AD49,Ancient China,Han dynasty

The Capitol,Chang’an.

General Ma’s mansion..

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I’m Katerina. I’m a top student from Rosenberg High.I’m an heiress of Lubov family.Teachers always praise me for my achievements in sports,literature, mathematics and art.And I’m fluent in French,Italian,Chinese and Japanese.As an heiress of the renowned family in Britain, of course I need to be good at all sorts of things. I also learned horse-back riding when I was three, swimming when I was four and accounting and management when I was twelve.Although I’m always the spotlight at our school due to my family’s fame and my achievements,I really wanna live peacefully as an ordinary student and a good daughter. I enjoy learning about different cultures and I’m really into Chinese dramas since I was young.However,never have I thought of waking up one day and find myself in ancient China in another person’s body and with their identity....

“What happened...?”I asked aloud with my faint voice as I opened my eyes. “Miss! You’re awake!”little girl dressed in Chinese traditional dress yells with joy. “Miss, have you forgotten? We held Mr.Ma’s funeral three days ago. You were crying your eyes out while Lady Ma also fainted from crying. Second Miss and concubine Li comforted you and you suddenly got into coma! Can’t you recall anything??”

Ah-right! I somehow know that I’m Ma Yuexin, the eldest daughter of General Ma.My mom is Ma Huixin,the official wife of my father.I have half siblings who are the daughter and the son of concubine Li and they are Ma Qingyu and Ma Liang. I also have a brother whose name is Ma Jintian.He is also a general serving the emperor at the border of our country.My father was a loyal general serving the emperor and he died of plague on his mission on assisting in a campaign to control plague.

As I think of those thoughts,a drop of tear pours down my cheek and my chest burns with sorrow.Blood is thicker than water indeed.Since I am in this girl’s body, I can feel her feelings and I know everything she knows.It must be hard to lose her father at such a young age. I can’t bear to think of losing my own father in modern day.Plague is curable but in ancient times,it’s a different matter indeed. It’s the touch of death.But why would I be in a coma? This girl has always been healthy and knows martial arts. She is favored by her father and also has a loving brother not to mention both of her half-siblings also respect her and concubine Li and her mother lady Ma are always in good terms.What went wrong?Even though Ma Yuexin loves her dad a lot, she is strong and she shouldn’t faint and be in a coma for three days straight just because of a sad event....

I was lost in my thoughts then, my maid calls me “Miss..Miss! Are you alright?The doctor told us that you were poisoned but thank heavens you didn’t die!Can you recall anything?”

“What!? I was poisoned?” I was in shock and I instinctively ask her “Where’s mom? Is she alright?” “Lady is fine, she just fainted that day because of her blood pressure and she woke up not long after you fell in coma. She has been visiting you every day. But of course master’s death also hit a huge blow to her and concubine Li is serving her closely.Wait, since you’re awake now, I’ll go call my lady”

“Great news! Young Miss has woken up!” Xiao Du runs out of the room shouting with joy.

Yes, her name is Xiao Du, she has been serving me since I was little. She is also very loyal and never thinks of herself when it comes to me.My coma has clearly nothing to do with her either... “Eh!? How can I even think of such things! The important thing is how did I end up as Ma Yuexin in ancient China!!? Yesterday, I was at school doing just...fine..Wait!!

I remember!

I went to principal’s office to give the assignment papers of our class and that b*tch Lilian and her lackeys pushed me and I fell down all the way to the first floor from second floor! Ow...my head still hurts!Did I die??I should naturally be in a coma since I fell down from that height!Am I dreaming in a coma!? Or could it be that,this girl,Yuexin, was also poisoned to death and I died from falling off from a staircase and our souls swapped!?It sounds crazy but possible!Am I really dead!? Boo hoo...mom,dad, do I really have to go this way..?!! I start crying in panic after thinking trough my situation when I hear someone stepping into my room...

I was mumbling by myself in English as I hear footsteps coming into my room. I came back to my senses.

...****************...

