Lu Empire
In an ancient-looking room, a young girl lay being examined by a physician. Everyone there was silent, awaiting the results of the physician's examination. There was no sound, except for the faint sobs of a young servant who had been crying over her unconscious lord since being found in the imperial palace pool.
"How is it, Physician?" asked a middle-aged man in a deep, cold voice.
The man looked dashing despite his advanced age. He was dressed in magnificent, dark gold robes, with a large dragon emblem on the back of his robe, a symbol of supreme power in the Lu Empire. He was Emperor Liu Yan, the ancient ruler of Xion.
"What took you so long, Physician? What have you been doing all this time?" snapped a beautiful woman standing to the emperor's right. Her luxurious attire and crown on her head identified her as the imperial consort, Empress Ning.
The physician was trembling violently. "I-I'm sorry, Your Imperial Majesty and Empress... but... Princess Lu Mei... is dead," he said in a trembling voice, his face pale, and cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Silence. Not a single sound could be heard.
"Princess... sob... why did you leave me... sob... sob..." the young maid stammered, sobbing. Her tears fell to the floor.
On the other hand, Empress Ning's face was calm, too calm even. Inside, she was laughing with satisfaction.
"That bitch is finally dead. All my efforts were not in vain... hahaha..." she thought, along with Princess Lu Yin, the empress's biological daughter, who stood behind her with a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Emperor Lu Yan took a deep breath. "Prepare all the rites—"
Before he could finish his order, a low groan suddenly came from the direction of the bed.
"Ughh... damn... my head hurts so much. Even after death, I still have to feel the pain," a girl's voice murmured softly, full of complaint.
Everyone stared at the bed with wide eyes.
"Princess... h-how could this be...?" the physician and the servant said almost simultaneously.
The Emperor, Empress, and all the servants stared in disbelief. They had just heard the physician say that the princess had died, but now—she was alive again!
"Is this a dream?" whispered one of the ladies-in-waiting, her voice trembling.
On the other side, Empress Ning and Princess Lu Mei stared in shock, their faces tense. "What the hell? Wasn't she already dead? That idiotic physician said her pulse had stopped! How could she wake up?!'
"Physician! Were you joking just now?" Empress Ning snapped. "You said Princess Liu Mei was dead, but now she's alive again! Are you playing a joke on the Emperor?"
The physician immediately fell to his knees, trembling violently. "Oh my gosh, Empress! When I examined the Princess earlier, her pulse was completely gone! I wouldn't dare lie to Your Majesty! By the heavens, I'm not lying!"
"Then what was that, huh?!" Emperor Lu Yan snapped angrily. "You said she's dead, but she's alive! Explain this, you foolish physician!"
The physician was about to retort, but before he could open his mouth—
"Silence!" Lu Chen suddenly snapped.
His loud voice shattered the silence, causing everyone to fall silent and stare at him.
The girl who had been called Princess Liu Mei slowly rose to her feet, her face still pale. The young servant quickly helped support her so she could sit up.
Liu Chen's head throbbed violently. He massaged his temples, trying to calm himself. "What the... what is this place... my head feels like it's been hit by a hammer," he muttered softly.
When he fully opened his eyes, he was immediately greeted by an unfamiliar sight. A large room with wooden walls, candles burning in the corners, and people dressed like they were from ancient times.
"What the hell? Who are they? And... where am I?" he thought, confused.
Emperor Lu Yan stared at him in shock. "My daughter... you... you're alive again?"
Lu Chen frowned. "Princess? What do you mean 'Princess'? Who are you calling?"
The Empress stepped forward with a fake smile. "Of course it's you, Lu Mei. You're the daughter of Emperor Lu Yan and part of this imperial family."
"Lu Mei?" Lu Chen murmured softly. "That name… isn't me…"
The maid beside her gently held her shoulder. "Princess… You're really alive again. We all almost lost you."
Lu Chen glared at her. "I don't know who 'my lord' you're referring to. But one thing's clear… I'm not who you think I am."
Everyone in the room fell silent, staring at each other in disbelief.
The Empress quickly reined in her anger. "Look, Emperor. He's probably still dazed after nearly drowning. It's natural for him to ramble like that."
Emperor Lu Jian looked at his daughter with pity. "My daughter, please rest. Don't talk too much."
Lu Chen simply stared at her coldly. "I don't know who you are, but I don't like being ordered around."
The room fell silent again. Even the servants held their breath at the girl's sharp tone.
"What is this?" thought the Empress, her jaw clenched. "She even dares to speak like that in front of the Emperor? Shouldn't she still be weak?"
Lu Chen leaned back against the headboard. "I just want to know one thing. Where am I? This… isn't the Xion military headquarters, is it?"
Everyone looked confused. The Emperor looked at the servant, then at the physician. "What is she talking about? Xion? What is it?"
The physician lowered his head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I don't know. Perhaps it's the shock of near death?"
Liu Chen looked around with sharp eyes. "I remember clearly… I was shot in the chest. A bullet pierced my body… I fell on the battlefield…"
Everyone present looked at each other.
"My daughter… what are you talking about?" asked the Emperor, puzzled. "There's no battlefield here. You drowned in the royal pool this afternoon."
"Drowned?" Liu Chen smiled faintly, sarcastically. "So that's it, huh? This body isn't my real one… interesting."
The Empress pretended to panic. "Emperor, perhaps an evil spirit has entered our princess! Hurry and summon the palace priest!"
The young maid stared at him in fear. "N-no! The princess isn't possessed! I know her voice, I know her eyes!"
"Shut up, little slave!" snapped the Empress. "What do you know about spirits and ghosts?"
"Enough!" the Emperor's voice cut through everything. "No one leaves this room without my permission. Physician, make sure Liu Mei… er, I mean, my daughter is fully conscious."
Liu Chen raised his hand, stopping the physician from approaching. "Touch me, and I guarantee you'll lose the use of your hands."
The physician immediately backed away in fear.
Liu Chen took a deep breath, then muttered under his breath, "So... this is what it feels like to die and come back to life in someone else's body. Interesting... truly interesting."
He stared at everyone in the room with a piercing gaze. "Very well. If this is indeed a new body, I will use it well. But remember—anyone who tries to harm me... will regret it."
Liu Chen's voice was calm, but cold as steel. The atmosphere in the room became tense, and no one dared to speak after that.
The Empress stared at him intently, her lips curling into a small grin. "You're alive now, Liu Mei, or whoever you really are. But I'll make sure you don't live long."