Chapter One: Changing Husbands
Despite being a fallen noble family, the eldest daughter of the Yongchang Marquis's family, Meng Jinyao, was able to marry into the Changxing Marquis's family, which was currently enjoying the emperor's favor, and become the wife of the heir. Who wouldn't say that Meng Jinyao was lucky?
However, Meng Jinyao disagreed. If she was truly blessed, why didn't her fiancé come to fetch her in person on their wedding day? Instead, he sent the second young master of the Marquis of Changxing's mansion with a rooster to fetch her on her behalf, citing illness as the reason that he couldn't come in person.
Just a few days ago, she saw Prince Gu Xiuming full of energy, so how come he suddenly fell ill and was bedridden, unable to attend the wedding?
Ultimately, it was because the Marquis of Changxing's family did not value this marriage, which is why they treated her so disrespectfully. If her grandfather were still alive, even if he were truly ill, as long as he was not bedridden, he would have personally come to fetch her.
With the marriage imminent, the stepmother and father, eager to curry favor with the Marquis of Changxing, were unwilling to let go of this good match that had been arranged ten years ago.
Therefore, even if it was unfair to her, they still put her in the bridal sedan chair, and she had no way out but to get in.
Just then, Ningdong rushed in and said to Meng Jinyao, "Miss, the young master isn't unwell; he's eloped with another girl to avoid marriage!"
These words shocked everyone present.
The guests all thought the prince was unwell, but they never expected that he had run away from his arranged marriage and eloped with someone.
The people from the Marquis of Changxing's residence froze, wondering which gossipy person had leaked the information.
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao froze. She had thought her fiancé might be unwell, but she never expected him to elope with someone else. She could grit her teeth and bear the thought of him being unwell and unable to personally greet her and perform the wedding ceremony, but she could not tolerate him eloping with someone else.
She reached out and suddenly lifted the red veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Her small face was tense, and her eyes were filled with anger as she looked at the people from the Changxing Marquis's residence, questioning, "Such an irresponsible elopement on the day of your wedding, is this the upbringing of your Changxing Marquis's heir?"
Madam Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch, hurriedly said, "Niece-in-law, don't worry. We have already sent people to look for you. You are the rightful wife of the heir of our Gu family. As for other women, you can bring them in if you are happy. In the end, they are just concubines who cannot be brought into the family."
Meng Jinyao felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation. Her eyes reddened with anger, and her hands trembled slightly inside her sleeves. However, she still straightened her back and tried her best to remain calm. She said, "Since he eloped with someone else and abandoned me on our wedding day, why should I continue to marry him and bear the title of a wife in name only?"
Zhang was a little confused, and followed up with, "So what do you mean?"
Meng Jinyao's mind raced, and she asked again, "The eldest daughter of the Meng family is engaged to the Gu family. This marriage was arranged by my grandfather's generation, but it didn't specify which young master of the Gu family she would marry. Does Madam agree or not?"
Zhang nodded: "That's true."
Among the younger generation of marriageable age, the most distinguished is the heir of the Marquis's mansion. Moreover, the marriage was arranged by the old Marquis, so everyone assumed it was the heir. Marrying the heir would be a great honor for the Meng family, as the heir would inherit the title in the future.
Meng Jinyao took a deep breath, as if she had used up all her courage, and said in a firm voice, "It was your Gu family that wronged me first. Since you welcomed me in with an eight-bearer sedan chair, there is no reason for me to walk back. In that case, let someone else come and perform the wedding ceremony with me. Call out all the unmarried men in your Gu family and let me choose one that I find pleasing to the eye."
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