"What is it?" Shen Xiatang asked as she turned around in a dark space.
"I clearly locked eyes with her," Shen Xiatang said, as she continued to float in endless darkness.
"Did something happen to her?" Shen Xiatang asked in panic as the scene before her remained dark.
Panicking because she thought she was stuck, Shen Xiatang was trying to figure out a plan before the scene before her began to brighten and the memories of the dying woman began to play before her in the form of a play.
"Min Shuang, are you sure you want to marry the third prince?" the Emperor asked and Min Shuang nodded her head.
"Are you truly sure?" The Emperor asked teasingly.
"As the daughter of my dear friend who has fought with me on the front lines for so many years," the emperor said referring to Min Shuang's dad who stood off to the side with a smile.
"I have already granted you the choice to choose any of the six princes, you musn't stick with the third prince." The Emperor said with a teasing smile.
"Your Majesty." Min Shuang said, in a whiny tone.
"I and the third prince have been in a pure relationship for years." Min Shuang said with a smile.
"I am sure that he will make a great husband and if he doesn't, I will sneak out of his Estate to complain to you." Min Shuang said with a teasing smile of her own and the Emperor laughed heartily.
"That's my daughter in law." The Emperor said with a proud smile.
The wedding
"First bow to heaven and the Earth" the officiant said and Min Shuang and Li Haoran bowed down happily.
"Second bow to parents." the officiant said and Min Shuang and Li Haoran bowed to the Emperor and the Empress and Min Shuang's parents.
"Third bow to each other." the officiant said and Min Shuang and Li Haoran turned to each other with smiles on their faces before bowing deeply.
After the wedding
"Sister, you're so lucky." Min Hanying, Min Shuang's adopted sister and the one with the darkest star Shen Xiatang had ever seen, said in awe as she took in the things in her sister's living quarters.
"The third prince takes great care of me." Min Shuang said humbly as she sat next to her sister.
"How I wish I could find someone like you did sister." Min Hanying said with a sad look and Min Shuang took her hands in hers.
"I am sure that you will find yours." Min Shuang said with a firm tone as she took Min Hanying's hands in hers.
Two weeks later
Everyone in the General's Estate suddenly died from poison leaving Min Hanying as the sole survivor
"Who dares?!" The Emperor yelled as he slammed his hand on the table.
"It must be the work of our enemies!" Li Haoran said in anger.
"It is just like our enemies to use underhanded tricks like this!"Li Haoran yelled in anger as Min Shuang held her adopted sister who cried silently beside her.
"Sister," Min Hanying said as her, Min Shuang, Li Haoran stepped out of the palace.
"What am I going to do if people think I am a jinx because I survived and no one agrees to marry me." Min Hanying said as she clung to her sister with tears.
"That won't happen." Min Shuang said as she held her adopted sister protectively.
"That won't happen." Min Shuang said as she patted Min Hanying's back.
Few weeks later
"What insolence!" The Emperor yelled as he threw a scroll at the third prince in anger.
"Does being crown Prince give you the right to marry women left and right." The Emperor yelled in anger.
"You just married Min Shuang less than a month ago." The Emperor said, pointing to Min Shuang who stood off to the side motionless.
"And now you are pleading with me to let you take Min Hanying as a consort?!" The Emperor asked in anger as he threw another scroll at him.
"Father," Li Haoran said as he knelt down instantly.
"I am doing this so that Min Hanying can have a family." Li Haoran said, as he pleaded with his father to grant a marriage between him and Min Hanying.
"Without protection from the General's family, Min Hanying as an adopted daughter has no one she can turn to." Li Haoran said sadly.
"And how does that concern you?!" The Emperor snapped, as he pointed at Li Haoran in anger.
"What about Min Shuang?" The Emperor asked as he pointed to Min Shuang who had sadness written all over her.
"Did you ever think to consider Min Shuang when you thought of this pointless decision?!" The Emperor yelled in anger as he glared angrily at his son.
"Min Shuang you have to understand," Li Haoran said as he rushed over to Min Shuang.
"Min Hanying needs us beside her right now." Li Haoran said as he held Min Shuang's hands.
"I am marrying her to give her a home, not to replace you." Li Haoran said as he gripped her hands and Min Shuang couldn't utter a word.
After Min Hanying arrived
"Min Shuang!" Li Haoran yelled.
"What did you do to Min Hanying." Li Haoran yelled as he shielded Min Hanying.
"She just got here and you have already used your authority as the head wife to bully her thrice!" Li Haoran yelled as he grabbed her by the neck.
"I didn't, I didn't do anything." Min Hanying tried to explain as Min Hanying pounded on Li Haoran's chest but Li Haoran ignored her and began to forcefully remove the green bracelet that emphasized her authority as the madam of the Estate from her wrist.
"Stop it!" Min Shuang yelled as she struggled pitifully in his grip.
"Why are you doing this?!" Min Shuang yelled in sorrow as Li Haoran dragged the bracelet from her wrist.
"No, why are you doing this?" Li Haoran said as he threw Min Shuang to the floor.
"Min Hanying is already pitiful already, must you also bully her as well!" Li Haoran yelled at Min Shuang.
"Bully?" Min Shuang asked in anger.
"I didn't bully her!." Min Shuang yelled in a hoarse voice but Li Haoran yelled "Enough!"
"From today onwards," Li Haoran said as he addressed the maids and servants.
"Let it be known that Min Shuang and Min Hanying are of equal status and if any of you dare to bully Min Hanying under Min Shuang's orders," Li Haoran said as he glared at all of them.
"You will face serious consequences!" Li Haoran said and every maid and servant bowed as they said "Yes."
Weeks later
"Young Miss, Young Miss save me!" Bai Zhi, Min Shuang's personal maid yelled as she was dragged away.
"Li Haoran," Min Shuang said as she knelt and held in yo his clothes.
"Please let her off." Min Shuang begged with tears in her eyes.
"She only did it because I ordered her to." Min Shuang said as she pointed to herself.
"It was under my instructions that she tried to arrange a meeting between I and Empress Dowager." Min Shuang said and Li Haoran turned to her with a glare.
"Yes," Li Haoran said with a glare.
"All of this is your fault!" Li Haoran yelled at Min Shuang.
"Just because I scolded you a little bit you wanted to seek audience with the Emperor through Empress Dowager to complain about I and Min Hanying?!" Li Haoran yelled as he slapped her across the face.
"Lock her up in the darkest room in the Estate." Li Haoran commanded the guards and Min Shuang began to shake.
"No!" Min Shuang said in fear as she grabbed Li Haoran's clothes.
"Have mercy, have mercy on me" Min Shuang begged but Li Haoran shook her off.
"Only let her out when I say so." Li Haoran said as he walked away with Min Hanying.