Chapter 1, Liu Jing

At the entrance of the Liu residence, more than twenty men dressed in blue rushed in. Once they entered the Liu residence, they formed two lines and stood still, remaining motionless.

The man from the Han Dynasty stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Three days, I give you three days!" Without waiting for Liu's mother to respond, he waved his hand and swaggered away with his subordinates. As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, more than a dozen people swarmed around the Liu family, clamoring, "Liu family, what about my family? Your family Xingzhou still owes my family five taels of silver." "And my family, oh heavens, we have saved and scrimped to gather five hundred iron coins, all of which we gave to Xingzhou."

The man was clearly very angry; he casually grabbed a maid and shouted, "Where is your second aunt?"

The little girl blinked her big eyes a few times and giggled, saying, "Second sister, you are so beautiful, why hasn't brother-in-law come to marry you yet?" The little girl spoke with a sense of pride, clearly mocking her sister.

As for that strong man, after making it impossible for anyone to find Liu Jing, he specifically returned to his master. An hour later, when he came back, he sat majestically on the low table in the courtyard. Around him was the dilapidated courtyard of the Liu residence, and Liu's mother was slumped on the low couch opposite him, tightly holding her little daughter in her arms, her head lowered as she wept quietly

It is unclear how much time has passed when a voice called out: "Elder brother, the second Miss Liu from the Liu family is not here."

As she had just arrived outside the hall, she heard Uncle Wang kneeling on the ground, crying out in a hoarse voice: "... Madam, those officers are as fierce as wolves and tigers. Everyone on the ship has been detained. They say it is because the master is privately trading in official salt... The master cannot defend himself against a hundred accusations!"

What?

He called out to this place, and the sound of Liu's mother's choked voice came through, "The house deed and the shop lease have all been taken out by my husband as collateral."

Then, a young man in a light robe with a loose belt appeared before them

Amidst a flurry of knocking and banging, more and more people from the Liu residence gathered, and within less than half an hour, all the creditors who were aware of the trouble at the Liu residence came knocking at the door. Meanwhile, the neighbors also peeked curiously in this direction.

Liu Jing entered her mother's room, where the maidservants had long since disappeared. Liu Jing pushed the door, and it swung wide open

Thinking of his own family member being considered a ranger, the man grinned proudly

With a creak, the study door was gently opened, and a little girl, about five or six years old, peeked in, blinking her bright, watery eyes and calling out in a crisp voice: "Second sister, it's time to eat."

The burly man glared at Lady Liu for a moment, then slammed his palm heavily on the table, commanding silence in the room. With a grin revealing his yellowed teeth, he called out to Lady Liu, "Madam Liu, my master has made it clear that if you give him your second niece, he will forgive the one thousand taels of gold you owe. Otherwise, do not blame my master for being ruthless and selling both you and your daughter to a brothel!" As he said this, the man thought to himself: nowadays, even the finest beauties are only worth two to three hundred taels. Although he repeatedly claimed that the Liu family owed him a thousand taels, when it came to taking action, he truly had the demeanor of a wandering knight.

Amidst the hoarse cries of Liu Mu and the anxious unease of the originally stunned servants, Liu Jing, with a pale face, leaned back slightly. After steadying herself by holding onto the door frame, she quickly retreated.

At this moment, it is not only Liu Mu who has an unpleasant expression on her face; all the servants in the Liu residence are now dumbfounded and in a daze.

Liu Jamei's beautiful face stiffened for a moment; she was about to scold her sister when a series of hurried footsteps and screams came from the front door. What has happened

In this suffocating silence, accompanied by faint sobs, footsteps could be heard from outside. Among the footsteps, a voice, harsh enough to cause unease, exclaimed, "Get out of the way—how did Liu Xingzhou promise my Lord Zhao? He pounded his chest and guaranteed that today he would borrow five hundred gold from my Lord, and after half a year, he would be able to repay one thousand gold! Now look at him, the goods have been seized and he has been imprisoned. What will happen to my Lord Zhao's one thousand gold?"

This young man is approximately eighteen or nineteen years old, with handsome and delicate features. His gaze is like a spring, warm and clear. At first glance, he appears to be a refined and attractive scholar. However, upon closer inspection, everyone feels an indescribable aura of luxury emanating from him. This aura of luxury is hidden beneath his appearance, engraved in his very bones, giving his overly delicate and warm face an air that cannot be underestimated.

The voice of the youth has a deliberately lowered hoarseness

Liu Muteng stood up, trembling, and asked: "What did you say? Who has returned?"

In the past two years, Yanghe County has opened several silk shops, making it increasingly difficult for the Liu family to conduct business. This time, Liu Fu set out with a significant gamble; he not only took all the savings from home but also mortgaged the Liu family estate and shop, borrowing over a hundred gold pieces. Furthermore, he even took out a substantial loan from the powerful Zhao Xuan in the eastern part of the city, all for the sake of placing a bet.

As soon as Uncle Wang's voice fell, a sound of synchronized footsteps could be heard. The footsteps were so firm and powerful that, without realizing it, everyone stopped their chatter and turned to look.

It was Wang Shu, a servant from the Liu residence. Ignoring the gazes of the numerous creditors, he rushed to Lady Liu's side in a single bound, crying out with joy, "Madam, Madam, the eldest son has returned!"

In September, the Wu County of Yangzhou is precisely at the time when the autumn winds are rustling

As for the servants of the Liu residence, who used to come and go frequently, they had now all fled, leaving only a few old servants who had followed the Liu family for many years standing behind her, their faces filled with fear and unease

Liu's mother seemed to be stunned with shock; she stared at the young man for a moment before hoarsely calling out, "You, you, you have returned..." It appeared that she was so overwhelmed with excitement that her words became incoherent.

