Chapter 1: Rebirth and a New Marriage

“Mother, please let my sister marry the Heir of Prince Duan. I want to marry Zhuo Hua instead.”

In the room, Shen Mengqing, dressed in a pale blue cross-collared ruqun, wept to her mother, Madam Liu.

When Shen Mengli, who was leaning against the door listening in secret, heard these words, she immediately understood that her legitimate younger sister, Shen Mengqing, had been reborn just like her.

In their previous life, Shen Mengqing, beguiled by the wealth and splendor of the prince’s residence, climbed high and married Qi Yunyuan, the Heir of Prince Duan.

Her days of happiness did not last long. The heir favored his concubine and neglected his wife.

Unable to bear the loneliness, she had an affair with a guard from the residence.

She became despised by the entire household.

In the end, she died miserably of illness in a bitter winter.

As for Shen Mengli, she had married Zhuo Hua, a poor scholar. Through unremitting effort, he rose from a minor official to become the Prime Minister, requested a noble title for her, and brought her prosperity for a lifetime.

She met her end during a pilgrimage, falling to bandits’ blades.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself returned to her girlhood, before her betrothal.

At this moment, Shen Mengqing was kneeling on the ground, clutching her stepmother Madam Liu’s sleeve, sobbing:

“Mother, the Heir of Prince Duan dotes on his concubine and neglects his wife. His heart belongs to that courtesan from the pleasure quarters. He has not a shred of affection for me. If I marry him, I’ll only suffer.”

“But Zhuo Hua is different. With his talent, he’s bound to achieve top honors in the imperial exams, be ennobled and promoted. By then, I’ll be a lady of the first rank.”

Standing outside, Shen Mengli heard this and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.

Shen Mengqing was just as greedy and selfish as before.

The first thing she did after being reborn was to seize the brilliant life meant for her.

Let her try.

Soon enough, Shen Mengqing would learn that the Zhuo family was a true den of wolves and tigers.

Zhuo Hua was born poor, with a harsh mother and a sharp-tongued sister. The whole family survived on his mother’s embroidery work.

After Shen Mengli married in, there was endless work to do.

She slept later than the dog, woke earlier than the rooster, and ate worse than the pig.

Every bit of her private savings went to support Zhuo Hua’s travels for the exams.

No matter how wholeheartedly she gave to his family, Zhuo Hua’s mother constantly suppressed her, driving wedges between husband and wife.

Fortunately, her efforts were not in vain. In their fifth year of marriage, Zhuo Hua passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in the provinces.

Shen Mengli arched an eyebrow. It seemed her younger sister was also dazzled by Zhuo Hua’s future glory.

She thought marrying him would guarantee a life of splendor.

But only she knew how mediocre Zhuo Hua truly was.

His rise to Prime Minister was all thanks to her careful maneuvering and tireless support.

Without her—

Zhuo Hua might not even pass the exam, let alone rise to power.

After all, the civil service examinations were expensive. Without Shen Mengli earning money in business, where would Zhuo Hua get the funds to travel to the capital to take the exams?

In this life, without her help, would Zhuo Hua still reach the heights of power and prestige?

Shen Mengli knew that was impossible.

After Shen Mengqing married in, the family’s poverty alone would be enough to drive her mad.

Not to mention the peculiar mother and sister she’d have to deal with.

Her days would certainly be colorful.

On the other hand, to marry Qi Yunyuan, the Heir of Prince Duan, and become mistress of a noble household, enjoying riches and honor—was that not better than enduring hardship with a poor man?

Even if Qi Yunyuan’s heart belonged to his unattainable love, she never married for affection in the first place.

In this life, she sought only power and wealth.

With Shen Mengqing’s tears, tantrums, and threats, the marriage arrangements were switched as she wished. She was to marry Zhuo Hua, while Shen Mengli would wed the Heir of Prince Duan, becoming his consort.

Throughout this entire affair, no one had bothered to inform Shen Mengli.