Chapter 1

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

This wasSong Shuxi’s first thought upon waking. Her head was throbbing, and when she touched it, it was burning hot.

She didn’t have the energy to think.

Darkness surrounded her.  She confirmed she was alone in the room, then poured a liquid from her jade gourd and drank it in one gulp.

Her health was paramount.

She closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

It wasn’t that she was carefree, but rather that she lacked the strength to understand her current situation.

When she woke again, it was already daylight.  Song Shuxi surveyed the room. It was simply furnished, divided into a living area and a sitting room, with a bathroom.

The furniture was basic, a simple wooden bed, wardrobe, bookcase, desk, and a chair resembling a chaise lounge, devoid of any elaborate carvings.  Song Shuxi searched the entire room, but found no trace of anything resembling a family crest.

She was confused. She had clearly committed suicide.

Yet, here she was, awake. The persistent pain in her heart, which had been a constant companion, was gone.

Everything here was strange. She had never seen a metal object that could glow on its own.

And now, she had someone else’s memories in her head.

Fear gripped Song Shuxi.  She suspected she had been captured by an alien race. But why would they kidnap her? She was a skilled warrior herself.

It didn’t make sense.  Song Shuxi forced herself to be strong, pushing aside her chaotic thoughts and focusing on the new memories.

“Who are you?”

She attempted to communicate with the memories in her mind.

There was no response.

Silence enveloped her. She dared not move, dared not go outside, dared not let anyone know she was awake.

Her mother had always said that in a crisis, one must remain calm.  Understand the situation as best as possible, know your enemy and yourself, and make the choice that benefits you most.

Right now, the most beneficial thing for her was to heal her body.  She took out the jade gourd and drank the day’s single drop of elixir.

As the elixir touched her lips, a weak voice emerged from the jade gourd, “Shu Xi, I’m sorry, I summoned you here.”

A cold sweat broke out on Song Shuxi’s body.  She huddled in the corner, her eyes scanning the room, searching for the source of the voice.

Heaven help her, she was terrified of ghosts.  She was scared to death.

Her inner panic was masked by an outward calm. She was used to hiding her emotions.

“Who are you? Stop hiding and reveal yourself.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m your sister. We’re twins.  Something happened at birth, and you went to another world.

I don’t know if you ever dreamt of me, but I dreamt of you many times.

I’m sorry for bringing you to this world.”

Song Shuxi listened quietly, not believing a single word. Her mother had only given birth to her. If she had a sister, her mother would have told her.  Right now, she needed to gain this creature’s trust and take it to Master Zhihua. He would surely be able to exorcise it.

“I don’t have much time. You must remember what I say.

It’s 1968, in the People’s Republic of China.  My original name was Song Shuqi, but I go bySong Shuxi, your name.  It’s your destiny to be here, you were always meant to come back.

When you go out, you’ll meet your grandfather. He’s a wise man, he loves us both very much. Just tell him what’s happening, and he’ll help you.

Our father is a man of lofty ambitions but lacks the ability to achieve them. He’s also easily swayed and cares most about himself. Don’t trust him. Be strong with him.

Never believe anything he says.

The world outside is chaotic. Your face is dangerous in this time. You need to find a way to disguise it.

The Song family is a prominent clan. Our ancestors produced two high-ranking officials of the first rank and three of the second rank. The wealth accumulated over generations is immeasurable.  Wealth attracts greed. Be cautious of those who approach you.

The jade gourd is an heirloom passed down through generations. We each had one. It can store items and provides a daily drop of elixir. By summoning you here, I’ve depleted my gourd. This is compensation for you. If you fuse the two gourds, it might help you.

I’ve said the most important things. Do you have any questions?”

The girl’s voice grew weaker.  Their time was running out.

“Why did you summon me here?”

“You belong to this world. You were originally meant to come back at age 22, but I was too tired. The elixir couldn’t save grandfather. He’s nearing the end.  Grandmother is gone.  I have no reason to stay in this world.

I didn’t want to live alone for another four years.”

“What do I need to be aware of?”