“Yue’er,What are you mumbling nonsense?” “Can you recognize me?” “My dear daughter, thank heavens that you came back alive!” Says an elegant lady in upper class clothing, with shaky yet kind voice as she approaches me. “Mom, don’t worry I’m alright now” “What about you? How are you feeling?” I ask her. “Foolish child! You still have the strength to worry about me. You were in coma for three days straight!That day, when I woke up, Xiao Du was in tears and she told me you were sick!” She scolds me out of love. “We called the doctor and he told me you were poisoned!”She continues, “We checked everything and yet we didn’t have a clue who did this to you...Sob...sob...I was worried sick. I didn’t know how would I explain your dad in heaven if I were to lose you that way...Who on earth would poison my dear sweet child at my husband’s funeral!...Dear god! Give us justice!...sob...sob”

“Mom...please stop crying.You’re gonna ruin your health” “You didn’t even answer my question” “How’s your health?” I ask her holding her hands. My words reaches her this time and they seem to soothe her a little bit. “I...I’m fine dear. It was just my heart disease that came back because I was shocked and sad. My blood pressure rose up and caused me to faint just for a while. The doctor already prescribed medicine for me and concubine Li has been taking care of me ever since.”My mom answers me looking down at my hands that are holding hers and she holds me back tightly.

“Yeah, concubine Li. Xiao Du said that I was with them before I fainted. Do they know anything about how I was poisoned? What did they tell you? Did you also investigate them?” I ask my mom. “I can’t recall anything about that day for some reason!”

“My child, how can you suspect your sister and her mother?” “Of course I did investigate them just to be sure but they were innocent! No one knows how on earth you got poisoned!” “And furthermore it is concubine Li who has been taking care of me from that day and your sister and brother, you know the best how much they love you!” My mom kindly stands up for Li and her children. But it is reasonable. I can’t accuse people like that randomly yet. I’ve known them all my life and in my memory, they were all good to me. How can I blame my mom for standing up for them.She’s right.

“Aiyah..let it be.I’ll investigate that matter again when I’m fully recovered. And plus,I’m alright now! I just need some time to cool my head and to fully remember what had happened that day” I tell my mom with a big smile. My mom flicks my forehand gently and says, “You cheeky child, don’t look for trouble. You’re gonna get married soon! It’s bestowed by the emperor. You’re gonna marry his fourth son!hehe” my mom plays with my hair with a soft chuckle and a smiley face. “WHAT!?”

(BLOODY HOW!!??) (AM I REALLY GONNA GET MARRIED THE MOMENT I GOT ISEKAIED!??) (NO WAY! EVEN IF THIS IS DREAMING,I WANNA GET MARRIED WITH THE MAN I LOVE WITH A PROGRESSED LOVE RELATIONSHIP BEFORE MARRIAGE!!) (THIS IS CRAZY AHH!!!) (AND FURTHERMORE I’M STILL SIXTEEN!!!) I was screaming and panicking in my head but I swallowed my shock and displeasure then I ask my mom, “When’s the wedding?”

“Silly girl, it’s next week!” “You’ve always got good memory. I need to ask the doctor more about this. This must be the poison’s side effects!” My mom answers me jokingly but it’s clear that she’s worried. Then I fall into silent thoughts again. (Damn, I wish I can go back into coma again T^T) (I’ve never even seen the guy I’m gonna marry) (What if he’s a prince in his 40s with several concubines!) (Am I gonna get bullied in his harem like those female leads in Chinese dramas?) (My mom!!!(referring to real mom in modern day) Your daughter’s life is done for!!!)

I swallow my tears and ask again, “Mom, how’s the fourth prince like? What’s his name?”

“Eh? Look who’s eager to know about her future hubby\~??” My mom says jokingly “Aiyah..quit joking mom! Seriously!” I pout at her. “Alright,alright, his name is Liu Yang. He’s the first child of empress Yin.The emperor hasn’t chose an heir yet but he’s most likely to become the crown prince if the emperor chooses one.So, you won’t regret marrying him my dear,and rumors have said that he is a very handsome young man”. “ Plus, this is his first marriage so you’ll be his main legal wife!” Mom was cheering me up but in my mind...

(I JUST WANT TO DIE AND GO BACK TO GOOD OLD MODERN DAY!!...BUT I’M PROBABLY ALREADY DEAD THERE...sob..sob)

[patter][patter]Footsteps coming closer.[BAM!] The door flies open.

“SISTER!! You’re awake!”Qingyu shouts with joy while running towards me with her mother. Our peaceful mother-daughter conversation is now disturbed. Concubine Li is shedding tears and sitting beside my mother whilst Qingyu who is also in tears ,is kneeling down before my bed(Hmm..they seem to be overreacting.Is ancient people from China all like this?Or are they feeling guilty?)(If they’re not saying anything, I’m going to break the ice!)

