Chapter One: Both Reborn, Seizing Life

“I want to marry into the Su family!”

In the Lin family’s flower hall, Lin Qianyun’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she snatched the betrothal letter sent by the Su family and hugged it tightly to her chest.

Qin, her mother, hurriedly scolded, “Nonsense! Put that letter down at once. Your elder sister hasn’t even been chosen yet—how can it be your turn?” She quickly instructed the maid to retrieve the letter.

But Lin Qianyun held it with a death grip, her neck stiff with determination. “I want to marry into the Su family! Mother, if you don’t agree, then… then I’ll throw myself against the wall and die right here!”

Qin was so furious her head spun, wishing she could crack open her foolish daughter’s skull to see if it was filled with water. The Su family might have been a good match ten years ago, but now? Since Master Su died in office a few years back, their fortunes worsened by the day. They’d even sold their grand mansion—twenty people squeezed into a modest courtyard. If her daughter married into that mess, it would be pure suffering.

This marriage must not fall on her daughter! If the Lin family insisted on sacrificing a girl for the sake of their reputation, let it be that wretched Lin Wanqing!

Thinking this, she cast a sharp glance at Lin Wanqing, who sat calmly to the side, watching the drama unfold.

Lin Wanqing looked at Lin Qianyun, who guarded the marriage proposal as if someone might steal it from her, and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one who had returned from death.

Her dear sister had come back, too.

Thinking of her own rebirth, Lin Wanqing’s gaze grew cold. She had been poisoned by Lin Qianyun and Su Jincheng—those two vile people!

In her previous life, she had married Su Jincheng, the very third son of the Su family who had come to propose today. For over a decade, she had worked tirelessly for him, finding ways to earn money, forging connections everywhere, and personally elevating him from mediocrity to the esteemed position of second-place scholar, and later to a high official rank.

Watching Lin Qianyun clutch the betrothal letter so fiercely, Lin Wanqing sneered inwardly. Clearly, Su Jincheng hadn’t told Lin Qianyun how he’d achieved those honors.

Of course—Su family members were vain and cared deeply about appearances. How could they admit to Lin Qianyun that everything he’d achieved was thanks to her, the merchant’s daughter who couldn’t bear children and was never fit to be seen in high society?

Lin Wanqing lowered her gaze to hide her emotions. When she looked up again, she could watch Lin Qianyun’s madness with complete detachment.

Qin pleaded bitterly with Lin Qianyun, but it was no use. Her face turned pale with frustration. She couldn’t understand how her daughter could be so foolish—why refuse a fine match with the General’s mansion to marry into the impoverished Su family? Had she lost her mind?

Lin Qianyun wanted to reason with her mother but cast a wary glance at Lin Wanqing. “Mother, come outside with me. I have something to say.”

Qin resisted, but Lin Qianyun dragged her out by force.

Mother and daughter left the flower hall for the garden, dismissing the maids.

“My child, don’t be foolish! Do you know why the Su family came to propose today? I arranged it especially for Lin Wanqing! Years ago, your grandfather secured the General’s mansion proposal by donating silver to the army. Lin Wanqing is the eldest daughter—the match should’ve been hers! I worked hard to persuade the Su family to come and propose today!”

Speaking of these two proposals, Qin’s anger rose again. The Lin family had been merchants for generations, but old Master Lin had lofty ambitions and wanted to shed the “merchant” label. Sadly, his children lacked talent for study, so he sought other ways to connect the family to official circles by marrying his daughters into influential families.

Through his efforts, he actually succeeded. Thus, the Lin family had both the General’s mansion and the Su family as prospective in-laws.

Qin might look down on the Su family now, but when the engagement was first arranged, the Su family was so prominent that even the General’s mansion took second place.

Times had changed, though. The Su family had fallen into ruin, while the General’s mansion became the best match the Lin family could hope for. Naturally, Qin wanted to secure that for her own daughter.

Lin Qianyun, having lived a lifetime, understood her mother’s intentions, but she would never marry into the General’s mansion to become a widow in waiting!

The Su family might look destitute now, but in three years, Su Jincheng would become the second-place scholar, and from there, he would rise step by step to a high official rank.

That wasn’t all—her previous life had ended too early. If not for Lin Wanqing’s treachery, she would have become a first-rank titled lady!

So this time, she was determined to hold onto Su Jincheng.

She wanted to be the one cherished by Su Jincheng!

She wanted to stand proudly at his side, for her children to become the legitimate heirs of the Su family, not just nominally adopted!

She wanted to become the envy of every woman in the capital—especially Lin Wanqing! Once she became a titled lady, she would crush Lin Wanqing beneath her feet!

Just thinking of the life she was about to seize made Lin Qianyun tremble with excitement.

“Mother, I know you mean well, but the General’s mansion is not a good place. Right now, it seems better than the Su family, but none of the men there ever meet a good end. Do you want me to become a widow?”

Qin was exasperated. “But the Su family is hardly better! A whole clan squeezed into a tiny courtyard, living cheek to jowl—that kind of hardship isn’t fit for anyone!”

Lin Qianyun patiently replied, “Mother, the border has been restless for years. There’s no major chaos yet, but who knows when war might break out again? The young master of the Lu family could be sent to battle at any time. If something happens to him, how am I supposed to live?”

“And Su Jincheng became a scholar at thirteen. If not for his father’s sudden death and the mourning period, he would have passed the imperial exams long ago. The Su family may seem lacking now, but as the saying goes, never underestimate the poor youth. Once he enters the exam hall, he’ll surely amaze everyone.”

In her previous life, Su Jincheng had indeed passed the imperial exams in the third year after their marriage.

And the young Lu general had been sent to the border by imperial decree on their wedding night—not even allowed into the bridal chamber! Later, he was gravely wounded in battle, doomed never to be a real man…

In this life, she would be the scholar’s wife, and let Lin Wanqing be the one to mourn in loneliness!

Qin hesitated. Though the Su family was far inferior to the General’s mansion now, a scholar’s future was unpredictable. Su Jincheng’s early success showed real talent.

If the young Lu master truly met his fate on the battlefield, and Su Jincheng passed the imperial exams, wouldn’t she regret it bitterly?

Lin Qianyun saw her mother wavering and pressed her advantage.