Chapter One, the mountain stream and the wild path are adorned with pear blossoms

Chu Shaoqin turned his back and began to vomit, seemingly exerting all his strength to expel the raw meat he had consumed. The onlooking servants quickly dispersed, and Xiao Li, who was in charge of transferring the tiger meat to the kitchen, led him to the kitchen

The cold night wind swept in, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Accompanying this shiver was Chu Shaoqin, who came running from the backyard gate, holding a large lantern wrapped in a layer of burlap. He trembled from the cold, and the moment he ran into the courtyard, he quickly closed the door, shutting out the cold wind.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the flag of the Zhengda Escort Agency fluttered wildly in the fierce wind. The escort team, having long departed from the bustling market of Qingyang City, struggled to keep their eyes open against the wind and snow. The heavy snow buried the road ahead and covered half of the wheel. The guide could no longer discern the direction with his eyes, so he took out the compass from his pocket to determine the way.

Chu Shaoqin gazed at her smiling profile, and although she had a bad temper and a peculiar personality, she was innocent and pure

The ground was covered with falling pear blossoms, and Chu Shaoqin, feeling dizzy and disoriented, hurriedly untied himself. He then forcefully pried open the mouse trap on his foot, and his already numb foot gradually regained sensation. As soon as he lifted his head, Li Qiuxue threw him a set of ill-fitting servant's clothes.

"Stop right there!" Li Qiuxue called out to him just as he was about to push open the back gate.

Chu Shaoqin's beggar's clothes were already riddled with many holes, and now he felt a strong, searing pain beneath the tattered garments

Is she really waiting? Chu Shaoqin does not know whether Li Qiuxue is foolish or simply naive. No one can pluck the stars from the sky; he was deceiving her. How could she believe him?

"Xue'er, what is going on with that person?" Li Baize quickly noticed Chu Shaoqin, and he stepped forward, drawing his sword to cut the rope.

Chu Shaoqin gasped, exerting all his strength to retreat, only to find that he was already against the wall

"That was close." Li Qiuxue tightly clutched the scroll to her chest, but the next moment, the rope of the carriage snapped, and the unbalanced carriage threw Li Qiuxue out from within.

In these twenty years, no woman has ever made him feel so utterly disheveled.

Li Baize scrutinized the seemingly frail Chu Shaoqin, appearing to doubt the words of Li Qiuxue. However, upon seeing Li Qiuxue enthusiastically praise him, as a father, he could not bear to see his daughter unhappy, so he smiled and nodded in acceptance of Chu Shaoqin

The longer one waits, the more disappointment one feels. From the initial excitement and anticipation, Li Qiuxue has now descended into a state of loss and sadness. Chu Shaoqin is neither a relative nor a close acquaintance; he is merely a passerby whom she clings to. With wealth and a way out, why would he ever return to seek her out?

"You, the mouse, dare to steal the grain from my home; are you seeking a longer life?" Li Qiuxue deliberately drew her sword from her waist, making a gesture to intimidate Chu Shaoqin

Chu Shaoqin not only could not cook, but he had also never seen a clay stove or firewood. Thus, he exerted tremendous effort to start a fire, and then spent an entire afternoon stir-frying a plate of black tiger meat. The kitchen of the Zhengda Escort Agency began to emit white smoke, prompting the servants to rush in with buckets of water to extinguish the flames. Upon hearing of this incident, Li Qiuxue immediately hung Chu Shaoqin from a pear tree, allowing him to reflect thoroughly in the cold wind

"Hey, where are you going?" Chu Shaoqin watched as Li Qiuxue walked further away, feeling an overwhelming sense of fear within. In this deep mountain forest, at most, there were large wild beasts roaming about. He truly did not believe that someone who could not even hold a sword properly could protect him.

Now we go hunting; whatever we catch, we will eat

Chu Shaoqin stared in astonishment at Li Qiuxue's retreating figure as she turned to leave, the silk ribbons on her dress gently fluttering, her embroidered shoes adorned with peony patterns stepping over the threshold, gradually moving further away until they disappeared from Chu Shaoqin's sight

"Xue'er, what are you doing here?" Li Baize thought he had seen it wrong; he rubbed his eyes a few times before confirming that the person emerging from the carriage was Li Qiuxue

Each time he tore a piece of cloth, he frowned as if such an action caused him pain. Li Qiuxue gazed at him, recalling how he had also frowned when they fell into the valley, holding her tightly in his embrace, using his own body to protect her

Chu Shaoqin looked at this warm scene, feeling a mix of emotions, including some envy

The dream is silent, like a drop of water falling onto the surface of a calm lake, sending ripples spreading out layer by layer

Ah, it is difficult to thrive when one eats alone. Chu Shaoqin wriggled a few times, swaying in mid-air.

You are well aware of the danger, so why do you not give up that painting

Fortunately, she is not present; otherwise, his address would certainly entangle Li Qiuxue. He now needs to conceal his identity and must not allow any unforeseen circumstances to arise

"Mother, do you think he will come back?" Li Qiuxue extended her hand, spreading her five fingers. She looked through the gaps between her fingers at the starless night sky, as if speaking to the air.

