Half a month is enough time for the news to spread far and wide.

In mid-to-late March, the news of Mingyue Primary School's enrollment spread to Shanfu County, Dangjun, along with the caravan.

Inside the city, in a big house.

A high brick and stone wall surrounds the courtyard, and wooden corridors connect the rooms, with interlaced beams and columns and flying eaves and brackets.

A rockery stands in the center, with fish swimming in the pool below and flowers, plants and trees casting quiet shadows. The overall style is elegant yet exquisite.

This house belongs to the prestigious local squire Mr. Lu.

It is now noon and the inner hall is full of joy.

A family of seven gathered at the dining table. The servants presented plates of delicious dishes, and the tempting aroma filled the air.

After a while, more than a dozen dishes were served.

But as the head of the family, Lu Gong did not rush to pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he stroked his beard and spoke lightly.

"I heard that a primary school has been established in the capital city specifically for children to study."

"It's a pity that Ze'er and Shizhi are a bit old."

Hearing this, Lu's mother frowned and said in a very disapproving tone.

"Ze'er and Shizhi are both studying in private schools. Why should they travel thousands of miles to the capital to study?"

"You, a woman's opinion!"

Lu Gong shook his head and sighed, a gleam of light flashed across his eyes, and then he explained slowly.

"Not to mention the disparity in teachers' knowledge, but in terms of the imperial examination system, government-run schools are naturally far superior to private schools."

"Father, won't the county academy be completed soon? It won't be too late for my brother and I to attend by then."

Lu Shizhi comforted gently, with a scholarly air between his delicate eyebrows and eyes, and a calm and restrained temperament.

The eldest son, Lu Ze, is tall and strong, with a cheerful and straightforward personality, and looks like a military general.

"Brother is right. I am such a big guy, it's really not suitable for me to study with a group of children."

Lu Gong thought about it and felt that it was indeed inappropriate, so he had to give some serious advice.

"Well, before the academy is completed, don't slack off in your studies."

"The imperial examination, held every three years, is approaching..."

Everyone knew what he meant.

Lu Ze patted his chest, full of lofty ambitions.

"Don't worry, Father. I will definitely help you pass the military examination when the time comes."

"Although I can't guarantee anything else, I am confident that I will achieve the title of a scholar."

Lu Shizhi followed closely in agreement, with a confident and calm smile on his face.

Looking at his two good sons, Lu Gong felt very pleased and laughed out loud.

"Good, good! You have ambition!"

"In the future, the Lu family will rely on you two brothers to support the family."

The father and his two sons were having a very enjoyable chat, but the three Lu sisters were silent and listened quietly.

They have been brought up according to the standards of ladies from noble families since childhood.

The road ahead is clear at a glance: taking care of my husband and children, working from dawn to dusk, and taking care of the whole family...

Be a gentle and virtuous wife.

But I don’t know when this belief began to waver.

Perhaps it was the emergence of more and more female workers who were independent and self-reliant, which quietly triggered a new trend of thought in the county town.

Perhaps it was because they heard that women could enter the imperial palace and take part in imperial examinations.

Or perhaps he heard that a female scholar had emerged in the neighboring county.

In their hearts, they feel admiration, envy, and...reluctance.

But, it's just a thought after all.

After years of education, they cannot go against their parents' wishes and cannot break free from the old constraints.

After lunch, Lu's mother looked at her graceful eldest daughter and suddenly sighed.

"Changju is about to reach marriage age. She should first choose a suitable husband. When she turns 18, she can get married."

"Well, it's time to consider Changyu's marriage."

Lu Gong frowned and thought, quickly searching his mind for a young man who was a good match for him.

The couple discussed the matter with each other, and no one asked for Lu Changzuo's opinion.

She lowered her head shyly, but her pearly teeth bit her red lips tightly, almost until no trace of blood was left.

Was she really going to marry someone she had never met?

She bore him children, took care of the household, and was trapped in the harem for her entire life...

However, parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words have been the norm since ancient times.

Even if the new marriage law is reformed, how many girls will rebel against their biological parents?

Lu Zhi was sensitive and keenly aware of her elder sister's sadness.

She leaned closer, quietly covered her sister's clenched fist, and comforted her silently.

Lu Shi was still young and didn't understand things about marriage. When she saw that her elder and second sisters didn't play with her, she pouted arrogantly.

That night, a large, round silver disk hung in the pitch-black night sky, emitting a bright and quiet light.

Lu Zhi lay on the soft bed, but tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She tossed and turned countless times, but driven by overwhelming sleepiness, she finally fell into a deep sleep.

The moment her consciousness fell into darkness, she fell into a heart-wrenching nightmare.

Forced to marry a lazy man who is more than 20 years older than me...

She took care of the housework for him, served his parents-in-law, and took care of his illegitimate child...she became a peasant woman who worked like a slave.

While fighting for supremacy in the world, he was blinded by beautiful women and riches, which led to her being captured by the enemy, imprisoned, and tortured in every way.

When he was defeated and fleeing, in order to run faster, he kicked his two children out of the carriage several times.

When she returned after going through all the hardships, he was already surrounded by concubines and had completely forgotten about her, his wife.

Later, for the sake of a beautiful concubine, he ignored the decades of marital love and wanted to change the crown prince.

From then on, she completely gave up.

Fighting for power and eliminating dissidents, she became ruthless, cold-blooded, and unlike herself...

She was clearly a gentle and virtuous woman.

But if she hadn't fought back and been ruthless, the three of them, mother and son, would have been eaten until not even a bone was left.

Facing the empty eye sockets of the human pig, Lu Zhi did not feel afraid, but instead felt a sense of pleasure in her chest.

When she cried day and night, begging that man to appoint a new crown prince, did he ever think of letting the three of them, mother and son, go free?

In the end, only one of them can survive.

The dream flashed by like a kaleidoscope of colours, and finally came to an abrupt end when the dark dog pounced and bit him.

“No, don’t!”

Lu Zhi suddenly sat up, her whole body covered in cold sweat, with panic and unwillingness still in her eyes.

After a long time, the beating heartbeat like a drum finally calmed down.

She didn't have time to wipe the sweat off her face, and stared blankly around the familiar yet unfamiliar boudoir.

The scenes in the nightmare were so vivid that she felt as if she were there, making it difficult for her to distinguish between dreams and reality.

It was already noon, and the cheerful chirping of birds could be heard outside the house, and the morning light was filtering in through the cracks in the window.

The warm light shone on Lu Zhi, brushing away the coldness and gradually calming the restlessness in her heart.

"Sister, why haven't you gotten up yet?"

Accompanied by a clear child's voice, a lively and cute girl pushed the door open and came in, jumping around with an innocent and carefree look.

Lu Zhi stared at her pouting sister and smiled gently, but there was a hint of intimidating sharpness in her eyes.

In this life, she will not repeat the same mistakes.