Jiahe Seventeenth Year, the third day of the ninth month.
It was early autumn, but the weather had not yet turned cold. In a private room on the second floor of a restaurant near the North City Gate, the street-facing window was wide open. Zhuang Hui stood by the window with her stepsister Zhao Jingzhi, waiting for General Tang to enter the city after his great victory.
They were not waiting for General Tang, but for Zhao Changting, who would be entering the city alongside him. Zhao Changting was Zhao Jingzhi’s full-blooded older brother and Zhuang Hui’s stepbrother.
Seven years ago, after their father, Marquis Changping, remarried, Zhao Changting quarreled with him in anger. At the time, he was only a twelve-year-old boy, yet in a fit of rage, he ran away from home to seek out his uncle, General Tang Shinian, who was stationed in Mobei.
Once he left, he never returned.
Over the course of seven years, he had grown from a twelve-year-old boy into a nineteen-year-old young man. He had followed General Tang onto the battlefield numerous times, and in the recent decisive victory of Daliang over the Xiongnu, he had made significant contributions.
Now that the Xiongnu had completely surrendered and traveled thousands of miles to the capital to offer tribute to Daliang, he and Tang Shinian were not only tasked with escorting them but also returning to the capital to receive their rewards.
Although they had not seen each other for seven years, he was, after all, her own brother. So, when Zhao Jingzhi received the news some days ago, she was overjoyed. Today, she had come to find Zhuang Hui before dawn, asking her to accompany her to the city gate to wait for his arrival.
But Zhuang Hui could not share in her joy, for she had been plagued by nightmares for nearly a month.
And the cause of those nightmares was Zhao Changting.
At first, she did not know it was Zhao Changting. She thought that as she grew older and her mother became increasingly anxious about arranging her marriage, the constant reminders had seeped into her dreams, causing her to dream of a handsome man.
After all, he truly was a handsome man—dressed in silver armor, with skin as fair as jade and features as striking as Pan An. Most importantly, he was young and imposing, wielding a red-tasseled spear in a way that stirred her heart.
But as the dreams repeated, with each new dream continuing from the last, forming a coherent storyline, she began to sense that something was amiss.
Finally, three days ago, after dreaming once more of meeting Zhao Changting for the first time and then of her own death, she remembered that she was not merely an ordinary time traveler—she had transmigrated into a novel.
She had transmigrated eight years ago, arriving in this fictional dynasty called Daliang. At the time, her mother, Zhuang Mingxiang, had just divorced her father and was taking her back to her maternal family in the capital.
Back then, she had transmigrated into an eight-year-old girl who shared her name, Zhuang Hui. Faced with a timeline and plot completely different from the novel she had read before her transmigration, she had not connected it to the story. Over the years, she had long forgotten about it.
Only now did she recall that she had transmigrated into a historical romance novel titled Wangfu Xiaochuniang, whose female protagonist was Wang Li—also a transmigrator.
Her name was Zhuang Hui, following her mother’s surname, while Wang Li followed her father’s surname. They were twins.
When the sisters were eight years old, their parents divorced. Wang Li chose to stay in Mobei with their father, Wang Huaiyuan, while Zhuang Hui returned to her maternal family in the capital with their mother, Zhuang Mingxiang.
“The Wangfu Xiaochuniang” is a medium-length novel of only about three hundred thousand words. It mainly tells the story of the female protagonist, Wang Li, who travels back to ancient times and, relying on the excellent culinary skills she learned from running her family’s restaurant, finds true love through cooking delicious food, wins the affection of the second and third male leads, and humiliates all those who looked down on her for being the daughter of a minor official yet becoming a princess consort—ultimately making everyone fall in love with the food she creates.
The novel is short and primarily focuses on her romance and capabilities, so her twin sister, Zhuang Hui, and their mother, Zhuang Mingxiang, are barely mentioned.
Her mother, Zhuang Mingxiang, remarried later and lived quite well, but whenever she saw her daughter, she was filled with immense guilt. Secretly, she both protected and helped her, but Wang Li deeply disliked this kind of woman who abandoned her husband and daughter to climb the social ladder, so she never forgave her.
As for her sister, Zhuang Hui, because she looked exactly like Wang Li and coincidentally became the stepsister of the second male lead, Zhao Changting, Zhao—unable to win Wang Li’s affection—took Zhuang Hui as her substitute. He forcibly seized her, kept her confined by his side, and she died young, her beauty fading early.
Zhuang Hui vaguely remembers that in the book, the female protagonist even fell out with the second male lead over this.
They only fell out, but Zhuang Hui lost her life!
Now that she has transmigrated into Zhuang Hui of the Daliang Dynasty, will she… die?
She is only sixteen in this era. Even though ancient people had shorter lifespans, normally one should still live to forty or fifty, right? Dying before twenty would be such a waste!
Death is not an option—it’s better to live poorly than die well!
