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Chapter 1: Reborn as the Fifth Miss of the General’s Mansion!
“Old Madam, First Madam, Second Madam… The eldest young master has sent word: “The fifth miss carriage has reached the city gate!”
A servant of the General’s Mansion ran in, panting heavily, but his face still lit with joy.
“Wonderful! My precious darling is finally coming home! Help me up, I want to go meet her at the gate,” the Old Madam of the General’s Mansion said excitedly, clutching her eldest daughter-in-law’s arm as she attempted to stand.
“Mother, please don’t get too excited. Shu Er has only just reached the city gate, it will still take some time for her to arrive. You just recovered yesterday and should stay inside to rest. What if you catch a chill again?”
Mu Rong Shu’s mother and her second aunt quickly stepped forward to support the Old Madam, worried about her health. The Old Madam had been unwell for a long time, only managing to get out of bed the day before. The court physician had stressed the importance of rest.
“What illness? As long as my precious darling returns, I’ll be completely healed! Stop holding me back. Come with me to wait for Shu Er. Or do you not miss her too?”
The Old Madam grew anxious as she was held back, refusing to sit down. She urged both her eldest and second daughters-in-law to accompany her to welcome Mu Rong Shu. Her ailments had always been a matter of the heart, and now that her grand-daughter was returning, she felt entirely rejuvenated.
“Mother, but…” Shu Er’s mother, Song Wei, tried to persuade her further but was quickly interrupted.
“No ‘buts,’ my dear daughter-in-law! If we wait any longer, Shu Er will already be walking in!”
“Yes, Sister-in-law, let’s just listen to Mother. Even if we stayed here, our hearts wouldn’t be at ease. Let’s hurry to the gate and meet Shu Er,” her younger sister-in-law, Rong Qing, chimed in.
Song Wei hesitated briefly before turning to her maid, Li Momo. “Bring the new cloak, I had made for the young miss. It’s windy at the gate, and Shu Er is frail, she’ll need it.”
“As expected of Sister-in-law! You’re always so thoughtful. Shu Er’s health has always been delicate, she’ll definitely need a cloak!” Rong Qing clapped her hands together, looking regretful that she hadn’t thought of it first.
“Mother, slow down. Let us support you,” Song Wei said, quickening her steps to help the Old Madam, who was eager to head outside. With the addition of maids and servants, the group bustled toward the mansion gate.
The Mu Rong family was unique in that, for three generations, they had only one daughter: Mu Rong Shu. Her birth had brought joy to the entire family. However, less than two weeks after her birth, a wandering Daoist from the mountains predicted she had a short life ahead unless she was sent to Tian Men Mountain to live until the age of sixteen. Only then could the ill fate be avoided.
Although it broke their hearts, the Mu Rong family prioritized Shu Er’s health and let the Daoist take her away under the Old Madam’s decisive order.
For sixteen years, Mu Rong Shu had never descended the mountain. Every year, the Mu Rong family sent her various treasures, but no one was allowed to visit her. They only had her portrait to console themselves. Now that she was finally allowed to return, every able-bodied male in the family who could leave his duties had rushed to the city gate.
Mu Rong Shu’s father (Mu Shi) and her second uncle (Mu Si) even fought over who would have the honor of bringing her home. In the end, Mu Si lost and stayed behind while his elder brother departed for Tian Men Mountain.
When the Mu Rong women reached the gate, they encountered Mu Si, who was returning on horseback from court.
“Mother, Sister-in-law, Qing Er, why are you all here? I thought I had missed Shu Er’s return!”
Dismounting, Mu Si handed his horse to a servant and approached his mother, bowing respectfully.
“We wanted to see Shu Er sooner, so we came out with Mother,” Rong Qing explained, noticing her husband’s concerned expression.
“Mother, you should wait in the courtyard. When Shu Er arrives, I’ll bring her in to see you, all right?” Mu Si suggested, worried about the Old Madam’s health.
“I’ll wait here for my darling! Your elder brother is always careless, who knows if he’s looked after Shu Er properly on the way!” The Old Madam’s eyes stayed fixed on the street corner, filled with worry.
“Mother, don’t worry. Even if Elder Brother is careless, the maids and servants must have taken good care of Shu Er. Besides, her brothers are with her,” Rong Qing reassured softly.