In the spacious courtyard, the fragrance of flowers wafts through the air, emanating from the fluttering petals of the pear tree. This is the backyard of the Zhengda Escort Agency, as well as the secret base of Li Qiuxue, who enjoys teasing others and setting up little traps here. The people of the Zhengda Escort Agency usually do not wander around this place, as a moment of inattention could lead them to be caught in one of the traps.

"Dare to call the master's full name directly, and you will be hung for another day." Li Qiuxue's bad temper began to flare up again, she pouted and tossed her head, preparing to leave the courtyard

"Li Qiu... no, Li Xiaozhu, you are awake?" Chu Shaoqin looked at Li Qiuxue, who had come forward to bandage his wounds, feeling somewhat flattered.

Seeing the situation was urgent, Lord Chu Shaoqin quickly changed his tone and shouted, "Little Master Li, I was wrong. Please show mercy and let me down."

But what about Li Qiuxue? Has she come to a realization and decided to let him go

"Is tiger meat delicious?" Li Qiuxue said this while stroking the long whip in her hand. The courtyard, usually empty, was now crowded with servants, their faces bearing the expression of "inhuman cruelty." Yet, none dared to step forward to stop Li Qiuxue from forcing Chu Shaoqin to eat tiger meat; they sympathized with him while fearing they might become the next object of sympathy.

In the past, the carefree Chu Shaoqin was neither skilled in literature nor in martial arts. Under the bizarre training of Li Baize, he soon fell ill. However, Li Qiuxue did not let him off the hook; during the days he was sick, he would always see strange animal corpses in his medicinal soup. Every time he finished the medicine and saw those disgusting animal corpses settling at the bottom of the bowl, he would always gag and vomit. Yet, Li Qiuxue did not relent; during his illness, he continued to find those peculiar animal corpses in his medicinal soup, and each time he drank the medicine and noticed those repulsive corpses at the bottom of the bowl, he would inevitably gag and throw up.

But how can I hunt with my hands tied?

He will definitely come back, I will be waiting here

He shrugged his shoulders slightly, shifting his hips to sit side by side with Li Qiuxue. A faint scent of pear blossoms emanated from her, wafting up to Chu Shaoqin's nose from the tips of her hair, gradually dispelling the cold that enveloped him. Li Qiuxue looked up at the fireflies and leaned her head against Chu Shaoqin's shoulder. She seemed a bit drowsy, and before long, she fell asleep against his shoulder. Chu Shaoqin softly called her name, and seeing that she did not respond, he prepared to sneak away. She seemed a bit drowsy, and before long, she fell asleep against his shoulder. Chu Shaoqin softly called her name, and seeing that she did not respond, he prepared to sneak away.

Although he did not understand why Li Qiuxue was so determined to have the stars in the sky, how could he possibly pluck the stars from the sky? It was more important to take the opportunity to escape, after all, there were more important matters awaiting his attention

"Li Biao Tou, you can rest assured, I will definitely take good care of her"

Li Qiuxue pouted unhappily and ran back to her room. Chu Shaoqin finally breathed a sigh of relief; it was not difficult for him to escape from the Zhengda Escort Agency now that Li Qiuxue was not following him

"Is there any shelter ahead? Find a place to stop and take cover from the wind and snow." Li Baize's voice was carried away by the wind

So, how good-looking do you think I am

When Chu Shaoqin saw her turn around, he immediately revealed a flattering smile: "You are so beautiful, I am willing to be your slave for a lifetime, but you have to let me down first so I can eat something, right?"

"I ask you, if I want the stars in the sky, can you pluck them down for me?" Li Qiuxue looked up at Chu Shaoqin with her hands behind her back, her fox fur robe gently billowing in the wind. Qingyang City is surrounded by mountains, and in early spring, it still carries a chill, with occasional snow and wind.

The bonfire could not be lit in the wind and snow, and the escort team trapped in the blizzard had no choice but to gather together to drink and warm themselves. The wind and snow grew increasingly fierce, seemingly unwilling to cease. The towering boulders swayed precariously, and noticing something amiss, Li Baize had no choice but to grit his teeth and lead the escort team onward.

From that day on, the sound of the bell became Chu Shaoqin's nightmare

This little bit of snow is not a problem, what is the snow doing? Why doesn't it come out to see off the old man?

The young master Li said he would teach me martial arts, starting with being hung upside down, so he hung me from a tree. Chu Shaoqin rolled his eyes and provided the best answer

"Xiao Li, take the tiger meat to the kitchen." Li Qiuxue crouched down, reaching out to smooth the furrowed brow of Chu Shaoqin, the bells on her wrist jingling.

No, we will go together

Bai Shaoqin? Shaoqin? It seems that the crown prince of our Great Chu is also named Shaoqin...

She changed into a green silk dress and styled her hair into an elegant Chao Yun Jin Xiang bun, with a green jade flower hairpin complementing her long skirt. Her meticulous appearance seemed to be for the purpose of meeting someone, as Chu Shao Qin speculated. Before he could speak, a group of men’s voices came from the corridor outside the courtyard.

Alright, alright, you all should stop flattering me. Where has my Snow gone? She hasn't caused any trouble for me during this time, has she?

Your Highness, I am gravely injured and fear I may become a burden to you. Kongjing supported his body with a long sword, crimson blood flowing down his arm. He was barely breathing, yet he held himself up with indomitable will, saying, "I fear I can no longer accompany Your Highness. Your Highness, you must survive; only by living can you return to seek revenge"

The tiger approached him step by step, sniffing the scent of human flesh. He struggled desperately, but could not free himself. The tiger quickened its pace and finally came charging at him.

