C1 Marriage This Melodramatic Life!

"Thud!" A heavy blow landed on her back, and Jiuge found herself sprawled on the ground, unable to get up for what felt like ages.

"Darn it, that was harsh!" she thought. "It's just marrying the North King, who's lost eight fiancées already. I've agreed to it, so what more do they want? Starving me for two days wasn't enough; now they have to beat me until I can't take care of myself?"

Just as Jiuge was about to curse, she heard the frantic voice of her maid beside her. "Miss, Miss... you can't do this. A bride is a wife, a runaway is a concubine. You're a proud member of the Chu family; you can't leave without a proper title."

"Miss... tomorrow's your wedding day. If you run away now, what will happen to the Chu family? You can't be so selfish. The North King isn't someone to mess with. If he finds out, he'll kill us. Please, let's go back before anyone notices."

...

"Oh, come on..." It didn't take a genius to realize she'd been set up.

Jiuge couldn't help but mutter a curse under her breath, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Ignoring the burning pain in her back, she forced herself to stand.

As the most renowned healer in the country, Jiuge knew that while the blow had been hard, it hadn't broken any bones. Her back was probably just bruised and swollen, and she'd be fine once she caught her breath.

"Miss, you're... okay?" The maid in pink, who had been wailing beside her, looked up in disbelief as Jiuge stood. She had been about to say "dead," but changed it to "okay" at the last second.

Wasn't the plan to poison her? How did she survive once, let alone again? Would they have to try again?

"Surprised I'm not dead?" Jiuge asked. Although she'd been awake in this world for three days, she'd been in a semi-conscious state and hadn't been aware of much around her.

Over the past three days, it felt as if her body and soul had parted ways. Her body was heavy and unresponsive, while her mind was in a fog.

She vaguely understood that she had died. The once-renowned Chu Jiuge, celebrated as the nation's top female healer, was gone. Now, she was the eldest daughter of the Chu family.

“No, no, Miss, it’s a relief you’re alright. Let’s go back. The Xiao family is a prestigious household, and the young master was just speaking casually. He doesn’t truly care for you, and he won’t elope with you. Let’s return before the North King finds out about your attempted elopement,” the maid in pink stammered, her face pale with fear. She quickly tried to retrieve the stick that had just been discarded, but unfortunately...

The current Chu Jiuge was no longer the same as before.

“Smack!” Chu Jiuge stepped on the maid’s hand. “What? Planning to hit me again?”

“No, no... Miss, you misunderstood me. I picked up the stick for self-defense,” the maid blurted out, not even aware of what she was saying. Realizing her mistake, she shouted, “Yes, yes, Miss, it was for self-defense. Let’s go back. You’re carrying so much money and jewelry. What if someone robs you? Besides, these belong to the second master’s family. Taking them without asking is stealing, and if...”

“Thud...” Chu Jiuge kicked the maid in the chest. “You! How dare you!”

Out here, beyond the city, with just the two of them, the maid’s loud talk about money was practically inviting trouble.

“Ah... Miss.” The maid fell to the ground, looking at Chu Jiuge in terror. Her reckless chatter finally ceased, but...

It's late!