After the Divorce, Emptying Half the Capital to Go into Exile

Xia Xing'er, the legitimate daughter of the Changxin Marquis, returns to her marital home in the Xuan Yuan Dynasty capital after three years of her husband Helian Zhi being away at war. Upon his return, Helian Zhi announces that he intends to marry Ye Qingyu, a female general he met on the battlefield, as an equal wife alongside Xia Xing'er. He claims their hearts are aligned and that the Empress Dowager's decree allowed their marriage, yet he demands Xia Xing'er accept this arrangement to preserve the family's honor. Xia Xing'er, who had spent three years managing the declining General's Manor and subsidizing its expenses with her own substantial dowry, realizes that her devotion has been met with ingratitude and betrayal.

Unbeknownst to those around her, Xia Xing'er has been reborn. In her previous life, she had agreed to Helian Zhi's request, only to be demoted to the status of a concubine after her family fell from grace. She was subsequently stripped of her dowry and tormented to death by the Helian family. Armed with the knowledge of future tragedies, including the impending exile and death of her entire family due to political intrigue involving Zhennan Wang, she resolves to change her fate. Instead of pleading or showing jealousy, she coldly rejects Helian Zhi's demands, returns the household keys to his mother, and declares she will no longer manage the estate or subsidize their lifestyle.

Helian Zhi and his family, accustomed to exploiting her generosity, are shocked by her sudden defiance. They attempt to guilt and manipulate her, with the Old Madam and Helian Rong accusing her of jealousy and unfilial behavior. Undeterred, Xia Xing'er proceeds to the imperial palace and petitions the Empress Dowager for a Divorce Decree. She argues that since Helian Zhi has broken his vow to love only her, she should not be the obstacle preventing him from marrying his true love. The Empress Dowager, moved by Xia Xing'er's past kindness and current plight, grants the divorce. The Emperor issues the decree, officially dissolving the marriage and allowing Helian Zhi to wed Ye Qingyu.

Upon receiving the decree, Xia Xing'er immediately retrieves her dowry, including cash, estates, and shops, leaving the General's Manor with nothing but its debts. The Helian family, realizing they have lost their financial lifeline, attempts to seize her remaining assets, but the imperial decree protects her rights. Xia Xing'er returns to the Changxin Marquisate, where she is warmly welcomed by her loving parents and brothers. She reveals to her family that she has been reborn and warns them of the imminent political disaster awaiting their house due to their association with Zhennan Wang.

As the family prepares for the coming crisis, an unexpected imperial edict arrives, bestowing Xia Xing'er upon Zhennan Wang Xuanyuan Yi as his wife. This decree, issued by Emperor Shunkang to weaken Zhennan Wang's influence by marrying him to a divorced woman, serves as a pivotal turning point. Zhennan Wang, who had long harbored feelings for Xia Xing'er and had secretly supported Helian Zhi's military career out of affection for her, accepts the decree with hidden joy. The narrative shifts from domestic betrayal to political maneuvering, as Xia Xing'er must now navigate her new role as Wangfei while working with her family and Zhennan Wang to avert the tragic fate that befell them in her previous life.