The Kingdom of Fengchao is a prosperous empire where women hold power and men are considered subordinate. Women are born strong and robust, with a lifespan that is 15 to 20 years longer than men's. Over time, women became the decision-makers, and men were expected to serve them.
In this society, men are required to be virtuous, capable, and to treat their wives as the most important people. They are expected to follow the traditional virtues of obedience and good character, managing the household and raising children well.
Zora, the 17-year-old daughter of the Duke of the Kingdom, is a beautiful but infamous figure. She lost her father at a young age, and her stepmother married a man of low status, raising her under his family's name. Zora was intentionally raised with a twisted personality and became known as a foolish beauty. Zora resembled her late father, with almond-shaped eyes and a small, upturned nose. Although her appearance was striking, she had an arrogant and domineering nature, spending her days playing with birds and teasing dogs, often involved in scandalous affairs, which made her notorious in the capital.
Her family, the Duke's household, had once been influential, serving the first emperor on the battlefield, but over generations, their status had declined. Under her mother's generation, the family was in a state of decline. The current empress, aware of their former contributions, allowed the family to live in peace, and Zora's mother, Madam Bai, had arranged for a position as a scholar in the national academy.
Among the Duke's daughters, Zora's reputation was notorious, while her younger sister Yeyin was highly praised. Many young men admired Yeyin, but because of the family's modest status and the fact that she was not the heir, many potential suitors were hesitant to pursue her.
Yeyin, born to Zora's stepmother, was a year younger, standing at 175 cm, with a tall, strong build and a strikingly heroic appearance. She had captivating fox-like eyes and was skilled in both literature and martial arts. From a young age, she had admired Sean, the second son of the grand minister's family. Understanding that she couldn't marry him due to their differences in social status, she devised a plan to seduce him. Eventually, she succeeded in gaining his affection and became his second wife.
Looking at the events of today, Zora couldn't help but feel astonished. Yeyin had truly played her cards well, achieving what seemed like a masterstroke of success. From framing Zora to winning Sean over, and from taking over the Duke's position to eventually becoming the Grand General of the military, Yeyin had planned everything carefully. In comparison, Zora seemed like nothing more than a pawn, with her greatest accomplishment being her affair with Sean.
An hour later, Ana's voice called out from the door, "Miss, have you woken up? The hangover soup is ready. Should I bring it in for you?"
"Miss hasn't gotten up yet, there's no sound coming from the room. Let's not disturb her for now. I'll bring it in once she wakes up," Mana responded.
"Alright, I'll go check the kitchen. Notify me when Miss wakes up, and I'll serve her breakfast."
The sound of footsteps faded.
Zora's head throbbed, her mind struggling to stay clear. She took a bottle of basic recovery potion and drank it. This body had not undergone any genetic modifications and was quite fragile. She couldn't risk using higher-grade potions, so she had to heal gradually.
After drinking the potion, Zora fell into a deep sleep.
Late at night, in the grand minister's estate, a man dressed in black sat under a peach tree, his head lowered. His pale lips were pressed together, and his star-like eyes seemed dull, as if clouded with sorrow. His hair, still damp, added to his cold, distant aura.
"Lord, you've been bathing for so long. The night is getting colder, and the wind might harm you. Let me help you dry your hair and rest," said Sean's nurse, Mr. Shi, who gently draped a cloak over his shoulders with a worried expression.
"It's fine, Mr. Shi. It's late. Please go rest. I'll be fine," Sean said in a hoarse, hollow voice, not even turning his head.
"Are you troubled, Lord? Did you face any difficulties at the princess's banquet today? If anything unpleasant happened, don't let it weigh on you. Madam is already choosing a wife for you. You have a bright future ahead, so think positively and don't let anything hold you back." Mr. Shi crouched down, gently taking Sean's hand, his concern growing stronger.
Sean's heart was heavy, unsure of how to express his feelings. Not wanting Mr. Shi to worry further, he forced a weak smile, patted his hand, and stood up, heading toward his room.
That woman had taken his body and ruined his reputation. He swore to take revenge, even if it meant tearing her apart first.
At dawn, Zora stretched and felt the effects of the potion. The body was slowly recovering, and she felt much better, like she had been reborn.
A foul smell suddenly filled the air, making Zora gag. She quickly called out, "Mana, bring me some water. I need a bath."
"Yes, Miss! Are you hungry, thirsty, or feeling unwell? I'll have hot water ready for you right away," Mana rushed in, her eyes widening as she caught a glimpse of the room.
As she entered, she froze, her face turning red as she pinched her nose. "Miss, what happened here? It's... so smelly!"
She hurriedly left to fetch water.
Zora could only shake her head. What had this body been subjected to? How could someone live like this every day? It took five buckets of water to finally clean up the mess.
Once clean, Ana was surprised. "Miss, you look stunning today! Your complexion is glowing, your lips have a natural red tint, and your skin is smooth and flawless like jade! There are no pores at all!"
"Help me dress," Zora smiled softly, finding Ana quite endearing.
"Ana, I've already prepared the clothes and jewelry. Lisa is also preparing breakfast. I'll go clean up the water buckets and tidy up," Ana said as she quickly moved to get everything ready.
Lisa helped Zora into a light inner garment before presenting two dresses. "Miss, which one would you like to wear today? You're going to the Green Grass Pavilion to see Young Lord Biluo, so choose your favorite!"
Zora smiled in amusement, glad for the help with her clothing, as the dresses in this era were difficult to figure out. But when she looked up, she froze.
One dress was a flashy pink number, gaudier than the clothes worn by women in brothels in dramas. The other was even worse—a patchwork of multicolored embroidered small tops paired with a violet skirt slit up to the thigh.
What kind of taste did this body have?