Chapter 1: Chapter One

The sun was about to set, and the mountain path leading to Jingdu was coated on both sides with a layer of gold glimmer as thin as cicada wings, like silver powder brushed off when playing with a hairpin, sparkling like countless stars.

A blue‑gray covered carriage rolled in, kicking up dust, then light as a feather slipped away toward the far side of the mountain. It never stopped, the horse never halted, and it sped toward the main road.

If his pace were a bit faster, he could still reach Jingdu before the city gates close tomorrow night.

The driver seated at the front dared not make any mistake; even through the night he kept his eyes wide, and by the faint light, clack‑clack, he urged forward.

The delicate passenger inside the carriage was noble, the future wife of the top scholar, yet he still did not know what rank of official's wife she would become.

In a small town, one never sees such a world; the people he had only seen on stage would later become towering figures.

Even if he had ten heads, he would not dare offend. Now being able to sell a favor to an official's wife is a bargain that fell from the heavens.

Not to mention giving it away for free; even if he had to pay extra, he would gladly escort this trip.

Inside the carriage, Lu Bao'er was as fragile as a kitten, curled in a heavy woolen blanket, a small rosy half‑face peeking out, the wind having torn a few fine seams, showing how tender she was.

Even so, it could not hide her cute, innocent look—her cherry‑red lips slightly part, eyes half‑closed in drowsiness.

With no guard at all, to a man she was a delicate guest who could stir both protectiveness and conquest; to a woman she was a pliable, weak troublemaker easy to manipulate.

The maid Yan Fang on the side frowned slightly, breaking her usual down‑cast obedient gaze; her heart roiled like a storm, thinking how someone like that could ever be worthy of a top scholar's wife!

Burning with jealousy, she could only force a smile, lest Lu Bao'er see through her.

In an instant, her thoughts twisted inside her—she was never a lowly servant girl but the concubine daughter of Zhao, the money‑shop owner; had her father not learned that Xie Junling had passed the imperial exam and wanted to climb the ladder, he would have presented her to Lu Bao'er as a maid, even hired the driver and sent her to the capital. How could Yan Fang have such luck to go to Jingdu and witness its splendor?

From miss to maid, the gap was huge. Yet she did not resent her father, even though she endured the jealous gaze of her legitimate elder sister.

These days, even a concubine of an official or a secondary‑room maid is more privileged than those from small merchant families.

Even senior officials touring the nine provinces would present their own concubine daughters, or raise slender Yangzhou horses in their yards, waiting to offer them to superiors, building connections.

No amount of flattery compares to a beloved concubine's whispered words by the pillow; those who have been through it understand.

It was also Yan Fang's great luck that a top scholar emerged from ordinary folk—a young, capable, handsome man.

Why wouldn't she be moved? She seized the chance to infiltrate the household and patiently await the right moment. She had some learning and could read, far better than a rustic woman like Lu Bao'er serving a man. Her father had said that Xie Junling, young and talented, had even passed the three‑stage exams, earned the emperor's favor, was appointed top scholar, and would have an unlimited future.

As long as she could control the seemingly young Lu Bao'er and smoothly climb onto Master Xie's bed, wouldn't that be a heaven‑sent marriage?

Yan Fang, after all, came from a small town and a merchant family, so her outlook was limited.

One must know that a young, capable top scholar, like any court official, must weave alliances with senior ministers to survive this great cauldron; who wouldn't want to forge alliances through a daughter's marriage?

Moreover, there was already a primary wife who had shared the bed for years; even she couldn't be displaced.

On one side she was secretly delighted, while on the other Lu Bao'er slowly awoke, her crystal‑clear eyes rolling beneath her lids,

Needless to say, Yan Fang was always scheming. This maid's skill at reading cues was still lacking, and she could be easily seen through.

It was just a matter of turning a blind eye; traveling alone to the capital was truly risky, so better to find a shield—if trouble arose, she could take the lead.

Lu Bao'er sat up straight, ate two bites of osmanthus cake, and felt drowsy again.

Her gaze went blank, her soul drifting outside her body, recalling past events concerning her and Xie Junling.

Lu Bao'er's husband, Xie Junling, had passed the imperial exam; Lu Bao'er was not entirely joyful, but rather a bit fearful—she and Xie Junling were not close; shortly after the marriage,

A night of marital affection, but unfortunately she and Xie Junling never consummated, remaining respectful as guests.

Though he spoiled her, his everyday words were only playful teasing as if with a child, never treating her as a woman. He probably didn't like her either.

The teacher‑student bond was as heavy as a mountain; he was forced, so he could only follow his master's command to marry and protect her.

Even today he still recalls that night's bleakness, the oil lamp the size of a bean casting vague shadows on the screen.

After a moment, his father's hoarse voice came, suffering a grave illness, with little time left.

What Xie Junling answered, she didn't hear.

She was just over eleven then, understanding some things, but when a major event occurred she would still cry.

In this life she was raised by her father; the dearest person would die, and no one else would stand as a towering protector for her.

Lu Bao'er sobbed nonstop until that man emerged from inside, pursed his lips, gave her a glance, then extended his hand, letting her take it, and led her inside, "Your father has something to tell you."

