C19 A New World

Due to Tiantian's thin clothing, which was now torn and tattered, she was left shivering in the cold winter air, unsure of where to find warmth. Just then, the mysterious voice of the system echoed again.

"Take a look at some of the details of your current life. Otherwise, when you face challenges, you won't know what to do. It's beneficial to familiarize yourself now; it will greatly help you handle situations in the future. Go on, take a look," the system urged before mysteriously vanishing once more.

The information revealed that she had been transported into the life of the eldest daughter in the Prime Minister's household. Unfortunately, her mother was a village woman whom the Prime Minister married before achieving his prestigious title. After he became successful, her mother 'passed away.' Her stepmother, who was two-faced, raised her to be an arrogant and ignorant girl.

"Tiantian, look at you grinning like that. You must be so pleased with yourself, right? You think you're on top of the world because you're set to marry the Battle Duke, don't you? Let me tell you, you never know the outcome until the very end. The more smug you are now, the harsher the consequences will be later. So, wipe that smirk off your face. If you don't, people will just find you more annoying and fake. You're just the daughter of a village woman. What do you think you can achieve? Marrying the Battle Duke? Dream on," Tiantian's sister, Ziya, said sharply.

"Little sister, don't you think this situation is already set in stone and can't be changed? The king has already decreed that I'm to be with the Battle Duke, so what can possibly reverse this now? What do you mean by all these things you're saying? You're just speaking your mind, and I can't stop you from doing that. Say whatever you want; it doesn't really concern me. I'm not going to argue with you here. No matter where I come from, I'm still the Prime Minister's biological daughter. I'm still related to him by blood. I am your sister, so why do you speak so disrespectfully to me?" Tiantian said.

"Tiantian, just because you say you're the Prime Minister's daughter doesn't make it true. Sure, you can say whatever you like, but how can I control what you say? My father hasn't acknowledged you as his daughter. He doesn't want to admit it, not openly or secretly. Why should I believe what you say? You can say whatever you want; that's your right. But it's just wishful thinking on your part. My father doesn't want to acknowledge a daughter born to a country woman like you. He feels it's embarrassing to even mention it. That's why he always considers me the legitimate daughter of the family, while you're just the daughter of someone beneath us. Haven't you noticed that he takes me to all sorts of events and never takes you? Why don't you understand that by now? He doesn't value you, and you still haven't realized it? Yet here you are, acting all high and mighty. What right do you have to be so arrogant? Don't you know your place?" Ziya said arrogantly.

"Tiantian, I've always thought I've treated you with respect, believing you to be a well-behaved sister. I never imagined you'd say something like this. Anyway, I'm Dad's biological daughter, and that's a fact no one can change. I'm sure Dad never said he didn't want to acknowledge me as his daughter. You're just trying to stir up trouble, aren't you? Stop trying to cause a rift here. I trust Dad completely; he'd never deny having me as his daughter. As for my marriage to the Duke, it's a done deal, so let's not waste time arguing. Don't block my way; I have things to do," Tiantian said.

"Tiantian, what important things could you possibly have to do? Are you just preparing for tomorrow's wedding? I think you should give up on that idea sooner rather than later. The Duke and I are mutually in love. He's never even met you; he doesn't know you exist. He's always loved me. We've been close since childhood, growing up together, and our bond hasn't changed. So, even if the Duke has agreed to marry you in name, he still loves me the most. Marrying him won't do you any good. Do you think you can be happy with someone who doesn't love you? For your own sake, I think you should give up on this marriage and let me marry the Duke," Ziya said.

"Wei Tiantian, even if everything you're saying is true, even if all this about you and the Battle Duke is true, it doesn't matter. Here, marriages are decided by parents and matchmakers, not by what you want. Just because you say you want to marry the Battle Duke doesn't mean you can. It's all up to our parents. Since Dad has decided that I'm to marry the Battle Duke, that's what's going to happen. You don't have any chance. All this you're telling me is useless; it won't change a thing. So, there's no point in wasting your breath here. Since Dad has agreed to the marriage, it's a done deal. You have no chance, so stop trying to convince me otherwise," Tiantian said impatiently.

"Tiantian, don't be so naive. I'm saying all this for your own good. I'm worried that when you and the Battle Duke are together, you won't even like each other. It would just be a formality, and what's the point in that? You'd be nothing more than a decoration. It would be better to end this engagement now, to give up on marrying the Battle Duke. It might be better for you in the long run. But it seems like you're not listening to a word I'm saying and are determined to marry him. Don't blame me if things don't go well. Think carefully about what might happen after you marry him. I've said my piece, and if things go south, don't say I didn't warn you. Besides, whether you can actually marry the Battle Duke is another matter entirely. Let's just wait and see."

After Ziya finished speaking, she gave Tiantian a gentle nudge and then left.