The Reluctant Madam’s Awakening

Bai Qiao, though clearly displeased with her current name, sat dazedly on the wide bed for a while, her eyes lost in the splendor of the enormous room. Whether it was the intricate ornaments by the bed or the grand layout of the entire chamber, Bai Qiao understood perfectly that the owner must be an incredibly powerful individual. After all, even in her previous life, her family hadn’t possessed such luxuries. However… Bai Qiao gritted her teeth. ‘What does that have to do with me?’

Leaning forward, she swung her legs off the bed. She gazed at the clothes she wore, perfectly matching the grandeur of the room, yet felt none of their opulence. Instead, her mind replayed the scene from yesterday: the man who looked exactly like her, changing her clothes. It was… utterly disgusting.

“Young Madam, are you awake?”

The sudden voice in the room startled Bai Qiao, making her freeze for a moment. Yet, the immediate concern wasn’t how this servant-like figure had appeared. Her elegant, slender brows arched, and she spoke with a voice laced with indignation.

“Who are you calling ‘Young Madam’?!”

“This…”

The servant was visibly taken aback, only venturing to speak again after a moment of hesitation.

“Madam? Are you awake?”

Hearing that address, Bai Qiao nearly choked. ‘How is that any different from ‘Young Madam’? Is this person an idiot? Even if this young master now has breasts, I still look as handsome as ever!’

Still wrong? Seeing the Madam’s expression, the simple-minded servant scratched his head, then spoke once more.

“Thirteenth Madam…?”

Silence.

“Ah! Madam, why have you fainted?!”

“Oh! Madam is spitting blood! Quickly, find a healer!”

Through the haze, Bai Qiao heard the servant’s frantic shouts and the clamor of hurried footsteps around her. Overwhelmed, she kicked her legs out, truly plunging into complete darkness.

****

“Mmm…”

When she next opened her eyes, it was already noon the following day. Blinding sunlight streamed through the window, and Bai Qiao raised a hand to shield her eyes from its harsh glare. Even so, she unconsciously squinted.

After struggling on the bed for a while, she finally managed to get up. To her shock, she discovered she had been changed into yet another outfit. Truly… Bai Qiao’s face flushed crimson then paled, and she bit down hard on her lip, silently cursing.

“Beast!”

She slowly made her way to the center of the main hall, where the same simple-minded servant from yesterday stood quietly by the door. The moment Bai Qiao saw him, she couldn’t suppress her anger.

“You, you, you… get out!”

The servant looked innocent and wronged.

“But the King ordered me to serve you, Madam…”

“Get out!”

Bai Qiao was utterly exasperated, stamping her foot in frustration, yet powerless against the seemingly innocent servant. The servant retreated, a picture of grievance, but not before remembering his duty.

“Should Madam require anything, simply call for me…”

Bai Qiao didn’t want to reply; in fact, she found herself speechless. ‘Wait a minute! I still don’t understand this continent, especially this ‘King’ figure. This simple servant could be quite useful!’ With that thought, Bai Qiao called out in the direction the servant had left.

“Wait! Come back!”

The servant’s retreating back trembled, and the very next second, he stood before Bai Qiao. Bai Qiao froze, utterly stunned. ‘That speed… is he even human?’

She quickly composed herself, noticing a hint of surprise in the servant’s eyes.

“Does Madam have a command?”

“Uh… sit down over there.”

“Ah? Madam… this absolutely cannot be!”

The servant’s face paled in alarm. How could he possibly sit as an equal with his master?

“Stop with the nonsense. You’re a grown man, why are you being so prim and proper?” Bai Qiao said with impatience.

The servant sat down beside her, trembling, his legs neatly pressed together and hands resting on his knees. The sight reminded Bai Qiao of kindergarten, when teachers instructed children to sit that way to appear well-behaved. She was speechless. This servant looked to be in his twenties; why was he acting like this?

“What should I call you?”

“Madam can simply call this humble one, Gao Shi…”

“Oh, Gao Shi… from now on, just call me Bai Chen. That’s my name…”

Thud!

Gao Shi immediately prostrated himself on the ground. Bai Qiao’s elegant brows furrowed. ‘What is wrong with this person? Why does he keep kneeling at the slightest provocation?’

“What is it now?”

“Replying to Madam, this humble one dares not utter the King’s name…”

“Oh?” Bai Qiao raised an eyebrow. ‘That man is also called Bai Chen? Not only do we look alike and sound alike, but even our names are the same? Isn’t that copyright infringement? My right to my image! My right to my name! No wonder he forced me to change my name! Why doesn’t he change his own?’ Bai Qiao seethed with indignation.

Following this, Bai Qiao gradually came to understand that this was a continent where strength dictated everything, and everyone revered power. The main professions included demon swordmasters, warriors, archers, mages, and healers. This also explained the servant’s sudden appearance before her. The King, Bai Chen, was a supreme talent in the southern part of this continent, second only to the true sovereign. However, the humble servant was not privy to many other details.

By evening, Bai Qiao had learned all the servant knew about the continent. Though the servant harbored some suspicion about Madam’s complete ignorance of their world, fortunately, he was simple-minded enough to be placated by the excuse of amnesia.

A sense of unease settled in Bai Qiao’s heart. ‘Since this continent values strength above all else, and I possess no spiritual power, wouldn’t I be at a severe disadvantage?’ Unconsciously, she walked to a mirror and glanced at her reflection, freezing in astonishment.

Soft, long hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders. Her large, spirited eyes sparkled with vitality; her slender, curved brows were like painted arcs. A delicate, slightly prominent nose reflected light, and her small, soft red lips held a hint of allure. Her fair skin was almost translucent. Bai Qiao stared, utterly captivated. ‘Is this… truly me? This is the very definition of a goddess! My heart is already stirring… and the thought of Bai Chen touching this body feels like a sacrilege!’

Lost in her daze, Bai Qiao failed to notice the figure slowly approaching behind her. It wasn’t until a cool touch graced her chin, emerging from the mirror’s reflection, that she became aware. Her chin was lifted high by the person behind her, forcing her face upwards, directly meeting the playful smile on their handsome face.

“I wonder, Madam, are you pleased with the view?!”

A wave of shame instantly washed over her, turning her fair face crimson. She struggled to twist her head away, but the person behind her was incredibly strong, not budging an inch. Fury flared in Bai Qiao’s heart, and she roared.

“Get… the hell… out!”

The person behind her visibly flinched. ‘Such crude language,’ he thought. ‘Hardly what such a delicate, fragile woman should utter. Though I knew she was different, still…’

The instant Bai Chen released her, Bai Qiao forcefully tore free from his grasp on her chin and bolted towards the inner room.

Feeling his hand empty, Bai Chen recovered, watching Bai Qiao’s retreating figure with a soft chuckle. ‘Though she feels remarkably familiar, she truly is an interesting girl.’ ‘However… don’t you think the room you just ran into is perfectly suited?’ Watching Bai Qiao, her face flushed scarlet, shut the bedroom door, enclosing the large bed within, Bai Chen curved his lips into a mischievous smile.