The Graceful Maiden

(Also known as The Rise of a Household-Intrigue Master and A Man Who Knows How to Act Cute Is Irresistible. Trending elements: a male lead who is a stand-in for a lost first love, a Mary Sue supporting female character, a cunning beauty, rivalry between legitimate and illegitimate children, a scheming female character, and more. The story unfolds at an unhurried pace, focusing on the everyday details of life in a great household.) Since childhood, fortune-tellers had said that Yao Niang was blessed with both good fortune and wisdom. Everyone said her father came from the prestigious Yan clan of Jinling, and her mother from the prominent Xie clan of Dongshan. She herself was blessed with celestial beauty and unmatched elegance, so surely she ought to have lived a carefree life. Unfortunately, outsiders did not know that her father had inherited the responsibilities of two branches of the family. Her mother bore the title of secondary wife, but had none of the standing of a true principal wife. As a result, Yao Niang's status was neither quite legitimate nor quite illegitimate, like a bowl of half-cooked rice. Even more despairing, she had an elder legitimate sister of noble status, adored by every man, as well as a talented illegitimate sister as graceful as an orchid in a secluded valley. Below her was a beloved legitimate younger sister who dared to love and hate openly... Yao Niang propped her forehead on one hand and thought that all she needed to do was keep her head down and protect herself. She never expected that when her elder legitimate sister fled from her wedding, she would be offered up to her brother-in-law as compensation. But the thing she hated most in this life was half-cooked rice. No matter who tried to force her, she would never submit... The synopsis was screenshotted on April 26. Theme: The heroine stands on her own two feet and makes her own way in life.