By the time the garden party came around, Ning Yun had polished her aristocratic mask. There was almost nothing you could nitpick her about, until she would occasionally sigh when she got fed up when someone was speaking. If she did that in front of the emperor, she might get executed on a bad day, and on a good day, she would catch his interest. Both of those outcomes were bad for herself and her family. Ning Yun hoped that she was just going to be invisible in the eyes of all the aristocrats. That was her ultimate goal during this gathering.

  The morning of the gardening party, Ning Yun was woken up at an early time for a reason that would’ve been more reasonable if she didn’t actually feel like sleeping that night.

  “Young Lady Ning Yun! It’s time for you to get up. You have to leave for the capital in two hours.”

  Today, she didn’t even have to ring a bell for the servants to barge into her room. Ning Yun was a little annoyed when it was proven that people would walk into her room, open the closed door themselves, and step into her personal space without permission. Her past life where people knocked on the door, or entered silently was better. Maybe she would live long enough to make that into a custom somehow. Who knows. Maybe she’ll get bored enough to the point of creating a religion just for the hell of it, but that day was long off.

  “Young Lady Ning Yun, it’s almost time to leave for the capital.”

  Sitting up from sleep was always a bit uncomfortable for her. Every time she rose, she felt strands of hair brush against the sleeve of her clothes, and laid against her neck. She was never used to waking up with hair long enough to pass her shoulders. The weight she used too since the curly hair of her past life almost weighed the same, but she never really silk pressed her hair. If she did, she made sure to wear a bonnet, a head scarf, or a dew-rag. It was just weird.

  “When is departure?” she asked, stretching her body out without all the extra moans and groans.

  “You’re scheduled to leave in five hours,” one of the servants informed her, getting the subtle, natural make-up Ning Yun wore while the other prepared a bath in the connected room.

  Ning Yun still didn’t understand why she put on makeup everyday if she wasn’t going to be in front of people she didn’t know. Thinking about it now, she was sure that only a few people knew what her face looked like without make-up. Her family, which she was sure was starting to forget since it was a while since she walked out of her room without it, and the same two maids that woke her up everyday. She never wore make-up in her past life because she preferred sleep over beauty, and she still thought the same now. Still, her life wasn’t her own anymore. She was grateful to even have a say in how much makeup was going to go on her face, and of course, she said no to the white powder. Her face was pale enough as is, and she didn’t want a poison substance on her face even if she was dead.

  “The bath is ready," the other maid called, stepping out from the other room. Ning Yun yawned and slid off her bed to stand on her feet. Normally, other nobles would be assisted in bathing by the maids, but Ning Yun refused. Being bathed by Ning Qian had her frightened the entire time, she wanted her bathing times to be peaceful, not scary.

  “I’d like to wear something comfortable for the trip. There’s no need to dress up for people that are never going to see it,” Ning Yun said before closing the door to her bathing room. Despite the door being closed, the two maids nodded their heads.

  “Do you think the young lady is going to be alright in a social gathering?” one of the maids asked.

  “Who knows,” the other said.

  The two maids really did pick out some comfortable clothes. After Ning Yun put on her undergarments herself, she had the two maids dress her since all of the knots and ties were too complicated for her.

  “Can I assume that everything I need for the trip is already packed?” Ning Yun asked. Most people would pack the night before a trip. However, the night before, Ning Yun had just flopped into her bed and fell asleep.

  “Of course. We even made sure to pack a separate bag for your study materials.”

  Her maids really were reliable, and truthfully, Ning Yun had never bothered to ask for their names.

  “Say, are the two of you my personal maids?”

  The two shook their heads, “We’re simply maids that were told to take care of you.”

  Ning Yun thought about it. Since they were so attentive and good at their jobs, what was the harm in giving them extra pay for their work?

  “I’ll talk to Grandfather about promoting the two of you to my personal maids,” Ning Yun said. Maybe, she should figure out their names before going about this route, but why would that matter to them if they were going to get paid more?

  “Thank you, Young Lady.”

