Chapter 2, Rebirth

In her previous life, she only felt that her aunt and the old lady treated her exceptionally well, and that she did not need to learn the rules and etiquette that Shen Yue and Shen Qing had to learn. In retrospect, it was nothing more than a thoroughly clumsy act of flattery.

After being taught and taught again, one ends up as a complete failure, lacking knowledge and skills, shamelessly clinging to men like a useless person

"I am here, " the maid in purple said with a smile as she held Shen Miao's hand. "Miss, do you feel any better? You have slept for a whole day and night. Although your fever has subsided, you still have not awakened. I was thinking of going to find a doctor again."

In the copper mirror, the girl's face is round, her forehead full, and her large almond-shaped eyes are slightly reddened. Her nose is rounded, and her mouth is small. It is still a face that has not yet shed its childishness; while it cannot be described as particularly beautiful, it excels in its fresh and lovely appearance, with a well-behaved and shy demeanor.

The Shen family has been involved in military affairs for generations. In the current generation of Shen Xin, while the eldest branch holds military power, the second and third branches have chosen the path of civil service. Shen Xin has been engaged in battles for many years, and Madam Shen has accompanied her husband in the military. As a result, Shen Miao has been left at the Shen residence, where the old matriarch and her two aunts personally provide her education

She has four first-class maidservants: Jingzhe, Guyu, Bailu, and Shuangjiang, all of whom are clever and quick-witted girls. Unfortunately, in the end, none of them were able to stay

As soon as the words were spoken, a faint sound was heard from the person on the bed

Taking advantage of her parents and elder brothers not being around, she would speak one way in front of them and another behind their backs, leaving Shen Xin and Madam Shen feeling that this daughter had become even more mischievous and foolish than before

The mirror in Shen Miaoshou's hand suddenly fell to the ground, producing a crisp sound, and the sound of the shards struck her heart, stirring up tremendous waves of turmoil.

The weather has turned cool, and if one falls into the water, it could be quite serious. The young lady has been asleep for a whole day and night; the doctor said she should be waking up by now, yet there is no sign of movement. The maid dressed in blue could hardly conceal her anxiety.

As for Jingzhe, she was the most beautiful among them. Initially, in order to assist Fu Xiuyi in gaining power and to win over the influential officials, Jingzhe willingly became a concubine, using her beauty as a significant reason for the officials to bow to her. In the end, she was beaten to death by the wife of one of the officials under the pretext of a grievance.

In her previous life, Shen Miao spent most of her time following Fu Xiu Yi, tirelessly working for him, yet her days in the Shen residence were devoid of flavor. This matter she remembers clearly; she recalls every detail related to Fu Xiu Yi.

Soaked and pulled up from the pond, there were other official colleagues present at the time, who merely regarded it as a joke about the Shen residence. Her infatuation with the Duke of Ding had spread throughout the capital six months ago; this time, it was merely an addition to the mockery.

She grasped the Awakening of Insects and asked: "What year is it now?"

That was the visage of a young girl who had once been highly praised by the royal family for her auspicious appearance.

"Madam Er is keeping a close watch on this matter; it is considered a disgrace, and the household is keeping it under wraps." Gu Yu glanced at the person on the bed and said, "The lady and the master are not in the capital, the eldest young master is also away, and the old lady favors the East Courtyard. Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang went to find a doctor and have not returned yet. Could it be that they have been stopped by someone? They are trying to force the young lady into a corner! This won't do; I must go out and take a look"

"Grain Rain, it's already been more than half an hour, why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?" another maid in purple said.

And now ... ... the words of Guyu echoed in her ears: "Miss, do not frighten the maidens, it has just begun to cool down, could it be that your mind is somewhat unclear? The young lady is indeed too harsh, is this not tantamount to taking the young lady's life ... ... "

That is not her hand

The grand mansion, characterized by a stark contrast of black and white, features bluestone slabs, vermilion pillars, and intricately carved railings adorned with complex begonia patterns. After a night of rain, droplets roll off the banana leaves and fall into the soil below.

Just as I was thinking, I heard the maid who was sweeping the courtyard run in and say: "Miss, the second young lady has come to see you"

In this lifetime, she intends to see how these people will shamelessly resort to their old tricks again

She has returned

What is the girl saying? Gu Yu set the teacup aside and reached out to touch Shen Miao's forehead: "Could it be that you are confused?"

