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Happier After the Marriage Swap
墨書 Inktalez
The sunlight cascaded down, draping a thin veil over the tranquil courtyard. In Liu Ruyi's chamber, her maid, Zhang Yue, gently called out, "Miss, the Master and Madam request your presence in the main hall. They say they have a marriage proposal for you."
Though her voice was soft, it struck Liu Ruyi like a clap of thunder, jolting her from her half-dream state into reality.
Liu Ruyi's sleepy eyes widened in shock, resembling a startled deer, and memories surged back like a tidal wave. She vividly recalled that in her previous life, a decree had fallen from the heavens, proclaiming her as the First-Rank Noble Consort, adorned with glory. Yet in an instant, her sister Liu Ruming had charged at her like a vengeful spirit, plunging a sharp dagger into her heart. In her final moments, she had fought back with all her strength, driving the dagger into Liu Ruming as well, watching in disbelief as her sister collapsed into a pool of blood, a cold smile forever frozen on her face.
"Miss, hurry! The Master and Madam are waiting for you to receive the marriage contract!" Zhang Yue looked at her dazed mistress with urgency in her eyes, as if she could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Ruyi's gaze sharpened suddenly as clarity washed over her; she understood everything: she had been reborn! She had returned to ten years ago, to the pivotal moment of her fate—the day she was about to receive the marriage contract.
She sprang up with newfound energy, shaking off the remnants of sleep. The afternoon sun streamed through the gauzy window, illuminating her plain yet radiant face. After a brief touch-up, she followed Zhang Yue with quick yet composed steps toward the main hall.
In the hall sat her father Liu Jianmin and mother Yao Xueying, both wearing smiles that radiated warmth and authority. Her sister Liu Ruming stood before them, poised and beautiful; however, deep within her eyes lay a complex darkness.
The expressions of Liu Jianmin and his wife mirrored those from Liu Ruyi's previous life. Back then, Liu Ruming had been promised to Yuan Yingwu, the second son of Duke Ning—a match filled with honor. Meanwhile, Liu Ruyi, despite being the eldest daughter, had been casually betrothed to a poor scholar as if she were worthless. Today, however, their parents were simultaneously arranging marriages for both sisters—yet the disparity between the two proposals was glaringly evident.
In her past life, Liu Ruming had beamed with joy at this advantageous match and looked at Liu Ruyi with arrogance and triumph. But this time around, Liu Ruming's face was clouded with gloom—a stark contrast that sparked doubt in Liu Ruyi's mind.
Yao Xueying held out the marriage contract with a façade of gentle affection and addressed Liu Ruyi: "Ruyi, this is your marriage contract; come and take it." Her voice was soft but carried an undeniable authority.
"Wait!" Liu Ruming suddenly interjected, shattering the seemingly warm atmosphere. She turned to their mother with determination in her tone: "Mother, I want to swap marriages with my sister."
Gasps filled the room. Yao Xueying sprang to her feet in shock and anger; strands of hair flew up in surprise. "Ruming! Are you out of your mind? You are the legitimate daughter destined to marry into Duke's Residence—bringing honor to our family! Your sister is a concubine; how can you even consider swapping?"
Liu Jianmin and the maids stood dumbfounded as they stared at Liu Ruming as if they barely recognized her. Only Liu Ruyi felt a storm brewing within; she instantly grasped everything: Liu Ruming was also a reborn soul!
In her previous life, after marrying into Duke's Residence expecting wealth and status, Liu Ruming found herself coldly treated by Yuan Yingwu who spent his days in brothels. A year later, both Yuan and his father died in battle; Duke's Residence crumbled under its own weight. She fell from grace into poverty and despair while the poor scholar Li Ming rose to prominence and became Chancellor—Liu Ruyi was honored as First-Rank Noble Consort because of him. It was no wonder that in her past life filled with jealousy and rage, Liu Ruming had plunged that dagger into her sister.
Now Liu Ruming believed that all misfortunes stemmed from marrying the wrong man. This time around she wanted to switch fates with Liu Ruyi.
With sincerity shining in her eyes as if revealing an undeniable truth, Liu Ruming addressed their mother: "Mother, though Li Ming is poor now, he is talented and will surely achieve great things."
Yao Xueying trembled with rage: "Nonsense! Marriage is not child's play! You are a legitimate daughter; how can you marry a poor scholar? Your sister is of low birth—how could she marry into Duke's Residence?"
But Liu Ruming persisted stubbornly: "I refuse to marry into Yuan's family! That Yuan Yingwu is crude and unrefined; marrying him would ruin my life."
Yao Xueying opened her mouth to scold again when Liu Jianmin raised his hand to silence her. He frowned slightly and spoke with an air of melancholy: "Enough for now. Ruyi, you should accept the marriage contract first; do not pay attention to your sister’s wild talk."
Liu Ruyi secretly chuckled; Duke's Residence was far more prestigious than that poor scholar’s status in her past life—why would she refuse such an "unfortunate" exchange? So she nodded eagerly and replied gratefully: "Father, I agree to swap marriages with my sister."
Upon hearing this, Yao Xueying immediately turned her ire toward Liu Ruyi as if flames were about to engulf her: "Ruyi! What right do you have to agree? How could Duke's Residence want a concubine?"
"Mother, come here; I have something to say!" Without waiting for Liu Ruyi’s response, Liu Ruming hurriedly pulled their mother aside into a corner and whispered conspiratorially: "Mother, I’ve heard that Yuan Yingwu is a wastrel who spends all his time in brothels. Marrying him would ruin my life! But Li Ming is talented; he will surely succeed one day. If I marry him now—even if it’s tough at first—I will eventually enjoy wealth and honor."
Liu Ruming certainly couldn’t reveal that she was reborn; who would believe such an absurd tale?
Yao Xueying looked at her daughter with a gaze full of suspicion. After a moment, she finally gritted her teeth and nodded in agreement.
Returning to her seat, Yao Xueying turned to Liu Ruyi, her expression complex. "Ruyi, since Rumeng insists on the exchange, then let it be."
Upon hearing his wife's words, Liu Jianmin no longer opposed the decision. After all, although Liu Ruyi was a concubine's daughter, she was still his own flesh and blood.
The two sisters took the marriage certificate from their father's hands. That thin piece of paper felt as heavy as a thousand pounds at that moment. Liu Ruyi smiled gently at Liu Ruming, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Sister Rumeng, thank you for your generosity; I am truly grateful."
Liu Ruming merely snorted in disdain, her eyes filled with contempt. "Don't get too pleased with yourself; you'll have your share of suffering."
Liu Ruyi chuckled coldly in her heart but maintained a calm exterior. She knew that Liu Ruming thought she had gained an advantage, but what Liu Ruming didn't realize was that in her past life, Li Ming's success was built upon countless sacrifices and efforts from her. Without her, Li Ming would have remained just an obscure and impoverished scholar.
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