In the cold palace a lean man with silk black hair and peach eyes, wearing the golden robes that represent the emperor was looking at the haggard woman that laid before him. She was once the most powerful woman in the empire, but now she was not better than a beggar. However, she still maintained a pose as if she ruled the world.
"You have come"
"Hm"
"Was I useful to you, my emperor?"
"Well"
"Tell me Zhao Song, after all the things we went through, do I have at least a small place in your heart, will you remember me once I am gone?"
Look at the proud woman before him, the emperor shot her an icy stare and answered impatiently.
"Ming Shu, I never loved you; you were just a piece to achieve my dreams. The person who I always loved is Gu Yuxie"
When she heard her lover for 10 years said this ruthless words, Ming Shu was not even surprised. She discovered his obsession for Gu two years after they knew each other, but she naively thought he could come to love her. She remembered all the things she sacrificed so he could one day get the throne and looked at her with pride and affection.
'Hehe... so stupid'
For him, she went from an active martial artists to a virtuous consort. She eliminated all those who oppose him, scheme her way into his harem, begged the support from her maternal family and even went to war so he could receive merit as a prince.
'Well, all for nothing. I thought if I made myself useful enough even if I didn't get his affection I would be an irreplaceable piece. How naïve I was. I should have known it doesn't exist irreplaceable pawns just disposable ones'
"Since you completed your duty, die"
Saying so Zhao Song instructed the eunuch to give Ming Shu the poison and left the cold palace without a shred of pity towards the woman who sacrificed her life so he could achieve all the things he asked her.
'It is as if I did not see it coming'
Taking the cup from the eunuch, Ming Shu thought of how well she knew her husband. She witnessed he plotting and killing all those who oppose him or knew too much. As one of his most used pawn, she destroyed many lives throughout the years.
'I think this is my punishment for being used as a fool'
Taking the last sip of the poisoned wine, she thought about how she could finally relax. She didn't feel betrayed, heartache or hate towards Zhao Song, for she knew him too well, and even after she learned his nature she still stayed by his side and do his bidding.
Maybe at some point, these feelings belonged to her, but as time passed she realized that, although he was a jerk and deserved to die, is not like the royal family was known to birth saints or good people. All those that were like that are now buried 3 ft. underground. She only thought that she was foolish. If she could she would warn her innocent past self to love yourself above all and not be a piece in the hands of others.
'So sleepy. Finally, I will be able to sleep properly, Mother, Grandmother, Grandfather, sorry for my uselessness, I could not protect you. If God gave me a second chance I would surely not drag my family in misfortune, unfortunately, it is not possible'
As the tears fell and regret seep deep in her bones, Ming Shu could hear the bell that announced the death of a royal member. Closing her eyes she swore that given a chance she would atone for all her sins.
....
"Miss is burning up, bring the medicine and water"
'So noisy, shut up'
"My poor miss, how could you be so careless and fall in the lake. If not for the Si Second Young Master excellent eyesight you would have drowned"
" *sigh* you are right. Young Miss is too poor, besides Master did not come to visit once, he only asks for a report of how her situation is, but went to visit Lady Ye yard every day and even brought gifts to Second Young Miss."
" Shh! Is the status of the Lord something you can opine?"
" But- "
"No buts, hurry and help me take care of Young Miss"
'Hehe Hongyu and Luyu always bickered like that when I was young, unfortunately, because of stepmother scheming they died before I married, I wish I could see them again'
Hoping she could see the familiar figures after death, Ming Shu tried to open her eyes. The scene that greeted her was very familiar to her. The bedroom she lived until she was 12 years old before her mother died because of Lady Ye greed. At that time, although not heavily favoured, she was the daughter of the main wife and had a high status within the family.
"Miss you are finally awake! I will go to tell Madam and the Lord"
"Wait!"
Before even processing what was happening Ming yelled in reflex. It could not blame her. After she went from the main daughter to a concubine daughter Ming Shu learned how annoyed her father would be with anything related to her. He never showed concern and pretend she did not exist in the household and only maintained basic courtesy towards her because of her maternal grandfather.
'Weird, my voice sounds different from when I died. Also why I'm feeling tired and pain? Shouldn't dead people feel nothing -'
"What are your instructions, Miss?"
"Ahn? Ah, yes, could you bring me a glass of water and tell me what happened?"
'Lets first understand the situation I'm in'
Luyu looked at her Miss in disbelief, she wondered if the water that the lady drunk affected her brain.
"Well?"
Tilting her head Ming Shu looked at both of her attendants who were standing looking at her as if seeing a monster.
"*cough* yes Miss wait a moment I will bring water to you, Luyu you stay here with Miss"
Saying so Hongyu went out of the room.
"Help me get up. Explain what happened"
"Ah, ye-yes, here we go Miss. As to what happened, in the 60th birthday of the Old Madam, the Miss was playing by the lake and somehow fell. It is this slave fault that was not beside Miss and asks the Miss for punishment"
'60? When I went to the cold palace grandmother had just made 75, what is happening? First, let me stop this stupid kid'
"First get up, what year is this?"
"Miss? Is 1678 of the Han era. Are you alright Miss? As I thought I should call Master and Madam here"
"Wait a second. Don't bother my father, and tell mother she doesn't need to worry as I am better now"