MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 1

Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, reborn. Former wife of Lin Ziqi.

· Qin Wan: Qin Yuan's di mei (legitimate younger sister), also reborn.

· Marquis of Dingbei: A military lord, Qin Wan's original fiancé.

· Lin Ziqi: A poor Juren scholar from a humble family.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Cui Shi: The primary wife, mother of Qin Wan and Qin Heng.

· Qin Heng: The younger brother.

· Zaixiang (Prime Minister): The highest-ranking civil official.

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Chapter 1: A Marriage Exchange

"I don't want to live anymore, how can I go on like this…"

A woman's sharp, crying voice pierced into Qin Yuan's consciousness, making her frown and open her eyes with displeasure.

She was about to lose her temper when the sight of the slightly worn, sky-blue silk bed curtains of a canopy bed stunned her.

She had only dozed off on the eaglewood couch in the Zaixiang's (Prime Minister) study. How did she end up in this shabby bed?

"Miss, you're awake?"

Qin Yuan turned her head and saw a much younger Hongye standing before her, face full of worry.

This was truly strange.

Before she could speak, the long-dead Cuiming rushed in, crying, "Our Miss is so unlucky! Your perfect marriage is gone! Madame says Master Lin must marry Second Young Miss now!"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hongye's face fell immediately. "Second Young Miss fell in the water at the flower banquet. With so many servants around, of course it was Master Lin who saved her. I don't know what to say. What will happen to our Eldest Young Miss? The wedding was just two months away!"

After a long moment, Qin Yuan understood. She had been reborn, and her di mei had been reborn too - even earlier than her.

In her previous life, she'd feigned illness to stay home sewing her wedding dress. Di mei Qin Wan went to the flower banquet and returned bursting with happiness, boasting how her future husband Marquis Gu was not only a mighty warrior but incredibly handsome, deeply trusted by the Emperor, with unimaginable family wealth.

Meanwhile, her own fiancé Lin Ziqi came from poor origins with only a widowed mother. He'd even relied on Qin family support during his studies. As people said, a woman follows her husband's status - their futures would be as different as clouds and mud.

Hongye remembered those words forever, often repeating them, because their fates indeed became cloud and mud.

Except she became the cloud, while Qin Wan became the mud.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

In her previous life after marrying Lin Ziqi, he passed the imperial exams, entered the Hanlin Academy, became a lecturer near the Emperor, then served as county magistrate across various regions. Within ten years he became a high official, entered the Grand Secretariat, and became Zaixiang. She gained honor as his wife.

Everyone called her Madame Zaixiang with respect - the peak of prestige.

Meanwhile, Qin Wan's magnificent marriage turned sour because of a beloved concubine. She and Marquis Gu became bitter enemies. The Marquis lived happily with his concubine behind closed doors while Qin Wan wept daily in her rooms, unable to bear children, nearly going mad chanting Buddhist sutras.

Her stepmother once begged her to use her status as Madame Zaixiang to support Qin Wan at the Marquis residence and suppress that arrogant concubine.

But she was busy managing the Zaixiang household during the holidays. Within days, Qin Wan caught a chill and died suddenly. The Marquis didn't even shed two tears, holding a perfunctory funeral.

Qin Yuan snorted softly.

In this new life, Qin Wan remained as foolish as ever, actually wanting to steal her marriage.

Qin Wan was the di daughter. Only what Qin Wan rejected would pass to her, a shu (concubine-born) daughter. She needed to plan carefully.

"Help me up."

Red-eyed Hongye helped her from bed. Qin Yuan looked around the bare, cell-like room, feeling uncomfortable after the Zaixiang mansion's luxury.

This is how people are - easy to upgrade, hard to downgrade.

But seeing her tender, youthful fingers, she felt happy. This was her prime.

"Bring a mirror," Qin Yuan said calmly.

Cuiming quickly brought a mirror.

The reflection showed a dewy, bright face. Without careful examination, she hastily powdered her face pale and changed into worn clothes, instantly looking haggard.

Soon, Madame Cui Shi sent someone to summon her.

The messenger matron looked at her pityingly. "Madame wants to speak with Eldest Young Miss."

After Hongye slipped her a pouch, the matron added, "The Master is there too."

Qin Yuan nodded thanks and let her maids support her unsteady steps to the main hall.

Father and Madame Cui sat above, younger brother Qin Heng and Qin Wan on either side.

As Qin Yuan entered, pale-faced and red-eyed Qin Wan rushed over crying, "Sister, I've wronged you! Just kill me!"

