Qiang Jin Jiu - Chapter 257: Tea talk

A princess's duty is to be beautiful, quiet, not loud, to be seen and not to be heard, which was how Dahlia lived most of her life. Bound by the expectations of her title, she spent years trying to prove to her father that she was more than just a princess and capable of being more than an ornament in his court but each time she never got the chance. Instead, she was forced into a marriage of convenience with the bravest knight in all the kingdom, Reagan Hawthorne.Dahlia thought she would use this marriage to escape the brutal crutches of her father and glide out of her cage but Reagan’s cold disdain was an unexpected prison of its own. While he waged wars on distant lands, she stayed behind, holding his household together and protecting the people he seemed to ignore. But Dahlia carried a dangerous secret. By day, she was the perfect wife. By night, she became the “Black Knight,” a masked vigilante fighting for justice in the shadows.Reagan returned, ready to focus on his personal mission: avenging his father’s death. To him, Dahlia was just another pawn in his plans—a spoiled princess he needed to tolerate. But as cracks began to form in her perfect façade, Reagan couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his wife than met the eye.Now, with enemies circling closer and their secrets threatening to collide, Dahlia and Reagan must confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. But when masks fall and truths are revealed, will their fragile bond withstand the storm—or will it shatter beyond repair?One wound. One secret. One night that changes everything.

Wei Shao’s part.

At first, Marquis of Yan, Wei Shao, was advised to marry the Qiao’s daughter : “The Qiao’s family has been in the Eastern County for three generations, although declining, but deeply honored, like the hundred-foot insects that die but not stiff. My Lord is majestic and powerful. The family of Qiao has begged the Lord, so why not take the daughter of the Qiao family and use her?”

Later, Wei Shao finally understood and hit his own face. It’s hurt, really hurt.

Xiao Qiao’s part.

Hmm, men are indeed cheap bones. The Emperor is the same.

……

- Description from Novelupdates

Originally born from a wealthy family, she ends up leading a vagrant life for fifteen years. However, when she is eventually found by her family, she falls into another devious plot and eventually dies tragically.

Fifteen years after her rebirth, ravenously raging for revenge, she tears down the hypocritical mask of the foster daughter who had taken her place, and reduces her greedy stepmother and stepsister back to their original sorry states.

To the jerk’s profession of his deep love for her, she only has one thing to say, “Get the hell out of my life. The love you speak of humiliates love!”

Regardless of the appearances of you monsters, I’ll take in it my stride with my capability, building a business dynasty of my own, sitting in the depths of my riches, bathing in the glistening limelight of the world.

A certain rich empire’s CEO: “Don’t mind me. I’m just leaving my mark here to declaring my possession rights; I’ll wait patiently for you to grow up!” The queen’s mighty return with commercial warfare fully within her grasp, she navigates the power struggles with skill and verve. When it comes to scheming conspiracies, all she has to say is, “Who are you again? Don’t even bother!”

- Description from Novelupdates

When Astrid transmigrated into the fantasy webnovel she once read, she found herself in the shoes of the story's most hated villainess, a character destined for a tragic end.According to the original plot, the Main Protagonist is hell-bent on killing her at all costs, her cunning step-sister schemes to throw her into the dungeon and usurp the throne at the first opportunity, and even her loyal caretaker has abandoned her.With enemies on all sides and time running out, Astrid realizes her fate is sealed unless she takes matters into her own hands.Determined to survive, Astrid decides to fight back, but as she begins to navigate this world, something feels... off. Why is the Main Protagonist, now showing her unexpected kindness? Why is her step-sister, who should be plotting her downfall, suddenly seeking her favor?••••••It's a yuri harem novel.