Chapter 2: Rebirth

“A-He? A-He?”
A gentle, soft voice called out, coming closer and closer.
Threads of light filtered before her eyes, and the sound at her ear grew clearer.
Shen He slowly opened her eyes.
Sunlight poured from the window lattice onto the redwood cloud-carved bed. The familiar furnishings—this was unmistakably her maiden chamber before marriage.
She—what was this?
Shen He lowered her gaze, looking at her own palm. Her fingernails dug hard into her flesh.
The pain jolted through her body.
It was not a dream.
She had been reborn?!
The woman at the bedside looked worried, gently placing a finger on Shen He’s forehead.
“A-He, are you feeling unwell?”
Shen He’s gaze slowly settled on her face, her trembling hand grasping the woman’s fingers.
“Aunt…”
The words stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken, tears falling like rain.
She clung desperately to that warm, dry palm, terrified it was only an illusion.
Her aunt’s warm fingers closed around hers, sitting beside her and gently patting her back.
“A nightmare? It’s alright now. Aunt is here.”
Shen He’s body trembled, nodding fiercely.
The suffocating coldness she felt before dying refused to fade; she greedily inhaled the sweet scent of gardenias on her aunt.
In her previous life, because of one impulsive mistake, her aunt met a tragic end, dragging the entire Shen family into exile.
It was only at her death that she realized Xiao Jingren had colluded with her stepsister from the beginning.
How to win her heart, how to lure her into the palace.
How to use the Shen family’s military achievements to help him seize the throne step by step.
She was like a joke, believing true feelings could be exchanged for true feelings.
But she was nothing more than a blade.
A sharp weapon for the struggle over succession.
Shen He closed her eyes, mind filled with Xiao Jingren’s malicious, unrestrained laughter.
She lost completely in her previous life, only because she was sincere.
Now, given another chance, she would tear those two apart, piece by piece.
Shen He wiped her tears and steadied herself.
Her aunt, Shen Liqin, slowly stood, beckoning for a maid. “Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Dress the young lady well, but keep it simple.”
Shortly after noon, the general’s residence sent a carriage to the palace.
After passing through the palace gates, she changed to a sedan chair, and soon arrived at the Empress Dowager’s residence, Yi Cheng Palace.

When she was young, her father was away at war, so Shen He grew up under the Empress Dowager’s care.
It was a royal favor, but also a constraint.
She spent many years by the Empress Dowager’s side, only returning home when her father subdued the northwest.
Her childhood intelligence and quick comprehension earned her even more favor from the Empress Dowager.
Shen He stepped down from the sedan chair and walked toward the rear garden of Yi Cheng Palace.
Fragments of memory flickered by; her gaze swept over the spring scenery, a chill settling in her bones.
Last life, the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.
The Empress Dowager had intended for her to choose a husband, selecting from several princes of suitable age, personally arranging the marriage.
Everyone knew of Shen He’s connection with Xiao Jingren, but the Empress Dowager deliberately gave her the honor of a royal marriage, ensuring her wedding would be even more splendid.
But by then, she had already been blinded by Xiao Jingren, not even glancing at others.
A shadow flickered in Shen He’s bright eyes.
With the eunuch’s announcement, the pavilion fell silent for a moment.
Shen He hurried lightly across the corridor, arriving at the banquet, smiling softly as she greeted the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
Once the ceremony was done, she beckoned gently and said, “Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Your subject knows you are devoted to Buddhism, so I had someone seek a relic from among the common folk.”
As she spoke, a maid presented the relic.
The carved nanmu box was half open, inside a red relic wrapped in golden velvet, round and lustrous in the sunlight.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes brightened, immediately bringing it closer for a look.
The Emperor, seeing her delight, smiled, “A-He is thoughtful. Reward her.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Shen He bowed in thanks, and a young eunuch guided her to her seat.
No sooner had she sat, she sensed a gaze she could not ignore.
Their eyes met, and Shen He’s breath caught.
Opposite her, Xiao Jingren raised his cup slightly, smiling with courteous ease.
At this moment, he was still the Third Prince.
An overwhelming hatred surged in Shen He’s heart; her nails dug deep into her flesh, but outwardly she responded with a faint, serene smile.
She understood his intention.
This relic was found after much effort by Xiao Jingren, who specifically asked her to present it to the Empress Dowager.
Xiao Jingren’s background was unfavorable—born after the Emperor drunkenly spent the night with a palace maid.
That maid soon took her own life.
Such matters need not be spoken in the palace; ultimately, the Emperor wished to protect the royal reputation from disgrace.
Thus, from birth, Xiao Jingren never won the Empress Dowager’s favor.
Let alone succession; even surviving in the palace was an extravagant hope.
Now, relying on his own schemes, Xiao Jingren had garnered some support, though most of it was unreliable.
Therefore, he wished to use Shen He as a means to solidify his position, gain favor with the Emperor, and show others his capability.

Shen He sneered inwardly and turned away.
The Empress Dowager had spent years devoted to Buddhism and frugality; though it was a birthday banquet, song and dance were omitted.
During the feast, the Empress Dowager sipped tea, her gaze sweeping the hall and settling on Shen He.
Shen He’s heart skipped a beat.
“How quickly time passes. In the blink of an eye, A-He has grown up,” the Empress Dowager said, smiling kindly.
Shen He rose and bowed, her bright eyes lowered. “Thank you for your care, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve heard that A-He already has someone in mind. Is it true?” the Empress Dowager asked, feigning ignorance, glancing lightly at Xiao Jingren.
Shen He pretended to be shy, her cheeks tinged with blush. “Your Majesty is teasing your subject.”
Everyone present understood, joining in the jest.
The Emperor, catching the Empress Dowager’s meaning, said, “I have seven sons, each outstanding. Whoever A-He chooses, I will grant the marriage.”
With those words, the hall fell instantly silent, many glancing knowingly at Xiao Jingren.
Xiao Jingren raised his cup silently, his face showing a confident, victorious smile.
Across from him, the seven princes’ expressions varied: some indifferent, some mocking, some contemptuous.
Shen He swept her gaze around, pausing briefly, then suddenly freezing.
In a shadowed corner, a gloomy pair of eyes caught her attention.
That person was strikingly handsome, with deep black eyes and sharp, cold features.
His gaze, like a blade, locked onto her, making Shen He’s heart jump.
In the moment their eyes met, he almost instantly reverted to his usual foolish demeanor, as if that brief moment had been her illusion.
The Sixth Prince, Xiao Jingchi.
At age six, he suffered a high fever, leaving his mind impaired, his intellect forever trapped at that age.
Shen He frowned slightly.
She vaguely remembered that in her last life, Xiao Jingchi had been recovering from an assassination attempt, and was not present at this banquet. Why was he here today?
Shen He had no time to ponder.
She had to choose; the other princes were either incompetent or dissipated.
Though Xiao Jingchi was chronically ill, he thus avoided the vicious struggle for succession in her previous life.
If she brought her maternal family’s influence into his estate, she would at least have control; he would not turn on her like that venomous snake Xiao Jingren.
If she could win once, she could win a second time.
Moreover, she now knew what would happen in the days to come.
Shen He’s gaze shifted; her slender finger lifted gently.
Under Xiao Jingren’s hopeful eyes, she looked across the hall to the other man in the corner.
“I am deeply in love with the Sixth Prince, at first sight and ever since. I beg Your Majesty to grant this union.”