In the early 1800s, in the stately Grove Estate, nestled in the countryside of Kent County, England, a young woman named Pei Xiang once again became aware of her surroundings, only to be met with aching pain throughout her body. Her limbs felt as if they had been crushed and broken, twitching helplessly. Unconsciously, she frowned, each breath a laborious struggle, her throat ablaze with a burning pain.
...Did I successfully time-travel?
...The original owner of this body must have just passed away; what could have caused such agony?
A sudden dizziness overwhelmed her, and in an instant, the memories of another persons eighteen years flooded Pei Xiangs mind. Without needing further digestion or understanding, she became intimately acquainted with the past of her new identity. At the same time, she realized the perilous situation she found herself in.
Pei Xiang forced her eyes open, the blurry light gradually coalescing in her pupils. She blinked slowly until the hazy shadows dissipated, and her vision cleared.
A magnified, greasy face suddenly appeared in her line of sight!
Pei Xiang, who had just regained consciousness, jolted, the residual fear from the original body causing her to hold her breath instinctively, her limbs once again growing stiff and cold.
Her heart pounded, her body devoid of strength. Pei Xiang bit her lower lip hard, the sharp pain keeping her alert and barely suppressing the terror within.
“Lord... Your Grace?”
Pei Xiang tentatively whispered, her voice hoarse and indistinct, as if trying to hide the trembling panic inside.
The room was deathly silent; the owner of the face offered no response, lying heavily on top of Pei Xiang, his chest half-naked, lifeless.
Past the initial shock of sight, the rationality of the time-traveler Pei Xiang slowly returned. The faint scent of blood wafting through her nostrils acted like a stimulant, causing her to suddenly recall the last action of the original body, Doris Gray, before she fell unconscious.
Such a forceful strike... Pei Xiang felt a slight sense of relief.
Her cool gaze shifted downward to see Lord Essexs head hanging low, tightly pressed against her shoulder, dark blood half-coagulated on his forehead, making his face even more pale and ghastly.
“Lord?” Pei Xiang called out once more in a hushed voice, but the man remained unresponsive.
Breathing a sigh of relief internally, Pei Xiang lay motionless for a while, fighting the nausea rising in her stomach. Once she had gathered a bit of strength, she unhesitatingly kicked the despicable man off her.
Struggling to get up from the bed, Pei Xiang picked up the copper lamp beside her.
By the moonlight streaming through the window, she first identified the dark bloodstains on the lamp. Then, she staggered to the other side of the bed, keeping a wary eye on the man whose life hung in the balance.
After a while, Pei Xiang finally confirmed that the lustful estate owner had been accidentally killed by the original body, Doris Gray.
Pei Xiang closed her eyes for a moment. She had not anticipated that her first time-travel would confront her with such a complex situation.
From the memories she received, she learned that the original owner had resisted the estate owners bestial acts. In a panic, she had grabbed the lamp from the bedside and fiercely struck him on the head. After that, she lost consciousness due to asphyxiation and perished, until Pei Xiang arrived.
With a cold glance at the unseeing Lord Essex, Pei Xiang found a soft, high-backed chair to sit on.
She knew that before dawn, this room was temporarily safe.
Within the grand and luxurious Grove Estate, no servant would dare to disturb Lord Essexs romantic nights.
"Killing a nobleman in this backward era, tsking..." Pei Xiang touched her neck, which had nearly been strangled, and scoffed in a low voice.
In the dimness, a cold smile crept onto the young womans lips: "I dont want to be sentenced to hanging or captured and subjected to some cruel punishment."
Pei Xiang gathered the torn cotton nightgown around her, her brows furrowed.
The original body, Doris Gray, had just turned eighteen. She was of illegitimate birth, a bastard child, and had been receiving a ladys education in a boarding school.
Three months ago, she was recommended by the headmistress, Lady Margaret, to work at Grove Estate as a governess, teaching children the basics of piano and painting, as well as some foundational grammar knowledge.
Doris Gray was beautiful, intelligent, talented, and gentle, not only winning the hearts of her students but also attracting the covetous gaze of Lord Essex.
Previously, with the lady of the manor residing in the estate, the lord could somewhat restrain his sordid intentions, not daring to extend his reach to his daughters governess, only dallying with the maids.
However, yesterday morning, the lady of the manor left Grove Estate cheerfully for a friends party, giving the lord an opportunity.
Doris Gray had already retired for the night, half-asleep when she sensed heavy breathing by her bedside. The moment she jolted awake, the corpulent Lord Essex pounced on her...
Pei Xiang mentally reviewed the reasons for the original bodys application as a governess and shook her head helplessly.
Doris was too young and naive, only knowing that with this job serving a noble family, she could survive independently. However, she did not understand that in this rigid and absurdly decadent era, young and beautiful female governesses often faced harassment from male employers, eventually falling into the mire.
Whether they were complicit or coerced, the professions actual risks and social reputation were not good.
Of course, there were undoubtedly employers who were decent and respectful, but unfortunately, Doris Gray was not so fortunate.
Pei Xiang sat in the chair, trying her best not to look at the grotesque face of Lord Essex. She tapped the armrest rhythmically, contemplating how to escape her current predicament.
...I must get out, leave Grove Estate, and Lord Essexs territory, then I can start a new life.
...Perhaps, this identity can no longer be used.
...I just dont know... how strong is the pursuit of fugitives in this era, in this country?
Planning for her future freedom, Pei Xiang slowly rose and paced to the arched window.
She stood sideways, hidden by the shadows of the window frame and the velvet curtains, her gaze intense as she looked at Grove Estate under the moonlight. The neatly trimmed lawn surrounded the winding stone path leading to the manors gate.
The night was low, and the nearby scenery was dark, not as clear as when viewed in daylight. However, the young female teacher, who had lived here for three months, knew that in the depths of the night, a strong patrol team was vigilantly on guard.
They carried hunting rifles and dogs, alert and formidable. Anyone trying to enter or leave the estate could not escape the inspection of the patrol team.
"Without a horse or a carriage, relying solely on my physical strength, I cannot leave here."
Pei Xiang pinched her slender arm, deep in thought:
"Outside the estate, there are vast farmlands and dense forests. The nearest transportation hub, a small town, requires a full days walk. Even if I could avoid the patrol teams watch and sneak out, I wouldnt have enough time. Moreover, for miles around, this is Lord Essexs domain. They have been in control for years, with tenants, local security teams, and merchants, all over the small town, full of the lords familys eyes and ears. I cant simply hire a carriage and leave safely."
Pei Xiang stood by the window, arms crossed, abandoning the idea of fleeing under the cover of night. She glanced back at the corpse on the bed, her eyes darkening as a new plan gradually formed in her mind.
...Well, this life is a bonus anyway. If the plan fails, its nothing more than death.
Pei Xiang has never been one to dawdle, executing her ideas even when the future is fraught with risks and uncertainties. However, the eagerness in her eyes declared her choice.
Her personality has been praised by her close friends when they are in a good mood, calling her quick-witted and adaptable. When annoyed by her recklessness, they have also mocked her as a foolhardy risk-taker.
In any case, Pei Xiang is generally calm and cautious, knowing how to size up a situation. But occasionally, she would impulsively throw caution to the wind!
Pei Xi