“What are all these white banners for? Huh, even the officials are wearing white sashes?”
“Have you been cooped up for days? You don’t even know this? The Princess of the Protectorate has passed away! The whole nation is in mourning!”
“The Princess of the Protectorate? Do you mean Princess Danyang? Isn’t her death a good thing? We should be celebrating with gongs and drums!”
“Shh… If the officials hear you, you’ll be thrown in jail.”
In the teahouse, small groups of patrons gathered around tables to discuss the flurry of paper money drifting through the air.
As for Princess Danyang, she had been a long-standing pest in the Northern Wei court for twelve years, a source of dread for officials throughout the realm. Despite being a woman, she shamelessly kept dozens of male lovers in her residence, seducing court officials, teasing the powerful, manipulating politics, and framing the loyal!
Wherever she went, bodies lay strewn, and the people suffered. Her misdeeds were numerous, too many to record!
If someone were to write a biography of Princess Danyang, many officials would surely jump at the chance to contribute, carefully choosing the most scathing words forever to nail this princess to the pillar of historical shame, ensuring she would never find peace in the afterlife!
However, karma has its way. This arrogant princess, who had been terrorized for years, was finally imprisoned in Feiyun Palace for “murdering a high-ranking official” in the eighth year of Daxing. On the very day the new emperor took power, she “died” in her residence, blood streaming from her seven orifices, a gruesome sight.
The government held a formal mourning ceremony, but the common people secretly felt a sense of relief.
Evil begets evil! She died well!
Amidst the cheers of relief, white paper money fluttered down like snow, some caught by the wind, swirling through the air before landing in front of an official residence, drifting past a vermilion plaque.
The Bai Residence.
In a simple room in the western courtyard, someone turned over in bed, accidentally knocking over a bowl of medicine placed beside it.
“Crack!”
With a sharp sound, Li Huaiyu jolted awake, her heart pounding like a drum, cold sweat breaking out as she opened her eyes. Propping herself up, she gasped for breath, her eyelashes trembling violently. It took her a while to regain her composure.
Where am I?
The room was sparsely furnished, with old and cheap decorations. Light filtered through the mottled carved window, illuminating the dust motes in the air, and creating a hazy atmosphere.
Frowning, she stared at the dust for a moment, feeling a bit dazed.
The door creaked open, and a maid carrying a basin stepped inside. Upon seeing her, she exclaimed joyfully, “Miss, you’re finally awake!”
Miss? Li Huaiyu frowned at her, wondering where this ignorant maid had come from. She had been called “Your Highness” since birth; when had anyone ever referred to her as “Miss”?
“You scared me to death this time! I almost thought you had passed away!” the maid rambled on, full of concern.
Passed away? Could it be that she hadn’t? Li Huaiyu paused, taking a deep breath—
She hadn’t passed away!
She… was alive?
A tremor of excitement coursed through her, and Li Huaiyu sprang up, leaping off the bed to rush to the window, throwing open the wooden shutters.
Brilliant sunlight poured in, warming her face. Outside, clusters of wildflowers bloomed vibrantly, swaying in the gentle breeze.
After gazing for a moment, she inhaled several deep breaths of fresh air, revealing a strange smile.
Heaven has eyes; she was still alive.
She, Princess Danyang Li Huaiyu, was alive!
The little maid seemed startled by her sudden movement, her eyes wide as she stammered, “M-Miss?”
The smile faltered. Li Huaiyu looked around, confused, then pointed to her nose and asked, “Are you calling me?”
Lingxiu nodded, looking at her in confusion. “Of course, I’m calling you, Miss. Don’t you recognize me?”
Li Huaiyu thought for a moment, shaking her head. “No impression.”
Her last memory was from that day in Feiyun Palace, March 27th, when she drank the poison gifted by the emperor, coughing up blood, helplessly sprawled on the soft couch.
A group of people knelt before her, their eyes red and choked with sobs, calling out in unison, “Your Highness—”
Those words echoed in the hall like a flute’s mournful wail, mingled with suppressed cries, making one’s heartache.
Then she had closed her eyes, sinking into darkness.
Logically, she should have died. Even if she hadn’t, she should still be in Feiyun Palace. Why was she in this unfamiliar place?
Scanning the room in confusion, Li Huaiyu spotted a dressing table and hurried over to take a look.
The reflection in the mirror was unfamiliar: delicate brows, soft eyes, skin as pale as if it had never seen the sun, framing a head of black hair like clouds. A small face, dainty earlobes, a slender neck, dressed in a half-worn dark robe, her entire body felt so light it seemed a gust of wind could blow her away.
This wasn’t her.
Everyone knew that Princess Danyang was willful and domineering, partly due to her royal status and partly because of her unparalleled martial skills. She had trained for years, her body strong and resilient; how could she resemble this frail figure?
Yet, when she moved, the person in the mirror moved too. When she made a face, the delicate reflection mirrored her expression.
A sinking feeling filled her heart. Li Huaiyu turned to ask, “What is today’s date?”
Lingxiu stared at her in shock, replying blankly, “Today is the fourth day of the fourth month in the eighth year of Daxing…”
The fourth day of the fourth month? Li Huaiyu’s lips turned pale. “Princess Danyang has passed away?”
Lingxiu nodded. “Yes, she has passed away. Today marks the seventh day, and the government is holding the funeral.”
Li Huaiyu: “…”
Princess Danyang has been buried.