Chapter 2: Even She Found Herself Pitiful Beyond Words

The body she now inhabited was that of a princess of the Celestial Dynasty, and, just like her name from her previous life, she too was called Yun Qiange. At first, she had been relieved, even happy, to find herself with such status. But upon learning of this princess’s notorious misdeeds, Yun Qiange could only wish to weep.

This princess was known for her cruelty and bloodthirstiness, her wickedness knew no bounds. Worse yet, her appearance was said to be hideous beyond description. She kept seven men as night slaves and led a life of utter debauchery. Presently, she had two husbands, both of low rank: one was the son of the capital’s wealthiest merchant, the other the son of the prime minister. It was said, however, that the merchant’s son had moved out immediately after their wedding and never returned, while the prime minister’s son went mad the day after their marriage.

A dreadful premonition struck Yun Qiange. She rummaged frantically through the drawers and wardrobes, searching in vain, then shouted at the top of her lungs, “Vanilla! Vanilla!”

Forgive her—she only remembered the name Vanilla, as in her previous life, vanilla ice cream had been her favorite.

“Princess, Vanilla is here! What’s happened?” Vanilla burst in, clearly alarmed.

“Where is the mirror? Where’s the mirror? Where did it go?” Yun Qiange seized Vanilla’s hand, her voice urgent.

Vanilla’s mouth twitched; for a moment, she’d thought an assassin had come for the princess. It turned out, she was just looking for a mirror. Vanilla wiped the cold sweat from her brow. “Princess, didn’t you order that no mirrors be kept in your chambers? You said anyone who hid a mirror would be executed. They were all thrown out long ago.”

“No mirrors? Then go to one of the other concubines and bring me one at once!” Yun Qiange was desperate now. She needed to see her own face immediately.

“But, Your Highness, you moved out and built your own residence ages ago.” Vanilla glanced at Yun Qiange nervously, worried that the princess would lose her temper and have her executed.

A heavy silence fell. Sweat beaded on Vanilla’s back as her apprehension grew; she knew that when the princess fell silent, she was often contemplating what manner of death to mete out for her servants.

Her knees grew weak; Vanilla swallowed hard and was about to speak when Yun Qiange suddenly broke the silence. “Water. Fetch me a basin of the clearest, most reflective water you can find.”

Vanilla stared in surprise, then sighed in relief and hurried away. Before she’d made it out the door, a wail followed her: “Remember, it must be crystal clear—clear enough to see a person’s reflection perfectly!”

Vanilla nearly stumbled in her haste to comply.

Yun Qiange clutched the basin, staring intently at the face reflected in the water—a face mottled with red and black patches. In truth, she had a lovely, delicate face, the classic beauty’s oval, but now there wasn’t a single patch of unblemished skin; blue and red splotches covered her like the palette of a mad artist. Her stomach churned. She wanted to be sick.

“Princess, are you all right?” Vanilla asked, her voice trembling. Today, the princess was acting so strangely, Vanilla feared for her life.

Yun Qiange drew a deep breath. Stay calm...

She must remain calm. “It’s nothing. You may go. Tomorrow, have someone bring a mirror in here.”

Vanilla obeyed, and as soon as the door closed, Yun Qiange collapsed onto the ornate bed she’d woken up in. Pulling the covers over her head, she desperately wanted to cry.

But though she sobbed and wailed, not a single tear would come. She gave up. She had always been cold-hearted—even as a child, she hadn’t cried when her beloved puppy had died. That was just her nature; if she couldn’t cry for real, perhaps she could pretend.