I stared blankly at my surroundings, somewhat understanding—this environment, these scenes were often seen on television, no wonder they seemed familiar.
I looked at the soft bed made of fine rosewood, carved with intricate patterns. Elegant silk covers, warm curtains made of plain-colored fine gauze. Beyond the screen was the outer room, my view partially obscured. Looking back, to the left of the screen was an elegant, delicate dressing table positioned beside a latticed window.
I stared dazedly at my environment; it felt familiar—I had seen it countless times in dreams. But now, truly being here, an inexplicable chill swept through my body.
“Miss, you’re awake!” A maid in emerald green entered, her worried face showing relief as she cupped my face.
I unconsciously looked up, watching her moving lips, unable to hear anything. A clear answer in my heart told me that the owner of this body was likely congenitally deficient.
I tried hard to read her lips, having learned lip reading for orphanage children during my time there.
A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed me—why was this happening?
My congenital deficiency and treatment were nothing special—except perhaps my father’s identity as the Emperor’s tutor.
Everyone told me that I and my unseen mother were rejected by my “father,” without reason or explanation.
My once-proud eloquence and sharp perception—now left me with nothing. Was this truly my choice?
“Yan’er, you’re finally awake!”
The voice belonged to a young, delicate woman, her spirited eyes anxiously examining me.
I had been lying sideways, not noticing anyone’s arrival until Wu’er gently pushed me, making me react.
I smiled at the woman before me, not knowing her identity, yet smiling distantly.
The woman seemed more sorrowful seeing my smile, murmuring: “Yan’er, what were you thinking? Why did you try to throw yourself under your father’s carriage? You shouldn’t do something so extreme. Why would you do such a foolish thing?” She spoke with a mournful expression.
I struggled to read her lips, the sudden hearing loss making me uncomfortable. Despite having learned lip reading, it was different without sound—now I realized lip reading wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined.
Seemingly noticing my silence, she continued talking, not waiting for my response, eventually speaking so much that I grew tired of trying to understand.