Chapter 1

September, with its crisp air and clear autumn skies, marked by the blooming of gardenias and the flourishing of osmanthus, carried a fragrant breeze.

During this season, wealthy and leisurely individuals could be found everywhere, strolling to appreciate the autumn scenery. The main roads were bustling with carriages and horses passing by.

However, today, most of the travelers on the road were absent. It was because it was the day when the results of the triennial provincial examination were announced.

Those with family members participating in the examination were waiting eagerly for the results. Few families had the leisure to go out for leisure activities.

“My cousin is sure to pass this time. I heard from my aunt that his essays have been posted on the bulletin board outside the academy for other scholars to read.”

“My cousin is diligent in his studies. He not only has talent but also works hard. There’s no reason for him not to succeed.”

On the official road, two young men were walking together toward the city.

“When my cousin passes the exam, he’ll probably come to propose marriage to your family. Then, I’ll have to call you sister-in-law, and you’ll have to take care of your future brother-in-law.”

Ji Taoyu walked on the official road, still feeling a bit dizzy.

Last night, he stayed up late studying medical books by lamplight. Early this morning, she was summoned by the Yujia brothers passing by her house to accompany them into the city.

She didn’t like going out much. In fact, the two of them didn’t have much interaction on ordinary days. They just occasionally met in the village. Originally, she didn’t want to come out today either.

But with the announcement of the exam results, her mother urged her to go and see, especially since someone familiar was taking part. So, she accompanied the Yujia brothers into the city.

It was late autumn, and the morning breeze felt a bit cold. She gently covered her face with his hand and felt some warmth.

Taoyu had been walking silently without speaking, listening quietly to the Yujia brothers’ conversation. But as the conversation became bolder and more personal, talking about marriage and his cousin-in-law, his cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t help but interrupt:

“Marriage matters are just jokes made by the elders, nothing concrete. Xiaoge, be cautious with your words.”

“Didn’t you get engaged since childhood? Everyone in the village knows about this engagement. Now that we’ve reached a marriageable age, it’s natural for people to bring up marriage matters. Why feel embarrassed?”

With that, the younger Yujia brother nudged Ji Taoyu with his elbow. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you regret marrying your cousin-in-law?”

Hearing this, Ji Taoyu’s expression slightly stiffened. As a notorious weakling in the surrounding area, he had a scholar of marriageable age as a future husband. Others envied him greatly, so how could he regret marrying him?

Since childhood, Ji Taoyu had grown slower than her peers.

When her peers started walking, she was still crawling. When her peers began speaking in complete sentences, she was still struggling to call her parents clearly.

In his childhood, her family worried that he might be mentally challenged. Fortunately, as she grew older, there were no intellectual deficiencies, but she physical health was fragile.

Although her fair complexion made her look pitiful, she was as thin as a lamb and couldn’t gain weight no matter how much she ate.

Even a slight bump or bruise would make him cry, and a gust of wind and rain during the hot summer days would easily give her a cold. She had been delicate since childhood.

Many times, a slight negligence would result in a serious illness. If it weren’t for her grandfather being a doctor and seeking medical treatment promptly, he wouldn’t have lived to this age.

Her grandfather said she had a weak constitution, and her senses were different from those of ordinary people.

She was more prone to illness than others and more afraid of pain. He needed to take extra care of herself compared to others.

Ji Taoyu knew she had such a frail body, so she learned some medical skills from her grandfather and saved her parents some trouble.

Unfortunately, she was the only daughter in the family, born with such a weak temperament. Her parents didn’t see her as a burden but felt guilty and took extra care of her.

“Uncle Ji is a somewhat calculating person. He made plans early on for his own son, choosing a boy from a family in the village for a pre-arranged marriage.

Over the years, supporting the Yu family’s son in her studies and exams hasn’t been in vain. Young Yu has already become a xiucai and is participating in this year’s provincial exam, with a bright future ahead.

