First Encounter

The mountain road washed by rain was extremely muddy. A group of people came shouting from the other end of the mountain road with wooden sticks and long knives in their hands, and trampled the originally muddy mountain road into pieces.

"Chen Changsheng, you've become really powerful. You even dare to provoke the people from the White Tiger Casino!"

A powerful female voice echoed through the cool, moist air, its breaths evident. Chaotic footsteps echoed with scolding. Two figures in Taoist robes, supporting a young man a head shorter than them, ran furiously, their black robes fluttering in the splashing mud.

"Okay, Aruo, stop scolding at this time. The most important thing is to escape!" The figure on the left held the square Taoist hat with one hand and pulled the boy's ear with the other hand. A pair of big eyes were shining under the brim of the hat, and there were a few drops of mud on his cheeks. The blush caused by running was stained on his face, which had a unique and strange beauty.

"Sister Caixin, my ears are about to break..." The boy tried hard to keep up with the pace of the two people, covering his ears and almost crying out loud.

"You still dare to complain? You're quite brave!" The man on the right ran out of breath and slapped the boy on the back of the head, knocking him back and nearly falling forward, releasing his ear in the process. He shook his hand, but the man's hat was nowhere to be found. His black hair was tied up high, and his eyebrows were animated with anger.

"Sister Aruo, I..." The young man steadied himself and looked up timidly to say something, but was suddenly picked up by someone.

"Leave me alone and run quickly." The two men grabbed the boy's collar and ran towards the town without slowing down.

This is not an official road. The road is full of mud pits of various sizes. It is wet and slippery after the heavy rain. The soles of the three people's shoes are covered with mud. The cloth shoes have soaked with water, making their steps heavier and heavier. They slip on the mud from time to time, and they are covered in mud and look miserable.

The noise behind them was getting closer and closer. The three of them looked at each other, panting so hard that they couldn't speak. However, they didn't dare to stop and could only run forward with their heads down and panting.

Fortunately, the city gate soon appeared in sight.

He ran all the way into the city and took a small road. The people chasing him were probably used to these escape routes, and quickly split into several groups to encircle him and take different roads.

"This won't work. Caixin, you and Changsheng, take off your outer robes, run from this side, stop when you reach the street, and pretend to be passers-by and stroll slowly! Remember to rub the mud off your shoes as soon as possible!" Seeing the people behind him disperse, Aruo grabbed one of them each and gave instructions in a rapid tone.

"Aruo, what about you?" Ning Caixin took off her Taoist hat, letting her long hair fall down. She quickly took off her black Taoist robe and held it in her hand. Inside was a clean pink skirt. She wiped the dirt off her face, revealing herself as a pretty lady, completely different from the one she was running for her life just now.

"I'll find a way to lure them away. Come on, go that way." Urging the two to run to one side, Aruo turned around and ran in the opposite direction, pushing down the wooden frames and bamboo poles in the alley as he ran, making noise to attract attention.

"Over there! Quick!"

The big movement attracted the attention of the pursuers, and people began to gather there. The figures walking on the central street were getting closer and closer, and she rushed there desperately.

Suddenly, her clothes were grabbed. Aruo turned around and saw a fierce and ferocious face. Without a second thought, she unbuttoned her clothes, took off her outer robe and fled. In her haste, the cloth binding her hair was ripped off, and her long hair flew into the air.

As soon as he rushed out of the alley, Aruo was caught off guard and ran head-on into the person who came.

Damn it! Aruo was knocked back, and instinctively covered his face with one hand while reaching out with the other to grab around. Under the force, he lost his balance and fell forward.

The man reacted very quickly, slightly sideways to avoid her grasp, and the corner of his clothes fluttered past her. Aruo didn't see the man's movements clearly, and in a hurry, she grabbed the man's clothes with her backhand, and the token on his waist flashed into her sight.

An absurd thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning. He gritted his teeth and decisively chose the latter between being caught and going crazy.

"Husband—" A sharp cry echoed throughout the street. The disheveled woman turned around and fiercely pounced on the black-robed man, tightly hugging his waist. "I know I was wrong. I will definitely listen to you. I will work hard to make money to pay off my debts. Please don't sell me to a brothel—"

The shrill cries instantly attracted the attention of passers-by, and the meaning behind the words made people look towards the man who was forcing his wife to be sold.

