Q: What do you do when you transmigrate into the role of a concubine-born daughter sent to marry in someone else's place, and the groom runs off on your wedding day?
A: Thanks for asking. I just got out of the bridal sedan.
I'm Shen Qinghuan, the least favored concubine-born daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's household.
Today, I'm taking my elder sister's place and marrying the regent's adopted son. But as soon as the sedan reaches the gate, the groom runs off with someone else.
The whole capital is laughing at me.
My mother-in-law tells me to go back to my family, and my family tells me to atone by dying.
I glance over the assembled guests and spot the man seated in the place of honor: Regent Xiao Yan, a man with power over the entire court, whom no one dares approach. He's thirty-two and unmarried.
I think for a moment, then ask him a question:
“Your Highness, the marriage contract says I’m to ‘marry into the Prince’s residence.’ It doesn’t say who I have to marry, right?”
He looks at me and nods.
“Then I choose you.”
The entire room falls silent.
Only later do I learn that this regent is the most difficult man in the whole dynasty.
No contest.
But that’s all right.
I spent eight years as a workaholic investment banker on Wall Street.
When it comes to making money, I’ve never lost.
As for winning him over... well, I can take my time with that.
