The Alluring Mistress Flees While Pregnant, Driving the Grand Secretary Mad

Xi Ning, a distinguished agricultural Ph.D. from the modern era, transmigrates into the body of a kept mistress in ancient China. She finds herself in the outer courtyard of the Pei family, belonging to Pei Zhao, the third son of the Duke of Jin. The original owner of the body had been purchased by Pei Zhao as a cover for his alleged impotence, intended to deceive Prince Xian, who sought to marry his daughter to the Third Master. The original host, blinded by romantic illusions, squandered her thousand-tael dowry and died of illness, allowing Xi Ning to take her place. Upon waking, Xi Ning immediately assesses her dire financial situation and her desperate need to retrieve her deed of servitude to regain her freedom. Refusing to be a passive possession, she decides to use her knowledge of high-yield seeds stored in her smart wristband to build an independent livelihood.

Xi Ning begins by utilizing her culinary skills to save her household from starvation. She prepares scallion pancakes and wonton noodles for her servants, Nanny Su and Ren Dong, whose cooking is rudimentary. Recognizing the profitability of her dishes, she sets up a street stall in the northern part of the capital. The wonton noodles, featuring a rich broth and delicate wrappers, become an instant sensation, drawing long lines of customers. The business generates significant profit, allowing Xi Ning to stabilize her finances without relying on Pei Zhao. Meanwhile, Pei Zhao returns to the capital from a trip. His servant, Chang Lin, discovers the stall and buys a bowl of noodles, which Pei Zhao tastes and finds exceptionally satisfying. For the first time, the notoriously picky Third Master experiences genuine culinary delight, sparking his curiosity about the woman he had previously neglected.

Pei Zhao visits the outer courtyard and confronts Xi Ning about her public business. Instead of showing fear, Xi Ning speaks candidly, acknowledging her past extravagance and her decision to support herself. She boldly requests the return of her indenture contract, proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement where she helps conceal his secret while he provides financial compensation. Pei Zhao, impressed by her unexpected courage and clarity, agrees to her terms, promising ten thousand taels of silver upon the settlement of his political affairs. He also provides her with five hundred taels to manage her household. Their interaction shifts the dynamic from master-servant to a strategic partnership, though Pei Zhao remains guarded about his true intentions.

The relationship deepens through shared meals. Xi Ning prepares green dumplings and chive pancakes, which Pei Zhao takes to the Eastern Palace, where he serves as an official. His colleague, Shen Ji, tastes the dumplings and is equally enchanted, attempting to poach the cook. Pei Zhao refuses to share the recipe or the source, guarding the food as his own. During a carriage ride, Xi Ning encounters Pei Zhao on the road while inspecting a manor for purchase. He orders her into his carriage, where an accidental physical contact creates a tense, charged atmosphere. Xi Ning realizes the rumors of Pei Zhao’s impotence may be false, adding a layer of complexity to their arrangement.

Xi Ning uses her earnings to purchase a manor with twenty acres of land and a group of loyal laborers. This estate becomes the foundation for her agricultural ambitions, allowing her to cultivate the improved seeds from her wristband. She plans to introduce high-yield crops and new seasonings, such as chili peppers, to the capital. As her business expands and her social standing subtly shifts, Pei Zhao finds himself increasingly drawn to her independence and competence. The story follows Xi Ning’s journey from a discarded mistress to an independent entrepreneur, while Pei Zhao navigates court politics and his growing, unacknowledged attachment to her.