Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Because I did not believe it.

I did not believe Shen Ruyun, Imperial Consort Shen, was truly such a vicious woman who killed for sport.

…

I have a secret.

From the moment I was born, I carried memories of my previous life.

I remembered clearly who I had been, whom I had married, and how I had died.

So when I heard that there was an imperial consort in the palace named Shen Ruyun, I did everything I could to enter the palace.

It was not until I accidentally saw her portrait that I became certain.

She was my daughter from my previous life.

I remembered the day I died. It was raining.

Raindrops pattered outside the window.

I could barely hear clearly.

Only my daughter’s low sobs echoed by my ear.

“Mother, don’t leave me. Don’t leave me. What am I supposed to do if you’re gone?

“Father likes Aunt Mei and my little brother. He has never liked me. Now even you don’t want me anymore…”

I stroked her hair. My fingers no longer had any strength.

My vision blurred, and at last, everything sank into darkness.

The last sound I heard was her hoarse, desperate cry.

Mother.

…

Late at night, I went to the momo’s room.

Kneeling on the floor, I said with complete sincerity, “Momo, I don’t want to die. Please show me a way to survive.”

She took a sip of tea. “You agreed so readily in the daytime that I truly thought you weren’t afraid.”

I said nothing and lowered my head.

When the momo finished her cup of tea, she looked at me. “Before Imperial Consort Shen entered the palace, she was the eldest young lady of the Left Chancellor’s household. Her birth mother died early. After her mother passed, Lord Shen raised that concubine to the position of principal wife. Later, His Majesty, who was still the crown prince then, left the palace to enjoy the spring flowers in the eastern outskirts and took a liking to Miss Shen there. After His Majesty ascended the throne, Miss Shen naturally entered the palace and became Imperial Consort Shen.”

The momo paused. “When Imperial Consort Shen first entered the palace, she was not quite like she is now. Her temperament was cold, yes, but she was not cruel or murderous… Later, Lord Shen died of illness while Imperial Consort Shen was already pregnant. She requested permission to return home to mourn him, but she quarreled with her stepmother. The consort fell and miscarried. His Majesty was furious. Fearing that His Majesty would take his anger out on her son, the consort’s stepmother hanged herself that night…”

I listened in silence.

The momo was quiet for a long while before finally saying, “I don’t know the exact reason. In any case, Imperial Consort Shen and the Shen family seem… not close.

“After you go to Jade Feather Palace, never mention the Shen family.

“Since her miscarriage, the consort has never become pregnant again. His Majesty visits Jade Feather Palace less and less, and Imperial Consort Shen has grown gloomier and harder to serve. Her temper is strange and unpredictable. I have nothing else to advise you on, Ah Yin. You will have to pray for your own fortune.”

I bent low, my forehead nearly touching the floor.

“Thank you for your guidance, Momo.”

When I walked out of the courtyard, I raised my head and looked at the moon above me.

Tonight, the moon was round and bright.

In a daze, I thought of seven-year-old Ah Yun.

She had always liked lying against my knees, watching the moon while asking me to braid her hair.

“Mother, are there fairies on the moon?”

“There are,” I said with a smile. “Many fairies live on the moon.”

At that time, my body was already very poor.

Every time, I endured the pain and tried my best to appear relaxed in front of her.

I knew I would not be able to accompany her as she grew up.

So I always looked for chances to make our future separation seem less painful.

“One day, Mother will fly up to the moon too.”

Looking into Ah Yun’s eyes, I coaxed her softly. “If one day Mother leaves, Ah Yun, don’t be sad. Mother will only have flown to the moon to become a fairy. I will be in the sky, always watching over you.”