Daily Life of a Marquis’s Widow Raising Children in Exile

Xie Mingzhu transmigrates into the body of the Marquis Zhenyuan’s widow just one day after the funeral. As the eldest sister-in-law, she is responsible for five children from four different mothers, including her own two-year-old daughter. The household is wealthy and holds an Imperial Mandate, but the political landscape is volatile. That night, a coup attempt by the Second Prince fails, leading to a massive purge. Because the Marquis’s maternal uncle supported the rebel, the entire household is implicated in treason. Their wealth is confiscated, and they are sentenced to exile in Lingnan, a remote southern region known for its miasma and dangerous wildlife.

Thrown into a dungeon, Xie Mingzhu faces the harsh reality of their new status as convicted criminals. With no money, no servants, and five hungry children, she must adapt quickly to ensure their survival. When the exile procession begins, she employs a ruthless strategy: she smears her family with foul-smelling mud and urine to make them appear repulsive and unappealing to the escorts. This tactic successfully protects her sister-in-law and daughters from sexual assault, which is a common fate for female exiles. While other families in the convoy suffer greatly, with some daughters sacrificing their bodies for food and others choosing death to preserve their honor, Xie Mingzhu’s family remains intact by embracing their status as outcasts.

The journey to Lingnan is brutal. Many exiles die from exhaustion, disease, or violence inflicted by the escorts. Xie Mingzhu maintains a cold pragmatism, teaching her children to survive rather than maintain dignity. Upon reaching the border, they are handed over to local officials from Guangmao County, a poor area desperate for population growth. The local constable, Yang Defa, treats them with unexpected kindness, removing their shackles and providing food. He reveals that the county has a severe gender imbalance and plans to arrange marriages for the unmarried women among the exiles.

Yang Defa proposes a match between Xiao Mo’er, Xie Mingzhu’s sister-in-law, and his literate brother-in-law. Although Xiao Mo’er is initially distressed, she accepts the arrangement, recognizing it as the best option for survival. Xie Mingzhu also negotiates a favorable placement for herself, hoping to avoid a bad match. As they travel further into Lingnan, the environment is lush but harsh, filled with strange fruits and dangerous animals. Xie Mingzhu uses her modern knowledge to identify edible plants and navigate the new world, gaining the respect of her children and the cautious admiration of other exiles who had previously scorned her.

The story follows their arrival in Guangmao County, where they must rebuild their lives from scratch. Xie Mingzhu faces the challenge of raising five children with different backgrounds while navigating the social dynamics of a remote frontier town. She forms tentative alliances with other female exiles who have also survived the journey through sacrifice, recognizing that they will need each other in this unfamiliar land. The narrative highlights the stark contrast between her former life of luxury and her current reality, emphasizing her determination to protect her family against all odds in a world that offers them little mercy.