Chapter 4

Not the Same World

Ning-ning was a good maid. She answered every question her mistress asked without holding anything back, even though she was somewhat puzzled as to why the other party could not remember certain events. However, given that Lijin had been in a vegetative state for three years, she pushed those doubts aside.

Perhaps the illness had caused her memories to fade.

The soul of Sali, now within the body of Gu Lijin, was carefully analyzing the new knowledge flowing from the maid’s lips. It seemed that this life would not be easy.

Lijin had married into the Wei family of Nihe City at the age of 15. If counting the years she had held the position of First Furen in this branch of the clan, that would total 20 years.

She hadn’t returned to the body of a young maiden like in the novels she had read. Instead, she had possessed the body of a mother, a woman considered elderly in this era—a 35-year-old woman. Sali could only sigh. She looked at her withered and rough hands. It seemed that this body’s health had deteriorated significantly.

Though 35 was neither too old nor too young in the time she came from, medical advancements, health care, and cosmetics in this era were scarce and expensive. She still remembered what people had used for beauty treatments in the past. It was highly likely that they were nothing but poisons and harmful substances.

However, what shocked her far more than her own age were the things she discovered throughout the afternoon.

"The Shui Dynasty?" She asked Ning-ning again, then got out of bed and used her finger to trace a character in the thick layer of dust on the floor.

"Is it written like this?" The characters of the ancient Chinese dynasty, which only lasted a few decades, were written down. It was a single character.

"I cannot read, madam." Ning-ning was startled by the elegant script on the floor. But this maid was certain—that was not the name of the ruling dynasty. "Madam, perhaps you misheard me. I meant ‘Shui’—the character that means waterway."

The full name of the current dynasty was spoken again. Its meaning was explained.

"…Shuilong? Water Dragon?"

"Yes, madam. Do you remember now?" Ning-ning’s face briefly lit up with joy. Her eyes brimmed with hope. But the look on her mistress’s face quickly made that hope fade away.

Lijin’s brow furrowed into a deep crease. It seemed that the soul within her body was experiencing emotions more intense than ever before. Had she not returned to a past era of her old world? What era was this? Why was the ruler of this land someone she had never heard of?

Even after cross-referencing the vast knowledge she had absorbed in that timeless dimension, she still couldn’t understand. She wasn’t familiar with the name of this city either. If she translated the sounds directly— Nihe would mean muddy river.

Where… had she ended up? What kind of madness was this!?

Sali still couldn’t come to terms with it. One part of her wished the reapers would come to reclaim her soul. But another part still remembered the soft hands of her three children, and the words they had spoken to her motionless body over the past few weeks. The warmth, care, and love they had shown—she could not simply let go.

The story of the country and the era she had found herself in, whether it was a dream or reality, would have to be pondered in the future. Right now, what mattered most was understanding her family’s situation. She had to fight with whatever strength she had. Because no matter what, death was something she did not want to face again.

Human thoughts were truly full of contradictions, though her soul was still young, she understood just how strong the survival instinct could be.

This body did not want to die. And even though she hadn’t regained all of this body’s memories, The emotions within it were already exerting their influence over her soul.

"Wei Yongjian—how many furens and concubines does he have?" The name of the husband she did not know was spoken aloud. The loyal maid immediately responded.

"Aside from you, the First Furen, there are also two Second Furens, madam. As for the rest… there are six concubines. They come from various backgrounds—commoners, maids, merchant daughters, and even slaves."

"Nine women…" She clenched her jaw tightly, seething with disgust at the customs of this era. "And their children?"

"Second Furen Ningjian has one son and one daughter. Second Furen Meiying has two sons and one daughter. The six concubines each have one young master or one young miss. In total, there are four young misses and two young masters, madam."

"A house full of wives and children. Yongjian must be completely obsessed with lust."

"Madam…" Ning-ning understood her mistress’s pain well, but she had no words of comfort to offer.

"And what about Wei Yongjian’s parents? Are they still alive? Do they still maintain control over the household?"

"The Old Master, Wei Ninglong, passed away ten years ago, madam. As for the Elder Madam, Huiling, she is still alive, but she holds no power. Her living conditions are only slightly better than yours."

"And those swans, are they ungrateful, then?"

"In front of the Master, they act properly, madam. But because the Master is one of the three mid-ranked officials of Nihe, He must travel to the capital to report his work for four to six months each year. During that time, anyone without power must struggle to survive as best they can."

