Summary
Chapter 0 I was the least favored concubine-born daughter of the Shen Manor, pushed forward by Sister Huan to be a surrogate bride-to marry a sickly prince rumored to not live past the age of twenty-five. Everyone said that marrying him was no different from becoming a widow while he was still alive. On our wedding night, I lifted my veil only to find the “sickly” prince practicing his swordsmanship. A single stroke of his blade split the tree in the courtyard clean in half. He froze when he saw me, then smirked. “So, you’re my little surrogate bride?” I nodded. He walked over and tilted my chin up. “Do you know where the last person who lied to me is now?” My heart hammered against my ribs like thunder. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “In the backyard of the Prince’s Manor, serving as fertilizer for the flowers.” Just as I was about to bolt, he grabbed me. “I’m teasing. I wouldn’t have the heart to do that to you.”