The Ugly Girl's Reversal: Empress of the Side Palace

How did the pig die? It was too stupid! How did I die? I was scared to death! Why can I still breathe now? Because I hit the jackpot: not only did I transmigrate, I was also reborn. But the Tang family has been famous for generations for producing beauties, and the genes went haywire when they got to me. My hair and my pockmarks seemed to have switched places: my sparse black hair couldn’t hide my horribly red scalp, while pockmarks covered my entire face. My father doesn’t love me, and my mother is nowhere to be seen. Being tucked away in a side courtyard and ignored doesn’t bother me. I wasn’t starved to death in my memories. Having enough to eat and wear is old news; we’re aiming for a comfortable life now. If I can’t go out the front gate or sneak out the back, I’ll just climb over the wall! So what if my cousins look down on me? I’ll walk my own path and won’t wear someone else’s shoes. I’ve been pretending to be a silly little fool all along. When it matters, just watch me make an entrance! What? The emperor is choosing an empress and holding a banquet for the eligible young ladies, and even I, the one they’ve kept hidden away, have to attend! “You? The moment you see the emperor, you’ll be as good as dead!” My aunt tossed out the remark coldly before I had even left the house. At the banquet, I stood out like a chicken among cranes and sat alone at my own table, bringing shame on the Tang family and embarrassing my cousins. But after the banquet, the young ladies were stunned: he took only me with him! They said I was destined to be empress! After enduring every hardship and danger imaginable, I finally made it to the palace and met the Son of Heaven. My aunt’s words came true: the moment that man looked at me in the throne hall, I was scared to death! Change what can be changed, accept what cannot. History must not repeat itself. This time, before I go, you’ll have to agree to one condition: pay back every last bit of the family fortune you stole! If you don’t, I’m not going. Defying the imperial decree would doom your entire clan! In the throne hall, our eyes met, and I did not flinch. My ugly face made him take three steps back. “Old astrologer, get out here!” She’s so ugly, and you say she’s destined to be empress? “I’ll kill her and find someone else for the throne!” “You can’t, Your Majesty! Her fate is ordained. She will bring prosperity to her husband and the empire! Only she can keep the empress’s palace in check!” There are countless beauties, but only one empire. I’ll put up with it. “Then let her grow old in the empress’s palace. She is not to set foot outside!” “What a joke! You think these walls can keep me in? I still haven’t avenged the wrongs of my previous life. I may not be able to take your life, but at the very least, I’ll make sure your entire harem never knows a moment’s peace!”