Second stage

Several hours have passed, both of her parents have been notified that their only daughter has woke up but they do not bother to come and check on her.

Only Second Madam Du Qingrou has come to check on her every half an hour or so. Bao Baiyu has graciously told her that she is just fine and there is no need for her to come but she still came. In the end, she has to say that she still tired and needs more rest so that her second mother will stop coming here.

"Lu Huo. Yushui. Diqiu. Yangzi. If and when I am no longer the eldest miss of this family, are you willing to continue to be by my side?"

All of the maids stop whatever they are doing and stare at their eldest miss who is still sitting on her bed. Bao Baiyu slowly looks at her room, though she has been living in luxury being the legitimate daughter of Duke Bao Biming. She has always been lonely as her parents are always busy spending times with each other.

**********

When she became the princess consort at the young age of 15-year old, she thought she had found someone who will love her thoroughly. Being just a 'common' beauty, she was not the match to her beautiful half-sister, Bao Yaorao.

She had fought with everything that she had by eliminating other concubines that were favoured by her husband. He never interfered and just let her be. She thought that was caused by his love for her.

But, that all changed when her younger half-sister entered the palace on the third year of her marriage which was only a year after she has been coronated as an empress of the kingdom. She was happy at first and thought that having her younger half-sister there will secure her power more.

Bao Yaorao was greatly favoured by her husband. In less than a year, she was elevated as Imperial Noble Consort Bao. Meaning that she was the third-rank in terms of power and influence. In truth, she had surpassed that because the emperor favoured her the most. She even gave birth to the emperor's first son as well.

Being pushed aside only made her more calculating and cruel. More and more concubines died in her hands. Lu Huo, Yushui, Diqiu and Yangzi are the ones acted according to her order. The last straw is that when she caused his beloved to suffer a miscarriage. Though it was an accident...

When her half-sister stepped on an uneven step, she automatically held on the nearest thing. That 'thing' was her. By then, the imperial physician had confirmed that she was pregnant with her first child, the legitimate prince or princess of the kingdom. Scared that she would fall down the stairs with her half-sister, she forcefully pushed half-sister before immediately hold onto a nearby rail.

That was when she was ordered to be locked inside the Cold Palace for almost 7 years. She has been demoted to a mere lady-in-waiting. All four of her loyal maids have been executed for being responsible for the death of the other concubines. No one begs on her behalf, not even her own parents.

When he was notified of her pregnancy, he personally came to the Cold Palace and forced her to drink the abortive concoction. When he left, she rolled on the ground whilst screaming in agony. She was already pregnant for almost 7 months. That concoction made her give birth early, on her own in the Cold Palace. When she took her babies inside her arms, both of them are no longer breathing with blackened skin. Her babies...

As the years went by, she stayed inside the Cold Palace and stared at the sky, day and night. She questioned herself then. Was it worth it? All she wanted was genuine love and care.

Only her pet tiger accompanied her there. But, she herself had been given rotten food. Slowly, her pet tiger died due to hunger during the second year of locked down. She was alone, sickly and always hungry then.

The only thing she cannot remember is her death. How did she die? What causes her death?

*********

All of her maids kneels on the floor with their heads facing down the floor as well.

"Eldest miss, all four of us are willing to go wherever you wanted to go."

Bao Baiyu smiles and says, "Yangzi, prepare Bai Laohu to leave together with me. Listen here well... I no longer wanted to stay here. In order for me to be gone for good is for me to 'die'... Lu Huo, tell my father that I wish to go out for sightseeing and pray at the nearby temple."

Yushui then says, "Eldest miss, what is your plan?"

"The temple is located on higher ground with ravine and nearby the enchanted forest. Make it as if I have accidentally fallen into the ravine together with Bai Laohu and Yangzi. The three of you then excuse yourself to search for us but, when the times right, run to the enchanted forest. It is time for me to meet both of my masters."

Lu Huo then says, "If that is what you want, eldest miss. After all, you are never happy back in the Bao Manor.

"I am never happy if I continue to be there... In order for me to continue, I have to leave this God forsaken place."

**********

"Your Majesty!!!"

Emperor Li is busy reading his ministers' memorials when he heard the loud voice coming towards him. When he looks up, all he can see is the flushed cheeks of his beloved woman.

"What is it, my beloved?'

"Her Majesty has gone missing! The guards cannot find her anywhere! Where has she gone to?"

Emperor Li slams his hand on the table, "Guards!!!! Search for that wretched woman that had escaped from the Cold Palace."

Another guard rushing in and immediately says, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is now standing on top of the wall facing the north side."

Imperial Noble Consort Bao then says, "Your Majesty... That wall is facing where our maiden home's location. Not only that just next to the well is a ravine."

Emperor Li immediately stands up and walk as fast as he could to the north side of the imperial palace. When he arrived, she is standing on the highest wall with her back facing him and the group of servants and guards.

"Beautiful isn't it? From here, I can see the red-tiled roof of Bao Manor."

She slowly walks to another location which is now facing the ravine, "Youshi... Have you ever thought that what life must have been if we are not married to each other? Or, if I am not born as the legitimate daughter of Duke Bao Biming?"

She takes a deep breath and says, "I gave birth to a son and a daughter but they are not willing to be with me. I can no longer stay there on my own. I no longer wanted any validation from my parents. I no longer wanted to fight for your love."

A dark smoke suddenly materializes out of nowhere next to her when a soft yet clear voice can be heard, "If you wanted to start all over, I can grant your wish but you have to pay me first..."

Emperor Li recognize that voice, "Dark Sorcerer! What are you trying to do?"

"I am trying to make a bargain..."

"Yes, I wanted to start over. What do you want?"

A sinister laugh can be heard from the dark smoke, "Your body... This old one in need of a new body. You wish to be dead but, it will be a waste for such an exceptional body to rot away. With me occupying your body, I will be able to get rid of the poison and re-activate your dantian once more. With your body, I can be an immortal! Then I can kill that old fart Zu for keeping my body for almost 50 years!"

"So be it. My body is yours. Let me leave this place. Let my heart no longer be affected by worldly matters."

"Hahaha! You will be able to start all over in another lifetime. An unfeeling heart. Some memories will be affected, some will stay."