Besides, she is truly satisfied with this new life. Her mother loves and cares for her deeply, her stepfather loves her for her mother’s sake, and even the Houfu Laofuren is kind-hearted. After seven years of living together, she already treats Zhuang Hui like her own granddaughter.
Because the second branch of the Houfu is far away in Jinling, the third branch is in Fujian, and the fourth branch, being of lesser status, has low visibility, the household is simple. The only girls are her and her stepsister, Zhao Jingzhi, and the two are now as close as biological sisters. No one in the entire household gives her a hard time.
And…
Zhuang Hui is as ordinary as they come. In her previous life, she lived in modern society, her family conditions were average, and she had a younger brother. Her parents favored sons over daughters, pouring all the family resources into her brother. So, if she wanted to buy a house or a car, she had to work herself to the bone, taking on two jobs to earn money. In the end, she died from exhaustion.
But after transmigrating, the Zhuang family were merchants. Her mother, Zhuang Mingxiang, influenced by her family background, was quite skilled at making money, so Zhuang Hui never lacked for funds.
After Zhuang Mingxiang remarried Changping Hou Zhao Chengping, because Zhao Chengping treated Zhuang Hui as his own, she now, although she hasn’t changed her surname or been added to the Zhao family register, is regarded by everyone in the Zhao household and their relatives and friends as a proper young lady of the Zhao family.
She has money, influence, a courtyard full of servants—some to accompany her in eating, drinking, and having fun, others to take care of her daily needs. This is simply a stroke of incredible transmigration luck, a heavenly life she wouldn’t have dared to dream of in her previous life!
With such a good life, only a fool would want to die.
So, no matter how much she resists Zhao Changting from the bottom of her heart, today she still came to this restaurant with Zhao Jingzhi, hoping to see Zhao Changting early and confirm whether he looks the same as in her dreams.
“It’s been seven years, Sister Hui. I haven’t seen Big Brother in seven years,” Zhao Jingzhi hugged Zhuang Hui’s arm, her tone suddenly downcast. “I wonder if he still recognizes me…”
The little girl had been elated for many days, and today especially so. That’s why, seeing her now with furrowed brows and a drooping little face, Zhuang Hui snapped completely out of her reverie.
Gently pinching Zhao Jingzhi’s still chubby, baby-faced cheeks, she comforted her, “You’re his own sister. He’ll definitely recognize you.”
Zhao Jingzhi tilted her head, thought for a moment, and smiled. “That makes sense!”
“I may not look like Father, but I take after Mother. I was only two when Mother passed, too young to remember what she looked like. But Big Brother was already ten then—he must remember!”
Zhuang Hui nodded with a smile. “Exactly.”
Zhao Jingzhi stared at Zhuang Hui, mesmerized.
Sister Hui was five years older than her. While she herself was still a bundle of childishness, Sister Hui stood half a head taller, with hair like clouds, features as if painted, and skin fairer than snow. Even Grandmother, who had seen many beauties, said Sister Hui was truly stunning.
Zhao Jingzhi also thought Zhuang Hui was beautiful. Though she saw this face and this smile every day, for a moment she forgot what she had just said and only murmured dazedly, “Sister Hui, you look so lovely when you smile. I’m practically dazzled.”
Zhuang Hui was the type who knew she was beautiful. Even before her transmigration, she had been quite good-looking, and after crossing over, she seemed like an upgraded version of herself—even more stunning.
But knowing was one thing; being praised, especially by Zhao Jingzhi, who stared at her with such heartfelt admiration, made her both happy and a little embarrassed.
So she lightly tapped Zhao Jingzhi’s forehead and chided, “You! Don’t talk nonsense!”
Zhao Jingzhi wanted to say she wasn’t talking nonsense, but suddenly a shout came from downstairs: “They’re entering the city! General Tang is entering the city!”
If General Tang was entering the city, that meant Big Brother was entering too!
Zhao Jingzhi could think of nothing else now. She hurriedly leaned out the window to look.
Afraid she might accidentally fall, Zhuang Hui held her arm with one hand and wrapped the other around her shoulder, both protecting her and gazing toward the city gate.
The distance was considerable, so they could only see the first group of infantry entering the city. At the front, two soldiers flanked the procession, each carrying a flag bearing the character “Liang.”
Only after they had moved further in did they see General Tang, flanked by his lieutenants as he entered the city. He appeared to be in his forties, tall and imposing even on horseback, exuding an aura of power and majesty.
“Big Brother! I see Big Brother!” Zhao Jingzhi suddenly cried out excitedly.
General Tang had enlisted at sixteen and fought in countless battles, large and small. Since becoming a commander, he had won nine out of ten battles, making him a hero in the hearts of Daliang’s people. Now, as he returned victorious, cheers calling his name rose from both upstairs and downstairs around the North City Gate.
Amid the waves of cheers and clamor, Zhuang Hui shifted her gaze away from General Tang.
