Chapter 23 The Female Lead’s Boast
Mother stepped into the carriage first.
I lingered half a step behind—and Shen Wanrong caught up.
“Xie Yaohua, no wonder you’ve grown bold. You found yourself a powerful backer.”
She shot a venomous glance at Mother’s carriage, but kept her voice low. Chin high, she sneered.
“No matter. I’m the female lead. Just wait—the top spot in the Women’s Examination is mine.”
“You and your mother can rise from the dead all you like. In front of the beloved heroine, you’re nothing but stepping stones.”
She flicked her sleeve and hurried after the Xie men.
A few words from her, and both father and son softened, fussing over her as they helped her into their carriage. They never looked our way again.
I let out a quiet, incredulous laugh.
Some people truly had unshakable confidence.
The curtain fell. Mother poured me tea.
A knowing smile touched her lips.
“Beloved heroine? Female lead? She really believes heaven chose her.”
“Tell me—when did you first realize something was wrong with her?”
The tea was fine Que Long Zhu. I cradled the warm cup and answered honestly.
“At first, only suspicion.”
“The very first meeting, she acted superior, certain she had me figured out.”
“I yielded on purpose. She seemed surprised and tested me with questions.”
“But I wasn’t sure until the spring banquet, when she recited that poem. Then I knew—she had transmigrated too.”
That spring, her poem had spread everywhere.
“To live as a hero among men, to die as a mighty ghost. Even now I think of Xiang Yu, refusing to cross the river east.”
She thought no one would recognize a poem from centuries later.
She didn’t know Mother was also a transmigrator. To protect me from the original story, Mother had guided me since I was small.
The most important lesson: knowledge brings clarity and strength.
Night after night, I studied the classics. I memorized every famous work by women in history.
They were my guides.
She believed she was the female lead, so of course “they would only love her.”
She had already shone with poetry once. She wouldn’t miss the chance to shine again in the Women’s Examination.
She truly thought wherever she stood, the world revolved around her.
But the original story was rooted in the Loyal and Brave Marquis Mansion.
Without that stage, could she still command their blind devotion?