Chapter 002: Rebirth in this World

When she regained consciousness again, Qian Ge felt a vague sense of suppressed crying in her ears.

Had she entered the underworld? The crying sounded like her sister's voice, crying so sadly. Was it because of the pain? Was she blaming herself for not being able to save her life, and even failing to preserve her body?

Qian Ge struggled to open her eyes. She wanted to apologize and atone to her sister, but she couldn't seem to open her eyes no matter how hard she tried.

"Qian Ge, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't take care of you well. Please wake up. As long as you wake up, I will definitely save money to buy you a hairpin just like the one your third sister has." Her sister's voice cried out.

Third sister? Hairpin? What was her sister talking about? Why was she apologizing? Shouldn't she be scolding her for being so naive and causing harm to herself and others?

"Sister believes that you wouldn't steal the hairpin from the third sister. You couldn't have done such a thing. When the third sister comes back, sister will take her to confront mother and clear your name."

Her sister comforted her and then began to blame herself, "It's all my fault. I never bought you any good cosmetics or jewelry. That's why you took the third sister's hairpin to play with, and when mother found out, she punished you..."

Qian Ge felt something was wrong. This scene felt so familiar, as if it had happened before...

Suddenly realizing something, Qian Ge's heart jumped with astonishment and joy, giving her the strength to forcefully open her heavy eyelids. At first, everything seemed hazy, but then she saw a half-worn double-layered embroidered curtain in a pale sedge color.

Turning her head to the side, she saw her sister, dressed in a simple autumn-colored satin dress, with her hair tied up in a lily bun, her face still somewhat tender, standing by the bed, tears streaming down her face.

Qian Ge blinked twice before she could reconcile the pure and beautiful woman in front of her with the stunning woman who would later be favored in the palace, adorned in heavy makeup and luxurious attire, with a fierce demeanor.

Looking back, only four years had passed, but her sister had changed so much that she, her own younger sister, couldn't even recognize her. Her sister had changed so much...

A dull pain struck her heart, and Qian Ge coughed painfully.

Xue Qian Wu quickly raised her head, showing a surprised smile, "Qian Ge, you're awake! Does it hurt? Wait here, sister will bring you some medicine to drink."

Xue Qian Wu wiped her face and was about to get up, but her wrist was grabbed, and then she felt a weight on her chest as her sister threw herself into her arms. She didn't know what was happening, but she quickly felt her chest become wet.

Xue Qian Wu was startled and hugged her, "Qian Ge, does it hurt a lot? I'm sorry, it's all sister's fault..." One hand stroked her sister's hair, and Xue Qian Wu couldn't help but shed tears.

"Sister! Sister! Sister..." Qian Ge kept calling out in a mournful voice, tightly embracing her sister's waist, feeling her warmth and softness, finally confirming that this was not a dream. She had truly come back, back to a time when everything could still be salvaged.

Listening to her sister's comforting and self-reproaching words, Qian Ge couldn't hold back her sobs any longer. All her grievances, fears, resentments, and regrets poured out, turning into tears streaming down her face.

After crying in her sister's arms for a long time, Qian Ge's emotions finally stabilized. Lifting her head from Xue Qian Wu's embrace, Qian Ge felt a bit embarrassed. Since her sister entered the palace, they hadn't been this close in two years.

Xue Qian Wu took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away the tears on Qian Ge's face, then tidied up her own appearance, saying, "Wait here, Qian Ge. Sister will bring you some medicine. After taking the medicine, you won't be in so much pain." After tucking her in, she turned and left the room.

It was only then that Xue Qian Ge had the presence of mind to check herself. She realized that she had been lying on her stomach the whole time, and moving her buttocks caused a tearing pain. Recalling her sister's words from earlier, she quickly pieced together the sequence of events.