

Tang's Ember Elegy: I Won't Be a General's Caged Bird
In her previous life, Ye Wantang, the legitimate daughter of the Ye family, was disgraced on her wedding night when Ning Yao, her fiancé Gu Jinxing's deputy general, disguised herself as a man and caused a scandal. The Gu family sided with their trusted subordinate and, together with Gu's widowed sister-in-law, Su Niang, used her reputation and chastity to threaten her, leaving her to die with her grievances unresolved. When she opens her eyes again, she has returned to her wedding day. This time, Ye Wantang calmly sets her plans in motion and exposes the conspiracy in front of everyone. Her elder brother arrives to defend her, denounces the Gu family's favoritism and injustice, and resolutely calls off the engagement, taking her dowry back home. After marrying into the Gu family, Ning Yao becomes embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Su Niang. Gu Jinxing's biased conduct eventually catches up with him when his fraudulent military achievements and embezzlement of soldiers' pay are exposed. He is stripped of his position and exiled, while Su Niang spends the rest of her life alone. Ye Wantang uses her dowry to establish a school for girls, teaching them to read, master various skills, and become independent and self-reliant. In the end, she earns everyone's respect as Teacher Ye.
Main characters: Ye Wantang, Gu Jinxing, Ning Yao
Supporting characters: Su Niang
Also known as: 棠烬辞:不做将军笼中雀
棠の残り火の詩: 将軍の籠の鳥にはならない (71話)
前世、葉家の嫡女である葉晚棠は、婚礼の夜に婚約者・顧錦行の副将、寧瑤の策略によって騒動に巻き込まれ、名誉を傷つけられた。顧家は身内同然の側近をかばい、さらに寡婦である義姉の素娘と共に、貞節と名誉を盾に彼女を追い詰めた。葉晚棠は無実の罪を晴らせぬまま命を落とす。再び目を開けると、そこは婚礼当日だった。今度こそ冷静に策を…
前世、葉家の嫡女である葉晚棠は、婚礼の夜に婚約者・顧錦行の副将、寧瑤の策略によって騒動に巻き込まれ、名誉を傷つけられた。顧家は身内同然の側近をかばい、さらに寡婦である義姉の素娘と共に、貞節と名誉を盾に彼女を追い詰めた。葉晚棠は無実の罪を晴らせぬまま命を落とす。再び目を開けると、そこは婚礼当日だった。今度こそ冷静に策を巡らせ、皆の前で陰謀を暴く。駆けつけた兄は彼女を擁護し、顧家の身びいきと不公平を厳しく非難。婚約をきっぱり破棄し、持参金と共に彼女を実家へ連れ帰る。寧瑤は顧家に嫁いだ後、素娘と寵愛を争い、家の中で対立を繰り広げる。一方、偏った判断を重ねてきた顧錦行は、軍功の横取りと兵士の給与の着服が発覚し、官職を剥奪されたうえ流刑となる。素娘も残りの人生を孤独に過ごすことになる。葉晚棠は持参金を使って女子のための学び舎を設立し、女性たちに読み書きや技芸を教え、自立して生きる力を育てる。やがて彼女は「葉先生」として人々から深く尊敬される存在となる。
棠烬辞:不做将军笼中雀 · Tang's Ember Elegy: I Won't Be a General's Caged Bird