Zhao Lusi (赵露丝) jolted awake, her heart racing as if she had just run a marathon. She blinked against the bright morning sun filtering through the thin wooden slats of a nearby window. Confusion washed over her as she took in her surroundings—a modest room with faded silk curtains, simple wooden furniture, and a mirror reflecting a girl who appeared to be no older than sixteen. But it was not the appearance that unsettled her; it was the dullness in the girl's eyes and the heaviness in her chest.
Where was she? Memories of her past life—vivid, intense, and powerful—flashed through her mind like a whirlwind. She was the Serpent Queen, a master of poisons and cunning, feared and revered in equal measure. But now, she felt as if she were trapped inside the shell of a stranger, one who had no knowledge of her former glory.
As she rose from the bed, a wave of dizziness swept over her, and she stumbled. Looking down, she noticed the plain, tattered clothing that hugged her body—far from the luxurious robes she once wore. This was not the life she had known. This girl, with the same name but none of the power, was a mere shadow of her former self.
"Get up, Lusi!" a voice called from outside the door, snapping her from her thoughts. It was sharp and impatient, belonging to a woman who sounded like a mother—a maternal figure who seemed to care little for her daughter's well-being.
"Sorry, Mother," Zhao Lusi replied, forcing the words out, trying to mirror the meekness expected of her.
"Don't waste time with apologies. We have chores to do," her mother, Zhao Mulan (赵木兰), snapped, glancing back with a frown that deepened Zhao Lusi's growing frustration. The girl's memories were still hazy, but she knew this was not how she wanted to live.
Zhao Lusi picked up a broom and began to sweep the dirt floor, her mind racing. She had to regain her strength, her abilities. The thought of being trapped in this ordinary life sent shivers down her spine. This was a world filled with potential for power and revenge, but she needed to be cautious.
Later that evening, as the sky darkened and stars began to twinkle, she slipped away from her home under the guise of gathering herbs. In her heart, she felt the call of her true self, urging her to awaken. The forest behind her home held secrets, and she could almost feel the pulse of the earth beneath her feet, resonating with her innate magic.
Once hidden among the trees, Zhao Lusi took a moment to breathe, allowing the cool night air to wash over her. She knelt, digging her fingers into the soil, sensing the energy that thrummed through the ground. It was faint but reassuring, a reminder of the power that still lingered within her.
"Zhao Lusi, you are not finished yet," she whispered to herself, determination igniting a fire in her chest. "This is just the beginning."
As she gathered herbs, her mind was ablaze with ideas. She would reclaim her life and power, unravel the intricacies of poison, and learn the art of combat once more. No longer would she allow herself to be the puppet of fate. She would carve her own path, and if fate dared to stand in her way, she would strike back with the same cunning and strength that had once made her a queen.
In the shadows, the wind rustled the leaves, whispering secrets of the past and future. Zhao Lusi felt an ancient connection to this land, its energy coursing through her veins. She began to recall the skills she had mastered: the delicate balance of medicine and poison, the art of deception, and the thrill of combat.
As she collected the herbs, a sharp sound broke the tranquility—the crunch of footsteps approaching. Heart racing, she turned to find Chen Xiaobo (陈小博), the local bully, stepping into the clearing with a group of his friends, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"What do we have here? The useless girl pretending to be a healer?" Chen taunted, his friends snickering behind him.
Zhao Lusi clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. In her past life, she would have silenced him with a mere glance. But here, she was at the mercy of this boy, a reminder of the life she had once left behind. Yet, as the weight of his words settled, she felt something shift within her.
"Leave me alone, Chen," she replied, her voice steady despite the tremor of her heart.
"Oh, but we can't miss the chance to have some fun," he retorted, stepping closer, his arrogance palpable. "I heard you think you're some sort of healer now. How about I give you a taste of reality?"
With a sudden surge of adrenaline, Zhao Lusi's instincts kicked in. She recalled her former self—the woman who would never back down from a challenge. In one fluid motion, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a handful of herbs, ready to defend herself.
"Stay back, or I'll make you regret it," she warned, her voice low and dangerous.
For a moment, Chen hesitated, taken aback by the fierce determination in her eyes. But then, his friends laughed, and he regained his bravado. "What can you do? You're just a girl," he jeered.
In that instant, a flicker of recognition sparked within Zhao Lusi. The herbs she had gathered had potent properties, and with the right combination, she could turn the situation to her advantage.
"Let's find out," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. She swiftly crushed the herbs and sprinkled them into the air, releasing a fragrant mist that enveloped the clearing.
"Just a little concoction to make you think twice about bullying me," she declared, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of reclaiming her identity.
As Chen and his friends began to cough and sputter, Zhao Lusi felt a rush of triumph. She was not the same meek girl they had bullied before. No, she was the Serpent Queen awakening within, ready to wield her power and reshape her destiny.
With a swift turn, she vanished into the depths of the forest, leaving her tormentors behind in confusion. The night was hers, and the journey of reclaiming her strength had only just begun