I'm a spineless coward. When something bad happens and I can't fight back, all I can do is draw a circle and curse the person responsible.
But I'm also a natural jinx.
When I came of age, my adoptive parents planned to sell me to a wealthy, lame old man.
Trembling, I blurted out, “Father, Mother, aren't you afraid Heaven will punish you for doing this?”
That night, a torrential rain triggered a mudslide that swallowed the entire human-trafficking village.
Later, I fled to the capital and sold flowers, wishing people good fortune. One rainy night, a rich young man came out of a brothel and grabbed me, leering.
I trembled and said, “Don't pull me. Please be careful with your hand…”
The next moment, he screamed and let go. His wrist had popped out of its socket.
Then a bamboo umbrella tilted over me. A noble man in black robes glanced at him, and the man fled in terror.
The nobleman looked down at me with a smile.
“Little girl, your words have power. Why don't you come home with me?”
That night, he bought all my flowers, and in a daze, I went home with him.
Only later did I learn he was Huo Yan, the all-powerful regent.
After six months together, we set a wedding date.
And even better, before the wedding, my father, the Minister of Revenue, found me.
They said that marrying from one's own family home gave a girl her greatest confidence.
I thought fate had finally decided to be kind to me.
But early the next morning, I found myself tied up and locked in a little storage room.
My twin sister, Wen Luoning, was wearing my wedding dress, ready to take my place and marry Huo Yan.
The wedding procession outside was bustling. I called out for ages, but no one heard me. As spineless as ever, I gave up and collapsed in despair.
I curled up in a corner, sniffling, and muttered meekly,
“The real bride is still in here. How can the wedding possibly go ahead successfully…”
