The eldest princess has a daughter late in life and dotes on Roujia, who spends years throwing her weight around and doing many bad things.
She schemes and plots her way into marrying Han Zheng, the man she has long yearned for and who once saved her life. But she accidentally causes his grandmother's death, then forces Han Zheng to marry her and drives the woman he loves into another marriage.
Roujia thinks everything will eventually work out if she just gives it time, so she can only swallow the bitter consequences herself.
Then, in the fifth year of their marriage, the eldest princess is implicated in a vassal prince's rebellion. As Roujia tries to pull strings for her, she accidentally learns that Han Zheng played a major part in bringing the eldest princess down.
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Roujia and Han Zheng are a famously acrimonious couple. Anyone standing nearby fears they'll draw their swords and cut each other down at any moment.
The eldest princess passes away, and Roujia falls seriously ill, dying in her sleep before her mother's memorial tablet. Before she dies, she hears that Han Zheng's beloved has divorced and will soon return to the capital. He has prepared a lavish gift and plans to visit her.
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Roujia is reborn.
Roujia doesn't dare provoke Han Zheng again. She takes in a live-in husband early, and with her nominal husband as a shield, she lives a carefree, unrestrained life.
Han Zheng's life is no longer thrown into disarray by her.
The two never see each other again.
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Han Zheng's younger brother dies, and the eldest princess sends Roujia to offer condolences. At the general's residence, Roujia nervously tries to smooth things over and escape, but Han Zheng's aunt stops her with a single remark.
"I recognize this princess. She almost married our Zhixu. What a shame."
Roujia pretends not to hear. With curious eyes watching her back, she walks away without looking back.
Not long afterward, Roujia's husband is unexpectedly promoted and becomes one of Han Zheng's subordinates.
Her husband spends his time carousing outside and rarely comes home. At her mother-in-law's request, Roujia has no choice but to go find him.
A pleasure house, a den of delights.
Roujia stands uncertainly outside. Unexpectedly, a group of people in armor rushes in and beats her husband, who is enjoying himself inside, until he's black and blue. They leave him with a warning: "The general's orders. You violated a military rule. Report tomorrow to receive your punishment."
Roujia helps her battered husband home. Glancing aside, she sees a familiar figure standing in the pavilion, seeming to wear a layer of frost as he looks down at them from above.
Her husband tugs at her hand and asks what's wrong.
Roujia shakes her head and moves closer to her husband.
She doesn't care what Han Zheng is thinking. He's always looked down on her and thought she was stupid. In all her life, she never saw anything in Han Zheng's eyes but loathing.
A few steps away, Han Zheng's gaze falls on their entwined fingers, and he suddenly feels a jealousy utterly unfamiliar to him.
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Roujia never imagined that Han Zheng, whom everyone praised for being dutiful, putting the greater good first, and rising above worldly concerns, would do something as outrageous as "stealing another man's wife," despite supposedly hating her.
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1. Both leads have only been with each other. After being reborn, the heroine will first enter a contractual marriage with a supporting male character. Don't read if that bothers you.
2. Happy ending.
3. Fictional setting and rebirth. Both leads are reborn, but the male lead takes a little longer to regain his memories.
Theme: Own your actions and face challenges head-on
