Perhaps it was because a newborn’s body was too fragile, but Shen Yunshu had lived in a daze every day since her birth, spending most of her time asleep.
It wasn’t until nearly a full month had passed that she could fully control the hours she was awake.
Over the course of a year, Shen Yunshu gradually figured out why she still retained memories even after being reborn.
It turned out that she hadn’t simply been reincarnated—she had crossed over with her memories intact into the body of a baby still in the womb.
Whether it was because the River Lady had slacked off in her duties, watered down her potion, or simply messed up the timeline, she had been reborn an astonishing 1,500 years before her previous life!
No one had ever heard of a soul reincarnating backward in time.
But the one thing she could feel content about was that she had arrived in her favorite dynasty—the most famous golden-age dynasty in history: the Yang Dynasty.
The family she was born into was also tied to one of her favorite historical figures: Shen Haoyang, the founding war god of the Yang Dynasty and Grand General who protected the nation.
She was a direct descendant of Shen Haoyang’s line.
Her father, too, was a prominent historical figure of the Shen family: Shen Zhen, the King Who Stabilized the North, commander of 200,000 troops, known as the “Divine Pillar of the Yang Dynasty,” carrying the same “War God” title as Shen Haoyang.
In his youth, Shen Zhen had campaigned alongside the crown prince, Emperor Ming Li Yin, conquering the small border states of the Yang Dynasty with 200,000 cavalry, incorporating them into the empire as vassal states.
He was a key figure in bringing the dynasty to its peak.
He was also the only non-blood relative recognized by the emperor as an equal, receiving a title on par with a prince.
From then on, the Shen family rose from the residence of the Grand General to the palace of the King Who Stabilized the North.
Unfortunately, all prosperity eventually declines. When the Ming Emperor passed away and a new emperor ascended, the Shen family’s excessive glory drew suspicion from the new ruler, who could not tolerate the loss of absolute power. The entire family was eventually exiled.
Historical records note that three years after Emperor Xiaoxian ascended, the Shen family suddenly had their military authority revoked overnight. Heads were severed, and those exiled remained in exile. Their alleged crimes included secretly marrying a princess from an enemy state, colluding with foreign powers, betraying the empire, and leaking military secrets.
Though the accusations seemed absurd, the exact reasons were lost to history. Later historical analyses suggest it was because the Shen family had chosen the wrong faction in a succession struggle.
And the marriage to the enemy princess was nothing more than a trap.
When Shen Yunshu studied this history, she had once felt pity for the Shen family.
Now that she was living in that era, she believed even more strongly that the accusations of treason were nothing but a conspiracy.
Fortunately, there were still more than ten years before the family’s ultimate downfall. Shen Yunshu could only hope that the gentle flutter of her metaphorical butterfly wings might change history—and the fate of the Shen family.
..
“Shu’er, my dear, soon it will be time for your Zhuazhou ceremony. Mommy will dress you in a beautiful new outfit, alright?”
At this moment, Shen Yunshu was being held by a beautiful woman. Her hair was styled in a Japanese-style bun, adorned with a gold-and-beaded phoenix hairpin. Across her forehead was a black mink forehead scarf embroidered with twin fish, giving her a radiant, dignified, and gentle elegance.
This was her mother in this life: Ji Shuyao, Princess Consort of the King Who Stabilized the North.
“Your Highness, shouldn’t we teach Shu’er what to pick for the ceremony?” Ji Shuyao asked her husband with some concern.
“No need. Whatever our daughter chooses will be fine. There’s no need to stage anything. If she ends up a leisurely county lady, well-fed and well-dressed, that’s even better. The Shen family is already esteemed; our children don’t need to add to its glory, nor does anyone else’s praise.” Shen Zhen gently teased the little child in Ji Shuyao’s arms, speaking without worry.
Ji Shuyao considered this and agreed. Indeed, the family needed no extra embellishment. Who knew how many eyes were secretly watching their residence? Thinking of those who had tried to profit from her husband’s victories with the emperor, Ji Shuyao snorted in disdain.
Shen Zhen looked up at his wife, patted her hand reassuringly, and said, “Don’t worry, my dear.”
He understood the current emperor, Ming Li Yin. Though not a founder-emperor with peerless wisdom, he was still a competent and benevolent ruler. Court matters required no explanation; the emperor could see the truth. Any ambitious schemers would expose themselves, giving the emperor reason to deal with them.
..
“Your Highness, Princess Consort, the Zhuazhou ceremony is about to begin. The Grand Matron has already taken the two young masters to the front courtyard,” said Fu Rong, the princess consort’s chief maid, lifting the bead curtain to announce the time.
“Understood. Let’s go,” Ji Shuyao said, passing Shen Yunshu to the maid Zhang before rising and walking with Shen Zhen to the main hall.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort,” many officials present for the ceremony stood to pay their respects.
After all, Shen Zhen was the only non-blood relative king of the Yang Dynasty, holding a rank above most of those present. Even those of equal rank nodded in acknowledgment.
“Everyone, no need to be so formal. Today is my daughter’s first birthday. Thank you all for coming…”
“EMPEROR~ HAS~ ARRIVED~!”
Before Shen Zhen could finish, a loud voice rang out at the door, startling the officials.
None of the guests had expected that Shen Zhen’s family could command such honor—the emperor himself had come to witness his daughter’s Zhuazhou ceremony. Normally, the emperor never attended such events for any other noble’s children.
But then again, the Shen family was exceptional.
The emperor had not attended the births of Shen Zhen’s two sons either.
Sons would remain in the household to inherit titles, while daughters would eventually marry out—so the added honor for a daughter’s ceremony was acceptable.
Shen Zhen hadn’t anticipated the emperor’s presence and mentally grumbled: “This emperor sure knows how to make a scene—without giving any hint, he just shows up on a whim!”
Though inwardly irritated, outwardly he was filled with awe, walking quickly to the courtyard, lifting his robe, and kneeling.
“I, Shen Zhen, humbly welcome the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”
“Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”
The assembled guests hurriedly knelt as well. Though most present were prominent and influential, few had ever seen the emperor at such close range outside the palace.
Everyone silently wondered how best to speak with the emperor when the moment came.
“Enough, rise! It has been a long time since I left the palace. I heard today is your daughter’s first birthday celebration. I thought it would be lively here, so I came to join,” said the Ming Emperor, looking at the kneeling officials behind him. “You may rise, ministers. This is not the palace; no need for formalities.”