Chapter 1: She Was Completely Seen by That Man

“You little wretch, take a good look at yourself before dreaming of marrying into the Li family. Go home and keep dreaming your spring and autumn fantasies!”

“Here’s the deal, Peach Blossom. Don’t blame me for being heartless. Your family is just not a match for ours. But if you’re willing to be my concubine, we could consummate the marriage tonight!”

“Oh my, what’s going on here? Why is the Li family’s grain and oil shop so lively today?”

“Tsk, tsk. Don’t you know? Some country bumpkin came to force a marriage, and the Li family is throwing her out. Her father said if they’re paid enough dowry money, they’ll take her back immediately.

The Li family is infamous for being stingy. Everyone knows they wouldn’t cough up ten taels of silver. Isn’t this bound to cause a fight?”

“Oh, really? If I were that girl, I’d die from embarrassment. How can she still stand there, showing her face in public?”

“Exactly! If it were me, I’d grab a rope and hang myself!”

“…”

As dawn broke, Peach Blossom walked alone to the riverside.

She thought back to the scene yesterday when her stepfather had taken her to the Li family’s grain and oil shop to ask about her engagement, and her heart sank into despair.

Her engagement had been arranged by her biological father and the old patriarch of the Li family when her father was still alive.

But who could have predicted that when the wedding day came, the Li family didn’t send anyone?

Her stepfather went to town to investigate and learned that the old patriarch had already passed away. Fearing the Li family would deny the engagement, he dragged Peach Blossom to their doorstep to demand an explanation.

The Li family owned a prosperous grain and oil shop in town, while Peach Blossom’s family were simple farmers—worlds apart in status.

The moment they arrived, they were met with mockery and insults. Li Gui, a despicable man, publicly shouted that Peach Blossom should become his concubine. He even grabbed her inappropriately in front of everyone.

Li Gui’s actions completely ruined Peach Blossom’s reputation.

When they returned, the villagers whispered and gossiped about her. Her stepfather berated her for being useless, unable to secure a man, and even suggested she learn from the widow at the edge of the village.

But that widow was despised and shunned by everyone!

Unwilling to accept such accusations, Peach Blossom talked back, only to be met with more slaps from her stepfather.

While her stepfather cursed and beat her, her mother didn’t dare say a single word in her defense.

Peach Blossom felt that living no longer held any meaning for her, so she decided to jump into the river.

However, she couldn’t bear to ruin her cotton-padded jacket, as it could still be left for her two younger sisters to wear.

After taking off the jacket, she stepped into the icy river, one step at a time.

But just as the water closed over her head, she suddenly felt something strong and firm wrap around her waist.

Moments later, her back slammed into something hard yet warm—it wasn’t a stone.

Before she could fully experience the sensation of drowning, an immense force pulled her out of the water entirely.

Only then did she realize something was wrong. What she had encountered in the water wasn’t a tree branch or a rock—it was a tall, muscular man exuding strength!

Startled and frightened, Peach Blossom thrashed about, slapping at the water. “Who are you? Let me go right now!”

The man ignored her protests and held onto her, striding forward with determined steps.

After walking for a dozen or so paces, the man finally emerged from the river.

He placed Peach Blossom onto the grass and began wringing the water from his clothes.

Peach Blossom had swallowed some water while struggling earlier and was now coughing violently.

Once her coughing subsided, the man spoke suddenly.

His tone was serious, and his voice was deep and resonant. “You only have one life. Learn to cherish it.”

The sky was beginning to brighten. In the faint morning light, Peach Blossom could finally see the man’s face clearly.

It was a ruggedly handsome face, but completely unfamiliar to her.

For some reason, hearing this stranger speak so earnestly and sternly made her suddenly reconsider ending her life.

She bit her lip and nodded. Her wet eyes were filled with timid unease as she softly murmured, “I-I understand. Thank you for saving me. I won’t do this again.”

However, just as Peach Blossom finished speaking, the sound of women chatting drifted over from not far away.

“Today really is a sunny day! It’s so bright already. Sheets need to be washed early; otherwise, they won’t dry properly during the New Year rush.”

“That’s right. We came early and got a good spot. But Tao Granny and the others will catch up soon.”

Hearing this, Peach Blossom panicked.

She struggled to stand, trying to find somewhere to hide, but the moment she moved, a sharp pain shot through her right ankle.

She couldn’t help but cry out softly, “It hurts! I twisted my ankle!”

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