"As bodyguards, we place the utmost importance on credibility. Since we have accepted someone else's escort and received their payment, we must take responsibility for the items being escorted," Li Qiuxue said, her eyes shining brightly as she spoke.

These fireflies were caught by Chu Shaoqin on the mountain. He originally intended to cross the high mountains and leave Qingyang City, but at night he saw these glowing insects. Following them, he discovered the fireflies' nest, where the cave was filled with fireflies resembling the starry river in the sky. At that moment, he forgot his fate of fleeing and only wished to bring these "stars" to Li Qiuxue's side

But what does her trust matter? He cannot stay here for long

Chu Shaoqin continued to protect the pear blossom, Qiu Xue, in his arms as the two rolled down the steepest slope of the valley to the bottom. The withered branches, covered by heavy snow, tore Chu Shaoqin's sleeve, while the cold air froze the open wound, rendering him unable to feel any pain

"You wouldn't want to send me to the authorities, would you?" Chu Shaoqin's face suddenly turned pale; the authorities were the place he feared the most. Having barely escaped from Yandu, how could he possibly return there to meet his death?

In order to appear more like a member of the Zhengda Escort Agency, Li Qiuxue had carried a sword with her since childhood, but that could not conceal the fact that her martial arts skills were mediocre. At this moment, she adjusted the sword at her waist, bit into a peach, and pushed open the door to the woodshed in the backyard

What are you laughing at

Zhengda Escort Agency is headed by Li Baize, and Li Qiuxue is the only daughter of Li Baize. Madam Li passed away when Li Qiuxue was three years old, and Li Baize did not remarry. He devoted all his love to Li Qiuxue, providing her with the best life since childhood and allowing her to run wild.

Chu Shaoqin's expression was one of retreat in the face of difficulty, and Li Qiuxue derived an answer from such an expression. She lowered her eyes in disappointment, her previous arrogance and pride filled with an inexplicable sadness

Li Qiuxue turned around with satisfaction, and when she smiled with her lips pressed together, two dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, making her look particularly adorable, yet this was in stark contrast to her personality

"Ah, that's not right. Since he is so good, why would you hang him up in a tree?" Li Baize suddenly felt confused, and Xiao Li awkwardly retreated to a place where he could not be seen.

What should be done? The great revenge has not been avenged, how can he die here

Chu Shaoqin originally wanted to explain, but when he looked up at the father and daughter, he gave up on the defense. Standing in front of him, Li Baize not only had a robust physique but also carried three large knives, with a group of equally burly men behind him. Killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant. Rather than escaping from here, it would be better to rely on them for protection.

Xiao Li is a servant responsible for kitchen affairs and has watched Li Qiuxue grow up. He knows that Chu Shaoqin lied to deceive the young lady in order to escape, but he did not expect that the young lady actually believed him

Everyone, let's set off! With a shout from Li Baize, the others from the escort agency began to follow the carriage as it departed

Indeed, he cannot do it either; no one can pluck the stars from the sky, can they

A single ear of corn is not enough to send you to the authorities; I still want to keep you for more enjoyable activities

Then I will pull you up. Li Qiuxue lowered the rope hanging from the tree branch, while Chu Shaoqin clumsily tied up the large lantern in his arms and climbed onto the tree trunk to sit down

Look, the stars have come out, and the one closest to the moon must be my mother. Li Qiuxue pointed to the dark clouds blown apart by the wind, and the stars in the night sky finally revealed themselves

Chu Shaoqin gazed at her side profile, illuminated by a fluorescent glow, and in a moment of daze, he recalled his deceased biological mother. When she was alive, she would take him to fly kites, and they would sit on the high eaves counting stars, listening to the night wind weaving through the desolate courtyard. Later on, his biological mother was wronged and met an untimely death, and he could no longer rely on such an embrace to act spoiled.

On that day, he lost the only family member he had in the world, as well as the only person he could trust. The icy, piercing water felt like a blade, making him vividly remember this excruciating pain and the deep-seated hatred.

One day he will return, and he will make those who took everything from him wish they were dead

"Hahaha, don't worry, I won't rob you of your color." When Li Qiuxue laughed out loud, she caught a whiff of a sour and foul smell. Following the stench, she found it emanating from Chu Shaoqin, and finally wrinkled her brow in disgust, saying, "How can you smell worse than a latrine?"

Chu Shaoqin hurriedly closed his mouth, pressing his entire back against the wall, not daring to move recklessly

The young lady is still sulking, refusing to come out with the door closed

Li Qiuxue tossed her head and walked ahead, the bells on her wrist jingling with a crisp sound

After a while, Li Qiuxue observed Chu Shaoqin, who had tied up his long hair and changed into clean clothes. After grooming himself, he was indeed a handsome young man; rather than saying he was handsome, it would be more accurate to describe him as having bright features, with distinct facial features that bore a hint of exotic charm.

"Father, I want to go too." Li Qiuxue, noticing the change in Chu Shaoqin, ran in front of Li Baize. She could see through Chu Shaoqin's intentions; he must be trying to sneak away, so she had to follow him closely and keep a tight watch on this little mouse.

