The golden sun was setting in the west, painting the sky with colorful clouds. However, a dark cloud hung over the magnificent palace for a long time.
The back hall of the Western Palace was filled with kneeling people. On the magnificent rosewood bed inlaid with jewels, a noble woman in her mid - twenties lay with her eyes tightly closed.
An old eunuch on one side stepped forward nervously. He bent so low that his head was almost between his legs. He slightly raised his eyes and gently trembled his fingertips as he reached under the woman's nose. His eyes widened, and he roared.
"The Empress Dowager has passed away!"
Instantly, cries filled the hall, varying in intensity and showing a tendency to grow louder.
"Grand Imperial - grandmother..." The leading boy had just let out a sob when, with a "thud", the seemingly lifeless woman suddenly propped herself up.
Shi Muyuan was about to curse when she stared blankly at the situation in front of her.
"Are they filming a movie?"
Wasn't she bravely trying to save someone on the road? How did she suddenly get hit by a car and end up on a film set?
A series of questions filled her mind when they were suddenly inundated with strange memories. The people below panicked for a moment and quickly bowed their heads in worship.
"May the Empress Dowager enjoy boundless blessings!"
"May the Empress Dowager live forever!"
...
Looking at the three children closest to her, wearing ancient costumes and timidly pursing their lips without saying a word, Shi Muyuan was completely stunned. The memories in her mind were so real.
She had time - traveled!
Moreover, she had become the feared power - holder in Changjing and the high - ranking Empress Dowager in the palace!
In her maiden days, the original owner's maternal family was extremely powerful. After reaching the age of adulthood, she entered the palace. However, because her eldest brother was an invincible warrior on the battlefield, her second brother was extremely erudite, and her third brother was a brilliant architect, the white - haired emperor was jealous of them. Until his death, he never truly favored the original owner.
In the palace, there were intrigues and fierce competition among concubines for the emperor's favor. As a result, the previous emperor had few heirs. There was only one crown prince, who died of poor health at a young age, leaving behind only three imperial grandsons.
Originally, the position of the Empress Dowager did not belong to her. However, the original owner was lucky enough to have such outstanding brothers!
It was truly a dog - eat - dog era!
Shi Muyuan was still shocked by her miraculous encounter, while the three children below huddled together, seemingly frightened by her unfamiliar aura.
The older boy was named Ji Heng. He looked only about nine years old, but his expressions and behaviors were as steady and self - disciplined as an adult's. He firmly protected the two younger children.
The other boy, Ji Huang, looked innocent and cute from his facial features to his expressions.
The only girl, Ji Ling, hung her head with glistening tears still on her eyelashes. She looked so adorable and pitiful.
Before Shi Muyuan could say anything, the eunuchs and maids surrounded her to help her dress and do her makeup. The court officials below bowed and left one by one.
The maids and eunuchs took out golden silk and satin, as well as jewelry. Shi Muyuan's eyes were dazzled.
Who would have thought that she, a small urban management officer with a monthly salary of 3,500 yuan, wandering around the streets, would become the all - powerful Empress Dowager?
In modern times, people would do anything to get into public service for power and status. In ancient times, her position was even more intimidating.
Truly, fate was unpredictable.
"The Imperial Advisor is here to pay his respects!"
A voice came from outside the door. With light footsteps, Shi Muyuan looked up and saw a man in a white water - wave patterned robe walking over. His eyes were burning, and his figure was as dazzling as a star. He seemed to be able to see through people.
For a moment, people were almost stunned.
Shi Muyuan was just thinking that perhaps all the ancients were as handsome as Xu Gong from the north of the city when the man's chiseled face wore a faint smile.
"The Empress Dowager's resurrection is truly a divine blessing and a great fortune for Changjing."
His sword - shaped eyebrows were cold and proud. Even though he was saying auspicious words, Shi Muyuan felt a chill down her spine.
Damn it! This guy is so sarcastic!
As Shi Muyuan cursed in her heart, the memories in her mind merged, and the relaxed look on her face suddenly turned tense.
Oh no!
The man in front of her, Cui Qizhou, was not only an Imperial Advisor who controlled the court officials but also a celestial being who could read the will of the heavens.
Although the original owner was the noble Empress Dowager with unparalleled power, she was deep - minded and ruthless. Even with the support of her brothers, in this position, she still needed his assistance.
However, Cui Qizhou was as kind - looking as the Avalokitesvara but as venomous as a snake. He was clearly here to see why she hadn't died properly!
Knowing that he was dissatisfied with her not dying, Shi Muyuan lowered her eyes, showing only her profile, and said coldly.
"The Imperial Advisor's good wishes are appreciated. I couldn't have come back to life without your prayers. It's time for dinner. Stay and have dinner with me."
Hearing Shi Muyuan's words, a ripple appeared in Cui Qizhou's usually calm eyes, and he also showed a bit of disgust.
He didn't respond, but he didn't back down either. It seemed that he had acquiesced.
On a ten - meter - long table, there were countless delicious dishes, a total of seventy - two in all.
The moment Shi Muyuan gasped in surprise, an eunuch respectfully presented a pair of golden chopsticks. "Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal."
Shi Muyuan had only seen such a scene on TV and in books. Instantly, she couldn't wait any longer. She picked up the chopsticks and went straight for the mutton rolls.
Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress Dowager was the most particular about rules. Shi Muyuan's action scared the eunuch almost to the point of wetting his pants.
When had the Empress Dowager ever eaten without being served?
Even Cui Qizhou, sitting beside her, slightly frowned. He always felt that this woman seemed to have changed after waking up today. He must calculate her fate when he got back.
"What are you all looking at? Eat!"
Shi Muyuan urged. She directly reached out and tore off a big chicken leg and put it into Cui Qizhou's jade bowl.
"Imperial Advisor, don't be polite!" Then she didn't forget to turn around and shout at the eunuchs and maids around. "Don't just stand there. Join us!"
Just as she was about to put the mutton roll into her mouth, the eunuchs and maids knelt on the ground again. "Your Majesty, we dare not!"
Looking at them trembling all over with big beads of sweat on their foreheads, Shi Muyuan finally realized.
Oops, she had forgotten about the strict hierarchy in ancient times.
"Fine." She murmured and started eating on her own. Unexpectedly, after taking a bite, she couldn't help but spit out the mutton roll.
Seeing her vulgar behavior, Cui Qizhou was full of disgust.
But it wasn't her fault for being wasteful. The mutton roll smelled so fishy that it was even harder to swallow than pig food.
Was it because of the inherent mutton smell and the lack of modern spices in ancient times that it tasted like this?
So Shi Muyuan tried a chopstick of shredded cabbage with gold - like appearance. It was just a vegetarian dish, but it had been over - stir - fried with lard, and even three times the normal amount of salt had been added!
It was so salty that Shi Muyuan picked up the meatball soup beside her and took a sip. Unexpectedly, the soup was spicy!
"Spit, spit, spit!"
"What is this?" If such food were in modern times, even a small food stall selling it would probably be criticized by netizens on blogs.
Wasn't it said that the imperial chefs in ancient times were extremely skilled?
It seemed that all those so - called ancestral imperial chef skills in modern times were just lies!
As she was complaining in her heart, Cui Qizhou watched Shi Muyuan's actions and frowned impatiently.
She was extremely vulgar!
"Please forgive the Empress Dowager's servants!"
The eunuchs and maids knelt on the ground again. The head eunuch standing beside them quickly roared, "Someone, go and behead the imperial chef!"