Demoted from Main Wife to Concubine, I Took Down the Marquis’s Estate

A beginner’s writing exercise. Please go easy on me.

I waited alone in my chambers and managed the marquis’s household for three years, until at last my husband came home.

But he said he was demoting me from wife to concubine so he could marry Zhao Yunshu, the woman he had been with for the past three years.

Heartbroken, I tried to leave the marquis’s residence, only to be blocked at every turn…

My husband still doesn’t know that he gave all his love to Zhao Yunshu, but to her, he was only a target to win over…

(A different kind of inner-court drama: the heroine starts with a little household scheming, then enters government service later on. The author’s mental state is a mystery, and the plot can head in all four directions.)

Memorable lines:

“Didn’t Hua Mulan join the army in her father’s place, and Mu Guiying lead the troops into battle? Weren’t they women?”

“Hmph! That sounds lofty, but how many women like Hua Mulan and Mu Guiying have there been throughout history?”

“Hahaha, General Xuanwei is right. Women should just stay home and embroider.”

“What Grand Preceptor Zhaoming? She’s got nothing but an empty title, and really thinks she’s important!”

Amid the jeers, Yu Zhaozhao suddenly smiled.

“I think you’re afraid.”

“You’re afraid that once women rise, they’ll tear down the walls of power you’ve so carefully built.

You’re afraid women’s intelligence and courage will expose your incompetence and narrow-mindedness.

Women’s resilience and perseverance will lay bare your weakness and hypocrisy.

Women’s independence and confidence will reflect your dependence and insecurity…”