The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 1: I’m Going to the Palace

　　“Miss, Master and Young Master are back. Madam is calling you to come and have your meal,” said a maid who had come from the main courtyard.

　　In the antique-style room, Shen Ling, seated at a bronze mirror while a maid brushed her hair, replied, “Mm, got it.”

　　When the maid noticed she hadn’t moved, she urged, “Madam said you should hurry. If you want to get dressed up, you can go back to your room after the meal, so why waste time now?”

　　Shen Ling said, “It’s the first time meeting the family, so I should dress carefully. Didn’t the ¹Matron teach me the rules about wearing proper attire?”

　　Hearing that, the maid didn’t push any further.

　　Lowering her head, Shen Ling secretly rolled her eyes where no one could see. She had been in the Shen Manor for half a month. Back in her old life, she was just an ordinary person who worked during the day and stayed late at night, running herself ragged to make a living. One night, while taking out the trash, she slipped on water spilled on the stairs, fell, and died. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in this world. Soon, she realized she had transmigrated into a novel about a real-and-fake heiress.

　　In the book, she was the vicious supporting character, who constantly highlighted the female lead halo. She was rude, malicious, and schemed against the female lead in every way possible, only to meet a tragic end.

　　At birth, she had been maliciously switched by a favored concubine of the Shen family with a child from the countryside. The matter only came to light because the concubine’s brother had committed a crime and was to be executed in the autumn. Unable to plead for help from Madam Shen, she retaliated by revealing the full details of the child swap.

　　The Shen family, of course, would not allow their bloodline to be lost, so they sent people to the countryside to bring her back. However, the Shen family’s rules clashed with her personality. Compared to Shen Xi, who had been pampered by the Shen family for years, she appeared dull, crude, and uncouth, and the Shen family disliked her.

　　Meanwhile, the female lead, Shen Xi, despite her background being exposed, was not sent away. She stayed with the Shen family, wrapped in their pity and treated like a precious jewel. Eventually, she married the Shen family’s legitimate son, the male lead, Shen Jinxiu.

　　Shen Ling couldn’t help but wonder if the Shen family were really that foolish—throwing away their own daughter just to dote on someone who wasn’t even theirs?

　　When she was finally brought back to the Shen Manor and sent straight to the Matron to learn proper etiquette without even meeting her family, Shen Ling confirmed one undeniable fact: the Shen family really was that foolish.

　　Once her makeup was finished, Shen Ling followed the maid leading her to the main hall. Along the way, other maids and servants bowed and greeted her as “Miss.” Shen Ling smiled politely the whole way. Once she passed, they started whispering behind her back about the village girl who had now transformed into a high-born lady of the Minister Mansion. Shen Ling’s mind was full of questions—hadn’t they been gossiping about her for half a month already? She was practically memorizing it all at this point!

　　When they reached the main hall, Shen Ling saw her mother, Madam Jiang. She had delicate features and wore elegant, luxurious clothing, looking every bit a woman used to being treated with respect and comfort.

　　The moment Shen Ling stepped in, she met her mother’s gaze.

　　Shen Ling was the first to speak, “Mother.”

　　Madam Jiang nodded. “Your manners are well learned.”

　　Shen Ling replied, “...It's all thanks to the nanny's excellent teaching.”

　　In her mind, though, she was thinking:

　　—If I don’t learn properly, I’ll get slapped. I’m scared of the pain.

　　—Do you know how much I've sacrificed behind those five words? And all you say is five words? Really?

　　Madam Jiang had no idea what Shen Ling was thinking. After that one comment, she remained silent, sipping her tea in small, careful sips.

　　Shen Ling thought, “...Is finishing one cup of tea really that complicated?”

　　A little later, a maid came to report, “Madam, Master and Young Master have changed their clothes. Second Miss is accompanying them over now.”

　　Madam Jiang said, “Have the servants start serving the meal.”

　　“Yes.”

　　Madam Jiang looked at Shen Ling and sighed inwardly.

　　Back then, she never could believe that Xi’er wasn’t her child. She had always thought the concubine was just making things up. Who would have thought that after Master’s interrogation, the concubine’s story turned out to be true? Seeing Xi’er cry uncontrollably, Madam Jiang had already started disliking Shen Ling, even before she was brought back.

　　When Shen Ling returned to the Shen Manor, the Matron who had been teaching her etiquette had spent half a month training her before she got it right. Madam Jiang’s opinion of her dropped a few more points. Such a clumsy, dull person could never compare to her Xi’er.

　　Madam Jiang said, “Soon you’ll meet your father and brother. If there’s anything you don’t understand, spend more time with your sister.” Her eyes sparkled with a smile. “Xi’er is gentle and generous. She’s been the heart of our family since she was little.”

