Fu Hechen, the eldest son, was already fourteen, but after the recent incident at Yulouchun, Yao Suyi realized that in critical moments, he couldn’t be relied on. It was just the shopkeeper publicly demanding repayment, yet he couldn’t handle it—he shut himself in his courtyard for two or three days, refusing to come out or even attend the academy.

In contrast, Second Young Master Fu Nankai, despite being beaten at Rongbaozhai, simply slept it off and forgot all about it by the next day.

After school, Yuan Yang waited at the gate for Fu Nankai and told him about Fu Sangyu being beaten during the day, and Yao Suyi being placed under house arrest. She pleaded, “Second Young Master, please go see Madam Yao. Her eyes are swollen from crying.”

Upon hearing that his mother had been beaten, and now his sister too—and that his second uncle not only failed to stand up for them but even confined them—Fu Nankai was furious. He threw his book satchel to the servant and stormed off to Xunfang Court.

Seeing her son arrive with rage written all over his face, Yao Suyi immediately burst into tears, painting a dramatic picture of Fu Sangyu’s injuries and even showing him the gap in her teeth.

“Kai’er, your sister’s face is ruined. She’ll never be able to marry into a noble family now…” She sobbed bitterly, her missing tooth whistling with every word. “Look at me now—how can I socialize with officials? How can I plan for your and your brother’s future? One misstep leads to ruin. That Princess Yunshang—she’s cut off our path to survival!”

Fu Nankai, hot-tempered and impulsive, clenched his fists. “Mother, just wait. She doesn’t guard herself around Second Uncle. I’ll lure her out and kill her. That’ll settle everything. She’s not favored in the Duke’s household anyway—at worst, Second Uncle will beat me.”

Yao Suyi panicked at the mention of killing Liang Youyi. She shook her head immediately. To outsiders, she and her son were just commoners. Even if Liang Youyi wasn’t favored, the Duke’s household would never let them off if Fang Nankai killed her.

“No, it won’t work. Her maid Fang Ling knows martial arts. You wouldn’t be able to kill her—you’d be caught and beaten to death instead. Come here, I’ll tell you something. Your Second Uncle said Princess Yunshang will be going to Liang City on the tenth of the twelfth lunar month…”

And so she whispered her plan.

Fu Nankai frowned. “Mother, why make it so complicated?”

“Kai’er, you don’t understand. For a woman, losing her chastity means her life is over.”

“Fine. I’ll do as you say.”

“Be very careful. Don’t tell your grandmother or Second Uncle. After all, the princess is your future aunt.”

Fu Nankai left Xunfang Court and went to find his maternal uncle, Yao Lichun.

When Yao Lichun heard that his sister and niece had been disfigured by Princess Yunshang and then confined by Fu Zhang, he was furious. His sister’s status directly affected the Yao family’s future. Yao Suyi had warned them long ago—Princess Yunshang’s status was too high. If they could stop her from marrying in, great. If not, then they’d make Fu Zhang a “widower” and “bereaved father.”

Now that Princess Yunshang had started a war, they wouldn’t hold back.

Yao Lichun and his wife managed the household’s kitchen and clothing purchases, so they had connections with all sorts of people. This time, he sought out Er Bian, the leader of the vagrants in the southern city.

Er Bian had once been a local bully. After a disaster struck his hometown, he drifted to the capital and became a street thug. Yao Lichun knew he had ties to mountain bandits a hundred miles away.

Er Bian had sold him wild goods before and treated Yao Lichun like a wealthy patron.

“Brother Er Bian, I have a small favor to ask.”

“Brother Yao, no need to be polite. What is it—fighting or arson?”

“On the tenth of the twelfth month, Princess Yunshang will be traveling to Liang City with New Year’s goods. Take a few brothers and deal with her on the road. If you can’t finish her off, even abducting her for a couple of days will do.”

Er Bian was shocked. “Brother Yao, she’s the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household, a princess personally titled by the late emperor!”

“Don’t worry. She’s not favored, and she’s my family’s future wife. Even if something happens, my family will still take her in.”

“Oh, I get it. You don’t want someone with such high status entering the household and lording it over everyone, right?” Er Bian grinned lewdly, rubbing his fingers together. “So you want to ruin her reputation?”

“Exactly! Here’s fifty taels as a deposit—buy your brothers some wine. Once it’s done, I’ll give you another hundred.”

Yao Lichun handed over the silver. Er Bian beamed. Ruining a woman’s reputation? Easy! And once it was done, he’d have leverage over Yao Lichun—perfect for future extortion.