Yanghe County in Wu County can be considered a moderately affluent county among the ninety-two counties of Yangzhou. At this moment, the Liu residence in Yanghe County is filled with curling smoke from cooking.

As soon as this voice emerged, Liu's mother, who had originally turned pale, stood up in anger, trembling as she exclaimed: "Nonsense! Xingzhou clearly only borrowed two hundred taels, and now, in this ridiculous situation, it has turned into one thousand taels! Zhao Xuan truly dares to do this!"

The maid trembled and cried out, "No, I don't know..." The man pushed the maid forcefully, saying, "How could she, a mere little sister-in-law, run off to the heavens?" He turned to the crowd behind him and roared, "What are you still standing there for? Go find her!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu's mother seemed to let out a sharp cry. Meanwhile, the rascals brought by that man had already rushed into the inner courtyard like a swarm of bees. Liu Xuan, with her wide eyes filled with panic, watched as these wild men rampaged through her own yard, and several times, she nearly got knocked over by them in passing.

When Liu Xuan, panting and with her short legs, caught up with her sister, she happened to see Liu Jing coming out while holding their mother's jewelry box. She called out in alarm: "Second Sister!"

At that moment, a gentle sound of footsteps approached

Uncle Wang's words were like a bolt from the blue, and as soon as he finished speaking, Liu's mother collapsed onto the couch, her face turning pale as a sheet

Upon witnessing this scene, the creditors exchanged glances with one another, while the burly man also squinted his eyes

She lowered her head again to put away the ink and brush, and upon looking down, she saw the little one staring at her with a pair of round, bulging eyes. Liu Jing gently said: "Why are you looking at your sister like that?"

In the hearts of the crowd, there was a sense of unease. As they watched Liu Jing leave, no one paid attention. Only her younger sister, Liu Xuan, with her short legs, followed closely behind, calling out, "Second sister, second sister..."

On the morning of the third day, just as he swaggered over to Liu Mu, who was surrounded by a group of creditors, a series of urgent and powerful footsteps approached.

Listening to the clamor of the creditors behind him, some crying, some pleading, and others cursing, the strong man thought that his own master no longer wanted the gold, and only wanted the second daughter of the Liu family. He turned his head and spat heavily on the ground, grinning with his yellow teeth and muttering: "Having a beautiful daughter is indeed remarkable; for a person like my master, just mentioning the second daughter of the Liu family makes everyone weak in the knees"

The girl, who was engrossed in writing at the desk, did not respond immediately. Instead, she took her time to finish a line of text before raising her head. Upon seeing her younger sister, she smiled gently and said, "Alright"

"It is Da Lang, my lady, Da Lang has returned!"

As the strong man grew increasingly impatient, Liu Mu finally lifted her head. Through the scars that traversed her cheeks and the aged flesh, one could still glimpse the shadow of a former beauty. She stared blankly at the strong man for a moment, and after a long pause, she helplessly said: "I, I want to bring her back..."

Amidst the two rows of motionless figures in blue, the youth's eyes, as clear as spring water, slightly shifted from the crowd and fell upon the astonished face of Lady Liu. He then bowed deeply to her and said in a clear voice: "Mother, your son has returned"

What?

Her cries were not small, but Liu Jing hurried along, how could she hear? Liu Xuan watched as her second sister quickly entered the boudoir, and as she blinked her eyes in confusion, looking around, unsure whether to continue following her sister or return to their mother, suddenly, that harsh voice thundered like a clap of thunder: "Get out of here, you brute! Liu family, don't think that my master is easy to deal with! You all go in and bring out all the valuable items from the Liu residence." Amidst the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, that harsh voice thundered again: "Get out of here, you brute! Liu family, don't think that my master is easy to deal with! You all go in and bring out all the valuable items from the Liu residence." In the midst of the chaotic footsteps, the person shouted again in a rough voice: "Liu family, if you have any sense, bring out all the property deeds and shop contracts..."

Now, not only has his goods been confiscated by the authorities, but he is also burdened with the charge of selling illicit salt. It is feared that imprisonment would be a light punishment; if the situation worsens, the entire family could face prosecution

Liu Wenjing did not allow her to continue speaking, "Regarding my father's matter, I heard about it on the way. Rest assured, my legitimate mother, I have already sent someone to take care of it, and my father is not in any danger to his life"

Liu Jing could no longer attend to her younger sister, and with a quick lift of her feet, she swiftly made her way to the main hall. Liu's father had been in business for several years and had made a significant fortune a few years ago; however, the business was now facing a downturn. The residence they had purchased back then was still quite large, and even though Liu Jing walked quickly, it took her more than a quarter of an hour to reach the main hall.

Liu Wenjing turned his head to look at the creditors, his gaze exceptionally clear. Even though he deliberately lowered his voice, it still carried a sense of clarity. "I am already aware of my father's debts. Gentlemen, although Wenjing is lacking in talent, this family can still withstand it. Could you grant me three months' time? Within three months, I will certainly repay all the debts my father has incurred!"

The Han did not wait a full three days

The man, upon hearing this, was greatly enraged. He shouted, "You, Lord Liu Xingzhou!" Just as he shouted this, it seemed someone had said something, and the man yelled, "Drag her daughter out! Wasn't it said that Liu Xingzhou has two beautiful daughters? Bring them back to let the lord relieve his stress!"

Amidst a series of chaotic events, Liu Mu collapsed onto the couch. After a while, as if recalling something, her despairing eyes brightened momentarily.