The black-robed man stood tall, his hands behind his back to avoid suspicion. He tilted his head slightly, his expression stern, and glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "Let go."

The man had a cold look in his eyes and a dangerous tone in his voice.

Unfortunately, in this situation, even if the gods glared at her, she couldn't retreat a single step. Aruo shook her head, her messy black hair covering most of her face, revealing a desperate madness.

She didn't let go of the man's waist. Instead, she shouted directly at the people who were chasing and slowly surrounding her, "Don't force me. My husband is here. He won't sell me to you. No, he will fight you to the death."

"You!" The man was stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowed slightly, "Young lady, why do you have to involve innocent people when you're causing trouble? You..."

"Oh, God, you are blind. I have a miserable life. My husband, I am devoted to you, but you want to sell your wife for money... I have a miserable life..." Aruo's shrill and desperate shout interrupted the man's words. The pursuer's fierce gaze moved from her back to the man.

Her voice was loud and miserable, and a crowd began to gather around her. Suddenly, a nimble figure went against the flow of people and quickly went out.

The man's hand suddenly stopped pushing him away. Aruo was sensitive to the sudden change in his attitude. Although she didn't know the reason, she was now in a dilemma and had to grit her teeth and continue the show. "Husband, even if you don't care about our relationship as husband and wife, you should still care about the fact that I'm pregnant with your child... Please don't sell me out. I'll listen to you, I'll listen to you..."

The onlookers couldn't stand it any longer, and because of the group of ferocious thugs, they didn't make much noise, but the scolding looks in their eyes couldn't be concealed and fell on the man one after another.

The man's anger choked and his eyes became even colder and fiercer, but the culprit had his head buried and didn't see anything, so he could only look coldly at the group of thugs.

"Stop talking nonsense. No one can escape if you don't hand over the people today!" More and more people gathered together. The ferocious thugs began to get annoyed and rushed over with their weapons.

Aruo desperately rushed behind the man, "Why are you handing over? I don't have anything you want. If you need a partner, I have my husband!"

The situation was volatile. The thugs, who had been chasing them for a long time, could not withstand the slightest provocation and immediately engaged in a fight. The black-clad man shoved the person behind him into the crowd, spinning and kicking the one approaching him. The unarmed man raised his sword and struck, showing no sign of panic. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, and he brought down the incoming men one by one.

"Someone is being beaten, run!" The crowd that had gathered to watch the fun began to disperse.

"Wow, it seems I made the right bet..." Aruo stumbled into the crowd, seemingly unable to stand steadily. Without pausing for a moment, she turned and ran. She couldn't help but complain about those who made her run for so long, "Are these people's brains filled with rubbish?"

If it were her, what's the point of watching the fun! People should watch from a safe distance!

"grown ups!"

After the black-robed man kicked over the last thug, several men in blue uniforms rushed over. Seeing that the situation was not going well, the struggling people on the ground began to flee, and those who followed them easily arrested a few people. The leader bowed to the man and said, "I am late. I hope you will forgive me, sir."

The man's eyes flashed coldly, his expression stern. He glanced at the target just now and asked, "Where is the person?"

"Beili followed." The man in blue said respectfully, "Your Excellency, this is..."

The man nodded, then thought of something and looked towards the street corner, where no one was. His brow furrowed slightly, and he casually brushed the fabric of his clothes across his shoulders. "It's been bet on... By the way, did you find anything just now?"

"That person was very alert and his method was clean and efficient. After you chased him, we didn't find anything at the scene."

He was indeed alert, but his curiosity was also heightened. If it weren't for the commotion just now, that person wouldn't have been able to figure out when it happened, and probably wouldn't have been able to send others to continue tracking in time.

By this calculation, he should be grateful to that crazy woman.

The man snorted softly, walked away with his hands behind his back, and recalled what had happened earlier.

"Hey, sir, this is... your badge?" The man in blue picked up the token and handed it over respectfully.

The man was startled for a moment, then raised his eyebrows. "I see." No wonder he hadn't thought she was crazy when he bumped into her. It turned out he had seen the badge.

As he stroked the token, he thought of the woman who had kept her head down and deliberately tossed her hair, her face unclear under her long hair, and the words she had said behind his back, and he sneered.

"Aruo——"

When they arrived at the agreed place, Cai Xin, who had been waiting for a long time, ran over and hugged the person.

