When Shen Lichu first arrived in Yanjing, she fell in love at first sight with the Ning heir. He was breathtakingly talented, gentle as a clear breeze under a bright moon.
But people said he was disciplined, proper, warm yet distant—like pure snow on a high mountain, beautiful to look at but impossible to reach.
Thankfully, her aunt did everything she could to bring them together. Shen Lichu put in careful effort, even deliberately trying to win his heart. In the end, Lu Shiji truly fell for her. With both families in agreement, the engagement was settled naturally, and it was celebrated as a perfect match.
Shen Lichu was overjoyed, counting the days until her wedding.
Then, one night, she had a dream.
In the dream, the once gentle and refined Lu Shiji hated her to the bone. His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze dark and vicious as he pinned her down on the bed, tormenting and humiliating her without mercy.
She woke up in terror and didn’t dare close her eyes again that entire night.
At dawn, she broke down crying and demanded that the engagement be canceled.
—
In her past life, Lu Shiji hated Shen Lichu with every part of him.
He hated her aunt, Madam Shen, for being cruel beneath a kind, pious appearance.
He hated the Shen family for being petty, vain, and shameless enough to dream of marrying their daughter into his family.
He hated Shen Lichu for using every clumsy and despicable trick to force herself into marrying him.
But most of all, he hated her for gripping the dagger he had once given her and plunging it straight into his chest without hesitation. Her eyes were red, filled with nothing but hatred.
“If I could do it all over again,” she said, “I’d rather die than ever marry you.”
—
When he opened his eyes again, he had been reborn.
She had just entered the Duke’s residence. Her bright, beautiful eyes looked straight at him without blinking, and she smiled, her brows curved softly.
“Greetings, Cousin.”