After a while, to show intimacy, Xie Junling softly called, "Bao'er, be good, go in and speak with your father."

Lu Bao'er wasn't an uncomprehending child; she rushed like a madwoman to her father's couch.

She knew in her heart that this time, closing her eyes would mean her elderly father would never open them again.

She wanted to cry but dared not, trembling like a cat curled in snow, breath feeble, cold as if inhaling ice.

Lu drew a jade pendant from under the pillow, handed it to her, saying, "This was given by your mother; keep it, and when trouble comes, take it out—it can save your life. Be good, son—dad is taking a nap, a bit sleepy."

He grew weaker as he spoke, soon falling asleep.

But this sleep, he never woke again.

After that, Xie Junling continued to care for her.

It wasn't that there were no marriages; there were also brides raised from childhood for wealthy young masters; in rural towns that wasn't unusual.

So, without a phoenix crown or rosy veil, everyone in the academy tacitly understood that Lu Bao'er was Xie Junling's little wife.

Though Xie Junling was already a provincial graduate at the time, the villagers still thought his luck was extraordinary; a provincial graduate was usually the pinnacle, and standing out among the myriad noble families or other provincial graduates was no easy feat.

Some think becoming an official is like slaughtering pigs—one kill, one success? Someone young who passed the provincial graduate but spent most of his life studying without any gain, even on New Year's Eve can't afford a meat dish; better to be practical—have a little wife, some land and shops, and if you can't become an official, be a landowner.

Lu the scholar had amassed a lifetime of wealth, giving him a solid foundation.

He had no heirs, no son to flatter him; now that he's passed, he left a little maid and a courtyard of property—though not lavish, it could satisfy basic needs.

A penniless provincial graduate suddenly gaining both wealth and beauty—how wonderful! As for the maid, if she's not wanted, a ruthless discard would bring no complaints.

With this thinking, everyone could only sigh that Xie Junling's fate was undeniably good.

Lu Bao'er was thirteen this year, meaning she had been with Xie Junling for just over a year; the following year, he would be in Jingdu.

Speaking of affection, there was none. She lacked the confidence to believe that the rapidly rising Xie Junling would truly protect and cherish her forever; perhaps he dismissed her frail body, or simply wasn't inclined that way. He never even shared a bed with her, never let her get close, sometimes urging her to write, and if she wrote poorly she'd be starved; whether it was bullying or some odd hobby, in any case he was stricter than a teacher.

At that time, Xie Junling was already a provincial graduate; he still said he would take the exams, Lu Bao'er said nothing, watching him leave with his bundle, and living on with the old maid he'd instructed.

Little did she know, her husband was ambitious. Among thousands of scholars he forged a path and topped the list.

She became uneasy, first reflecting whether she had ever treated her husband poorly, fearing he might bear a grudge and later mistreat her… but thinking further, the time together was short, and he had been away for a year due to the provincial exam, so no. Secondly, she worried that if she accepted his invitation and hurried to the capital, he might reject her, using the chance to shed her and become a pristine single top scholar.

If that were really the case, she would certainly set some conditions—let her go, extort some money, and she wouldn't ruin his promotion prospects; otherwise, if it got out that the top scholar abandoned his wife and child, his reputation would suffer, and in any case it would be bad.

Lu Bao'er had once, without Xie Junling's knowledge, secretly read unofficial histories, which all wrote: a scholar who passed the imperial exams abandons his humble wife and takes a lady from an official family, and from then on enjoys smooth sailing and limitless prospects. Originally a poor student, after passing the exams he was dazzled by the glittering world; generally such people act contrary to the norm, not only abandoning their faithful wives but also marrying the legitimate daughters of high officials.

Would Xie Junling do that?

It's really hard to say, after all she doesn't understand him. It's been a year since they met, only correspondence, and she doesn't know how his year has been. The family letters just say, "All is well, all is well."

When Lu Bao'er closed her eyes, she thought of Xie Junling's appearance—he rarely smiles, perhaps he doesn't smile at her often.

He is indeed handsome, face like polished jade, features cool and gentle, with his own modest gentlemanly aura like orchid and bamboo.

Sometimes he is tender, reaching out to her, reading to her, telling her amusing stories, but at bedtime Lu Bao'er gets scared, wants to sleep beside him; after all they are only nominal spouses, and he refuses, retreating alone to the study.

Is it because he despises her, so he just puts on a show, or some other reason?

She doesn't know, can't say.

Lu Bao'er quite likes him; he's good‑looking.

But he seems not to like her, is not gentle, and never shows it.

Even though people say he's not good, he does have loyalty and righteousness; at least he knows to take her to the capital and give her the status of a top scholar's wife.

Fine, perhaps he doesn't want to break his promise to his father? As long as they don't divorce, give Lu Bao'er a place to live and the status of a primary wife, she would agree to him taking more concubines—the more the better, whether plump beauties or the fox‑like slender beauties of Yangzhou, she would graciously provide them.

