie Ruoqiao, the second young miss of the North Mansion and Xie Lingxi''s biological sister. "Miss, please lie down quickly! The Crown Prince is coming!" A maid guarding the door came in to remind her. Xie Ruoqiao immediately feigned illness, lying on the couch with a blood-stained handkerchief in her hand, tearfully facing the red-clothed man entering the room, "Brother, I''m coughing up blood! Cough, cough, cough¡ª" Xie Lingxi''s gaze paused slightly on her heavily powdered face, and the elderly doctor who followed him immediately stepped forward to check her pulse. After a moment, he looked puzzled, "Miss Xie''s pulse seems fine¡ª" "I... I''m not just ill. Can''t you see!" Xie Ruoqiao weakly protested, "I was bumped into!" Tl: "bumped into" is used metaphorically to convey that someone''s fate or fortune was adversely affected or harmed by the actions or influence of another person. It implies a collision or interference between the two individuals'' destinies, resulting in negative consequences for one of them. An elderly nanny beside Xie Ruoqiao stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the young miss was fine just now, but suddenly she started coughing up blood. This is definitely not an illness, but someone forcefully caused it!" "Then, who is this person?" Xie Ruoqiao asked intentionally. The nanny replied, "There has never been any trouble in the mansion. Just today, the Crown Prince''s consort entered. She lost both her parents at a young age, and her fate is marked with calamity. She''s definitely an ominous person! Miss was bumped into by her, and with her fate, not only will she harm the miss, but also your elder brother!" "What? I can overlook the fact that I''m coughing up blood. But she also wants to harm our ancestors and my brother? How can this be tolerated!" Xie Ruoqiao pretended to be shocked, "This woman must not stay! Brother, send her away quickly! Our Xie family can''t withstand her calamity!" Xie Lingxi watched her performance expressionlessly, feeling no emotional fluctuations inside, and even feeling a bit amused. Just then, a clear female voice came from outside the door, "Sister, you''re mistaken. I am the legitimate wife married into this mansion through proper ceremonies. We''ve gone through the betrothal gifts, name inquiries, auspicious days, and ceremonial visits. Sister, you might not be familiar with the betrothal gifts since you''re not yet married, but the name inquiries involve divining my name at your family''s ancestral temple. We received a good fortune hexagram, indicating a harmonious marriage." "Our Xie ancestors deemed it a great blessing to marry me, recognizing my compatibility with the Prince. Who dares to defy the will of the Xie family ancestors and spread rumors that marrying me is unlucky?" The room fell silent. A woman dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with a phoenix crown and trailing veil, walked straight in. Her beauty was captivating, her demeanor elegant and dignified, her thin lips filled with a gentle smile, and a sharpness glinted in her eyes. Who would dare to separate her from her husband? Those who tried would be killed by her. "Husband, this old servant was speaking nonsense in front of my sister, deceiving her," Jiang Rong lifted her gaze to the elegant figure, her eyebrows slightly curved, "She deserves to die." The nanny who spoke earlier almost collapsed to her knees, hastily pleading to Xie Ruoqiao, "Miss, save me!"