Lin Yuqing woke with a throbbing headache, feeling groggy and disoriented. Outside, there was a cacophony of noise: the shrill cries of women, stifled sobs of weeping coming and going.

The smell in the house was pungent, not the antiseptic scent of a hospital, but rather a thick, cloying fragrance like lilies.

Lin Yuqing was already dizzy, and the smell coming from her made her nausea worse. She felt a surge of dizziness. After a long while, she mustered her strength to raise her head and turn around. The curtains hung low, their tassels swaying gently, and above her, a silver filigree incense burner hung from the ceiling.

What is this? Where am I?

Lin Yuqing suddenly sat up in shock, looking down at the delicate figure wrapped in silk. This hand, this foot... are they not hers? What on earth is going on?

The headache was splitting, as if it were about to explode. Lin Yuqing raised her hand to cover her forehead, only to find it burning hot. Her throat was so hoarse she couldn't even utter a complete sentence.

"Miss, you're awake?" A maidservant of twelve or thirteen years rushed forward, probing her forehead with her hand. It was still hot, and worry creased her face. "I'll go ask madam for some medicine again, Miss. You just lie down and rest."

Before Lin Yuqing could speak, a young maidservant rushed out in haste.

My mind was a blur, memories of the past and another person's memories jumbled together, like a movie playing repeatedly in my head. Lin Yuqing suddenly realized: This must be what it means to travel through time?

Before he could figure out what was going on, the curtain at the doorway was suddenly yanked open. Along with a wave of rich fragrance came a sharp, piercing voice that shouted:

"The young lady of the An family, are you still lying in bed feigning death at this hour? I've gone out of my way to pave a path for your marriage, but you? You're useless, good for nothing! Now you're pretending to be sick. How am I supposed to face the old master?"

Lin Yuqing turned her gaze to the source of the voice. It was a stunning woman, perhaps in her early thirties. Her bright purple jacket was embroidered with flowers and brocade, while a golden headdress adorned her head, making it look like a blossoming flower branch. She had charming peach-blossom cheeks and almond eyes that were incredibly alluring. Although she frowned and glared at the moment, she still looked quite beautiful.

After scolding for a while, seeing no reaction from Lin Yuheng, his face became increasingly displeased:

"Are you mute? Can't you hear me speaking to you? You are the eldest legitimate daughter of the An family, it is your duty to pave the way for your master. What grievance could you possibly have here? You seek death and life over idle gossip from maidservants? Do you even have any backbone?"

Lin Yuqing frowned, holding her head, the sound buzzing in her ears, she had no time to reply half a sentence. The maid hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed:

"Madam, Miss is currently running a high fever. We'll have to wait until she recovers..."

Before the maidservant's words could finish, she was struck hard twice on the ears by this woman and shoved while being scolded:

“What are you, always lurking by the young lady's side whispering in her ear? You never say a proper word, only sowing discord and spreading gossip. You even relay those vulgar tales of other women to her! If I didn't punish you, you wouldn't know the rules of this household, let alone have any sense!”

"Crackle crackle," a few more slaps rang out, and the maid's cries rose again...

Lin Yuqing retorted with two words, but her head felt like it was exploding. Suddenly, she froze completely. The old midwife beside her hurriedly pointed at... the woman also stopped and timidly stepped forward, reaching out... Lin Yuqing suddenly collapsed onto the bed and fainted!

The woman let out a scream. The midwife rushed forward to feel the girl's pulse, saying as she did so, "Madam, the young lady has fainted."

"Useless things!" The woman slapped her mouth and then ordered the midwife,

"Go find another doctor to prescribe some medicine. Once you've gotten the medicine, send her to a quiet courtyard in the back to rest for a few days. This matter absolutely cannot be neglected, even if she wants to die, this is not the time. The master still has his son depending on him!"

Lin Yuqing woke up again late at night. Looking at her own hand, which was still childish, she couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Is this good luck or bad luck? At this moment, my memories have been sorted out clearly. I'm actually back from the dead! Of course, I would be willing to live another life, but the moment I opened my eyes, I encountered such a chaotic situation. Is heaven taking pity on me or playing tricks on me?

Coming to her senses, Lin Yuming realized she had been moved.

The mattress was extremely thin, the bed frame made my bones ache, and I was only covered with a thin blanket. An old wooden table lay across the room, with several round stools scattered around it. Two of them still had some clutter on top...

Besides, the four walls are bare stone, empty and desolate.

There was a small stove by the door, with the medicine hanging above it bubbling noisily. The little girl who had been beaten earlier squatted beside it fanning the flames. The pungent smell from before had disappeared from the room, replaced by the slightly bitter scent of the medicinal broth, which was much more pleasant to smell.