The long hair was tied up casually, and the elegant-looking woman's eyebrows flew up. Her rosy face was not fair, but her bright smile made her look more lively. "Xiao Caixin, there is no need to be so enthusiastic~"

"I was so worried, afraid that you would be caught and beaten up by them." Cai Xin said lightly and patted her rosy face.

"Sister Aruo, I'm sorry..." The young man lowered his head, his eyes red, and looked like he wanted to cry but was unwilling to do so. "If it weren't for me...you and Sister Caixin wouldn't have to be like this."

Aruo patted the boy's head. Thinking of his situation, he couldn't bring himself to say anything chastising. "Alright, let's go back and talk about this later. We can't drag this out. We have to find a way to resolve this."

Chen Changsheng nodded and wiped his face roughly with his sleeve. After wiping off the mud and water, his face was fair and delicate, with a scholarly air between his eyebrows. The young boy had a delicate appearance that was difficult to tell whether he was male or female.

Aruo looked at his appearance and sighed helplessly. With this submissive attitude and that pretty face, it would be strange if those mischievous devils from the rich families in their private school didn't take notice of him.

"By the way, Aruo, how did you escape?" Cai Xin glanced at the boy, turned around, hooked Aruo's arm, brushed off the dust on her sleeves, and pulled the boy home.

"I bet on the right thing, and I just happened to find a government official to help me." Thinking of the waist badge he had spotted, Aruo felt a little guilty. The waist badge looked familiar, and coupled with his skills, maybe this time he really hit the jackpot.

"Help? Do you know him?" Cai Xin was curious.

"I don't know him. I didn't even see his face. But the world is vast, and there are many righteous people. We don't need to know him. Just think of him as someone who saw injustice and came to his aid." Aruo shook her head repeatedly. It was better not to get to know such a chance encounter. She didn't see his face clearly anyway, and he probably couldn't see her clearly either. This was the best way. If they met again in the future, they wouldn't recognize him. Although she didn't know why he changed his attitude, and he clearly wanted to leave her at the beginning, it didn't matter.

"By the way, have you thanked them?" Cai Xin had also met many people who helped each other, so she was not surprised after hearing this and turned her attention to other things.

"Yes, I sincerely thank you." Aruo said confidently.

At that time, she desperately grasped the clothes on his shoulders, hid behind him, and said very quickly and firmly, "Don't worry, hero, I will definitely repay your kindness in my next life by tying the knot with a grass and carrying a ring!"

Yes, I’ll repay you in my next life.

……………… ……………… …………………… …………………… ………………………………

In the spring breeze, there is an ordinary alley in the inner and outer circles of Chang'an City.

In addition to several small houses, there are two larger courtyards. It is said that they were the dowry of the wives of officials. When the owner followed her husband to take up an official post in other places, these courtyards were rented out to strangers who came from other places and settled in the capital.

There are hundreds of these alleys in the capital, Chang'an, and Chunfengli is where Aruo and the others currently live. As strangers seeking a place to stay in this challenging capital, the residents of Chunfengli more or less share a sense of community and harmony, getting along harmoniously.

The three of them returned to the alley and saw from afar an old woman in coarse cloth pushing a wooden cart with great effort. The wheel was stuck in the gap of the cobblestone road. It was Chen Changsheng's grandmother who was about to go out to collect the night incense.

Chen Changsheng hurried over and reached out to help, "Grandma, why did you come out?"

"Hey, Changsheng, why are you getting out of school so early today?" The old woman saw her grandson and smiled lovingly. She hurriedly stopped his hand from wanting to help, "No, no, no, this car is heavy and dirty, don't touch it. Be good, go home first. Grandma is warming up some buns for you in the pot. Eat them first and then read."

"Grandma, it's stuck and you can't push it." Chen Changsheng's hand was grabbed and he was a little anxious, but he couldn't use any strength for fear of pushing the old woman.

"It's dirty. Our Changsheng's hands are needed to hold a pen to write. He wants to be a high-ranking official in the future, so he can't do rough work. Grandma, just push it slowly." Grandma Chen looked relieved, but she was very firm in blocking her grandson's hand and refused to let her grandson touch the dirty wooden cart no matter what.

"Alright, Changsheng, you go back first. Caixin and I will help Granny Chen push the cart out." Aruo couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she pulled Caixin forward and pulled the grandmother and granddaughter to the side. A pungent stench washed over them. The two of them held their breath, rolled up their sleeves, and worked together to lift the wooden cart. In no time, they stepped through the gap and pushed it out of the alley.

