" Ugh…" Soft moans of pain slipped out of her lips as Su Lan's vision began to clear up . She realized she was lying down on a bed and a woman was cleaning her wounds.
The woman looked so young and had long ginger colored hair, rosy skin, faint eyebrows and onyx black eyes. She was wearing a pink hanfu with flying phoenixes intricately designed on it.
"Lady Su," the woman called. "How are you feeling?"
" I…" Su Lan tried speaking, but her voice was hard and croaky. How long had she been out?
The woman brought a cup to her lips. "Here , drink this. "
Su Kan opened her lips and slowly sipped the water. After emptying it, the woman took the cup, and placed it on a wooden table behind her.
" Your situation was looking so grim…I didn't think you were going to make it. You are strong. " The woman said with a smile on her face.
Su Lan just stared at her blankly. The woman felt uncomfortable under her gaze, and couldn't help but voice out.
" Lady Su…, Are you alright? "
" How long have I been unconscious? " Su Lan shifted her gaze to her stomach.
The woman used a cloth to wipe her forehead before sighing, " Five months. Seriously we didn't think you could pull through. "
' Ohh….! Well this is the ancient world. No advanced medical equipments. '
Su Lan moved her hands to her sides and tried sitting up. Seeing her actions the woman quickly helped her into a comfortable position without straining the wound.
Immediately the woman moved back, Su Lan with a straight forward tone asked, " Who are you? How do you know who I am ? What do you want from me ?"
Series of questions were thrown out . The woman was about to answer when the door opened and a man walked in. The man had mid back jet black hair tied in a ponytail with a few strands falling over his charcoal grey eyes. This was the man who had saved her.
"Lady Su," he called—his voice cold yet warm and embracing. "It's a pleasure to have you back." He walked to the woman and handed her a handkerchief.
"This is my wife, princess Meilin. I am the crown prince of this country, Long Jun. You're my niece, Su Lan, daughter of the fifth prince, Long Feng, and physician Su Zetian," he said as he settled down on a chair and poured himself a cup of tea.
Su Lan looked at the man with contemplation. The original owner had never seen this man before. How could she believe him?
"It may be hard for you to believe my words. We've never officially met anyway. Right now, Meilin and I are the only people who can help, but if you decide to go back to your Kingdom," he paused and sighed dramatically. "I can't stop you."
Su Lan tilted her head in confusion. What was he blabbing about? But, if he was telling the truth…..she…
"I'll leave you to your thoughts. Choose wisely," he said and exited the room with princess Meilin in tow.
Su Lan stood up from the bed and looked out the window. A garden stretched out beautifully. Aquilegias, roses, lilies, poppies…..you name it. Butterflies of different colors flew over the flowers like a rehearsed movement.
If only I could spend the rest of my life enjoying nature at its finest. Su Lan thought as she looked as a white butterfly landed on her outstretched finger.
She wanted to believe the crown prince and at the same time didn't want to trust a stranger. It was the original's fault for marrying a cold and ruthless zombie general who had eyes for some stupid commander at the border.
"What a joke?" Su Lan mumbled and walked away from the window.
She walked up and down the room with her hand on her chin and a thoughtful expression on her face. A few minutes passed and Su Lan still couldn't think of another way of escaping the trap the [Su Lan] had foolishly jumped in.
"Why?!" Su Lan said in a tearful tone. "All my dreams of living a life in the suburbs with no pesky humans and away from all the troubles of the world have washed away."
She sat on a chair and buried her face in her hands.
Why cruel world? Why?!!!!
She sat in that position for a while until a rhythmic rat-a-tat came from the door. Su Lan looked in the direction of the door and sulkily said a *come in*.
It was princess Meilin.
In the ancient times, people bow when they greet. Su Lan was about to do the same when Princess Meilin stopped her.
"I should be the one bowing," her voice was soft and caring yet so distant and obscure. "Have you decided?"
Su Lan nodded with a smile. "I'll just stay here," she said.
"That's good," a small smile crossed the princess's face. It was so fleeting anyone who wasn't paying attention wouldn't have noticed. "I have always wanted a sister."
She led Su Lan to the bed and walked out of the room. After a couple of minutes, she came back with a trail of maids behind her.
"I'll introduce you to the court," she said. "Get to work."
The maids calmly and gently led Su Lan to a big and wide wooden bathtub filled to the brim with hot water. It looked like a hot pool for the tub was so big. They gently took off her clothes and helped her into the water.
One maid came with a jar of flowers and carefully poured it into the water. The room was instantly filled with the smell of flowers. Another came with a jar of sweet smelling oil.
After the maids poured flowers and stuff into the water, another one came with a wooden bowl, scooped water filled with flowers and gently poured it on Su Lan's shoulder. She poured shampoo on her hair and gently washed it with so much precision.
They dressed her and all. When they were done, Princess Meilin's soft voice rang through the room.
"Lady Su, you're stunning," she said.
Su Lan turned to look at herself in the mirror and was shocked by her reflection. Her hip length ebony black hair was tied in a ponytail with slightly thick bangs cascading down her shoulders. She was wearing a plain red hanfu with a white yubi on the sash.
The most striking and questionable part of her attire was the silver mask on her face which only allowed the lower part of her face to be visible.
"The only way you can get revenge, Lady Su, is by working with our kingdom to take down the people who have mistreated you," Princess Meilin said with a strange determination in her voice.
'What am I doing?' Was the last thought Su Lan had before she was led to the courtroom.