Chapter 1, Dream and Reality

The land of golden powder during the Six Dynasties, the imperial capital of Jinling. In the prosperous Nanjing of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Xun, who has been reborn, finds himself as a good-for-nothing spendthrift. A powerless commoner versus a powerful official with control over public opinion, the outcome remains uncertain; only through confrontation will the truth be revealed

Young Master, Young Master

However, this statement not only proved ineffective but also made the young man, dressed as a servant, even more agitated: "Young master, you still say that if it weren't for Grandpa Liang, how could you be here speaking so well?"

However, just as he was about to swim back with all his might, the person who had fallen into the water seemed to have suddenly received help and became flustered, suddenly clinging on like an octopus. Caught off guard, he gulped down several mouthfuls of water and struggled vigorously a few times, but ultimately the strength of the drowning person was too great. Not only did he fail to break free, but he also found himself gradually sinking down with that individual.

The young boy, dressed in a plain yellow-brown cotton robe with a right-side overlap, wore a pair of somewhat worn black-and-white cloth shoes, appearing to be around thirteen or fourteen years old. He lay there, intently looking around, occasionally glancing towards the tall imperial city not far away. After a long while, he forcefully slapped his own face and suddenly began to murmur: "Am I really not dreaming?"

The river water in February is naturally cold. As soon as he entered the water, his teeth chattered from the chill. He took a deep breath and swam with all his might towards the person who had fallen in. Despite the lingering pain from his injuries and the unfamiliarity of using his arms and legs, he exerted every ounce of strength and finally managed to reach the drowning individual, promptly grabbing hold of the collar of that person.

This was the last thought that Xu Xun had before losing consciousness.

Once again, a call echoed in his ears. Xu Xun suddenly felt a cool liquid flowing into his mouth. It was hard to describe whether it was sweet or had some other taste; before he could even react, the liquid had already flowed down his throat. With each involuntary swallow, he gradually felt some sensation return to his hands and feet, and his eyes slowly moved a couple of times. When he finally saw the face that was so close to him, he couldn't help but let out a silent sigh in his heart. With each involuntary swallow, he gradually felt some sensation return to his hands and feet, and his eyes slowly moved a couple of times. When he finally saw the face that was so close to him, he couldn't help but let out a silent sigh in his heart

"Young Master, you must not be so impulsive in the future. Today, we were fortunate to have Old Master Liang!" The young servant, while carefully assisting, complained in an exasperated tone, "Young Master, you have no idea. You nearly risked your life to save that drowning fellow. When I arrived, I searched everywhere but couldn't find anyone. According to Old Master Liang, that person was dressed quite respectably. He didn't pay attention when that fellow woke up, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared without even a word of thanks. Truly heartless! If I find out who he is in the future..."

In comparison to the still-residing dignitaries and nobles of Mafu Street and Changfu Street, Taipingli appears even more desolate. This desolation does not refer to a lack of activity, but rather to the fact that the prominent families that once inhabited this area have largely relocated due to the change of capital. Although there are still many long-established families remaining, they are ultimately past their prime. Even though this area remains the prime location closest to the imperial city and various government offices, after the Yongle era moved the capital to Beijing, officials from Nanjing no longer needed to attend court and preferred to reside in villas by Xuanwu Lake and Mochou Lake. Ironically, the number of wealthy merchants from other regions engaging in business here has increased significantly, turning this once solemn and dignified place into a hub of noise and activity.

Is this dream ever going to end

Indeed, being a good person brings no reward... However, if death truly allows one to awaken from this dream, then perhaps this good deed is not in vain

In a daze, Xu Xun heard the calls coming in waves, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity. In his youth, Xu Xun had once been respectfully referred to as Young Master Xu. However, after both of his parents tragically died in a car accident, their former business partners and trusted subordinates made him immediately taste the bitterness of betrayal and abandonment. To outsiders, it seemed he had fallen into despair and lethargy, yet he was quietly and resolutely pursuing the truth, embarking on a long and arduous journey of struggle. Those former business partners and trusted subordinates made him immediately taste the bitterness of betrayal and abandonment. To outsiders, it seemed he had fallen into despair and lethargy, yet he was quietly and resolutely pursuing the truth, embarking on a long and arduous journey of struggle.

