Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Transmigrated into a Novel

The spring sun was warm and gentle, the scenery beautiful; the March skies of the capital were like a painting.

The Marquis Zhongyong's family had just returned from a banquet at the Duke of Yingguo's residence. As soon as they entered the mansion, the gates were shut tight, and all visitors were refused, as if some private family matter needed to be dealt with.

Lin Shu's head was muddled, and her face stung as if she had been slapped hard. She was being dragged forward roughly.

She had been too hungry today, unable to use her strange strength, which led to her carelessly falling into a trap while fighting zombies. Soon, the zombie virus would spread throughout her body, and she would turn into an ugly zombie.

Her companions never showed mercy to those infected by zombies.

Once she completely lost her sanity, they would decapitate her and burn her to ashes...

Though life had been exhausting, Lin Shu hadn’t had enough of it yet—she didn’t want to die.

Thud.

She was forced to her knees.

"You wretched creature! If not for our nephew’s timely discovery, our household's reputation would have been ruined by you! Framing your own sister, sullying her purity—such a malicious heart! You are no longer fit to be a daughter of the Marquis Zhongyong!"

The furious roar made Lin Shu’s heart tremble.

Dazed, she looked up and saw a tall, imposing, middle-aged man with a stern face and angry expression.

Behind him, a dignified and noble-looking beautiful woman was covering her face, weeping softly.

Lin Shu observed the two’s attire, glanced around the classically decorated room, and finally looked down at her own clothing.

Before she could process this, a sharp pain shot through her head, and fragments of memories flooded in.

She had transmigrated into a novel.

In the post-apocalyptic world, humanity's entertainment was scarce, and she had read a novel out of boredom.

The novel mainly revolved around the tumultuous, twist-filled love story between the true daughter of the Marquis Zhongyong, Lin Yao, and the Heir to the Duke of Yingguo, Gu Yian.

In typical true and false *qianjin* stories, if the true daughter is the protagonist, the fake daughter is either a foil or the antagonist. This book was no exception.

The originally selfish and spoiled fake daughter, upon learning she was an impostor occupying another’s place, had a breakdown. She vied for favor and stirred up trouble, making the true daughter suffer greatly. But the true daughter was kind and resilient; no matter how many schemes were thrown at her, she won over more and more people, while the fake daughter ended up despised by everyone.

However, the female lead’s kindness and simplicity were merely a facade—she was so formidable because she had been reborn! She was a ruthless character who always repaid grudges!

After confirming that her childhood friend, the Heir to the Duke of Yingguo—also the male lead—would marry no one but the female lead, the fake daughter completely turned to the dark side. During the sixtieth birthday celebration of the Duke of Yingguo’s mother, she plotted to feed the true daughter a potent aphrodisiac and have a rough, burly guard ruin her purity.

Unexpectedly, the female lead turned the tables, leading the male lead to uncover the scheme and exposing the fake daughter’s ugly true nature before everyone. Marquis Zhongyong was enraged, and even Marchioness Zhongyong, who had always doted on her, was utterly disappointed and finally gave up on her.

In the end, the fake daughter was banished to a country estate in the outskirts of the capital, where she went insane, engaged in self-harm, and died. Meanwhile, the true daughter and the male lead, after overcoming obstacles and misunderstandings, lived a happy life together.

As luck would have it, Lin Shu had transmigrated into this vicious fake daughter.

To make matters worse, it was already too late to salvage the plot—the story was nearing its end, and she was about to be banished to the estate. She had just gained a new life, only to immediately face the story’s grand finale.

Recalling all the trouble the original owner had caused, Lin Shu felt her vision darken.

There was no defending it—the original owner was a truly malicious supporting character.

Being banished to the estate was already a magnanimous act by the Marquis Zhongyong’s household, since at least she would be provided with food and shelter. For Lin Shu, who came from the post-apocalyptic world, even having a full meal was a struggle.

Marchioness Zhongyong’s eyes were red from crying. After Marquis Zhongyong finished cursing her as a wretched creature, she spoke up hoarsely, "Shu’er, what did Yao’er ever do to you that you would harm her like this? Two years ago, when I learned you were not my biological daughter, though I was heartbroken, I never let you suffer the slightest injustice. I only told outsiders that Yao’er was your biological sister raised in the countryside. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with? Why can’t you accept her?!"

