Back then, Qiao Jingjing was a graduate student in biology at an agricultural university. She stayed up all night to finish her thesis as graduation approached, while taking civil service exams and submitting resumes to find a job. In the end, she collapsed from exhaustion.
He opened his eyes to find himself in this chaotic world that gets men's blood pumping.
A battle for supremacy, a world where the strong prey on the weak.
She and her younger sister, Qiao Manman, were raised by their father to be proper young ladies. In those days, thinness was considered beautiful, so the two sisters had to be thin and frail, and were only good at singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, calligraphy, painting, and other expensive and impractical things.
The only saving grace is that Qiao Jingjing knows more about this place than most people in the world.
The only two fortunate things were that, back then, she, as a female student, did better than her male classmates in those courses on raising pigs and chickens, planting rice, and harvesting wheat.
So, her life in Lujiang these past few years has been quite idyllic.
There's no pressure to take civil service exams, and no 996 work schedule (working from 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week) all year round.
Except for the occasional scorching sun and the heavy snowfall in winter, she relied on her hard work and self-sufficiency to almost achieve a comfortable life in this turbulent era.
She truly deserves to be called a contemporary strong woman in Lujiang.
Old Man Joe woke up in the middle of the night.
With his eyes wide open, he thought about all the hardships his family had endured over the years, fleeing from the north several times, and finally making it all the way south to Lujiang City. They started from scratch and finally managed to settle down in this place.
Life is tough.
He knew that Qiao's second wife had grievances. The family was large, and the eldest and youngest sisters-in-law were already difficult to please, and the grandfather doted on his daughters more than his sons. Furthermore, the eldest Qiao was quite capable in farming, while the second son was a good-for-nothing who spent his days playing with dogs and chickens and sponging off his parents.
As a result, the relationship between the sisters-in-law became increasingly strained.
The old man originally wanted to keep his two daughters at home for a few more years. In these chaotic times, it's good for the family to be together.
Although what Qiao's second wife said yesterday was unpleasant, it did make some sense.
In times of turmoil and scarcity of men, which family in Lujiang City with daughters isn't anxious to find a husband? Parents can only relax once they've settled their children's lifelong affairs.
Old Man Qiao quickly got up and, by the dim light of the oil lamp, counted the young talents in Lujiang City on his fingers again and again.
Lu Ji, the youngest son of Prefect Lu, was still young, but he was learned and knowledgeable, and was well-versed in astronomy, calendar, and arithmetic.
Lu Shang, the grandson of Prefect Lu, was a brilliant young man who showed much of the same qualities as his grandfather.
Lu Xun, the great-grandson of Prefect Lu, was older than Lu Ji. He was a man of deep thought, loyalty, and integrity.
Either one would be a perfect match for his Da Qiao.
After much back and forth, the old father only saw the Lu family as the most suitable in-laws.
Da Qiao's prophetic words had long been forgotten by her father.
"How can you take a girl's nonsense seriously?"
Early in the morning, Old Man Qiao knocked on Qiao Jingjing's door with a smile and told her to hurry up and get ready.
"Today, your father will take you to Prefect Lu's house to offer your birthday greetings. Today is the Prefect's wife's birthday."
At crucial moments, the good daughter can bring out the roast duck she made this winter to win over the stomachs of the women in the governor's household.
Old Man Joe had it all planned out perfectly.
Qiao Jingjing's plan was to go to the Li family first and then the Zhu family early in the morning to get back the chickens, ducks, eggs, and dried mulberries that she had worked so hard to raise.
"Father, let's do it another day. I have important business to attend to today."
"Can the birthday of the Prefect's wife be changed? What important matter do you have! Nothing is more important than this. Speaking of this matter... your father is quite troubled. Your mother passed away early, and you and your sister have neglected your studies as girls over the years. However, my eldest daughter, Qiao, is naturally beautiful, with a lovely appearance, virtuous and kind-hearted. I have no trouble finding a good husband."
Qiao Jingjing only then realized that her father was going to take her on a blind date.
The blind date was with Prefect Lu's family.
The elderly father was so angry at He Miaomiao's words that he became confused.
Just two days ago, she had explained to her elderly father the future fate of the sons and nephews of Prefect Lu.
The old father, however, watched his eldest daughter with great anticipation, having spent the entire night working on his abacus!
Qiao Jingjing yanked Qiao Manman out of bed, her father was destined to be disappointed.
At crucial moments, bring along the wronged little sister to go through the motions and get by.
Half an hour later.
Behind Old Man Qiao's humble figure followed two stunningly beautiful young women: Da Qiao, with her graceful figure, and Xiao Qiao, in a waist-length ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
The father and his two daughters stepped into the magnificent and imposing mansion of the prefect.
Mrs. Lu's reception room was already full of people.
The most eye-catching among them were the wife and daughter of Liu Xun, the magistrate of Wancheng County. Their dignified and wealthy attire made the Qiao Jingjing sisters look like a pair of country bumpkins.
Mrs. Lu was friendly and waved with a smile.
"Da Qiao, come here! Sit next to me and keep me company."
Qiao Jingjing cooperated and obediently sat down.
Although she had tried to adapt to local customs, places with many people are often lively, and places with many women are often full of gossip.
Among the large group of women, someone asked Qiao Jingjing questions: how old were the two sisters, when did their mother pass away, when did they come to Lujiang with their father, and what dangers they encountered on the way...
Qiao Jingjing answered them one by one.
When the Ten Attendants rebelled and Dong Zhuo entered the capital, her entire family fled from Luoyang to Ye City, then south from Ye City to Shouchun, and finally settled in Lujiang.
The mother and her family got separated while fleeing and have not been heard from since.
They told the public that their mother had passed away.
After hearing the details of the Qiao family's escape, such as the appearance of bandits, torrential rain, and lack of food and clothing, the women all showed disbelief on their faces.
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