Liu Zhu died. At the entrance to Broken Jade Pavilion, a guard's blade pierced her throat.
When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the time before Zhen Huan entered the palace. In the bronze mirror was the face she had at sixteen; the scent of osmanthus cakes drifted in through the window. She had been reborn, carrying every memory from her previous life.
She knew how dangerous every step in the deep palace could be: Consort Hua's poison, the Empress's cruelty, An Lingrong's betrayal, and the emperor's fickleness. She knew Zhen Huan would have her heart broken by “a likeness of the one he loved,” and would narrowly escape death before the hall where blood was tested to prove paternity. And most of all, she knew she would die on the very night her mistress needed her most.
But in this life, Liu Zhu would no longer be just the chattering maid who followed her mistress everywhere.
She made innocence her armor and sincerity her sword. Yu Ying'er impersonated someone else? She exposed her. Mei Zhuang fell into the water? She stopped it. Someone was framed with cassava flour? She slapped the evidence down in front of Cao Qinmo. At the blood test, she cried, “Your Majesty, wait!” and changed the course of an entire dynasty's harem.
She saw Consort Hua, An Lingrong, and Prince Guo off, and protected Zhen Huan until she reached the very summit. At last, dressed in a scarlet wedding gown, she walked out through the palace gate that had taken her life in her previous existence.
This isn't a story about a maid rising to power. It's a story about protecting someone.
You died for me once. I would live again for you.
“Don't be afraid, my lady. Liu Zhu is here.”
“How many times can a person get another chance at life?”
“Once is enough.”
I've died once, and still I would enter the palace again for you.