The next day, a snowfall occurred in Qingyang City. Although it was early April, this town embraced by the mountains still felt somewhat cold

This time, Chu Shaoqin did not bend down due to Li Baize's great strength. Upon hearing that Li Baize was going to take him on a long journey, his eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. He hurriedly nodded in agreement and raised his wine bowl to toast Li Baize

When Chu Shaoqin opened the burlap covering of the lantern, fireflies flew out from the small opening, illuminating the pear tree with countless glimmers of light. The fireflies quickly filled the entire courtyard, their glow flickering in and out, as beautiful as the stars twinkling in the night sky

He indeed has not bathed for a month, as he has been on the run, pushing everything aside except for survival. If it weren't for Li Qiuxue mentioning it, he truly would not have realized that he was emanating a foul odor from head to toe

He and Li Qiuxue were wrapped in the same fur coat, both sitting by the roaring fire to keep warm. The firelight illuminated the cave, and Li Qiuxue, feeling drowsy, rested her head on Chu Shaoqin's shoulder. She sensed a stubbornness in Chu Shaoqin, a kind of stubbornness akin to a torch in winter, warming her heart

Li Qiuxue pointed at the Chu Shaoqin on the ground, claiming that he was a servant she had purchased, and boasted in front of Li Baize that he was very capable and would surely become a good assistant by Li Baize's side in the future

Li Qiuxue may be more innocent than he imagines, although she is willful, unreasonable, and headstrong, she is also very trusting of others

What is your name

What is she really doing? Is she willing to risk her life just to protect the escort?

Chu Shaoqin took the silver coins, feeling secretly pleased, as now he even had travel expenses.

"Why do you want the stars in the sky?" Chu Shaoqin could not help but ask this question

Chu Shaoqin picked up the jade pendant, tightly clenching it in his palm. Upon seeing this pendant, he would recall how his father was framed and how Kongjing died before his eyes. The hatred seemed as if it would crush the pendant, yet now, Chu Shaoqin must survive

When Li Qiuxue woke up, Chu Shaoqin was sitting at the cave entrance, bare-chested, tending to his wounds. He had multiple cuts on his body, and due to his fair complexion, the bloodstains appeared even more vivid. He chewed the gathered herbs into a paste and applied it to his wounds, then used torn strips of his clothing to bandage them.

In accordance with the principle that one must work for their own sustenance, Li Qiuxue bound Chu Shaoqin's hands with a hemp rope and dragged him into the depths of the forest as if escorting a prisoner

Father! Chu Shaoqin awoke from a nightmare, and when he woke up, Li Qiuxue was no longer by his side

Dozens of people stood at the entrance of the Zhengda Escort Agency, and there were no women among their ranks. Li Baize looked up at the vast sky, where snowflakes were swirling down. Xiao Li, who remained to guard the escort agency, stepped forward to ask him if he needed to wait for the snow to stop before setting out

She ran towards Li Baize and affectionately linked her arm with his sturdy one

Facing the approaching face of Li Qiuxue, Chu Shaoqin felt somewhat embarrassed and leaned back

Then I will go pick the stars!" Chu Shaoqin pushed open the door to the backyard and walked further away

The cold rainwater pelted against Chu Shaoqin's face, and he struggled to open his eyes, unaware of how long he had fainted on the shore. Upon waking, he immediately began to search his body, and the jade pendant fell from his embrace.

That is certainly the case

"What do you want to do to me?" Chu Shaoqin let out a sigh of relief, but his expression was that of a respectable woman being humiliated.

The coachman driving the horse-drawn carriage is Chu Shaoqin. Although Li Baize does not express it openly, he is also concerned that this young man, Chu Shaoqin, might run away halfway. Therefore, he arranged for Chu Shaoqin to be at the very front of the carriage, allowing him to observe his movements at all times

Originally, hanging corn on the pear tree was intended to catch mice, but unexpectedly, it caught a person. This individual stealthily entered the backyard in the middle of the night to steal corn and happened to get their foot caught in her mouse trap, making it only natural for her to tie them up.

The sound of the bell was crisp and clear. As soon as he raised his hand, Chu Shaoqin stopped his attempt to flee. It was unclear when, but Li Qiuxue had already bound his left hand with an iron rope, the other end of which was fastened to the bracelet on her wrist. She seemed to have seen through Chu Shaoqin's thoughts and had long since laid out a net to ensnare him.

"Li Biao Tou, the snow seems to be getting heavier, what should we do?" The person responsible for leading the way raised his arm to shield his face from the blowing snow and turned to look back at Li Bai Ze. The companions of Li Bai Ze were already struggling to move, as the snow had nearly reached their knees.

A few beggars were the ones who rescued him, dragging him to a sheltered corner of an alley where they kindly fed him some porridge that had been given to them by others. Once he regained his senses, Chu Shaoqin became one of the beggars. In gratitude to those who had saved his life, he gave them the only valuable item he had, a jade hairpin. Before leaving, Chu Shaoqin exchanged clothes with the beggar who had saved him, and with his disheveled hair, he became a complete beggar.

"I can, I can pick as many as you want." Chu Shaoqin was unsure whether he agreed because he no longer wanted to be hanging from the tree or because he did not want to see her look of disappointment

Chu Shaoqin looked around and noticed a cave. He took Li Qiuxue's hand, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and walked towards the cave

Why hasn't Chu Shaoqin returned yet? Could it be that the lies he wove were truly for the purpose of escape? Is it really true that no one can pluck the stars from the sky?

