Luo Shuran had been reborn, reborn on the very day the imperial selection had concluded, when she had just been conferred the title of ninth-rank Precious Grove.
Midsummer, the weather was exceptionally hot. Luo Shuran raised her head to gaze at the palace ahead—Yunhua Palace.
The scenes before her death seemed to replay in her mind: crimson flames surged forth like wild beasts, devouring everything. Trapped within, she had nowhere to escape. The thick smoke choked her, rendering her voiceless, forced to watch helplessly as the raging fire spread, scorching her skin inch by inch.
She had been burned alive.
The palace gates opened, and a procession emerged from within. Leading them was a woman dressed in an embroidered silk gown, her cloud-like hair pinned up with two golden hairpins, exuding an air of grace and nobility. Standing atop the high steps, she glanced sideways at Luo Shuran below, her gaze indifferent, as if appraising a mere ornament.
Luo Shuran stared at her, fists unconsciously tightening. After a long while, she finally suppressed her fear and hatred, stepping forward.
It was her—the murderer who had killed her, her half-sister Luo Wanling, also known as Consort Xian in the imperial harem, the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household.
In her previous life, her father had taken a liking to her appearance and groomed her to enter the palace to help her legitimate sister secure the Emperor’s favor.
She had naively believed that as long as she helped her sister secure a high position and brought glory to the family, she could live a peaceful life.
But everything changed after she gave birth to a prince. She still remembered Luo Wanling standing before her, looking down with disdain, gripping her neck, and regarding her with utter contempt.
“Blame your lowly birth. It is an honor for this consort to raise your child. You should be grateful.”
Luo Wanling’s triumphant laughter still echoed in her mind.
Perishing in the flames, she had been like an ant, forgotten by all. She had watched as her child was mistreated and abused, venting their frustrations, and witnessed her father’s hypocritical facade. Fortunately, heaven had eyes, and the filthy deeds hidden beneath their immense wealth were eventually exposed.
Yet, it was a pity—she had not personally sent them to hell.
Perhaps her prayers had reached the heavens, for she had returned to this very day, the day she first entered the palace.
“This humble concubine pays respects to Consort Xian. May Your Highness enjoy boundless fortune and peace.” Luo Shuran remained calm, bowing her head in greeting.
The superior did not speak, and Luo Shuran maintained her posture.
She had learned to endure and pretend, and she could do it well.
The sun was scorching. After a while, her delicate skin turned red from the heat, and she could feel the burning stone slabs beneath her embroidered shoes, threatening to scorch the soles of her feet.
“Rise.” Luo Wanling seemed to notice her only then, descending the steps and fixing her gaze on her. “We are all sisters here. Do not be nervous. Once you enter the palace, we must help one another.”
“Your Highness speaks wisely.” Luo Shuran smiled with an air of innocence.
Luo Wanling was also smiling, though her expression was clearly mocking. In her eyes, a concubine-born daughter was nothing more than an ant.
Her father had sent her into the palace to help secure favor. Previously, she had paid little attention to the messy affairs in her father’s household, as concubine-born sons and daughters posed no threat to her status.
Now, seeing her half-sister’s striking appearance—well-defined features, fair and flawless skin, bright willow-leaf eyes, and an innocent, naive demeanor in her every gesture and glance—she understood.
Yet, in stark contrast, her figure was alluring—a slender waist, curves in all the right places, and especially the fullness of her chest, captivating and enchanting.
It was no wonder her father had chosen to send her into the palace.
Well-endowed but empty-headed, relying on beauty to serve—the perfect candidate.
Luo Wanling withdrew her gaze. “Remember this: in the palace, only I can protect you. In all matters, you must side with me if you wish to go far.”
Luo Shuran obediently nodded, “This humble concubine will remember.” Remember it all, remember it forever.
Luo Wanling did not look at her again, turning to walk toward the sedan chair. To her, Luo Shuran was merely a plaything, not worth much of her attention.
Luo Shuran watched her leave, a proper smile hanging on her face all the while, though her eyes were obscure, devoid of any warmth.
From now on, she was no longer a member of the Luo family. The family’s honor and disgrace had nothing to do with her. All she wanted was her own power.
Luo Shuran returned to her residence, Xianyun Pavilion. Though the location was remote, it was spacious and quiet, and she lived there alone.
She looked at the maids tidying the room. The older one standing there giving orders was her personal maid, Xi Chun. In her past life, she had trusted Xi Chun deeply, but unfortunately, she was her father’s person.
The maid diligently working beside her was named Ming Xia, a name Luo Shuran had given her.
Ming Xia had been assigned by the palace. From what she remembered, Ming Xia was quiet, and Luo Shuran did not know much about her.
But in the end, she had silently taken care of her, never leaving her side, even following her into the flames.
Luo Shuran quietly withdrew her gaze. Just then, a young eunuch walked in from outside. He approached Luo Shuran, bowed, and reported, “Mistress, tonight the Emperor has summoned Lady Yu to attend him.”
This was something Luo Shuran had specifically instructed him to inquire about, to see if it overlapped with the trajectory of her past life.
The result was as she expected. Only at this moment was she certain she had truly come back to life, and it was not too late for everything.
Lady Yu had entered the palace through this year’s selection. She was the daughter of a lower-ranking provincial governor, of moderate family status. When the Emperor summoned her, no one could have predicted it, as the favored candidates were mainly Lady Rong, the daughter of a minister, and Lady Song, the daughter of a general.
Luo Shuran rested her forehead in her hand, a flicker of thought passing through her eyes. If she remembered correctly, Lady Yu’s service this time did not go smoothly.