MTL - It’s a Stepmother, Not a Sister [70s] - Chapter 82 self-knowledge

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.

Traveling through the world of One Piece, Ron, who became Kuina’s fiancé, awakened the god-level theft system.

In order to become stronger and change the fate of Kuina’s death, and to survive in this dangerous era of great pirates, Ron started to steal Sauron’s top kendo talent.

And that’s just the beginning.

In order to become stronger, Ron embarked on a journey to steal the talents of the world’s strongest.

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for stealing Karp’s physical talent!”

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for stealing Nika’s talent!”

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for stealing Shanks’ domineering talent!”

“Ding! Congratulations to the host…”

- Description from novelbuddy

Palace intrigue? I am able to rewind time!So, as a picky and delicate little Servant Consort, she can live a fulfilling life in the harem even without the Emperor's favor.The dishes from the Imperial Kitchen aren't to her liking?Rewind, and get my favorite steamed pork.The color of the fabric given doesn't suit me?Rewind, and this time, I finally get my favorite lake water green.The Emperor wants to sleep with me?Rewind, life without favor is still enjoyable.…The new Emperor Xie Zhixing has a secret.Since his first selection after ascending the throne, his life would inexplicably return to the past—The memorials he just approved are gone!The martial arts he just practiced were in vain!The concubine who was just brought in to sleep with him was taken away!…Xie Zhixing could never grasp the pattern of returning to the past, only considering it as a huge joke from the heavens.Until one stormy day, he met Servant Consort Yun in the Xianfu Palace.Later, he discovered that he had approved the same memorial 25 times that day, just because the Imperial Kitchen didn't make steamed pork for Servant Consort Yun.

After her rebirth, she stared at her drop-dead gorgeous husband and suspected that she must have struck her head hard at the door for demanding a divorce time and time again!

In her previous life, she was blinded and murdered by her blood relatives. Now that she was reborn, she vowed to hold on to this thick thigh of her president husband, ravage her enemies, tear down that white lotus and regain her happiness.

- Description from Novelupdates