When the butler finished his meal and returned to the car, his face drained of all colour as Wu Qingyi was nowhere to be seen. The spot where he had left her stood empty, as if she had vanished into thin air. Panic seized him instantly and if the Liu family discovered he had lost the girl, he was as good as dead. He knew all too well why they wanted her back, and how crucial she was to the marriage alliance that promised enormous benefits for the Liu clan. Terrified, he didn't even dare call them. Instead, he searched frantically through the crowded streets, running in circles like a man chased by death itself. Two, almost three agonizing hours passed before he finally spotted her. He was furious, ready to unleash a storm of scolding but swallowed it down. If he frightened her and she bolted again, he would be finished. For now, only one thing mattered: getting her back to the Liu family without any further trouble. As for what awaited the girl afterwards, that would no longer be his concern.
By the time Wu Qingyi arrived at the Liu residence, it was already past 11:30 p.m. The mansion lay silent, its lights dimmed as no one had waited up for her, and no one came to receive her at the door. The butler wasn't surprised, he knew all too well that no one in the Liu family cared enough to prepare a room for her. With a sigh, he led her down the quiet corridor towards the guest room. If the Wang family weren't coming to fetch her the next day, the butler would have put her in the servants' quarters instead of the guest room. After settling her luggage inside and making sure she had at least a place to sleep for the night, he quietly excused himself. The moment he stepped out and closed the door behind him, he headed straight to his own room, relieved to finally be done with the day.
What the butler failed to realize was that two pairs of eyes had been watching the girl from the moment he escorted her through the gates of the Liu mansion. Li Yexin and Liu Wuxin stood hidden in the shadows, eager to catch a glimpse of Wu Qingyi for themselves. When they saw the girl dirt-stained, dressed in ragged clothes, looking more like a beggar than a young mistress, they felt a surge of satisfaction. Li Yexin, in particular, was delighted. She had always been envious of Wu Yating's beauty, forever fearing that the daughter of that dead woman would grow up to outshine her own child. But seeing Wu Qingyi's current state dishevelled, dusty, and pitiful has made her feel triumphant, even proud of how radiant her own daughter seemed in comparison. What she did not know was that by the next morning, the smug smile she wore so confidently would shatter completely. For when Wu Qingyi stood before them clean and restored, her beauty would eclipse her daughter's so thoroughly that comparison would become an insult.
After entering the room, Wu Qingyi bathed and changed into clean clothes, washing away the dust of the day. Once refreshed, she quietly informed her master that she had arrived at the Liu mansion. Before long, hunger gnawed at her, though she knew better than to expect anyone in the Liu family to prepare food for her, after all they hadn't even arranged a proper room. Fortunately, she remembered the fruits tucked away in her luggage, the same ones she couldn't eat earlier because the butler had locked the car. Now, with her belongings finally beside her, she ate the fruits in silence, filling her stomach before slipping under the covers for her well-deserved beauty sleep. What she did not realize was that her dirt-streaked face and ragged clothes had unknowingly protected her. For if Li Yexin had seen her true appearance the clean, radiant, and naturally beautiful face, the woman would not hesitate to ruin that face with her own hands to ensure her own daughter remained superior.
The next morning, the old lady noticed that everyone was seated for breakfast except for Wu Qingyi. With a frown, she turned to the butler to confirm whether he had brought the girl home the previous night. Once he assured her that he had, she ordered a maid to go upstairs and wake Wu Qingyi for breakfast. But when the maid knocked and called out, Wu Qingyi, buried deep in her sleep, snapped irritably, telling her to leave her alone and stated that she had no intention of coming down for breakfast. Hearing this, the old lady felt secretly relieved. She had only sent the maid out of courtesy as she was afraid the girl might later complain to the Wang family about being neglected. In truth, she preferred that Wu Qingyi stay asleep and far from the dining table.
No sooner had the Liu family finished their breakfast, then the phone rang. It was Wang Lingxuan's secretary - Wang Hao, informing them that he would be arriving at the Liu residence within an hour to escort the bride to the Wang family. The moment the call ended, the household erupted into motion. Servants rushed about, dusting, arranging, straightening and everyone scrambling to prepare a proper welcome for the Wang family. The Lius didn't know whether any of the Wang family members themselves would accompany the secretary, but they dared not take the risk. Their status was far too low to offend even the Wang family's cast-off relatives, let alone Wang Hao, the trusted secretary of the man of the marriage alliance.