"Qing'er..." Lin Yuqing sat up in bed and reached out to summon her maidservant.

"Miss, you're awake? I was so scared! Now that you've recovered a bit, lie still and rest. Don't move around too much. If you need anything, just tell me." Qing'er rushed over, wiping her tears, and reached out to feel Lin Yuqing's forehead, saying anxiously:

"... Your forehead is still hot, madam has called a doctor for you, he has already written the prescription and prepared the medicine. Just wait a moment, the medicine will be ready soon."

Lin Yuqing saw Qing'er's cheeks flushed and swollen, with marks of fingers layered on top of each other. She wanted to reach out but was afraid of hurting her, so she frowned and said:

"Just now, did they hit you again?" Lin Yuqing sighed as she looked around the cold room.

"Is there medicine available? If not, get a cold compress at least. If it leaves a scar, that wouldn't be good. When the doctor comes back for another visit, remember to have some wound medicine ready in the house."

Qing'er lowered her head, hiding the marks on her face, and changed the subject.

"I'm doing nothing, Miss, but I swear to you, I didn't make it up. It was really what Old Mrs. Guo said..."

Lin Yuqing raised her hand to stop him and said, "No need to say more, I believe you."

Qing'er cried for a long time, and Lin Yuqing also felt a warmth in her heart.

In this state of affairs, there's actually a sincere young lady by my side. As for the future... Lin Yuqing had no concrete plans in her heart. But to survive, she had to figure out how and what kind of life she wanted. For now, she could only bide her time, observe for a few days, and then make plans.

Seeing that Lin Yuqing was no longer speaking, Qing'er gently helped her lie down and said:

"Miss, please rest a while longer, I have boiled the medicine for you."

Lin Yuqing nodded and lay down to rest, her heart filled with a wry smile. She thought about the world she had lived in this lifetime, feeling helpless and miserable. It was even more pitiful than her previous life as an orphan. What kind of fate was this?

Although he was abandoned by his parents at birth, he lived a comfortable life in an orphanage. He studied ancient texts and learned the art of perfume making, becoming a professional perfumer. Life was peaceful and prosperous for him. But fate is fickle; a gas explosion from the neighboring store destroyed his shop, sending his soul to another realm.

This mortal shell now bears the name An Qingyou. The An family has been in service for generations, and is considered a prominent clan of Daliang Kingdom, wealthy and illustrious. His grandfather, An Hanchi, served as the Left Minister of Rites of Daliang Kingdom, while his father, An Deyou, was the eldest son of the An family and his mother, Zhao Shi, was the original daughter of Zhao Jingyuan, the former Minister of Personnel.

Ande You was pampered and spoiled, lacking both literary and martial prowess. He exploited the Zhao family's influence to secure a fifth-rank idle position of Shilang in the Ministry of Rites.

It has been many years since the Zhao family departed, and An De You has not made any further moves on this fifth-rank idle position.

She has two sons below her knees. An Qingyou is the eldest legitimate daughter, sixteen years old this year. She scolds her stepmother, Xu Shi, who was originally An Deyou's aunt and gave birth to two sons before becoming his second wife after she had become a widow. Now that her son is grown, she has become the mistress of the house. Everything in the family, both inside and outside, is managed by her.

But Xu was ultimately just a concubine, while there was still An Qingyou, the legitimate wife, above her. It always felt as though she was being looked down upon, like a thorn in her side, and she wished nothing more than to get rid of her.

An Qing lived a carefree life after her mother's death, raised by the Xu family in the courtyard. The Xu family didn't pay much attention to her and focused on keeping An De You close.

As the draft day approaches, the Xu family seeks a way to bring An Qingyou to Empress Qingle for a look. If they could get the favor of Empress Qingle and have her give An Qingyou to one of her sons, wouldn't it be easy for their master to be promoted?

To their surprise, the matchmakers gossiped that the prince born to Empress Qing was sickly. He had been married three times, but none of his wives bore him children and all died untimely deaths. Qing'er immediately relayed this news to An Qingyou, who was deeply shaken by it. Her heart ached so much that she withered away like a flower, leaving her body empty. Then, Lin Yuqing took possession of her corpse and returned…

Five days later, it was the day for Empress Dowager to receive congratulations from the court ladies. However, she is still bedridden due to illness, otherwise Xu wouldn't have scolded her like that.

An Qing You... Lin Yuqing muttered the name silently, a wry smile and sigh in her heart. Two lifetimes as a human being had started out so pathetically. Yet, she had survived from infancy in her previous life, so who was there to be afraid of this time around?

(Editor in charge：fantasy novels)