Steal My Fated Marriage? Fine—I’ll Wed the Tyrant and Seize the Throne! - Chapter 1
After her Dijie1 woke up from nearly drowning, she begged their Dimu2 to let Shen Zhinian take her place in the imperial selection, while she would marry their father’s impoverished student. At that moment, Shen Zhinian realized that her Dijie had also regressed.
In their past life, both Shen Zhinian and Shen Nanqiao had reached the age of marriage, coinciding with the Emperor’s once-every-three-years imperial consort selection.
Only daughters of officials ranked fifth-rank and above were eligible to participate, but the Shen family, with their sixth-rank position as an Senior Assistant of the Ministry of Justice, originally did not qualify.
However, the Ministry of Justice had recently solved a shocking case in the capital. Father Shen made a great contribution, and as a reward, the Emperor generously granted the Shen family an exception, allowing them one spot in the selection.
Such an extraordinary opportunity naturally would not fall to Shen Zhinian, a concubine’s daughter. The one chosen to enter the selection was her Dijie, Shen Nanqiao.
Shen Zhinian, on the other hand, was married off to her father’s impoverished student.
Shen Nanqiao passed the selection and, by sheer luck, wore the Emperor’s favorite color. Thus, even before sharing the Emperor’s bed, she was granted the title of Guiren3, a fifth-rank consort.
For a time, Shen Nanqiao basked in her glory, bringing honor to the entire Shen family.
But to everyone’s surprise…
Shen Nanqiao, who prided herself on being noble and pure, humble and unpretentious, refused to vie for favor like the other consorts. “The women of the imperial harem use underhanded means to climb higher. Even if you told me these schemes, I would disdain to use them,” she would say.
When accused of pushing another concubine down the stairs, she did not defend herself. Instead, she said, “The truth will speak for itself. This humble concubine has nothing to say.”
The Emperor grew weary of her pretentious aloofness. Yet, rather than trying to win back his favor, she pouted and said, “It was not my desire to become a Guiren. Your Majesty, all I have left for you is disappointment.”
A high and mighty Emperor, accustomed to being fawned over, could hardly be expected to humble himself for her. Thus, Shen Nanqiao completely lost his affection.
Those she had offended before eagerly took the opportunity to bring her down further. Shen Nanqiao’s life grew more and more miserable until, in the end, she was framed and met a tragic death under a fabricated excuse by Guifei4.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhinian, after marrying her father’s impoverished student, watched as Lu Jianglin became increasingly diligent. Eventually, he achieved top honors in three consecutive imperial examinations, earning the title of the new top scholar. Highly valued by the Emperor, he joined the Hanlin Academy as a literary editor.
In those days, only successful candidates from the imperial exams could enter the Hanlin Academy, and only Hanlin scholars could rise to the imperial cabinet.
Since ancient times, grand ministers and provincial governors had emerged from the Hanlin Academy. Known as the “cradle of prime ministers,” its prestige was beyond measure.
As expected, after gaining the golden aura of Hanlin Academy, Lu Jianglin’s career soared. He was first appointed as a compiler, then promoted to Grand Academic Officer, and eventually conferred the title of Marquis and appointed as Prime Minister, becoming the head of all officials!
He deeply loved his wife, and every time he was promoted, the first thing he did was request an imperial decree to bestow a title upon Shen Zhinian.
Over time, she became the youngest first-rank titled lady of the dynasty, basking in honor and endless glory.
By then, Shen Nanqiao had already been thrown into the cold palace, framed by Guifei. To survive, she fought with the madwomen there for scraps of rotten food. Yet every day, she would hear the palace guards whisper about how her younger sister, born of a concubine, was cherished by her husband and living a life of splendor.
Shen Nanqiao suffered a tremendous blow. Her health deteriorated with each passing day, and with Guifei’s machinations, she soon died a miserable death.
Shen Zhinian, out of sisterly compassion, had intended to help her Dijie with her current noble status. But before she could act, she received news of Shen Nanqiao’s death—only to be killed herself in a sudden landslide.
When she opened her eyes again, confused by her regression, she saw Shen Nanqiao kneeling in the center of the flower pavilion, righteously declaring, “Father, Mother, I do not covet wealth and glory. Such a good opportunity like the imperial selection should go to my Meimei5. Let me be the one to marry Lu Jianglin!”
Madam Zhou and Father Shen were livid, scolding her for her nonsense!
