Reborn as a Black Lotus

[This novel will be VIP-exclusive starting Monday, January 22. The chapters moved behind the paywall are 21-40. If you've already read them, please don't buy them again. Thank you all!]

P.S. Read with caution, read with caution, read with caution. Important things must be said three times.

My new neighboring novel, Names Engraved in My Heart, is now underway. It's currently updating, so please add it to your library.

…Division line…

[Resilient, life-loving gray wolf heiress x valiant but teary-eyed loyal general]

Shen Wen was the highborn legitimate daughter of the Chancellor's household, yet her life was a bewildering mess. Her scheming stepsister kept her in the dark for over a decade, and after she poured her heart and soul into helping her husband rise to power, someone else reaped the rewards...

In the eyes of others, Shen Wen was happy and fortunate. She used to think so too, until on New Year's Eve, in a vast snowy night, her stepsister and husband conspired to frame her, leaving her to die unjustly beneath a blade.

Thankfully, Heaven took pity on her. Not only was she reborn before any of it happened, she also unexpectedly gained the ability to hear other people's thoughts.

This time, she would live for herself.

After being reborn, Shen Wen was no longer timid and weak. Using her memories from her previous life and her mind-reading ability, she took revenge on the scum who had wronged her.

Her scumbag husband treated her as a stepping stone to promotion, so she pretended to obey and pushed him into the abyss. Her stepsister coveted the status of legitimate daughter, so Shen Wen turned her scheme against her and drove her out of the Chancellor's household...

People say, 'A woman without talent is virtuous.' Shen Wen refused to believe it. Despite enormous pressure, she opened a private school for girls, determined to achieve true equality between men and women.

Her fame spread far and wide, until there was no one in the land who hadn't heard of her.

She was both the pampered legitimate daughter of the Chancellor's household and a dedicated teacher who educated the next generation.

Xiao Zhaojing was the fifth son of the Southern Qing Emperor, a young general who defended his country. He had spent over a decade on the battlefield, undefeated in every campaign, and was the guardian deity in the hearts of the people of the Southern Dynasty.

Even a cool, aloof god had a soft spot in his heart for the mortal world.

Eight years ago, he attended a banquet at the Shen residence and saw the graceful, gentle Shen Wen beneath a silk tree. From then on, the girl's sweet smile was etched into his mind, impossible to forget.

Later, he returned triumphant from the frontier and happened to hear that Shen Wen was engaged. At a loss, he finally cited his illustrious military achievements before the court to ask for the hand of the Shen family's daughter.

This time, he would make the first move.

Reader's guide:

1. One-on-one romance, both leads are inexperienced, happy ending.

2. Set in a fictional world, with many original details.

3. I'm working hard to improve my writing!

Coming soon in my author collection: A Match Made by Heaven. The crown prince is a madman, and this is a marriage-before-love romance. Here's the blurb:

Cui Yijin was nominally the eldest daughter of the Chancellor's household. She seemed to live in luxury, but in private she was constantly mistreated.

By chance, she learned she wasn't actually of the Cui family's bloodline. Her biological father was someone else: the renowned Prince Anding, Qi Song. But after he died in battle, he was framed by villains and accused of treason. His entire family met with disaster.

Thus, the whole Qi clan was thrown into prison.

On a snowy winter's day, Qi Li was pursued by assassins.

With the pursuers closing in, she looked for the only way out amid a bustling banquet. It led to the Crown Prince's residence.

Everyone knew the Crown Prince was a madman: ruthless and unpredictable, with a bloodthirsty nature.

With no way forward or back, Qi Li had no choice but to take a chance. She resolutely headed for the Crown Prince's residence.

Later, an imperial edict ordering a marriage arrived at the Cui residence.

The Cui family didn't dare oppose the Eastern Palace, and immediately dressed Qi Li in a bridal phoenix crown and robes and sent her off in a wedding palanquin.

On their wedding night, Xie Zhan lifted her veil and tilted Qi Li's chin up, feigning an intent to kiss her.

Qi Li turned her head away. 'Your Highness, a melon forced off the vine isn't sweet.'

A wicked glint flashed in Xie Zhan's eyes, and he smiled. 'There's only one way to find out if a forced melon is sweet.'

Xie Zhan was the current Crown Prince, and everyone knew how brazen he was.

Everyone feared and resented him, but no one could control him or strip him of his title.

Until he met Qi Li, and at last the iron tree blossomed.

At first: Who is she? How dare she use my influence? Drag her out and kill her!

Later: As long as she's willing to put some thought into me, that's all I need~

#When a narcissistic madman becomes a lovesick fool#

Theme: You control your own fate, not Heaven.