Reborn as the Male Lead's Cannon-Fodder Widow Sister-in-Law

Complete. My new novel, The Grand Princess, is open for advance follows. It's my only historical romance project, and I don't know when I'll start it, but I definitely will. I'm fixing typos over the next couple of days, not updating, so if you've already read it, please ignore this!

Lin Yunzhi wakes up to find that she's become the young, childless widow of the male lead in an old, once-famous novel from a certain website.

Following the usual fate of a cannon-fodder character, her role is to provoke and obstruct the male lead, repeatedly pushing him toward darkness. Then, just before completing her glorious mission, she adds one last achievement: being killed by the male lead and bringing her troublesome cannon-fodder life to an end.

As someone who knows the whole story, Lin Yunzhi feels her own very much alive head. Before the original plot has a chance to unfold, she wants to mend her ways before she can establish herself as the wicked woman who conspires with another man to cripple the male lead, steals the family fortune, and sows discord in the household.

In her previous life, Lin Yunzhi was an editor for a food program. She has deft hands and superb cooking skills. Drawing on the rich experience she accumulated in her former life, she pays off her late husband's gambling debts and lives as she pleases. She even raises a top-scoring scholar for the Tao family. Apart from having no partner herself, her life is practically perfect.

But the Tao family's golden boy has more than just proper affection for his widowed sister-in-law. He also harbors the charming idea of joining their families in marriage forever.

P.S. 1. The heroine's career focuses on food: Lu, Sichuan, Cantonese, and Su cuisine, with stir-frying, flash-frying, braising, and deep-frying. All eight major culinary traditions are here. Readers are welcome to come in and order a dish.

3. One-on-one romance, happy ending. Please add it to your favorites.

Advance notice for a historical romance, please add it to your favorites. I couldn't write the previous version because there was an issue with its premise.

Shao Hua is the late emperor's most beloved Grand Princess, born to a distinguished family. At seventeen, she enters the Gu household and marries Gu Zhang, Marquis of Dingbei.

Although their marriage is a political alliance, Gu Zhang treats her with respect and impeccable courtesy. Shao Hua believes they will live out their days together like any ordinary couple in the capital.

Until one day, the husband she respects joins forces with outside officials to rebel. He breaks through the gates of the imperial city, then loots and kills within its walls. Her beloved parents, the Emperor and Empress, are slaughtered in Jinning Hall. When she looks at him, she can no longer find any trace of warmth in his eyes, only a hatred so cold it cuts to the bone.

His voice hoarse, he drives a knife into her heart. Blood keeps flowing, and she can't tell whether it is hers or someone else's.

Shao Hua dies consumed by resentment, never expecting Heaven to take pity on her and send her back to the time before her wedding. Looking at the candidates her mother carefully selected for her consort, the usually proper Grand Princess abandons her customary soft-spoken manner and casually takes up her brush, crossing out the name of Gu Zhang, still the legitimate son of the Gu family.

The whole capital is shaken by the news. Some say the Gu family angered the Grand Princess; others claim they offended the Emperor. There are rumors that the Emperor is using the incident to warn others, and the talk goes on and on.

Shao Hua pays none of it any mind. But when she takes aim at the Gu family, she never expected that Xie Rufeng, famed for his impartiality, would take her side.

Later, she marries Xie Rufeng. On their wedding night, she asks him why he helped her.

Beneath the red wedding candles, the General's eyes are unfathomable, as if nursing some grievance. He leans close to her ear and says, "Your Highness need not know. Just know that I am your humble servant."

He asks no reason, yet gives you his whole heart without reservation.

A young, lovesick general and a Grand Princess who turns dark after a great honor. Sweet romance, one-on-one.

Theme: Don't give up on yourself just because the times have changed. Only when one's career and wealth can meet the needs of life can one truly enjoy a relaxed life and love.