Daqing Country, the thirteenth year of Jingping, Jingzhao.
The sky was clear and boundless, with an occasional breeze rippling across the lake's surface.
It was summer, the sun hung high in the sky, fiercely shining on the earth, unchecked.
It was afternoon.
The bustling, lively streets were adorned with high-flying shop banners. Carriages moved slowly along, while pedestrians wandered in small groups, a constant stream of activity.
Two young ladies walked side by side, one tall, one short. The short one wore a white dress embroidered with indigo plum blossoms and bamboo leaves, which caused others to frequently turn their heads.
Ye Zhi was unaware, thinking only about food at the moment.
Today, her hair was styled in an elaborate bun and adorned with butterfly-shaped flower pins and beautiful hair ornaments. Her eyes were as bright as grapes, her nose delicate, and her lips were like small cherries, though only seven years old. It was clear she would be a beauty in the future.
"It's so hot, Ah Tao. When we get to Jingxin Building, I want to drink a big bowl of icy pear and osmanthus syrup, and eat lotus root noodles and rose tofu."
These dishes were famous summer specialties at Jingxin Building.
From her tone, it seemed quite usual for her to order them.
Jingxin Building was located in the east market of Jingzhao, four stories high, with elaborate beams and painted pillars, its corners standing straight. It was said the entire building was made of pear wood, revealing luxury in its understatement, typically catering to dignitaries more often.
Inside, the prices were naturally soaring, beyond what ordinary people could afford.
Reliable rumors claimed it was established by a high-ranking official in the palace.
Hearing the little girl say she wanted to go to Jingxin Building, people passing by naturally speculated about her identity, thinking she must belong to an extraordinary family.
The rounded-faced woman called Ah Tao smiled: "Alright, alright, everything you want."
Ah Tao wore a red dress adorned with monthly flowers, with her hair styled similarly to Ye Zhi's, serving as her maid and just thirteen years old.
The difference being, she didn't have many decorations on her head!
Soon enough.
They arrived at Jingxin Building, and an attendant skillfully led them to the Sky Suite No. 3 private room.
Ye Zhi, nicknamed Ah Zhi, was born into a well-known prestigious family, the Ye Family, which had remained prosperous, producing generations of high officials and aristocrats, enjoying wealth and honor.
Her slender, fair hands supported her chin while she leaned against the window, gazing at the bustling streets below.
Ye Zhi fell into reminiscence.
She had been in Daqing Country for a month now. Back in the 21st century, she experienced a car accident—a youthful maiden who had yet to know romance, still longing for marriage, unwanting of death—unable to resist the dizziness in her head, she fainted.
Upon awakening, she inexplicably became a little girl, in a wealthy family no less, the daughter of the Chief of Staff.
The original owner of this body had fainted after hitting her forehead, presumably passing away. Through a twist of fate, she occupied this body.
She had tried various methods to summon back the adorable little girl, but received no response. After a period of adaptation, she discovered it seemed like she had transmigrated into a book?
She had read a novel called "Concubine's Favor" before, where the male lead was named Shen Chen and the female lead was Liu Qingxi, a story of a concubine's daughter from a prestigious family navigating countless obstacles to become a leading lady.
Using mere words couldn't fully describe the intensity of events. The woman who became the female lead was anything but simple—she had caused the demise of numerous women...
Among them, Ye Zhi's death was particularly tragic; though she wasn't killed by the female lead!
It was by the male lead.
Because she often bullied the male lead, he bore deep resentment and ended up with the gruesome fate of being torn apart by five horses.
Just the thought of being torn limb from limb was painful—it gave her goosebumps.
What a grudge, what hatred indeed~
Fortunately, she was still young, and everything could still be changed.