Reborn on the Day of Her Heart's Poison - Episode 1

Under the moonlight, the graceful figure stood with her skirts fluttering in the breeze, the hem of her dress trailing along the ground, her long hair cascading like a waterfall.

The melodious music of the pear garden rose softly in the deep night, its lingering notes tugging at the heartstrings. Upon a drum stood a woman, her waist as supple as a willow, her sleeves swaying with the wind. A faint smile graced her lips as she stood barefoot, her snow-white ankles adorned with a red string.

The wind brushed the gown from her shoulders, revealing delicate collarbones and fair skin. Her long hair, tousled by the breeze, spilled over her chest, veiling the curves beneath.

Suddenly, she lifted her foot, the elegant arc of her calf drawing the eye as her jade-like toes lightly tapped the drum’s surface, as weightless as a snowflake, ethereal as the wind.

Pei Xi watched the figure of Princess Liyang, her heart pounding like a drum. The hanging lanterns cast their glow upon her, and in that moment, she was as breathtaking as a startled swan, the night unfolding like a painted scroll. With each step, the princess’s delicate foot upon the drum seemed to tap directly into Pei Xi’s heart.

So this was the legendary Princess Liyang, her dance as mesmerizing as smoke and jade. The beauty of the deep night was vast and magnificent, the curve of her waist and the allure of her bare feet forming a scene of unparalleled elegance. Against the dark sky, the beauty before her was like a painting—slender waist, barefoot charm.

This image burned itself into Pei Xi’s mind. When she finally snapped back to reality, she found herself in an unfamiliar place. She had died only to be reborn as Pei Chen, a frail and bullied young woman.

Seated by the window, Pei Xi idly watched a tiny insect crawling in the corner. She didn’t know its name, but soon, she lifted her foot and crushed it beneath her shoe.

The insect died instantly.

She smiled faintly.

She had once been Pei Xi

“Lure her here, and you shall be handsomely rewarded.”

Pei Xi stood beneath the tree, lost in thought. The palace held far too many unspeakable secrets.

She closed her eyes, the scent of the Grand Princess seeming to linger at the tip of her nose. She loved her that night of reckless passion.

The Grand Princess had held her, tearing open her robes, gripping her wrist. “Pei Xi, you desire me.”

She had nodded, and the Grand Princess had laughed; a mad, bewitching laugh, both alluring and regal, a perfect fusion of seduction and coldness that stripped her of reason. She had pinned the Grand Princess against the pillows, kissing her wildly.

Pei Xi suddenly smiled, only for a shadow to fall over her. “Little Uncle, what are you doing here?”

Her smile froze as she stared blankly at the young man before her, no older than eighteen or nineteen. Because he looked far too much like her scoundrel of a father, Pei Ming. Only this one was younger.

In her daze, the other spoke again. “Uncle, do you not recognize your nephew? I am Pei Ming.”

So it really was Pei Ming.

Disgust churned in Pei Xi’s stomach, but she suppressed her confusion and nodded slowly. The Pei Ming before her stood tall and imposing, his face as flawless as jade, his splendid robes exuding the nobility of a highborn son of privilege. After a moment of observation, she suddenly recalled the title he had used Little Uncle…

Pei Ming had only one uncle—Pei Chen, the legitimate young master of the General’s Manor, who had died of illness before even reaching his twentieth year.

She had transmigrated into Pei Chen her scoundrel father’s uncle. Her seniority had skyrocketed in an instant. Pei Xi couldn’t believe it, staring dumbly at Pei Ming until, in the next breath, Pei Ming dropped to his knees with a thud. “Uncle, how have I displeased you?”

As he knelt, a crowd of finely dressed young men emerged from the surroundings, most around eighteen or nineteen. They stood at a distance, pointing and whispering about “Pei Chen.”

“It’s that useless Pei Chen again. Why does he always bully Pei Ming?”

“He’s the legitimate heir, but his health is poor. He can’t even show his face in public. Pei Ming is so outstanding, of course he’s jealous.

“Disgraceful. Come on, let’s go help Brother Pei. He can’t just rely on the Empress Dowager’s favor to bully people like this.”

“I heard Pei Chen begged the Empress Dowager to bar Brother Pei from court. Someone so petty, no wonder the physicians say he won’t live past twenty.”

Pei Ming knelt quietly, his posture reverent. Pei Xi pieced together the situation and understood the identity of this body she now inhabited. The original owner had died at sixteen, but this body was seventeen.

By that logic, she had lost a year of life…

Pei Xi turned and walked away, her steps light and unsteady, barely able to move forward. As she passed the group of richly robed young men, she paused, curling her lips slightly.

Brainless swine!

After cursing them silently, she turned back to look at Pei Ming, her lips twisting into a cold smirk. “Dear nephew, do you perhaps fancy Her Highness, Princess Liyang?”

