After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

"Although you are a princess of the current dynasty, now that you have married into the Xue family, it is essential that you pay your respects to the emperor every morning and evening!"

"Yes! Mother, please have some tea!"

It was nearly noon when Cao Yuan knelt before an old lady in the inner hall.

She was dressed in a crimson gown, with exquisite gold lotus embroidery on the hem, and white pearls adorning the collar and cuffs.

Suddenly her thoughts became chaotic, and her vision cleared up from blurry.

Just as the old lady opposite was about to accept the tea, the teacup that Cao Yuan was holding wobbled and fell to the ground.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

A girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old helped her up.

Cao Yuan looked up at her. The little girl had a round face and almond-shaped eyes. Her face was so tender that it looked like you could pinch water out of it. She had two simple buns on her head and wore a green dress that perfectly showcased her girlish charm.

She immediately recognized her as the maid who had served her since childhood. "Jinzhu! Aren't you..."

Cao Yuan's ears were ringing and her head was throbbing. What was going on? Wasn't Jinzhu dead?

And Cao Yuan had just been given poisoned wine.

"Ah Yuan, are you feeling unwell?!" A familiar voice rang out, sending a chill down her spine. She would recognize that voice even if she were reduced to ashes!

“You!” Cao Yuan looked up at the familiar faces.

She looked around. The red brocade carpet in the mansion stretched from the inner hall to the outside of the mansion, and the red color of the eaves and corners still remained.

I immediately felt a chill.

This scene depicts her first day of marriage into the Xue family ten years ago.

She was reborn! Back to ten years ago!

In her previous life, Cao Yuan was the fourth princess of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Her mother passed away early, leaving behind only her two children. Her elder brother was the Crown Prince, while she was sent by the Emperor to the border to be raised by her maternal grandfather from a young age.

Years later, her elder brother died in a fire at the Eastern Palace, and coincidentally, she also won a battle against the enemy on the battlefield that year. The emperor bestowed upon her the Tiger Tally, granting her command of 100,000 troops of the Great Wei, making her revered by thousands and loved by the people.

However, who could have predicted that such a brilliant life trajectory would be completely changed because of a man?

Back then, she was out of her mind and disregarded her maternal clan's objections, insisting on marrying Xue Xinian, a wealthy man from a poor family.

After ten years of marriage, she helped him rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the prominent Prime Minister of the court.

The first thing he did upon taking office was to kill her to silence her and exterminate her entire clan.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, my maternal grandfather's entire clan, who was guarding the border, was unjustly accused of treason, and all three hundred members of the clan were beheaded without exception.

Even when Cao Yuan tried to retrieve the body, the new emperor threw it into the mountains to feed the wild animals, leaving Cao Yuan with nothing but bones.

Her beloved maternal grandfather never understood, even on his deathbed, why he, who had devoted his life to loyalty to the emperor and love for his country, had met such an end.

Later, Xue Xinian severed her tendons, crippling her martial arts skills.

Until the very last moment of her life, she awoke as if from a dream, realizing that all of this was a scheme devised by the man beside her and her imperial sister!

Why have you done this to me!

'Elder sister, you only rely on your maternal clan's glory; otherwise, why would Father have entrusted you with such an important item as the Tiger Tally? Why should I always be inferior to you? Why should I wrong Xue Lang to marry you!'

Wronged?

She did everything she could to help him rise to power, only to be met with a feeling of injustice in return!

"Let me tell you, from the moment you returned to the capital, every single thing that led to your disgrace and infamy was meticulously planned by me! Even the Emperor taking back your tiger tally was our doing, hahaha..."

Her voice was icy and full of mockery, like a sharp sword piercing the heart. Every word carried deep malice and smugness, sending chills down one's spine.

"Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, you no longer have your father's protection, and my Xue Lang is now the prime minister. You are of no use to me anymore, hahahaha."

