In midsummer, the cicadas chirp and the heat is unbearable.

In the city of Kyoto, deep inside a magnificent mansion, a young girl in a light pink skirt was lazily leaning on a couch, holding a book in her hand, flipping through it nonchalantly.

This girl is Lin Qingya, the eldest daughter of the current Prime Minister Lin Hai. Unlike other ladies in the imperial court who recite poems and paint all day long, she has shown unique intelligence and agility since she was young. She is proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but she prefers to study strange stories and occasionally makes shocking remarks, which gives the tutors in the mansion a headache.

Today, she is reading an ancient book called "Records of Strange Stories". The book records all kinds of strange people and events, and Lin Qingya is reading it with great interest.

"Miss Xiao, you are looking at these weird and crazy things again." The maid Biyu walked into the room with a freshly brewed tea and shook her head helplessly, "If the master knew, he would blame you again."

Lin Qingya smiled indifferently when she heard this, put down the book in her hand, took the fragrant tea handed to her by Biyu, took a sip, and said, "These are just folk legends, why do you have to be so serious, Dad?"

"But……"

Biyu wanted to persuade her further but was interrupted by Lin Qingya.

"Okay, Biyu, I have my own opinion." Lin Qingya put down the teacup, stood up, walked to the window, looked out the window, and a cunning light flashed in her eyes, "I have long been tired of the life in this deep courtyard."

"Sister 께, what do you mean?" Biyu asked in confusion.

Lin Qingya smiled slightly, but did not answer. She was looking at the sky outside the window, thinking secretly in her heart: Since the old man gave me a chance to be reborn, I will live a different life. I am sure I can play in this ancient workplace!

"Sister 께, Sister 께, it's time to get up. The master asked you to go to the front hall to discuss matters." I heard the chattering voice of the maid Cuizhu in my ears. I turned over and covered my head with the quilt.

"It's so annoying. I won't go! Just say I'm sick. I have a headache and fever. My limbs are weak and I can't get up!"

"Oh my dear sister, what time has it already? Have you forgotten what day it is today? The master specifically instructed you to go to the front hall, saying... saying..." Cuizhu was hesitant to speak, as if she had something to hide.

I threw back the quilt, sat up from the bed, raised my eyebrows and asked, "What did you say? Tell me now!"

Cuizhu shuddered with fear and stammered, "They said...they said that the son of the Minister of Personnel is coming to visit us today, and the master and the mistress want you to go too..."

When I heard this, I immediately became excited. The son of the Minister of Personnel? Isn't that the legendary ignorant, arrogant and domineering young man, Mr. Zhao? I heard that he recently set his eyes on the daughter of Mr. Liu in the south of the city, and took her by force, causing a commotion in the city.

My father is a seventh-rank official, why would he suddenly come to visit? Could it be... that he wants my father to help him intercede? Thinking of this, I suddenly became interested. This ancient gossip is much more exciting than modern TV dramas.

I quickly got up and put on my clothes while urging Cuizhu, "Hurry up, dress me up. The more formal the better! I'm going to have a good meeting with Mr. Zhao today!"

Cuizhu was stunned by the speed of my transformation. It took her a long time to react and she began to do my makeup in a hurry.

When I arrived at the front hall, I immediately saw Mr. Zhao sitting in the guest seat. He looked decent, but his eyes were rolling around, and it was obvious that he was not a good person.

When my parents saw me coming, they quickly stood up to greet me.

"I am a beautiful lady, nice to meet you, Mr. Zhao." I bowed slightly, but I caught a glimpse of surprise in Mr. Zhao's eyes and a slight smile of complacency on his lips.

"Sister Lin, you don't have to be so polite." Master Zhao quickly stood up and returned the greeting, his tone frivolous, "I have long heard that Sister Lin is both beautiful and charming. Seeing her today, I can see that she is indeed as good-looking as her reputation suggests."

I sneered in my heart. He started to speak smoothly before we even said a few words. It seems that the rumors are true.

"Mr. Zhao, you are too kind. I am just a woman. How can I deserve such compliments?" I said this in a humble manner, but in my heart I was thinking about how to trick him.

"Master Lin is so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter." Master Zhao turned to look at my father, his eyes gleaming, "I heard that Master Lin is worried about something recently?"

My heart moved. Here he comes! It seems that Mr. Zhao has come with bad intentions. My father has been worried about a corruption case recently. This case involves many officials in the court. My father was also wrongly accused, but he has been unable to clear his suspicion due to lack of evidence.

I secretly observed my father's expression and saw that his face changed slightly, but soon returned to normal. He smiled and said, "I'm sorry to make you laugh, Master Zhao. I was just worried about some trivial matters. It's not worth mentioning."

"Oh? Really?" Master Zhao looked at my father with a half-smile, "I heard that the evidence of this corruption case is now in the hands of Lord Lin?"

I was shocked. How did Mr. Zhao know this? Could it be...