  Ning Yun kind of wondered if her grandfather was going to let this happen. If those two really did become her personal maids, they would grow old without watching her ever change. Would they still wake her up every morning knowing that she wasn’t human? She couldn’t wait to see that look of disgust on their face when they realize just what she is.

  “Think nothing of it.”

  The family met in the dinning room for one last meal before heading out on their three day trip. Ning Mei had come home the day before to prepare for the trip herself. She’d told Ning Yun that she was only going because she needed to look out for her niece. When she was told that, Ning Yun nodded her head in gratitude.

  The final meal seems to have fewer dishes than meals prior. It looked closer to the meals Ning Yun would eat in her past life. There was a single main dish which, in this case, was duck, simple vegetables as a side dish, along with some rice. Seeing how simple it was, Ning Yun felt a little more comfortable eating. Her family took notice of this and decided that this was how they were going to eat from now. It wasn't like they ate all the food that was put on the table anyway. All their leftovers were given to the servants to eat even though the servants already had a separate meal prepared for them. That meant that food was being wasted, so there was no harm in cutting the size of their meals. Although, that did make them look poor, but if it made Ning Yun happy, there was no reason not to make that change.

  Ning Yun ate in small bites. Her chopsticks only held a single piece of duck every time she fed it into her own mouth. However, the bites she took were few, and it was less than half of what was on her individual plate. Still, the family was grateful since it was the most she’d eaten in the past couple weeks.

  After the meal, the Ning family got a nice send off from all the servants staying behind who stopped their work to line the entrance of the manor. The family was separated in two carriages because of their size with two other’s following. The two they weren’t riding in carried the luggage that didn’t fit inside the luggage compartments of the first two and servants they wanted to take with them. Both of Ning Yun’s personal maids insisted on going since they were the only ones used to her peculiar habits–Ning Yun didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Still, since they were there to help, she didn’t really have a problem with it.

  Ning Yun thought that she would find being stuck in a carriage for hours on end uncomfortable, but it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. Sure, there were bumpy roads, and her butt kind of hurt because of how long she was required to sit. But, she was kind of used to the feeling. After all, in…in her past like she’d taken a couple eight hour flights around the world. Plus, it was nice watching as different sceneries flew by the carriage window, and the seats were actually quite comfortable. It was way better than airplane, car, and classroom seats. The outside was also brilliantly colored in red and accented with gold along with nice decorations hanging from the sides. It was a true noble carriage. A thing she never thought she would get to experience in any of her lifetimes. It was a mode of transportation straight out of a fairytale. A small smile graced her face as she thought that her childhood dreams of living like a princess were coming true.

  Though, having all this time in silence–everyone in the carriage was preoccupied with their own things–allowed her mind to linger back to the past, leaving a bittersweet taste to sting her tongue. Thankfully, Ning Qian required her to take a couple books with her to study and her grandmother made her take a couple etiquette books. Ning Mei had also mentioned that she brought along martial art books in case she got bored of everything else. In the end, Ning Yun decided to stick her head into a medical book.

  A hand had placed itself on her shoulder and was slightly shaking her body side to side. Through her drowsy senses, she could hear someone calling her name.

  “Ning Yun, dinner is ready.”

  Dinner… “I’m not hungry,” she mumbled, refusing to move from the comfortable sleeping position she found. It was ironic that she said that because she was never hungry. She was still trying to figure out where all the food she ate went. It went in her body and never came out. It was like the food just dissipated while inside her. Maybe that was the reason why her wounds, other than the ones on her neck healed. Her undead body, which was just like a zombies, shouldn’t have any regenerative abilities. At least, that’s what she thought. Was her body taking the vitality left in the food and converting it into her own? Ning Yun wasn’t deep enough into the fantasy world to know information like that. Then again, each author created their own world as they wished. If that was the case, maybe eating really did mean something to her. Maybe she was less of a monster then she thought. Still, knowing that she no longer aged was a little disturbing. At least, in some manhwa, vampires age until they turn 20. Ning Yun was stuck in her teens forever.

