Transmigrated as the Top Scholar’s Humble Wife, I Had an Affair with the Villain.

Liu Zhiheng, a modern geological expert, transmigrates into a male-oriented power fantasy novel titled The Path of the Minister. She inhabits the body of Liu Zhiheng, a village belle destined to become the humble wife of the male lead, Xie Tinglan. The original character possesses a seductive constitution and is written primarily as a vessel for the male lead’s darkest desires, enduring a decade of abuse before dying a wretched death. Having read the entire book, Liu Zhiheng recognizes the cruel setup and the tragic fate awaiting her family. Her father, Liu Yigu, is a skilled hunter who has been coerced by the county magistrate into securing her marriage to Xie Tinglan. In the original story, Liu Yigu leaves for three months but returns two years later as the wealthiest man in the nation, only to be drained of his fortune and reduced to begging after his daughter’s death.

Determined to alter this fate, Liu Zhiheng decides to break off the engagement with Xie Tinglan before the wedding takes place. She manages to convince her father to postpone the ceremony, buying time to navigate the dangerous political landscape. Her primary goal is to live a peaceful life with her father and younger brother, Liu Zhisheng, avoiding the tragic end that befell the original character. She plans to appease Xie Tinglan, the future Top Scholar and Son of Fortune, by helping him at key plot points to balance any grudges he might hold. This strategy aims to ensure that the Liu family is not targeted for revenge once Xie Tinglan rises to power.

While waiting for her father to return, Liu Zhiheng discovers a man lying injured in the snow near her home. She recognizes him as Duan Wujiu, the greatest antagonist in the novel and the future Prince of Yan who would eventually overthrow the dynasty. Despite knowing his ruthless nature, she drags him into her cabin to save his life, hoping to receive the hundred taels of gold that Xie Tinglan would later reward him with. Duan Wujiu suffers from amnesia and periodic hysterical episodes. Liu Zhiheng deceives him, claiming he is her purchased child groom named Xuelang. This lie allows her to keep him close and secure her financial future.

As Duan Wujiu recovers, he becomes increasingly dependent on Liu Zhiheng. His amnesia has stripped away his memories of violence, leaving him with a childlike innocence and a deep attachment to her scent, which calms his turbulent mind. He refuses to remember his past, describing it as smelling of decay and abyss. Liu Zhiheng finds herself conflicted; she initially intended to use him for money but grows reluctant to deceive such a vulnerable person. Meanwhile, Xie Tinglan begins to notice changes in Liu Zhiheng’s behavior. Her shift from a shameless pursuer to a composed and caring individual intrigues him, causing him to question his hatred and reconsider his feelings toward her.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of heavy snow and political intrigue. Liu Zhiheng balances her care for the amnesiac villain with her efforts to maintain a good relationship with the male lead. She sends gifts to Xie Tinglan and ensures his brother returns safely from the academy. Duan Wujiu, unaware of his true identity, grows possessive and refuses to let Liu Zhiheng drive him away. He admits that he knew she was lying from the beginning but chose to be deceived because her presence brings him peace. The narrative explores the tension between Liu Zhiheng’s desire for a quiet life and the inevitable collision with the powerful figures she now interacts with, setting the stage for a complex web of relationships and fate.