The Substitute Bride Princess

Jiang Ninghui traveled a thousand li from the bustling capital of Shengjing to the remote northwestern border, riding in a small sedan chair to marry the Prince of Dingxi in place of her elder legitimate sister.

The Prince of Dingxi was cold-faced, frail, and seemingly ill-tempered. At first, Jiang Ninghui cautiously tested the waters. Later, she discovered that apart from rarely paying her any attention, the prince let her do as she pleased.

There was just one exception. Before the wedding, her mother had warned her that she needed to bear the prince many children to secure her place. But the prince was in poor health and forbade her from consummating the marriage.

Jiang Ninghui didn't mind. If she did her job as princess consort and saved up plenty of silver, she could enjoy a comfortable old age.

She never expected her elder sister to show up after the marriage was consummated.

-

Xiao Yan had grown up in the palace and seen just how cruel life there could be. He didn't believe the princess consort his father had chosen for him had good intentions. She had to be there to spy on him.

He found an excuse to send her away, but for a long time, she never came to see him.

Xiao Yan summoned someone to ask, "Has she done anything suspicious lately?"

The guard said, "She stayed in the courtyard for a few days. Yesterday, she collected her monthly allowance, and today she went out."

Xiao Yan asked, "Where did she go? Who did she meet?"

The guard replied, "She ate her way from one end of the street to the other... That's all."

Xiao Yan brought her back to his side, wanting to see what she was really up to.

He never expected that a daughter of a noble family from Shengjing would thrive in this desolate place.

After a while, he not only failed to find anything suspicious, he also found himself unable to stop paying attention to her.

At last, while he was bathing, he caught her sneaking in. Their eyes met, and Xiao Siyan saw her blushing as she turned her head and poured water for him.

Jiang Ninghui said, "They asked me to come in and refill the water..."

The next moment, she tumbled into his arms along with the basin.

When Xiao Yan leaned in to kiss her, she stopped him. "They said you're frail, and can't..."

The next morning, Jiang Ninghui rubbed her aching waist as she got up. "I thought you were too frail to consummate the marriage."

*

Jiang Ningrou had a prophetic dream and learned that Xiao Yan would eventually ascend the throne. She decided to do something to set things right.

But as soon as she arrived in Jiaozhou, she was hauled before a man who silently pressed his sword to her throat, his face dark.

Jiang Ningrou looked close to tears. "Your Highness, I'm your princess consort..."

Xiao Yan said coldly, "I know. If you dare say a word of this in front of her, you'll die."

Jiang Ningrou had no doubt that if she said even a word, he would kill her.

She wept inwardly. So I'm just one part of your happy marriage?

Theme: You have to fight for love yourself