Xu Songyi was the second daughter born to a concubine in the Xu family. Though overlooked and treated like a nobody for over a decade, she had lived without misfortune, enjoyed a harmonious relationship with her sisters, and was about to marry a modestly born, humble, and courteous young gentleman. She should have been headed for a peaceful, happy life, with everything going her way.
But the emperor fell gravely ill, and the Xu family, anxious about the transition from the old ruler to the new, was caught up in the trouble. They decided to marry Xu Songyi's sickly legitimate elder sister to Xie Ze, the crown prince's younger brother, as his primary wife, hoping to secure the family's protection.
Her elder sister had been ill for over a decade, and the doctors said she had little time left. So they turned their attention to Xu Songyi.
When Xu Songyi learned she was to be taken along as a concubine, she was so terrified that she clung to her elder sister's knees and begged her to spare her.
Her sister's face was pale as she stroked Xu Songyi's head and said that this was their fate.
Later, Xu Songyi married Xie Ze as a concubine. Thanks to her gentle nature, she indeed became the sole favorite in the household.
Later still, the crown prince fell from power, her elder sister died, and after a fierce struggle, Xie Ze became the new emperor. The imperial harem was left empty, with only Xu Songyi in it. She became his sole Noble Consort, and after giving birth to the crown prince, she became empress.
She knew Xie Ze had treated her well enough. She had been the only woman by his side all these years.
But she still gave him a cup of poisoned wine and sent him to his death.
In the end, Xu Songyi became empress dowager, confined the young emperor, seized control of the court, and held all the power. She kept male favorites, raised musicians, and helped many people while killing many others, until no one dared to defy her.
On her deathbed, she lay on the couch and listened to the sobs filling the hall. In a daze, she thought that she had lived an exhilarating life, but it had been far too short. She still hadn't had her fill.
When she opened her eyes again, Xu Songyi had returned to one year before she became a concubine.
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Xie Ze had imagined many people might plot against him, but never the woman beside him.
After drinking the poisoned wine, he was so furious he nearly ground his teeth to dust. He wanted to strangle her and drag her down with him, but his hands were powerless. All he could do was watch that familiar face put on a hypocritical show as she wept and announced the emperor's death.
But for some reason, he did not reincarnate. Instead, he became a resentful spirit who followed Xu Songyi every day.
For over a decade, Xie Ze watched her deal with court officials, frame their son, hold the reins of power, and do as she pleased... He even watched her keep a whole harem of male favorites by her side day after day!
He was consumed with rage, wishing he could become a vengeful ghost and cut them all down with his sword.
But when he opened his eyes again, he had returned to one year before Xu Songyi entered the household.
He looked around and, once he realized what had happened, his first thought was: Xu Songyi, prepare to die.
2026.2.22
1. The male lead is sexually inexperienced in both lifetimes, both physically and emotionally. The heroine really did have a harem in her previous life. Please don't read if that bothers you!!!
2. The heroine really did poison the male lead in her previous life. There was no misunderstanding involved. Please don't read if that bothers you!!!
Theme: Don't let love pass you by
