"Huu... huu... XiaoJie..."
"Huuh... Tan Er ahh..."
"Namanabu... namanabu nama..."
What is that noise? So noisy... I can't even sleep peacefully. It sounds like people crying and praying. Is someone dead?
TanTan opens her eyes, only to be surprised by the darkness surrounding her.
She can feel that her body is lying on something, but she can't move freely.
She tries to raise her hands, but her movements are restricted by the limited space around her. That's when she realizes that something terrible might have happened...
She's trapped.
Trapped inside a closed box... like a wooden coffin?
The smell reminds her of wood.
What happened? Am I dead? No way!!!
TanTan tries to recall her last memories.
She remembers rushing home, eager to tell her mother some good news. She had finally been officially hired by a legal department! She now had an opportunity and a bright future ahead of her. She could give her mother a better life and, at the same time, work toward her dream of becoming a judge who would uphold justice.
There was no way she could be dead!
Or... was she?
Maybe she hadn't been paying attention to the road and had gotten into an accident?
No, that couldn't be...
Following her instincts, TanTan listens carefully to the voices outside. Realizing that there are people nearby, she tries with all her strength to push against the coffin lid.
She bangs on it repeatedly and shouts as loudly as she can.
"Bukkk... Bakkk... Bukkk..."
"Let me go! LET ME OUT!!!"
Indeed, there are many people gathered around the coffin.
It is the funeral of the eldest daughter of the Hua Family.
Expressions of horror and terror appear on everyone's faces as they hear the voices coming from inside the coffin. They stare at it in disbelief.
No one dares to take action.
An old woman, looking exhausted after crying for so long, is the first to react. She immediately commands several men to open the coffin.
"What are you waiting for?! Quickly... open it! It's Tan Er... my Tan Er... She's still alive!"
The old woman is the matriarch of the Hua Family, Madam Hua. Although she is already around eighty years old, she still possesses a sharp mind and has led the Hua Family for many years.
At her command, several male servants immediately step forward and begin opening the coffin.
TanTan feels relieved as the lid is finally removed. She immediately sits up and starts looking around.
She can see the shocked and horrified expressions on everyone's faces as they witness her awakening from the coffin.
Well, their reactions are understandable given the circumstances.
However, what makes TanTan feel strange is the clothing everyone is wearing and the decorations surrounding her.
It feels as though she has somehow ended up in one of those ancient Chinese dramas, the kind her mother loves watching.
Could she be on a movie set? Had someone somehow dragged her into the filming of a Chinese historical drama?
But she doesn't see any cameras...
So, if this isn't a movie set, is it possible that she has travelled back in time?
What the hell is going on with me?!
"Tan Er... she's alive! Quickly, help my Tan Er out of there!"
As TanTan climbs out of the coffin, Madam Hua approaches her, wraps her arms around her tightly, and bursts into tears.
"Tan Er... Tan Er... Ahh, you're still alive! Thank the gods... Amitabha..."
TanTan doesn't reject the embrace.
Although she doesn't recognize this elderly woman, she can feel the genuine affection she has for her. Unlike the others, this grandmother seems truly happy to see her alive.
Meanwhile, whispers begin spreading through the crowd. Some are quiet, while others are loud enough for TanTan to hear.
"Oh my gods, why is she alive again?"
"No way! I hate to admit it, but this woman is just too lucky..."
"How terrifying... Maybe... maybe she really is evil."
"She certainly is evil, considering what she's done. Perhaps even Heaven has rejected her..."
TanTan wonders why there are more negative reactions than positive ones to the fact that she's still alive.
"Um... excuse me?"
TanTan finally decides to speak to the elderly woman who is still hugging her.
"What is it, Tan Er?"
"Where am I? Who are all these people?"
"What are you talking about, Tan Er? You're at home. These are all members of the Hua Family... your family."
"The Hua Family? But I'm not a 'Hua'... I'm a 'Lang'. Lang TanTan, right? What is the Hua Family, anyway?"
Madam Hua immediately becomes alarmed by TanTan's words.
"Aiyahh, Tan Er... What happened to you? Don't scare Grandma..."
She turns toward the servants and glares at them.
"Go! Find the finest physician in the area to examine my Tan Er!"
"What? No... I'm not sick! I just don't understand what's happening here!"
A young girl who had previously been crying beside Madam Hua is now standing next to TanTan.
"XiaoJie, please don't scare me like this! Don't you remember me? It's XiaoRue, your most trusted servant. We were even born on the same day!"
TanTan doesn't know how to respond to either of them.
Her mind is overwhelmed by all this unfamiliar information. She can barely process what's happening.
Instead, she starts mumbling to herself, seemingly ignoring everyone around her.
"This is a dream... It must be a dream. Come on, TanTan, wake up... Wake up..."
Among the gathered crowd, a noble-looking man in his forties steps forward. He stands near them, bows politely to Madam Hua, and speaks in a soothing voice.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Madam Hua, but I believe the Young Lady may simply be in shock after just awakening. Perhaps she needs some rest. Once she has recovered, her memories may return, and she will be back to her normal self."
He pauses before continuing.
"Regardless, it is an auspicious sign for the Hua Family that Young Lady Hua MuTan has returned from the brink of death. Allow me to congratulate Madam Hua on this blessing."
"..."
Madam Hua straightens up and turns her gaze toward the man who has just spoken.
"You're right, Fou Er."
She then turns toward XiaoRue.
"XiaoRue, take your XiaoJie to her room and let her rest for a while."
After that, she addresses the remaining guests.
"To everyone who has come here today, I, Hua LangMu, would like to express my sincere gratitude for your attendance. I will remember your kindness. However, as you can see, there is no longer a funeral to be held. So, if you please, you may all take your leave."
With that, accompanied by the servants standing on either side of her, she bows to the guests.
Following Madam Hua's instructions, XiaoRue guides TanTan out of the room.
However, before leaving, TanTan notices that the man Madam Hua called Fou Er is staring at her with a sharp gaze.
Once outside, TanTan is mesmerized by the sight of the residence.
Her first impression is that the house truly gives off an ancient vibe. It is also incredibly spacious.
Both sides of the pathway leading to her room are filled with various kinds of flowers. However, as she walks closer to what appears to be her room, she notices an abundance of colourful peonies.
A peony garden... So beautiful...
She stops walking.
TanTan remembers that peonies are also her mother's favourite flowers.
If only Mom were here, she would be so happy... But she's not. Instead, I'm here... Why?
TanTan looks up at the sky.
It is bright and clear, suggesting that it is still daytime.
Seeing her mistress standing there absentmindedly, XiaoRue becomes anxious. She immediately takes TanTan by the hand and gently urges her toward the room.
"XiaoJie, come... come... You need to rest now..."
TanTan simply follows her. She agrees that she needs some rest.
Perhaps if she closes her eyes once more, she'll discover that everything that has happened is nothing but a dream.
Maybe she'll wake up again in her small but comfortable bedroom, with her mother calling her to get out of bed.
Note:
XiaoJie = Young Lady. A formal title used by servants when addressing the daughters of noble families.