Back then, Pei Ming had poisoned Princess Liyang with a love toxin using his own blood as the mother parasite. Those infected with the child parasite would burn with desire during flare-ups, forced to drink the mother parasite’s blood.

Or, they could couple with the mother parasite’s host to quell the flames within.

Princess Liyang had chosen the blood. Pei Ming had blackmailed her into taking him as her consort. The toxin flared every month, leaving her body scorched with lust, and each time, Pei Ming extracted some new concession of power. The Grand Princess loathed him, forbidding him from entering her chambers. Once Pei Ming had what he wanted, he vanished. The Grand Princess had sought out Pei Xi—Pei Ming’s daughter whose blood could neutralize the toxin.

A bowl of blood every fifteenth of the month. And when the first bowl was taken, Pei Xi had been only five years old.

The princess raised her, providing her with fine clothes and sumptuous meals, and gradually, she grew to adore her. The princess was gentle and fond of laughter, often reclining on a soft couch with her long hair cascading down, pure as ice and clear as the moonlit sky.

When she was in pain, the princess’s eyes would fill with remorse.

Amidst the damp mist by the water’s edge, Pei Xi could endure no longer, her strength drained as if pulled from her body. Under Pei Ming’s stunned gaze, she coldly commanded, “Take off your clothes.”

Pei Ming was shocked, while Pei Xi smiled with an innocent radiance. The onlookers seethed with indignation, and some even rushed forward to strike her.

Pei Xi glared coldly at these “piglets.” “Dare to lay a hand on me, dare to help him, and I will sing your praises before the Empress Dowager.”

The crowd abruptly halted. Pei Xi stepped closer, testing Pei Ming with a whisper, “Hand over the love poison, or I will expose you.”

Pei Ming lifted his head in disbelief, staring at his frail uncle, who could barely walk. The once cowardly and useless man had suddenly changed. Clenching his teeth, he refused, glancing at the noble young men he associated with. Yet under Pei Xi’s pressure, not one dared to speak. Who would risk offending the Empress Dowager’s grandnephew for a mere common-born son?

“Take. It. Off.” Pei Xi sharply raised her voice. She was testing him, and Pei Ming’s reaction only deepened her fear. He had indeed committed evil deeds today. Where was the princess now? Had she been poisoned with the love toxin?

The woman she loved could not be trampled upon by others. Remembering the princess’s gentle demeanor, Pei Xi suddenly lifted her foot and kicked Pei Ming in the shoulder. Unfortunately, her strength was too weak. Pei Ming grunted but quickly steadied himself, refusing to budge.

Growing desperate, Pei Xi shouted, “Summon the Empress Dowager!”

At her roar, the crowd scattered. The Empress Dowager’s favoritism toward Pei Chen was no secret.

“Uncle… I’ll take it off.” Pei Ming gritted his teeth, his cheeks taut, as he slowly pulled a small box from his sleeve. He smirked coldly. “She’s already poisoned. I have no fortune to enjoy her. Why not gift her to you, Uncle? Just take care of your own health.”

Disgusting! Despicable! Pei Xi’s face flushed with unnatural anger, her head spinning. She took a few deep breaths and demanded, “Where is she?”

“The Pear Garden.”

Ignoring the crowd’s reactions, Pei Xi snatched the box and sprinted away. The princess loved to dance and often performed. The Pear Garden was where the dances were rehearsed.

On the drum-laid floor, the woman whose dances could topple cities would smile, gently brushing her hair aside, asking what kind of man she fancied.

She had answered, “I like Your Highness.”

The princess had laughed lightly. “I’m old. how could I bind you for a lifetime?”

Every time the love toxin took effect, the princess would hide, her blood burning as she gazed at her with infatuation.

Pei Xi didn’t know how long she had been running, but exhaustion threatened to topple her. She cursed her weak body just a few steps and it gave out.

Her chest burned as if on fire, her throat clogged with cotton, yet she dared not rest. She pushed herself to the limit, racing toward the Pear Garden. Every moment wasted was a moment the princess remained in danger. She didn’t know whether Pei Ming truly loved the princess or was merely using her.

If the princess was suffering from the love toxin while he could still laugh and chat with others, it had to be exploitation. Taking advantage of her vulnerability—what a scoundrel!

When she finally reached the Pear Garden, her hazy consciousness slowly sharpened. Leaning against the doorframe, she steadied her breath before pushing the door open. The vast garden was eerily empty, no sign of anyone.

Her steps were unsteady, her breathing ragged, her body drenched in cold sweat. Pei Xi cursed her wretched body once more.

The Pear Garden was named for its pear blossoms, as the Crown Prince loved to visit the grove. Following her memories, she found herself amidst a sea of pear blossoms, layer upon layer, like snow blanketing the earth.

Her feet sank softly into the petals, weightless and silent. Holding her breath, she took ten steps before hearing a faint, lingering melody.

Seductive and intoxicating.