"What is this? Who are they? And where are they?" thought Liu Chen.
"You dare shout at this Emperor, Princess Lu Mei!?" Emperor Lu Yan's voice boomed, filling the entire room.
"Princess? Who are you talking about, Sir?" Liu Chen said coldly. His voice was flat, almost emotionless, making the air seem to freeze.
Everyone gasped. The princess's voice and demeanor had completely changed, becoming cold, sharp, and fearless. Nothing like the gentle and obedient Lu Mei.
"What do you mean, Jiejie Lu Mei?" asked Lu Yin, Empress Ning's biological daughter, who had been silent until now but now spoke with a sardonic tone. "Have you forgotten who you are?"
"Who are you—akhhh…" Liu Chen was cut off. His hand clutched his head, a sudden pain striking.
Suddenly, a series of memories crashed into his mind like a storm.
Flash after flash appeared—a young girl of about nineteen, beaten, abused, and tortured mercilessly by Empress Ning and Lu Yin. She cried, begging for mercy, but all she received was cruel laughter. The final scene showed her body being pushed into the deep pool of the palace garden. She struggled, but couldn't swim. Her breath was labored, her eyes wide open before... darkness fell.
Liu Chen gasped. Her breathing was labored. She finally knew where she was... and who those people were.
Her soul had been transported into the body of Princess Lu Mei, the imperial princess of the country of Xion.
"So this body... belongs to the girl who drowned because of them," she thought coldly.
Her face turned grim. "What kind of father would allow his own child to be tortured without intervening? How pathetic."
She closed her eyes for a moment. "Calm down, Lu Mei." I, Liu Chen, "The Frozen Blade" of the modern military world, will make them experience hell on earth.' A faint smile appeared on his lips, sharp and frightening.
"Miss, are you alright?" the young maid asked anxiously. Her eyes were red from crying, and her hands trembled as she touched the princess's shoulder.
"I'm fine," Liu Chen replied evenly. "My head just hurts a little. There's no need to panic."
The maid lowered her head, relieved but still afraid. "Y-yes, Your Highness…"
The physician, who had been standing there, approached hesitantly. "Your Highness, do you still remember who we are?"
Liu Chen stared intently, his eyes reflecting the candlelight. "No," he replied curtly and coldly.
There was silence. All eyes were on him in disbelief.
The physician swallowed hard, then looked at Emperor Lu Yan. "Your Majesty, it seems Princess Lu Mei has… amnesia."
The maid sniffled, while Emperor Lu Yan looked at his daughter with a worried expression.
"Tch, who would lose their amnesia?" Liu Chen thought, snorting softly. He deliberately refrained from appearing suspicious.
Consort Ning and Lu Yin looked at each other, a subtle smile appearing on their lips.
"Then, what a pity that child is," Consort Ning said, feigning concern, her voice soft yet filled with venom. "At least now she won't remember her shameful past."
Lu Yin chuckled. "Yes, Mother. Maybe she won't even know who her enemies are or who her family is. How ironic."
Both of them smiled smugly, feeling triumphant.
But they didn't know—this time it wasn't the weak and cowardly Lu Mei. Now, that body was inhabited by the soul of Liu Chen, the great general from the future, "The Frozen Blade," the invincible general of the Xion Army.
"Let her rest and give her medicine, Physician," Emperor Lu Yan said flatly. He turned to leave the room with Empress Ning, Lu Yin, and the ladies-in-waiting.
"Yes, Emperor. May the Lu Empire always be blessed by heaven," the physician said with a deep bow.
After they all left, only Liu Chen and her maid remained in the room.
Liu Chen sat upright on the bed, her eyes staring blankly out the window. "What is your name?" she asked coldly.
"Ji---jimin, Your Ladyship," the maid replied nervously, bowing deeply.
"Jimin, yes…" Liu Chen repeated slowly. "From now on, you only need to answer my questions honestly. Don't you dare lie, or I'll make sure you can't speak again. Understand?"
Jimin froze, his face pale. "Yes, Princess… I understand…"
Liu Chen studied the girl for a few seconds, then nodded slightly. "Okay. Now, tell me… what Lu Mei was like before."
Jimin lifted his face slightly, hesitant. "Princess… you mean… you don't remember yourself?"
Liu Chen took a deep breath. "Let's just say that. Now answer."
The servant swallowed. "Princess Lu Mei was very gentle and loving. She never yelled at anyone… she always lowered her head when she spoke. Even when hurt, she never fought back."
Liu Chen closed his eyes for a moment. "And who dared to hurt her?"
Jimin fell silent, his body trembling. "I-I don't dare speak, Princess..."
"Answer me," Liu Chen's voice was firm and sharp. "I don't like repeating orders."
"E-Empress Ning and Princess Lu Yin, Your Highness," Jimin replied quickly, almost whispering. "They often… have other ladies-in-waiting hit you, make you stand outside in the cold winter, and even throw away the jewelry the Emperor gave you."
Liu Chen opened his eyes, his sharp gaze making Jimin dare not look back. "So that's how it is," he muttered softly. "It turns out they really don't know their limits."
"Princess… you're different now," Jimin said honestly, staring at Liu Chen with a mixture of confusion and admiration. "Your gaze… your voice… your aura… everything is different. Even the way you spoke to the Emperor earlier…"
Liu Chen smiled faintly. "Because I'm not the same person I used to be."
Jimin bowed quickly. "I'm sorry, Your Highness… I didn't mean to be presumptuous."
"It's okay," Liu Chen replied evenly. "I just want you to know one thing. From now on, I won't let anyone walk all over me again. If anyone tries… they'll regret it for the rest of their lives."
Jimin nodded, his body trembling. "Yes, Your Highness."
Liu Chen looked out the window at the night sky. The full moon hung high, its light falling gently on his face. "This world may not be my world, but... I think I'll feel at home here."