Encounter

I took off two embroidered pouches from my body, estimating that together they were worth around three to four hundred baht. I handed the pouches to the seller and said, "Could you please help me order a horse exactly like this one, to be delivered to the east of the city in ten days..."

After a moment of silence behind me, a sound of disdain escaped, and Yin Xing sneered: "Well, I would like to hear what profound questions you will ask." He sat down beside me, wearing a mocking expression.

This is Liu Jia, courtesy name Xiaosun, who is a younger member of my clan. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by my family, and my late father treated him as his own child

"Lord Bo Sheng!" Deng Chan suddenly gathered her robes and bowed.

You little girl! Deng Chan could not resist me and laughed while holding me, "When did you become so opinionated!"

After Deng Yu left Xinye, I, who had spent four years indulging in food, drink, and entertainment without caring about current affairs, began to closely pay attention to this turbulent era under the guidance of my subconscious.

Liu Yan clapped his hands and said, "What a coincidence, we are also returning to Xinye tomorrow, why not go together!"

Deng Chan exclaimed, "Do you recognize them?"

I smiled slightly, neither affirming nor denying. Let him think whatever he wants; if he believes it was Deng Yu who changed me, then that is even better, as it saves me from having to concoct a whole series of causes and effects to cover up the lie

"Going to Xinye?" I asked suspiciously, sensing a hint of conspiracy in his smile. "What are you going to do in Xinye?"

I was just about to nod in approval when the shop owner apologetically chuckled and said, "I’m sorry, madam, but this piece of fabric has already been reserved by another customer"

The new emperor of the nation will not sit idly by, will he? I respond with a question.

While Liu Xian was conversing with Deng Chan, he suddenly turned his head, casting a strange glance at me without saying a word

"Ah!" he exclaimed, as he hurried along and nearly stumbled backward due to my pull.

"Your memory is better than mine." Over the past three years, Liu Yan has hardly changed, while I have grown taller and can no longer be compared to the immature girl I once was. The fact that he was able to recognize me at a glance during our chance encounter in Wancheng shows that his eyesight is quite good

His face turned bright red, and I thought that the man would probably argue with me for the sake of his pride. However, to my surprise, he immediately turned around and bowed deeply, saying: "I apologize! I apologize! It was my rashness, please forgive me, madam."

Do you want to know about the recent movements of Fan Chong's Red Eyebrow Army

A woman should adhere to her duties and not concern herself with such matters

I slowly raised my head and said: "Hasn't my younger brother always looked down on the weak and useless?"

I will be going back tomorrow. Is it not appropriate for me to give my cousin a gift before I leave?" Seeing that she still declined, I pretended to be displeased and said, "In that case, I won't stay at your house tonight. I will take a bus back to Xinye directly!"

"Lihua, come and take a look at this fabric, what do you think?" Deng Chan was three to four months pregnant at this moment. Although her pregnancy was not yet very noticeable, her clothes still needed to be tailored anew.

Four years ago, during a prolonged drought and famine in Jingzhou, the people living north of the Yangtze River and south of Nanyang were compelled to enter the marshes to dig for water chestnuts to stave off hunger. In their struggle for these water chestnuts, factions formed, and fights frequently broke out. The Wang brothers, Wang Kuang and Wang Feng, timely intervened to mediate disputes among the starving populace, thus this group of famished individuals became the earliest force of rebellion. As their numbers grew, they eventually relocated to Lulin Mountain in Nanyang County. In the eyes of the world, they were labeled as bandits of the Lulin, while in the eyes of the starving people, they were known as the Lulin Army. In my view, regardless of what they were called, their grand movement is defined in middle school history textbooks as the 'Lulin Uprising'.

Hey, you are quite a reasonable and understanding person! I nodded in approval, just about to say something, when Deng Chan pulled my arm and whispered, "Forget it, I didn't hurt anything."

I couldn't be bothered to consider his mindset. After some thought, I took out a roll of bamboo slips and said: "This year, locusts have become a disaster. What are your thoughts on this?"

If it is said that the Green Forest Army is merely entrenched in Green Forest Mountain, waiting idly for opportunities and engaging in a petty struggle for territory, then the currently high-spirited Red Eyebrow Army poses a significant problem that troubles Wang Mang greatly

I have truly never seen a man so easily embarrassed. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, and then I recalled the meaning behind his words just now, prompting me to exclaim: "Has Liu Wenshu also come to Wancheng?"

