How to Drive the High-Maintenance Beauty Crazy

Yu Mingyao lived a life of quiet suffering in her first existence, married to Xie Zhuoguang, the cold and aloof sixth son of the Duke of Xie. Though they shared a mutual affection born from their youth at the Pei family academy, their marriage was poisoned by Xie Zhuoguang’s deep-seated jealousy and mistrust, particularly regarding her cousin Pei Shang. For seven years, Yu Mingyao endured emotional neglect and barrenness, believing her efforts to connect with him were futile. The tragedy culminated in the destruction of her family; her grandmother died of sorrow, and her twin brother, Yu Jinnian, perished in a scandal that ruined his reputation. In her final moments, Yu Mingyao realized the depth of her love for Xie Zhuoguang only after losing him, regretting that their misunderstanding had cost them everything.

Upon waking, Yu Mingyao found herself reborn fourteen years old, traveling to the capital with her grandmother, Shi Luo, and her brother, Yu Jinnian, before her fateful marriage. Determined to avoid the pain of her past life, she resolved to reject both Xie Zhuoguang and Pei Shang, seeking only a peaceful life in her hometown of Suzhou. She deliberately distanced herself from the Pei family, avoiding the pond incident that had previously sparked her infatuation with Pei Shang. Instead, she focused on maintaining a low profile, dressing modestly and refusing to engage in the social climbing that had defined her previous attempts to win approval.

However, her attempts to remain invisible failed to deter those around her. During a shopping trip to Yunlou, she encountered both Pei Shang and Xie Zhuoguang. Pei Shang, initially mocking her background, became increasingly captivated by her confident and playful demeanor, which contrasted sharply with the timid girl he remembered. Xie Zhuoguang, meanwhile, felt an inexplicable disturbance whenever he looked at her. Her lingering glances and the sorrow in her eyes haunted him, triggering a possessive jealousy he could not explain. He purchased an expensive golden hairpin for her, a gesture of affection he had never shown in his previous life, yet she politely declined it, deepening his confusion and frustration.

Yu Mingyao enrolled in the Pei family academy alongside her brother, seeking to prove herself academically rather than socially. When Pei Shang organized a betting pool on who would rank last in the upcoming exams, Yu Jinnian and Pei Biyu placed bets on Yu Mingyao to finish in the top three. Xie Zhuoguang, disguised by an anonymous note, placed a substantial bet on her success as well. During the exams, Yu Mingyao displayed remarkable competence, writing essays with clarity and skill that surprised her peers. Her performance shattered the assumptions of those who had underestimated her, including Pei Lianzhu, who had openly mocked her.

The turning point arrived during the archery examination. Yu Jinnian’s horse panicked, and he was thrown into a dangerous gallop toward a steep slope. Without hesitation, Yu Mingyao pursued him on horseback, risking her own safety to rescue him. She successfully pulled him from the beast just before a fall, sustaining injuries in the process. Xie Zhuoguang and Pei Shang arrived moments later to find her cradling her brother, her face scratched but her expression one of fierce devotion. Witnessing her courage and selflessness, Xie Zhuoguang’s perception of her shifted irrevocably. He saw not a scheming woman, but a brave and loyal sister, which intensified his desire to understand her. Pei Shang, too, was drawn to her spirit, his earlier mockery replaced by genuine admiration and protectiveness.

As the story progresses, the dynamics between the characters begin to unravel the knots of the past. Yu Mingyao remains guarded, determined not to repeat her mistakes, but finds herself increasingly entangled with both Xie Zhuoguang and Pei Shang. Xie Zhuoguang, driven by a need to atone for his past indifference and to understand the source of her sorrow, begins to pursue her with a persistence that contrasts with his usual coldness. Pei Shang, no longer the frivolous dandy, becomes a steadfast ally and confidant. The narrative sets the stage for Yu Mingyao to navigate a new path, one where she might reclaim her family’s honor, protect her brother, and potentially find a love that is built on mutual respect rather than misunderstanding.