Rebirth Daughter: I’ll Choose the Prince

Chu Muqing, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquis, returns to the capital after years of exile in Hezhou with her second uncle and aunt. Having lived a previous life defined by tragic naivety, she remembers a fate where she betrayed her true allies for false family members, leading to the destruction of her maternal family, the Duke of Dingguo household, and the death of her beloved younger brother, Jin'an. In that past life, she supported the Third Prince, only to have his wife, her second sister Chu Shuran, reveal the betrayal that led to her family's execution. Now reborn, Chu Muqing vows to protect her remaining family and punish those who destroyed her, determined to become the player rather than the pawn in the intricate web of the marquis mansion.

Upon arrival, the family dynamics are immediately tense. The Old Madam, who despises Chu Muqing because she is the daughter of the deceased Xiao Yuanrou, views her as an ill omen. The First Madam, the Marquis's principal wife, harbors resentment toward the second branch, while Chu Shuran presents a facade of sisterly affection that masks deep-seated jealousy and malice. Chu Muqing navigates these hostile waters with calculated grace, winning the Old Madam's favor by understanding her materialistic nature and offering appropriate gifts. She also reclaims her rightful place by asserting her status as the legitimate eldest daughter, seating herself in the position of honor at the family banquet, a move that unsettles Chu Shuran but goes unchallenged due to her dignified demeanor.

The core conflict escalates during a family dinner when Chu Chengyun, the Old Madam's favored illegitimate grandson, suffers a severe allergic reaction after eating pea cake containing osmanthus, a substance he is known to be allergic to. The household immediately suspects the First Madam, who had overseen the meal, leading to her public humiliation and temporary loss of kitchen management duties to the Third Madam and Concubine Bai. Chu Muqing reveals she orchestrated the incident by having her maid sprinkle osmanthus powder on a servant's clothes earlier, ensuring the allergen was present without leaving traceable evidence. This strategic move not only avenges a past injustice where she was falsely accused of a similar act but also shifts the power balance within the household, allowing her to reclaim Tangtao Courtyard, the estate prepared by her late mother.

As Chu Muqing settles into her courtyard, she encounters her concubine-born sisters, Chu Siqing and Chu Ningchu. While Chu Siqing is foolish and vain, Chu Ningchu appears timid and gentle, reminiscent of her past self's perception. However, Chu Muqing remembers that Chu Ningchu was the one who conspired with her husband and maid to frame her uncle and cause Jin'an's death. She maintains a polite but distant exterior, hiding her true intentions while gathering information. The Old Madam assigns Lian Xia, a capable maid, to serve Chu Muqing, ostensibly as a gift but effectively as a spy. Chu Muqing accepts this surveillance, recognizing Lian Xia's value and planning to turn the watcher into an ally.

The narrative establishes a path of retribution and restoration. Chu Muqing begins to dismantle the alliances of her enemies, starting with isolating the First Madam and exposing the corruption within the household management. She prepares to confront the Marquis, who favors his concubine An and her daughter Chu Nianyi, and to protect her uncle's military legacy from the political machinations that destroyed it in her previous life. With her brother Jin'an by her side and her resolve hardened by past suffering, Chu Muqing moves through the mansion with strategic precision, turning every interaction into an opportunity to strengthen her position and weaken those who wronged her.