Just then, nanny Gui, who served Marchioness Zhongyong, came to report, "Madam, Sister Yao has been given the antidote and has fallen asleep. But the physician said... the aphrodisiac she was given was extremely potent, and since it wasn’t neutralized in time, it has harmed her constitution. She may have difficulties with childbearing in the future and will need careful nurturing."

"What?!" Marchioness Zhongyong staggered, feeling dizzy.

How important offspring were to a woman!

Lin Shu was stunned, thinking: The female lead was truly ruthless—to expose the fake daughter, she actually took that potent aphrodisiac.

The last bit of maternal affection Marchioness Zhongyong had felt vanished completely. She glared at Lin Shu and slapped her hard.

Lin Shu’s body couldn’t dodge in time. The slap landed squarely.

She hissed in pain.

It hurt so much! This body was just like her original one—unable to endure pain.

The Marchioness scolded angrily, "Are you satisfied with this outcome?! Lin Shu, I’ve wasted sixteen years raising you, only for you to become such a malicious and cruel wretch! Go to the Western Estate. Don’t come back for the rest of your life—I never want to see you again!"

Hardening her heart, her expression turned cold as she said self-mockingly, "A fake is a fake—rotten to the core. I should have sent you back two years ago when we discovered the truth, instead of letting you continue to play the Marquis's daughter and wrong Yao’er at every turn. It’s all my fault..."

In the book, these words drove Lin Shu to madness, but now, a sudden idea struck her.

While the estate would provide food and shelter, it also meant losing her freedom. It would be better to return to the original owner’s hometown and farm—wide open spaces, self-sufficiency.

Digging through the memory fragments, she found it—a small mountain village in the southwest!

She knew the entire southwest region like the back of her hand! In her previous life, as the "Violent Delicate Flower" of the Southwest Base, she had followed teams to scavenge for supplies. Later, when food became scarce, she roamed mountains and rivers, tasting every edible wildflower, plant, and fruit she could find. When it came to foraging, she was absolutely top-notch!

Lin Shu’s eyes lit up with a brilliant spark. She suddenly swayed and collapsed to the ground, teardrops like pearls falling heavily. She cried piteously, like a pear blossom bathed in rain, "Mother, Father, I was wrong."

Huh? Even her voice was the same?

She knew her own voice best—soft, sweet, and delicate, making her sound easy to bully. Combined with her face, she was practically born to be a delicate white lotus, a master at winning sympathy.

Lin Shu only paused for a moment before continuing her confession, "Waa, I was wrong. I was blinded by jealousy. Father and Mother dote on Sister Yao more than me, my brother is closer to her than to me, even Brother Yian has shifted his affection and adores her. Everyone likes her more than me, so I grew insanely jealous and developed malicious intentions. I’m sorry, wuu..."

This time, Marchioness Zhongyong remained firm. "Enough! Do you think this is the only wrong you’ve done? I’ve had nanny Gui investigate—every single thing you’ve done has chilled my heart!"

Marquis Zhongyong was equally unmoved. "There's no point in saying more. From now on, you are no longer the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhongyong. You can either spend the rest of your life in a nunnery with a dim lamp and ancient Buddha, or on the estate. The choice is yours."

Lin Shu smiled bitterly, swaying unsteadily like a white camellia in the wind. "How could I have the face to ask for your forgiveness? I’ve truly come to my senses. Marchioness Zhongyong is right—two years ago, when I found out I was the mistakenly raised fake daughter, I shouldn’t have clung shamelessly to the Marquis’s household. I should return to where I came from."

As she referred to herself as the Marchioness, she couldn’t help but clutch her chest, feeling a dull pain.

Though Lin Shu wasn’t her biological daughter, she had doted on her for sixteen years!

Even when they first brought Lin Yao back, her heart had still been biased towards Lin Shu.

"Madam, you must not soften your heart again. You’ve already wronged Sister Yao too many times because of Sister Shu..." nanny Gui reminded softly.

Marchioness Zhongyong slowly clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand and said sternly, "nanny Gui, help Sister Shu pack a few changes of clothes. Send her to the estate first thing tomorrow morning. Assign two sturdy maids to watch her and ensure she doesn’t run off."

"Rest assured, Madam. This old servant will make sure someone keeps a close eye on Sister Shu so she can’t cause any more trouble."

Lin Shu: ...

Why does this old nanny speak with such venom?

In the original host's memories, she hadn't made any enemies of Nanny Gui.

