Xiaoyun sat on the edge of her cot, hands trembling as she stared at the dimly lit walls of the servant's quarters. The reality of what had happened crashed down on her again, and she couldn't help but feel her stomach twist. I died. I actually died.
The images flooded back in rapid succession: the rush of cold air, the pain as her body crumpled—then, absolute darkness.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she blinked them away furiously, angrily brushing her fingers across her face. No crying, she thought bitterly.
The room was silent, save for the faint sounds of the outside world—a distant echo of the palace life she could barely comprehend. She closed her eyes, attempting to focus, to make sense of everything she had learned from Ming's endless rambling.
Princess Anming… The name floated through her mind, the words Ming had uttered so carelessly, detailing the princess's tragic love triangle. Anming, the coveted, delicate jewel, was torn between two princes—Ren, the stoic and powerful one, and Jinhai, the prince who seemed more approachable, if not a little too charming for his own good.
Xiaoyun winced as the memory of Jinhai entered her thoughts. I already met him… and I mouthed off to him. Her stomach churned as she relayed the conversation in the hallway. Why didn't I keep my mouth shut?
Xiaoyun buried her face in her hands, groaning in frustration. She had already messed up. And she had only just begun.
Of all the people to reincarnate as—a maid? Karma had to be laughing in her face right now. Mei Lin, a lowly servant to the princess? Really? This was some cruel joke. She had no position, no power, and no leverage except for her proximity to Princess Anming. How had she landed in such a miserable role? How could she navigate this life when she was nothing more than a maid?
A sour feeling settled in her stomach at the thought. There was no escaping this reality. She had to play along, at least until she figured out how to gain some control.
The door to the servant's quarters creaked open suddenly, and Xiaoyun's head jerked up in alarm. She hadn't heard anyone approach. A young maid entered, her hands clasped in front of her, her posture rigid and respectful.
"Mei Lin," the maid said, voice soft but urgent. "Princess Anming requests your presence in her chambers. She will be expecting you in two hours after noon."
Xiaoyun stared after her, the implications of this new task sinking in. She had no choice but to comply. Princess Anming held a certain level of trust in her. This might be the perfect opportunity to learn more, to find her footing in this strange new life.