The Reborn Empress

The Smith family compound, a place where generations of Smiths had lived, was now a stage for subtle yet intense power plays. Ella Smith, having returned with the knowledge of her past life, was no longer the naive girl easily manipulated, and this change was stirring the stagnant waters of the family's internal dynamics.

Confrontation with Old Mandam Smith:

The day after her rebirth, Ella had already started to subtly challenge the established order. Old Mandam Smith, the family matriarch, was a figure of immense authority. In the past, Ella had never dared to question her, but now, with the weight of her past life and the determination to change her destiny, Ella began to show her defiance.

After her initial confrontation for being late to the family gathering, Ella realized she needed to be more strategic. Instead of openly rebelling, she started questioning the motives of those around her. During a seemingly ordinary family meal, Old Mandam Smith mentioned the importance of family harmony. Ella, with an innocent look on her face, questioned, "But grandmother, what does family harmony mean? Does it mean that everyone has to agree with the head of the family?" Old Mandam Smith paused, and before she could respond, Ella added, "If not, does it mean there is no harmony?"

Old Mandam Smith was taken aback by her question, which she never expected from Ella. She was accustomed to complete obedience from the children of the Smith family. "Ella, you are still young, you shouldn't think so much. Family harmony means everyone should follow the rules.""But, grandmother, what if the rules are unfair?" Ella asked, her eyes wide with curiosity."You just need to obey the rules, and don't ask questions that aren't appropriate," Old Mandam Smith responded, realizing Ella was now questioning authority.

Ella didn't push further but silently observed how Old Mandam Smith's reaction, hinting that she wouldn't accept the unfair rules without a fight.

Challenges to Aunts Chloe and Grace:

Ella's aunts, Chloe and Grace, who led the second and third branches of the family respectively, were used to controlling the family's internal affairs. They saw Ella as a pawn to be manipulated for their own gains. However, Ella's newfound confidence and sharpness surprised them, particularly Grace. Ella started by subtly questioning their motives whenever they tried to interfere in her affairs, such as replacing her maids.

During one gathering, Grace suggested that Ella's maids were not experienced enough and offered to send some of her own maids. "Dear niece, your maids are so young and inexperienced. How about I send some of my more capable maids to assist you?"Ella smiled politely, "Dear aunt, thank you for your kindness. But my maids are loyal to me, which is more important than experience."

Chloe, trying to play along with Grace, commented, "But Grace is only doing what's best for you, Ella."Ella retorted, "Then maybe you should also accept your sister's good intentions and let her help with your affairs?" Chloe's face hardened, realizing that Ella was skillfully turning their words back on them.

Defending Her Loyal Maids:Ella made it very clear she would not tolerate anyone trying to undermine her loyal maids, Emily and others. She perceived any attempt to replace them as a direct attack on her own position. When the second and third branches tried to send their own spies disguised as maids, Ella was quick to act.

"Emily," she said one afternoon, "I've noticed some new faces around the compound. It seems my aunts are becoming more and more generous."

"Yes, Young Miss," Emily replied, with a worried tone. "They seem too eager to offer their help."Ella knew that Emily was smart, having served her well in her past life, but she was also too kind for this environment. "Emily, don't worry, I know what to do."

"I know that the main house is in charge of our own affairs, but if you insist on interfering, I will not stand idly by," Ella told one of the maids sent by Grace directly. "What I do here is not something that the main house would accept."

Factions Within the Family:The Smith family was not a harmonious unit. The second and third branches of the family, led by Chloe and Grace respectively, were constantly vying for control over the household. They used their children, Amy and Cindy, as pawns to gain favor in the family and undermine Ella's position.

"Amy, you should behave well, and always try to gain favor from the grandmother. You need to be better than Ella to make our family prosper." Chloe advised her daughter.

"Mother, I understand. I have always been more talented than her, and I can win the favor of the Crown Prince." Amy responded confidently.

"Yes, but you need to be careful. The old lady is very cunning, and your second sister's daughter is also not a simple woman," Chloe cautioned.

Chloe and Grace attempted to manipulate Ella, hoping to use her as a stepping stone for their own advancement. They tried to arrange marriages for her that would benefit their own families, and they tried to create situations that would make her look bad.

During a family dinner, Grace proposed that Ella should be betrothed to a distant cousin who was known to be cruel. "Ella, you should consider a good marriage. There is someone who is a good match for you in my circle."

Ella responded with a smile, "Aunt, thank you for your concern, but I am not in a hurry. I will choose my husband myself."

Chloe, siding with her sister, said, "Don't be so stubborn, Ella. Your aunt is only trying to find you a good match."

Ella replied, "I understand the kindness of my aunts, but I don't think this is something that needs to be decided now. Don't worry about me."

However, Ella's understanding of family politics, honed by her past life, allowed her to see through their schemes. She refused to be a victim and began to resist their manipulations. She subtly exposed their attempts to undermine her, showing that she was not as easily fooled as they thought.

"Aunt, you are so thoughtful. I really admire how you arrange everything so well. Is it because you have a lot of experience in these things, or are you just naturally good at it?" Ella asked Grace directly, making Grace uncomfortable.

Grace tried to laugh it off, "My dear child, you are so good at making fun of your aunt. It's just that I am old, and have more experience."

"Then, I am sure you can share some of your experiences with us," Ella responded, looking directly at Grace.

Grace was revealed to be a cunning and ambitious woman. She was not content with her current position in the family and was always looking for opportunities to rise in power. She saw her daughter, Cindy, as the key to her ambitions and was prepared to go to great lengths to secure her daughter's future.

Grace often confided in her loyal servant Li Mama about her ambitions, "Li Mama, my daughter is the best. She is destined to be a noblewoman and have a good life. The old woman's granddaughter is nothing but a fool."

Li Mama would reply, "Madam is right. Young Miss Cindy is a person destined for greatness. That Ella is nothing compared to our young miss."

Grace even considered a marriage alliance with the Huns, a barbarian tribe to the north, to secure more power for her family. She saw a marriage with the Huns as a means to an end, not as something that would improve Cindy's life. Grace knew how the royal family had used these kinds of marriages to their advantage and believed she could use the same tactic.

During a private conversation with her husband, Grace proposed her idea, "Husband, what do you think of arranging a marriage alliance with the Huns?"

Her husband was shocked, "Are you crazy? Those are barbarians. We are a family of noblemen. You want our daughter to marry a barbarian?""You fool! If we make this move successfully, we can greatly improve our status in the court. We can get rid of the Smith family, and put our family above them," Grace retorted.