Phoenix Marriage

Zhao Lingshu, a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a noble young lady in the Great Qin Dynasty, finds herself in the Changshun Marquis Manor. The original Zhao Lingshu was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis, Zhao Bogeng, and his wife, Chang Huixin. However, the household is dominated by the Old Madam, Zhao Lingshu’s grandmother, who favors her second branch family, particularly her niece Luo Sitong and cousin Zhao Lingxi. The Old Madam holds a deep resentment toward Zhao Lingshu, believing her fierce temperament scared away a potential younger brother for the main branch. Consequently, she forces Zhao Lingshu to travel to Jin Guang Temple to kneel before the Buddha for seven days as a form of penance. Zhao Lingshu, aware that this is a malicious setup designed to exhaust and humiliate her, refuses to comply passively. She had previously been tricked by the original owner’s naivety into believing that sincere kneeling could summon a brother, but now she sees through the deception. When Nanny Qi, a servant sent by the Old Madam to supervise the punishment, pressures her, Zhao Lingshu cleverly turns the tables by suggesting that Nanny Qi kneel in her place, citing the common practice of hiring servants to pray on behalf of their masters. She then decides to descend the mountain immediately, defying the Old Madam’s orders.

As Zhao Lingshu travels back to the capital during a torrential downpour, her carriage is intercepted by men in black, who are revealed to be imperial guards serving Prince Qin, the sixth prince and a highly favored royal figure known for his military prowess and political influence. The guards demand her carriage for their injured master. Instead of submitting, Zhao Lingshu engages them in a sharp-witted verbal duel, threatening to report their bullying to the censors. Her boldness surprises the guards, and eventually, Prince Qin himself appears in her carriage. He is amused by her cunning and eloquence, noting that she is a pity for being born a woman, as she possesses the strategic mind of a capable aide. Zhao Lingshu navigates the interaction with equal sharpness, securing her safety and that of her attendants while maintaining her dignity. Upon returning to the manor, she faces immediate confrontation from the Old Madam, who scolds her for leaving the temple early and for being alone with a man. Zhao Lingshu counters by exposing the Old Madam’s hypocrisy and favoritism, causing chaos in the household that results in the Old Madam and her allies injuring themselves in a clumsy attempt to attack her.

The conflict escalates when the Old Madam attempts to force a dangerous folk remedy containing poisonous ingredients upon Chang Huixin in a bid to help her bear a son. Zhao Lingshu recognizes the remedy as a lethal plot and publicly accuses her grandmother of attempted murder. She refuses to let her mother drink the concoction, threatening to take the matter to the imperial court if necessary. This act of defiance protects her mother but further alienates her from the Old Madam and the second branch. That night, Zhao Lingshu shares a heartfelt conversation with her mother, warning her against consuming any more strange remedies and expressing her fear of losing her. The next morning, her father, Zhao Bogeng, confronts her for her disrespectful behavior, but Zhao Lingshu remains unyielding, determined to protect her mother and secure her own position in the hostile household. Her actions establish her as a formidable opponent to the corrupt elders, setting the stage for ongoing struggles within the manor.

Zhao Lingshu’s transmigration has given her the knowledge and mindset to challenge the traditional expectations placed upon noblewomen. Unlike the original owner, who was submissive and desperate for approval, Zhao Lingshu uses her wit and sharp tongue to dismantle the schemes of her relatives. Her encounter with Prince Qin introduces a potential alliance or complication, as his interest in her is noted. The core conflict revolves around the power dynamics within the Changshun Marquis Manor, where the main branch is marginalized by the Old Madam’s favoritism toward the second branch. Zhao Lingshu’s refusal to accept her fate as a victim marks a turning point, as she actively fights back against the abuse and manipulation directed at her and her mother. The story follows her efforts to navigate the treacherous family politics, protect her loved ones, and assert her independence in a society that seeks to constrain her.