“Pay close attention to the current situation. The Song family’s past glory is a sin in this era.  Being wealthy is an even greater sin.  Poverty is the new virtue. The poorer, the better.  I’ve left my memories for you.  Read them carefully, they’ll be helpful.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Live well. I’m leaving. I’m sorry.  And thank you.”

The girl’s form dissipated.  Song Shuxi felt her heart being squeezed by an invisible hand, an uncomfortable sensation.

Despite the absurdity of it all, she didn’t feel repulsed.  In fact, she found herself believing it. She had dreamt of this world and this girl.

She instinctively reached for the jade gourd, but it was gone.

Cold sweat broke out on her skin.  It was her greatest asset.

She sensed a connection to the jade gourd. 

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. It was still there.

She searched and discovered that the jade gourd had become a birthmark on her body, just above her chest, not affecting its use.

The gourd had expanded to 50 square meters, now totaling 100 square meters, allowing her to store more items.  The daily drop of elixir was now more refined and potent.  Last night, she had a fever and headache, but today she felt perfectly fine.

The most delightful surprise was that she could now enter the jade gourd.  In case of danger, she had a place to hide.

She had carried the jade gourd with her since childhood.  As a child, she had naively told her mother that an old immortal had given her a treasure.  Her mother, confirming it was harmless, began storing things in it:  her dowry, the general’s household treasury, and her stepfather’s secret stash.

Her mother always said that money was power. With money, you always had more choices.

Song Shuxi was originally the legitimate daughter of the General’s household in the Great Yong Dynasty.  She was doted on by her mother and grandmother, the envy of many noble ladies.  Until she was five years old, when the Emperor bestowed the Lady Consort Zhao on her father.  Her mother, the mistress of the general’s household, was relegated to the status of a co-wife.

The once loving couple developed a rift. The once peaceful general’s household descended into chaos.

It’s said that three women make a play. Lady Consort Zhao and her mother fought for her father’s affection, and with the second aunt, for control of the household, deliberately undermining the other branches.

The once united general’s household was in disarray.

The once wise father, as if possessed, gradually favored the Lady Consort, even attempting to demote his wife to a concubine, making the Lady Consort the sole mistress of the general’s household.

Her mother, born into a scholarly family, possessed an unyielding spirit. Unable to bear her father’s humiliation and outmatched by the Lady Consort, who had grown up in the palace, she endured years of repression, her heart filled with resentment.  When Song Shuxi was seven, she sent her to the borderlands, away from the machinations of the general’s household.

Her four-year-old brother went with her.

The siblings relied on each other.

The borderlands were harsh, but the people were simple, free from the endless schemes and betrayals.  She and her brother enjoyed a rare peace, only needing to complete their studies.

Until she turned thirteen, when she returned to the capital to be with her mother.

At fifteen, her mother passed away.  Grieving,  Song Shuxi lowered her guard and was poisoned, developing a heart condition.  She shut herself away, focusing on her health.

After settling into her solitude, Song Shuxi discovered the truth behind her mother’s death and the emperor’s schemes.

A grand chess game, encompassing half the court.

Song Shuxi wasn’t a brilliant strategist.  All her energy was devoted to protecting herself.

With difficulty, she managed to send a message to her brother, revealing her findings, hoping he could protect himself and avoid falling into the trap.

Returning to Song Shuxi’s time travel, it wasn’t entirely without warning.

Since childhood, she had dreamt of a young girl who looked exactly like her.  Now, she realized it was the Song Shuxi of 1968.

Twins share a connection. When one experiences intense emotions, the other can feel it in their dreams.

Before her time travel, Song Shuxi’s dreams were filled with bitterness and despair.

She didn’t know what drove her, but before her time travel, she snuck into the Lady Consort Zhao’s private treasury, taking everything.  She also emptied the general’s household treasury.  No one could have imagined that she had a magical gourd that could store items.

At eighteen, Song Shuxi, using herself as a weapon, exposed the emperor’s schemes to the light of day.

And then, she woke up in 1968.