Soul Returns to Dream
Winter, the nineteenth year of Jinghe.
A fine snowfall silently blanketed the glazed golden tiles of the Forbidden City, tinging the once magnificent vermilion and green tiles with a melancholy white. The heating in Kunning Palace burned blazingly, but it couldn't dispel the chill that seeped deep into the bones.
Lu Qinglan was suspended in the air, looking down with cold eyes.
On the phoenix couch, the self who had once been the mother of the nation, ruling the country alongside Emperor Xiao Jingche, now stood pale, her lips an ominous shade of purple, her breath long gone. A life of thirty-five, ended with a cup of imperial wine called "Enshang."
She remembered the burning pain when the glass of wine entered her throat, the torment of having her internal organs torn apart piece by piece, and even more, she remembered the person who served the wine - Su Yueming, the palace lady whom she had promoted and regarded as her confidant, and her slightly trembling but remarkably steady hand when she bowed her head.
What a irony. She and Xiao Jingche, from being powerless princes and princesses, had ascended to this supreme position after treading on the corpses of their brothers and uncles, having braved many dangers. They had never imagined that, just as they had secured their glorious throne, with their vows still fresh in their ears, a single cup of poisoned wine would bring this story of "sharing weal and woe" to an end.
There were hurried footsteps outside the palace gate, accompanied by the eunuch's shrill voice: "Your Majesty has arrived—"
A bright yellow figure swept into the hall, carrying with it the chill of the snow and wind outside. Xiao Jingche, her husband, the Emperor of Great Zhou, strode quickly to the phoenix couch. He was in the prime of his life, his face still handsome, but his brows were burdened with the sinister nature and fatigue left by years of political strife.
He leaned over and reached for her neck, the cold and stiff touch causing his fingers to curl suddenly.
Lu Qinglan watched intently. His face showed no shock, no grief, only a complex expression that she couldn't immediately decipher. Was it a sense of relief? A sense of grief for the lost? Or perhaps, perhaps, that almost elusive trace of guilt, hidden beneath the imperial majesty?
He was silent for a long time before he spoke in a low, hoarse voice: "The Queen... has passed away."
The palace maids in the hall knelt down and cried out loudly, a mixture of real and fake cries that formed an annoying noise.
"Investigate." Xiao Jingche stood up straight, his tone regaining the calm and aloofness of an emperor. "The Empress has always been in good health. Why did she pass away so suddenly? Order the chief and the judge of the Imperial Hospital to jointly investigate, and all personnel in Kunning Palace to conduct a strict interrogation!"
The order was given promptly and decisively, as if it was a sudden accident and the king, who had lost his beloved, was about to be furious and track down the culprit.
But Lu Qinglan could see clearly that deep in his eyes, beneath the frozen surface of the lake, there was no ripple. He didn't even spare a glance at Su Yueming—his new and most loyal henchman who had offered him the poisoned wine.
Yes, how could he not know? In this iron-clad palace, who would dare to harm the queen, the mother of the country, without his tacit consent?
A surge of hatred and a bone-chilling coldness swept through her remaining consciousness more fiercely than the poison itself. Sharing the world? Ridiculous! The path to imperial power ultimately allows only one person to tread alone!
…
A severe feeling of dizziness came over me, as if my soul was thrown into an endless whirlpool.
When I opened my eyes again, my vision was blurry at first, then gradually cleared. What came into view was the familiar tent ceiling embroidered with winding magnolias, and the faint, warm fragrance of a young girl's boudoir lingered at my nose.
"Miss, are you awake?" A childish voice sounded in my ears, with obvious surprise.
Lu Qinglan slowly turned her head and saw a round, pretty face—her personal maid, Fu Yu. However, the Fu Yu before her seemed much younger, with a hint of childishness between her features. She was no longer the calm and capable court lady who had weathered many storms by her side.
She...where is this?
"Miss, you've been asleep for most of the hour, but are you having a nightmare?" Fu Yu offered her a cup of warm tea with concern. "Ever since the imperial decree granting your marriage came down three days ago, you've been feeling a little down. Madam just sent someone to inquire about you, and she said that if you wake up, you should go to Yining Hall. The old lady and the mistress are there."
Imperial decree granting marriage?
Lu Qinglan's heart was shaken, and she sat up suddenly. The movement was too fast, causing her to feel dizzy, but it also made her completely awake.
She looked around. This was her boudoir in the Lu Mansion, her teenage years! The carved rosewood dressing table, the rosewood desk by the window where she'd practiced calligraphy and reading, with an unclosed copy of "Strategies of the Warring States" spread out on top... Everything was exactly as she remembered it when she was sixteen!
She raised her hands and looked at her fair, slender hands without any calluses. These were not the hands that had experienced the turmoil in the palace and reviewed memorials until late at night.
She... is back?
