The Lowborn Daughter Marries Up

Her maternal grandfather is a high-ranking official of the second rank, and she was born into the Prime Minister's household. Raised by her maternal grandmother from childhood, she has always been surrounded by an aura of privilege. But when all is said and done, she is merely the illegitimate daughter of a woman who was once a favored concubine.

Her legitimate mother is outwardly benevolent but secretly vicious. Her own mother is selfish, eager to win her father's praise, and helps the legitimate mother frame her. Shen Yinqiu smiles faintly. No matter what traps or schemes others set for her, she will simply keep her head down and live as an illegitimate daughter. Surely they can't turn her into prey for the slaughter.

Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. The marriage arranged by her maternal grandmother is stolen by her sisters at the legitimate mother's urging, making her the laughingstock of the household. Hoping to spend more time with her father, her mother even joins forces with the legitimate mother to marry her off as the replacement wife of a marquis, who has been gravely ill ever since his beloved wife died. Fortunately, Shen Yinqiu takes it in stride. She figures that after a year or so of marriage, living alone as a widow might not be so bad. At least she would have a quiet life. She never expects this marriage to upend the peaceful life she had planned.