Steal My Fated Marriage? Fine—I’ll Wed the Tyrant and Seize the Throne! - Chapter 2

Seeing Shen Zhinian behave obediently as usual, Madam Zhou finally felt somewhat satisfied.

Although Father Shen had always been indifferent toward this concubine’s daughter, he would not go so far as to push his own flesh and blood into a pit of fire. Thus, the husband he selected for Shen Zhinian was indeed a good match.

Lu Jianglin was a talented man. Marrying into the Lu family meant enduring a few years of poverty, but once he achieved scholarly success, the life that followed would surely be one of ease and comfort.

Still, how could that compare to becoming the woman of an Emperor?

Father Shen could not understand what kind of stubbornness had possessed his beloved legitimate daughter. She turned her back on boundless wealth and glory, insisting instead on marrying Lu Jianglin!

Annoyed by Shen Nanqiao’s endless pleas, he waved his hand impatiently, signaling for them to leave.

Seeing the determined glint of victory in Shen Nanqiao’s eyes, Shen Zhinian’s lips curved slightly. She quietly returned to her courtyard, waiting patiently.

Sure enough.

As the day of the imperial selection approached, Shen Nanqiao, with an air of righteous sacrifice, successfully convinced both her father and mother. Thus, her marriage to Lu Jianglin was officially decided.

Shen Zhinian did not know what methods her father employed, but in the end, she, a concubine’s daughter, was truly sent in place of the legitimate daughter to participate in the imperial selection.

Just as she had wished.

“…Zhinian, though you are a concubine’s child, your mother and Dijie have never looked down on you. Entering the palace and becoming His Majesty’s consort is a blessing many women can only dream of. Your Dijie has graciously given this golden opportunity to you.

“You must remember the kindness of your mother and Dijie. When you gain His Majesty’s favor in the future, do not forget the Shen family. Do you understand?”

Father Shen had never spoken to her with such a gentle expression before.

Madam Zhou, too, regarded her with a face full of benevolence.

“Though Zhinian did not come from my womb, in my heart, there is no difference between you and Nanqiao.

“If you can catch His Majesty’s eye during the selection and secure a bright future, only then will my heart finally be at ease.”

Watching the pair’s affectionate facade, Shen Zhinian could only sneer inwardly.

Father was cold and distant.

Dimu was a woman with a gentle appearance but a cruel heart. For the sake of her reputation, she had never openly mistreated her, but there were countless subtle ways to make someone suffer within the inner residence. Since childhood, Shen Zhinian had endured countless such silent torments.

Had she not learned to hide her sharp edges and endure in silence, Dimu would never have allowed her to grow up safely.

Now that the matter was already set in stone, and there was no longer any reason to discard a useful chess piece, they treated her with such warmth.

If it was all just an act, who couldn’t play along?

“Your daughter will remember Father and Mother’s teachings! It’s just that…”

Shen Zhinian bit her lip, her captivating eyes reflecting both the confusion of the unknown path ahead and the trepidation of an uncertain future.

“Those who enter the imperial selection are all legitimate daughters. As a concubine’s child, if I were to be blamed, it would be a small matter. But if His Majesty dismisses me for this reason, wasting the rare opportunity Father secured for the Shen family, then the fault would be mine…”

She did not care about the difference between legitimate and illegitimate birth—to her, fate was determined by oneself, not by the heavens. Yet, the eyes of the world were not as she wished them to be.

With the status of a legitimate daughter, her path forward would undoubtedly become smoother.

In any case, she was about to enter the imperial selection. No matter what, Dimu would no longer dare lay a hand on her, and the Shen family would treat her far better than before.

She was no fool. Why would she willingly give up the chance to secure greater benefits for herself?

“What Zhinian says is reasonable. It was I who failed to consider things thoroughly. From today onwards, you will be registered under your mother’s name and regarded as a legitimate daughter.”

Shen Nanqiao frowned, voicing her objection. “As a daughter of the Shen family, one must be as pure as a chrysanthemum. How could Meimei scheme for the status of a legitimate daughter?”