"Oh, you two girls, this is so dirty..." Grandma Chen reacted and hurried over to stop them, her face full of guilt.

"It's okay, Granny Chen, it's done." Cai Xin smiled and clapped her hands, not minding the dirt, and casually wiped her hands on her skirt.

"Thank you, thank you." Grandma Chen wiped the clothes on the side of her body involuntarily. She wanted to pat the two girls but was afraid of dirtying their clothes.

"Hey, what are you thanking me for? We just happened to lend a hand." Cai Xin stroked Granny Chen's folded collar and patted her hand coquettishly. "The weather is bad tonight. Granny, please come back early."

"Hey, you guys should go back soon. It looks like it's going to rain again. Girls, don't catch a cold." Granny Chen's eyes were watery and she smiled kindly. She looked at the sky and urged.

"I see. Grandma Chen, you should also go to Old Cai to get an umbrella, otherwise it will rain when you come back at night." Aruo noticed that Grandma Chen's eyes were a little red, so he took her arm and nagged her for a few words.

Mr. Cai's customer's home today is on the route that Granny Chen takes to collect night-blooming incense, so he always has an extra umbrella to use.

Grandma Chen agreed, thanked him again and again, and urged her grandson to go home and read before she pushed the cart away shakily.

Chen Changsheng pursed his lips, clenched his fists with his sleeves hanging down, and his eyes were red. "It's all because of my uselessness that Grandma has to suffer so much."

"Why is it useless? Changsheng, you are good at studying, so just work hard. You will definitely pass the imperial examination in the future and let Grandma Chen live a good life." Aruo put his arm around his shoulders and comforted him.

"Sister Aruo, what's the point of trying harder? Even if the students in the private school are poor academic performers, their fathers can still donate money to get them official positions. Zhou Huaijin is right, what good is it if I only know how to study... I have nothing else." Remembering the contemptuous looks and ridicule from his classmates, Chen Changsheng couldn't help but question himself. What he had studied so hard day and night to achieve was something that others could easily obtain. Even the end of his life's efforts was just a step ahead of others.

"But Changsheng, apart from taking the imperial examinations, you don't have any other options." Cai Xin flicked his forehead with her finger, her delicate eyes smiling softly. "In that case, if you have time to think about this, you might as well go home and read."

"Yeah, don't think too much. Once you pass the imperial examination, Granny Chen's hard work will be over. Besides, the capital is prosperous, and there are so many people in high positions who can control the life and death of others at will. If you don't want to be bullied, you can only be cautious and work hard." Aruo shook his head. In this era, those scholars who can't carry anything have few options except a career in officialdom. No wonder it has been said since ancient times that it is difficult for a poor family to produce a noble son.

How many scholars, despite their high aspirations, would be willing to set aside their dignity and become farmers or businessmen? Having been oppressed for so long, Chen Changsheng was already obsessed with the prospect of rising to prominence once he passed the imperial examination. His grandmother often talked about passing the imperial examinations, and the only thing that made him feel superior to his classmates was his academic prowess.

Aruo himself does not agree with this idea, but this is the current situation. Even hundreds of years later, how many people will rush to take the exam?

Examinations have become the most reliable, safest, and possibly the fairest way for them to change their destiny.

The young man lowered his head, slowly stretched out his hand, and clenched his fingers into a fist. "Just because you're in a high position, does that mean you can control other people's lives and deaths?"

"Young man, why are you listening to the key points? It's about being cautious and working hard!" Aruo slapped him on the head without any hesitation and said fiercely, "If you dare to learn bad things, I will pull your ears off!"

"It hurts! Sister, I don't dare."

The newly formed delusion was slapped away before it could even take shape. Chen Changsheng rubbed the back of his head and followed his two sisters from the same courtyard home. Hearing them discussing what to do with their stall tomorrow, Chen Changsheng also gathered his courage and decided to read the book that the teacher had assigned him to read this month tonight.

The policy essay I wrote last night also needs to be revised... Didn't Zhou Huaijin rely on his father, an official, to hire a teacher to revise his policy essay? He didn't believe that if the teacher said his was better, the little bully surnamed Zhou would dare to loudly say that he was poor and uneducated.

Thinking about these things silently, the three of them stepped into the courtyard and saw the lady from the same courtyard waving at them.