The Eldest Princess Raises a Child Online [Dream of the Red Chamber]

[The blurb has been screenshotted]

Qing He, a seasoned corporate wage slave, worked herself to death. When she opened her eyes again, she had become Situ Qing He, the Grand Princess of the Long Dynasty, peerless in status yet cursed to bring death to her husbands and unable to have children.

With her dream "retirement life" right before her, Qing He planned to lie flat and enjoy herself in this life.

Who knew the emperor would take pity on his lonely elder sister and want to match her with Lin Ruhai, a widower?

The original Grand Princess had died of grief. After just one good year in this new life, Qing He thought:

I won't marry or put up with anyone's nonsense... Your Majesty! Don't go playing matchmaker without asking me!

She never imagined the emperor would try to foist a man on her, and this time the man even came with a child.

She sent Lin Ruhai packing that very night, then casually whisked the sweet, gentle Lin Daiyu back to the princess's residence. "Your father isn't good enough, but you are! Come on, call me Mother!"

Qing He took her adopted daughter out for hot pot and barbecue, and fed her all kinds of delicious food.

Daiyu's health improved. She ate so well at the Grand Princess's residence that her cheeks became rosy, and she was no longer the frail, sickly little girl she had once been. She also made friends all over the capital, and wherever she went, she was the shining star everyone adored.

One day, Daiyu suddenly asked in a quiet voice, "Moth... Your Highness, have I been spoiled too much?"

Qing He slapped a stack of banknotes onto the table with a carefree air. "Does your mother look short on money? I have nothing but money, so I can afford to raise you."

Daiyu was dumbfounded. "But... didn't you say girls should be independent and strong, and not always rely on others?"

Qing He was just about to keep bluffing when she heard a quiet laugh.

She looked up and couldn't help remarking, "I misjudged you back then, Lord Lin. You've risen to Chancellor now. You really are capable."

Lin Ruhai lifted the curtain and walked in, then came around to massage Qing He's acupoints.

"Your Highness is too kind. I have been able to pursue my ambitions at court only because Your Highness has looked after Daiyu, leaving me free of worries at home."

He paused. "Daiyu lost her mother when she was young. If Your Highness hadn't raised her to be so bright and healthy, I would be ashamed to face my late wife. Your Highness has shown the Lin family great kindness. I can only repay you for the rest of my life."

"Is this pressure to your liking, Your Highness?"

"It's fine. Sit down too."

Qing He leaned back in her chair, feeling the warmth of his palm, and suddenly couldn't bring herself to stay annoyed.

She had only meant to spirit his daughter away, never realizing she would stir up this scheming old fox in sheep's clothing. Now he had followed her from Yangzhou all the way to the capital. What else could she do?

Theme: Refuse arranged marriage, raise a child on good food and drink