The family hopes that Yu Er will succeed in the provincial exam, and then they can proceed with the marriage arrangements, ensuring a stable future for the next generation.

Seeing Tao Yu remained silent, the boy from the Yu family continued confidently, ‘It’s true. You’re so beautiful, and there are surely wealthy families in the city who would want to marry you.’

‘Where did you hear such words, Brother Yu?’

Over the years, there have indeed been dandies or wealthy merchants from the city who sent people to try to marry Ji Taoyu, but they weren’t interested in legitimate marriage; they simply wanted to buy a plaything at a high price.

Her parents avoided such people, which was also a sore point for her. She wasn’t sure if the Yu family’s boy was being straightforward or teasing intentionally.

Just as Ji Taoyu was about to refute or inquire, they heard heavy hoofbeats behind them.

Turning around, they saw a black horse with a determined stride approaching along the wide and smooth yellow dirt road.

Although the horse was walking slowly, even without running, Ji Taoyu instinctively pulled the boy from the Yu family back a few steps to avoid being too close.

The black horse had a broad chest, sleek fur, and exuded a wildness that hadn’t been overly tamed.

Ji Taoyu couldn’t judge whether the horse was good or bad, but it seemed more handsome than any horse he had seen before, and its snorting breath made it more intimidating than any other horse she had encountered.

Many well-dressed people on the road, hearing the commotion, couldn’t help but stretch their necks to see.

Near the city gate, where there were many wealthy people who had seen the world, they all stopped to admire the horse. Ji Taoyu guessed that this must be no ordinary horse.

It’s not surprising that even wealthy people are interested.

Horses are rare in the south, and the constant warfare in the northwest means horses are mainly used as military supplies. Good horses are rarely seen in the south.

This fine horse was not displayed in some treasure house of exotic animals but was instead seen on the road, attracting attention.

“That man looks fierce.”

Ji Taoyu saw the boy from the Yu family beside her clutching her arm and hiding behind her, whispering softly.

She turned her head to look at the tall figure on the horse.

Sitting astride the black horse was a man dressed in coarse linen short garments, with a piece of black cloth draped over his shoulders, either blown askew by the wind or casually tied, covering half of his upper body, giving him a somewhat rough appearance.

This attire didn’t necessarily indicate she was a wealthy or important person; he looked more like a wanderer from the north or south.

The man had a strong physique, with legs that were too long to be comfortably squeezed against the horse’s belly. The reins were loosely held in his hand, as if he controlled the horse not with the reins but with his legs.

His eyes, devoid of expression, stared straight ahead, emanating a menacing aura that made it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze.

Southern men are usually praised for being seven feet tall, but even though this man was sitting on a horse, he was no less imposing than someone eight feet tall.

Because of his physical condition, Ji Taoyu didn’t meet many people when she went out, and this was the first time he had seen someone taller and more imposing than the local butchers who swaggered with broad shoulders and a bow-legged walk.

Fortunately, the man seemed oblivious to the many eyes on her and continued forward. If he had glanced over, Ji Taoyu felt she might have been frightened out of her wits.

Though the wealthy were envious of such a fine horse, they didn’t dare approach him, fearing they might unwittingly offend him and cause trouble.

They could only watch as the man rode away on his splendid horse in the morning breeze.

“We rarely see such a physique around here. If he stood in a crowd, he’d stick out half a head taller. He’s strangely frightening-looking. Anyone who catches a glimpse of him in the middle of the night might lose half their life.”

After the horse had gone far away, the boy from the Yu family came out again and started talking to himself, pointing in the direction of the departing man.

“It’s better to be like Cousin, with a refined temperament, speaking gently and eloquently; that’s the mark of a good scholar.”

Ji Taoyu pursed her lips slightly. Judging solely by appearances, this man did indeed exude too much dominance and seemed too fierce.

But in this world, people couldn’t be judged solely by superficial appearances.

