"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Who was calling her? Hadn't she already died? Was this the underworld?
"What should we do? His Majesty has a high fever."
"Quickly, go find the Imperial Physician."
"The Imperial Physician is treating the young prince."
"Haven't you called the Imperial Physician back yet? Is the prince more important than His Majesty?"
"But His Majesty has always doted on the young prince. If His Majesty finds out, perhaps..."
"There's no need for so many 'perhapses'. Go quickly. If anything happens, I will bear full responsibility."
It was unclear how long it took for the burning sensation within her body to gradually subside.
She suddenly opened her eyes and saw a dark figure by the bed. She grabbed out with one hand, "Who are you?"
"Y-Your Majesty, this servant is... is Xue Yan..." Xue Yan looked at her, stunned.
She paused, her hand loosening, and the astonishment in her eyes was hidden.
"Your Majesty, you're finally awake." Xue Yan looked at a slightly different Majesty, but she didn't think much of it, assuming her Majesty was just waking up and a little confused. Who would have thought that in this body, Xue Zining had been reborn?
"Xue Yan, what time is it?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is now the hour of the rat."
"No, I mean, what year is it in Huangze?"
Xue Yan froze. She felt that His Majesty was a bit off today. She asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, you..."
Xue Zining looked up and asked her coldly, "I'm asking you a question?"
Xue Yan trembled all over and quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, please forgive me..."
Xue Zining rubbed her forehead and her tone softened, "I just had a nightmare, it felt too real. I can't tell if I'm dreaming or if I've woken up. Tell me, what year is it?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Yan replied cautiously, "Reporting... Reporting to Your Majesty, it is now the 164th year of Huangze."
164th year? She held out her hand and looked. Indeed, she wasn't her eight-years-older self. Now, she was just a twelve-year-old girl.
It was a pity she couldn't have returned any earlier. Perhaps it would have lessened the guilt in her heart. However, since heaven had given her this chance, she would have her revenge and right her wrongs.
"Your Majesty, you've finally woken up." A voice called out, somewhat familiar yet also somewhat strange. She looked up and saw a face she hadn't seen in a long time.
Her body trembled, and she stared blankly at the person before her. Seeing her in this state, the woman looked worried, "Your Majesty, are you still unwell?"
Xue Zining didn't answer. She just looked at the person before her greedily, and tears welled up and streamed down her face.
The woman panicked, quickly stepping forward, and felt her forehead with her hand, looking anxious, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Please don't frighten this servant."
"Aunt Yuan, Aunt Yuan..." She hugged Aunt Yuan's waist tightly. She never imagined she would see Aunt Yuan again after being reborn.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Have they not served you well?" As she spoke, Aunt Yuan looked at Xue Yan by her side and said coldly, "How have you been serving His Majesty?"
Xue Yan quickly knelt on the ground, "Aunt Yuan, it's not this servant's fault. This servant has always served His Majesty diligently. If you don't believe me, ask His Majesty."
The former Xue Zining would have defended Xue Yan. However, the reborn Xue Zining would not. In her past life, upon hearing that Xue Zixuan had control of the Imperial Guards, she was desperate. It was Xue Yan who told her to give the tiger tally to the Imperial Advisor, who would then come to save her. How laughable it was that she agreed, filled with anticipation that the Imperial Advisor would save her, only to be betrayed.
She didn't believe Xue Yan was unaware. It was likely that Xue Yan was also an agent of the Imperial Advisor.