The Shocking Deception of a Substitute Bride

“No way!” Yan Yourou exploded like a powder keg ignited, her nose wrinkling in anger as she pointed fiercely at Huang Fang. “Huang Fang, are you in cahoots with that little catfish? Trying to scheme away my groom for her—what kind of heart do you have?”

“Nonsense!” Huang Fang ruthlessly slapped her hand away. “You’re my own daughter! Only by pushing her out can we protect you. Do you understand that or not?”

“I don’t care!” Yan Yourou kicked wildly on the bed like a spoiled child. “Letting her marry Xiao Sheng would be too good for her! I’d rather give this chance to someone else than let her have it.”

“Rou’er, do you think being a stand-in bride is a blessing? It’s practically a death sentence! But we can take this chance to get rid of her.” A cruel gleam flashed in Huang Fang’s eyes.

Seeing her mother so confident, Yan Yourou’s eyes flickered, regaining her composure. “Xiao Sheng hates scheming women the most. Once that little catfish is tormented to death, the position of Madam Xiao will be mine.”

“Exactly. You just have to play innocent the entire time.” Huang Fang leaned close to her daughter’s ear, lowering her voice to a whisper. “The priority now is to send away your wild lovers quickly, then find out who sent the threatening letter. No matter the cost, we must eliminate this hidden danger once and for all.”

“Got it.” Yan Yourou replied impatiently.

In the early spring of March, Zhongzhou City was immersed in a sea of blossoms, the entire city blooming with peach flowers like clouds of pink haze, breathtakingly beautiful. A grand and lavish traditional Chinese wedding in the city attracted everyone’s gaze like a magnet; people on every street corner were abuzz discussing this high-society spectacle.

“Ah, money really is everything.” By the roadside, Wu Zhenzhu placed Yan Dafa’s head on her neck like a child’s, acting like the leader of kids, watching the spectacle with relish. “This wedding is so upscale, the real ‘Ten Miles of Bridal Red’—ordinary folks like us can only look on in awe.”

“Too bad we can’t see the bride’s real face.” Yan Dafa blinked his bright eyes, a trace of disappointment crossing them as he sighed like a little grown-up.

“Kids don’t understand—only a bride with her veil down is a real bride. Dafa, when Brother Xu marries your mommy, he’ll have a traditional Chinese wedding too.” Wu Zhenzhu teased the child with a smile.

“No, no…” The little cutie shook his head like a rattle drum, speaking earnestly, “There’s no flower child role in a traditional Chinese wedding. What will I do then?”

“You’ll go back inside Mommy’s belly then.” Wu Zhenzhu teased him playfully.

“Black Pearl, what did you say!” The little one’s gentle voice instantly turned stern, his brows furrowed with a thin veil of anger, his face flushing red.

“Hahaha, just kidding!” Knowing the child could understand both good and bad, Wu Zhenzhu quickly smiled and changed the subject. “Look, look, here comes the bridal sedan chair—quick, take pictures to learn from the little catfish and improve your skills.”

Yes, Mommy works at a wedding planning company. Yan Dafa quickly pulled out his phone to snap photos for Mommy. Little did he know, inside the sedan chair, swaying and dizzy, was his beloved mother, Yan Xiaonian, who depended on him entirely.

March weather and children’s moods can change in an instant. Though sunny and bright during the day, by evening the cold wind howled, temperatures plunging sharply, biting cold.

It was already past five in the afternoon, and Yan Xiaonian had not yet returned home. Wu Zhenzhu, who couldn’t cook, discussed with Dafa and ordered pizza delivery. The two tacitly agreed that Xiaonian must be out on a date with Xu Jian, currently wrapped up in sweetness and best left undisturbed. After finishing the pizza, they wiped their mouths and happily went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaonian was forcibly made up with heavy makeup, her originally delicate features distorted beyond recognition. Dazed, she was shoved into the bridal sedan. Along the way, her head spun; she mechanically performed the wedding rites, then was taken into a lavish yet utterly unfamiliar room. Still half-conscious, she collapsed beside the bed.

No one paid attention to her, nor asked if she was hungry, as if she were invisible.

