The Di Daughter's Scheme: Reborn to Seize the Throne with the Aloof Prince

Ye Liujin, the daughter of the Duke of Shanguo who commands two hundred thousand troops, dies a tragic death in her previous life after being betrayed by her fiancé Xiao Cong and his lover Rong Chan. Having lived through the destruction of her family, the poisoning of her brother, the murder of her sister, and years of abuse before becoming a powerless concubine, she awakens sixteen years in the past on the very day Xiao Cong comes to break off their engagement. Armed with memories of her past suffering, Ye Liujin rejects her former submissive self and confronts Xiao Cong with cold defiance. Instead of begging or crying, she mocks his arrogance and kicks him into the freezing Taiye Pond, setting a new course for her life.

Her transformation extends to her household staff, particularly her maid Nuanxiang, who betrayed her in the past life by guiding Rong Chan to her location after the Ye family's fall. Ye Liujin punishes Nuanxiang for her insolence and sends her to retrieve a hairpin from the icy pond, knowing the maid cannot swim. Nuanxiang drowns, an event witnessed by Xiao Zhaoyan, the Prince Yu. This incident creates a crisis, as killing a servant in the palace is a serious matter. However, Xiao Zhaoyan uses his influence to manage the situation, revealing that he has been observing Ye Liujin with interest and harboring deep feelings for her that date back years.

Ye Liujin returns to Guanju Palace and manipulates the narrative to her advantage. She accuses Xiao Cong of attempting to ruin her reputation by forcing the engagement breakup and jumping into the pond to frame her. Her aunt, Consort Chen, who raised Ye Liujin as her own daughter, is furious at Xiao Cong's behavior. During the confrontation, Lady Rong, Xiao Cong's biological mother, rushes to protect him and accidentally injures her face when Consort Chen strikes at Xiao Cong. This incident exposes the strange dynamic between Lady Rong and Xiao Cong, planting seeds of doubt in Consort Chen's mind.

The political landscape of the Great Liang empire is complex. Emperor Liang seized the throne from his late brother, promising to make the late emperor's son, Xiao Zhaoyan, the Crown Prince. However, Xiao Zhaoyan was demoted to Prince Yu after falling ill, and Emperor Liang has four sons of his own. Ye Liujin learns that the Emperor orchestrated a baby swap decades ago: Xiao Cong is actually the son of Lady Rong, not Consort Chen, and was switched to gain the Ye family's military loyalty. The real son of Consort Chen was likely killed by the Emperor to secure his own lineage.

Ye Liujin decides to reveal this secret to Consort Chen. She points out the physical similarities between Xiao Cong and Lady Rong and highlights the inconsistencies in Lady Rong's behavior. Although Consort Chen initially refuses to believe it, the evidence is compelling. Ye Liujin also seeks the help of Xiao Zhaoyan, who agrees to assist her in eliminating Xiao Cong. He provides a rare medicinal herb, the Seven-Star Leaf, which can save or take a life, indicating his willingness to support her dangerous plot.

As the story progresses, Ye Liujin navigates the treacherous palace politics with a new resolve. She is no longer the naive girl who trusted everyone, but a calculating woman ready to reclaim her family's honor and protect those she loves. Her alliance with Xiao Zhaoyan strengthens, and she begins to dismantle the schemes of the Rong family and Xiao Cong. The narrative follows her efforts to expose the Emperor's conspiracy, save her aunt from further deception, and prevent the tragedies that befell her family in her previous life. With Xiao Zhaoyan by her side, Ye Liujin prepares to challenge the imperial power structure that destroyed her once.