Was she back to the time she was sixteen, just betrothed to the Seventh Prince, Xiao Jingche? That bloody extravaganza, that cup of poisonous wine, was it really just a nightmare... a foreshadowing of the future? No, the pain was too real, the betrayal too deep to be a dream!
"What year is it today?" Her voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, but she tried hard to remain calm.
Although Fu Yu felt strange, she still replied, "Miss, have you forgotten? Today is the 16th day of March, the 14th year of Jinghe."
Fourteen years into the Jinghe era! She was sixteen! Nine years until the battle for the throne was settled! Nineteen years until she drank that poisoned wine!
The immense impact caused her fingertips to tremble slightly. She suppressed her turbulent emotions and took a deep breath. Heaven had shown its mercy and had actually given her a second chance!
"Help me up and get dressed." Lu Qinglan's voice had regained its composure, even adding a subtle chill to it. "Grandmother and Mother have called, so don't neglect them."
"Yes." Fu Yu helped her get up and choose clothes with nimble hands and feet.
Sitting in front of the dressing mirror, looking at the face in the mirror that still looked a bit immature but already had a stunning appearance, Lu Qinglan's eyes turned completely cold.
The person in the mirror, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, skin as radiant as snow, is in the prime of her life. But who could have imagined that this young body already houses a soul that has experienced two lives and returned from hell.
In her previous life, she had carefully observed the rules of a woman's life and the virtues of a woman, believing that assisting her husband and maintaining peace in the inner chambers was a woman's duty. She had used all her talents to plan for him, her ingenuity to win his heart, but in the end, the bird was gone and the bow was put away!
In this life, she will no longer be stupid.
Xiao Jingche? He was merely a stepping stone on her way to the pinnacle of power, a necessary partner. Marriage? That had vanished the moment the poisoned wine entered her throat.
How unfair this world is to women! If you don't hold power firmly in your own hands, one day you will become a fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of others!
She wants power, absolute power that is enough to control her own destiny and even the destiny of others!
"Miss, what hairstyle do you want today?" Fu Yu asked, holding a jade comb.
"Keep it simple, just tie your hair into a bun." Lu Qinglan said calmly, her eyes passing over a rather plain jade hairpin in the makeup box, "Wear this green jade bamboo hairpin."
No longer needing to deliberately cater to anyone's preferences, from this moment on, she only needs to be herself. Sober, calm, and quietly planning her world.
The Yining Hall is filled with warmth and fragrance.
Old Madam Lu, dressed in an ochre jacket and skirt with a five-blessing longevity pattern, sat upright on the rosewood Arhat bed at the head of the room, twisting a string of agarwood Buddhist beads. Though she was over sixty, her hair silver, the shrewdness and dignity of a seasoned woman remained undiminished in her eyes.
To the lower right sat Lu Qinglan's mother, Wang, the mistress of the Lu residence. She wore a royal blue, gold-embroidered horse-faced skirt, and possessed a dignified and reserved demeanor. Yet, between her brows, there lingered a hint of the caution and care that befell the wife of a principal wife.
On the left are two concubines, Concubine Zhou and Concubine Liu. Concubine Zhou is brightly colored, wearing a rose-red jacket embroidered with winding roses, and her eyebrows and eyes are full of the charm of being favored; Concubine Liu is much more plain, wearing a light green dress, with lowered eyebrows and a very low sense of presence.
Seeing Lu Qinglan come in, everyone's eyes fell on her.
"Greetings to my grandmother and mother." Lu Qinglan bowed with his clothes lowered, his posture was standard and impeccable, and his voice was calm, without any abnormality in his voice.
"Stand up and sit next to Grandmother." Madam Lu beckoned, her tone gentle. "The decree granting the marriage has been issued, and you are now confirmed to be the Crown Prince's consort. Although the Seventh Prince is not a legitimate son, and his mother's family is not prominent, I have heard that he has a gentle temperament, is diligent and studious, and the Emperor values him. This marriage is a blessing for you and the Lu family."
Lu Qinglan lowered her eyes, walked forward as instructed, and sat down on the embroidered cushion at the old lady's feet. She said meekly, "Granddaughter understands. I will follow Grandmother's instructions."
Wang looked at her, her tone filled with her usual admonition: "Now that you have been conferred a title, you must be even more cautious in your words and actions, and strictly observe the virtues and precepts of a woman. Once married, you must obey your husband, and prioritize the Seventh Prince. It is the right path to have children for the royal family as soon as possible. Don't indulge in the classics and historical texts like you did at home, which only invites criticism."
Aunt Zhou smiled and covered her mouth, saying, "Young lady, with your character, appearance and talent, you will definitely win the favor of the Seventh Prince. When you become successful in the future, don't forget to support your brothers from your natal family." Her words were half flattery and half a test.
Lu Qinglan sneered inwardly. Supporting her brothers? She had done just that in her previous life, doing her utmost to support the Lu family. But when she broke with Xiao Jingche, her father and brothers, for the sake of the family's interests, chose to side with the emperor without hesitation, avoiding her, the "immoral" queen.
