On the day the results of the martial arts exam were announced, the sun shone down on the streets of the capital as usual. However, for Jiang Nianli's family, the atmosphere of the day was somewhat subtle. Crowds of people gathered in front of the list, each standing on tiptoe, searching for their own names or those of their relatives and friends. Jiang Nianli stood in front of the list, her eyes eagerly searching through the densely packed names, her heart filled with anticipation but also with a hint of trepidation. However, after scanning the list from top to bottom several times, she still couldn't find her name. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

At this moment, a man who looked like a guard hurried over, holding a letter in his hand, and respectfully handed it to Jiang Nianli: "Miss Jiang, my general heard about your heroic performance in the martial arts examination and was very impressed by your martial arts and courage. He specially sent me to deliver this letter, hoping to accept you as his disciple."

Jiang Nianli was slightly startled, then subconsciously took the note. She unfolded it, reading the handwriting, feeling a mixture of emotions. Although she hadn't passed the military exam, receiving the general's appreciation was a testament to her hard work.

When he got home, Si Yan was sitting at the table, calculating his accounts with an abacus. Seeing Nian Li coming back, he stopped what he was doing, raised his head, and a thoughtful look on his face: "Mom, the young master of the Li family in the east of the city has sent someone to propose marriage."

Su Jinli was bandaging the blisters Nianli had incurred from archery practice, her movements gentle and meticulous. Hearing Si Yan's words, she paused for a moment, then sneered, "Another climber up the social ladder." Her eyes revealed a hint of disdain. She had long seen through the intentions of those who proposed marriage to her because of the Jiang family's reputation or Nian Li's martial arts achievements.

When Nian Li heard this, she was immediately furious. She threw the bow and arrow in her hand and shouted, "I won't marry! Whoever wants to marry me can marry me!" Her eyes were wide open, full of stubbornness and resistance. The string of peppers around her waist swayed violently with her movements, as if dancing to her anger.

Three days later, on a sunny day, the young master of the Li family, dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe, arrived at the Jiang residence with a procession carrying a dazzling array of betrothal gifts. The bright red silk on the betrothal gift box shone brightly in the sunlight, as if flaunting the Li family's wealth and sincerity. However, as soon as they stopped at the Jiang residence, Nian Li blocked their way.

"Want to marry me?" Nian Li put her hands on her hips, and the string of chilies on her waist swayed with her movements, making a rustling sound. She stared at the young master of the Li family with sharp eyes, and a provocative smile curled up at the corner of her mouth, "Defeat me first!"

Young Master Li looked at the girl in front of him, brandishing a sword and a spear, her eyes revealing a heroic and unruly look, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of fear. He subconsciously took three steps back and stammered, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Nian Li.

"Bullshit!" Nian Li glared, stabbing the knife into the ground. The blade sank into the ground a few inches, making a dull sound. "My mother said that women hold up half the sky!" Her voice was clear and loud, with unquestionable determination, echoing in front of the Jiang Mansion.

Su Jinli stood quietly in the corridor, arms folded, watching the scene with a cold expression. Jiang Yan stood beside her, subtly signaling to the guards in the shadows. They flashed and quietly blended into the surroundings, ready to respond to any situation that might arise.

Si Yan walked out slowly from the side, still holding the account book in his hand. He looked at the young master of the Li family with a sly smile on his face: "Young master Li, my sister asked me to give your father the bill for your visit to the brothel last year." As he spoke, he raised the account book in his hand.

Upon hearing this, the young master's face instantly turned pale as paper, as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes widened in horror as he stared at the account book in Siyan's hand, his lips trembling slightly as he tried to speak but couldn't. After a moment, he didn't even bother with the betrothal gifts on the table. He turned and ran, looking so miserable, as if a ferocious beast was chasing him.

Seeing this, Nian Li raised her leg to chase after him, but Su Jinli reached out and held her back: "Okay, how can you collect the penalty if you scare him away?" There was a hint of shrewdness in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

Si Yan immediately understood and said, "Five taels of liquidated damages is enough to buy two kilograms of high-quality chili peppers." As he spoke, he lowered his head and fiddled with the abacus, as if he was already calculating the profits that the five taels of silver could bring.

Jiang Yan looked at the actions of the mother and daughter, held his forehead helplessly, and said with a wry smile: "You two, mother and daughter, are both more troublesome than the other." Although he said so, his eyes were full of pampering and helplessness.

At night, soft candlelight flickered throughout the room, casting a warm glow. Su Jinli watched Jiang Yan meticulously applying ointment to Nianli's skin, his movements gentle and focused, his eyes filled with love. Nianli sat there obediently, frowning occasionally but enduring the pain. Si Yan sat nearby, holding an account book in his hand, muttering to himself the cost of the ointment.

Su Jinli watched this scene quietly, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. After experiencing the twists and turns of her rebirth, these noisy yet tender days made her truly feel that this was the life she had always sought, as sweet as honey, intoxicating. This small space was filled with the love and warmth of family, and the trivialities and laughter of life intertwined into an incomparable and beautiful picture that she cherished deeply. She knew that no matter what the future held, as long as her family stayed close together, they could weather all storms together and protect this hard-earned happiness.

Time flowed slowly in the warm atmosphere. Jiang Yan gently applied the ointment while reminding Nian Li: "Next time you practice archery, you must be careful and don't try so hard. It will be terrible if you get hurt too badly." His voice was low and gentle, as if carrying a reassuring power.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!