Chapter 1: The Substitute Bride

I will take my sister’s place and enter the palace as empress.

Feng Ruqing’s voice was cold as a blade, made all the more chilling by the brilliant red wedding robe she wore.

Within the Feng family ancestral hall, sandalwood incense curled in wisps, yet it could not dispel the heaviness and oppression hanging in the air.

With only one hour left before the auspicious hour, the entire Feng household was in chaos, and the source of it all was Feng Ruqing’s earthshaking declaration.

Three days earlier, Feng Ruge, the Feng family’s second daughter and the empress personally chosen by the emperor, had fallen victim to murder on the eve of her wedding. By the time she was found, her life had long since been extinguished.

Feng Ruqing, the Feng family’s eldest daughter, had spent years on the battlefield. She had once charged alone into the enemy ranks as though walking through empty streets.

Her spear was stained with the blood of her enemies, and her name alone struck terror into hostile hearts.

Now, having shed her armor and donned phoenix coronet and bridal veil, she had resolutely chosen to take her sister’s place and step onto the unknown road leading into the depths of the imperial court.

“Miss... this... this must not be!” the old steward cried miserably, his voice trembling. “You are a general. How could you enter the palace as empress? That is against all reason!”

Whispers rose around them like a tide. Some suspected Feng Ruqing coveted the throne; some feared that her recklessness would bring ruin upon the Feng family; still others secretly wondered whether she had any connection to her sister’s death.

Feng Ruqing paid them no heed. She merely stood quietly before her sister’s memorial tablet, a flicker of tenderness passing through her eyes—a memory known only to the two of them.

Once, before she had set off for the army, her sister had held her hand and said, “Sister, you must come back safely.”

And now, her sister had been cruelly taken from her.

She clenched her fists, fury burning in her chest.

During her years in camp, she had hovered countless times on the edge of life and death. She had thought herself strong enough for anything, and yet her sister’s death had brought her a grief she had never known.

She knew she had to enter the palace—not only for revenge, but to protect the bond between the two sisters.

Her sister had been so kind. She should never have met such a tragic end. Those who had harmed her sister, she would spare none of them.

“Qing’er...” Feng Zhentian walked into the ancestral hall with heavy steps, gazing at his daughter in her wedding clothes, his heart in turmoil.

He had expected her to cry out in grievance, to explain her reasons. He had not expected Feng Ruqing to merely glance at him indifferently and say with unwavering resolve, “Father, my mind is made up.”

This was entirely unlike the gentle, reserved daughter he knew. Feng Zhentian was shaken and, for a moment, did not know how to answer.

Feng Ruqing no longer paid attention to anyone. She turned and walked toward the doorway, the red train of her wedding robe dragging across the floor like a blooming blood-red flower—bewitching, beautiful, and dangerous.

“The auspicious hour is nearly here,” she said, pausing at the threshold. Her voice was clear and cool. “It is time to depart.”

A shadow suddenly sprang from the corner and blocked her path.

“Miss, you cannot go!”

A cold smile curved Feng Ruqing’s lips. In a flash she moved, striking like lightning.

Before the shadow could even react, Feng Ruqing had sent him flying with a single palm strike, crashing hard to the ground as he groaned in pain.

The hall fell instantly silent. Everyone was stunned by her sudden and thunderous display of force.

What kind of skill was this, the kind a sheltered young lady should possess?

This was clearly the hand of a battlefield killer, tempered by years of war.

“Who else wishes to stop me?” Feng Ruqing swept her gaze over the crowd. Her eyes were sharp as an unsheathed sword, carrying a biting chill.

Everyone lowered their heads, too afraid to meet her eyes.

Even the second madam, who had been the fiercest in her opposition, had gone pale with fright and pressed her lips tightly together.

Feng Ruqing’s dominance and ruthless edge had utterly shattered their defenses.

She paid them no further mind and strode straight toward the prepared bridal attire.

With practiced ease, she dressed herself, every thread of gold and silver seeming to declare her resolve and endurance.

The tassels on her phoenix coronet swayed gently, setting off her stern features and making her all the more imposing.

“Set forth!” Feng Ruqing ordered, her voice bright and forceful, carrying unquestionable authority.