The following day

Although he was dressed in coarse linen garments typical of a servant, there was an extraordinary aura about him. Li Qiuxue did not care for trivial matters or prying into others' affairs, so she did not inquire about his origins, as it would be difficult for him to "leave" once he had fallen into her hands

Chu Shaoqin diligently remembered Li Baize's teachings and gradually regarded him as his best teacher. He began to get accustomed to jogging in the cold morning wind and swimming in the icy, biting stream. The frequency of his illnesses gradually decreased, and he no longer needed Li Baize's supervision. He carefully observed the things around him and every person nearby; he needed to become stronger and also needed to understand both himself and others.

"Why has the carriage stopped? Have we arrived?" Li Qiuxue, who had been sleeping inside the carriage, was jolted awake by the bumps of the ride. With great enthusiasm, she lifted the curtain and poked her head out. The first person she saw was Chu Shaoqin, who was sitting at the front of the carriage. He was initially surprised, then sighed. He had a feeling that Li Qiuxue would not give up easily, and sure enough, she had secretly followed them out.

"Hey, I will die like this. If I die, no one will be your slave anymore." Chu Shaoqin stopped Li Qiuxue, seemingly not intending to confront this wickedly playful young lady head-on.

Chu Shaoqin felt a cold sweat gradually forming on his forehead. However, Li Qiuxue generously handed all the silver coins she had on her to him, saying: "Take this, for any unforeseen needs."

Li Qiuxue intentionally exerted some force while tying the knot, causing Chu Shaoqin to grit his teeth in pain

My mother passed away when I was three years old. I always think of her, yet I cannot see her. At that time, my father said that my mother had become a star in the sky, and she would watch me grow from afar. But I still miss my mother; I want to pluck the stars down, as if she could return to my side.

Chu Shaoqin looked at her in surprise, unsure of how she would treat him in the next moment. But she only said one sentence: "From now on, if you want to eat something, just go to the kitchen and cook it yourself"

The Zhengda Escort Agency has the Pear Escort Head, which can be said to have limitless prospects

When Chu Shaoqin and Li Qiuxue rolled to the bottom of the valley, the carriage that fell with them shattered into pieces elsewhere. The provisions and some scattered items were strewn across the ground, but were soon covered by the heavy snow

My name is Bai Shaoqin. Due to certain reasons, he had to lie

"Dare to say the master is fat, just hang on for another day." Li Qiuxue played with a lock of long hair hanging over her right shoulder, her light yellow cross-collared dress fluttering gently in the wind. She looked at Chu Shaoqin's clothes that had already dried in the sun, nodded in satisfaction, and then turned to leave

Li Qiuxue? Li Qiuxue?" Chu Shaoqin called out to the unconscious Li Qiuxue, her hands clasped protectively over her chest, safeguarding the scroll she held in her arms

Perhaps his biological mother is also watching over him from above, blessing him

Take advantage of the absence of Li Qiuxue and leave this place quickly

"I am going to pick the stars now, but you cannot follow me, otherwise I won't be able to pick them. You just wait for me under this tree, and when I have picked the stars, I will come back to find you." Chu Shaoqin originally intended to deceive her and take the opportunity to escape, but when he saw her eyes brimming with tears yet revealing a happy smile, his heart trembled slightly

When Kongjing pushed Chu Shaoqin into the water, an arrow pierced Kongjing's body. The blood dripping from the arrow splashed onto Chu Shaoqin's face, and he reached out to save Kongjing, but could only let the rushing water carry him away

Is it true? Li Qiuxue raised her head again, this time she personally untied and gently laid Chu Shaoqin down on the ground

Will that silly girl, Ke Li Qiu Xue, really sit under the tree waiting for him forever

Did she see through his lies

A month passed in the blink of an eye. During this month, Chu Shaoqin endured all the abuse from his father and daughter, and began to grow stronger, no longer the frail boy he once was. Li Baize taught him some martial arts techniques and informed him that the body and limbs are the best and most primitive weapons a person possesses, sharper than any weapon. Before learning to use weapons, one must first learn to master one's own body.

At the end of March, the Zhengda Escort Agency received a shipment. This shipment involved escorting a painting, and the person delivering the painting repeatedly urged that it must be delivered intact to the Xue residence. The painting was worth a fortune, but the group of rough men at the escort agency did not understand its value. After receiving the job, they celebrated with drinks, as the reward for this escort was substantial, enough to cover the agency's expenses for three months

"You must bring the stars back, no matter how long it takes, I will wait for you." Li Qiuxue sat seriously under the tree, her heart filled with joy as she looked at Chu Shaoqin, "Hurry and pick the stars!"

Li Qiuxue stretched lazily while stepping into the courtyard, where the pear blossoms were in full bloom in March, their petals dancing in the wind, exuding a delightful fragrance. Li Qiuxue closed her eyes and took a deep breath of fresh air, seemingly oblivious to the person swaying in the air.

His expression seemed to be one of great pain, his brows furrowed tightly, yet he struggled to suppress the instinct to retch, continuing to bite and swallow the raw meat. Li Qiuxue enjoyed seeing such a stubborn expression; after all, those who easily kneel down to beg for mercy are not entertaining.

