As the bridal sedan swayed, blood seeped from the jade bangle on my wrist.
Beneath the canopy embroidered with golden threads and blessings for many sons and grandsons, the bitter taste of the nuptial wine still lingered in my throat. When Pei Jihan’s sword pierced my heart, I clearly saw the cold gleam of black iron armor atop the city wall, as Xiao Zhiyan’s white horse and silver saddle trampled the plaque of Vermilion Bird Gate.
"Miss, there’s a fork in the road ahead," the matchmaker called through the sedan curtains. "Turn left for the Seventh Prince’s residence, or right..."
"Take me to the hostage’s residence."
Gasps sounded outside the sedan, and the wedding procession fell into chaos. I lifted my veil and tore away the pearl curtain. The gold-inlaid jade bangle jingled on my wrist. It was the token of an alliance my father had secured by trading the military seal of the 300,000 Gu Family troops. In my previous life, I wore it into the Seventh Prince’s residence. Today, I would place it on someone else’s wrist.
