I, Shen Meizhuang, died once.
I died on a cold winter night in Broken Jade Pavilion. The last thing I saw before I died was Zhen Huan’s face, streaked with tears as she wept until she could no longer stand.
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the age of fifteen, on the eve of the imperial selection.
Everything from my previous life remained vivid: Consort Hua’s arrogance, the Emperor’s cold-heartedness, the Empress’s hypocrisy, and the bowls of poison that came without warning.
This time, she only wanted three things:
First, not to enter the palace.
Second, to protect Huanhuan.
Third… never mind. If she couldn’t do the first two, she would just have to live differently.
The Emperor? She was done serving him.
His favor? She didn’t care for it.
She took Zhen Huan, newly arrived at the palace, and made a “retirement plan” with her:
Don’t compete for favor. Don’t pick sides. Don’t give your heart to the imperial family.
Enjoy tea and flowers in your free time, and dismantle a scheme or two when things get busy.
Consort Hua wants to fight? Let her.
The Empress wants to put on an act? Let her perform.
Everyone thought Shen Meizhuang was the same proper, dull Noble Lady Shen as before.
Only Zhen Huan knew that her elder sister’s greatest daily pleasure was sitting in the courtyard of Broken Jade Pavilion, cracking melon seeds and rating the concubines’ palace intrigue skills.
“Huanhuan, the Empress made a move today, but she was a little too hasty.”
“Huanhuan, Consort Hua’s move is an improvement over her last life, but unfortunately…”
“Huanhuan, when do you think they’ll install central heating in this palace?”
Later, the new Emperor ascended the throne.
The two women lived in neighboring palaces, drinking tea and playing chess every day. Now and then, they invited the young concubines who had just entered the palace over to tell them stories about the old days.
A young palace maid dared to ask, “Your Highness, Dowager Consort, how did you win in the palace back then?”
Shen Meizhuang took a sip of tea and replied leisurely, “There’s nothing to it. Just treat men like your bosses.”