  “Okay,” the person said in a hushed voice, and the shaking hand left her shoulder, allowing her to drift off to sleep.

  The next time Ning Yun was woken up, another hand was placed on her shoulder. However, rather than being able to remain drowsy because of the dark atmosphere of night, when Ning Yun regained consciousness, her eyes were hit by the bright light of the sun through her eyelids. Those disease-causing rays ruined her comfortable situation once again.

  “Young Lady Ning Yun,” by the title, it was obvious that it was one of her personal maids. Personal maids she’d yet to even know the name of. However, hearing that voice with that title, meant that she had no choice but to get up. Her maids never let her sleep longer no matter what she did.

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  “I’m getting up,” Ning Yun said, her voice rough from having a dry throat. The moment she opened her eyes, she shrunk back in pain from the sharp light. However, she was going to have to get used to the light like she did everyday.

  “I’ve brought you some water,” the maid said, holding a porcelain cup at a respectful distance from her face. Ning Yun neglected rubbing her eyes and grabbed the water, allowing her eyes to adjust on their own.

  “Thank you,” she said, and allowed the cool water to run through her throat. Ning Yun pulled the cut away from her lips, and looked down into the cup with her adjusting eyes.

  “It tastes different,” she murmured, but it wasn’t like she hated the taste. As long as it wasn’t tap or salt water, Ning Yun didn’t have a problem with it. Although, she did prefer lemonade over anything else.

  “It was gathered from a nearby lake and boiled last evening. We allowed it to cool until this morning. I can assure you that there’s no possibility of contracting an illness,” the maid assured her master who noticed the small discrepancy.

  “I understand,” Ning Yun said, “I trust you on this matter.”

  Ning Yun drank out of the cup yet again, ‘Not like something like this would kill me.’ She was sort of touched by the thought though.

  “Thank you for saying such a thing. I feel truly honored,” the maid said, patiently standing at the side of the open carriage with her hands collapsed in front of her torso. Ning Yun took a peek at her maid who said such a touching statement for no reason. It wasn’t like Ning Yun really had the power to do anything for her, nor did she actually mean anything she said. Ning Yun had a nasty habit of not fully trusting anyone, and, if someone asked, she had no problem telling them that.

  “I’m finished,” the cup was given back to the maid, “I’d like to wash up now.”

  The maid nodded, “Of course. Please follow me to the lake. Lady Ning Wenqian and Lady Ning Maoxian are already bathing.”

  “Alright,” Ning Yun said, stepping out of the carriage for the first time in an entire day.

  Bathing with other people. Ning Yun had never done such a thing before. It felt uncomfortable to think about. She didn’t like showing her body to other people. It took all of her confidence to start wearing female athletic shorts when she was in high school. She hadn’t built enough up in this life to be naked in this life. Then again, because this body wasn’t really her own, did it really matter? She’d allowed other people to bathe her before with no problem. Then, it did matter. This body was the complete opposite of her own after all.

  Ning Yun could still remember what her body looked like. Her skin was a toasted brown color with a warm under toned, but she looked nice like wearing either silver or gold. Her face was blotched with different colors from the sun damage caused by her high school marching years and scars from her bad habit of popping pimples and picking at scabs. Her hair was curly just like metal springs and only showed its true color of brown under the bright sun. Her nose was flat and her sister always called it a car nose. Her hands were a little chubby and her right hand had a nice little scar on her middle knuckle. She also had a scar on her stomach from an incident she couldn’t remember. She had stretch marks behind her knees, bisects, and on her butt from her bones growing faster than her skin could. Her eyes were a dark brown and were surrounded by long eyelashes. It always looked like she had bags under her eyes because they were naturally darkened and puffy. She even had double eyelids. She was 5’2 and never weighed over 120 lbs. It was nothing like the unblemished, pale porcelain skin she had now.

  “We’re here,” the maid announced, pulling Ning Yun out of her own head, “Would you like me to bathe you.”

  Ning Yun shook her head, “No thank you.”

  “When you finish bathing, please call me. If you need anything before that, just call my name. I’ll always be close by, no matter what.”

