A short while later, there was a fast flash of lightning followed swiftly by a rumble of deafening thunder. A huge breeze blew shaking the entire capital, seconds later it began to rain heavily.
A few streets away at the servants sleeping Quarters of Minister Zhu's residence, a shivering petite Young girl laid on her back on the hard wooden bed. The rest of the occupants of the hall all ran out as soon as the rain started, to bring in clothes and other delicates that could be destroyed by the rain. Only the girl bundled up in thick blankets was left in the room.
A blinding light came over the young girl wrapped in blankets, while a strong breeze blew below her back raising her off the bed. Su Liya opened her eyes as the light disappeared, she glanced around. Her previously relaxed expression dulled by the second. She was in an unfamiliar room, Everything about the room seemed off, it was nothing like her small apartment.
The decor of the entire room was completely off, It didn't look modern. There were no bulbs or electric fans or television in the room, instead, traditional Chinese lamps hung on the walls. It was a widespread room made of wood and had little or no decoration.
The only decorative items were a small vase plant and a plain aged embroidery piece hanging on the wall. The room looked like it stepped out of a historical drama.
Su Liya sat up slowly, she didn't want to make any sudden movement that would worsen her splitting headache. She hissed as she clutched the right side of her head and felt a slight bump covered by a wet bandage.
"What is this!" She murmured quickly bringing her hand down. She did she caught a wimp of the metallic smell of blood as she did. Her brow creased, She looked down to find her hands stained with blood, Shocked Su Liya got down from the hard bed in search of a mirror.
The room swayed as soon as her leg touched the ground, She fell to the side. She grabbed onto the nearest structure which was the long pole of the bed to wedge her fall. Su Liya stayed like that for a few minutes, She counted to three before letting go of the bed frame and stood carefully.
She felt a little nauseous as she walked forward, the nausea lasted for five minutes before it subsided. From the window the patter tap splash sound of rain was heard, cool breeze blew into the dim room making her shiver.
The room was lit by five lamps scattered in intricate parts of the room. Su Liya squinted as she searched for a mirror.
Su Liya felt a little puzzled "Just where did she send me? that I can't find a mirror" She thought as she checked the various corners of the room.
Su Liya immediately remembered her strange conversation with the Heavenly Empress.
"Finally You are awake. I am Mazu, the heavenly empress. You are about to die but I saved you. What would you do, if I said I have a way to help you live?"
Her last sentence caught Su Liya's attention, She stood straight.
The Heavenly Empress smiled and said holding out her hands "Take my hand if you want to live."
Su Liya took a big step back "what.. I don't understand?".
The Heavenly Empress smiled, she brought down her hand and said "You must be surprised by everything so I will explain everything as well as I can."
Su Liya bit her lips gently and nodded
"Liya You are dead, you were struck by lightning and died a few minutes ago. However, since you haven't achieved much in your life, we are willing to give you a second chance at Life_"
Su Liya cut her off halfway, "What do you want? I doubt you are doing this without having anything else in mind. Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want"
The Heaven Empress didn't take her actions to heart but instead was amused. She chuckled softly and replied, "You are smart… I like that. Since you asked so nicely I will give you an answer. You don't have to do much actually, all you have to do is to help my children get a happy ending".
After thinking briefly Su Liya asked " just that?"
"mmm," the Heavenly Empress replied.
"If I do that you will give me a second chance?" Su Liya asked once more.
"Yes"
"Alright then, I am in" Su Liya stretched out her hands. The Heavenly Empress smiled and took her hands. That was the last thing Su Liya remembered before waking up in the strange room.
When she couldn't find a mirror Su Liya walked to the window. If inside the room looked this traditional she wanted to check how outside the room would look.
It was still raining heavily outside. It was pitch black outside, with only the flashes of lightning to help get a slight view of the compound. It looked ancient, there wasn't an electric line or Street light insight which was strange.
Su Liya was trying to make sense of everything when the door was pulled open and a petite girl in ancient gab rushed in. As soon as she saw her standing by the window, the girls shouted
"Sister Liya you are up! Why are you standing by the window, please get seated or you will catch a cold. Your injuries haven't healed! The doctor said you should avoid getting sick until it heals"
The girl rushed up to her and pulled her away from the window, she led Su Liya by the arm back to the bed she had vacated. The girl seemed familiar to her which Su Liya found strange since this was her first time meeting the girl.
The girls went on and on but Su Liya did pay her any attention. Su Liya searched her memory trying to identify the girl but came up blank until she heard the girl say
"I will inform First young Mistress that you are awake. The Young mistress has been inquiring on your condition for the best two days, she will be happy to hear that you are awake"
The girl stood to leave when Su Liya grabbed her tightly on the wrist "Hold on did you say Young Mistress"
The girl nodded with a puzzled expression. Su Liya got a bit suspicious when she heard that but did not take that to heart. She thought 'Surely it can't be that I transmigrated into the Emperor's cunning wife. I mean that's not possible, it only happens in movies and books. It can't happen in real life right'.
Everything seemed familiar to the popular web series she was currently reading. To be sure Su Liya asked, "Eh, I.. so the young mistress doesn't happen to be Zhu Fengyin right".
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the girl's response "That is indeed the given name of our mistress but we are not allowed to call her by her given name. it is not proper. I guess it must be different for you since you grew up with the young mistress but even Nanny Sheng doesn't call the young Miss by her name".
The maid's response made her speechless, She watch silently as the girl left. When she was sure the girl was out of hearing distance, Su Liya screamed "Ahhh I got transmigrated as a small villainess".