“Sister Hui, look! The one on General Tang’s right is my big brother!” Zhao Jingzhi pointed him out to Zhuang Hui. “Even though I don’t remember his face anymore, he’s so handsome and fair-skinned—it must be him!”
Following Zhao Jingzhi’s direction, Zhuang Hui looked at the person on General Tang’s right.
The distance was too great to make out his features clearly, but with just one glance, Zhuang Hui froze, her entire body turning ice-cold.
Clad in silver armor and holding a Red-tasseled Spear, even from a distance, one could make out his sharp brows, bright eyes, and handsome features. Standing to the right of General Tang, he held his head slightly raised, his back straight. Though his youth made him appear less imposing than General Tang, he radiated the spirited confidence and dignified bearing unique to a young man.
Just… just like in her dream!
Zhao Jingzhi exclaimed, “Big Brother really is just as Grandmother said—he takes after Mother, with fair skin by nature. Look, Sister Hui! Even after years of exposure to wind and sun in Mobei, Big Brother is still fairer than everyone around him!”
Though they hadn’t grown up together, Zhao Jingzhi had been raised by the Houfu Laofuren, who often spoke of Zhao Changting. So even after seven years apart, she still felt close to her big brother and couldn’t help but boast, “Sister Hui, Big Brother looks so imposing and dignified, doesn’t he?”
Zhuang Hui’s gaze remained fixed on the scene below, and she didn’t hear a word.
Frowning, Zhao Jingzhi was about to repeat herself when Zhao Changting, who had drawn closer, suddenly looked up, his eyes meeting theirs from afar. As his younger sister, Zhao Jingzhi felt no fear despite his expressionless and stern demeanor. She waved joyfully toward the street below, calling out, “Big Brother! Big Brother, I’m here!”
Zhuang Hui had long since released Zhao Jingzhi’s hand, gripping the windowsill tightly instead.
He was looking over—Zhao Changting was looking over!
Just like in her dream of their first meeting: the same silver armor, the same face, the same expressionless and sharp gaze.
And just like in the dream, his eyes soon settled on her, lingering as if momentarily stunned.
Zhuang Hui couldn’t help but recall the recurring nightmares she’d had—dreams where she was Wang Li’s substitute, a counterfeit. In them, Zhao Changting, unable to win Wang Li’s love, kept her by his side against her will.
From then on, she lost not only her freedom but also endured endless Jiangjiang Niangniang from Zhao Changting. Fearing both the ruin of her reputation and her mother’s heartbreak, she lived cautiously, trembling in fear, trapped in misery and sorrow.
And soon after, she died of depression.
At this thought, Zhuang Hui, who had already lowered her gaze, abruptly turned and hurried away from the window.
Author’s Note:
Reading Guide:
PS: Recommending my new book, “Marrying the Brother of the Former Husband (Rebirth)”
Synopsis:
Shortly after Cheng Shuning is reborn, she is threatened by her former husband’s cold, stern, and inscrutable older brother, Zhou Congqian: “Leave him, and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Remembering how, in her past life, when the Cheng family was convicted and imprisoned, her husband Zhou Conglian not only ignored her pleas but also demoted her to a concubine and married another, while it was Zhou Congqian who extended a helping hand and saved her family—
This time, Cheng Shuning didn’t refuse outright as she had before. Instead, she said, “Then I want you.”
For the first time in two lifetimes, she saw the man look shocked.
But in the end, he nodded, his tone laced with sarcasm: “Only as a concubine.”
He was the heir to a marquis’s household, while she was the daughter of a minor seventh-rank official. The chasm between their statuses was too vast—she truly couldn’t become his wife.
But Cheng Shuning said, “I’d rather be your outside residence, so we won’t be under the same roof and disrupt your household peace.”
Once again, she saw the man’s stunned expression, but after a moment of silence, he agreed.
True to her word, Cheng Shuning severed ties with Zhou Conglian and became Zhou Congqian’s outside residence.
She had originally planned to be his outside residence for a couple of years to placate him, waiting for him to rescue her mother and younger brother before leaving him, so her family could live a peaceful life together.
Little did she know that in less than two years, the man would transform from looking down on her with disdain to kneeling by her side, holding her hand and begging her to stay, to become his properly wedded wife.
Zhou Conglian loved Cheng Shuning so much that, despite the vast difference in their statuses, he wanted to marry her.
But who could have expected that not only would his parents disapprove, but even his admired and respected older brother would oppose it?
When Cheng Shuning found him and insisted on severing ties, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had truly been wrong.
It was only later that he discovered how shameless his seemingly upright and honorable older brother truly was—opposing his marriage to Cheng Shuning while keeping her by his own side, and later even marrying her with an eight-carriage sedan, making her his sister-in-law!
When Zhou Conglian learned that Cheng Shuning had been forced by his older brother to sever ties with him, he was furious, suddenly filled with a desire to kill his brother.
If his brother died, Ningning would have only him left, and he would take good care of Ningning in his brother’s place.