Rising to the Top While I Marry As A Widow

• Back in Time
• Female
• Hidden Identity
• Independent Woman
• Marshal/General
• Protective Husband
• Revenge
• Strong Heroine

• Ep. 1
  In the first year of Jinghe in the Great Xia Dynasty, a young woman, mistreated by her family since childhood, is forced into a marriage to replace her sister, who was originally engaged to the renowned General, Marquis of Champion. Her father sees this as an opportunity to elevate the family's status, urging her to maintain their reputation and hide the existence of her rebellious sister, a former swordswoman. The woman, however, dreams of escaping the oppressive household with her mother. Meanwhile, a kind neighbor offers her homemade red dates as a token of gratitude, revealing that her son, who fought alongside the Marquis of Champion, has returned from battle and secured a small official position, improving their family's fortunes. The neighbor credits the woman and the Marquis as their saviors. As the story unfolds, the Marquis faces danger, with scenes of chaos and urgency. Someone is injured, and there is a desperate attempt to save them, with reassurances that they will survive. The woman's life intertwines with the Marquis's fate, hinting at a deeper conspiracy involving the Emperor and the Marquis, who faked their deaths to uncover hidden enemies. The woman, now a widow in the Marquis's household, begins to unravel the truth behind the elaborate scheme.
• Ep. 2
  The family discusses their plan to marry off Jiang Wanwan to a distant scholar, ensuring she never returns to the capital. The scholar, already married, seeks a concubine to bear him a son. The family sees this as an opportunity to rid themselves of Jiang Wanwan permanently. However, their plans are interrupted by shocking news: the champion marquis has been assassinated in the streets. The family is thrown into chaos, lamenting the loss of their connection to the marquis. Meanwhile, the emperor and the marquis reveal their scheme: the assassination was staged to expose their enemies. The emperor vows to bring the traitors to justice, while the marquis, unharmed due to his unique constitution, remains hidden. The plot thickens as the true intentions behind the staged assassination come to light.
• Ep. 3
  The emperor and the general devise a plan to fake the general's death, aiming to lure out their enemies. The emperor reassures the general that his marriage to the Jiang family's daughter will proceed as planned, despite the general's "death." The emperor promises to honor the Jiang family and compensate them generously, ensuring their reputation remains intact. However, the Jiang family is in turmoil. The daughter, unwilling to marry a "dead" man, protests vehemently, but her father insists they must obey the imperial decree. The family debates whether another daughter could take her place, but the emperor's order is clear: the marriage must go ahead. Amidst the chaos, the Jiang family reluctantly prepares for the wedding, while the daughter struggles to accept her fate.
• Ep. 4
  The young woman, who had been mistreated by her family, is confronted by a man claiming her parents have arranged her marriage to him, disregarding any promises made by the royal family. He arrogantly declares that her mother would force her to comply, even if she resisted. The woman, however, remains defiant, questioning his authority and even suggesting that his death would solve her problems. As tensions rise, she reflects on her situation, considering her identity as a time traveler and the expectations placed upon her. She contemplates taking drastic action but hesitates, fearing the consequences for her fragile mother. Her mother, filled with guilt and despair, suggests they flee together to escape the oppressive family and royal schemes. The young woman, though skeptical, begins to entertain the idea of a new life away from the constraints of her current world. The scene ends with an ambiguous question about their destination, leaving their future uncertain.
• Ep. 5
  The scene unfolds in a tense family confrontation. Wanwan's mother presents her with a "good marriage opportunity," but Wanwan is skeptical. Her parents reveal that the marriage is to the late General Guan Junhou, who was originally engaged to her sister. Wanwan is shocked, questioning how such a skilled warrior could have died. Her mother insists that this is a prestigious match, even in death, and that Wanwan should be grateful. Wanwan's father, however, remains cold and dismissive, showing little concern for her feelings. Wanwan's mother pleads for mercy, reminding her husband that Wanwan is also his child, but he remains unmoved. The family's dynamics are strained, with Wanwan caught in the middle of their conflicting interests. Despite her protests, she is forced to accept the arranged marriage, leaving her future uncertain.

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