“Exactly, Mother. Sister-in-law sent detailed instructions with those accompanying Shu Er. You can rest easy,” Song Wei added.
Mu Si prayed silently for the carriage to arrive quickly so his mother, sister-in-law, and wife could see their beloved Shu Er and stop worrying.
After about fifteen minutes, the Old Madam spotted her eldest son and grandsons at the street corner. “Si Er, is that Shu Er with them?” she asked anxiously.
“Mother, it’s them! Shu Er is finally home!” Mu Si exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down his face. The Mu Rong family’s long wait had finally ended.
“Congratulations, Sister-in-law! Shu Er is finally back,” Rong Qing said, gripping Song Wei’s hands as tears of excitement welled in their eyes.
“Quick, wipe your tears. We don’t want to scare Shu Er. She’s home now our family is reunited at last! Today is a day for celebration,” the Old Madam ordered. Everyone hastily wiped their tears dry.
As the carriage drew nearer, they could hear the excited voices of the grandsons. “Grandmother, Mother, we’ve brought our little sister home!”
Mu Shi dismounted first and approached his mother to greet her. However, the Old Madam didn’t spare him a glance, brushing past him to head straight for the carriage.
Mu Shi turned to speak to his wife, only to find Song Wei had also ignored him, her eyes fixed on the carriage. Before he could complain, his younger brother darted past him, catching up with the Old Madam.
At that moment, Mu Shi felt utterly ignored. “Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?”
The younger generation followed suit, stepping aside to make way for the Old Madam and their mothers. In their family, the hierarchy was clear the youngest sister reigned supreme.
Inside the carriage, Mu Rong Shu had just been awakened by her maid. She was still groggy, having transmigrated into this fictional dynasty only an hour earlier.
Mu Rong Shu had been born into a family of doctors, with a grandfather skilled in traditional Chinese medicine and a maternal grandfather proficient in Western medicine. She herself was an expert in both fields. Before transmigrating, she had collapsed from exhaustion after three days in the lab, only to wake up in this unfamiliar body.
Thankfully, she retained the original host’s memories, which would save her plenty of trouble in the future.
Having accepted her new identity, Mu Rong Shu resolved to live a leisurely life as a pampered young lady. She would fulfill the original host’s familial responsibilities and enjoy her wealthy and cherished new existence.
After a brief moment of mental preparation, she stepped out of the carriage with the help of her maids, greeted by three tearful yet joyous women.
Mu Shi was the first to dismount, approaching his mother to pay his respects. However, the Old Madam didn’t even glance at him. She strode right past him, heading straight for the carriage.
Mu Shi turned toward his wife, intending to exchange a word, but Song Wei didn’t acknowledge him either, her gaze was entirely focused on the carriage and their daughter inside.
He was about to question his younger brother about why their mother had come outside, but before he could, Mu Si had already hurried after their mother with determined speed.
At that moment, Mu Shi felt utterly bewildered: “Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?”
The younger generation, witnessing their eldest uncle’s plight, quietly stepped aside to clear the way for their grandmother and mothers. In their family, the hierarchy was clear heaven may be vast, the earth may be vast, but their youngest sister was the most important.
Inside the carriage
Mu Rong Shu had just been awakened by her nanny and still looked a bit dazed. After all, she had only transmigrated into this fictional dynasty an hour ago.
Mu Rong Shu had been born into a family of doctors. Her grandfather was a traditional Chinese medicine expert, while her maternal grandfather was a renowned Western medicine researcher. She herself was well-versed in both disciplines. Before her transmigration, she had spent three sleepless days in the lab, only to collapse from exhaustion. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in this carriage!
Fortunately, she still retained the original host’s memories, which would save her from many potential complications.
Accepting her new identity, Mu Rong Shu resolved to live a carefree life here, indulging in wealth, beauty, and the adoration of her family. She planned to embrace her role as a pampered young lady and savor her new, leisurely existence.
However, she reminded herself that the people waiting outside the carriage were now her family. Since she had taken over the original host’s body, she had a responsibility to fulfill her duties, respect her elders, and honor familial bonds.
After a brief moment of mental preparation, Mu Rong Shu stepped out of the carriage with the help of her maids. As soon as she emerged, she was met with the tearful, overjoyed gazes of three women who were clearly overwhelmed with emotion.