Thank you

With a faint cry for help and the sudden commotion coming from beneath the bridge, the young man was instantly startled. Peering over the railing, he saw a figure struggling in the water, seemingly clutching something resembling a wooden board. Although several men on the shore were shouting and yelling, not a single one of them jumped in to rescue the person. Faced with this situation, after a moment of initial shock, the young man quickly removed his outer robe and shoes, climbed up the railing in a few steps, and leaped into the water.

A gentleman takes revenge; ten years is not too late. He has avenged himself, but after an unfortunate misstep, he experienced the most bizarre events of his life. No matter who it is, upon waking up to find himself covered in injuries, dressed in ancient clothing, and significantly younger, how could he possibly remain calm? Thus, he stealthily slipped out early in the morning. However, upon reaching the Great Middle Bridge and witnessing the ancient style that could only be seen in television dramas, he couldn't help but stop and admire it. When he saw someone fall into the water, he might have hesitated in reality, but thinking it might be a dream, he impulsively decided to play the role of a misguided good Samaritan. Therefore, he stealthily slipped out early in the morning, but upon reaching the Great Middle Bridge and witnessing the ancient style that could only be seen in television dramas, he couldn't help but stop and admire it. When he saw someone fall into the water, he might have hesitated in reality, but thinking it might be a dream, he impulsively decided to play the role of a misguided good Samaritan.

Oh, there is someone in the water

At this early hour, the various government offices, including the Five Ministries and Six Departments, are enveloped in silence under the morning light. However, the streets are already bustling with early risers. Beneath the Zhong Bridge, many people have come to draw water, and the sounds of cart wheels combined with voices create quite a commotion. Yet, at the bridge's head, where few people pass, a young man is languidly leaning against the railing.

It is drifting over from the north side of the city wall river

At that moment, another head poked in: "Seventh Young Master, it's not that this old man is being nosy, but you are being too reckless. You are covered in injuries, yet you still jumped into the water to save someone! If it weren't for me arriving just in time and acting quickly, you, the river dragon, would have turned into a drowned bug! There are so many people here fetching water, yet none of them went to help. Why did you, with such poor swimming skills, jump in?"

Seeing the old man quickly walk up to a water cart, he lightly called out and pushed the heavy cart away. Under the shade of the tree, Xu Xun supported his arms and expressed his gratitude, but his voice seemed to be blocked, and he could not utter a word. After a while, he slowly got up with the help of a nearby young man, allowing the young servant to wrap his outer robe around him.

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At this moment, Xu Xun did not pay any attention to the young servant's grievances. He shielded his eyes and looked up at the high sun overhead, then glanced again at his trembling arms and legs. Feeling utterly weak, he simply leaned all his weight onto the young servant's shoulder. Although the sun was rising higher, a cold wind blew, causing him to uncontrollably sneeze several times. When he reached the doorstep, he suddenly felt a flurry of chaotic fragments flash before his eyes, and in an instant, his vision darkened and he fainted.

Young Master, Young Master

The Dazhong Bridge within Tongji Gate is a vital thoroughfare in the southern part of Nanjing. To the east of Dazhong Bridge are the imperial palace and various major government offices, including the Five Ministries. To the west, streets such as Taipingli, Mafujie, and Changfu Street are interspersed with numerous old residences. At first glance, some of these houses have lost their former luster; the roofs have been replaced multiple times, and the neatness of the past is long gone. Vines have even climbed up the walls inside. However, when discussing the age of these residences, one can often trace their history back fifty years or even over a hundred years.

Young master, you nearly scared me to death

Help!

The old man speaking had a head full of disheveled gray hair, and his face was lined with deep, knife-like wrinkles. At that moment, he was bare-chested, with droplets of water still not dried on his chest, wearing a grayish-brown single garment draped over him. His hair was damp, and while he spoke, he was also cheerfully twisting a soft towel. Noticing Xu Xun looking over, he smiled and draped the towel over his shoulder, giving a slight nod as he said, "It's getting late; I must hurry to deliver water to each household. I will take my leave now"

It turns out that this is truly not a dream, and it is not possible to return to that original world simply through some intense stimulation.

Looking at that face, marked by black and white streaks, it was unclear whether it was due to not being washed properly in the morning or the aftermath of a recent bout of crying. Xu Xun couldn't help but let out a laugh, but this laughter tugged at certain wounds, making his smile appear somewhat tragic: "A real man... what is there to cry about? I am a dragon crossing the river, I won't die!"