What a coincidence! I am not sure how many people with the surname Liu there are nationwide, but just in Nanyang County, there are already as many Liu clan members who are closer to royal blood than those three brothers, more than one can count.

I nodded slightly and continued to ask: "The harvest is poor, the common people cannot fill their stomachs; what consequences do you think this will lead to? I need not provide examples, right? These scrolls have made it abundantly clear— the Yellow River breaches its banks, disasters occur year after year. In the fourth year of Tianfeng, the Wang brothers of the new city rebelled, and in the fifth year of Tianfeng, the wolf-like Fan Chong gathered over a hundred people to rise up in Ju County. What do you think will happen in Nanyang County this year?"

Yin Xing raised an eyebrow, remaining silent, seemingly contemplating how to respond.

Just now, Mr. Bosheng told me that they will be staying at my elder brother's house for a while. My sister-in-law is quite concerned about her brother. Deng Chan explained with a smile, "This is good; Lihua, you should travel with Mr. Bosheng and the others tomorrow. With them looking after you on the road, I will feel more at ease." After saying this, she took the opportunity to wink at me when no one was paying attention, sharing a knowing smile.

He slightly raised his jaw, adopting a provocative expression: "Indeed, Miss Yin has quite a good memory."

I had no intention of escalating the matter. Since the other party was willing to sincerely apologize, I naturally would not be unreasonable. Just as I was about to say a few more kind words and leave, I heard a mocking voice from behind exclaiming: "Oh, oh, I was wondering which woman was so unreasonable, it turns out to be you, Yin Lihua!"

I was stunned for quite a while before realizing that they had once again linked me with Liu Xiu, no wonder each one of them was stranger than the last

Deng Yu ... . ... I do not know where he has wandered off to now. He actually left so carelessly, causing me to inevitably think of him when I feel lonely and bored

These were written by the guests, these were written by my elder brother, these were written by me... Every so often, Yin Xing was ordered to deliver the heavy scrolls to my room.

She keenly selected a piece of dark green silk, shaking it open, the splendid patterns vividly shining between Deng Chan's arms, proving that her eye for beauty was indeed remarkable

In fact, over the years, the number of peasant uprisings caused by natural disasters and man-made calamities has been numerous. In the fourth year of Tianfeng, prior to the turmoil in Xinshi, there were also uprisings led by Lü Mu of Langya Haiku and Yi of Linhuai Guatian, among others. The reason I specifically chose to discuss the Wang family of Xinshi and Fan Chong of Langya is that I have already captured something quite novel from the brief descriptions.

"Miss Deng, you are too kind." Liu Yan suddenly shifted from his casual demeanor to a serious tone as he engaged in conversation with Deng Chan. I observed from the side, occasionally smirking. Liu Yan casually called over a young man who was conversing with the shopkeeper, "Liu Jia! Come over and meet Miss Deng and Miss Yin!"

As we spoke, Liu Jia emerged holding a piece of silk cloth, his face full of embarrassment. When we greeted each other again, I softly called out, "Xiao Sun Jun," which left him blushing deeply, flustered to the point of nearly dropping the silk cloth.

As soon as we paid the money and were about to leave the circular store, I saw someone rushing in with their head down, almost colliding directly with Deng Chan. Deng Chan, still feeling apprehensive, patted her chest, and I, feeling quite displeased, immediately grabbed that person's collar and pulled him back.

Startled, I turned around and was momentarily stunned. The man before me, casually leaning against the door, wore a high crown and a purple robe. His smile carried an air of rebellious pride, and his tall figure exuded a demeanor reminiscent of a jade tree swaying in the wind

Deng Chan let out a disappointed "ah," gently stroking the silk with a sense of reluctance, unable to let go: "Is it possible to..."

I nodded casually, took the letter, and continued to immerse myself in my studies.

The Grand Tutor of the New Dynasty is named Wang Kuang, and the leader of the Green Forest Army is also named Wang Kuang... I muttered to myself, "Is there no other name that can be used? The coincidence is quite striking!"

My fingers involuntarily tightened, and the joints cracked: "Liu Yan?!"