“Aha...I’m fine!Concubine Li, sis, don’t worry!”I tell them with a troubled smile. (Jeez..these people are so loud and over reactive!) I kept the thoughts to my self. “Sis,you don’t need to kneel. Come..get up. Look! I’m all in one piece! I’m alright!” I hold Qingyu’s hands to help her stand up. “You too,concubine Li,please stop crying!”I tell them with an energetic voice. As Qingyu gets up,her tears stops immediately and I notice her expression has changed a little bit upon hearing my words. (Hmm...)

“Sigh...it’s great that you are fine. Your lady mother and I were worried sick” said concubine Li with the most sincere eyes. And she looks at her daughter with a glance. And Qingyu starts talking about me being poisoned, “We were busy with the funeral and kept our eyes off of you for a while and you got...you got poisoned sob..sob”.

The glance was hard to notice if I’m not someone who has been managing family business in modern day.I was trained to have a keen eye when it comes to people. (Hmph! I get it now.You guys are no longer like the original owner of this body remembers to be. Ha! Too bad I’m too smart for you dumb ancient people! Just you wait until I expose you all for murdering a family member!) (Pretending and betrayal are what I hate the most!)

“Eh? Don’t blame yourself sister. Both my lady mother and I were lost with our emotions that day, of course it is reasonable for you,the second young miss and Mrs.Li as a concubine to take charge of father’s funeral” with my words to provoke them,reminding them of their positions,Qingyu’s hand starts to shake as she tries to hold my hands in hers. (Heh...what a caring sister just like Lilian)

“But don’t worry! I’ll definitely find the culprit and kill them myself personally and feed them to dogs”I continue.

Concubine Li swiftly comes closer and holds both of our hands with a troubled smile and says, “Yes, you should dear! Since you’re so smart you’ll definitely find the culprit in no time! I can help you if you want. No! Let me just assist you in doing so!”

“Aiyou...Don’t bother,Mrs.Li! You’re busy taking care of my mother. How can I trouble you with this! I can handle it alone! After all,I’m already sixteen. I’m all grown up! I’ll be marrying soon!So, I need to take care of my own matters like a grown up lady!” “Otherwise, I won’t be qualified to be someone’s wife hehe” I tell them jokingly but with a sense of seriousness when my mother dumbfoundedly agrees with me “Oh My! My child has all grown up. Mom is proud of you!”Mom then turns to concubine Li, “She’s right sister Li. She should be able to handle her own matters. Don’t mind about her haha”. (My god!my mom in this era is way too simple minded but she’s so sweet. I can’t let them harm her!)

“If...sister says so, I won’t interfere Yue’er’s matters.Sigh...if only my Qingyu is as mature as her...” she says those words naturally and looks at her daughter with disappointment.

“Eh,younger sis*, don’t blame Qing’er! She’s still young but since they’re only about a year apart why don’t you arrange a marriage for her too! Qing’er might become as mature as her big sis hmm?”mother interrupts us.

“Sigh..if only general is still...ah..sorry but he would find Qing’er a suitor too just like he did for Yue’er”, concubine Li wails.

“Aww, younger sis,don’t be sad. General gave his life for his country and citizens! But you can ask your brother in court to arrange a marriage for his niece! Or should I find a matchmaker?”mom asks enthusiastically.

“Thanks lady Ma but I think I want to marry for love.I don’t wanna be in an arranged marriage” says Qingyu trying to provoke me.

(Jeez, that’s so obvious girl but okay,you got me there. I hate these arranged marriages. If only I can get out of it. Sigh... impossible! It’s arranged by the emperor and dad boo..hoo)(Damn this little fox!)

“Aww, sis you’re so lucky!”I continue “but it sucks to be the first daughter you know,I can’t marry any random person for I’ll lose my face if it fails”. “But now since I’m marrying a prince,I’ll be not only adding more power to emperor’s army but also making our family part of the imperial family! I’m happy as long as I can benefit everyone!” I exclaim with a giant smile. There’s a hint of anger in both Qingyu’s and her mom’s eyes.But they brush it away.

They stayed for a while to have small talks then they both left together with my mom.

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*(FL’s mom calling concubine Li younger sis doesn’t mean they are blood related. It’s because they share the same husband. But Asian people also like to call sister or brother to other people just to be polite)