After Becoming Cannon Fodder, Liu Bang and Empress Lu Became My Parents

Liu Xi transmigrates into an ancient-world novel about a male protagonist's rise to power. She's his child bride, expected to look after the whole household and work like an ox and horse, all while enduring beatings and scorn.

Later, the male lead passes the filial and incorruptible official selection and catches the eye of the Huainan Prince's daughter. She gouges out Liu Xi's eyes in the street and beats her to death.

When Liu Xi opens her eyes again, she's become the daughter that Empress Lu Zhi and Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, have just brought back from among the common people.

When the Huainan Prince's daughter arrives to pay her respects to the empress, accompanied by the husband whose fortunes are rising rapidly, Liu Xi smiles as she steps forward and slaps each of them once.

The Huainan Prince's daughter cries and begs the empress to give her justice.

Empress Lu Zhi, Liu Xi's own mother: It was just a childish prank. There's no need to take it so seriously.

They make a fuss all the way to Emperor Liu Bang.

Liu Bang, who dreamed his daughter was the reincarnation of a celestial maiden: You caused a disturbance before the emperor. The Huainan Prince failed to raise his daughter properly, so his salary is docked for a year. Zhong, you failed to respect the imperial family. You are stripped of your official rank and fined one hundred gold pieces!

In private, Liu Bang quietly shares his advice with his daughter. "Why did you hit them yourself? Doesn't your hand hurt? Next time, just say they pushed you and have the palace maids do it. They'll hit harder and make it hurt. I guarantee they'll be left bruised and swollen like pig heads!"

Liu Xi: ...No wonder he's Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han. I'm no match for him.

Lu Zhi, meanwhile, secretly summons her advisers to plot how to bring down the Huainan Prince and exile his entire family.

Liu Xi, learning the truth: I think I'll just lie flat!

Theme: Keep hope in your heart, even in desperate circumstances