### Chapter 1: The Fourth Lady of the Fan Family

### Chapter 1: The Fourth Lady of the Fan Family

In this world, perhaps everyone wishes for a chance to start over. However, no matter how envious one might be of the heroines in time-travel novels who thrive and even marry princes, eventually becoming empresses or dowager empresses, it would be a different story if a woman from the twenty-first century were to be transported to ancient times. In a society where men are subordinate to women, not only would they have no say in their marriages, but even going out for a stroll would be difficult.

If born into a wealthy family, every movement would be accompanied by servants and maids. Even if a relative lived next door, a lady would need to be carried there in a sedan chair.

For those born into common families, daily life would involve working in the fields, serving in-laws, and dealing with petty squabbles among neighbors. Such a life would be suffocating.

Moreover, the inconveniences of daily life would be overwhelming. If the marriage were unhappy, divorce would be almost impossible. A woman could not survive independently in ancient times; it was not a matter of ability but of societal norms. After all, the sea is vast and unpredictable, and human hearts are hard to fathom. Bullies and ruffians existed in both ancient and modern times, and a lone woman, even if wealthy, would struggle to protect herself. Not only would she face harassment from such men, but even slaves and servants might bully her. Even slaves would oppress their weak masters, let alone outsiders.

So, upon serious reflection, few women from the twenty-first century would truly wish for such a fate.

Yet for Fan Xueyao, none of these issues mattered. To her, this era was a world better suited to her ambitions. Before her lay a vast ocean of possibilities, and her aspirations would be realized here.

A slender maid, dressed in a water-red jacket and blue satin vest, quietly pushed open the door. Behind her, another maid in a blue jacket and pink satin vest led four maids, each carrying toiletry items.

This was a spacious suite, divided by an intricately carved multi-treasure screen. The screen displayed various exquisite decorations and artifacts. Inside the room stood a black lacquer screen with gold-painted flowers and birds, bold and magnificent yet delicately detailed, adding a touch of feminine grace.

The maid in the blue satin vest approached the bed, lifted the pink gauze curtains, and hung them on golden hooks, calling softly to the girl lying there. "Lady, it's time to rise."

The girl slowly turned over, revealing her fair face.

Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes half-closed, and her beauty was like blossoming pear and peach flowers, radiant and charming.

Despite being woken up before fully rested, the girl, known for her strong self-discipline, did not linger in bed. She merely closed her eyes for a moment to gather her thoughts before rising. Her beautiful face still bore a faint blush, making her porcelain-like skin appear even more delicate. As she bent down to rinse her mouth, her long, thick lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, exuding a gentle allure that invited affection.

"Has Father and Mother risen?" Fan Xueyao asked softly as the maid washed her face.

Her voice still carried the drowsiness of morning, yet it was clear and pleasant, reminiscent of trickling spring water, captivating anyone who heard it.

The maid moved gently, careful not to hurt her, and replied, "I heard movement in the main house earlier and sent hot water over. They must have risen."

Fan Xueyao nodded, finished washing, and sat down at the dressing table as the maid began to comb her hair.

Looking at her reflection, though still young, she saw the beginnings of a breathtakingly beautiful face, which pleased her.

Everything else she could achieve through effort and planning, but her appearance was a gift from her parents, unchangeable. Without plastic surgery, if she had been born plain, it would have been much harder to attain her goals. In her previous life, her clear and elegant features had certainly helped her reach the position of deputy mayor by the age of thirty.

However, compared to her current face, her past appearance seemed inferior. The smooth, fair skin she now possessed was something even noble ladies rarely achieved. Her natural beauty, warm in winter and cool in summer, made her mother envious.

It had been fourteen years since she arrived in this world. At the time, she was flying to a neighboring province for a stadium opening ceremony when turbulence struck, leading to her death.

Before dying, she felt immense regret, having always dreamed of reaching the pinnacle of her political career. With her unique abilities, she could have become the first female prime minister. But everything depended on her survival.

The plane crash, however, shattered all her plans.

But when she woke up as a prematurely born infant, she realized that the crash was the beginning of her true ambition.

Her life was just beginning!

"Lady, how does this hairstyle look?" Yan Ran's soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

Coming back to reality, Fan Xueyao looked at her reflection. Her loose black hair had been styled into twin buns adorned with pearl flowers, enhancing her natural beauty.

"Good. Very nice," she nodded, smiling in satisfaction.

In her previous life, to avoid being seen as relying on her looks, she had kept her appearance understated, often wearing simple hairstyles and makeup. Now, she could freely adorn herself with the finest jewelry and wear the most beautiful clothes.

Yan Ran smiled, pleased with the praise.

Leng Xiang stepped forward, saying, "Lady, it's time to change your clothes." She moved aside to reveal a black lacquer screen with red clouds, on which hung a set of robes. Two other screens held a bright red jacket and a light brown jacket.

After changing into the robes, Fan Xueyao's gaze fell on the bright red jacket.

The jacket was made of exquisite brocade, with intricate floral patterns, extremely luxurious. Her mother had splurged to buy this expensive material. Though she usually disliked such bright colors, her recent good mood made her choose the bright red jacket.

Seeing this, Leng Xiang smiled inwardly, knowing she had guessed correctly.

The maids' eyes widened in awe as Fan Xueyao emerged in her new outfit. She was truly beautiful!

Four little maids stared, unable to look away.

Yan Ran and Leng Xiang raised their chins proudly, sharing in her glory.

When the eldest lady married, everyone said she was a beauty, but few knew that the second lady was the true unparalleled beauty. If not for her dislike of social gatherings, her fame would have surpassed everyone else's. No matter how beautiful others were, they would pale in comparison to her.

Fan Xueyao stood before the mirror, admiring her reflection. Wearing a soft pink robe under the bright red brocade jacket and a saffron skirt, she smiled, like a blooming peach blossom, filling the room with radiance.

Satisfied, she smiled at her reflection. With her unique abilities and such beauty, what could she not achieve?

"Let's go. Don't keep Father and Mother waiting."

"Yes, Lady!" Leng Xiang escorted Fan Xueyao out, while Yan Ran stayed behind to give instructions to the maids.

The Fan family was not large, and due to the high cost of living in the Capital, their residence was somewhat cramped. Nevertheless, Fan Xueyao had her own small courtyard, a luxury even by modern standards. The matriarch lived in the main house, while her father and mother resided in the adjacent courtyard.

Others shared courtyards, but no one dared to challenge her exclusive use of a courtyard, as her parents were the ones in charge.

Fan Xueyao walked to her parents' courtyard daily, a path she knew well. Along the way, nurses, maids, and wives greeted her.

Reaching the main house, she saw Chen Shi standing on the steps, looking relieved to see her.

Ye Ye: A term used in the Song Dynasty to refer to one's father.