Liu Ye'er sat in the speeding carriage, her heart soaring like a bird in the vast sky. Having escaped the suffocating web of extended family ties, she felt an unprecedented sense of relief. Every landscape here bore witness to the release of her pent-up emotions. She could finally shed her shackles and truly be herself. Like a joyful bird, she flew freely beneath this open sky.
She could not help humming softly, singing a song from her original world: "I am a tiny, tiny bird, wanting to fly and fly yet never flying high. I search and search, seeking a warm embrace. Is such a request too much to ask?" Her singing drifted on the breeze, as if voicing the joy and sorrow deep within her heart.
Hearing this song, Liu Cunxiu asked with mild curiosity, "Ye'er, what are you singing?" Coming back to her senses, Liu Ye'er remembered that people in this past era knew nothing of this song. After a moment of thought, she replied, "Aunt, it's just a little tune I made up."
Hearing this, Liu Shande flash a look of surprise, then laughed and said, "Sister, you're usually so quiet, I never expected you had such talent to come up with such a nice tune." Liu Ye'er said smugly, "I have plenty more where that came from—I could scare you to death if I brought them all out."
Far from being scared, Liu Shande challenged, "Then bring them out and let's see." This instantly cornered Liu Ye'er, who had no desire to expose her secrets.
Liu Ye'er was a young girl possessing a maturity and insight far beyond her station. She had received higher education in the city and worked in the bustling metropolis. Yet now, she was merely a sheltered country girl.
In her original world, Liu Ye'er had been twenty-eight years old, and her intellect and experience far transcended her current years. She had witnessed the splendor and clamor of the world and experienced the hardships and trials of life. Therefore, when facing Liu Shande and Liu Cunxiu, she felt fully qualified to be their teacher.
At the same time, Liu Ye'er knew her identity and background did not match this role. She was supposed to be a country girl who had never experienced city life, let alone acquired such vast knowledge. Her slip of the tongue earlier had nearly exposed her true self; if anyone found out, she would surely be treated as a monster.
Liu Ye'er began searching for a way to change the subject. "I've got plenty of stuff inside me—heart, liver, lungs, all five viscera." Liu Cunxiu laughed, "Everyone has those." Liu Ye'er retorted, "Having them and having *them* are two different things, just like how Second Aunt is built like a natural pig-slop bucket." Liu Shande pictured Second Aunt, who had noticeably put on weight lately.
Although Liu Cunxiu harbored some resentment toward her family, she still adhered to propriety. "Ye'er, don't scold your elders. It's not polite." Liu Ye'er said, "I treat people the way they treat me. I don't care about elders or juniors." Liu Cunxiu sighed and said nothing further. He knew Liu Ye'er had suffered a great deal of grievance at home and held deep bitterness toward the family.
The four of them immersed themselves in the scenery, laughing and bantering along the way. Together, they admired the beautiful landscape and enjoyed a rare moment of happiness. On this unfamiliar journey, they were gradually becoming a family that relied upon one another.
Bathed in the sunlight, a carriage sped across the desolate road. In the driver's seat sat Han Yuling, whose ears were as sharp as an eagle's, already catching the distant din and shouts. Her resolve was firm, her mind profound, focused entirely on seizing any opportunity to make money amidst this chaos.
She brought the carriage to a halt, turned to look at the three passengers—Liu Ye'er and the others—and said in a firm, cold tone, "Wait here. I have something to take care of." Liu Ye'er, brimming with curiosity, watched Han Yuling step down and longed to get a closer look at the impending excitement.
"Mom, I'm coming with you." Liu Ye'er's voice carried a hint of stubborn determination. Han Yuling glanced at her, a flash of helplessness in her eyes. "It won't be convenient to drag you along. Go back." With that, she strode quickly forward.
Watching Han Yuling's retreating figure, a stubborn gleam appeared in Liu Ye'er's eyes. "I'm coming with you no matter what," she declared, breaking into a run, stumbling over the uneven ground. Though the distance between them grew, she refused to give up, calling out as she ran, "Mom, wait for me!"
Seeing Liu Ye'er's persistence, Han Yuling felt a touch of annoyance but lacked the heart to leave her behind. She had no choice but to turn back, scoop up Liu Ye'er, and tap her on the tip of the nose. "You child, I really don't know what to do with you." Liu Ye'er wrapped her arms around Han Yuling's neck and grinned. "Mom, I just wanted to see what you were up to."