Liu Jia shyly replied: "So the young lady also knows Uncle Wen. He is naturally in Wan City, and this time my cousin and I are accompanying him here..."

Liu Jia was in a difficult situation: "No... no, that's not it. This is my cousin Wen Shu's... oh, it was bought by my cousin Wen Shu, I am just... just here to pick it up for him."

I cannot help but let out a sigh; for the first time, I feel as if I have integrated into this era, possessing a sense of superiority akin to that of a prophet compared to others. However, apart from this, I truly do not surpass Yin Xing by much; otherwise, I would not have to work so hard to catch up on current affairs here

The corners of his mouth twitched, and he unexpectedly burst into laughter. As his laughter, now devoid of any trace of disdain or contempt, filled the air, I gradually found peace and no longer felt the need to confront him.

With a loud clap, Yin Xing suddenly struck the table with his palm. I remained motionless, my gaze calmly fixed on his hand.

With a loud bang, I slammed the bamboo slip onto the table and let out a sigh: "You either sit down and answer my questions, or please leave!" Over the years, Yin Xing has been very indifferent towards me, making it hard for me to feel the charm of this younger brother.

"When did you become interested in this?" Yin Xing, showing no intention of leaving immediately, stood behind me, peering over with a mocking tone, saying, "Sister, you are truly becoming more and more impressive."

"Did I need to apologize for hitting someone?" I stood with my hands on my hips, adopting a defiant posture. The unchanging truth between this era and two thousand years later is that the weak are bullied while the strong are feared.

"Forget it, Lihua." Deng Chan grasped my arm, "I don't want it anymore"

What I saw in his hands was precisely the horse that Deng Chan had just taken a liking to, which made me curiously ask, "Is it for your esteemed wife?"

I can hardly believe that the person before me is the sister who used to do nothing but cry all day long. Yin Xing sighed, "Has Deng Zhonghua changed my sister? They say Deng Zhonghua is exceptionally talented, and my elder brother speaks highly of him. I used to be somewhat unconvinced, but now it seems he is indeed a remarkable person.

In the third year of the Earth Emperor, in April, Wang Mang commanded Grand Tutor Wang Kuang and General Lian Dan to lead an army of 100,000 to the east to attack the Red Eyebrows. The official army first defeated a small contingent of the Red Eyebrow forces in Wuyan County of Dongping Prefecture, and then carried out a large-scale massacre, with the number of heads severed exceeding 10,000. Subsequently, the Grand Tutor led his troops deeper into the territory, engaging the main force of the Red Eyebrows in Chengchang of Wuyan County.

I rest my chin on my hand in contemplation; the historical knowledge learned from textbooks is ultimately a perfunctory form of examination-oriented education. The so-called grand chronology, after recording the so-called "Green Forest and Red Eyebrow Uprisings" at the end of the Western Han Dynasty, directly jumps to the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty, known as the "Restoration of Guangwu".

He wanted to continue speaking, when Liu Yan suddenly leaned over and said to me: "When does Sister Yin Ji plan to return to Xinye?"

Deng Chan helplessly set it aside, and I understood that she genuinely liked this material, unwilling to see her disappointed. It is said that pregnant women need to be happy and smile, and cannot always wear a frown, as it would be detrimental to prenatal education

Li Hua will return to Xinye tomorrow. Deng Chan is answering on my behalf.

Deng Chan was mesmerized, and it is no wonder; handsome men always attract attention wherever they go

He was a young man who appeared quite refined, and he seemed to be of considerable age, likely having reached the age of thirty, and he did not seem to be a reckless person at all

I just remembered that the Liu family and the Deng family are related by marriage, and Deng Chan and Liu Yan should have known each other.

The deposit has already been received, and it was agreed that the goods would be picked up before sunset. I apologize, madam, but please take a look at other options...

His call of "Yin Ji Mei Mei" rolled off his tongue effortlessly, yet at that moment, I felt all the goosebumps on my arms stand on end, and I hurriedly reached out to rub them discreetly

He coldly met my gaze, and I faced him without flinching. After three minutes of a standoff, his expression, as icy and stern as a glacier, finally began to crack little by little

Isn't it a rather vague concept? ... Emperor Guangwu ... ? ... Is he from the Liu family? ... The people of the Liu family. ... ... Who could it be? Liu Yan? Liu Zhong? Or Liu Xiu?