As for children, he can have as many as he likes; Lu Bao'er would treat them as her own, raise them well, never be jealous. Since she has nothing else to worry about, she can enjoy a peaceful life. In this era, status is paramount.

A divorced woman has a hard time, especially when her ex‑husband is powerful; who would dare to marry her? If she shows her face and does a small business, how would she deal with bullies?

Moreover, she still looks like a half‑grown child.

What a sorrow.

Lu Bao'er has no great ambitions; now she doesn't even crave love or marriage, just wants to eat and clothe herself for this life.

She feels sorry for Yan Fang, who has followed her all the way, never enjoying any luck, perhaps losing both people and wealth. Lu Bao'er looks at her with a sisterly pity, silently promising that if Yan Fang truly gets divorced, she could still recommend her, after all nowadays who doesn't like a well‑shaped woman?

Speaking of sorrow, Lu Bao'er lowered her head, glanced at her own shriveled little chest, and felt a pang in her heart.

The carriage suddenly jolted, the pearl curtains clanged against each other, shaking endlessly.

Lu Bao'er had never seen such a scene, startled, thinking the carriage would overturn.

"Ugh—" the coachman outside shouted, "Who doesn't have eyes, crashing into our top scholar's wife?! Aren't you afraid the top scholar will punish you and throw you in jail?!"

On the other side, a deep male voice asked, "Is the one seated in the sedan chair the top scholar's wife?"

"Exactly, how could it be false? If you know, leave quickly, otherwise I will punish you!" The coachman, after satisfying his urge to speak, probably never felt so smug in his life.

He had just finished speaking cheerfully when a sharp silver flash streaked, slashing toward his forehead; with a "clack", the flesh‑and‑blood body collapsed.

Thick blood splattered into the sedan chair; Lu Bao'er wasn't foolish and knew what had happened.

Yan Fang, however, was terrified to the point of madness, muttering incoherently as she ran off the carriage.

She wanted to warn of danger, but it was too late.

Yan Fang was sliced in two by these cold‑blooded assassins, left sprawled in the wilderness.

Lu Bao'er gritted her teeth, pulled a hairpin from her head, and amid the chaos thrust the sharp pin into the horse's body.

The horse, in pain, shook off the carriage frame and, frantic, bolted forward, plowing through the group of assassins.

Perhaps the assailants were stunned; they didn't expect the young Lu Bao'er to have such solitary bravery, and they failed to catch up.

Of course, there was no need to pursue; a half‑grown child, as thin as a cat, thrown from a horse could hardly survive. No point in chasing.

The doomed horse galloped forward, heedless of cliffs or beast‑filled forests, just charging ahead.

Lu Bao'er still didn't want to die, clenching the reins tightly, her finger joints cracking as she scrambled onto the horse's back, refusing to be thrown off.

Her will to survive was intense; no matter what, she didn't want to die.

Those assassins knew she was the top scholar's wife; knowing that yet still killing her proved it was a matter of life and death.

But who knew of her journey to the capital?

She only corresponded with Xie Junling by letters.

So, was it her inscrutable husband who did it?

Without reason, Lu Bao'er felt a throbbing pain in her heart, threads of ache like a hole being shaken, cut by the passing wind, a cold, raw pain.

She also realized that Xie Junling could not let his wife stay in a remote countryside; if discovered, he would be branded as ungrateful.

The wife must be brought to Jingdu; then, if she disappears midway, would that benefit him?

Of course there is; then it's not his fault, it's that his rural wife is ill‑fated, his beloved wife has no life to enjoy. This way, he can use a marriage alliance to climb onto a noble family's daughter, helping him rise swiftly. After all, he comes from a humble background, and in the cut‑throat capital he has no foundation.

Someone in his position wanting to secure a foothold must devise some scheme.

Is Xie Junling annoyed that she is a hindrance, and rather than divorce her, he creates an accident of losing his beloved wife to add color to his life?

If so, it's a pity; Lu Bao'er only needed some money to leave.

She never intended to cling; she knows the rules well— as long as she has a worry‑free second half of life, whether she is an official's wife or not doesn't matter, and Xie Junling's hands need not be stained with blood.

But why is he so ruthless?

Wasn't the travel fund for his capital exam journey raised by her selling off their possessions?

No man is a good thing; throughout history it's always been so.

Lu Bao'er was in pain, wanted to cry, and felt very aggrieved.

But she can't; if she cries she'll lose strength, fall off the horse, and if she dies—what then?

She only misjudged Xie Junling. No matter how good‑looking he is, she doesn't want him for the rest of her life.

---------- Aside ----------

Caodeng, a 1996‑born romance author. Long‑term resident of Italy.

Comic scriptwriter, notable work "Stunning Little Egg Princess".

Thirteen published works: "Italy First Love Diary 1, 2", "My Sweet Warm Daily Life with My Husband", "Fox and Nightingale", "Black Ballet Summer", "Don't Lie to Him", "Seeing You When I Wake from a Dream", "The World He Heard", "Whale Fall", "Snow Lodge", etc.

Weibo: @DearCaodeng

First time writing on Hong Xiu; this piece is not historically researched, it's purely fictional, so give it a light pat~^^