"Shaoqin, quickly take Xue'er away from the carriage!" Li Baize's voice was loud and piercing in the wind and snow.

Miss, you haven't eaten anything all day. Come down and have something to eat! That Chu Shao Qin cannot reach the stars in the sky; he is deceiving you.

"I did not intend to steal your food; I haven't eaten anything for several days and am truly starving. If you let me go, I will repay you tenfold in food in the future." After pondering for a moment, Chu Shao Qin tentatively spoke, while Li Qiuxue looked at him with great interest.

"Xue'er, why are you making such a fuss? Running errands is a man's job. You, a young lady, should just stay at home obediently. Look at the Lin girl next door; she is skilled in singing and dancing, and excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. And then there's you, a girl who runs around all day and even carries a sword. Aren't you afraid you won't be able to get married in the future?" Li Baize teased.

"You are the bait, and you do not need hands," Li Qiuxue said casually, while Chu Shaoqin's face was filled with shock. By the time Chu Shaoqin understood his situation, he was already tightly bound to a large tree.

The tiger's crown was shattered by a massive rock, which had originally been suspended high in a tree. Chu Shaoqin looked up along the severed rope; the rope had been cut from a distance, and the one who severed the rope waved his sword, freeing him from his bindings

Save ... ...

Li Qiuxue reached out and caught a firefly, and as she slowly opened her palm, the firefly flickered with light and flew away into the distance

"It is the stars, so many stars." Li Qiuxue clapped her hands, her bright eyes sparkling with light, and the crisp sound of the bells became exceptionally melodious in the night

Li Qiuxue, let me go quickly. If I die, you will regret it for a lifetime, because I am... The rustling sound coming from behind the bushes tugged at the heartstrings, and Chu Shaoqin's voice abruptly stopped, for he saw a tiger approaching him with an elegant demeanor

It is the celebrity effect! Chu Shaoqin quickly added.

Chu Shaoqin's mouth was freed from the rag she had taken out, but the hemp rope binding his entire body still rendered him immobile. Chu Shaoqin looked at Li Qiuxue, who wore a mischievous smile, with a sense of trepidation, while Li Qiuxue scrutinized his tattered clothing.

The stubbled chin of Li Baize was dotted with water droplets, resembling melted frost. He pinched Li Qiuxue's cheek, and upon feeling that his hand was somewhat cold, she hurriedly helped to warm it, saying, "Father does not take care of his own health"

A chilling scream echoed through the forest, and although Chu Shaoqin had his eyes closed, his mind was filled with images of himself being torn to pieces by a tiger

Li Qiuxue looked at the brilliance flickering in his dark eyes and couldn't help but burst into laughter

Li Qiuxue heard this, drew her sword and skewered the roasted chicken, holding it high for Chu Shaoqin to smell. However, just as Chu Shaoqin was about to open his mouth to take a bite, she flicked her wrist and tossed it into the well

"The beauty that can sink fish and land wild geese, the beauty that can close the moon and make flowers shy, comparable to Xi Shi, surpassing Diao Chan, is the most beautiful woman in the world." If Chu Shaoqin could move his hands now, he would certainly exaggerate by giving a thumbs up, after all, life is more important than lying and deceiving.

Chu Shaoqin did not expect that this willful and headstrong young lady also had such a responsible side. He seemed to dislike her less, and even felt a strange sensation.

The pear-shaped dart is truly formidable, having defeated that group of bandits who intended to rob the convoy, leaving them in disarray.

In addition, Li Qiuxue also loves to bring him delicious food, but if he refuses to accept it, a knife will be placed against his neck. If he accepts it, he either suffers from diarrhea or vomits. Even worse, in order to improve his physical fitness, Li Baize kicks open his door every morning at dawn and drags him out to run in the mountains bare-chested.

After people die, their souls transform into small, glowing fireflies. The fireflies will follow the moon and then turn into stars in the sky. Chu Shaoqin gazed at the swarms of fireflies flying towards the night sky, resembling a deep starry river, casting mottled light throughout the entire courtyard

"Father, you have finally returned," Li Qiuxue said, her face beaming with a sweet smile, two adorable dimples appearing at the corners of her lips

His shoes are both torn and smelly, with the big toe of his left foot exposed, while his right foot is tightly clamped by a mouse trap

The aroma of roasted chicken mingled with the fragrance of flowers, drifting into Chu Shaoqin's nostrils with the wind. Having been hungry for a long time, he swallowed hard and stared motionlessly at the roasted chicken in Li Qiuxue's hand

Chu Shaoqin let out a sigh, obediently sitting back down, fearing that the bell would ring again and wake Li Qiuxue. He was not so much concerned about disturbing her sleep, but rather worried that he would be left hanging from a tree to enjoy the night view

Li Qiuxue casually tossed aside the bitten water peach, walked up to Chu Shaoqin with a mischievous smile, and squatted down.

"Bai Shaoqin, oh Bai Shaoqin, how is it that you cannot learn to behave? I have clearly stated that I am your master. When I command you to go west, you must not go east. Without my permission, do you intend to come down from the tree, or do you wish to sneak away while I am not around?" Li Qiuxue's voice came from the corridor.

