Has the Grand Secretary Begged for Forgiveness Today?

Xue Ning lived a tragic life as the neglected wife of Su Zhan, the powerful Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet. Orphaned and raised by Madam Jiang in the Xuanyi Marquis Mansion, she was forced into a marriage with Su Zhan ten years prior through a scheme involving drugged wine. Despite her devotion, Su Zhan harbored deep resentment, viewing her as a woman who had stolen his position as the legitimate wife, while his heart belonged entirely to Princess Xiuning. Five years into their marriage, a misunderstanding led to a miscarriage attributed to Xue Ning, causing Su Zhan to banish her to a dilapidated mansion in Yongzhou. There, she endured years of abuse, neglect, and poverty, eventually dying in a fire set by Su Zhan to eliminate her permanently. As she burned, her hatred and regret consumed her.

Upon opening her eyes, Xue Ning discovered she had been reborn ten years into the past, returning to the day she originally planned to drug Su Zhan’s wine to force a marriage. Determined to avoid the painful fate she had just endured, she intercepted the cup of wine in front of the entire household and poured it out, effectively preventing the incident that had sealed her doom. She resolved to live for herself, seeking freedom from her obsessive love for Su Zhan and aiming to marry a man who would cherish her. Her first act of rebellion was to publicly declare her desire to acknowledge Madam Jiang as her mother, thereby establishing a sibling bond with Su Zhan and removing any possibility of marriage between them in the eyes of society.

This decision shocked the Marquis Mansion. Su Zhan, who had always viewed Xue Ning as a clingy nuisance, was confused by her sudden detachment and refusal to seek his attention. While he remained cold and indifferent, he found himself irritated by her apparent lack of interest. Xue Ning, however, felt a profound sense of relief. She began to mend her relationship with Madam Jiang, whom she realized had always cared for her deeply, and distanced herself from Su Zhan and Princess Xiuning. She also confronted her cousin Su Xi, who had previously mocked her, asserting her dignity and protecting her family’s reputation.

As Xue Ning settled into her new role as Madam Jiang’s daughter, she faced the reality of her weakened health and the political maneuvering within the noble circles. Su Xi’s marriage prospects became a focal point, with Liu Shi of the Second Branch pushing for a union with Lu Siling, Xue Ning’s cousin. Xue Ning recognized that this path had led to suffering in her past life and sought to alter the course of events for her relatives. Meanwhile, Su Zhan continued to observe her from a distance, unsettled by her transformation from a desperate suitor to a composed young woman who treated him with polite indifference.

The story follows Xue Ning as she navigates the complex social hierarchy of the Marquis Mansion, striving to build a life independent of Su Zhan’s shadow. She prepares for her Acknowledgment Banquet, an event that will formally cement her status and open doors for a new marriage arrangement. Her journey is one of healing from past trauma, redefining her identity, and making strategic choices to protect those she loves. While Su Zhan remains oblivious to the depth of her past suffering, Xue Ning is determined to ensure that she never again becomes a victim of his coldness or the rigid expectations of her family.