This is a patriarchal family, and women are ultimately just tools to maintain the family's glory.
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear, but her tone held a perfect blend of softness and firmness: "Grandmother, mother's teachings are true. Qinglan will do her utmost to serve her husband and bring honor to our family. But..." She frowned slightly, as if worried. "I heard that although the Seventh Prince doesn't have a concubine yet, he already has several maids. Moreover, the prince has established his own residence, and the personnel affairs within the palace are complicated. My granddaughter is young, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to manage her for the time being. I would fail the emperor's grace and the expectations of the family."
Upon hearing this, Madam Lu paused her twirling of her Buddhist beads and gave her a deep look. This granddaughter, normally gentle and demure, hadn't expected her to think this way at this crucial moment. She pondered, "You've thought of this, and it shows you've put a lot of thought into it. The affairs of the inner chambers may seem minor, but they matter to your future. If you can't manage your household well, how can you support your husband?"
Wang Shi also said seriously, "That's exactly the point. When you get married, you must carefully select your bride price. She must be both loyal and capable. You must also learn the ropes of household chores and interpersonal relationships early on."
"Granddaughter, I'll teach you." Lu Qinglan lowered her head and replied, hiding the glint in her eyes. This was exactly what she wanted! She could legitimately begin cultivating her own personnel, becoming familiar with and even controlling the internal and external affairs of the future royal palace. All of this had to be done under the perfect guise of "Assisting the Husband."
After chatting for a few more words, Lu Qinglan took his leave.
As they reached the corridor, they happened to meet their second and third cousins, Lu Qingzhi and Lu Qingrong. Lu Qingzhi was fourteen, beautiful, but with a calculating, competitive look in her eyes; Lu Qingrong was thirteen, timid, and a concubine's daughter, who usually followed Lu Qingzhi.
"Congratulations, big sister." Lu Qingzhi bowed with a smile, but her tone was sour. "Big sister is so lucky to have become the prince's consort. In the future, you will be crowned with a phoenix crown and enjoy endless wealth and glory."
Lu Qinglan smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping over Lu Qingzhi's face, etched with jealousy, and Lu Qingrong's eyes, tinged with envy and a hint of inferiority. This was the inner chamber, and even between sisters, there was invisible comparison and oppression.
"Sister, you're joking. With His Majesty's grace, I cannot help but be cautious and vigilant. Whether it's a blessing or not, I still need to work hard in the future." Lu Qinglan said calmly, changing the subject without leaving any trace. "I'm just going back to review my studies. Sisters, please do as you please."
As they passed each other, Lu Qinglan caught a glimpse of a small figure in a half-worn lilac-colored jacket and skirt, stealthily peering over from behind a nearby rockery. It was her eight-year-old half-sister, Lu Qingyu. In her previous life, this timid sister had died prematurely from an "accidental" cold a year later.
Lu Qinglan didn't stop, but his heart was already in turmoil.
In her previous life, she was too busy to care for herself, powerless to change many things. In this life, now that she has returned, some tragedies may be averted. This Lu Mansion is the first testing ground of her rebirth. Here, she will begin to weave her own web, saving those who need to be saved, and grasping the power she can.
Returning to her own "Lan Courtyard", Lu Qinglan dismissed the other maids and left only Fu Yu to serve in the inner room.
"Fuyu," she said, looking at the young maid in front of her, her voice calm but with undeniable strength, "From today on, you need to pay more attention to a few things for me."
Although Fu Yu was puzzled, he saw that the young lady's expression was different from usual, so he immediately responded solemnly: "It is up to you, young lady."
"First, secretly investigate the backgrounds of all the servants in the mansion, especially those who seem insignificant but hold key positions, or those who possess special skills or have faced hardships. Make a list for me."
"Secondly, pay attention to what's happening with Third Miss Qingyu. If there's anything unusual with her servants, their diet, or their daily routine, report it to me immediately."
"Third, quietly sort out the unnecessary, overly ornate head ornaments in my storeroom. Find a reliable person to exchange them for cash in batches. Keep it secret."
Fu Yu was terrified. What was the young lady planning? Investigating the servants, caring about her concubine's sister, and even selling her jewelry? But she had always been loyal, and the young lady's gaze made her feel strangely convinced. She suppressed her doubts and solemnly replied, "Yes, I'll make a note of it."
Lu Qinglan walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the crabapple tree in the courtyard that was just beginning to bloom with new green leaves.
The spring weather is beautiful, bright and warm.
Her heart, however, was like an ancient well, reflecting this prosperous scene, but it was already frozen deep inside, ready to explode.
Xiao Jingche, we will slowly settle the debts of our previous life in this life.
I, Lu Qinglan, will walk this road to fame alone. If I meet a god, I will kill him. If I meet a Buddha, I will kill him!
The chess game has begun again, and she takes the first move.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
