At the Scene of the House Raid, I Clung to the Powerful Minister’s Thigh and Called Him Husband

Zhuang Wan transmigrates into the body of a noblewoman whose family has been accused of treason, leading to the confiscation of their property and the exile of the men while the women are sentenced to the Bureau of Music, a grim institution that effectively serves as a state-run brothel. Having read the novel in her previous life, she knows her original fate is to die in misery within that establishment. The male protagonist, Pei Xingju, is the powerful Imperial Tutor who is currently suffering from amnesia following a poisoning attempt. Seizing the only opportunity for survival, Zhuang Wan confronts the officials arriving to take her away and demands to see Pei Xingju. When he arrives, she dramatically clings to his leg and claims to be his secret lover, leveraging his memory loss to create a public scandal that forces the officials to retreat in fear of offending such a high-ranking minister.

Pei Xingju, though suspicious and unable to recall any such relationship, allows the charade to continue because Zhuang Wan knows details about his amnesia that should be private, suggesting she is either a threat or possesses valuable information. He brings her into his estate under the guise of protecting his reputation, but in reality, he intends to monitor her closely. Zhuang Wan is placed in a secluded courtyard guarded by two skilled but subservient maids, effectively placing her under house arrest. Despite the danger, she maintains her composure, treating her confinement with a mix of defiance and strategic compliance. She quickly establishes dominance over her guards by renaming them and demanding luxury goods, testing Pei Xingju’s patience and forcing him to concede to her requests to maintain the appearance of a doting lover.

The political landscape surrounding them is tense. Pei Xingju is embroiled in a power struggle with the Liang family, who control the Ministry of Rites and are attempting to embezzle tax funds under the pretext of building a temple. Zhuang Wan becomes an unwitting pawn in this conflict, as Pei Xingju uses their public displays of affection to counteract impeachment memorials and cultivate a public image of loyalty and righteousness. During an outing, Zhuang Wan catches a glimpse of a mysterious young man in white associated with the Liang family, triggering a subconscious sense of familiarity that hints at a deeper connection between the original host and this stranger. Meanwhile, Zhuang Wan experiences disturbing nightmares that mirror the brutal fate of the original Zhuang Wan, reinforcing her urgency to escape her lowly status permanently.

As days pass, the dynamic between Zhuang Wan and Pei Xingju evolves into a complex dance of manipulation and mutual observation. Zhuang Wan seeks to gain his trust not only for protection but to secure the resources needed for a future escape, while Pei Xingju probes her for any hidden agendas. The narrative establishes a fragile equilibrium where both parties are aware of the deception yet choose to sustain it for their respective survival. Zhuang Wan’s sharp wit and modern perspective clash with the rigid constraints of the ancient court, setting the stage for a prolonged struggle where she must navigate the treacherous waters of political intrigue while hiding the fact that she is an outsider in time and identity.