Rebirth: Marrying the Mad Marquis, Ex-husband Chases Wife and Regrets to the Core

Song Tang, the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Song's mansion, was reborn on the third day of the twelfth lunar month, returning to the moment before her tragic demise in her previous life. In that past existence, she had been deceived by her adopted cousin, Song Wei, and her own family, ultimately being kicked to death by her fiancé, Mu Ziyu, the Heir of the Marquis Mu residence. Upon waking, Song Tang resolved to alter her fate, shedding her former passivity to reclaim what was rightfully hers. The immediate conflict arose during Song Wei's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, an event held with greater splendor than Song Tang's own. Song Tang demanded the return of her loyal maid, Caidie, who had been sold years prior, and five thousand taels of silver as conditions for attending the ceremony. Mistress He, Song Tang's mother, reluctantly agreed, unaware that Song Tang was already plotting her counterattacks.

At the ceremony, Song Tang confronted Song Wei over the Lingxi Jade Bracelet, a cherished heirloom from their grandmother that was promised to Song Tang but had been given to Song Wei by Mistress He. When Song Tang's brothers and father, Song Congzhi, sided with Song Wei and demanded she apologize for causing a scene, Song Congzhi struck her. In a shocking turn, Mu Changxiao, the Marquis Mu and Mu Ziyu's third uncle, intervened, stopping the blow and publicly defending Song Tang. He revealed that Song Tang had once saved his life, establishing a debt of gratitude. Empowered by this support, Song Tang slapped Song Wei, reclaimed her bracelet, and declared her intention to cancel her engagement with Mu Ziyu. She then demanded ten thousand taels from her father to facilitate the breakup, ensuring that Mu Ziyu would marry Song Wei instead.

Song Tang visited Mu Changxiao to formally request the cancellation of the engagement. Mu Changxiao agreed, provided that Mu Ziyu made amends for the damage to Song Tang's reputation. He summoned Mu Ziyu and compelled him to apologize publicly and pay two hundred thousand taels in compensation. In exchange, Mu Changxiao promised to help Mu Ziyu marry Song Wei, a union Mu Ziyu desired but feared his mother, Madam Sun, would oppose. Mu Ziyu, greedy for the Jingjiao Manor estate that Mu Changxiao offered as a reward for compliance, accepted the terms. Meanwhile, Song Tang met with her friend Mu Shu'an, Mu Changxiao's sister, who expressed sympathy for Song Tang's plight and subtly hinted at the Marquis's genuine care for her.

The narrative shifts as Song Tang begins to navigate the treacherous waters of noble society with a newfound coldness and strategic acumen. She rejects the affection of Mu Ziyu, recognizing his true nature, and instead finds an ally in Mu Changxiao, who protects her from her abusive family. The core conflict evolves from a domestic dispute over inheritance and favoritism into a broader struggle for survival and dignity within the high-stakes environment of the capital's aristocracy. Song Tang's actions disrupt the carefully laid plans of Song Wei and her mother, who had relied on Song Tang's ignorance and submissiveness to maintain their dominance. As Song Tang secures her financial independence and breaks her toxic engagement, she sets the stage for a confrontation with the Mu family and a redefinition of her future, potentially leading to a deeper connection with the powerful Marquis Mu who has become her unexpected protector.