The old lady immediately instructed a maid to send the finest designer wedding dress to Wu Qingyi's room and help her get ready. At this, Liu Wuxin's face darkened with jealousy. In her mind, that exquisite gown was meant for her, not for some foolish mountain girl. But when she remembered that it was Wu Qingyi and not her who would be marrying the disfigured, crippled Wang master, her anger eased. Let the girl suffer in her place. By the time the maid reached the guest room with the dress, Wu Qingyi had already awakened and freshened up. When the door opened and the maid saw her face clearly for the first time, she froze. She had never imagined that a girl raised in the mountains could possess such breathtaking beauty. Jealousy twisted inside her. But the maid quickly masked her envy with a sneer. After all, what did such beauty matter? This stunning girl was about to be handed over to a man with a ruined face and a savage temper. In the maid's mind, Wu Qingyi's fate was already sealed, beauty or not, she might not survive as the Wang master's bride.
Wu Qingyi had noticed every flicker of emotion crossing the maid's face whether be it the jealousy, the disdain or the fleeting shock but she couldn't be bothered. None of it mattered to her. At this moment, her only focus was becoming the most beautiful bride she could be for her husband. That was all that held meaning in her heart. The maid left soon after, clearly uninterested in helping, and Wu Qingyi felt no disappointment. She didn't need assistance. With calm, practiced movements, she dressed herself and applied only the lightest touch of makeup, enhancing her natural beauty without effort. She had unpacked nothing except the nightdress she had worn earlier, knowing she wouldn't be staying in the Liu residence for long. By tomorrow, she would be moving to her husband's household and that was the only place she intended to belong.
The Liu family waited with barely concealed excitement and their eyes fixed on the gate as they anticipated the Wang family's arrival. They knew the visitors would not come empty-handed, the betrothal gifts would accompany them, gifts that promised influence, prosperity, and doors opening in every direction. In the capital, even a simple handshake from the Wang family held weight. With a single nod, fortunes could shift. So, one could only imagine the wonders that awaited those who received their gifts. And these were no ordinary offerings, these were betrothal gifts, the sacred tokens that bound two families through marriage. To the Liu family, this alliance meant connections, status, and wealth that could echo through generations.
However, the Liu family had no idea that their joy was nothing more than a fragile illusion. The dreams they cherished so proudly were destined to crumble sooner than they could imagine. They believed that making Wu Qingyi the bride would bring them endless riches and advantages. Yet reality would prove to be the exact opposite. What they did not know was that Wu Qingyi would ensure they paid their price - every ounce of wealth, every valuable they possessed until the Liu family themselves became the ones offering tribute to the Wang family instead. Their greed had paved the road to their own downfall, and the girl they underestimated would be the one to turn their world upside down.
Soon, a maid hurried in to announce the arrival of the Wang family. At once, the old lady ordered another maid to bring Wu Qingyi downstairs. Wang Hao stepped into the hall accompanied by a group of bodyguards, each one carrying a large gift box. The moment the Liu family saw the number of boxes being brought in, their eyes gleamed with greed, their lips curling into sly, satisfied smiles. Just as the old lady was about to approach Wang Hao to discuss the gifts, a sudden gasp escaped from one of the maids - sharp, startled, and echoing through the hall.
When everyone turned toward the maid, they too froze in shock at the sight before them. Descending the staircase was Wu Qingyi, radiant in her bridal attire, her face bare except for the faintest touch of makeup that only enhanced her natural brilliance. She looked like sunlight breaking through clouds, like moonlight casting its gentle glow across the night sky. Her beauty was not merely seen but it struck the heart like a sudden breathless moment. Li Yexin's expression darkened instantly. The sight of Wu Qingyi's stunning face dragged her back to the bitter memory of how her own husband had once been infatuated with Wu Yating's beauty. Now, seeing the daughter mirror the mother's allure, she was consumed with fury. Liu Wuxin, on the other hand, felt a burning jealousy coil inside her chest. How could a simple, naive girl who grew up in the mountains possess such a face, the one that outshone her completely? Even Wang Hao was momentarily stunned. For a moment, he thought this girl was the only woman worthy of becoming the young master's wife. After all, before the accident, Wang Lingxuan himself had been known for his breathtaking looks, charm, and elegance.
However, Wang Hao swiftly concealed his momentary shock, schooling his features back into calm professionalism. His voice cut sharply through the stunned silence, snapping the Liu family out of their trance. "Old Madam Liu," he said, eyes narrowing slightly, "who is this girl and why is she wearing the bridal attire prepared for the young master's wife?"
The old woman felt her heart jolt with panic, but she forced herself to maintain composure. With a stiff smile and trembling voice, she replied, "She… she is the original bride of the Wang family's young master."