Li Qiuxue, you have kept me hanging here for an entire night, it is time to let me down, isn't it

Li Baize could not refuse Li Qiuxue and had no choice but to agree to take her along. Li Qiuxue, having achieved her wish, turned to Chu Shaoqin and flashed a victorious smile before turning back to the carriage to fetch her fur coat

Chu Shaoqin rolled his eyes and leaped from the tree, but to his utter surprise, he did not land smoothly on the ground; instead, he found himself hanging upside down from the tree.

Delicious!" Chu Shaoqin nodded with tears in his eyes as he uttered these two words, but as he struggled to swallow the bloody tiger meat, the resistance from his stomach caused the food to be expelled from his mouth.

They stood on the precipice from which there was no retreat, below them the rushing waters of a waterfall. The shackles on Chu Shaoqin were severed, and Kong Jing brought him out of the palace from the heavenly prison that had confined him. They fled all the way, with assassins sent by Chu Ji trailing closely behind to silence them. Kong Jing was the emperor's most trusted personal guard during his lifetime, skilled in martial arts, yet in the face of overwhelming enemies, he was also gravely injured

Chu Shaoqin's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground

Achoo! Dressed lightly, Chu Shaoqin shivered, the cold wind of the late night carrying a biting chill. Li Qiuxue untied the fox fur robe draped over her and shared half of it with him. Chu Shaoqin was taken aback but did not refuse Li Qiuxue's kindness due to the cold.

Li Qiuxue shook the arm of Li Baize and exclaimed, "Father, your daughter has followed you halfway, so please take her along. Look at the heavy wind and snow; it would be very dangerous for your daughter to return, wouldn't it?"

Chu Shaoqin hesitated like this until evening. Before he decided to leave Qingyang City, he secretly came to the outer wall of the backyard of the Zhengda Escort Agency. Through the gap in the back door, he saw Li Qiuxue sitting on a high tree branch, swinging her legs. She hummed a tune, gazing at the red sun gradually disappearing on the horizon

He originally planned to escape with some money, but he could not forget the expectant look in Li Qiuxue's eyes. Because of that look, he could not be a deceitful runaway.

In the dream of Li Qiuxue, her mother smiled gently, as she rested her head on her mother's thigh, shaking the bell on her wrist. The embroidery in her mother's hands was exquisite, with colorful threads weaving happiness stitch by stitch. However, in the dream of Chu Shaoqin, it was a completely different scene.

I have brought the stars back!" Chu Shaoqin looked up at Li Qiuxue, who was preparing to jump down. Chu Shaoqin hurriedly extended a hand to signal "Don't jump down." "You stay there and don't jump down, otherwise the stars will be scared away.

In the future, remember that life is always more important than reputation; a person's life is only lived once, and if it is lost, reputation becomes meaningless. After Chu Shaoqin bandaged his wounds and put on his clothes, the wind and snow outside began to lessen. He got up to find some dry branches buried under the snow and returned to the cave to light them with a fire starter.

Li Qiuxue paused for a moment, rubbed her chin, turned around, seemingly feeling that what he said was quite reasonable and logical

Miss has been quite well-behaved during this period, not going out to cause trouble, but..." Xiao Li said with a smile, stopping at the end of the corridor near the backyard

Chu Shaoqin was just about to reach out to pull Li Qiuxue out, but Li Qiuxue shook off his hand and turned around to grab the painting scroll that was nearly falling off the slope from the car window

The backyard leads around the corridor, and ahead lies the main hall of the Zhengda Escort Agency. The hall and the main entrance form a circular structure that is visible upon entry. Between the hall and the interior of the main hall is an open space where the members of the escort agency practice daily.

Chu Shaoqin was momentarily taken aback, slightly tilting his head to gaze at Li Qiuxue's serene sleeping face, a faint smile involuntarily appearing at the corners of his lips. He inhaled the subtle fragrance from her hair, gently leaning towards her head, and slowly lowered his eyelids

Li Qiuxue raised her chin with both pride and arrogance, her heart blooming with joy at Chu Shaoqin's words. She immediately drew her sword and severed the hemp rope tied to the tree. Chu Shaoqin maintained a flattering smile as he fell straight to the ground

"A single tiger has frightened you to this extent; your courage must be quite small, isn't it?" Li Qiuxue patted Chu Shaoqin's face. He cautiously opened his eyes, and the disdainful expression of Li Qiuxue was reflected in the depths of his dark eyes, while the tiger had already fallen into the deep pit that Li Qiuxue had dug in advance.

Li Qiuxue! Chu Shaoqin hurriedly jumped towards Li Qiuxue, tightly grasping her hand. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and the two of them fell together into the white, vast valley, with the howling wind and snowstorm and the shouts of the escort team behind them.

Li Qiuxue looked him up and down upon hearing this, then lifted his chin and said: "My name is Li Qiuxue. From today onwards, I am your master. If I go east, you cannot go west. All matters must be obeyed according to my command"

"In light of your saving me, I shall allow you to call me Li Qiuxue from now on"

Upon hearing this, Chu Shaoqin displayed a look of astonishment, but before he could respond, Li Qiuxue pulled him out by the hemp rope on the ground

Chu Shaoqin could not help but smile, thinking that Li Qiuxue must like it when he calls her by her name, yet he could not let go of his pride, so even such a simple statement had to be expressed in a roundabout way

Li Qiuxue swiftly hung the other end of the hemp rope on the tree trunk, pulling it up and down in a rhythmic manner. Chu Shaoqin was like a wooden stake being driven into a well, having swallowed a bellyful of water before being hung upside down from the pear tree. When he regained his senses, Li Qiuxue was sitting cross-legged on the bench under the tree, enjoying roasted chicken.

