The beloved驸马 for whom she doted, had actually insulted her as vicious for a mere maid. How could this be borne? The spoiled and willful princess immediately ordered Zhao Shimei to be expelled from the bridal chamber, to reflect outside the door.
Zhao Shimei, knowing the original host's deep affection for him, did not rush. He truly slept soundly outside the door, even catching a cold overnight, which distressed the original host immensely.
Feeling that she had treated her husband poorly, she began to humble herself, wanting the couple to live in harmony, a pair envied by all her sisters.
However, Zhao Shimei felt he had the original host in his grasp and began to act high and mighty, first by refusing to consummate the marriage, saying he feared if he performed poorly in bed, she might get angry and sell him off.
No matter what the original host did, he would respond with cold mockery, as if the lofty princess were nothing but trash in his eyes.
Originally, because of her love for him and her regret over his cold, she had tolerated him during his initial passive-aggressive remarks. Later, after hearing his constant belittling, she genuinely began to feel as worthless as he described, and a sense of inferiority slowly grew within her.
She no longer commented on his affairs, including his unwillingness to touch her and his frequent, seemingly sulky flirting and joking with other maids.
It was only when he brought his cousin, who was mourning her father in their hometown, into the mansion in a small sedan chair to be cared for, that the original host began to feel something was amiss. But by then, she no longer dared to defy Zhao Shimei in her heart. Otherwise, he would surely accuse her of being unkind and looking down on his relatives.
Her full sister, Qiao Yue, upon learning of the life she was enduring, reprimanded Zhao Shimei. When the original host found out, she immediately went to apologize to Zhao Shimei.
As a princess, she knew her actions were wrong, but whenever she was in front of Zhao Shimei, she felt inherently diminished, lacking any confidence.
Qiao Yue was angry at her lack of spirit, but since one was willing to hit and the other to endure, she could do no more. Thus, she searched everywhere and sent a young man who resembled Zhao Shimei to her mansion under the guise of a male concubine.
The original host, thinking that Zhao Shimei had refused to touch her for a year of marriage, and then looking at the handsome male concubine before her, became somewhat infatuated. However, the young man was spirited and refused to touch her even to the death, even striking her across the face in resistance.
Furious, the original host directly ordered that the young man be taken down and beaten with planks. With Zhao Shimei's participation, the young man was directly beaten to death.
Consequently, the world learned of the original host's cruel nature, and both the Emperor and Empress severely criticized her.
Zhao Shimei's mockery intensified, calling her a slut who did not uphold wifely virtues, a woman even men refused to touch.
The original host became thoroughly self-deprecating, never again lifting her head in front of Zhao Shimei, and instead, fawning and obediently submitting to him.
Later, Zhao Shimei, relying on his outstanding talent and handsome appearance, attracted many women who threw themselves at him desperately.
Even Princess Li Churan of Fengming Kingdom, a figure of immense power, fell under his personal charm, willingly lowering her status, ceding cities, and marrying him as a co-wife.
One day, she suddenly discovered her younger brother's jade pendant in the princess's mansion. After detailed inquiry, she learned that her long-lost brother had been brutally beaten to death by the original host. She then risked a breakdown in relations between the two countries and had the original host killed.
Zhao Shimei ultimately lived a life of pleasure, with women on both sides, while the original host, until her death, never knew what she had done wrong.
She, who was once the proudest eldest princess of Tenglong Kingdom, how did she become such a subservient, cringing servant, leading her husband to despise her, her relatives to be disappointed, and her to be abandoned by all?
Just after receiving the plot, Xiao Shuzi began to curse, "The original host was totally gaslighted! That Zhao Shimei must be a transmigrator, right? But he's actually a genuine local soul."
"What is the original host's wish?"
"The original host's wish: To return to being that haughty eldest princess, to make her parents proud forever, to be envied by the world, and to make Zhao Shimei utterly out of her league!"
*
"You are the slave the Crown Prince sent to the eldest princess?"
Li Su, clutching his injured face, walked with his head bowed towards the residence arranged for him in the mansion. A sudden voice sounded to his left.
"Raise your face and let this驸马 have a look. Do you possess even a fraction of my grace?" Zhao Shimei's tone was full of disdain.
Humiliation and resentment brewed in Li Su's eyes. Why was fate always unkind to him? After losing his memory and being kidnapped, he finally escaped and was taken in by his mother-in-law, only to be captured and brought to the princess's mansion. Now, being made to endure such humiliation, he would rather die and end it all!
Seeing that he did not obey, Zhao Shimei felt his authority challenged. He strode to him in two or three steps, taking out his fan to lift his chin.
Upon seeing his jade-like face, his eyes involuntarily lit up. The next moment, he became displeased, sneering, "Such a handsome face, what a pity~"
He poked the whip marks on Li Su's face with the tip of his fan handle, continuing, "What a pity it's going to be disfigured, haha! The eldest princess loves me for who I am, not for a superficial appearance like yours. Truly laughable."
Li Su, who also did not wish to be the eldest princess's plaything, guessed that this person was likely the驸马 and tentatively asked, "I have no intention of seducing the eldest princess. Can you let me leave the princess's mansion? I will repay you in the future."
"It can be done, it can be done," Zhao Shimei enjoyed playing with people in the palm of his hand and feigned difficulty.
Li Su thought he was willing to help him and a flicker of hope arose in his heart.
"However, I do not like this face of yours! It is an insult to me that someone of your lowly status resembles me," Zhao Shimei said, looking at his features, which surpassed his own, with malice. "If I thoroughly disfigure it, I will let you leave. How about that?"
Li Su naturally refused. He had lost his memory upon waking. Only this appearance and the jade pendant hanging on his chest might be the breakthrough he needed to find his origins. He would rather die than have his face ruined.
Seeing him looking at him warily, Zhao Shimei gave a disdainful smile, "What? Do you still think your face is something precious? A slave with such a appearance can only bring you misfortune. It's for your own good that this驸马 helps you disfigure it. Don't be ungrateful."
"Thank you,驸马, but no. I don't want to leave the mansion anymore." Li Su covered his face and backed away repeatedly. Once he reached a safe distance, he turned and ran back.
"Catch him."
Zhao Shimei's demonic voice came from behind, and a hint of despair welled up in Li Su's heart.
The servants in the princess's mansion were trained, how could an unarmed youth like Li Su resist them? He was quickly subdued, his hands bound behind his back and pinned to the ground.
"Slaves must have the awareness of slaves. Worthless things that dare to resist! In this princess's mansion, who is the master controlling your fate? Do you see clearly?" Seeing him running towards the eldest princess's sleeping quarters, Zhao Shimei's brows furrowed in anger. "Truly suicidal and lacking foresight! Scrape his face and throw him out of the mansion!"
The two servants hesitated, but under the oppressive might of the驸马, they were momentarily unsure of what to do.
"My people, since when has it been Zhao Shimei's place to trample upon them at will?" Qiao Ci arrived, seeing the youth being humiliated on the ground, her brow furrowed slightly.