Father Shen’s voice turned cold. “Enough! Nothing is more important than the future of the Shen family. Zhinian’s words are correct. This matter is settled!”

Madam Zhou, already displeased from the arranged marriage switch, was even more resentful now. Yet, she dared not defy Father Shen’s decision.

She could only swallow her anger, forcing a smile and a gentle demeanor as she gave her assent.

Shen Nanqiao’s gaze held disdain, her posture lofty and aloof, but she did not protest further.

She would simply regard this as compensation for Shen Zhinian. Even so, the bitterness of it was not so easily swallowed.

For the first time, Shen Zhinian witnessed the mother and daughter suffering a setback. Though her heart surged with satisfaction, her face remained as obedient as ever. “Yes.”

In terms of appearance, Shen Nanqiao was indeed more delicate and fair.

Yet, Shen Zhinian, who resembled her birth mother, possessed an innate allure—a soft, captivating grace. Whenever the two of them appeared together, the eyes of the crowd would inevitably be drawn to Shen Zhinian.

Father Shen, a man himself, understood this well. No man could resist a woman with natural charm. She would undoubtedly be selected, and she would win the Emperor’s favor.

To him, whether it was Shen Nanqiao or Shen Zhinian who entered the imperial selection made little difference—they were both his daughters. Thus, he saw no harm in offering more kindness now, ensuring that Shen Zhinian would remember his favor in the future.

“Zhinian, you need not worry. Whether you are selected or not, you will always be a cherished daughter of mine. Your status as the legitimate daughter of the Shen family will not change.”

Shen Zhinian inwardly rolled her eyes.

Father spoke beautifully, but as always, there was no real substance behind his words. Just like back then, when he coaxed Yiniang into becoming a concubine—grand promises, none of which had ever materialized.

Still, she responded with a sweet compliance, her face full of admiration, appearing every bit the obedient and filial daughter. She “accidentally” revealed her frayed sleeves.

Father Shen, pleased with her docility, and Madam Zhou, believing they had Shen Zhinian firmly in their grasp. In their eyes, if she were to enter the palace, she would inevitably become an asset to the family. Without hesitation, they rewarded her generously, bestowing fine treasures upon her.

Among them were several expensive pieces of jewelry—items that, in her past life, had been part of Shen Nanqiao’s dowry, far beyond anything Shen Zhinian could have dreamed of possessing back then.

Thinking of the growing wealth of her private treasury, Shen Zhinian’s smile finally held a touch of genuine warmth.

She was not one to be satisfied with empty promises—only tangible benefits would do.

Yet, Shen Nanqiao’s expression darkened. Unable to contain herself, she sought Shen Zhinian out in private.

Curious, Shen Zhinian greeted her with a gentle smile. “Dijie, what brings you here at this hour?”

Shen Nanqiao gave a cold huff. “Meimei, do you really think that just because you’re entering the imperial selection, you’ll have a chance to rise to glory?”

As she spoke, her gaze took on a cryptic, condescending edge. “Even if you are selected, what is a moment of fleeting glory? No one knows what the future holds.”

Feigning confusion, Shen Zhinian blinked innocently. “Dijie, what do you mean by that?”

Seeing her bewildered expression, Shen Nanqiao felt a surge of superiority. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just remember—Jiejie¹ gave you this opportunity. You’d best make the most of it.”

In this life, it was finally her turn to become a first-rank titled lady. As for a scheming woman like Shen Zhinian, she was destined for a miserable end within the cold, treacherous walls of the inner palace.

Shen Nanqiao smiled serenely, as elegant as a chrysanthemum, and left in high spirits.

Shen Zhinian watched her retreating figure, the mockery in her eyes replacing her earlier façade of obedience.

Teehee… Let’s see, then. Now that fate has reversed, will Dijie truly thrive in the Lu family this time around?

edited on: 14 Apr 2025

Footnotes

1. 姐/姐姐 means older sister. It can refer to a biological older sister or simply someone older in age