A scheming, skilled-at-acting underdog black-lotus woman who claws her way to success x a gentle, stammering, wealthy husband
Zhao Huanying's mother rose through the ranks by marrying her father, whose father-in-law supported her all the way. But later, she backed the wrong side, and when the old court gave way to the new, her entire family was stripped of their titles and exiled.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty, giving Zhao Huanying a chance to return to the capital.
But she had nothing to her name, only grand ambitions.
She needed an illustrious "ally" who would never betray her, someone bound to her as closely as family, just like her mother and father.
She set her sights on Yuchi Cheng, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, who had been unable to find a husband.
From a low-ranking official to the prime minister, Zhao Huanying advances step by step, plotting meticulously and putting on a flawless act. Whatever she wants people to see, that is what she becomes.
Until, in order to climb higher, she schemes to have her father-in-law imprisoned and exiled, and the marriage loses its last remaining value.
After three days of waiting at home, her frail, pale husband, his eyes red and rimmed with a thin flush, thanks her for sparing his mother's life.
As usual, she coaxes him to sleep, stroking his gaunt cheek as she considers what to do with him.
Little skit:
Yuchi Cheng: Mommy, she's not some penniless scholar at all. She promised me that once she's made it, we'll manage the family business together. I don't care, I want to marry her!
Yuchi Rong: ? Manage my family business?
P.S. In this matriarchal setting, women can give birth, but the heroine won't.
Theme: Judge women by their actions, not their intentions.
