With a Slender Waist She Flees, and the Cold Prince Pursues

Xu Wanning, a modern woman, awakens in the body of a girl with the same name who has just died after being forced to climb into the bed of Yan Xiangze, a powerful and ruthless Young Master. The original owner was the adopted daughter of the Prefect, kept solely as a tool to curry favor with nobles. Upon waking, Xu Wanning is immediately subjected to abuse by the Young Master’s servants, who drag her, strip her, and beat her before forcing her to bathe. She is then taken to the Front Courtyard, where she witnesses a gruesome scene of servants being whipped bloody. Yan Xiangze, the Young Master, is known as a god of slaughter, cold and merciless. Xu Wanning realizes she has transmigrated into a novel and must navigate the deadly situation to survive.

In the courtyard, Yan Xiangze interrogates Xu Wanning about how she entered his room the previous night. The original plot involved the female lead climbing into his bed with the help of a servant named A Fu, but Xu Wanning knows the truth: she was drugged and the encounter was a coincidence. To save herself and avoid execution, she confesses that A Fu helped her, exposing his role in the scheme. The Head Steward, A Fu’s father, denies the accusations, but Yan Xiangze orders A Fu to be brought in. A Fu, fearing death, shifts the blame back onto Xu Wanning, claiming she instructed him. Xu Wanning counters with sharp wit and insults, exposing A Fu’s true nature and the Head Steward’s corruption. The situation escalates when the Head Steward, in a fit of rage, attempts to attack Xu Wanning, but Huai Dan, Yan Xiangze’s loyal guard, kills him instantly.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Yan Xiangze declares Xu Wanning his concubine, refusing to let her leave despite her attempts to decline. He offers her a choice: become his concubine or be sold. Xu Wanning, fearing for her life, accepts the role of concubine but immediately requests contraceptive drugs, signaling her lack of interest in bearing his children. Yan Xiangze, amused by her cunning and defiance, grants her request. He keeps her close, intrigued by her unique personality and her clear desire to use him as a stepping stone rather than a husband. Xu Wanning is taken to An City, where Yan Xiangze is overseeing flood control efforts. She settles into a quiet life in the West Courtyard, determined to survive without getting entangled in the political dangers surrounding the Young Master.

As Yan Xiangze returns from his duties, Xu Wanning prepares to greet him, maintaining a careful distance. She instructs her maid, Xi Yun, to learn to read and understand household rules, ensuring they are both prepared for the challenges ahead. Xu Wanning’s primary goal is self-preservation, using her modern knowledge and sharp mind to navigate the treacherous world of the ancient court. She remains wary of Yan Xiangze’s unpredictable nature, knowing that his interest in her is both her protection and her greatest danger. The story follows her efforts to maintain her independence and safety while living under the roof of one of the most powerful men in the empire.