  Ning Yun looked at her maid for a quick moment before walking forward, “What a bold statement,” she said without caring whether her maid heard her or not.

  Unlike her worries, Ning Yun didn’t care about undressing while being surrounded by nature. She undressed herself with no shame and stepped right into the cool lake. Though, since she was out in the open, her neck remained wrapped in white bandages.

  As soon as she was dulling submerged, Ning Yun felt a splash of water pushed on her face with large laughter. Wiping the water from her face with her wet hand, Ning Yun saw Ning Mei, her hair completely drenched as water dripped from her chin back into the lake. She looked so happy getting to mess with her niece. Ning Yun wanted to laugh alongside her, but she couldn’t bring herself to. Ning Mei, noticing that her little niece was sharing the same delight, she walked closer, “I’m sorry.”

  Ning Mei used her slender fingers to push Ning Yun’s hair behind her ears, “I suppose you’re not in the mood to joke around yet.”

  Being so close, Ning Yun could feel Ning Mei’s breasts pressing against her own that were, in comparison, unripe in comparison. It almost made Ning Yun’s mood taste as sour as lemons. Though, at least it meant that it wouldn’t hurt as much when she ran, she could hold that against the older women smothering her breasts into hers.

  “Tell me, my cute little niece, what has been ruining your mood?” Ning Mei asked, continuing to brush away little baby hairs from the younger's face.

  Ning Yun thought about as she looked past her own to the trees on the other side of the lake. Was it right to tell Ning Mei that the person standing in front of her was from another world? Well, it wasn’t like Ning Yun had to be worried about Ning Mei feeling betrayed since they didn’t know each other for long, and it wasn’t like Ning Mei had a previous attachment to this body before she’d gotten adopted. There was no harm in telling her, but there was something in her that didn’t want to say anything. Ning Yun was the type of person who never wanted to share her ailments to anyone else. She usually buried it until a trigger allowed it to resurface.

  “Truth be told,” but, after thinking about it, there was no harm in telling her, “I was reincarnated into this body after it was revived. The original owner practiced demonic cultivation which led to her execution performed by the villagers. I…” Ning Yun bit her lip, “I don’t belong here,” she said with a small pained chuckle. Ning Mei’s eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, “What are you talking about?”

  “I am not from here. The place I’m from is far in the future or maybe an entirely different world,” Ning Yun said, “And it’s a reality I'm struggling to accept.”

  Ning Mei took a step back from the foreign entity standing in front of her. Ning Yun took a step back herself, “I am an entity from another world stuck in a body that no longer ages. I don’t feel hunger, thirst, or have the need to sleep. I…” she pulled the bandage from her neck, “...am a monster that infiltrated your family.”

  Ning Yun dropped her white bandage to soak up and drown in the lake, “Now that you know this, what do you plan to do now?”

  Ning Mei tilted her head, “Well, I already knew you were an undead. Ning Qian explained it to the entire family, and you will forever remain our precious family member.”

  Ning Yun thought as much, but it made her wonder if her personal maids knew exactly what she was. If everyone close knew how monstrous she was, how were they still beside her? She knew all too well that this wasn’t a normal situation. If a single wrong person found out what was going on within their house walls, their entire family would be executed. Were they really okay with taking on this risk just for her?

  “Oh, and about you being from another world, that doesn’t matter either. Whether you accept your reality or not, we’ll always be right here.”

  Ning Yun understood this action. Some people really were kind beyond their witts.

  “Your words are very heartwarming. Thank you.”

  After saying this, the monstrous invader turned her back and walked out of the lake.

  Getting out of the lake, Ning Yun wondered how she was going to get herself a towel and a new set of clothes. She’d never learned the name of either of her personal maids, so how was she supposed to call for them? It was rude to call out to them by just saying the word “servants,” or “maids,” but nothing else came to mind when it came to calling them. Thankfully, while she was thinking of what to use to call out, a towel was draped around her shoulders.

  “Young Lady Ning Yun, you finished your bath. Why did you not call for me?”

