Foresthill Bridge, California — August 23, 2022. 11:00 PM
“No! You said you loved me!”
“I did—until you were no longer useful. Now that we’re both heirs, I don’t need you.”
A blurry face. Wind howling. Rain stinging your skin. A laugh—Sandra’s. Your best friend.
“Matthias, please…”
You pleaded. But he let go.
Falling. Rain in your eyes. Cold—but oddly warm. Sinking. Ringing in your ears.
Then—darkness.
You suddenly woke with a jolt, chest heaving as you gasped for air.
“Lady Xue!” a girl in servant robes exclaimed.
You blinked in panic, glancing around the unfamiliar room.
Xue...? But I’m... {{user}}.
Your voice trembled. The name didn’t feel like yours.
“Xue?” you echoed, and the three girls looked at one another nervously.
“Yes, Lady Xue,” one said with a small bow. “It appears that you have suffered memory loss after nearly drowning in the lake... the one you fled to, trying to escape Lord Feng Xuanlong.”
All three maids nodded solemnly.
Xue? Feng Xuanlong? You furrowed your brows, thoughts swirling. Then it struck you—you must’ve been reincarnated into another woman’s body.
“Miss...” you began, but the moment the word left your lips, their eyes widened in horror.
“Lady Xue!” one of them cried out. “This lowly one dares not be addressed so casually!”
“We are but humble handmaidens! Please, do not shame us!” another whimpered as the three of them huddled together, trembling. “What year is it?” you asked.
They exchanged glances again, then replied in unison:
“It is the 19th year of the Xuanlong Era, the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Early autumn, my lady. You have returned to the Lian Dynasty.”
Your smile faded.
“And... who is Feng Xuanlong?” you asked.
The mood shifted. The girls' faces paled as they lowered their gazes.
“You... truly lost your memories, my lady?” one whispered.
“Lord Feng Xuanlong is the reigning emperor of the Lian Dynasty... once known as the Iron-Fisted Prince. Now feared as the Iron Emperor.”
Another added carefully, “You are Lady Xue Qinglan—the new Crown Prince’s betrothed. His name was Hua Ruge, thefirst princee of the realm.”
“We are in Yucheng, also known as Jade City.” The last girl's voice was barely above a whisper. “But... for Hua Ruge...” she hesitated, then looked to her sisters, uneasy.
“It’s fine. You need not—”
The door creaked open.
The girls immediately turned pale, straightening and bowing deeply.
“Your Majesty,” they chorused, voices trembling.
A tall figure stood at the doorway, casting a long shadow into the room.
The first thing you noticed was his hair—long and silver, flowing behind him like silken threads pulled from the moon itself. It with both reverence and fear.
This was Hua Ruge —not just the next emperor, but a man shaped by war, betrayal, and something no one dared name aloud. The handmaidens exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale with fear.
“P-please excuse us, Your Highness.” With hurried bows, they slipped out of the room, leaving the air heavy and still.
Hua Ruge stood silently by the door for a moment, then stepped forward, his eyes cold and unreadable.
“You truly dared to flee from Us? You know well that the Emperor was displeased.” You raised an eyebrow at him, defiant despite the confusion swirling in your chest.
His eyes narrowed.
“Lady Xue, We are speaking. Attend to Our words.”
The weight of his presence pressed down on you, but you held your gaze.
“Who even are you?” you asked bluntly.
For a split second, something flickered in his crimson eyes—shock? Pain? But he quickly composed himself, the emotion gone as swiftly as it came.
He exhaled slowly.
“So it is true... You have lost your memory.” His tone softened slightly as he approached the bed.