Reborn and Married to a Disabled General, My Ex-Husband Is Driven Mad by Regret

Xue Wanyi, a concubine-born daughter of Vice Minister Xue, is reborn two days before receiving an imperial decree to marry Ye Zhuo, the Duke of Zhen. In her previous life, her legitimate elder sister, Xue Mingfei, refused the marriage to keep her engagement to the destitute Chu Yuan, forcing Wanyi to take her place. Wanyi married Ye Zhuo, who was rumored to be a crippled, childless invalid, and lived as a neglected wife. After Ye Zhuo’s death, Wanyi married Chu Yuan, whom she had pitied in her past life. She devoted herself to his rise to power, only to be blamed for her predecessor’s death and tortured to death by Chu Yuan’s orders. Reborn, Wanyi resolves to secure her safety and exact revenge on those who destroyed her.

The core conflict arises from the dangerous nature of the Duke of Zhen’s household. Ye Zhuo, though a celebrated general, is poisoned and disabled, making his estate a political trap. Wanyi understands that marrying him is a death sentence for most, but she also knows from her past life that Ye Zhuo survives and that the estate holds power. Meanwhile, Xue Mingfei, also reborn, remembers her previous life’s horror at marrying the disfigured Duke and actively seeks to avoid him, intending to let Wanyi take her place. This creates a complex dynamic where both sisters are aware of the other’s true intentions, though neither reveals their knowledge.

Wanyi’s first move is to confront her biological mother, Concubine Qiu, who had swapped Wanyi with Xue Mingfei at birth to elevate her own daughter. In her past life, Wanyi was unaware of this switch until her death. Now, she orchestrates a confrontation that exposes Concubine Qiu’s murderous intent, forcing her father to punish her. Wanyi uses this incident to solidify her position as the chosen bride, knowing that the imperial decree cannot be easily revoked. She also begins to investigate the midwife who delivered the children, seeking proof of the switch to reclaim her rightful status as the legitimate daughter.

A key turning point occurs when Wanyi visits Lingyun Temple to prevent the kidnapping and death of Prince Mu’s daughter, an event that previously helped Chu Yuan gain political allies. By saving the princess, she alters the timeline and denies Chu Yuan a potential benefactor. Simultaneously, her maid Feicui discovers that the midwife is still alive and living in Jingdu with her family. Wanyi instructs her allies to protect the midwife’s grandson, ensuring the witness remains safe for future testimony.

The story direction shifts as Wanyi prepares to enter the Duke’s estate not as a victim, but as a strategic player. She anticipates that Ye Zhuo will investigate her background and is ready to face him. Her actions demonstrate a shift from passive suffering to active manipulation of fate. She aims to survive the political intrigues surrounding Ye Zhuo, expose the truth about her identity, and ensure that Chu Yuan faces the same fate she suffered in her previous life. The narrative sets the stage for a confrontation between Wanyi and Ye Zhuo, as well as a long-term struggle against the forces that destroyed her in her past life.

Wanyi’s rebirth provides her with knowledge of future events, which she uses to navigate the treacherous court politics. She recognizes that the Duke’s estate, while dangerous, offers her a shield against the Xue family’s hostility. By accepting her fate, she gains the power to change outcomes. Her relationship with her maids, Feicui and Zhenzhu, strengthens as they share her goals. The summary highlights her determination to rewrite her destiny, turning a seemingly hopeless marriage into an opportunity for revenge and redemption.