This novel is also known as A Price for Beauty.
Does anyone else get it? I transmigrated into a book, but didn't get the chosen heroine's role. Instead, I got a death mission from a lousy System: I have to be the stepping stone for the original leads' first meeting, and the more gruesomely I die, the deeper their bond will be!
So the lives of extras and cannon fodder are worthless, huh? To hell with this lovesick, melodramatic plot! My brother is still rotting in jail and waiting to be executed, our whole family is about to be exiled to the wilderness, and in the blink of an eye I'm going from an official's daughter to a potential concubine. Even if my life is worthless, no one else gets to decide what happens to me.
If the System wants me dead and the powerful want to trample me, then I'll risk my life to save my brother, overturn this wrongful case, and tear this lousy script to shreds. If I can't have a good life, then neither can any of you!
Wait... What's going on with that cold-hearted Lord Shen? Whenever I'm driven into a corner, he just happens to show up and shield me from hidden arrows, stirring up a storm in the process. Especially that unmistakable glint of concern in his eyes. He might fool everyone else, but he can't fool me, Yuan Yiliu.
Hmm... Something's not right... Something is very, very wrong. Oh my goodness! Could it be that Lord Shen...
[Note 1: A price for grain was an old term for levies collected in place of farmland produce, paid in silver, paper money, cloth, or other goods.]
1. Updated daily, with 10,000 words a day after signing a contract.
2. Fictional setting, not historically rigorous.
3. Next novel: The Wicked Beauty of the Cunning Minister's Household. No transmigration or rebirth; everyone is a native of the setting.
Synopsis:
"When Emperor Zhezong died, Huizong had not yet been made heir. Dun said he was frivolous and unfit to rule the realm." -- History of Song, Annals, Volume 22, History of Song 22, "Huizong IV"
Everyone says Shu Zhi is lucky. Her father and grandfather were both child prodigies, her family produced two top scholars, she is the Chancellor Shu's most beloved granddaughter, and the late emperor personally chose her to be the future Princess Consort of Prince Yu.
But fate is unpredictable. Chancellor Shu died of illness, and with her father and grandfather dead and her mother weak, Shu Zhi had no one to support her. Prince Yu took the opportunity to break off their engagement, and amid everyone's jeers, she married Chancellor Shu's most notorious student.
On their wedding night, her husband, Zhang Yun, told her, "You are my mentor's most beloved granddaughter. I will never let you suffer."
But Shu Zhi told him, "I can endure hardship, but I do it so I can shine in front of everyone."
She also told him, "I married you to fulfill the ambition my grandfather never achieved, even on his deathbed."
"Don't disappoint me."
"I never will."
Oppressed by powerful ministers, driven out of the capital, thwarted in his career, and tossed from place to place, Zhang Yun overcame one obstacle after another, single-mindedly determined to fulfill his promise that she would shine in front of everyone.
As the people rose in revolt and suffered through desperate times, with petty officials abusing their power and deceiving their superiors, Shu Zhi repeatedly risked her life, joining forces with Zhang Yun to secretly push through new reforms. She wanted Chancellor Shu to rest in peace.
The once-destitute top scholar finally returned to the capital with his wife, became chancellor, and was made a marquis. With the words, "Prince Yu is frivolous and shallow, unfit to rule the realm," he put an end to Prince Yu's dream of ascending the throne.
Wearing the ceremonial robes of a titled lady and holding the imperial decree, Shu Zhi declared, "By imperial order, your estate is to be confiscated." Prince Yu fell to his knees before her, weeping and begging for mercy.
Prince Yu pleaded with Chancellor Zhang behind her.
Zhang Yun smiled faintly. "Prince Yu, it's already noon. Time to go."
He was her grandfather's most distinguished student, and she was his mentor's most beloved granddaughter. They had always been a match made in heaven.
Theme: Life is hard, so let's enjoy a bit of fun.
