Rebirth: After Returning to the Capital, the Duke's Daughter Goes Mad

Dou Xueci was the sole legitimate heir of the Duke of Protecting the Nation. Following her father’s death in battle, she spent three years in Yongzhou observing mourning rites, during which she survived numerous assassination attempts. Upon her return to the capital, she discovered that her mother, Madam Zou, had adopted a foster daughter named Zhuang Wanqing. In her previous life, Dou Xueci had been manipulated by her mother and cousin, Zou Yunjian, into believing their false affection. Zhuang Wanqing stole her identity, won the affection of the Crown Prince and the Top Scholar, and ultimately orchestrated Dou Xueci’s torture and death. After spending ten years as a wandering ghost, Dou Xueci was reborn on the boat journey back to the capital, determined to exact revenge and reclaim her life.

Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, Dou Xueci faced immediate humiliation. Her family sent a disreputable second cousin, Dou Minghuai, to escort her in a shabby sedan chair, intending to damage her reputation. Instead of reacting with the explosive anger she had displayed in her past life, Dou Xueci remained composed and cold. When Princess Langhuan arrived to pick her up, she was outraged by the treatment and ordered Dou Minghuai to kneel in the snow for an hour. In the palace, Dou Xueci secured the loyalty of four imperial shadow guards and the medical expertise of Mu He, gifts from her aunt, the Empress. She returned to the Duke’s residence and immediately asserted her authority by demanding the return of her personal belongings, which Madam Zou had moved to Zhuang Wanqing’s quarters under the guise of caring for the foster daughter.

Dou Xueci systematically dismantled the schemes of her family. She exposed Dou Minghuai’s infidelity and disrespect, leading to his public beating by the Old Matriarch. She then turned her attention to the household management, appointing loyal assistants and purging corrupt servants. When a stewardess attempted to sabotage Madam Zou’s upcoming birthday banquet by supplying inferior flowers, Dou Xueci anticipated the trap. She planted evidence implicating the stewardess in theft and framed the incident as a failure of Madam Zou’s supervision, forcing the Old Matriarch to confine Madam Zou for three months. This move allowed Dou Xueci to seize full control of the household accounts and authority.

Her cousin, Zou Yunjian, returned to the capital, feigning deep concern for her well-being. In her past life, Dou Xueci had viewed him as her only true ally, unaware that he harbored a twisted jealousy of her strength and vitality. He had conspired with Madam Zou to weaken her physically and mentally. Recognizing his true nature, Dou Xueci politely distanced herself from him while secretly ordering her shadow guards to monitor his every move. She understood that Zou Yunjian was a venomous snake hiding behind a mask of sickness and affection.

The core conflict centers on Dou Xueci’s struggle to survive in a household that views her as a target for exploitation. Madam Zou and Zhuang Wanqing continue to plot against her, using social pressure and familial duty to isolate her. However, Dou Xueci leverages her imperial connections and her newfound political acumen to outmaneuver them. She refuses to be the victim of their schemes, instead turning their own tactics against them. The story follows her gradual consolidation of power within the Duke’s residence, as she strips away the support systems of her enemies and protects those who remained loyal to her, such as her nursemaid and foster brother.

As the narrative progresses, Dou Xueci prepares for the upcoming polo gathering, a social event where the elite of the capital will be present. She anticipates further attacks from Zhuang Wanqing, who seeks to maintain her position as the favorite daughter and potential crown princess. Dou Xueci’s journey is one of cold calculation and strategic retaliation. She no longer seeks the love of her family but rather their submission and destruction. The story highlights her transformation from a naive, spirited young woman into a formidable figure who commands respect through fear and competence, setting the stage for a larger confrontation with the imperial court and her former suitors.