Spring Day Murder (Reborn)

(Female lead's perspective) When Zhou Huaining was young, she was awkward and unhappy. Her mother died early, her father disliked her, and her maternal relatives kept their distance. Later, her reputation was ruined, her marriage was unhappy, and her relationship with her husband was troubled. She suffered one misfortune after another, and after giving birth to a son, she was sent to a country estate to live or die on her own. Her heart had turned to dead wood. When she opened her eyes, she discovered she had returned to her youth. She thought that in this life, she should make the most of it. She plots at every turn to avenge her mother, and in the end becomes the Fifth Miss Zhou, standing tall and proud. But she still can't decide who she marries. She doesn't need great wealth or status, she thinks. She only hopes her future husband will be a simple-minded, honest fellow whom she can keep under her thumb, so she can live a comfortable life. What she doesn't know is that the Fifth Miss Zhou of this life is already well-known, and has attracted attention wherever she goes. The elder brother of the man she married in her previous life, who died young and was infamous for bringing death to his wives, comes to ask for her hand. "Huaining, I love you." The Fifth Miss Zhou, who plots her way forward after being reborn, × the elder brother, infamous for bringing death to his wives (in other words, an old house catching fire). (Male lead's perspective) Xu Jiang lost both his parents as a child and was raised by his grandfather. When his grandfather passed away, he took charge of the entire Xu family, caring for his younger brother and supporting his grandmother. He lived up to his grandfather's expectations, placing first in all three imperial examinations. He entered the Hanlin Academy, then transferred to the Court of Judicial Review, where he earned the emperor's favor and became the Crown Prince's tutor. His life went smoothly. When his younger brother came of age, Xu Jiang arranged his proposal to the Zhou family and personally took charge of the wedding. But later, he was framed for having an affair with his younger brother's wife. He thought that in this sort of matter, a man should shoulder all the responsibility. His grandmother asked him if he truly meant to do it, and he replied that it was only right. He died on the journey south before he had the chance to confess his feelings. As his life ebbed away, he thought that he had ultimately wronged her, and hoped she would live out her days in peace and good health. P.S. The heroine and hero keep proper distance between the sexes. Ten-year age gap. Alternate world inspired by the Ming dynasty. Only the heroine is reborn; the hero is not. (A palace-intrigue novel worth its weight in pure gold.) Theme: Be independent and find a new life.