"Sister, what is this?" Qin Yuan asked, trembling with pale lips before greeting her parents. "What have you done that I should kill you?"

Qin Wan covered her face crying, choking repeatedly.

Madame Cui looked displeased, clearly hating how Qin Yuan made her beloved daughter uncomfortable.

Finally, Qin Heng said stiffly, "Elder Sister, Second Sister was pushed into the pond today. Brother-in-law Lin saved her with many people watching. Brother-in-law Gu saw it too."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

In few words, he explained everything.

Qin Yuan stared blankly, seemingly terrified.

Madame Cui frowned deeply. "Wan'er was victimized too. Now only by marrying Wan'er to Lin Ziqi can we stop the gossip, or what reputation will Qin women have?"

Before she finished, Qin Wan thudded to her knees crying, "Sister, in my condition, only marrying Brother Lin works. Please be kind and let us be together!"

Previous-life Qin Wan would never act like a concubine begging for favor. Qin Yuan shuddered.

She tried lifting Qin Wan, but Qin Wan kept kneeling. "Sister hasn't forgiven me! I made Sister lose Brother Lin! Hit me, scold me, I deserve it! I'll kneel here until death!"

Qin Heng strode over pulling Qin Wan up, voice hoarse with anger. "You're di, she's shu! You didn't mean harm, why kneel to her?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Qin Wan burst into loud sobs.

Father sighed. "Yuan'er, what's done is done. If Wan'er doesn't marry Lin Ziqi, we can only send her to a nunnery."

Madame Cui appealed emotionally: "You grew up with Wan'er. Can you watch your sister become a nun, living with ancient Buddhas?"

"Then what should I do?" Qin Yuan cried. "What did I do wrong? Instead of preparing her dowry, sister went banqueting, had trouble, and I lose my marriage?"

Qin Wan cried more: "My fault! I shouldn't have gone banqueting and been tricked! Don't blame Sister!"

Qin Heng raged: "Shouldn't you yield? Second Sister is di, meant to be Marquis's Wife! She suffers enough! You're eldest sister, why not consider her?"

Qin Yuan cried too: "If Lin Ziqi rejects me, what reputation remains? You said I'm shu. How can I marry after this..."

Qin Heng interrupted: "Will you tarnish the Qin name? You're eldest sister, should share parents' burdens!"

Qin Wan sobbed nearby: "I... I should die!"

Madame Cui hugged Qin Wan, wiping tears. "No death talk!" Glaring at Qin Yuan: "Mother will decide for you."

They would force it.

Qin Yuan cried to father: "I should die for sister! Clean! Repays parenting kindness!"

She rushed toward a pillar. Hongye and Cuiming grabbed her waist. Three cried together.

Qin Wan wailed loudly.

"Enough! Silence!" father roared. "What would outsiders think!"

Only soft sobs remained.

Finally, father sighed. "Yuan'er, your father is Imperial Academy Chancellor, a court official! Can I kill my daughter for another's marriage? This wrongs you... Your mother Concubine Chen was proper concubine. I'll record you under Madame's name for better marriage prospects."

Madame Cui's face changed but she lowered eyes under father's cold gaze.

Qin Yuan stayed silent.

Previous life as Madame Zaixiang, her shu status attracted gossip. Qin Wan's scheming gained her this benefit.

Not remarrying Lin Ziqi for hard labor seemed better.

But they needed her favor.

She needed more offers.

Qin Heng said sarcastically: "Congratulations, Elder Sister, becoming di daughter. But know your limits."

"Silence!" Father added: "Yuan'er, I'll find you a good match among my students. More dowry too."

Qin Yuan yielded reluctantly: "As eldest sister, I can't watch younger sister die... But my marriage can't be decided carelessly for sister's sake..."

"Don't worry, daughter. We'll get your approval. No reckless promises."

Only then Qin Yuan whispered: "Thank you, Father."

Successful Qin Wan stopped crying, eyes malicious. "Thank you, Sister. Father, why not ask if Marquis will exchange marriages? Outsiders only know Marquis household allied with our family, not which daughter."

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note

New book! Please vote and tip if possible!

Old book "The Doctor Consort Asks Three Questions Daily: Is She Tormenting Scum or Spoiling Her Husband?" (original "The Reborn Empress is Fierce and Captivating") complete! Read confidently!

May monthly and recommendation tickets flood in!

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Translator's Note: In this context, "di" (嫡) refers to children born to the primary wife, while "shu" (庶) refers to children born to concubines, establishing a hierarchy of legitimacy within noble families.

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