Defiant (Reborn)

In her previous life, Shen Ji seduced a man for revenge.

Everyone said that Prince Huai, Duan Yuan, was ruthless and cold, and cared nothing for anything in the world. What they didn't know was that on a rainy day, he fell for the beautiful young woman who had turned her cool gaze toward him at the temple.

She gave him her whole heart. On a snowy, freezing night, she risked her life to take an arrow for him, leaving a scar three inches below her shoulder forever.

"Even if the whole world refuses to help you, I'll protect you."

As the young woman hovered between life and death, her voice was weak but resolute, and her eyes were filled with deep affection for him.

With that one look, he swore he would never let her down in this life.

But after winning his complete trust, the person he'd held closest to his heart plunged a fatal knife into his chest.

Duan Yuan smiled through the blood, etching the woman's retreating figure into his memory. As expected of my woman. She's ruthless.

When he got another chance at life, he saw the woman focused on revenge, dressed in men's clothes and venturing alone into the halls of power.

He knew perfectly well she wasn't a delicate beauty but a sharp blade, yet he didn't dodge.

He watched as she schemed in every way to uncover the truth behind what had happened back then, and deliberately approached him once more.

Duan Yuan raised an eyebrow without changing expression. "Where's your sincerity?"

Shen Ji looked up. "What would Your Highness like me to do?"

He smiled lazily and beckoned her over. "Come on, give me a little pout."

Shen Ji: ...

*

Everyone said Shen Ji had deliberately approached Prince Huai with ulterior motives.

He knew she had ulterior motives and could see through every lie she told, but he still wanted to stake all his stubbornness on a gamble for a happy ending with her.

"You saved my life once and killed me once. You think that makes us even? That's far too convenient for you."

Even if this world is a hell of blades and fire, I will still find a way through the darkness with you.

A cool, ruthless, utterly decisive heroine X a hero who stubbornly refuses to believe in fate

Theme: Even when cornered, you must fight your way back.