Sitting below, Shen Zhinian couldn’t help but mentally “tsk.” It was clear—her Djie had regressed as well.
Her wet nurse, Lin Momo6, stood behind her, wiping her tears and, disregarding propriety, whispered her grievances in a low voice.
“Second Young Lady, though the Lu family may be poor, Young Master Lu is talented and has already attained the title of Xiucai7. He is Master’s most outstanding pupil, with boundless potential. More importantly, his household is simple—just his widowed mother and a young sister. Once you marry him, you’ll be the head of the family, and your days will surely be comfortable and peaceful.
“But the imperial palace is a place that devours people. So many consorts from prestigious families live there, and without any support behind you, how could you possibly contend with them?
“The First Young Lady, born of the main wife, has always had the best of everything since she was young. Why must she now take away your only path to freedom as well?”
Shen Zhinian noted Shen Nanqiao’s resolute expression, then gave Lin Momo a comforting smile. “It’s alright.”
Since her Dijie, despite their shared blood, chose to seize her bright future as the first act of her regression, so be it.
She would let her have it.
Shen Nanqiao would soon realize that the Lu family was, in truth, a den of tigers and wolves!
In her past life, Shen Zhinian had become a first-rank titled lady not because she relied on Lu Jianglin’s influence, but because she had always kept her destiny firmly in her own hands!
Even though Lu Jianglin had some talent he was arrogantly ambitious. It was only through her tireless efforts to pave his path that he managed to ascend to the highest ranks, earning the title of marquis and the position of prime minister.
As for the so-called “simple” family, it was nothing more than a harsh mother-in-law and a difficult, meddlesome sister-in-law.
Besides, that mother-in-law…
Once Shen Nanqiao married into that family and discovered the truth, would she still believe it to be a most fortunate marriage?
Nanny said that entering the palace was a poor choice, but to Shen Zhinian, that was the best path to freedom!
Her Yiniang8 was a commoner, but her beauty was extraordinary, and that was how she caught her father’s eye.
Originally, though her Yiniang was of humble birth, she had no desire to become a concubine, forced to live beneath the main wife’s gaze. But her father’s sweet words and solemn promises of lifelong devotion persuaded her to enter the Shen family, carried in by a small sedan chair.
Who could have imagined that after enduring near death to give birth to his child, her father would grow disgusted with her changed body, quickly taking a new concubine and casting her aside.
Her Yiniang, heartbroken, withered away and died of melancholy.
Since childhood, Shen Zhinian understood: a man’s promises and affections were the most unreliable things in the world. Only wealth, power, and influence were real.
The most exquisite treasures under heaven were all in the palace.
What man could offer greater glory than the Son of Heaven?
In her past life, during Shen Nanqiao’s second year in the palace, the Empress died of illness. The bloody struggle for the throne that followed plunged the harem into chaos.
This time, though Shen Zhinian was of humble birth, with her beauty and cunning, it wasn’t impossible to fight for a place at the top.
All she ever sought was glory and wealth, never true affection. Becoming a powerful imperial consort was far better than marrying that useless Lu Jianglin.
Madam Zhou’s eyes darkened as she observed Shen Zhinian carefully.
This concubine-born daughter had always been obedient, but who could say whether she’d set her sights on the riches and honor that rightfully belonged to Nanqiao?
If Shen Zhinian showed even the slightest hint of joy, Madam Zhou would ensure she was reminded of her place.
Of course, Shen Zhinian understood this. Even though Shen Nanqiao could make a grand show of offering to trade places, she herself could not appear eager to accept.
Otherwise, in her father and Dimu’s eyes, that would be seen as harboring wild ambitions—coveting what did not belong to her. That could only end badly.
So Shen Zhinian curled herself into her chair, watching Shen Nanqiao weep and beg while father and Dimu berated her, her expression full of fear and unease.
She was afraid.
Teeheehee… she was only pretending.
edited on : 3 May 2025
Footnotes
- 嫡姐 – legitimate elder sister, typically the daughter of the main or lawful wife in a family
- 嫡母 – legitimate mother, typically the wife from the main or lawful marriage
- 贵人 – Honored Lady
- 贵妃 – Noble Consort
- 妹/妹妹 Mei/Meimei – means younger sister. It can refer to a biological younger sister or someone younger in age
- 嬷嬷 – Senior Maid
- 秀才 – someone who passed the county-level exam
- 姨娘 – Concubine Mother
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