As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, a rooster's crow pierced the silence. The golden rays of morning danced on the horizon, and the world began to stir. It was a new beginning for Xian Lian. She noticed a farmer shouting at the guards, arguing over his identity. Taking advantage of the distraction, she slipped through the gates, her movements casual but deliberate, blending seamlessly into the bustling market. Her senses sharpened with the sounds of merchants shouting their wares, the smells of fresh bread and fish in the air, and the colorful stalls around her. She searched for an inn, hoping for a place to rest and regroup.

  Xian Lian walked aimlessly, the weight of her situation pressing on her chest. Her mind raced with uncertainty when a noble palanquin suddenly halted in front of her, the interruption a result of her own carelessness.

  "Ai! What is the meaning of this? Do you not know who I am? Move aside at once!" barked the noble inside the palanquin, his voice sharp with irritation.

  Xian Lian froze in fear, unsure how to react. A lady hurried forward, dusting off the dirt from her.

  "Are you alright?" the lady asked, her voice soft, a hint of concern in her tone.

  Xian Lian nodded, though her hands trembled. Her heart raced with panic, and her mind spun with ways to escape this sudden confrontation. The noble stepped out of his palanquin, scratching his head and glaring at both the lady and Xian Lian.

  "Oh, what do we have here? A young, beautiful lady!" The noble sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "What is the meaning of this?"

  The lady’s eyes narrowed as she turned to face him, a quiet fury simmering beneath her calm exterior. Her voice, though soft, carried an unmistakable weight. "What is the meaning? Why don’t you train your carriers to pay attention? They could have injured a child."

  Shijue’s smirk faltered, a flash of surprise crossing his face. "This vulgar woman! How dare you question me?" He puffed out his chest in a display of arrogance. "I am Shilang Shijue!"

  The lady’s lips curled into a cold smile, her gaze unwavering. "So what?" She took a deliberate step forward, her voice sharpening. "If you don’t treat your people right, we’ll overthrow you and turn you in for corruption."

  There was a brief moment of stillness, the tension hanging in the air like a taut rope ready to snap. Shijue blinked, taken aback by her audacity. His face reddened, fury flashing in his eyes. He pointed a trembling finger at her, his voice shaking with rage. "How dare you!" he shouted. "Men!" He called out, his tone frantic now, as if the threat of defiance had shaken his very foundation.

  The carriers lowered the palanquin and stepped forward, but before they could do anything, a young noble boy’s voice rang out.

  "What's going on, Lord Shijue?" the boy asked, his tone calm but curious. All eyes turned to him. His finely embroidered robes caught the light, making him stand out amidst the tension.

  Shijue immediately ran to the boy, seizing his hand and putting on a sycophantic smile. "Young Lord, this lady ran into my palanquin as I was in a hurry to meet your father," he explained, his tone dripping with false humility.

  The young noble, Lui Hao Jian, glanced at Xian Lian, then at the lady, who shielded Xian Lian from his view. Xian Lian, still rattled, hid behind the lady, her anxiety tightening her chest.

  "My father never asked to see you. He’s already gone hunting. Return to your residence," Hao Jian said dismissively, waving his hand to signal the end of the conversation.

  The lady stifled a laugh. Shijue flushed with embarrassment, his arrogance deflating, but he quickly nodded and retreated, jumping back into his palanquin.

  "Return at once!" he screamed, his voice filled with rage as the palanquin moved off.

  The lady turned to Hao Jian, bowing deeply. "Thank you for your help, Young Lord Lui Hao Jian."

  Hao Jian nodded, his gaze lingering on Xian Lian, still hidden behind the lady. The lady noticed Xian Lian’s anxiety and stepped aside to shield her further.

  "I will take my leave now," the lady said, her voice filled with finality.

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  "Okay," Hao Jian replied, his voice tinged with curiosity but offering no further comment.

  The lady grabbed Xian Lian’s hand, pulling her to the side of the marketplace, away from prying eyes. Once they were hidden, she knelt down and studied Xian Lian with concern.

  "Are you alright?" she asked gently.

  Xian Lian nodded, her voice quiet. "Thank you... so much."

  The lady sighed in relief. "It could have been worse, but thanks to that young man, you managed to escape from that corrupted man."

  Xian Lian stood silently, processing the near-miss. Her mind replayed the tension in the market, her nerves still raw. The lady looked around, then leaned in closer.

