Chapter 1: Beyond One

In the third year of Xihe, the fifth month of summer, Liu Cheng.

Fine rain drizzles outside the window.

In the study, sandalwood incense curls in the air.

Shen Yunyao wears a jade‑white cloud‑silk summer dress, cradles a travel journal in her hands, and reads it with great interest.

Suddenly, cheers erupt outside the door.

Soon after, the sound of footsteps becomes clearly audible.

The little maid Cuiyu calls out "Miss" as the person pushes the door open.

Shen Yunyao puts down the travel journal, looks at Cuiyu whose clothes are dampened by the rain, furrows her delicate brows and says, "Why didn't you use an umbrella?"

"Miss, great news!"

"Cousin has become the top scholar; the messenger has already gone to the Zheng Family!"

Cuiyu speaks while gesturing, her excitement evident in every word.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunyao still furrows her brows.

Zheng Si Que has become the top scholar!

As his betrothed by a childhood arrangement, Shen Yunyao does not consider this a cause for celebration.

The Shen and Zheng families have been in contact since their ancestors.

But in recent years, the Zheng Family has declined and is no longer what it once was.

Regarding the marriage between Shen Yunyao and Zheng Si Que, the Shen Family had long wanted to back out, after all the Zheng Family has become destitute.

But the matriarch Li Shi of the Shen Family insists, saying that the old master Shen had originally arranged the marriage with the Zheng Family's lord, and the old master kept his word all his life; it cannot be ruined for the sake of reputation.

To Li Shi, a granddaughter's marriage does not outweigh her husband's reputation.

Yet many in the Shen Family like to whisper around Shen Yunyao's ear, speaking ill of Zheng Si Que, gradually turning the naive young lady into a state of anxiety and sorrow, ultimately leading to her tragic end.

Shen Yunyao is thus reborn in this circumstance.

Without the memories of her previous self, Shen Yunyao had to piece together clues to understand the situation.

This made her feel quite depressed for a while.

Because she became a character in a book.

Precisely, she is a cannon‑fodder female supporting character.

Of course, in the original plot, she appears as a deceased person.

But now, because of Shen Yunyao's transmigration, the story has begun, and she is still alive.

So, will Zheng Si Que's life change because of this?

In the original storyline, Zheng Si Que is the son‑in‑law of the current Grand Tutor, taking on a deeply affectionate stance and harshly repaying the Shen Family that once looked down on him.

"I am not dead, the marriage contract still stands!"

"What would the fiery matriarch of the Zheng Family do?"

In the plot, Zheng Si Que is captured as a husband‑to‑be from the list, but the Grand Tutor's youngest daughter encounters him, rescues him, and falls instantly in love.

During this process, whether Shen Yunyao is dead or alive, she cannot intervene.

Therefore, when the news of Zheng Si Que's top‑scholar achievement reaches Liu Cheng, he should already have pledged his destiny with the eldest miss of the Xie Family for three lifetimes!

"Miss…?"

Cuiyu, seeing that Shen Yunyao does not respond for a while, looks blankly and instinctively waves her hand in front of Shen Yunyao.

"I'm fine!"

Shen Yunyao regains composure, glances at Cuiyu, and says calmly.

"Miss, cousin has become the top scholar; why aren't you happy?"

Cuiyu does not understand.

Shen Yunyao sighs softly, "Cuiyu, from now on, stop calling him 'cousin'!"

Even the great are not paired!

It used to be that the Shen Family looked down on the Zheng Family, and the Shen people also despised Zheng Si Que.

But now, the offensive and defensive positions have shifted!

Shen Yunyao sees no need to elaborate these words to Cuiyu.

A person's worth lies in self‑knowledge.

……

Wenxi Hall.

It is the residence of the Shen matriarch Li Shi.

When the news of Zheng Si Que's top‑scholar achievement arrives, the matriarch is so delighted she can't close her mouth, and orders an extra month's wages for all the household servants.

She calls it "shared joy" in name.

However, Li Shi's happiness does not last long; a cloud of gloom soon covers her face.

Shen Shen, the head of the Shen Family and Shen Yunyao's elder uncle, goes to the Zheng Family to convey congratulations, but is blocked at the door by the Zheng Family.

"Mother, the Zheng Family's action clearly shows they no longer intend to honor this marriage contract!"

"Then Zheng Si Que must have already taken a high position in the capital!"

"From the start, I said we should cancel the marriage, but you wouldn't!"

"Now look at this!"

Shen Shen speaks, his anger flaring.

As Li Shi's eldest son, Shen Shen has never suffered any grievance since childhood. After becoming the head of the Shen Family, his prestige in Liu Cheng continues to rise daily.

But today, he truly lost face.

"Are you blaming me?"

Li Shi set her face sternly, "If it weren't for you elevating some while trampling others, watching the Zheng Family suffer defeat and then thinking of breaking off the marriage contract, where would today's humiliation come from?"

"Mother, I won't discuss why the marriage was broken off originally. In any case, things have reached this point; give me an idea, hand me a decree!"

Shen Shen sat there, occasionally tapping the chair armrest lightly with his fist, clearly suppressing the fire inside his heart.

"Fine, since the Zheng Family has changed its stance, and this rush isn't a transaction, let's withdraw from this marriage arrangement!"

Li Shi pondered for a long while, then spoke slowly.

"Mother, are you getting senile?"

"This marriage arrangement cannot be withdrawn!"

Shen Shen opened his mouth in anger.

Withdraw the marriage?

Impossible!

"If you think mother is senile, then decide this matter yourself!"

"I'm weary!"

Li Shi waved her hand outright, not wanting to say more.

Shen Shen, seeing this, said no more, got up and left.

"Fine!"

When Cuiyu told Shen Yunyao that Shen Shen had been blocked at the door by the Zheng Family, Shen Yunyao felt completely relieved.

This marriage arrangement is most likely not happening.

Of course, there will definitely be a commotion.

And with such a stir, she will probably worry about marrying.

If it were another girl, one could say she would be seeking death and wandering.

But for Shen Yunyao, this is a good thing!

Traveling into the world of this book, Shen Yunyao feels hopeless.

It's not because of lacking modern high technology, but purely because this is a world that values men over women.

Women must observe the three obediences and four virtues, be a supportive wife and teach children, and keep their heads level with their husbands.

However, Shen Yunyao wants to say, "I, your servant, cannot do that."

The education she received does not permit her to watch her own man being embraced on both sides.

Never mind the saying "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

For Shen Yunyao, if "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" means watching her own man being taken by others, then she'd rather never marry.

Or, simply marry an ordinary man.

As a daughter of the Shen Family, regarding dowry—well, if it's not a political marriage, with her uncle Shen Shen's scheming, how could she be allowed a large dowry?

As for her biological mother?

The whole family's thoughts are on her two younger brothers, hoping they will succeed, bring glory to the family, and earn a decree for her.

"Miss, aunt, um, is the Zheng Family young master about to call off the marriage?"

"Perhaps!"

Shen Yunyao smiled, lifted her hand and gently brushed Cuiyu's nose, "Don't overthink it; these matters have never been up to us to decide!"

Marriage is a matter of parental decree and matchmaker's words.

If one meets parents who cherish their children, they might even ask the children's opinions.

And what about Shen Yunyao's parents here?

Her father, though not despicable, is a dashing scholar who only knows how to compose poetry and couplets, achieving nothing in official rank.

And that biological mother?

In her eyes, Shen Yunyao has never been the water destined to be poured out the door.

New book released, please bookmark, please recommend!

(End of chapter)