2 Chapter 2: The Heavens Have Different Plans

Book title: Solstices

Chapter Title: The Heavens Have Different Plans

Chapter no. 2

Author: Ahce Darato Torres (@BunnyDeanAhce)

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(Yao Xue Rong's POV)

Pain engulfed my body, my veins felt like bursting into tiny bombs of blood and my muscles ached like being torn into shreds of beaten meat. Memories of a beautiful lady dressed in an elegant, ancient imperial golden-hanfu that was very similar to the kimonos I owned when I was young filled my mind, but who is she? And why am I seeing memories of her life incomparable to a movie that I was engrossed watching with?

Shouldn't I have died peacefully and meet my ancestors on the way? Yet why am I feeling pain all over my body or shall I still reconsider having my body and soul bounded when I have already died? This phenomenon is indeed unusual but what is happening to me? Dying was my choice and my goal is to be reunited with my family, yet I don't see any of them here?

"Have I not crossed the boundary between the living and the dead yet?" I whispered

"You haven't, you still need to finish a mission and so the heavens decided to grant you another life." A soothing voice entered the channels of my mind, it was deep, cold and husky.

"Another life? Why? What's the mission?" I asked the voice

"Good luck!" The voice answered, but he never said anything about the mission that the heavens gave me.

There must be a reason why the heavens gifted me another life, but I really miss my family.

I feel down.

But I need to keep moving forward.

If this is not the end of my journey then I shall continue.

If I can complete my mission as soon as possible I might be given a chance to see my family again.

I hope so.

"I can do this" I whispered as the pain intensified, letting me gain consciousness. For the sake of seeing my family, I'll do anything. This mission must be the payment for my sins.

The movement of the carriage awoke me. Horses ran smoothly like they weren't in a hurry. Sounds of crying echoed outside, like people wailing for their loss. I opened my eyes and saw the messy state of the teacups in front of me and a white book on the side stayed untouched. I saw a letter dripped in the fragrance of an odd perfume, and when I read it I found out why this body was killed.

I burned the paper and blew the ashes into the air. Without making unnecessary noises I cleaned the table in front of me and keep the evidences of this murder case hidden, and then I tucked the book in my dress and fixed my veil. Whoever schemed behind my back shall be punished with death penalty. For now I shall sit prettily and refrain from sending them unnecessary troubles, anyone could be a suspect and I need to be vigilant.

The travel back to the palace won't take long, so I shall need to use my time wisely and plan how I'll get myself out of this mess. In fact this princess sneaked out of the palace on her own without informing the emperor ahead, to deal with something else. I might have been a vengeful and a scheming person before, but that won't imply I am someone who'll plot the misfortune of another woman because of jealousy. I have never been jealous and with my status now, there's no need to be.

I shall refrain myself from doing the same mistakes that the princess did when she was alive. Now that I have taken over her body, I must find the mission that the heavens has given to me. It is still unclear how long I'll stay here to complete the mission, and I think I just need to enjoy every moment of this life. After sorting things out I glanced at the window secretly and saw that we are already in the market.

"Deep breaths, you can do this!"

I silently jump off of the carriage after checking that there is a commotion at the front which will delay our travel back to the imperial palace. With the memories of the princess I can find my way back, I just need to disguise myself and take another route. If those servants dare to implicate me and my death all of them should be killed without mercy. At this point I won't search for the person behind my downfall using those worthless chess pawns, I just need to communicate with the elite army my mother has gifted me before she passed away.

I need to hurry and get back to the palace before they do.

I moved to the slums of the market and bought a horse. Luckily an unusual sickly looking spirit beast was sold for a cheaper price. I did not think twice and bought it, I knew there must be a reason why this ancient spiritual beast hid himself and deceive the seller. And to met such horse is my fortune.

"Let's get back to the palace" I whispered and ride on top of the horse, binding the horse to me with a few drops of blood. When a contract was formed we flew towards the palace in a couple of minutes.

When we entered my courtyard I hurriedly hid the cloak and got off of the horse. I called one of the maidservants and let her lead the horse to the stables and tell the horse keeper that it is mine.

Attendants hurriedly saw me and they saluted in unison, accompanying me back to my room. But I need to do some precautionary measures before I go in.

"Kneel!" I commanded

No one moved when all of them kneel in front of me, and no one attempted to raise a question. A master need to cut the roots of the evil weeds in a courtyard to leisurely live her days in good mood. I want to be in a good mood.

"If catch anyone who will tell my brother that I sneaked out of the palace I will punish that person with death penalty and that person's family will be exiled from this land as well. Now tell me, what did you see?"

"None your majesty." They answered in chorus

"Get back to your posts"