Li Qiuxue is also a person in Qingyang City who cannot be provoked. There are two reasons for this: the first is that she has the backing of Li Baize and the group of strong men from the escort agency; the second is that Li Qiuxue herself is a headstrong young lady with immense courage, and as long as she desires something, there is nothing she cannot accomplish

If being nearly eaten by a tiger marks the beginning of Chu Shaoqin's nightmare, then consuming raw tiger meat is the most thrilling part of this nightmare. Having never eaten anything dirty since childhood, Chu Shaoqin never imagined that he would tear raw flesh with his bare hands under the whip of Li Qiuxue.

You are truly the most extraordinary young lady I have ever encountered. After the tiger incident, Chu Shao Qin clearly understood two things: first, he might not escape the clutches of Li Qiu Xue; second, if he did not learn to please Li Qiu Xue, he could be in life-threatening danger at any moment

With your mediocre skills, you can only bully a few subordinates. If you want to learn real abilities, you must learn from me!" Li Baize forcefully grabbed Chu Shaoqin and patted him on the shoulder a few times, each pat making Chu Shaoqin feel as if he bore a weight of a thousand pounds, causing him to involuntarily stumble downwards. Following that, Chu Shaoqin was dragged by Li Baize to another location

Chu Shaoqin struggled, and due to having a cloth stuffed in his mouth, he could only make muffled sounds.

"Dare to shout at me and I'll silence you!" Li Qiuxue forcefully pressed the sword into its sheath, pursed her lips, raised an eyebrow, and threatened.

Chu Shaoqin was momentarily taken aback, quickly nodded in agreement, and then turned to leave the Zhengda Escort Agency

Chu Shaoqin sighed and turned to leave

He picked up a peeled tree branch, barely managing to support himself as he continued his escape. The wind and snow in February remained biting cold, yet he was dressed in thin clothing. He pressed on against the wind and snow, eating the accumulated snow on the ground whenever he felt hungry or thirsty, driven by the belief that he must survive. He crossed Longshan and arrived at Qingyang City. However, ultimately, his exhaustion caused him to collapse before the city gate

Li Qiuxue stopped by the well, gauged its depth, and then threw Chu Shaoqin into it. The screams echoing from the well were extremely piercing, and Chu Shaoqin could hardly comprehend where this seemingly delicate woman found such strength.

Li Qiuxue was stumped by Li Baize's question and could not think of a suitable reason

He was disheveled and dressed like a beggar, and he looked nothing like someone who could repay her tenfold in grain in the future. Even if he could repay her, she wouldn't care for ten ears of corn

This girl, forget it, while I am away, make sure to keep an eye on her and do not let her cause trouble everywhere

The boulder indeed toppled after they had evacuated for a quarter of an hour, stirring up a flurry of snowflakes. Li Baize let out a sigh of relief as they walked on a slope, which was buried under heavy snow. The wheels of the cart suddenly tilted towards the slope, startling the horses, which neighed and raised their front hooves high. Clothes and provisions from inside the cart tumbled out through the window, cascading down the slope. Li Qiuxue, who had originally been inside the cart, was pulled out by Chu Shaoqin, yet her gaze remained fixed on a painting inside the cart. Clothes and provisions from inside the cart tumbled out through the window, cascading down the slope. Li Qiuxue, who had originally been inside the cart, was pulled out by Chu Shaoqin, yet her gaze remained fixed on a painting inside the cart.

Chu Shaoqin made a determined effort to open his eyes, searching for a shelter from the blizzard. He spotted a large rock not far away, which he presumed could provide protection from the wind and snow. He urged his horse forward in that direction, while the others from the escort agency pushed the carriage from behind. The carriage soon came to a stop behind the large rock, and with the rock's shelter, both the carriage and the escort team found protection.

The rain was not heavy enough to require an umbrella, yet it silently and subtly dampened the clothes and hair of Li Qiuxue. The spring rain fell gently, and looking up, the night sky was obscured by dark clouds; when the wind blew, the moonlight could be seen, but the stars were never visible. Li Qiuxue blinked her eyes, gazing at the night sky above the pear tree.

Li Qiuxue noticed him signaling to her and quickly chimed in: "Yes, yes, yes, that's it, exactly."

"Shaoqin, you have been with our escort agency for almost a month now, and it is time to take you out on a mission," said Li Baize, who was inspired by the wine, as he patted Chu Shaoqin on the shoulder

"Delicious yet vomit-inducing?" Li Qiuxue furrowed her brows and cast an unhappy glance at Chu Shaoqin

Chu Shaoqin fell vertically to the ground with a scream, at that moment, he deeply understood what it meant to have a father, there must be a daughter.

Chu Shaoqin looked around; there was no one else in the courtyard besides him

Your Highness, this is what the Emperor asked me to give to you before he left. You must take good care of it, hurry and go!" Kongjing handed an ordinary jade pendant to Chu Shaoqin.

Trapped in the woodshed, Chu Shaoqin sensitively raised his head as a shadow fell upon him

I couldn't care less. Li Qiuxue let out a soft hum and stood up