The next day, Xie Ming woke up early in the morning, a habit she had developed from her time in the palace where strict schedules were the norm.
Her hand reached out to the bedside table to check the time, and the glowing digits on the digital alarm clock revealed that it was 4 in the morning. The room was still dark as the sun had not risen yet and the curtains were covering the windows.
She found herself in the serene quietness of the early hours.
Thanks to Yu Mei's patient teachings and explanations, Xie Ming managed to grasp the usage of basic appliances, including reading the time on a clock. While adapting to this new life was a gradual process, she was putting in her best efforts to become accustomed to it.
Feeling that it was still too early and she didn't need to get ready for the morning ritual of paying respect to the Empress Dowager, she found herself with little to occupy her time. Deciding to return to bed, she tossed and turned for an hour but couldn't fall asleep again.
Old habits are hard to let go, after all.
Growing restless, she eventually rose from the bed and made her way to the washroom to freshen up. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and admired Xie Ming's beauty.
Her features were remarkably refined and unique, with high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that held a hint of mystery. Her long, black hair framed her face and flowed gently around her shoulders.
While it was not as luxuriously long as it had been in her past life, it still retained an impressive length and a glossy sheen, adding to her overall allure and elegance.
During her three-month stay in the hospital, Xie Ming had lost a significant amount of weight, and her once vibrant appearance had taken on a pale and sickly hue. Despite her weakened state, her beauty remained undeniable.
Even in her current condition, there was an elegance about her that couldn't be denied, a testament to the Empress she had once been. She might not be the Empress whom people respected as she wasn't favored by her husband, but she was the representation of grace and elegance which even Empress Dowager could never deny.
"She is beautiful," Xie Ming whispered to herself as she admired her reflection in the mirror. After taking a quick bath and changing into the white dress she had worn the previous night, she went outside, ready to face the day.
When Xie Ming opened the door of her room to go downstairs, the door of the room opposite hers opened abruptly, startling her as she hadn't expected anyone to be staying there.
Jin Liwei, clad in a black T-shirt and sports trousers, emerged from the room with tousled hair that somehow made him even more appealing. His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he glanced at Xie Ming, clearly not expecting to see her up and about so early in the morning.
He was taken aback by her early rising, well aware of her habit of sleeping in until the afternoon. Jin Liwei blinked in surprise at her unexpected appearance at this early hour.
There were times when she used to party at clubs all night, returning at dawn, and then sleeping until the afternoon. What had happened to the wild party girl all of a sudden?
Jin Liwei gazed at her with a hint of confusion and concern and asked, "What's the matter? Why are you up so early? Are you feeling alright?"
She raised an eyebrow at him showing concern towards her and replied in a nonchalant tone, "I woke up early, so I thought I would take a walk in the garden." She couldn't help but wonder why he was suddenly so concerned about her.
He hadn't shown this level of care when she was hospitalized for three months or when she just woke up from the coma, so why now?
Her nonchalant response took aback Jin Liwei. She wanted to take a walk and that too early in the morning? He studied her fair face, which was glowing in the early morning light.
His frown deepened as he caught a whiff of the floral scent of her shower gel, and he asked in confusion, "Have you... already taken a bath?"
Xie Ming nodded and replied, "Yes, I did." Her response was matter-of-fact. Getting ready early in the morning was a normal routine for her. Typically, she was accustomed to taking a bath before the sun rose, but she was trying to delay it a bit to act more like the original Xie Ming.
However, she didn't realize that even her attempt at being late and lazy was still very early in the morning for the Xie Ming of this world.
Seeing the confused look on Jin Liwei's face, Xie Ming frowned and wondered if she had done anything wrong. "Why? Is there any problem?" she asked in puzzlement.
'I took a bath the way Yu Mei taught me to. Was I not supposed to use that floral-scented liquid to scrub my body? Did I use the correct product?' she pondered worriedly, concerned that she might have used the wrong liquid which was meant for cleaning bathroom tiles and not her body.
"Ah! Nothing. It's not a problem. I was simply asking." Jin Liwei answered, not further pursuing the matter. Her response took him aback, but observing her calm demeanor, he decided not to press further.
He cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "If you want to take a walk, go ahead. But don't stay out too long. You've recently woken up from a coma, and shouldn't exert yourself too much. Otherwise, we might have to take you back to the hospital and it's such a hassle."
Xie Ming furrowed her brows at his words, wondering whether his concern was for her or the potential hospital expenses. The way he spoke suggested the latter, which didn't sit well with her.
She nodded casually and replied, "Don't worry. I'm aware of my limits." With that, she proceeded downstairs without another glance in his direction.
Jin Liwei's expression darkened at her response, but he chose not to say anything. Instead, he turned and headed to the gym on the second floor. Despite his busy schedule, he made it a point to find time for a workout.
___
When Xie Ming descended the stairs, she anticipated an empty house. However, to her astonishment, the servants were already up and about, bustling in the kitchen. Just like Jin Liwei, they were also taken aback to see her up and about at such an early hour.
Yu Mei, who was dusting the living room, paused in her tasks, her eyes widening at the sight of Xie Ming. "Madam, it's quite rare to see you up at this hour! Are you feeling alright? Is there something you need or perhaps you're hungry?" Yu Mei's voice was laced with genuine concern. She was unaccustomed to seeing Xie Ming before noon, let alone early in the morning.
Caught off guard by Yu Mei's reaction, Xie Ming wondered if her early rise was truly that astonishing. "Um, I'm fine, Yu Mei. I just wanted a breath of fresh air from the garden," she replied, noticing the duster in Yu Mei's hands. "Please, continue with your work, and don't mind me."
"Madam, you were discharged from the hospital only yesterday, it might not be safe for you to be outside alone. What if you lost your balance in the garden and got hurt?" Concern was evident in Yu Mei's voice.
"I appreciate your worry, but I assure you, I'll be alright. Please, continue with your duties," Xie Ming replied gently and proceeded towards the garden entrance.
____
In the garden, Xie Ming was impressed by the way they had maintained it. A variety of flowers bloomed beautifully, the trees were meticulously trimmed, and the plants were well taken care of. It was a picturesque scene.
She inhaled deeply, the morning breeze was a refreshing change from the sterile smell of the hospital which had started to make her queasy. The gentle morning breeze brushed against her, prompting her to rub her arms for warmth.
Engrossed in her thoughts, she walked aimlessly. The question that plagued her was, how did she end up becoming Xie Ming of all people? Why had fate chosen for her to awaken as Xie Ming, someone from an entirely different era? What could be the underlying reason for her to inhabit another person's body?
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she failed to notice a set of watchful eyes observing her from a distance.