“Judging by his demeanor, he might be a soldier. I heard that the fighting in the northwest is finally over, and many soldiers who survived the war are returning home. Anyone who survives on the battlefield is a tough character; we should avoid crossing paths with them in the future.”

However, Ji Taoyu countered, “If he’s indeed a returning soldier, we should respect them. Without them defending our homeland, how could we enjoy our peaceful days?”

“Enough of that. After fighting for so many years, they still lost in the end, and the court had to cede land and pay money. This has led to increased taxes every year, making life unbearable.”

Ji Taoyu frowned, “Victory or defeat is not solely the responsibility of one side, and taxes are the decision of the court, unrelated to the soldiers.”

“Sigh, I can’t really argue about these national matters. It’s all what Cousin told me. Scholars always know more about national affairs than us.”

“You don’t often go out due to your health, but I’ve been to the city more times than you. I’ve encountered returning soldiers several times recently.”

Ji Taoyu’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. She didn’t ask who had told her these things, but this boy from the Yu family always seemed to mention Yu Er whenever she spoke. She affectionately called her Cousin, as if they were very close and had frequent interactions. Ji Taoyu couldn’t help but give her a deep look.

Despite his seemingly carefree demeanor, there was something calculating about her. However, since the boy from the Yu family and Yu Er had a close family relationship, while Ji Taoyu currently lacked a clear status with Yu Er, she refrained from speaking her mind directly.

Thinking it over, she decided it would be best to limit her interactions with this person in the future.

Ji Taoyu then changed the subject, “It’s getting late. Let’s walk a bit faster.”

Although the two of them arrived early in the city, when they reached the bulletin board outside the prefectural government, it was already crowded with people who had come to check the postings.

Among them were not only scholars and their families but also servants and eager runners.

Ji Taoyu, not being tall, stood on tiptoe to try to catch a glimpse of Yu Er, but there were too many people, and he couldn’t even see the red postings, let alone Yu Er.

The restless Yu family brother was particularly excited.

“I saw the bailiffs coming over, Taoyu, let’s squeeze in quickly!”

“If we squeeze in with this height, be careful not to get stepped on.”

Ji Taoyu quickly stopped someone; in previous years, stampedes had occurred.

“It’s okay.”

The Yu family brother grabbed Ji Taoyu’s wrist and pulled him forward. “Let’s go around by the river.”

Before Ji Taoyu could respond, her wrist was pulled painfully, forcing her to step up.

“Be careful, Xiaoge!”

But the Yu family brother ignored her and headed towards the river railing outside the bulletin board.

On one side was the surging crowd, on the other side was the river with no bottom in sight, and Taoyu’s heart tightened.

“Xiaoge, we don’t have to rush to see the postings; we’ll know the results when they come out.”

“When will that be? It’s best to see it at first glance.”

Taoyu’s legs felt weak, and suddenly there was the sound of a drum, followed by the bailiffs shouting, “Posting!”

She took a deep breath, unable to turn back amidst the crowd, and could only hurry forward.

But just as he had quickened her pace, the Yu family brother suddenly stopped and stared at her, as if her heart had suddenly become suspicious.

Before she could react, the hand pulling his wrist exerted force, flinging her towards the river.

Taoyu stumbled, still hearing the words “Bailiffs are posting in order; do not crowd,” but then his body suddenly went airborne, and her ears were submerged in the September green river water.

The incident happened too suddenly, the splash of water drowned out by the crowd’s noise, not attracting much attention.

Ji Taoyu only saw the Yu family brother glance at her before being swept away by the surging crowd.

In his panic, water surrounded her from all sides like an impenetrable curtain, enveloping her tightly. Her normally slender body no longer felt agile but rather unusually heavy, sinking continuously.

Water quickly filled her mouth and nose, making it impossible to exhale, and it kept pouring in.

Enveloped in fear, he struggled to push away the water, but he couldn’t utter a complete sentence.