Chapter 1: After Rebirth, She Discovers Her Marriage Has Been Switched
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
When Yu Zhi Yi opened her eyes, she knew immediately that Yu Jiao Jiao had also been reborn—and earlier than she had.
In her previous life, she had clearly married Zhang Tian Shun, the legitimate second son of the Duke Courage’s household. But now, she found herself married to Du Zi Heng, the only son of the Chancellor.
Before their marriage, Zhang Tian Shun had been a typical playboy—a regular at brothels, with countless flings and a steady stream of women in his manor. Yet, after they wed, he cut all ties for her, choosing only her. They lived harmoniously, their hearts in sync.
Although he didn’t inherit the dukedom, he climbed the military ranks through his achievements. At thirty-five, he was granted the title of Duke of Ding Bei. A few years later, he defeated the northern Daluo Empire, forcing the once-invincible nation to bow to the Dasheng Empire, paying annual tributes for peace.
With such illustrious accomplishments, he was bestowed the title of Lord of Ding Bei, and Yu Zhi Yi became a noble lady.
On the other hand, Yu Jiao Jiao had married into a well-matched family—the Chancellor’s household—and wed his virtuous and upright only son. She and Du Zi Heng were childhood sweethearts; she had chased after him since they were little, and he had always taken care of her.
The noble circles of Shengjing City often said they were a match made in heaven, and Yu Jiao Jiao considered marrying Du Zi Heng her lifelong dream and greatest honor.
But after their marriage, she discovered Du Zi Heng already had someone in his heart. He always treated her like a sister. That woman, however, was of low status and couldn’t gain the approval of the Chancellor and his wife. To settle their son’s heart, the Chancellor’s family sought out Yu Jiao Jiao, the esteemed daughter of the Minister of Revenue—the ideal “pure moonlight.”
Yu Jiao Jiao spent her entire life battling that woman. While the Chancellor and his wife were alive, they supported her, allowing her to cause trouble for the woman. But after they passed away, Du Zi Heng became the new Chancellor through his own efforts. With his newfound power, the first thing he did was divorce Yu Jiao Jiao.
Proud by nature, Yu Jiao Jiao couldn’t bear such a blow. She managed to slip past the heavy guards of the Chancellor’s residence, intending to kill that woman. In the end, she was hacked to death by the residence’s guards. She was labeled insane and a murderer.
In her previous life, when Yu Zhi Yi learned of this, she was on her way to Zhang Tian Shun’s fiefdom. Unexpectedly, an earthquake split the ground beneath her feet… She hadn’t even had time to react before a massive chasm swallowed her, ending her life.
She never expected to be reborn. Even more surprisingly, Yu Jiao Jiao had been reborn earlier and had somehow gotten Zhang Tian Shun to propose to her.
Three months ago, Yu Jiao Jiao had a grand wedding and married into the Duke Courage’s household. Two days ago, Yu Zhi Yi married Du Zi Heng, the Chancellor’s only son.
Gazing at the bright sunshine outside the window, Yu Zhi Yi’s lips curved into an indifferent smile. Yu Jiao Jiao would soon realize that glory, stability, and happiness couldn’t be stolen.
Zhang Tian Shun had been a wastrel before marriage and only started making an effort afterward—not because he liked to hide his talents, but because he was inherently a wastrel. The truth was that harsh. The one who had actually achieved those great feats was her, Yu Zhi Yi!
Zhang Tian Shun? He was nothing but a puppet.
Just then, Zi Yuan pushed the door open and entered. “Miss, the Marchioness of Wu’an requests an audience.”
Casually, Yu Zhi Yi slid a subtly luxurious hairpin into her hair. “Let her inside the Chancellor’s residence.”
“Yes,” Zi Yuan replied but didn’t leave immediately. She hesitated.
“Is there something you can’t say to me?” Yu Zhi Yi poked her forehead playfully.
Zi Yuan bit her lip, her eyes filled with concern. “I just don’t understand. After how the young master has treated you, why do you still want to help him?”
Du Zi Heng already had someone in his heart. On their wedding night, he didn’t enter the bridal chamber but instead spent it intimately with his lover in the Moon Gazing Pavilion, acting like clandestine lovers without status.
The next day, during the tea ceremony, Du Zi Heng was dragged out of bed by the Chancellor’s orders. He came before Yu Zhi Yi with a scowl, saying disdainfully, “I didn’t want this marriage. Since Father and Mother wanted you in this house, let them accompany you back to your family. I’m not going.”
He also declared, “In this life, I only have Yu Bing Yue in my heart. Not only will I not have children with you, but I also won’t even look at you.”
Upon learning of Du Zi Heng’s impending marriage, Yu Bing Yue had gone out drinking and was harassed by the young master of the Marquis of Wu’an’s family. Being skilled in martial arts, she injured the young marquis in a fit of anger.
When Du Zi Heng found out, he didn’t take any action but hid her in the Chancellor’s residence. The Marquis of Wu’an’s family had a military background and was known for their fiery tempers. With their family member seriously injured and nearly losing his life, they were relentless, determined to find the culprit and exact vengeance.
Now, they’ve traced the matter to the Chancellor’s residence; a confrontation is inevitable. Given the severity of the incident, once Yu Bing Yue is found, the lightest punishment would be imprisonment. After all, even though the young marquis had harassed her first, the one gravely injured was him. In terms of both public opinion and the law, Yu Bing Yue wouldn’t fare well.
Du Zi Heng is now wracking his brain over this issue.
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled softly. “Who said I’m going to help him?”
She had studied under Daoist Master Ling Xu, her mystical arts exceptional, especially her skill in reading faces—it had reached a profound level. With just one look, she could see a person’s life path. But unfortunately, even with her abilities, she couldn’t easily escape the entanglements of the mortal world.
In her previous life, she had begged her master to take her away from Shengjing City, but he had said her earthly ties were not yet severed, and even if she went to cultivate at the sect, she wouldn’t achieve much. He advised her to let nature take its course.
Because of this “let nature take its course,” she, though unwilling, settled down and got married. She cut off all of Zhang Tian Shun’s messy relationships and supported his career as he rose through the ranks. But even so, she still met an unfortunate end.
In this life, she didn’t want to “let it be” anymore. Actually, if she could have been reborn before her marriage, she wouldn’t have agreed to it no matter what. She was done managing things for a man and suffering her whole life. She’d had enough.
Unfortunately, when she woke up, she had already become a wife of the Du family, tied to the Chancellor’s residence. Without properly severing these ties, she couldn’t leave; otherwise, she’d suffer backlash.
Yu Zhi Yi was never one to wallow in self-pity. Now that things had come to this, she wouldn’t waste energy on inner turmoil, nor would she wrong herself.
In terms of ability, she was the “Heaven’s favored daughter” who didn’t realize her own greatness because she was in the midst of it. In terms of identity, she was the legitimate daughter-in-law of the Chancellor’s residence—the rightful next mistress. No one should think of stepping on her to boost their own standing.
In this life, she would no longer suffer for a man, nor waste her energy on one!
“I just want Du Zi Heng to know,” she said calmly, “that the safety of his beloved is entirely in my hands.”