The gates of the Feng residence slowly opened. Outside stood a lavish sedan chair, waiting for its mistress.

Feng Ruqing walked toward it with steady steps, one pace at a time.

Just as she was about to step inside, the old steward appeared again, trembling as he reached out a hand...

He extended his hand shakily, as if to support her, then, summoning all his courage, suddenly clutched her sleeve. “Miss, this old servant dares to ask one more time: have you truly made up your mind? The palace gates are deep as the sea. Once you step inside, there is no turning back!”

Tears streamed down his weathered face, his tone thick with worry and reluctance.

In his eyes, Feng Ruqing’s journey was no different from sending a lamb into a tiger’s jaws.

“How dare you!” Feng Ruqing shook off the old steward’s hand violently, her gaze cold as frost. “When has Feng Ruqing ever needed you to question my decisions? You are nothing but a servant of the Feng family, and you dare point fingers at me?”

Her tone was fierce, carrying the overbearing pressure of one born to command, and the old steward immediately fell silent in fear.

Though shaken by Feng Ruqing’s aura, he still refused to give up and stiffened his neck. “This old servant has served the Feng family for decades. I watched the eldest and second young ladies grow up. I speak only for the good of the Feng family! This journey is fraught with danger for the eldest young lady. If anything should happen—”

“What does it matter if you have served the Feng family for decades? Have you ever seen me, Feng Ruqing, fear anything? I have faced armies of a hundred thousand without retreating. What can this mere imperial palace do to me? If anyone dares to scheme against me, I will make sure they learn my methods. If the Feng family wants peace, then I must enter the palace. This is the final account I owe my sister, and it is my declaration of war against those hidden behind the scenes. If you dare block me again, do not blame me for forgetting old ties!”

“But... Miss, you do not know the rules of the palace. What if—” The old steward tried to persuade her further, only to be cut off once again.

“Rules?” Feng Ruqing gave a cold laugh. “In this world, there are no rules I, Feng Ruqing, must obey! If the palace has rules, then I will change them. If anyone dares to oppress me, I will destroy him!” Her voice was arrogant, carrying a lofty air that looked down upon the world.

The old steward was completely overawed by her presence. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Feng Ruqing ignored him and walked straight toward the entrance of the Feng residence. She drew the sword at her waist and drove it forcefully into the ground. The blade sank in with a heavy clang, and even the earth split with cracks.

She said loudly, “I, Feng Ruqing, am going to the palace only for revenge. If any of you dare to stop me today, then like this ground, I will show no mercy!” Then she swept her gaze across the crowd, and the determination and killing intent in her eyes made no one dare move again.

Feng Ruqing paid them no further heed and stepped into the sedan chair in one stride.

The curtain fell, cutting off the complex gazes of the Feng family behind her.

The red sedan chair lifted slowly and began to move toward the imperial palace. The gates of the Feng residence closed once more, sealing away all the clamor and conflict outside.

The Feng family stood at the door, watching the sedan grow smaller and smaller in the distance, their hearts full of tangled emotions.

They did not know whether Feng Ruqing’s journey would bring fortune or disaster, life or death.

But they knew this: from this day on, the Feng family would be walking a road unknown.

Inside the sedan chair, Feng Ruqing closed her eyes to rest, the tassels of her phoenix coronet swaying softly with a faint rustle.

There was not the slightest trace of bridal joy on her face, only cold resolve and a deep, murderous intent.

She was going to the imperial palace not for wealth or splendor, nor for matters of the heart, but for revenge—for justice for her sister.

She would make those who had killed her sister pay in blood.

Though the ride was bumpy and jostling, Feng Ruqing’s heart remained eerily calm.

It was as if she had already foreseen the storm of blood and violence to come, yet she felt no fear.

She was like a blade about to be unsheathed, sharp and blazing with edge, waiting only for the right moment to burst forth in dazzling brilliance and cut down all her enemies.

No one knew how long had passed before the sedan finally came to a stop.

Feng Ruqing slowly opened her eyes, a flash of keen light passing through them.

She knew she had reached her destination—the imperial palace.

The curtain was lifted slowly, and a thin, sharp voice rang out: “Your Majesty, please step down from the sedan...”

Feng Ruqing stepped out of the sedan, only to find...