Yao Niang
Alternate Titles:
The Rise of a Household Struggle Queen
Coquettish Men Have the Best Luck
Hot Tropes:
Male Lead as the Substitute for White Moonlight
Mary Sue Supporting Characters
Scheming Beauties
Struggles Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Daughters
Black Lotus Female Villains
This story unfolds slowly, capturing the intricate details of inner-courtyard conflicts and family drama.
From a young age, Yao Niang was praised by a fortune teller as blessed with wisdom and fortune. Outsiders marveled at her seemingly perfect life: her father hailed from the prestigious Yan clan of Jinling, her mother from the renowned Jie family of Dongshan, and she herself was a paragon of beauty and elegance. Surely, such a woman should live a carefree life.
But appearances are deceiving. Her father, having married into two families, left her mother with the title of equal wife but none of its actual status, making Yao Niang's position neither fully legitimate nor entirely illegitimate—a life as unsatisfying as eating half-cooked rice.
Her troubles worsened as she grew up under the shadow of her distinguished siblings:
Her noble and beloved elder legitimate sister, adored by all men.
Her talented, orchid-like elder illegitimate sister.
And her daring, passionate younger legitimate sister, spoiled to the core.
Yao Niang only hoped to protect herself and avoid trouble, but her peaceful aspirations were shattered when her elder legitimate sister fled from her arranged marriage. Suddenly, Yao Niang was selected as a replacement bride for her sister’s fiancé.
Yet, Yao Niang had her own principles—she detested eating "half-cooked rice." No one, no matter how powerful, could force her hand.