### Chapter 1 Rebirth and Marriage Swap

### Chapter 1 Rebirth and Marriage Swap

After the Spring Banquet, her younger sister pleaded with their mother to switch the betrothal letters between the two families, and Lu Lingyun knew she had been reborn.

In her previous life, both she and Lu Hanyi were favored by high-ranking families at the Spring Banquet. One was the illustrious Ningyang Marquisate, whose lineage was marked by ancestral glory, and the other was the sixth-rank Ministry of Rites official, the Li family.

Their Lu family held the fifth-rank position of Imperial Historian, a respectable rank but one that lacked real power and influence. For their children, marrying a sixth-rank capital official would be considered an equal match.

The Ningyang Marquisate, a noble house of distinguished military heritage, was far beyond the reach of the Lu family's aspirations.

Of course, there was a reason why the Ningyang Marquisate was interested in the humble Lu family. Their young master had a beloved concubine whom he adored deeply.

This concubine came from a brothel, and the young master once smashed a restaurant in anger for her, spent lavishly to outbid others, and paid ten thousand taels to redeem her and bring her into the household. He had even declared his intention to spend his life with her alone, which infuriated the Marchioness of Ningyang to the point of illness several times.

Such behavior had already earned the Ningyang Marquisate the disdain of other noble families, who refused to marry their precious daughters into such a household.

Unable to find a suitable match among their peers, the Marchioness of Ningyang turned her attention to a lower status family, seeking a capable and virtuous daughter-in-law who could manage the household and be easily controlled.

At the Spring Banquet, the Lu family caught her eye.

Even so, this marriage was an excellent match for the Lu family.

Unfortunately, it was not meant for Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun, as the eldest daughter of the Lu family, had lost her birth mother early on, and now the household was run by her stepmother. This prime opportunity naturally fell to her stepmother's own daughter, Lu Hanyi.

In her previous life, she was arranged to marry into the Li family, while her younger sister, Lu Hanyi, married into the Ningyang Marquisate.

Due to the young master's excessive favoritism towards his concubine, the Marchioness and Marquis of Ningyang treated Lu Hanyi exceptionally well, granting her control over the household and supporting her in all matters, even when conflicts arose with the young master.

For a time, Lu Hanyi basked in glory and lived a comfortable life.

However, it did not last long.

She relied on her in-laws' favor and increasingly could not tolerate the concubine, constantly provoking her in attempts to diminish her status. This only strengthened the bond between the young master and his concubine. After a particularly heated confrontation, the young master, in a fit of rage, eloped with his concubine.

Afterward, she became the pariah of the marquisate, with her in-laws losing faith in her and stripping her of her household management rights, leaving her to live as a widow within the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Lu Lingyun, after marrying the second son of the Li family, found her life improving year by year. A year later, Li Wenxun passed the imperial examinations and became the top scholar, earning the emperor's favor and being appointed as a county magistrate in Jiangnan.

This appointment as a county magistrate was not a sign of neglect but rather a promising path for further advancement, especially in Jiangnan.

Li Wenxun lived up to expectations, achieving significant accomplishments and rising through the ranks from county magistrate to prefect, then to governor of Jiangnan, and finally returning to the capital.

Upon his return, he was appointed as a fourth-rank censor, deeply trusted by the emperor, and eventually rose to become the prime minister, a position of great power and prestige.

Lu Lingyun accompanied Li Wenxun throughout his ascent, and he even petitioned for her to receive the title of Lady, bringing her unparalleled honor.

At that time, Lu Hanyi was still confined within the courtyard of the marquisate, living a solitary life and hearing daily about her elder sister's blissful marriage and prosperity. She often laughed maniacally and soon died suddenly.

Lu Lingyun did not have time to mourn; soon after, she succumbed to a bout of illness and passed away.

When she opened her eyes again, Lu Lingyun found herself back at sixteen, at the time of her betrothal discussions.

Just as she was stunned by her return to youth, her personal maid Zhiran reported to her.

"Eldest Miss, Second Miss just went to the lady and cried, saying she would rather die than marry into the Ningyang Marquisate and insists on marrying Mr. Li Er."

Lu Lingyun was momentarily taken aback, then smiled.

It seemed that this rare occurrence of rebirth was not unique to her; her younger sister had also been reborn.

