I Arrived Ten Years After My Death

Ru Yan, who had been dead for barely a moment, discovered that she had transmigrated into the body of an unfamiliar young woman ten years after her death.

Shen Jun'an, once a general who guarded the north for the previous dynasty and now the powerful Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, was upright and aloof. He had been alone for many years.

Then one day, the yamen suddenly sent word: the wife he had buried with his own hands, dead for ten years, had returned.

Beneath a tree outside the yamen stood a young woman.

She kicked a stone now and then, a little habit she had whenever she didn't know what to do. He knew it better than anyone.

"Ru Yan?"

Ru Yan turned at the sound of her name and ran over to him. She scratched her head, unsure what to say.

"You came back from battle today, so I bought you some chestnuts roasted with sugar. I don't know if you like them."

He paused. "Let's go home."

On the way back, she sat on the horse while he led it. They exchanged no words.

But Shen Jun'an's knuckles had already turned white around the reins.

Ten years ago, on the day he returned in triumph, Ru Yan died when panicked horses ran wild through the streets. Chestnuts were scattered all over the ground.

The pain pierced his heart and spread like a searing brand, leaving him powerless.

So this time, not even the King of Heaven could make him let go.

Little scenes:

At first:

Shen Jun'an said, "It's been ten years. Everyone has changed. Whether you want to marry again or have other plans, I'll respect your choice."

Ru Yan scratched her head. "...Oh."

Later:

When Shen Jun'an saw Ru Yan smiling as she bid another man goodbye, he cast aside his usual cool gentleness and asked,

"Which one do you like? The cousin from the Luo family, or the uncle from the Pei family?"

Ru Yan was baffled. Which cousin from the Luo family? Which uncle from the Pei family?

She cautiously asked, "What do you think?"

Shen Jun'an looked at her calmly and declared, "I think I'm the best choice."

Shen Jun'an's confession:

"Ru Yan, I've always wanted to tell you: I didn't marry you because of our betrothal. I married you because I liked you. But I was young then. All I knew was how to fight and wager my life to see who would win. I didn't know how to express myself. I liked you so much, yet for no reason, I became timid and afraid around you. Later, I stopped fighting and gave up being a warrior. I became the most accomplished scholar in the world, with a head full of learning. At last, I could put my affection into thousands upon thousands of words and tell you all of it. But Ru Yan, you were already dead."

Cover art: Many thanks to the wonderful Da E from Tu Hua Paradise!!!

Theme: Love is precious, but freedom is worth more