"So they must be desperate to claim my position by now."

Sali came to a conclusion. For now, she would accept the name Gu Lijin as her own, until the very end of her time in this world.

At the very least, when she stood before the Reapers, she wouldn’t feel guilty. She wouldn’t need any excuses because she had already done her best.

Her decision was firm. From now on, she was Gu Lijin. It was the first and most crucial step. Just then, the sound of a gong rang out, marking the end of the Wei hour (13:00-14:59) and the beginning of the Shen hour (15:00-16:59).

"The children, I mean, my children, they’ll arrive after the Shen hour, won’t they?"

"Yes, madam. Do you… do you still remember the young masters and young misses?"

"I have failed as a mother. I will need you to help refresh my memory, Ning-ning. Please."

"I, Ning-ning, will do her best, madam. Please don’t lose heart…" The devoted maid continued her explanation without leaving out a single detail.

Even though she was the First Furen and had once wielded great authority, both in her former family and in the Wei household, she had one undeniable disgrace as a woman of this era. She had given birth far too late.

Most women get married between the ages of 15-17. Within one to two years, they would conceive an heir. Yet Lijin had not borne her first child until nearly seven years had passed.

The eldest daughter of the First Furen of the Wei family of Nihe City was named ‘Liming.’ She was a bright, cheerful child, with a dazzling smile that lived up to the meaning of her name. She was now 12 years old.

The second daughter of Lijin was named ‘Lijìn.’ Compared to her older sister, she was much more reserved. Though she appeared more composed and steady on the outside, she was deeply sensitive and emotional. She was now 10 years old.

The first son was the youngest of the group, as if he had been born to strengthen his mother’s standing. His name was Jiusi—a name chosen by his father, as if forcing the first furen’s son to become a great scholar. She didn’t know whether such a name would truly shape his fate, but the 6-year-old boy had suffered greatly since his mother fell ill. Jiusi had become a weak, malnourished child, frequently ill, especially during the times when his father was absent.

The mother clenched her fists tightly. She didn’t blame Ning-ning for being unable to care for her children properly. Instead, she blamed the past version of this body. What had she done to end up in this state? How had she fallen into icy waters in the dead of winter and remained unconscious for three whole years?

But at the very least…She now knew exactly who her enemies were. The names of the two second wives were engraved in her memory. There was no way she would ever forget them.

Thus, she needed to devise a plan to protect the children first. The body she now inhabited had already passed its fertile years. There was no need to worry about beauty anymore. It was better to focus her strength and determination on her children and on her own flesh and blood.

"In three months, Wei Yongjian will return to the manor. That venomous serpent, Meiying, will no doubt fatten up her own children to impress her husband. By now, she must have already given the orders. But those women will make the wrong decision regarding my children's meals. They will force-feed them, making them gain weight too quickly and ruin their health…" Lijin’s eyes gleamed with sharp intensity. A stark contrast to her frail and emaciated body.

"Ning-ning, this residence, it’s not my original residence, is it?"

"No, madam. But as of now, this residence belongs to you…"

"Is it far from the main manor?"

"Quite far, madam. You could say it is secluded. Perfect for rest and recovery." Upon hearing that, Lijin smiled.

"Good…Now that that venomous snake Meiying has allowed us to use the kitchen supplies freely, you will have to work hard for a while. Right now, there is only you. But in the future, I promise, your life and the lives of everyone here will be better than this."

"Madam…" Ning-ning felt a surge of emotion. She had served Lijin since childhood, back when she was still a daughter of the Gu family. She had dedicated herself to her mistress from the very beginning and had never once wavered in her loyalty.

To Sali, a maid like Ning-ning was more of a family member than anyone else in this household.

Thus, as Lijin, as the pillar of stability for the four lives depending on her, she made a solemn vow.

A life with nothing but a worthless husband, who never stayed home, who only brought wives back to set the house ablaze with conflict, who neglected his own children, who ignored his own mother, who cared only about work and producing heirs…

Wei Yongjian might have been the ideal husband in the eyes of society, but not to her. The title of First Furen meant nothing to her. It held no importance. Thus, all that mattered was this life and the well-being of her family.

Her mind, once stagnant and lost in her past life, had begun working again…

It was as if the mental fog from her previous world had lifted. Plans took shape one after another. And Lijin was certain, they would soon succeed.