The Cold Ex-Husband Went Mad After My Rebirth

Xiao Nianyao, the legitimate daughter of the Jing’an Marquis and granddaughter of the Princess Royal, wakes on her wedding day with the memories of a previous life. In that past existence, she married Xie Anxun, the heir to the Ningyuan Marquis, a cold and indifferent scholar who treated her as an object. She endured years of neglect and abuse from her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, only to die a miserable death. Her closest friend, Zhou Miaoyi, revealed her true nature after Nianyao’s death, confessing that she had stolen Nianyao’s marriage in their previous life by swapping their identities. Armed with these memories, Nianyao resolves to avoid the Ningyuan Marquis household at all costs.

On their wedding day, both Nianyao and Zhou Miaoyi are required to offer incense at Tianlong Temple. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Miaoyi attempts to poison Nianyao’s tea to ensure she takes the better match. Nianyao, aware of the trap, pretends to faint and allows Zhou Miaoyi to veil her. However, through a series of errors and deliberate choices, Nianyao ends up in the bridal sedan belonging to Lu Fengxing, the unruly third son of the Grand Chancellor, while Zhou Miaoyi takes the place of Xie Anxun’s wife. When the mistake is discovered, the Ningyuan Marquis household has already consummated the marriage with Zhou Miaoyi, making it impossible to reverse that union.

The Earl of Jing’an, Nianyao’s father, refuses to let his daughter marry into the Ningyuan household as a secondary wife or concubine, choosing instead to uphold her dignity. Nianyao firmly rejects Xie Anxun’s attempts to reclaim her, declaring herself the wife of the Lu family. She publicly defends Lu Fengxing’s reputation before his father, the Grand Chancellor, securing her place in the Lu household. Xie Anxun, confused by her sudden change in demeanor and unwilling to accept her rejection, visits the Lu residence to demand she return, but Nianyao rebukes him sharply, citing the completed wedding rites and her new status.

Life in the Lu household proves to be a stark contrast to Nianyao’s previous suffering. Madam Wang, the Grand Chancellor’s wife, is kind and understanding, offering Nianyao comfort and freedom from the rigid, oppressive rules she endured in the Ningyuan household. Lu Fengxing, initially perceived as a brute, reveals a protective and thoughtful side. He expands her courtyard, works alongside servants to build it, and respects her boundaries regarding their marital relationship. Nianyao, in turn, treats him with kindness, sending him nourishing food after his labor and expressing genuine care for his well-being.

As Nianyao integrates into the Lu family, she navigates interactions with her new sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, finding harmony and respect. She encounters Xie Anxun and Zhou Miaoyi during a return visit to her natal home, where Xie Anxun’s desperation and Zhou Miaoyi’s feigned innocence are laid bare. Nianyao remains unmoved, confident in her choice and secure in her new life. The narrative follows her journey from a victim of fate and betrayal to a woman who claims agency over her destiny, finding unexpected love and stability with a husband she once feared.

The story highlights the transformation of Lu Fengxing from a disgraced, martial son rejected by his scholarly father to a respected figure, paralleled by Nianyao’s rise from a neglected wife to a cherished daughter-in-law. Their relationship develops through mutual respect and gradual affection, contrasting with the toxic dynamics Nianyao experienced previously. The conflict with the Ningyuan Marquis household serves as a backdrop, emphasizing the moral and social consequences of Zhou Miaoyi’s deceit and Xie Anxun’s entitlement. Nianyao’s past life memories guide her decisions, ensuring she avoids past mistakes and builds a future defined by peace and dignity.

Throughout the early chapters, Nianyao demonstrates intelligence and resilience, managing household affairs with grace and standing up to those who would diminish her. The Lu family’s acceptance of her, despite the unconventional circumstances of their marriage, provides a supportive environment that allows her to heal and thrive. The narrative sets the stage for Nianyao and Lu Fengxing’s growing bond, as they navigate societal expectations and personal growth together, ultimately finding a partnership built on genuine care and mutual support.