Ji Dynasty

"How is she?" Emperor Ji Cheng asked the imperial doctor, his voice laced with concern.

The doctor bowed low, his forehead nearly touching the ground. "Your Majesty, the condition of Her Majesty is not good. After drowning, we managed to save her, but we still don't know when she will wake up."

Ji Cheng's gaze fell upon the pale figure lying motionless on the bed. This was Zhao Ming, Empress of the Ji Dynasty, and his wife, who had attempted suicide by drowning herself in the palace pond.

Whispers echoed through the palace halls, rumors of an immoral relationship between the Empress and her bodyguard. Many believed she had tried to end her life to avoid the humiliation of being caught in a shameless act by the Emperor himself.

But as Ji Cheng looked at Zhao Ming, his eyes softened with an emotion rarely seen in the stoic ruler. "I believe you, Ming," he whispered, his words carrying a weight that contradicted the gossip swirling around them.

A knock at the door broke the moment. A eunuch entered, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

Ji Cheng's expression hardened, the gentleness vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. With one last glance at Zhao Ming, he strode out of the room, leaving behind a silence heavy with unspoken words.

---

Jin Mansion, Present Day

The aroma of freshly steamed dumplings and fragrant herbs wafted through the Jin family kitchen. Xie Ming stood at the stove, her movements graceful and precise as she prepared a traditional breakfast. Each fold of a dumpling wrapper was executed with care, the thin dough encasing a savory mixture of minced pork, ginger, and scallions.

The soup pot bubbled gently, releasing wisps of steam that carried the rich scent of slow-simmered chicken broth, enhanced with delicate strands of egg and tender greens. Beside it, a wok sizzled as Xie Ming stir-fried vibrant vegetables, their colors a feast for the eyes.

Mother Jin watched in amazement from the doorway. "Xie Ming, you didn't have to do all this," she said, moving to help.

Xie Ming turned a warm smile on her face. "Please, Mother, allow me. It's my way of thanking you all for your kindness."

…..

As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, Jin Liwei stirred, naturally waking from his slumber. He reached out, finding Xie Ming's side of the bed empty. A note on her pillow brought a smile to his face.

Curiosity piqued, he made his way downstairs, pausing on the last step to take in the scene before him. His family gathered around the table, with Xie Ming at the center, placing the final dish with a flourish.

On the large dining table, there was a platter of golden-brown scallion pancakes, their layers promising a perfect blend of crispness and chewiness.

Jin Liang appeared beside him, his voice low and teasing. "Bro, you should take her to a temple or something. She's changed so much since the coma. Maybe she's possessed?"

Jin Liwei's glare could have frozen fire, sending Liang scurrying to the table.

"Liwei, come, sit," Mother Jin called, her voice brimming with pride. "Xie Ming prepared everything herself."

As the family settled, all eyes turned to Jin Liang nervously; as he took the first bite of a plump dumpling. The clatter of his chopsticks hitting the plate echoed in the sudden silence of the dining room.

Tension hung in the air like a thick fog.

Grandfather Jin discreetly set down his dumpling, while Mother Jin's eyes darted nervously between Xie Ming and Liang.

Xie Ming's heart raced.

Had her efforts been in vain? Had she overstepped in her eagerness to please? But….how can her dish be so bad that he dropped his chopsticks? Has her taking over Xie Ming's body, altered her knowledge and culinary skills to Xie Ming's skills as well? She wondered, confused about Jin Liang's shocked reaction.

But then, Jin Liang's face broke into a wide grin. "This... this is incredible!" he exclaimed, reaching for another dumpling. "Where did you learn to cook like this, sister-in-law?"

The tension in the room dissolved into laughter and appreciation. As compliments flowed, Xie Ming caught Jin Liwei's eye across the table. His gaze held a mixture of pride, love, and a hint of curiosity.

At that moment, as the Jin family savored the meal she had prepared, Xie Ming felt a sense of belonging she had never known before. Yet even as she basked in the warmth of her new family, a part of her couldn't help but wonder about the life she had left behind.

Xie Ming took a deep breath and shook her head to brush off the thoughts about the past and focus on the present. She passed a plate of crispy scallion pancakes to Jin Liwei and silently vowed to make the most of this second chance, honoring both her past and her present with every step forward.