Heaven does not disappoint people, and heaven does not disappoint her

In the 68th year of the Ming Qi era, in the 68th year of the Ming Qi era... Shen Miao widened her eyes. The 68th year of the Ming Qi era was the year she was fourteen, the year she met Fu Xiu Yi, fell deeply in love with Fu Xiu Yi, and even pressured her father to marry him, requesting to wed Fu Xiu Yi.

During the Grain Rain period, she died at the hands of the Crown Prince of Qin while serving as a hostage in the State of Qin, in order to protect herself from humiliation by the Crown Prince. The White Dew and Frost's Descent, one died on the way to marry into the royal family alongside Wan Yu, and the other perished in the harem while vying for favor with Lady Mei.

Now, Jingzhe stands gracefully before her, her features still as beautiful as a painting. Guyu looks at her with a bright smile, both maidservants being in the prime age of fourteen or fifteen, causing Shen Miao to momentarily feel dazed.

After a moment, she苦笑着 closed her eyes: "This illusion before death is too real."

Jingzhe felt a bit scared, yet still answered honestly: "In the year 68 of the Ming Dynasty. What is the matter, young lady? Are you feeling unwell?"

Upon learning of the death of Jingzhe, Shen Miao wept bitterly, nearly suffering a miscarriage

Shen Miao closed her eyes

"Bring me a mirror," Shen Miao said. Her voice was still weak, but her tone was resolute

The Shen family consists of three branches. The eldest branch is Shen Xin, who is Shen Miao's father and the son of the old general's first wife. The first wife passed away in middle age, and the old general married a second wife, who gave birth to the second branch, Shen Gui, and the third branch, Shen Wan. After the old general's death, the second wife became the current matriarch. The Shen family did not divide their estate, and the three brothers support each other, maintaining a strong bond, which has become a well-known tale.

In her previous life, after she woke up, she accused Shen Qing of pushing her into the pond, yet no one believed her. Shen Miao felt extremely wronged and was punished by the old lady with house arrest in the Buddhist hall, which resulted in her being unable to go out during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shen Yue secretly let her out and took her to the Chrysanthemum Banquet at Yanbei Hall, where she made a complete fool of herself.

The hand resting on her forehead was cool, comfortable, and real. Shen Miao suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp and piercing. She slowly lowered her head to look at her own hand

Gu Yu and Jing Zhe were startled. Gu Yu hurried to pick up the fragments on the ground, anxiously saying: "Miss, be careful not to cut your foot."

Her hands, already roughened from accompanying Fu Xiuyi in handling court affairs and assessing the situation, held the pen as she meticulously examined the account books. In the State of Qin, she was treated like a servant, summoned and scolded at will. In the inner palace, she fought for Fu Ming and Wan Yu, and in the cold palace, she washed clothes. Her hands were calloused, with swollen, darkened joints; how could they possibly resemble such delicate appearances?

The purple-gold incense burner on the table is crafted in the shape of a delicate little beast, emitting the fragrance of water wood incense, which smells particularly refreshing in the early autumn air

At each corner of the bed, there are fragrant sachets adorned with tassels, their colors vibrant. By the soft edge of the couch, two tall maidservants are carefully fanning the person on the bed

The young lady has awakened! The maid in purple exclaimed with delight and hurried to the bedside, only to see the girl on the bed rubbing her forehead and slowly sitting up.

"The Awakening of Insects..." Shen Miao murmured

Grain Rain and Awakening of Insects exchanged glances, and in the end, it was Awakening of Insects who took a mirror and handed it to Shen Miao

Shen Qing informed her that Fu Xiuyi was coming to the Shen residence to visit her second and third uncles, and urged her to sneak away to take a look. However, upon arriving at the garden, Shen Qing pushed her down from the rockery.

"Miss, would you like to have some water?" Gu Yu offered a cup of tea

That was a pair of white, delicate and slender hands, with neatly trimmed nails, naturally rounded and lovely, clearly belonging to someone accustomed to a life of privilege.

"Why is the girl crying?" Jingzhe held a handkerchief to wipe Shen Miao's face, only to see Shen Miao's expression was strange, as if she were both crying and laughing, murmuring, "I have returned..."

Shen Miao looked at the two people in front of her with some confusion

She pinched herself hard, and two streams of hot tears rolled down her cheeks