C1 He Had Transmigrated Here!

In a daze, Ann Yan felt as though she was being flipped and flopped like a pancake on a griddle, her instinctive resistance proving futile. Frustrated, she lashed out, only to find her hands restrained, which only intensified her torment...

"I've never seen such a lazy woman. It's way past dawn and she's still not up, lying in bed like a corpse all day, acting as if she's the pampered daughter of some wealthy family. Too bad she's got the life of a maidservant with the dreams of a lady..." the voice outside mocked.

Ann Yan paid no mind to the taunting. She lay on the bed, gazing vacantly at the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray.

She could have never imagined that a scenario straight out of a novel would become her reality. She had simply helped her nephew purchase a toy online, and as soon as the transaction was confirmed, her consciousness faded, and she found herself in this new body.

This body's former owner was also named Ann Yan, a chief maidservant in the service of the old lady at the House of Marquis Annan. The old lady had plans to bestow Ann Yan upon the Hereditary Prince of Marquis Annan as a concubine. Ann Yan herself had secretly cherished the refined and handsome prince.

Confident in her beauty, Ann Yan believed that once given to the prince, she would surely win his favor. However, she never anticipated that with the mistress's pregnancy, she would be so hastily discarded.

Desperate, Ann Yan had managed to escape her guards and plead her case before the old lady, seeking justice. But the old lady, unwilling to trouble her pregnant granddaughter-in-law for the sake of a maidservant, sold Ann Yan off without hesitation.

Such sold servants rarely met with good fortunes, especially when the former household intended to send them to some far-flung place.

Fortune smiled upon Ann Yan, though, as the toothless broker took pity on her, deeming it a sin to sell such a fine young woman to a brothel. This coincided with Old Madam Han's search for a suitable bride for her son.

Old Madam Han was not like the typical mother-in-law. Robust herself, she sought a bride of fairer complexion for her son, hoping for more attractive offspring. Feeling guilty about her son's previous disastrous marriage, she saw potential in Ann Yan. Despite Ann Yan's pride, her clear and honest gaze suggested she could be molded. With a decisive bite of her lip, Old Madam Han spent twenty taels of silver to purchase Ann Yan as a bride for her son.

It was quite the spectacle when Old Madam Han decided to spend twenty taels of silver to bring Ann Yan into the family. In those parts, even a respectable sum for a city girl's hand in marriage was around ten taels, yet here she was, digging deep into her savings. The matchmaker, eyeing the hefty sum, felt it was a good deal, though not as lucrative as selling to less savory places. Nevertheless, the transaction was sealed.

Upon learning that Grandma had shelled out such an amount for Ol' Six's bride, the Han Family was in an uproar. Twenty taels of silver was no small fortune; it could have filled their granary with grain. The combined dowries of the other daughters-in-law hadn't even come close to this figure.

But Old Madam Han was a force to be reckoned with. A widow who had single-handedly raised her children and built a livelihood, she was more formidable than many men. Once she set her mind to something, not even her sons or daughters-in-law could sway her.

When Han Ze returned from the barracks, he found himself with a stunning bride. To claim indifference would be dishonest. Ann Yan wasn't just beautiful; she exuded the grace of a lady from a prominent household, a cut above the village girls and even the daughters of the city's elite. There's wisdom in the saying, "Better to marry a noble's maidservant than a commoner's daughter."

Spending twenty taels did sting, but Han Ze knew his mother's temperament well. If she was determined to make a purchase, the matter was settled, and no one could dissuade her. Besides, Han Ze felt he had the advantage in the end. He had contributed much to the family over the years, and accepting this gesture from his mother didn't weigh on his conscience. Plus, with his previous marriage having left him disillusioned, and his frequent military duties, his children needed a caretaker.

Yet, no one anticipated the fiery spirit beneath Ann Yan's poised exterior. Far from meek, she had been a respected maidservant in the Marquis Mansion, quick-witted and dignified. Being sold to the Han Family did not sit well with her, and she harbored deep resentment. In the eyes of the Han Family, Han Ze might have been accomplished, but as a mere Commander, he didn't hold a candle to the Hereditary Prince. Ann Yan's pride and discontent soon became apparent to everyone.

The Han Family had long harbored dissatisfaction with Ann Yan, and her defiant attitude only fueled the fire. No one was inclined to indulge her—why should they? Consequently, from the moment Ann Yan joined the Han household, it had been nothing but turmoil and unrest.

Initially, Han Ze harbored hopes of a peaceful life, but Ann Yan's rebellious behavior was even more troublesome than his former daughter-in-law, who had eloped with another man. Proud as he was, Han Ze decided that if Ann Yan looked down on him, he would simply avoid her, choosing instead to spend most of his days at the military barracks.

This time, Ann Yan had stirred up a serious commotion, even managing to infuriate Old Madam Liu. In a fit of rage, Han Ze nearly resorted to violence. Frustrated and defiant, Ann Yan didn't back down, pushing him to the edge.

So, she pined for the esteemed Hereditary Prince and forbade Han Ze's touch? He was determined to prove her wrong. And so, the young and vulnerable Ann Yan was no match for Han Ze's determination.

With her heart set on the Hereditary Prince, Ann Yan couldn't bear the ordeal and the intense distress led to her untimely demise. When she awoke, she was still Ann Yan in name, but her spirit had been irrevocably altered.

Now in possession of the body's memories, Ann Yan was at a loss for words. The original soul had met a tragic end, leaving her with the aftermath and the incessant, judgmental chatter from outside. The noise was so aggravating it gave her a headache. How was she to navigate the days ahead?

In the courtyard:

"Third sister-in-law, please stop talking about it. Mother treasures the Sixth Brother's family dearly. If she hears you, she'll surely scold you. Besides, you know better than to provoke the Sixth Brother's temper."