In truth, Yan Yourou had nothing impressive to offer. The Xiao family looked down on her; unable to defy Xiao Sheng, they reluctantly accepted her as a daughter-in-law. But the Xiao family had their reputation to maintain and did not want her appearing at grand occasions, so they chose a traditional Chinese wedding with her veil fully covering her face, to avoid scandal and embarrassment.

At ten o’clock at night, guests had eaten and drunk their fill and all had left. The grand hall, dazzling as a palace, was bathed in cold light from the chandeliers. A tall, cold, and elegant figure sat alone at the banquet table, sipping wine. Xiao Sheng was slightly drunk; a thin layer of wine glossed his beautiful lips, shimmering under the light, making his already captivating face even more extraordinary.

As the groom, he had little interest in consummating the marriage. To him, this union was merely a task to complete, a promise to fulfill. After all, Yan Yourou had saved him once and had been with him for four years; giving her a title was more than fair.

“Boss!” Dressed sharply, Ou Lie hurried over, glancing cautiously around before whispering into Xiao Sheng’s ear, “Boss, Yan Yourou is calling.”

“Pushing me?” Xiao Sheng raised the wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank deeply, eyes closed, his long lashes casting shadows, making him appear lonely and desolate.

“Four years delayed, must I fulfill my duty tonight?” he murmured self-mockingly.

Uh, is going to the bridal chamber really this unpleasant? Ou Lie was speechless, then somewhat relieved. “Boss, you don’t have to ‘work’ tonight. The bride has been switched.”

“Who dares?” Xiao Sheng’s voice was low and drunk, yet carried undeniable authority.

“It’s true. Yan Yourou was drugged; the test report has confirmed it.” Ou Lie looked at the boss with concern, thinking this would cause a huge uproar. Sure enough...

Crash! The crystal glass in Xiao Sheng’s hand shattered instantly, shards cutting into his palm, but he seemed unaware. Suddenly, he opened his eyes sharply, his black pupils like cold stars glaring at Ou Lie. “What did you say?”

Ou Lie shuddered under the boss’s gaze, heart pounding, hurriedly handing over his phone. “Yan Yourou’s call.”

“Wuwu…” Yan Yourou’s weak sobs came through the receiver. “Sheng, I’m sorry. My sister drugged me.”

“Sister?” Xiao Sheng’s brow furrowed, his voice growing colder.

“I never told you—I have a half-sister named Yan Xiaonian, born to my father and another woman, just back from abroad. She’s shameless; she idolizes you and begged me to give her the bride’s place. Of course, I refused, so she drugged me and took my place… wuwu…” Yan Yourou cried miserably, as though grievously wronged.

“Where are you?” Xiao Sheng forced down his anger, voice tense.

“Still at my mother’s house. The one who performed the wedding rites with you was that useless sister of mine. What should I do?” Yan Yourou sobbed.

“Anything will do.” Xiao Sheng’s cold smile curled, voice icy as shards of ice, devoid of warmth.

“Sheng, calm down. My sister is young; she doesn’t realize she’s challenging your dignity and shaming the Xiao family. She just thinks it’s a game. Hello? Hello?” Yan Yourou saw Xiao Sheng had hung up, her lips curling into a triumphant smile that deepened until tears spilled...

“Is the car ready? I’m going to save my sister.” Yan Yourou wiped her face, instantly donning an anxious expression as she spoke to the maid.

“Ready, Miss Yan.” The maid quickly offered her arm to help her into the car, not forgetting to flatter her, “You’re so kind, why bother saving trash like her?”

Yan Yourou said nothing, simply twirling the wedding ring on her finger—a symbol of the Xiao family’s young mistress—with a flicker of sinister light in her eyes.

She thought to herself, the drug must have worn off by now. She couldn’t wait to witness Yan Xiaonian’s panicked and embarrassed state, to see how Xiao Sheng would punish her mercilessly...

At this moment, completely unaware, Yan Xiaonian was slowly awakening in the bridal chamber. Surrounded by unfamiliar luxury, her head pounding fiercely, she was utterly confused. Before she could make sense of the situation, the door creaked open slowly...