Chapter 1 Unexpected Transmigration

A girl lay on the bed, her face drenched in sweat. Her delicate features were twisted in distress, her eyes shut tightly as if trapped in a nightmare. Suddenly, she gasped for air and snapped her eyes open, her chest rising and falling in panic.

Hearing the noise, a young maid dressed in simple servant robes rushed inside. Her eyes widened with relief as she saw her mistress awake.

"Mistress, you're finally awake! This servant was so scared!" the girl cried, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.

Mei Liang froze. Wasn't I dead? Her gaze fixed on the crying maid before her, disbelief clouding her mind. How can I still be alive?

Seeing her mistress unresponsive, the maid continued sobbing.

"Who are you?" Mei Liang finally asked, her voice hoarse with confusion.

The maid's eyes widened in shock. "Mistress... have you forgotten Lánxīn?" she whimpered. "This servant... I am Lánxīn!"

"Enough with the tears," Mei Liang said sharply. "Tell me what is going on."

Lánxīn quickly wiped her tears and composed herself. "Mistress, you fell into the water while arguing with Imperial Concubine Jing. If not for a passing eunuch, you would have drowned!"

Mei Liang's expression darkened. "Lánxīn... what year is it?"

"We are in the eighth year of Emperor Xiang Long Wei's reign," Lánxīn replied.

At the mention of that name, Mei Liang shot up from the bed in alarm. "What did you just say?!" Her piercing gaze made Lánxīn shudder.

"T-The eighth year of Emperor Xiang Long Wei's reign, mistress," Lánxīn stammered.

Mei Liang's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.

"Mistress!" Lánxīn cried out in panic.

The sound of distress drew another maidservant into the room. Cuìyù gasped at the sight of Mei Liang on the floor and turned to Lánxīn accusingly. "Lánxīn! Is this how you take care of our mistress? What did you say to her?!"

"I didn't do anything!" Lánxīn protested. "Mistress only asked what happened and what year it was, and I answered!"

As the two maids argued, Mei Liang remained frozen, her mind spinning.

How...? How could she possibly be in the eighth year of Emperor Xiang Long Wei's reign?

Mei Liang's mind spun in chaos. She distinctly remembered dying in the fifth year of Emperor Xiang Long Wei's reign-so how was she alive now, in the eighth year?

Determined to understand her situation, she shot up from the floor and grabbed Lánxīn's hands tightly. "I... I don't remember anything right now. It must be because I fell into the water. Tell me everything about myself."

Lánxīn hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes. "Mistress, why don't you sit down first? You just woke up after having a fever. Please don't get too agitated."

With Cuìyù's help, Lánxīn guided Mei Liang back to the bed. Seeing the cold, eager intensity in her mistress's gaze, Lánxīn had no choice but to start explaining everything she knew.

Mei Liang listened intently, absorbing every word.

This body's name was also Mei Liang. She had entered the palace just last month and was granted the rank of Wenyuan. Her family held significant power-her father was the Deputy Supreme Commander, a highly respected military official.

As for the imperial harem, the most powerful women in the palace were,

Xian Guifei, Duan Guifei, and Hui Guifei Following them were lower-ranked consorts:

Zhaoyi Jun, Wen Fei, De Fei, And several others

The emperor had only one son and three daughters. The First Prince, born to Xian Guifei, was just one year old. The First Princess, daughter of De Fei, was five years old. The Second Princess, born to the Empress, was two years old. The Third Princess, daughter of Duan Guifei, was also one year old.

Despite her noble background, Mei Liang's body had only been summoned by the emperor once. However, before anything could happen between them, Xian Guifei interrupted, claiming that the First Prince had fallen ill. Since then, the emperor had seemingly forgotten about her.

Mei Liang sat in silence, letting the weight of it all settle. Slowly, she rose and stepped toward the mirror.

The reflection staring back stole her breath.

She had an oval face with porcelain skin, so smooth it seemed untouched by the sun. Willow-like brows arched over deep, knowing eyes. Cherry-red lips, delicate yet firm. Her jet-black hair spilled down her back like liquid silk.

This face was abeauty so mesmerizing that it could bring about the downfall of a nation

Mei Liang slowly touched her face, her fingers tracing the delicate features. There was no doubt-she had truly been reborn. Three years had passed since her death in her previous life.

Just then, Lánxīn approached. "Mistress, you haven't eaten anything since waking up, and it's already time for dinner. Should I bring in the food now, or would you like to take a bath first?"

"Bring in the food first," Mei Liang replied.

Lánxīn and Cuìyù bowed before leaving the room.

Mei Liang walked toward the bed and sat down, lost in thought. If her guess was correct-if she had truly returned three years after her and her family's tragic deaths-then this was no mere coincidence.

God has given me a chance.

A chance to take revenge on those who wronged her. A chance to correct her past mistakes. In this life, she would make them pay, the emperor, and the people who had plotted against her.

While she was deep in thought, Lánxīn and Cuìyù returned with the food. Cuìyù carefully placed the dishes on the table, but her brows furrowed with concern.

Since her mistress woke up, she had been acting strangely. She didn't even remember her own family.

"Mistress... are you alright? You're making this servant worry," Cuìyù said hesitantly.

Hearing her voice, Mei Liang turned to Lánxīn. "You can go out first. I'll call you when I'm done eating."

"Yes, mistress." Lánxīn quickly bowed and exited, leaving only Mei Liang and Cuìyù in the room.

Once they were alone, Mei Liang spoke in a low voice. "Cuìyù, let me ask you something."

"Yes, mistress?"

"Do you know what happened after the death of General Mei and his family three years ago?"

At those words, Cuìyù visibly shuddered. She quickly glanced around the room, as if afraid someone might overhear.

"Mistress, you must not say that name! It is forbidden in the kingdom," she whispered urgently.

Mei Liang's gaze turned sharp. "And why is it forbidden? Tell me."