The maid's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, struggling to process the request. Her initial analysis seemed correct—the young madam had definitely lost her memories after the accident.
She softened her tone, speaking with more gentleness. "Young Madam, well… your name is Hua Jing. You are the daughter of a very well-known nobleman, Lord Hua Mingrong."
Hua Jing stiffened, her mind halting at the name. Hua Mingrong. The weight of that name made her heart sink.
She laughed bitterly, though there was no humor in the sound. "Of course," she muttered under her breath, "of all the worlds I could wake up in, it has to be one where he exists too."
"Young Madam?" the maid asked hesitantly.
Hua Jing shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Tell me," she said after a long pause, her voice trembling slightly, "does Lord Hua Mingrong have a wife named Chen Li? And a daughter named Hua Ling?"
The maid's eyes lit up. "Yes! Yes, Young Madam, that's right! Your memory is coming back!"
Hua Jing's breath hitched. Her fingers curled into fists. Her chest burned with an emotion she didn't want to name.
Chen Li. Hua Ling. The very mention of those names sent a bitter taste to her mouth. She could still hear Chen Li's snide remarks, still see Hua Ling's smug little face as they conspired to make her life miserable.
If this version of Lord Hua Mingrong was anything like her father from her world, then this family was no safe haven.
She turned to the maid, her expression cold. "I must be an illegitimate daughter, then."
The maid faltered. "Well… yes, Young Madam," she admitted reluctantly. "You are Lord Hua Mingrong's illegitimate daughter."
Hua Jing's laugh was low and humorless. "That explains so much."
The maid's gaze softened with sympathy. "You've been treated so poorly by them, Young Madam. They've always looked down on you. Lady Chen Li is… not kind."
Of course Hua Jing knew, just how unkind Chen Li was!
Hua Jing's jaw tightened. "That sounds about right. What did she do this time?"
The maid hesitated, lowering her voice. "It was Lady Chen Li who arranged this marriage for you. She convinced Lord Hua Mingrong that it would be the perfect way to remove you from the household. She told him it would bring the family more connections if you were married to Prince Zhao Yan."
"Prince Zhao Yan?" Hua Jing repeated, her voice dripping with disbelief. "That masked man from earlier?"
He was the only one different, she thought. In her original world, she did not know anyone with that name.
The maid nodded. "Yes, Young Madam. He's the first prince of the kingdom and the heir to the throne. The marriage was arranged quickly, and… well, you weren't exactly consulted."
Lady Chen Li was cold and calculating. She had done this so that her own daughter would not have to marry the prince!
The marriage alliance had been between Lady Hua Ling and the prince but somehow the prince had been duped and given a different bride!
At least this was what the rumors said.
There were many things said about the third Prince. He walked around with a mask covering his face so that no one would see his true appearance.
No one, apart from his family knew what he truly looked like.
He had been very sick as a child and many believed the price of his life must have come with the ruin of his face.
It wàs said to be ugly beyond compare!
Lady Chen was afraid that he was too ugly for her own daughter and threw this hot potato on Hua Jing's lap.
Hua Jing let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Of course I wasn't. Why would anyone bother asking me? I'm just the family's dirty little secret."
The maid's expression darkened with sadness. "Young Madam, I'm so sorry. Lady Chen Li… she was determined to make sure you wouldn't have any choice in the matter. She even..." The maid hesitated.
Hua Jing narrowed her eyes. "She even what?"
The maid sighed, wringing her hands. "She convinced the prince himself to agree to the marriage."
Hua Jing froze. "You're telling me he wanted this?"
"Yes, Young Madam," the maid said softly. "Prince Zhao Yan insisted on marrying you. Lady Chen Li used her influence to convince him that you would make a perfect consort. It was all very sudden, and before you knew it, the wedding was arranged."
Hua Jing's mind raced. This wasn't adding up. Why would someone like Prince Zhao Yan—who seemed as cold and self-important as they came—insist on marrying her? He didn't seem remotely thrilled by her presence earlier.
"Why?" she asked, her tone sharp. "Why would he want to marry me?"
The maid hesitated again. "I don't know, Young Madam. But there are rumors…"
Hua Jing leaned forward, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "Rumors?"
The maid hesitated, lowering her voice as if afraid someone might overhear. "They say the prince has his own reasons. No one knows exactly why he agreed to the marriage, but he's… not known for doing anything without a purpose."
Prince Zhao Yan was one of the most mysterious figures in the palace. There were rumors that he was ruthless and no enemy of his was ever left alive after angering him.
Hua Jing snorted. "So what you're telling me is that I've been roped into someone else's grand plan?"
"Young Madam, please," the maid said, her tone pleading. "You must understand. This marriage is your reality now. Even if it wasn't your choice, you must—"
"Must what?" Hua Jing snapped, cutting her off. "Smile and play the part of a grateful wife? Pretend I don't know this was all just a way to get rid of me? Forget that none of this makes any sense?"
The maid flinched, her head bowing low.
Hua Jing sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alright," she said after a moment. "Tell me one last thing."
"Yes, Young Madam?" the maid asked, her voice small.
"What about the prince?"