My Family Stepped on My Ashes to Climb the Ranks. Reborn, I Slaughtered My Way Through the Marquis's Estate

Synopsis: Hua Shuyi risked her life to deliver the new emperor's ascension edict, earning her family a marquisate and a life of wealth and glory.

She spent three years recovering from her grievous injuries deep within the palace. But when she finally returned home, she found there was no place for her in the marquis's residence.

Her cousin had taken over her courtyard and dowry, while her younger cousin had stolen her status as the legitimate daughter of the marquis's household.

Her mother favored her cousin, her father spoiled her younger cousin, her brother switched sides, and her fiancé came to break off their engagement.

Hua Shuyi caused a scene at the marquis's residence, but her own mother claimed she was mad and locked her in the woodshed for a full eighteen years.

In the end, she starved to death.

When she opened her eyes again, she was alive once more.

This time, she would make everyone pay for their crimes.

After being reborn, Hua Shuyi sought revenge by taking the all-powerful Prince Jing as her backer.

“On the surface, you will be my princess consort. In truth, ours will be nothing more than a contract. No feelings, no marriage in name but not in deed. When the five years are up, I will announce that the princess consort died of illness, and give you wealth and freedom.”

She agreed.

She could keep the unruly daughters of powerful families in line, outmaneuver ambitious noble clans, and, beyond the ninefold palace walls, help him uncover the secret agents left behind by the previous court and break through the deadlock in the struggle for the throne.

A few years later, Prince Jing became the new emperor.

When their five-year agreement expired, he asked her in a faint voice, “Would you trade a contract for the Empress's seal?”

She loved freedom and did not want to waste half her life deep within the palace. But looking at the man before her, she simply could not bring herself to say, “I refuse.”