In a place far, far, away. In a city filled with towering buildings and a grandiose palace at the center, a baby's cry disturbed the peace of the night.
"Woahhh!"
A clamor of voices resounded among the people in the room. The midwife, draped in expensive silk clothing, lifted up a baby boy covered in liquid by his heel. He cried and cried and it echoed in the spacious room.
"Empress, your son is healthy!" the midwife declared.
She gently fixed the way she held the boy and carried him in her arms.
The Empress, who was lying on the bed, smiled and stared at the baby boy with eyes overflowing with maternal love. She weakly extended her arms out and the midwife placed the baby in her arms.
"Jin Jiayi. I name you, Jin Jiayi. My son…"
The Empress smiled and held him closer.
She was the Empress of the Jin Empire and the ruler of a hundred million souls. Her close female retainers were watching her in the room. They all stayed silent and smiled at the joyous event.
After a few minutes, the retainers realized they were disturbing and walked out of the room one after another. The midwife stayed and waited until everyone had left before walking right beside the Empress.
"Empress, let me wash baby Jiayi. I will also call the servants outside to clean you up."
"Mm. Thank you, Anatolia. You have done so much for me while you aren't even from my empire."
The Empress smiled once more, this time it was filled with sincerity towards Anatolia.
Staring at the Empress' beautiful face that boasted femininity and satisfying proportions, Anatolia took a deep breath and bowed.
"Empress, you are a good ruler. I can't say with words how happy I am to help you. In a way, I feel like I'm helping all of your subjects."
"Raise your head. I entrust my son to you."
The Empress raised the now silent Jin Jiayi and gave him to Anatolia.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
With a sense of duty, Anatolia took Jin Jiayi and left the room. A few seconds later, female servants rushed inside the room and cleaned up the blood and the Empress.
. . .
A few days passed and the sleeping Jin Jiayi opened his eyes.
Where am I?
Wang Chang looked around him. A beautiful woman embraced him in her arms, and the room was covered with gold and beautiful gems that sparkled with soft, white light.
It was in the middle of the night so this woman was asleep.
Didn't I die? What?
Wang Chang curiously looked around him. And he immediately realized that the world looked so big around him. He raised his heavy arms and noticed they were a baby's hand.
I became a baby!? That, that, did she do this?
Wang Chang trembled in shock and confusion. This development was too sudden for him to readily accept.
He recalled his memories and realized the only answer was his wife who was apparently a cultivator with a long lifespan. His face crumpled as the feeling of betrayal froze his heart.
He accepted the answer in his death but when he thought of it now, he wanted to find her and slap her for it. However, when he thought of hurting her, he immediately frowned and shook his head.
She… said she truly loved me.
When he still had a tiny bit of consciousness left, he faintly heard her voice. He raised his head and looked out the window. The thin silk curtain fluttered with the wind.
The beautiful vast night sky peered down with a cold gaze.
I love her, too. I love you, too.
Wang Chang internally recited to himself. No one heard his words except himself, but he hoped that she could feel his feelings from far away. He had no idea where he was now, but he was familiar with the concept of reincarnation.
It was a myth in his village. No one truly believed it but everyone hoped they would reincarnate.
When he thought of that, Wang Chang noticed the expensive decorations in the room. He felt relieved and a little bit excited.
My karma from my past life must have helped me reincarnate into a wealthy family.
Wang Chang was unaware that he reincarnated as the Crown Prince of the Jin Empire with a hundred million souls under it. He was a true country bumpkin with zero concept of wealth.
So this is the room of a wealthy family? So much gold and gems… I can't believe the small gold necklace I bought for my wife would look like this when it's put on a wall.
Wang Chang was mesmerized by his expensive surroundings. His mind regressed back into the mind of a baby, full of wonder and curiosity.
"Jiayi?"
Wang Chang flinched and turned his head to the woman. She lifted her neck and peered down at him. Her face appeared breathtaking under the dim light coming from the night sky.
"!?"
Wang Chang pursed his lips and prevented himself from speaking.
"Jiayi~ Why do you look scared of Mama?"
The woman, or more accurately, his mother, wrapped her arms around him and shook him left and right.
Wang Chang was stunned, and he stared at her in silence. He didn't have the chance to think about it, but it made sense that she was his mother in this life. However, her beautiful face clouded his mind.
Does my wife also look like this once she removes her mask?
Wang Chang didn't have any romantic or sexual interest in his mother in this life. All he could think of was Luo Nuying. He was certain she kept her true appearance hidden under a mask to appear ordinary.
"Why do you look so sad, Jiayi? Do you not like Mama?"
The Empress asked, staring at him with a tilted head.
Wang Chang shook his head and snuggled in her chest. He closed his eyes and tried his best to forget his wife for now. He was filled with lovesickness, especially each time he remembered her last words.
"I'm so sorry… I truly did… love you."
Those words ached Wang Chang. His anger for her deflated and disappeared. A well of complex emotions swirled within his heart.
Maybe, I should have pretended.
Wang Chang sighed and fell asleep without him realizing it.