The Rebirth of the Vengeful Empress from a Military Family

Chapter II: Rebirth

Volume I: The Spring Breeze is Only a Stranger

Chapter II: Rebirth (重生)

The vast black and white courtyard had floors made out of limestone slabs, pillars colored a shade of vermillion, and railings covered with intricate engravings of floral Begonias. From the leaves fell raindrops that landed on the soil, the result of a whole evening's downpour.

The scent of a costus root that seemed astoundingly fresh during the early autumn came from an exquisitely crafted purple and gold incense burner engraved with patterns of small animals.

Little brightly-colored tasseled fragrance pouches hung from each corner of the bed. Beside the couch, two tall maids meticulously fanned the person that lied on the bed.

"Falling into the water in such freezing weather, the fever is certain to be high. Why has the Young Miss not moved yet? The Young Miss has slept for an entire day and night, from the physician's words, the Young Miss must already be awake by now." The face of the green-clothed maid barely hid her nervousness.

"Gu Yu, an hour has almost passed. Why is the doctor still yet to arrive?" The purple-clad maid inquired.

"This is considered a humiliating event and the Second Madame is watching closely. The residence is trying to hide what transpired." Gu Yu stared at the person that lied on the bed. "Neither Madame nor Master are in the Capital, and First Young Master is also away. Old Madame favors the East Courtyard. The reason that Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang are still not back yet must be because they have been stopped. Is this not equal to pushing the Young Miss towards death?! This cannot be allowed. I must leave and see."

As those words fell, a weak moan came from the person that lied on the bed, who had been listening.

"The Young Miss has awaken!" The purple-clad maid exclaimed. She quickly ran to the bedside and saw the young woman on the bed rub her forehead as she slowly sat up.

"Jing Zhe..." Shen Miao muttered.

"This servant is present." The purple-clad maid smiled and held Shen Miao's hand. "Does the Young Miss feel better? The fever seems to have assuaged after a day and night of rest, but the Young Miss still did not wake. This servant thought of making the physician return."

"Does the Young Miss wish to drink?" Gu Yu poured a cup of tea and held it towards her mistress.

Shen Miao looked dazed as she stared at the two women in front of her.

She had four first-ranked maids: Jing Zhe, Gu Yu, Bai Lu, and Shuang Jiang. All of those girls had incredible intellect and quick wit. Unfortunately, in the end, not one of them remained...

In order to protect Shen Miao from being humiliated by the Crown Prince of the Qin Empire during her time as a hostage, Gu Yu died at that Crown Prince's hand. As for Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang, one of them perished with Wang Yu during her journey to the Xiong Nu while the other one became a casualty of her battle against Lady Mei in the Inner Palace.

The last maid, Jing Zhe...was the most beautiful among them. Back then, for the sake of roping in officials into helping Fu Xiu Yi become Emperor, Jing Zhe willingly chose to become a concubine and use her beauty to get an official's support. In the end, she died in the hands of that official's main wife because of a contrivance.

After news of Jing Zhe's death reached her ears, Shen Miao wept so much she almost miscarried.

Now, Shen Miao momentarily fell into a trance at the sight of Jing Zhe standing before her, as lovely as she had always been, and Gu Yu's smile. Both maids appeared to still be at the tender age of fourteen or fifteen.