The 10th year of Yong Tai, the Empress Dowager decrees.
The eldest lady of the Marquis Jing'an Mansion, Feng Qing, virtuous and gentle, possessing a dignified and modest character, shall be selected on an auspicious day to enter the Central Palace as Empress.
The Second Miss Feng Yao, talented and beautiful, virtuous and commendable, is bestowed in marriage to the Regent Prince Rong Ling as his main wife.
Upon the decree, the entire Capital City was abuzz, with the Marquis Jing'an Mansion having both an Empress and a Princess Consort, bringing unprecedented glory to the family.
On the 16th of August, an auspicious day, perfect for marriage.
The two ladies of the Marquis Jing'an Mansion boarded their bridal sedan chairs on time, one going to the palace and the other to the Regent Prince Mansion.
The streets and alleys of the Capital City, along with the taverns and tea houses, were crowded with people, each eager to witness this grand wedding.
.....
Inside the wedding chamber of the Regent Prince Mansion, a woman dressed in a bright red wedding dress with a red veil covering her head sat quietly on the large red wedding bed.
On one side of the bridal chamber, the two joyful maids and two elegant-looking servant girls stood silently by, not uttering a word.
Outside the room, a faint murmur drifted in: "The Second Miss of the Marquis Jing'an Mansion is the most talented woman of our Dayan Dynasty, topping the Bailu Women's School every year. Her being bestowed in marriage to our prince is truly a match made in heaven."
"Indeed, only someone as outstanding as the Second Miss could match our prince, who is, after all, the most handsome man in Dayan."
Under the red veil, Feng Qing was bewildered. Originally a genius doctor with exceptional medical skills in the 21st century, she was murdered by the henchmen of a corrupt official for refusing to operate on him.
But what's happening now? Feng Qing was pondering when a buzzing sound filled her mind, and countless memories rushed through her head.
She had no time to delve deeper as a respectful voice sounded beside her: "This servant greets the Prince, please use the marriage scale to lift the veil, wishing you harmony and love till old age."
"Hmm," a clear yet low voice echoed, cold yet melodious like jade beads falling on a plate.
Suddenly, a long slender hand reached into the tray held by the joyful maid, which held a marriage scale wrapped with red silk. The marriage scale extended to Feng Qing and swiftly lifted the red veil from her head.
As the veil was lifted, Feng Qing felt notably refreshed, and as she looked up, she was stunned.
Despite having seen many handsome and beautiful people before, she was astounded by the man before her.
His exquisite and finely chiseled features, with black brows reaching into his sideburns, and deep, dark phoenix eyes seemed to hold the most dazzling obsidian, captivating whoever looked into them.
At this moment, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold patterns, his appearance was even more beautiful and elegant, flawless like a perfect jet-black jade.
His every gesture exuded natural majesty, akin to a monarch's presence, making it difficult for anyone to approach casually.
Yet at this moment, his lips were tightly pressed, and his phoenix eyes reflected a sharp aggression directed straight at her.
Feng Qing instinctively avoided his gaze, but suddenly heard panicked cries nearby: "Ah, a spider."
"A ghost."
"A monster."
In the bridal chamber, several women in ancient costumes were gazing at her in horror, as if she were some terrifying specter.
Feng Qing was puzzled, then suddenly felt a tightness around her neck. The stunning man who had just lifted her red veil had swiftly reached out to grab her neck, coldly demanding, "Did you tamper with the sedan chair? You dare think you are fitting to marry me? Foolish."
As he finished, his eyes grew even colder and unfathomable, and his grip tightened abruptly.
Breathless from the choke, Feng Qing couldn't think much before forcefully kicking the man across from her, grumbling, "Do you think I want to marry you?"
The man paused, obviously surprised by Feng Qing's sudden action. The kick landed on an acupuncture point on his leg, causing him to unintentionally stumble backward.
Once freed, Feng Qing quickly retreated. The man steadied himself, his perfectly beautiful features instantly cloaked in a stormy rage, his narrow phoenix eyes filled with a bloodthirsty chill.
At this moment, he was like an Asura from hell, terrifying to behold.
"You dare to kick me, courting death."
He charged forward again to capture Feng Qing, who quickly retreated, her head pounding. Yet at this moment, her mind was flooded with a wealth of new information.
Finally, she understood the situation she was in.
She had traveled through time, her soul transported back to ancient times, becoming the eldest lady Feng Qing of the Marquis Jing'an Mansion in the Dayan Dynasty. And the man before her, who wielded significant power in Dayan, was the Regent Prince Rong Ling.
Three months ago, the Empress Dowager decreed that the Second Miss Feng Yao be married to the Regent Prince Rong Ling as his main wife.
The Second Miss Feng Yao was recognized as the most talented woman in Dayan, while Feng Qing was infamous as the ugliest.
Not only was she unattractive, but she was also deemed useless. Most notably, people said she was cursed because half of her face bore a gray spider, lifelike as though a real spider were perched on her face.
How could she compare to the talented and beautiful Feng Yao? Yet somehow, on the day of the grand wedding, she and the Second Miss switched sedan chairs. She, who was supposed to enter the palace as Empress, ended up in the Regent Prince Mansion.
No wonder the Regent Prince was so outraged upon seeing her!
As Rong Ling flashed forward to seize her again, Feng Qing quickly raised her hand to stop him, "My lord, please be patient, the most urgent matter now is to return me to the palace and switch with the real Regent Queen."
Her words successfully halted Rong Ling's advance. He cast a cold gaze at her before striding toward the door.
"Nan Feng, prepare a carriage immediately, exit through the side gate, and make sure not to alert anyone."
A subordinate responded promptly, soon bringing a carriage over.
Rong Ling returned to the bridal chamber, coldly commanding Feng Qing, "Come, let's go to the palace."
This time, Feng Qing did not refuse, swiftly following him into the carriage, which quietly exited through the side gate of the Regent Prince Mansion.
Inside the carriage, Feng Qing huddled in a corner, keeping as much distance as possible from the man on the cushioned couch.
Though the man was as beautiful as a painting, it was clear he was not to be provoked. So she wisely stayed far away.
Yet despite her intentions, the man still glared at her with an unfriendly look, "Haha, no one has ever dared to kick me. I will remember this."