Reborn, She Refuses to Be a Stepping Stone!

[A calculating, cold-hearted, clear-eyed, neglected young lady x a gentle at heart, proud, sharp-tongued young lord]

In her previous life, Wen Yan lost her mother when she was young and grew up under the care of her stepmother. Her stepmother treated her like her own daughter, teaching her to be cultured, courteous, respectful, and obedient.

As the eldest legitimate daughter of the Wen family, Wen Yan always put the family first.

For her younger sister's reputation, she gave up her own fiance.

For her younger brother's future, she spent the dowry her mother had left her.

For her father's career, she married a tyrannical general twenty years her senior.

Everyone in the Wen family prospered, while she, the self-sacrificing one who had helped them rise, died a miserable death.

Wen Yan died with hatred in her heart, swearing that if she could live again, she would live for herself alone.

She was reborn at the age of ten.

Determined not to repeat her past mistakes, Wen Yan planned carefully, yet every step remained fraught with danger.

Her kind and virtuous stepmother was cruel, hypocritical, and ruthless. Her benevolent, upright father was a hypocrite who deceived the world and stole a good name.

Her parents showed her no affection, and her siblings were at odds with her.

Wen Yan had no one to rely on.

*

Shen Zhixun's mother was the celebrated Defender of the State, and her other mother was the Grand Princess who had helped a young emperor ascend the throne. Yet Shen Zhixun was known throughout the capital as a lawless little terror.

At one, she wet the emperor's robes. At three, she beat up Consort Rong's beloved dog. At five, she set the empress dowager's palace on fire. At seven, she defeated everyone at the Imperial Academy.

Her wild reputation preceded her. Even the birds of the capital knew to fly around the Defender of the State's heir.

Shen Zhixun ran rampant through the capital for nine years, until she met Wen Yan, the eldest legitimate daughter of Minister Wen.

At first sight, Shen Zhixun took an instant dislike to this seemingly gentle, refined girl who was actually a scheming white lotus.

Shen Zhixun tried every way she could think of to expose the fake white lotus, but hit a wall at every turn. She not only got plenty of polite refusals, but was also taken advantage of by Wen Yan.

If schemes wouldn't work, then she would use her fists.

Shen Zhixun angrily went to settle the score, only to have her heart softened by the stubborn girl with tears welling in her eyes.

*

Years ago.

Shen Zhixun: I'll expose her true face. Then we'll see who still helps her.

Shen Zhixun: A mere minister's daughter dreams of marrying into a noble family? What a fool!

Shen Zhixun: I would never fall for a woman as calculating as her.

Years later.

Shen Zhixun: I'm standing right here, alive and well! Why won't you ask me for help?!

Shen Zhixun: Marry me. The entire Defender of the State's household will stand firmly behind you. You can't at least consider it?

Shen Zhixun: My princess consort is brilliant and has saved me from danger time and again. Anyone who dares tell me to divorce her had better be ready for me to tear their whole family apart.

Theme: Live for yourself.