Shi Changying was dead.
On the march to personally lead her military campaign, a bolt of Heavenly Thunder struck down, obliterating her and leaving not a trace behind.
She had been crowned a king at thirteen, ascended the throne as Emperor at eighteen, and successfully reclaimed Jiuzhou by twenty-three. With such a legendary life, the history books would surely have to dedicate an entire volume just to her.
Shi Changying didn’t care how future generations would curse her; she wouldn’t be around to hear it anyway. Yet, in her dying moments, she heard voices.
"Old Madam Xu’s biological son actually lives in such a tiny, run-down place? Why are there so many history books? There’s barely any room to stand."
"There’s no mistake; we’ve already looked into it. He’s an archaeologist, though... the subject of his research is completely absurd. He actually had the audacity to claim that he wants to revise the history of the Xuan Dynasty and clear Emperor Taichu’s name."
"What? Then he really is crazy. She was a demonic woman who murdered her own father, slaughtered her brothers, usurped the throne, and destroyed the orthodox lineage of Jiuzhou! What name is there to clear? I don’t know why Old Madam Xu wants to bring him back anyway. How could he possibly compare to Miss Zhao Yu? Old Madam Xu isn’t even worried about breaking Miss Zhao Yu’s heart."
BANG, BANG, BANG.
The sound of someone pounding on the door rang out. Shi Changying’s head throbbed with a splitting ache, and a high fever left this body burning hot and incredibly weak. She abruptly snapped her eyes open.
Everything that came into view was entirely foreign to her. The room was empty, and the roof was leaking. This was not her familiar military tent, and there wasn’t a single lieutenant by her side. Where was she?
After sitting in silence for three seconds, Shi Changying swung her legs off the bed and pulled open the door.
Outside stood two people dressed in bizarre outfits, their faces full of cold mockery and disdain. They displayed an utter lack of decorum.
Seeing the girl dressed so plainly, standing with the posture of a lazy scoundrel, Housekeeper Xu’s eyes filled with disgust. He only managed a surface level of respect. "Miss Changying, Old Madam Xu has sent me to pick you up and bring you to the Xu Family."
Shi Changying finally raised her eyes. "Which family?"
"Do they expect Us to go there personally?" she thought. "How impudent. But We can go; executing their entire extended family is a trivial matter, anyway."
"The Jianghuai Xu Family. Old Madam Xu is your biological grandmother." Housekeeper Xu frowned in displeasure. "The results of the paternity test are already out. Your father is indeed Old Madam Xu’s biological son, which makes you a member of the Xu Family too."
Shi Changying narrowed her eyes, realizing a crucial detail. "Where is my father?"
"Old Madam Xu has also sent someone to pick up your father. He will be here shortly." Housekeeper Xu was growing impatient. "Time is quite tight. Please get into the car first."
"Oh—so he’s alive. What a pity," Shi Changying said thoughtfully. She then asked, "Do I have any brothers?"
Housekeeper Xu froze.
He then saw Shi Changying give a lazy smile and add in an indifferent tone, "No matter. It isn’t important whether I do or not. Brothers are something We are most adept at disposing of."
Hearing this eighteen-year-old girl refer to herself with the royal pronoun "We," Housekeeper Xu could only assume she wasn’t right in the head. She had probably read too many history books and become entirely delusional.
"Miss Changying, regardless of what poor education you received before, regardless of what bad habits you have picked up, and regardless of what warped values your father instilled in you," Housekeeper Xu’s tone turned icy, "once you return to the Xu Family and see Old Madam Xu, you will have to learn how to be a reasonable and well-behaved—AARGH!"
A sudden, agonizing scream cut his words short.
The driver standing to the side watched in horror as the girl twisted Housekeeper Xu’s arm behind his back. Cold sweat instantly soaked his shirt, and he involuntarily took two steps back. He hadn’t even seen clearly how she had made her move.
"How audacious," Shi Changying said mildly.
Housekeeper Xu gasped in pain. Just as he thought his arm was going to snap, the tremendous force suddenly vanished. He collapsed to the ground, finally able to catch his breath.
Shi Changying looked down at him from above. "Lead the way properly, and I shall spare your life."
She had already realized that she had arrived in an unfamiliar era—or, to be more precise, the future. Since she knew absolutely nothing about her current circumstances, she needed to keep these two alive for now.
Housekeeper Xu had completely lost his previous arrogant demeanor. He hunched over, not daring to show the slightest hint of disrespect. "Miss Changying, please get into the car."
Shi Changying didn’t move. Left with no other choice, Housekeeper Xu used his uninjured left hand to pull the car door open for her. Shi Changying didn’t recognize what a car was, but she could identify the shape of the seats, so she finally got in.
In the front, the driver and Housekeeper Xu were conversing in hushed whispers, afraid of letting Shi Changying hear. But no matter how quietly they spoke, Shi Changying could hear them with crystal clarity. After a short while, she finally sorted out the ins and outs of the situation.
It was now the year 2025 of the Jiuzhou Calendar, whereas she had died in the year 1609. In the few mere seconds it took to close and open her eyes, Jiuzhou had progressed by more than four hundred years.
Her current identity was the only daughter of the archaeologist Ming Chengli. The father and daughter had been living in a tiny, dilapidated house in Ming Village, frequently living hand to mouth.