Song Zhiyi was reborn.
She had returned to the moment before she refused to marry into a powerful family and chose instead to marry Shen Yan, a poor scholar.
In her previous life, she had spent her entire fortune helping him find a teacher and clearing his path to an official career. In return, he gave her a cup of osmanthus wine laced with poison.
This time, she publicly handed the marriage arrangement to her younger sister, then pointed with her jade-white finger. "I want to marry Lu Xingzhou, heir to the Marquis of Yong'an."
The whole hall erupted.
Who didn't know Lu Xingzhou was the biggest wastrel in the capital?
He was obsessed with fighting crickets and chasing pleasure, and couldn't even read a ledger.
Song Zhiyi smiled and said nothing.
No one knew that this idle dandy, in everyone's eyes, would become a high-ranking official with power over the entire court seven years later.
On their wedding night, Lu Xingzhou crossed his legs and lazily laid down three rules with her. "You do your thing, I'll do mine. We'll each live our own lives."
Song Zhiyi nodded obediently. "As you say, my lord."
Later...
Night after night, Lu Xingzhou climbed over the wall to bring her account books, pastries, and osmanthus blossoms, piling them on her windowsill, yet refusing to knock.
At last, Song Zhiyi opened the window, a smile in her eyes. "Didn't you say we'd each live our own lives?"
Lu Xingzhou's ears turned bright red with embarrassment. Looking into Song Zhiyi's beautiful eyes, he pleaded softly, "My lady, I was wrong."
