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Xiaolu

Chapter 1: Two become One

In a worn but neat courtyard, only the figures of a 7-year-old girl, and a beautiful matron lay on the ground. The woman was tossed carelessly by the frozen pond. Beneath her lipstick, her mouth had turned blue, and a woven cord was taut around her neck. Her yellow gown was torn and stained. Rough ropes still around her hands and feet.

The light slowly dimmed. Finally, the thin little girl stood. "No! Mother!" Nan Yue staggers forward. "Mother. Mother. Mother" Nan Yue says hoarsely. Mother's eyes were dull. "Mother!" Nan Yue chokes. This is my fault. Mother's vibrant scarlet eyes were gone. Gone was the loving, gentle eyes. Gone was the patience and comfort. Gone was Mother.

Nan Yue clenches her fist, her claws erupting to puncture her palms. "Forgive this unfilial daughter for not protecting you. I am sorry Mother for bringing shame to you" Nan Yue whispers, kneeling by her Mother's body.

Nan Yue caresses her neck, her gleaming claws slicing through her tender skin. Nan Yue softly smiled, steaming liquid running over her hand, dripping off her arm. Red looks so bright on snow.

Nan Yue remains kneeling. Her vision blurring, her mind aching, her muscles trembling yet Nan Yue refused to flinch. My next life I'll pay everything to bring you honor. Nan Yue promises as her eyes turn dull and empty. Her chest stilling.

In the end, they remained undisturbed under the moon. Untouched as the dawn broke, as the noon bell was rung, and as the light began to dim again. No one noticed the blood or death. Or the way a certain little girl's chest began to rise.

When dawn broke for the second time since Wei Luo and Nan Yue's deaths, scarlet eyes opened scanning the surroundings. Where? Wasn't I sewing Mrs. Stanley's wedding dress? Where am I?

Shuddering she moans, memories of a short life infuses to her soul. "Nan Yue? Estiny Kingdom?" She whispers softly. She looks at the woman's body, sorrow stealing her breath. "Nan Yue's mother" She closes her eyes to fight the pain.

Perhaps if she had memories of her own mother it would help. However, she and Nan Yue truly had become one. Nan Yue's memories and emotions truly hers. "Mother" She covers her mouth, allowing tears to slide down her cheeks. She was unaware of her eyes flashing or how the air around her began to boil.

Forcing herself to her feet wincing at how stiff she was, Xiaolu untied the cord from her mother's neck. Xiaolu gently closes Wei Luo's eyes. "I shall be Yie Xiaolu from now on" She whispers. That bastard's surname was filthy. Although the gentle girl Yue was gone, Xiaolu preferred the name her Mother chose instead of using the meanless surname chosen randomly as her cover.

"I am Xiaolu but Yue is me as well. I wonder if she was my reincarnation," Yue Xiaolu mummers softly. No matter I shall avenge us.