Chapter 2

In her previous life, Xu Wan was a workaholic.

Although after her sudden death, she decided to change her ways and take life easy, her decisive and efficient way of doing things was still hard to change immediately, just like now—

She had already drawn swords from the guards on both sides and was charging towards Zong Jincheng with remarkably steady emotions!

"Ah! Help! The lady is trying to kill the young master!"

"Quick, stop the bride!"

"Protect the young master!!"

"Slow down... ah... the wedding ribbons are ruined!"

"The wedding basin is broken too!"

"The wedding characters are gone too, ahhh..."

...

The wedding at the Marquis Manor had descended into chaos, with guests fleeing the scene, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

What should have been a joyous occasion became the talk of the town, making the entire Sheng Capital City burst into laughter!

And when it came to gossip, the stories in the teahouses became more and more elaborate:

"To have the wedding disrupted by the little devil on the very first day, even the gods would find it hard to swallow. My third aunt's cousin's nephew was there and said Miss Xu lifted her red veil, let out a mighty roar, and charged out with a sword!"

"Oh my! As expected of the Minister of Justice's daughter, she truly takes after her father!"

"Good! Well said! Keep going!"

"But young master Cheng of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor isn't someone to be trifled with either. After the young marquis disappeared, baby Cheng became his only bloodline. Who in the entire manor, or even the whole capital, wouldn't give him some face?"

"I heard the entire manor dotes on young master Cheng. I fear this Miss Xu will have a hard time..."

"Ah? Could she be divorced on her wedding day?"

"..."

At the Yangyuan Marquis Manor.

Before the guards could apprehend her, Xu Wan had already grabbed the little devil... by his hair.

They say modern women like to pull hair when fighting, and now the advantage of ancient men became their weakness too.

"Let go!"

Zong Jincheng gritted his teeth, also pulling Xu Wan's hair with all his might, neither willing to yield.

"No way, even if I have to sacrifice a thousand, I'll make sure you lose eight hundred today!"

"Ouch... let me go, I'm the young marquis's son!"

"Hah... and I'm the young marquis's new wife! You little brat, by rank, you should call me mother!"

"I won't call you that, you evil woman!"

"Still dare to insult me? Say goodbye to your hair!"

"Ah..."

The maids watched anxiously as both their hairlines were in jeopardy.

One was the manor's lady, the other the manor's eldest grandson - they couldn't take sides!

"The Old Marquis and Old Marchioness have arrived."

While still gripping the little devil's hair, Xu Wan turned to look at the elderly couple who had rushed over from the wedding hall.

The Old Marquis and Old Marchioness were both in their forties or fifties, dressed in fine silk robes, followed by countless maids and servants. Though their temples showed traces of gray, both elders appeared kind and gentle.

Especially the Old Marchioness, who was smiling so widely her eyes had almost disappeared.

"What are you all standing around for? Quickly separate them!" At the Old Marquis's command, others finally dared to step forward and break up the fight.

Though Zong Jincheng was usually mischievous, he greatly respected the Old Marquis and was the first to let go. After escaping Xu Wan's clutches, he stuck his tongue out at her triumphantly.

Xu Wan flexed her wrist and, not to be outdone, waved the few strands of hair she'd pulled from the little troublemaker.

The tension between them was palpable.

Finally, the Old Marchioness stepped in to mediate, taking Xu Wan's hands with a smile, saying, "Wan'er, to have such a scene on your wedding day, you must feel wronged."

One shouldn't strike a smiling face, and Xu Wan's first instinct was to deny any grievance.

But thinking carefully, how could there be none? She was absolutely furious!

Although she wasn't favored at the Minister's Mansion, her stepmother was skilled at maintaining appearances and had always maintained a good reputation. Even when choosing a marriage partner for her, she insisted on a high-ranking family, afraid that marrying beneath their station would affect her own daughter's future marriage prospects.

However, due to her position, Xu Wan didn't dare express her dissatisfaction with the Marquis Manor, at most remaining a silent lamb.

The Old Marchioness exchanged a glance with the Old Marquis, then addressed the maids: "You may all leave, I have something to discuss with Wan'er."

As the maids withdrew, Zong Jincheng tried to slip away too.

But the Old Marquis spoke up: "Jincheng, stay."

Zong Jincheng blinked his big eyes, seemingly sensing something amiss. He slowly backed away, trying to laugh it off: "Grandfather, Grandmother, I just remembered I haven't done my reading today, so I'll take my leave first. Please continue your discussion."

The little devil was blessed with striking good looks, with an adorable dimple on his left cheek. Whenever he smiled, people felt their hearts melt and were willing to indulge his every whim.

But this time, the Old Marquis seemed quite determined, giving him no chance to charm his way out: "Stop right there. You haven't been to the study for a month, what reading could be so urgent now? Stay and listen."

Zong Jincheng quickly looked to the Old Marchioness, his eyes pleading: "Grandmother..."

However, even his usually doting grandmother didn't help him this time: "Be good, Jincheng. Your grandfather has something to tell you."

"Fine."

Having failed to escape, Zong Jincheng's entire demeanor screamed dejection.

Seeing the little troublemaker deflated, Xu Wan was absolutely delighted. If not for her excellent acting skills, she would have burst out laughing.

Zong Jincheng sensed her schadenfreude and shot her a fierce glare.

Xu Wan remained unfazed, even returning a smug look identical to his earlier provocation.

This made Zong Jincheng even angrier.

The Old Marchioness quietly observed their interaction and said to the Old Marquis, "My lord, I think your dream might be right. Perhaps Wan'er is indeed the wife He'er would want."

The Old Marquis stroked his beard and smiled, "I think so too. It's been a long time since anyone has put Jincheng in his place like this."

Xu Wan couldn't understand their cryptic exchange.

But her instincts told her it wasn't anything good.

However, before she could speak, the Old Marchioness had already removed a jade bracelet from her own wrist and smoothly slipped it onto hers.

The little devil beside them was stunned: "Grandmother, that's your favorite bracelet!"

He stared at Xu Wan in disbelief, then at his grandmother, remembering what someone had told him: "Once your stepmother marries in, your good days will be over."

Zong Jincheng clenched his fists, his worries growing stronger.

It was true after all.

Xu Wan also realized the bracelet's value and was about to refuse when she saw the Old Marchioness pull out... the housekeeper's keys from her sleeve.

The housekeeper's keys...

The housekeeper's keys!!