Chapter 3

An Unfulfilled Request

Amidst the care of three small children and a single maid, Sali, who was possessing a bedridden body, felt a warm sensation spreading from her heart.

For two hours, she was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions—concern, longing, love, and guilt—all blending into one. It was a kind of connection she had never experienced before.

Until, as time passed and the air grew colder, her unmoving body was wrapped in multiple layers of rough fabric to preserve what little warmth remained. Then, the three little ones bid their mother goodnight, each placing a kiss on her cheek before leaving for their own rest, guided by the maid to the adjoining room.

Sali had gathered more information than she expected by simply listening carefully. And though she couldn’t piece together the full story, she had begun forming conclusions in her mind.

She still didn’t know the name of this body. But she had figured out her position within this family—she was the first furen. The knowledge she had gained from reading novels and historical accounts made her increasingly fearful of what was happening. No matter what, the soul of a mere 22-year-old woman could only conclude that this was all a terrible mistake.

Was there truly life after death? She didn’t know. The underworld, as described in various stories, was vividly detailed. Yet she had never encountered it. Not the Thai version of hell. Not the Western version. Not even the Eastern versions—whether Chinese or Japanese.

Instead, she had possessed a body steeped in rich Chinese cultural influences. Wasn’t she supposed to meet Old Lady Meng, drink the soup of forgetfulness, and be reincarnated anew? Was it possible that the reapers had made a mistake, allowing her soul to drift so far off course?

If she had truly been granted a second life like the protagonists in all those reincarnation novels, then at the very least, she should have retained some memories of her previous existence. And what about the special abilities? Where were the miraculous heavenly springs, personal dimensions, or system aids? Where had they all disappeared to?

What disturbed Sali more than anything else—was the age of the body she now inhabited. Judging from the ages of her three children, she had to be a furen who was at least in her thirties. How deteriorated was this body? How wrinkled and aged had it become? The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached.

And if, one day, the incompetent reaper who had messed up came to take her back—would she still have to struggle through this life? Though she never truly believed in destiny, there had to be some reason behind all of this.

So, Sali forced herself to calm down. She focused on accepting what had happened and began training herself to move her body throughout the night.

The daily routine of the bedridden body continued in the same manner for nearly two weeks. Time moved painfully slow when she was alone, but her mind remained constantly active.

Even though the food was bland and of poor quality, sheer determination and effort alone allowed Sali’s new body to recover at an astonishing rate. Throughout it all, she found warmth in the presence of her three children. They would visit her daily, chatting about their little adventures and sharing only happy stories—all in the hopes that their mother would find the strength to keep living.

But what Sali concluded during this time was something about this family that she absolutely despised. She had learned that she was the daughter-in-law of the Wei family. Her husband was a mid-ranked official with some reputation in a major city far from the capital. More importantly, he was a lustful man. Not only did he have her as his first wife, but he also had two secondary wives, and so many concubines that she couldn’t even remember all their names.

Her soul furrowed her brows in sheer frustration. She had never imagined she would be thrown back into an era where men reigned supreme, where the three wives and four concubines system was considered normal and widely accepted.

No doubt her three children had suffered greatly under the oppression of this household. If the first wife had been bedridden for so long yet still had three children, then the secondary wives and concubines must have had just as many offspring.

A mid-ranked official—was his wealth really enough to support so many wives and children? If the imperial court allowed women to take the civil service exam, she would be the first to sign up…she could swear to it!

Her bedridden life continued for another week. But during that time, Sali had gained control over several parts of her body. She had to thank all the things she had read before. Not only could she now open her eyes to fully take in the sight of this dilapidated bedroom, but she could also move her arms and legs as she wished. Unfortunately, they still appeared thin and withered, as if left unused for years. But she endured.

During the daytime, when no one came to visit, she spent her time moving her body to get used to it—until she was drenched in sweat. Although the children and the maid, Ning-ning, found it odd to see her sweat-soaked every morning and evening, all four of them recognized it as a good sign.

Until…

"Is anyone inside?! Second Furen Meiying wishes to pay her respects to the First Furen! Open the door at once!" The sharp, shrill voice that echoed through the patient’s room startled Sali. She quickly hurried back to bed and adjusted her lying position appropriately. Moments later, the old wooden door burst open with force. The uninvited guest strode in without a care.

"You… Why have you come here…madam?" The resident maid asked in a trembling voice. Her fear was evident.

"You’re just a servant—what right do you have to question your mistress? Do you want to be flogged and thrown out of the manor?"

"I would never dare. It’s just… just that the Master ordered that this residence is for the First Furen. No one is to disturb her, unless… it’s absolutely necessary, madam."

"Insolent! How could Second Furen visiting the First Furen be considered a disturbance? Go and prepare tea for our guest—now!" The maid who had accompanied Méi Yīng exuded an air of arrogance that was utterly repulsive. Sali committed her voice to memory, along with the name of the Second Furen.

Meiying—and her sharp-tongued, marketplace-loud servant.