  It seemed that the maid had found Ning Yun without much trouble.

  “I can’t call you because I don’t know your name,” Ning Yun responded, taking the towel and tying it around her body.

  “Oh, I forgot to inform you. Please forgive me,” the maid stepped in front of Ning Yun and deeply bowed in front of her.

  “My name is Zhong Suyin. It’s an honor to be serving you.”

  Ning Yun nodded her head, “It’s nice having you, Suyin.”

  It was hard to say whether their youngest family member was in a sour mood or not. It was better to say that she was currently in an indifferent mood, but her mood had mellowed out. However, before they set out for their second day of traveling, Ning Yun announced that she was going to ride in the carriage with her own maids. Apparently, she wanted time to herself, and her family gave that to her. They were like her old family in that way. Always willing to leave her alone when she needed it.

  “So,” in the carriage that held the other females of the family, Ning Mei and Ning Wenqian having a serious conversation within the carriage walls.

  “You’re telling me that she’s from another world?” Ning Wenqian said. Ning Mei nodded, “That is what she told me.”

  It wasn’t like Ning Yun had told her that her being from another world was to be a secret. Besides, it wasn’t like her being from a different world was going to change the way the family looked at her. If anything, Ning Qian was the person to be concerned about since he’d picked the girl up for a particular reason. He might’ve picked her up because of some reason that took place before she was revived as another person. That meant that they had to be careful with this information.

  “Ning Mei,” Ning Wenqian said, “Be sure to keep this information a secret from Ning Qian. I’m not sure how he’d react when hearing this, and if Ning Yun really wants him to know, I’m sure she’ll inform him herself.”

  Ning Mei nodded her head, “I understand.”

  Days passed. Ning Yun woke up, refused to eat saying that she wasn’t hungry, had a glass of water, bathed, changed clothes, and stepped back into the carriage with her personal servants where she did nothing but laze around and read books.

  Ning Qian realized that something was off, but he didn’t have the courage to ask his child what was going on in her heart. Instead, he left her alone to deal with whatever was going through on her own. After all, he wasn’t very good at comforting people. Besides, his sister and mother were enough support, and his daughter was a little more mature then she let on. He was sure that she would get over it. Hopefully, some time soon. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if she started clawing at her throat again. It took a lot more than his daughter knew to heal her injuries. Her unique body required unique methods to be healed.

  “Are you worrying about your daughter?” the head of the house asked in the carriage that was usually silent aside from the movement of papers. Ning Qian took a defensive stance in the conversation as soon as it started. A stance that was perfectly clear to the head.

  “You can’t hide a single emotion from me. Your mother has already gotten angry with me after you left and left ten years ago. If I don’t say anything now, I’m sure I’ll have to face her wrath again.”

  By the way he was phrasing it, it sounded like he was only getting involved because his wife pressed him the last time he stood around and did nothing, which Ning Qian wasn’t surprised to hear. He knew that his father was just the type of person. Sometimes, Ning Qian wondered if the guy even cared for his children.

  “I’m just concerned as she’s started closing herself off. I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”

  Despite saying that, Ning Qian was sure that it was something way more serious than his own outburst ten years ago that caused him to run away. His worry only grew the longer his daughter shut herself off. Head half the mind to start questioning her personal servants but knew better since it probably would anger his currently fragile daughter.

  “I thought the same when you left and looked where we ended up,” the head of the house said. He made it sound like Ning Yun was thinking about running away.

  “I still remember a scolding your mother gave me. She said that a simple show of affection would bring comfort. Sometimes, simply letting them know that you’re there is better than having a conversation,” he said, quoting his wife.

  Ning Qian took that bit of advice and nodded his head. Even though his relationship with his parents was a bit strained after he ran from home, he still respected their opinions. They did have more experience than him in certain fields after all, and he guessed that this was one of them.

  “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Ning Qian said.

  Ending the conversation, the head looked back down to the small pile of paperwork sacked next to him, and Ning Qian to the book on medicine he held in his hand. Making sure that Ning Yun knew that he was there…Ning Qian didn’t know how to do that.