　　Shen Ling smiled. “My sister is really impressive.”

　　—Yeah, impressive enough to crush someone. I’ve never seen a heart that heavy before. Who could handle that much?　　

　　Before this, Madam Jiang hadn’t said much to Shen Ling. But once she started talking about Shen Xi, it was like opening a floodgate. She just wouldn’t stop.

　　Shen Ling kept one expression the whole time—smiling.

　　Madam Jiang’s gaze lingered on the doorway, full of anticipation, as if the next second she would see Shen Xi and burst with motherly affection. But when her eyes fell on Shen Ling sharing the same room, the smile on her face faded.

　　“You must remember what I said,” Madam Jiang continued. “I know your manners don’t match Xi’er’s, or else I wouldn’t have sent the Matron to teach you. But now that you are a lady of the Shen family and your father is the Minister of Personnel, you cannot bring your old ways into the Manor and embarrass the Shen family.”

　　Footsteps echoed from outside, along with the servants calling for Master. Shen Ling knew her father, Shen Kangzheng, the Minister of Personnel, was arriving.

　　Madam Jiang smiled at Shen Ling. “Child, didn’t I tell you to be more at ease in front of me? You are my daughter. Being so distant only hurts your mother’s heart.”

　　“Tap, tap—” Shen Kangzheng’s footsteps fell in time with Madam Jiang’s words.

　　Shen Ling’s expression was hard to read.

　　—Are you serious? This dramatic? Just start putting on a show?

　　Shen Kangzheng entered, looking at Shen Ling with a kind expression. Scholarly and gentle, he said, “You must be Ling’er. We are all family here. This is your home. You don’t need to act formal.”

　　Shen Ling put on her usual unchanging smile. “Yes, Father.”

　　At this moment, all she needed to do was smile.

　　She turned to Shen Jinxiu behind him and called out, “Brother.”

　　Shen Jinxiu resembled Shen Kangzheng in his features, refined and elegant, but his eyes held a hint of sharpness. He only gave a slight nod in response. “Mm.”

　　Shen Kangzheng glanced at him. “This is your sister.”　　

　　Shen Jinxiu instinctively glanced at Shen Xi by his side. Seeing that she wasn’t upset, he finally said softly, “Sister.”

　　Shen Xi smiled gently. “Older sister, don’t be mad at Brother. I know he didn’t call you on purpose. He’s just not used to it yet. After all, his sister used to be me. But I’ve always wanted an older sister, and now my dream has finally come true. I’m really happy, older sister.”

　　Shen Ling said, “...I’m happy to see you too, little sister.”

　　—No matter how nicely you say it, it can’t hide your snark.

　　—If I remember correctly, we’re the same age. You calling me older sister, you serious?

　　—And don’t worry, I’m not fighting over this bratty brother. You like him, you can have him. I don’t want him anyway.

　　After the introductions were done, Shen Kangzheng invited everyone to sit and start the meal. During the meal, the maids brought over the utensils for rinsing and washing hands. The steps were complicated. Shen Ling followed Madam Jiang’s example carefully, and by the time she could finally hold the chopsticks and take a bite of rice, she let out a long, relieved sigh.

　　—Oh my god, this is so fancy.

　　“Pfft.” Shen Xi let out a light laugh, realizing it might sound rude. She quickly added apologetically, “Older sister, this dish is Songlu Kuaoyu. You have to eat it from the edge first so the flavor doesn't dissipate. You're eating too hastily. You have to do it like this. Here, I'll teach you.” She demonstrated.

　　All eyes turned toward them.

　　Shen Ling froze.

　　—Ugh, seriously?

　　She said blankly, “Really? Oh, sorry. This is the first time I’ve ever eaten something this delicious. I’ve never had anything like this. Growing up, I only ate coarse grains. Fancy food was only for New Year’s, just a little bit. Days like this... it feels like a dream to me.”　　

　　Shen Xi, “...”

　　Her expression was on the verge of breaking.

　　Shen Ling had made her look so bad that the family would definitely feel sorry for her. Shen Xi glanced at Madam Jiang and Shen Kangzheng, both wearing complicated expressions.

　　Biting her lip, Shen Xi leaned slightly toward Shen Jinxiu and asked carefully, “Did I say something wrong?”

　　Shen Jinxiu’s voice was calm and reassuring. “Xi’er, it has nothing to do with you.”

　　He had watched Shen Xi grow up. She was never malicious and always spoke her mind in front of him. Shen Ling, the newly returned sister, was still a mystery to him.