"Eldest Miss, why are you smiling? Second Miss has always loved to compete with you, from cosmetics to jewelry, whatever she wants, she takes. Now she even wants to snatch your marriage!"

"The Li family specifically chose you. Although their status is not as high as the Ningyang Marquisate, Mr. Li Er is virtuous and talented. Even your father speaks highly of him. He will surely become a remarkable figure, without any of the messy household affairs. Everyone knows he is far better than the young master. She must see these advantages and is trying to take him from you."

Zhiran grew more and more upset as she spoke.

Lu Lingyun looked at her and smiled gently as she stood up. "If she wants to take him, let her."

"But... this is a matter of a lifetime!" Zhiran felt deeply for her mistress.

"As you said, a lifetime is long."

Gazing at the clouds above, Lu Lingyun smiled calmly.

Let her take it.

Because in the future, she would realize.

It was not Li Wenxun himself who achieved greatness and brought her the title of Lady; it was Lu Lingyun who paved the way for his success, earning all the glory for herself.

Did her good younger sister really think that snatching a man meant snatching a life?

If she wants to take him, she can. Let her see what happens when everything turns out differently from before.

Just the benevolent Li family alone would shatter her illusions.

And the Ningyang Marquisate.

She believed it was truly a hundred times better than the Li family.

With kind in-laws and a glorious household, this is what many people strive for their entire lives.

A husband with a beloved concubine? That would be even less troublesome.

She, Lu Lingyun, never sought love in her life; she only wanted to be the head of the household, the most glorious and prestigious head of the household.

"Alright, go back and check the accounts."

Lu Lingyun finished speaking and led Zhiran back to her room.

Several days passed in a blink.

Lu Lingyun acted as if nothing had happened, diligently managing the household accounts and tending to the flowers, unaware of how Lu Hanyi persuaded her mother or how the Lu family negotiated with the two families. The formal proposal was indeed exchanged.

By the time they informed her, the compatibility of their birth dates had been confirmed, all indicating great auspiciousness.

The three families joyfully prepared for the wedding.

"Lingyun, Ping Niang has treated you as her own since you were young, always caring for you. Now that your mother has found you a good match, the Ningyang Marquisate is a prestigious family, and the heir is an only son who will take you as his wife. You will become the future Lady of the Ningyang Marquisate. What do you think?"

Lu Lingyun's father spoke from his high seat.

Beside him, Stepmother Liu wiped away tears, looking gratified. "My hard work is a small matter. What matters is not letting down your mother's trust by finding you a good marriage. The Ningyang Marquisate is such a distinguished family, and their interest in our Lu family is truly a great blessing."

Listening to her father and stepmother's words, Lu Lingyun couldn't help but smile inwardly.

In her previous life, when they wanted her to marry into the Li family, they didn't speak like this at all.

They constantly belittled the Ningyang Marquisate, making it seem worthless, while praising the Li family, as if they were afraid of pushing her into a pit of fire.

Lu Lingyun showed no change in expression, responding obediently, "I leave it all to my parents' discretion."

Seeing her demeanor, Lu Lingyun's father and Stepmother Liu nodded repeatedly, both satisfied with each other's glances.

Lu Lingyun had always been sensible and well-behaved, never competing or quarreling. They felt assured sending her off wherever she went.

Of course, it was only because their precious daughter Lu Hanyi desperately refused such a good match that it fell on her.

Steppmother Liu stood up, taking Lu Lingyun's hand. "Lingyun, even though your sister wasn't always by your side, remember that the Lu family will always be your home. After marriage, you must look after your sisters and support the family. We must always stand together, sharing glory and prosperity."

"Yes."

Lu Lingyun remained obedient.

Her compliance delighted her father and Stepmother Liu. On the spot, Stepmother Liu gifted her several valuable pieces of jewelry for her dowry, and her father openly stated that he would provide her with the most generous dowry, ensuring her a grand wedding.

Lu Lingyun's lips curved slightly, gazing at the exquisite green jade bracelet on her wrist, genuine happiness finally appearing in her eyes.

Everything else was superficial; only real wealth mattered.

Gaining some advantage and securing tangible benefits for herself.

After all, in her previous life, her dowry was far less than Lu Hanyi's. Today, her respectful behavior ensured that the Lu family wouldn't shortchange her in terms of her dowry.

It would only be more than before, never less.

Smiling softly, she sensed a gaze upon her. Looking up, she met Lu Hanyi's eyes.