The Foolish, Wicked Daughter of a Legendary Woman Scholar

Yan Zhengnu devoted her life to studying and admiring Yan Lan, the legendary female teacher who emerged from prison and pioneered women's education.

An accident transmigrates her into the body of that legendary teacher's daughter: a timid, vicious girl who climbed the social ladder by currying favor with the powerful and stepping on Consort Li.

Her reputation is in tatters from the start: her adoptive elder sister curses her, and her mother has been wrongfully imprisoned.

Historically, it took the adoptive elder sister three years to clear the female teacher's name.

Outside the palace gates, Yan Zhengnu encounters Consort Li's younger brother, the celebrated young general Xie Hui. He has been punished by the emperor to kneel, and is now barely clinging to life.

He is also Yan Zhengnu's nemesis, who made trouble for her at every turn after Consort Li's death.

The System blares: [Win him over! It's the quickest shortcut to rising through the ranks!]

Yan Zhengnu kneels and massages him, easing the agonizing pain from his old battlefield injuries.

He looks up, his eyes full of disdain. "What reward do you want?"

Everyone thinks she'll ask for a career or wealth.

Yan Zhengnu bows her head and speaks clearly:

"Will the general investigate the arson case thoroughly?"

He freezes.

Yan Zhengnu intends to push Yan Lan onto the path to fame with her own hands, so that her mother can reach the top without stumbling.

Years later, Yan Lan is famous throughout the land. Standing at the Confucian lecture hall, she points to Yan Zhengnu, smiling below, and announces to the world, "My greatest achievement in life is my daughter."

Xie Hui quietly drapes a cloak over Yan Zhengnu's shoulders. "Your Majesty, it's time to go home."

-

Yan Zhengnu:

I know how history will write my infamous name, and I know that I am the only stain on my mother's life.

But this time, I'll join forces with my nemesis's blade and cut through this deadly trap.

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Theme: Keeping calm, staying grounded, and turning one's reputation around