　　And besides, he wasn’t sure if Shen Ling had really meant what she said just now.

　　He scrutinized Shen Ling carefully.

　　Shen Ling pretended not to notice Shen Jinxiu’s stare.

　　—Look all you want. See clearly now what a flawless beauty I am? Feeling ashamed yet?

　　Madam Jiang said, “Ling’er, you scared Xi’er.”

　　Of course, her words favored Shen Xi.

　　Shen Ling put on a flustered expression, her voice tight. “I won’t do it again, Mother.”

　　Madam Jiang was pleased with her obedient tone. “Good child.”

　　Shen Ling’s lips curved into a smile, her cheeks tinged with red. She lowered her head. “Mother, so I’m actually in your good graces. I’m really happy.”

　　—Do I look convincingly shy and unaware? I think I nailed it.

　　Watching Shen Ling interact with Madam Jiang, Shen Xi couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

　　She had been her mother’s only daughter before, so she had never felt the need to compete for attention. Now that it was revealed she wasn’t truly a Shen, and that her mother had another daughter, a sense of insecurity settled in her heart.

　　Shen Xi smiled. “Mother is biased. You only praise older sister and never me. That won’t do. You have to praise me too, or I’ll tell Father and Brother that you’re bullying me.”

　　Madam Jiang raised her hand and tapped Shen Xi’s forehead lightly in midair. “You are really mischievous. I love you too much to ever bully you.”

　　Shen Ling sat quietly to the side, neither sad nor happy.

　　After the meal, Shen Kangzheng went to the study, Madam Jiang checked the accounts, and Shen Jinxiu stayed behind to talk with Shen Xi. Shen Ling watched as Shen Xi, fragile and delicate, lifted her head and gazed at Shen Jinxiu with watery eyes. A soft light appeared in his own eyes as he looked back at her.

　　Shen Ling raised an eyebrow, silently observing their slightly intimate interaction with cool detachment.

　　In the novel, she would have jumped between Shen Xi and Shen Jinxiu, attracting the hatred of the Shen family and others, which made it easy for them to be together without much opposition. But now, she wasn’t going to cooperate, leaving her to wonder if they would still end up together happily.

　　......　　

　　Shen Ling’s days at the Shen Manor passed quietly. During that time, Shen Xi invited her out to attend several banquets, but Shen Ling always declined.

　　Shen Xi was smart. In the novel, she had stepped on Shen Ling’s reputation to become the praised Miss Shen of the capital. If Shen Ling didn’t leave the Manor, there was no way Shen Xi could use her name against her anymore.

　　However, soon enough, Shen Ling overheard her own harsh, crude thoughts about brushing off Shen Xi’s gestures of kindness.

　　Shen Ling, “...”

　　Before she could react, Shen Xi came to her courtyard to apologize. Then came Shen Jinxiu’s questioning, Madam Jiang’s warnings, and Shen Kangzheng’s complete indifference—like clockwork every single day, more punctual than any office punch-in.

　　After paying her respects in the main hall, Shen Ling remembered Madam Jiang’s scolding. She pressed a hand to her forehead. No, she had to come up with a plan to stay far away from the male and female leads and the Shen Manor. She just wanted to live a quiet, honest life. She had no interest in a plot written with her own blood and flesh!

　　Madam Jiang ran the household as the Matriarch, and Shen Ling refused to believe that Madam Jiang was unaware of the rumors circulating about her. Madam Jiang was unreliable.

　　She had to save herself!

　　Just then, news of the imperial concubine selection reached the Manor. Shen Ling’s eyes lit up.

　　Of course! She could enter the Palace. She refused to believe that once she reached the Imperial Court, the ridiculous drama could continue chasing her!

　　With the Palace as her goal, Shen Ling acted quickly. She secretly entered the Palace under the identity of the Minister of Personnel’s daughter. By the time the Shen family realized something was off, they received news that she had already passed the preliminary selection.

________________

Novel Note:

1. Whenever you see this symbol “—” at the start of a sentence, it means the FL is thinking to herself.

2. The ML can read her mind, but only thoughts marked with this “—” symbol.

3. She doesn’t have a system, so the reason the ML can read her mind is her GOLDEN FINGER. And she doesn't know he can read her mind. 

Golden Finger = a special ability that lets a transmigrator survive.

.....

Glossary:

¹Matron: in a noble household context, “matron” usually refers to an older, experienced female servant who has authority over other maids. She’s not just any maid—she manages the household chores, oversees younger or lower-ranking servants, and makes sure things run smoothly.

Basically, she’s like the head of the maid staff—respectable, authoritative, and often maternal toward the younger girls.

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter