62: Fascination with the Chest
Ning Shu glanced at her soul again. If she entered the world with her soul this dim, she'd definitely be influenced by the original host's strong emotions again. It was best to avoid running before she could walk. So, she decided to meditate for a while.
She settled down and began absorbing the energy in the system space to strengthen her soul. It was a slow process, but it was the only option she had.
What she wanted most right now was a cultivation manual to strengthen her soul. How long would she have to wait to become an official player?
Time seemed nonexistent in the system space. Ning Shu sat quietly, and after an unknown period, she finally opened her eyes. Looking down at her body, she felt that her soul had solidified a little more. Touching it felt like brushing against satin.
"System, are you there? I want to start the task," she called out, glancing at the blank wall in front of her. She had no idea where the system was.
Right after she spoke, a wave of suffocation hit her. Seriously? Couldn't they at least give her some time to prepare? A quick notification would have been nice.
And just like that, Ning Shu fell unconscious.
In the heavy darkness, she sensed someone nearby talking to her. With great effort, she opened her eyes. Her head felt heavy, and she couldn't move at all as she stared up at the bed canopy. Her mind was a blank slate.
When the servant girl next to the bed saw that she had woken up, she looked overjoyed and immediately knelt beside her, crying, "Princess, you're awake!" She quickly sent someone to fetch the imperial physician.
Ning Shu turned her head to look at the maid, who had her hair elegantly styled with a bead flower ornament. She wore a beautiful garment made of double-embroidered satin with a layer of gauzy fabric. The soft curves of her body were faintly visible beneath it.
Ning Shu's body felt heavy, and her stomach was completely empty—she didn't even have the strength to lift her hand.
"Princess, you can't treat yourself this way!" the servant girl cried and laughed simultaneously, relief evident on her face. It took all of Ning Shu's effort to say, "Get me some food."
The maid wiped her tears and, upon hearing that Ning Shu wanted to eat, joyfully ran out of the palace.
Ning Shu lay on the bed, dizzy from hunger. How long had this body been starved? Was this what it felt like to starve to death?
Her mind was a chaotic mess, but she decided to wait until after eating to piece together the storyline. The girl had called her "princess," which suggested that this body had a high status. She never imagined she'd get to experience the fantasy of being a little princess.
Before long, the maid returned with a bowl of congee simmered with meat stock and soft vegetables. The moment Ning Shu caught the scent, her stomach growled in response.
The maid helped Ning Shu sit up. "Princess, I'll feed you," she said.
Ning Shu nodded, and the maid's face lit up with joy. She spooned a small mouthful of congee, blew on it to cool it down, and offered it to Ning Shu.
It was hard to tell how long this body had been starved, as even the mild congee caused some discomfort in her stomach. Thankfully, her body slowly adjusted. Ning Shu managed to eat one bowl before stopping.
Afterward, the maid helped her lie back down. Ning Shu looked at her; she seemed to be around fifteen—delicate and pretty. But Ning Shu's gaze was drawn to the girl's chest. The clothing style of this era was quite revealing, reminiscent of the Tang dynasty. While it covered the chest from the front, it left the cleavage on full display from above.
Ning Shu noticed that the maid treated her body with genuine care. She was respectful and seemed very concerned. Since Ning Shu hadn't received the storyline yet, she didn't know the maid's true character. But based on her earlier behavior, it seemed like she had a pretty good personality.
Just as Ning Shu settled down, another maid rushed into the palace. Her face was flushed from running, and a few beads of sweat glistened on her delicate nose.