Lin Shu half-covered her face with her sleeve, her shimmering, tear-filled eyes gazing at her supposed parents. "How dare I trouble Father and Mother further? A villainess like me... a woman like me doesn't deserve to stay in the manor enjoying luxuries, nor do I deserve to stay at the country estate. Though life on the estate is simple, it still provides enough food and drink—that would be far too lenient for me. I should be sent back to my original hometown to scratch a living from the soil for the rest of my life! I've come to my senses. I've enjoyed sixteen years of luxury that rightfully belonged to Sister Yao, and it's time to return it. There's no need to wait until tomorrow morning—I'll pack my things and leave tonight. I only hope that Father and Mother, seeing how aware and considerate I am, will allow me to take a meager amount of travel money so I don't starve to death on the road. Boo hoo..."

As these words were spoken, everyone in the room jolted in unison.

Nanny Gui looked at her as if she had seen a ghost.

Marquis Zhongyong was taken aback, his expression slightly moved.

Marchioness Zhongyong cried out in alarm, "Have you gone mad? You want to return to that small mountain village where Yao was born?!"

Lin Shu gave a gentle smile, her long, raven-feather lashes still glistening with crystal tears. "Mother, that is also the place where I was born. I should have returned two years ago, but I was too greedy for the marquis' wealth and glory, even abandoning my own birth parents. Thinking back now, how could I have been so heartless and selfish? Sister Yao dutifully cared for my parents for fourteen years. From now on, it's my turn to return and fulfill my filial duties."

Marchioness Zhongyong's recently hardened heart began to waver again.

Seeing this, Nanny Gui immediately put on her kindest, most grandmotherly expression and sighed, "Madam, if what Shu girl says is sincere, then she has truly grown up and become sensible. Perhaps we should let it go this time. After all, Sister Yao's virtue was only nearly compromised and she didn't actually lose her chastity. Even if her health was damaged by the strong aphrodisiac, with a few years of careful recuperation, she could still marry and have children in the future."

Before Marchioness Zhongyong could change her expression, Lin Shu said through gritted teeth, "Nanny Gui, rest assured, I sincerely intend to return to fulfill my filial duties to my birth parents. I'm not here to play the victim and win sympathy from Marquis Zhongyong and Marchioness Zhongyong."

Nanny Gui curled her lip and fell silent, but the scorn in her eyes showed she didn't believe a word Lin Shu said.

Hmph, putting on an act. Over the years, this wretched girl Lin Shu had deceived the master and mistress time and again with this weak and harmless act!

As Lin Shu was thinking how to express her determination, Marquis Zhongyong, who had been playing the stern father, suddenly spoke: "Have you thought it through? Do you truly intend to return?"

Lin Shu said resolutely, "Yes, Father, my mind is made up. I know where Sister Yao came from and how impoverished it is, but that is my rightful place."

Marquis Zhongyong nodded. "Very well. Rest at the manor tonight and leave tomorrow morning. The journey is long and treacherous—I will have someone escort you, as a final gesture of our sixteen years of father-daughter bond."

"Thank you, Fa... thank you, Marquis." Lin Shu kowtowed deeply to him.

Marquis Zhongyong's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing more.

Marchioness Zhongyong remained silent for a long time, her expression dazed.

Lin Shu bid farewell to her adoptive parents and withdrew on her own.

The original host, in her scheming for the day, had hardly eaten at the banquet. After all the drama, she was now starving. But having torn off the mask of the vicious supporting character, she had no face to ask the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack for her. So, taking advantage of the night watchwoman dozing off, she stealthily slipped into the kitchen herself.

Heavens! Steamed buns!

In the apocalypse, eating steamed buns was a luxury. Lin Shu drooled with craving.

She glanced back, then immediately grabbed a large steamed bun and began munching on it.

Though it had hardened after cooling, the texture was still good, especially after careful chewing, revealing a subtle sweetness.

In the iron pot, there was warm water, usually kept boiling hot for convenience whenever any young lady or master needed hot water.

Lin Shu unceremoniously scooped a bowl with a ladle, soaked the bun in the water, and soon finished the entire steamed bun.

Burp~

Lin Shu let out a satisfied burp, her face content.

It had been so long since she'd eaten so fully—so satisfying!

But—

She was full after just one steamed bun?!

Lin Shu was shocked, then ecstatic.

Back in the apocalypse, because of her strange strength, she could eat ten steamed buns and still only be eighty percent full.

Author's note:

----------------------