"Xue Xinian, we've been married for ten years. I've given you my whole heart. How have you treated me?"

'Who told you to be so stupid? You believe everything I say! Every time I'm with you, I feel incredibly disgusted.'

Xue Xinian's evil face was finally revealed.

'Cao Yuan, don't trust men so easily in your next life. Just enjoy your time with your family.'

After drinking a cup of poisoned wine, Cao Yuan, perhaps experiencing a final burst of energy before death, regained her strength. With her last breath, she plunged the dagger in her arms into Xue Xinian's chest.

'Ah! Xue Lang!'

'Xue Xinian, you all owe me everything you have to repay in your next life!'

She closed her eyes, then opened them again, and was transported back ten years.

"Ah Yuan, why are your eyes so red? Didn't you get enough rest?"

Xue Xinian held Cao Yuan's hand affectionately. He had always done so, and he had pretended to be like this in front of Cao Yuan for ten years without her noticing.

Should we say he's a good actor or that he's just too stupid?

Cao Yuan's bloodshot eyes were filled with a hatred that made her want to skin the person in front of her alive. In her previous life, she had suffered such a fate because of a man. Now that she was reborn, she was determined to kill him again.

Xue Xinian was puzzled by the unprecedented hatred in Cao Yuan's eyes, and explained, "It was already very late after my social engagement last night, so I didn't bother you. Yuan, don't be angry with me."

Angry? I'm more than just angry; I'm ready to kill you.

Cao Yuan shook off his hand. "That's disgusting!"

"Princess, you're already so unwilling on the first day of the tea ceremony! You have no sincerity at all in being a daughter-in-law of the Xue family." Old Madam Xue said with displeasure.

In her previous life, Cao Yuan went to great lengths to please the Xue family in order to marry into their family. However, on the first day of her marriage, the Xue family deliberately made things difficult for her, making her wait in the inner hall from dawn until noon.

"You made our Highness wait until noon, and then you criticize our Highness? That's too much!" Jinzhu couldn't help but say.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind Jinzhu and pinched her ear. "Ouch! It hurts!"

"Does a servant like you have the right to speak? When the master speaks, servants should refrain from interrupting."

Jinzhu broke free from her and hid behind Cao Yuan.

She wore lavish clothes that were incongruous with her status; the silk and satin fabrics did not exude any sense of nobility on her.

The hairpins on her head were not only poorly placed, but were also Cao Yuan's dowry items.

Xue Xiqiong is Xue Xinian's older sister and has always been domineering.

"Princess, these servants are really..."

Before Xue Xiqiong could finish speaking, Cao Yuan slapped her so hard she nearly knocked her unconscious and fell to the ground.

Having grown up in a military camp since childhood, Cao Yuan was much stronger than any unmarried woman.

"How dare you! When did it become your place to lecture my people!" Cao Yuan rebuked.

"Sister! How are you!" Xue Xinian helped her up.

"Your Highness..." Jinzhu was stunned. Was this still her master who had always been obedient to the Xue family?

Since meeting Xue Xinian, Cao Yuan has never allowed her to neglect the Xue family, but today she actually took action for her.

"Xinian, look at the wonderful wife you married!" Xue Xiqiong rolled on the ground in protest.

A hint of surprise flashed in Xue Xinian's eyes.

“Princess, now that you have married my son, you must know proper etiquette. Qiong’er is your elder sister, how can you hit her like that?” Old Madam Xue glanced at Cao Yuan.

“Mother is right. I was too impulsive just now. Since we’ve already started fighting, how about letting my elder sister fight back?” Cao Yuan let out a long breath and bowed.

The crowd fell silent. Cao Yuan chuckled, her eyes sharp; they wouldn't dare do that even if they had ten times the courage.

"Let's continue serving tea!" Old Madam Xue changed the subject.

Cao Yuan glanced at the tea the maid was carrying and said disdainfully, "In my opinion, this tea is unnecessary!!!"