Chu Tianling is the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Kingdom. Because of his legitimate birth as the Empress's eldest son, he was named Crown Prince immediately after birth.

He was intelligent from a young age, but for some reason, as he grew older, his luck became worse and worse, and his health deteriorated day by day. The imperial physicians could not find any reason for his illness.

This marriage was entirely arranged by the Empress. She only had one son, and over the years she had consulted every doctor she could find. This time, she heard that the holy monk who had been traveling far away had returned, so she specially asked a master to calculate that only by marrying the only daughter of the Shen family could he have a glimmer of hope.

Of course, she didn't tell anyone about this, and immediately after returning, she asked the emperor to issue an imperial decree to grant her marriage.

She knew she had wronged the Shen family this time, but she would treat Shen Jiaojiao well once she entered the family.

After a night's sleep, Shen Jiaojiao woke up feeling much more refreshed.

Preparations at the Shen residence have already begun. Yesterday was a wasted day, and today there are people everywhere, walking around, busy preparing things for the wedding.

She decided not to go out and would rest in bed, knowing that the servants would prepare everything anyway.

"What are some things to say about the Crown Prince? Tell me everything you know," Shen Jiaojiao said to Chunhua, who was standing to the side.

Chunhua, recalling the news she had heard over the years, looked at her beautiful young lady and couldn't help but frown, saying, "What this servant knows is all hearsay, and I'm not sure if it's true or not. I only know that His Highness the Crown Prince was designated as the heir apparent from birth and was praised by everyone until he was 16. Later, for some unknown reason, he suddenly fell ill and is now bedridden and unable to get up..."

Shen Jiaojiao gently raised her eyes and nodded, saying, "Continue."

Seeing her indifferent expression and lack of sadness, Chunhua felt a pang of sorrow and continued, "There are rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't have much time left and may not make it."

Thinking that her young mistress might become a widow, she shed tears of sadness, and couldn't help but think, "My young mistress is so pitiful!"

As Shen Jiaojiao watched her cry as she spoke, her expression suggesting that she had already envisioned her own miserable and tragic life, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Chunhua stared wide-eyed in shock at the young lady she had grown up with. How could she still laugh in this state? Had she gone mad? "Miss...you..."

Shen Jiaojiao stopped laughing and said seriously, "I'm not crazy! There's nothing wrong with marrying him."

Chunhua looked at her suspiciously and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what about Young Master Wang? You said you wanted to marry him!"

Oh, how could I forget about that!

Shen Jiaojiao recalled the memories in her mind. Fortunately, she had only met him twice before, and nothing substantial had happened.

Shen Jiaojiao suddenly sat up and asked, "Chuncao, is there anything in the room that belongs to Wang Haotian?"

Chuncao stared at her with wide eyes: "Miss, there are letters he wrote in your drawer." She didn't understand why the young lady used to call him "Young Master Wang" so sweetly, but now she coldly referred to him as "Wang Haotian."

Shen Jiaojiao opened the drawer and took out letters, all of which were ambiguous and sentimental poems.

snort!

How wishful thinking! She thinks she can get a wife for free with cheap sweet talk. She remembers the original plot of the book very clearly!

The original Shen Jiaojiao had run to the Wang family without bringing anything with her. Thinking of the tragic fate that followed, her face darkened.

She had finally been resurrected and knew the plot, so how could she let him get away with it?

She looked at the letter in her hand, her eyes turning cold.

Seeing her like this, Chuncao was a little alarmed and cautiously guessed, "Miss, should we burn this letter?"

Shen Jiaojiao nodded and said calmly, "That's right. Go and get a brazier. I want to burn it myself."

Upon hearing the reply, Chuncao personally went to fetch the brazier, as the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

Bringing over the brazier, Shen Jiaojiao ruthlessly tore the letter to shreds, personally placing the pieces into the brazier and watching it turn into a pile of ashes.

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, General Shen and his family began to busy themselves with preparations, without any attempt to conceal it, so the news spread everywhere.

Chu Tianling heard the news the next day.

He originally thought he would hear the news that the Shen family had run away the next day, after all, he had heard this situation 18 times before, but this time was different.

The person kneeling below, who had just reported that the Shen family could prepare for the wedding with peace of mind, began to cough violently.

"Cough cough cough!"

"Cough cough cough!"

…

Finally stopping, Chu Tianling stared in shock at the people below, struggling to speak: "You...you...what did you just say? You said the Shen family is actively preparing for the wedding? What about Shen Jiaojiao? Didn't she run away?"

Those kneeling below didn't understand why the Crown Prince was so agitated, and the questions he asked were also very strange.

Chu Tianling couldn't wait any longer and shouted urgently, "An Yi, go to the Shen family right now and find out if Shen Jiaojiao is home or not, and if they are really preparing for her wedding. Go now and come back immediately if you have any news."

A dark figure disappeared quickly.

Looking at the people still kneeling below, he closed his eyes and ordered, "All of you, go down. Don't disturb us unless it's absolutely necessary!"

The person below replied in a low voice, "Yes! This servant takes his leave!"

Chu Tianling heard the soft footsteps followed by the sound of a door closing, and he began to feel irritated.

He had two days left until his death, and those two days were the day he was supposed to get married. Shen Jiaojiao had run away every single time in the previous 18 times, without exception!

He was used to it, but why didn't she run away this time?

What exactly happened?

He really wanted to ask her in person, but he was too physically unable to move and could only lie in bed lost in thought.

I don't know how much time passed, but the waiting time always felt very long. Finally, An Yi returned.

An Yi, completely shrouded in black, bowed his head, clasped his hands, and knelt below, replying, "Reporting to Master, I went to the Shen family and saw that the servants were indeed preparing for the wedding. I also went to Miss Shen's courtyard and confirmed that she was resting in her room."

Chu Tianling was somewhat incredulous and continued to ask, "Has nothing unusual happened to her these past two days?"

Looking at the Crown Prince's anxious face, An Yi was a little uncertain: "According to the servants' reply, Miss Shen accidentally fell into the pond yesterday, but she was rescued in time and is not in any danger. However, she was chilled and needs to rest for the next few days."

Did this happen in a past life as well?

He can't remember anymore.

But one thing is certain: she escaped the previous 18 times. This time it's already the second day, and although there's a slight deviation, she should still be able to escape, right?

He had lost all hope for the future.

"An Yi, have someone keep an eye on Shen Jiaojiao. No matter what she does, don't interfere. If you see her run away from the wedding, bring her back immediately. Don't worry about anything else."

An Yi, unable to see the Crown Prince's expression from below, was filled with questions. How could he be so sure the person would escape? "Your Highness, if the other party has indeed escaped, should we bring them back?"

Chu Tianling replied indifferently, "No need, let her be!"

Someone like me also harmed her; it's good that she can have her own happiness.

Ignoring your own heartbeat won't bring miracles. You've already died 18 times, so you're used to it, aren't you?

He silently comforted himself, telling himself to accept his fate.