The sound of footsteps creaked across the wooden floor. The visitor drew closer and closer to Sali’s resting place, making her heartbeat pound in her chest. It took every ounce of willpower to keep her body from moving.

Could it be that…This body had been bedridden for so long that all power and authority had already fallen into others’ hands? If that were the case, then her situation was truly miserable.

"So withered… She probably won’t last much longer." A sweet yet haughty voice murmured beside her ear. The fragrance of the visitor wafted through the air, tickling the nose of the one pretending to sleep.

"She should have just died back then. Falling into the water and still surviving—how troublesome."

"But judging by her condition, it truly won’t be long now, madam," the sharp-voiced servant added. "I can’t believe that Second Furen Ningjian actually became a tool for us to use. The position of First Furen will soon be yours, madam."

"As long as my hands remain unstained with blood, that’s all that matters. She’s nothing more than the daughter of a lowly merchant—how could she ever compare to a noble’s daughter like me? She deserves to die." The wooden floor creaked, pinpointing the speaker’s exact location. She was pacing around the cramped and stifling room before letting out a long sigh.

"My husband will return in three months. Don’t let the children starve too much, or it will bring shame upon me. Do you understand?"

"Understood, madam. I will pass on your orders. I will adjust the meals for the young masters and miss to be as they were before. And… for First Furen’s meal…"

A pair of beautiful eyes turned toward the body on the bed, assessing it in silence. For a brief moment, the room was filled with stillness. Then, Meiying closed her eyes—making a decision.

"Make it the same as the children’s. Before she dies… at least let her have a full stomach. I don’t want to seem too cruel in Husband’s eyes. When the time is right, mix poison into her final meal and let her pass away peacefully."

"Understood, madam. I will take care of everything. Including fixing up this residence."

"Do as you see fit. But don’t waste too much money decorating. This place will be torn down anyway. I don’t want any ill omens in this manor..."

The mistress and her servant continued their conversation until Ning-ning arrived with the hot tea for them. Only then did the two finally stop speaking, casting pitying glances before leaving without a farewell.

The fist of the woman lying in bed clenched tightly. She couldn’t believe she had encountered enemies right from the very beginning. This new life was filled with obstacles. What should she do now?

Sali opened her eyes slightly, watching as the maid carried in a fragrant tea set with a weary expression. Judging by the sunlight outside, there was still plenty of time before the children would come visit her as usual.

Perhaps it was time…Time for her to finally open her mouth and speak. To voice the questions that weighed on her mind. To understand this life—to learn about the future that awaited her.

But everything had to be handled carefully. There could be no room for error or carelessness.

"Ning-ning…" A hoarse voice sounded from the bed. Since the place was already silent and eerie, the loyal maid startled so violently that she nearly jumped.

"Madam!!!"

"Shhh… Keep your voice down. Do you want to announce to my enemies that I’ve awakened?" Sali pushed herself up to sit on the edge of the bed, struggling slightly, but she moved far more fluidly than before. "Bring me the tea. My throat is dry enough to die."

"Yes, madam. Yes." Ning-ning hurried to obey her mistress’s order. Moments later, the perfectly warm tea was poured into a porcelain cup and offered to her.

The faint aroma of properly brewed tea refreshed Sali’s senses. The temperature was just right—not too cold and not too hot to scald her tongue. It went down smoothly.

"No one must know that I have awakened until I decide to reveal it. Do you understand?"

"Understood, madam."

"I have many questions that need to be answered by you. My thoughts are a tangled mess. I hope you can help me." Ning-ning responded immediately. She was a loyal maid who had served her mistress since the days of the old family. At this moment, she felt as if the flame of hope had been reignited. She was no longer consumed by the despair of the past.

She would answer every question. And if she didn’t know the answer, she would find it for her mistress—no matter what.

However, the patient's questions left the maid somewhat bewildered with curiosity.

"My Madam’s name is Lijin. Your maiden surname is Gu..." The maid then proceeded to recount her mistress’s former family history. She explained that the family had once been a powerful merchant clan, possessing vast wealth and influence.

"Once powerful?"

"Yes, madam. The old master and madam passed away from the plague five years ago. The Gu family has already fallen. Do you not remember, madam?" Sali shook her head. The weight of what she had learned pressed heavily on her chest.

From late morning to the afternoon, Ning-ning continued answering the endless stream of questions pouring from her mistress’s lips. Fortunately, Second Furen Meiying’s orders had ensured that the kitchen no longer hesitated to prepare snacks for the First Furen’s residence.

As they spoke, the two ate together. Seeing how thin and frail her body was, Sali knew she had to seize every opportunity that came her way.

The first step of her urgent plan was to restore this near-ruined body. Only then would she have the strength to stand tall and face the storms ahead.

This strange and unpredictable life still carried some blessings. As she listened, thought, and planned, she could only hope that she had been granted some kind of special ability like in the novels she had read.

What a pity…The extravagant powers she wished for never came.

All she had was the sight of two grim reapers shaking their heads as they watched her from a place far, far away.