“Don’t worry, Brother Yao. Leave it to me.”

“If you get caught, just flee the capital. I’ll still pay you. But don’t you dare give me up.” Yao Lichun clapped his hands.

“Even if I’m beaten to death, I won’t say a word. Just a woman—no problem. We’ll send dozens of martial brothers.”

Yao Lichun laughed and patted his shoulder. “She’s one of the most beautiful women in Dongzhou. Enjoy yourselves—this’ll be worth it.”

Er Bian took the silver and agreed to meet again. Once the job was done, Yao Lichun would pay the rest.

On the tenth of the twelfth month, the Duke’s household packed two carts of New Year’s goods for Liang Youyi to deliver to Liang City, two hundred miles away.

Liang City was Jiang Shuang’s maternal home. After marrying Liang Zhinian, her maternal grandfather had been promoted to a lucrative post in the Ministry of Salt and Iron. Her uncle Jiang Qi was the city’s governor.

Jiang Shuang always felt that her family background was low. Now that she was a noblewoman, she looked down on them but didn’t want to be accused of neglecting her kin. Sending Liang Youyi was the best option—her status as a first-rank princess was high enough.

The goods were ordered by her paternal grandfather, Liang Bo: “Relatives should support each other. Send some of the empress dowager’s gifts to our in-laws.”

Jiang Shuang kept some for herself and had Liang Youyi deliver the rest.

Just as Liang Youyi was about to leave Bamboo Grove, a soft “crack” sounded—Die Jin had returned.

Dressed in black brocade, tall and cold, Die Jin was the top martial expert. “Princess, I’ve been watching the Prime Minister’s residence. I discovered that Yao’s second son, Fu Nankai, and his uncle Yao Lichun have teamed up with Er Bian, the vagrant leader in the southern city. They plan to ambush you en route!”

Their real goal was to ruin her.

Fang Ling laughed in disbelief. “They must have a death wish!”

Liang Youyi leaned back in her chair and chuckled softly. “They certainly deserve death.” Her voice was calm and rarely carried laughter, but when she did laugh, it was enchanting.

Die Jin glanced at her, then lowered his eyes. “They’ve gathered twenty-three young, strong vagrants. The ambush site is Sanligou.”

Sanligou lay at the foot of Claw Mountain—remote and deserted in winter.

“I can handle them.”

“Good,” Liang Youyi replied. “Bring the hemp rope. Go to Sanligou and lie in wait.”

“You mean…”

“Watch from the shadows. Find the one with the bow—don’t kill him, just cripple his limbs. The rest, tie them up and send them to the Court of Judicial Review. The Prime Minister’s nephew and brother-in-law acting as bandits? That’ll make headlines.”

“Yes.”

Die Jin left.

“Fang Zhi, ride ahead and bring my light armor and spear. Hide in the woods at Erligou.”

Fang Zhi obeyed.

At dawn, Liang Youyi set out with Fang Ling and Qing Shi driving the carriage. Two other servants hauled the goods. It was freezing.

Inside the carriage, a small stove burned silver-thread charcoal. Wrapped in a mink blanket, Liang Youyi felt no chill.

With Die Jin absent, Fang Ling stayed alert, listening for any sound.

“Don’t worry. Rest well. They’ll strike at Sanligou.”

“Are you sure, Princess?”

“Yes.”

Because she’d seen it all in a dream.

In the dream, it was this exact time—Liang Youyi was delivering New Year’s goods to Liang City when bandits ambushed her at Sanligou. Back then, she hadn’t made any preparations. At Erligou, someone had been warning passersby that a landslide had blocked the road ahead and advised them to take a detour. But that warning was deliberately withheld from Liang Youyi’s group.

When they reached the Sanligou stretch, a pile of boulders blocked the way. Forced to stop and investigate, they were suddenly attacked by a gang of vicious thugs wielding broadswords and spears, hacking at people and horses without hesitation.

Fang Ling shielded Liang Youyi and tried to turn the carriage back toward the capital. But the carriage couldn’t turn around—they had no choice but to flee on foot.

Neither of them was violated. Die Jin, with his formidable martial skills, killed over twenty of the attackers. Amid the chaos, an arrow came flying from who knows where and struck Liang Youyi directly in the knee. Her knee was permanently damaged, and from that day on, she could no longer practice martial arts.

But now? Heh— Before handing them over to the authorities, beat them half to death first. That’s settled.