  "Do you have any family here? I can take you to them."

  "I... I'm looking for someone," Xian Lian replied, her words deliberate, a mixture of hope and determination rising within her. "I seek to sow harmony and uproot deceit."

  The lady’s eyes narrowed in curiosity, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, before taking Xian Lian by the arm. "I’ll take you to my inn, where we can talk more."

  Xian Lian recognized the name of the inn—Ruqi’s—and nodded, her hope reigniting.

  From that moment on, Xian Lian lived with Ruqi, working at the inn during the day while training in martial arts with her at night. Though she hadn’t heard from Zhiyong, Ruqi reassured her that he was fine. Life at the inn was peaceful, but there was an underlying tension—the young noble, Hao Jian, continued to show up regularly, often sitting at the same table, month after month.

  Xian Lian didn’t mind, not at first. After all, he had saved her earlier. But Ruqi warned her to stay cautious, reminding her of Hao Jian’s violent tendencies in his youth. Xian Lian shrugged it off; her heart was set on Zhiyong.

  One evening, as customers entered the inn, Xian Lian greeted them with a polite bow. Ruqi stood behind the front desk, tallying receipts. When Hao Jian entered, he smiled warmly at Xian Lian, who awkwardly smiled and nodded back.

  "Xian Lian," Ruqi called out, handing her a book. "Take this to the back and bring me the pagers."

  Xian Lian nodded and hurried to the back, but Hao Jian, ever persistent, followed her.

  "Xian Lian," he called softly as he approached her.

  She jumped, startled by his sudden presence. "Sir Lui," she said, surprised.

  "Are you busy tonight?" Hao Jian asked, his voice warm, his presence still unsettling.

  "I... I’m helping Ruqi with the inn," Xian Lian replied, stepping back to put distance between them. "I can’t."

  Hao Jian smiled, unfazed. "How about you join me for the Lantern Festival?" he suggested.

  Xian Lian paused, unsure how to respond. "I don’t know, Sir Lui. I’ll think about it."

  With a quick bow, she turned and hurried back to Ruqi. Once there, she exhaled a sigh of relief.

  "Did you know? I heard the Joseon King has gone mad!" a customer remarked.

  "Ha! Serves him right," another added. "I heard he blamed the Ming for his dead love."

  "The Ming should just overthrow him," someone else suggested, their voice filled with disdain.

  "The Crown Prince is impotent, too!" another gossipmonger chimed in, laughing.

  Xian Lian sighed, sinking into a seat next to Ruqi. "He’s bothering me again," she muttered.

  Ruqi glanced at her, a smirk forming. "What now?"

  "He’s asking me to join him for the Lantern Festival. I told him I’m busy," Xian Lian explained, her frustration evident.

  Ruqi groaned. "That boy never stops. He’s noble, but why can’t he see that you’re still waiting for your love?"

  Xian Lian flushed, a bashful smile tugging at her lips. "He’s not..."

  "Xian Lian," Ruqi interrupted, his tone softening. "If you love Zhiyong, I support you. I know your mother was kind, beautiful... and my brother-in-arms must have fallen in love with her for a reason."

  Xian Lian chuckled shyly, feeling comforted by Ruqi's understanding.

  Meanwhile, back at Lui's household, Hao Jian’s father had just returned from a trip to Nanjiang, unaware of the growing tension surrounding his son.

  Hao Jian’s father entered the residence, his footsteps breaking the heavy silence. He paused at the threshold, his gaze sweeping over the stillness as though trying to read the room itself. After a moment, he sat in a wooden chair, its legs creaking under his weight, the sound a sharp contrast to the quiet.

  "Chang dan..." he called.

  The household manager, a man in his early forties, bowed respectfully. "You called for me, Lord Lui?"

  Hao Jian’s father’s eyes remained fixed on the room. "Where is Hao Jian? It’s unusually quiet."

  The steward nodded. "I’ve heard that Young Lord has been frequenting an inn. There’s a woman there... a beauty who seems to have caught his attention."

  Hao Jian’s father pressed his fingers to his forehead, frustration simmering. "Who is she? Is she from a worthy family?"

  The steward shook his head. "She’s not of noble birth—appears to be a traveler, or perhaps a girl from the countryside."

  A sharp sigh escaped Hao Jian’s father. "Bring him here immediately. I must meet the young lady who’s captured my son’s heart," he commanded before storming out, the steward following.