Han Yuling complained with mild irritation, "It would've been easier without you. Bringing you along is just a burden." Liu Ye'er thought to herself: *I'm just going to latch onto you.* In this chaotic world, this trust and reliance were perhaps the deepest bond between this adoptive mother and daughter.
Night fell, bringing a biting, chilly wind. Han Yuling, Liu Ye'er's godmother, held her tightly and strode swiftly away. Liu Ye'er looked up, watching her mother's rhythmic leaps that felt as though they were carrying them straight up into the stars. The wind roared in her ears, and Han Yuling moved with astonishing speed, seemingly capable of breaking through any obstacle. Her heart swelled with pride—with a mother like this, what was there to fear? A bright future was right before her eyes.
Suddenly, the scene ahead caught their attention. A group of men dressed in black was assaulting four soldiers. Outnumbered, the soldiers were putting up a desperate resistance. Seeing this, Han Yuling soared into the fray and let out a thunderous roar, "Halt!" The cry was like a sudden clap of thunder, shocking everyone present. Both sides stopped fighting and turned to look at the source of the voice—Han Yuling.
She landed gracefully on the ground, radiating an aura of absolute majesty. Facing both the men in black and the soldiers, she showed not a shred of fear, fixing them with a piercing gaze.
The air grew tense as the group of men in black confronted Han Yuling. An ordinary woman, yet she stood bravely before them holding a child, attempting to quell the violence.
"Wrongs should be resolved, not compounded. I suggest you put down your weapons and stop fighting. Injury and death will benefit no one," Han Yuling urged in a calm yet resolute voice. Her tone was clear, resonant, and filled with wisdom and reason.
The men in black looked at her in mild astonishment. This seemingly ordinary woman actually had the nerve to step in as a peacemaker. They eyed her, wondering if she possessed some extraordinary ability. Yet aside from that exceptionally loud voice, they could discern nothing special about her.
"This is none of your business. Clear out before you get hurt—we won't be held responsible," a man in black threatened. They had no intention of stopping; they simply wanted this woman out of their way.
Instead of retreating, Han Yuling walked right toward them. "Fighting is no fun at all. If you have issues to discuss, it's better not to resort to violence," she said with a warm, conciliatory smile.
Provoked by her audacity, one of the men in black raised his blade and charged at her, shouting, "Poking your nose where it doesn't belong!" However, Han Yuling easily dodged his strike and swept her leg out, sending the attacker crashing face-first into the dirt.
Two more men in black rushed at her from either side with raised blades. Han Yuling dropped into a low split, her legs extending to both sides, and neatly tripped them both. Her movements were fluid and natural, clearly betraying the skills of a martial arts master.
Watching this, Liu Ye'er was utterly thrilled. "You think you can mess with my mom? You're miles away from that!" she taunted. Her remark tightened the already charged atmosphere.
Realizing they were dealing with no ordinary person, the men in black did not give up. They swarmed Han Yuling from all directions, intending to end the fight swiftly. Yet Han Yuling was not so easily subdued.
As the attackers closed in, Han Yuling suddenly dropped low and slipped right through a gap in their formation, catching them completely off guard as they struck empty air. Taking advantage of their momentum, she vaulted into the air and unleashed a rapid four-kick combo, dropping all four men to the ground.
Realizing they could not easily defeat her, the men in black changed tactics, abandoning the soldiers to focus their entire assault on Han Yuling. Still, she remained unfazed. Empty-handed and carrying a child in her arms, she displayed extraordinary prowess.
Liu Ye'er had never witnessed such a spectacle, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and fear. Blades flashed all around her, sending a bone-chilling cold through the air. She broke out in a cold sweat for Han Yuling.
The leader of the soldiers watched Han Yuling battle the black-clad men with deep admiration. He quietly mused that if he could recruit such a person to his side, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
Ignoring the men in black as they moved back toward the soldiers, Han Yuling spoke in a gentle, pleading tone, "This humble woman has been a bit short on cash lately. Might I ask you gentlemen to spare a little silver?" Her voice was soft and full of entreaty. Li Sheng, the chief of the soldiers, was captivated by her melodious voice and profound eyes. He sensed that this woman was not someone driven by petty greed; whatever she sought must be mere necessities of life.
Li Sheng drew a banknote from his tunic, handed it to Han Yuling with both hands, and said, "Repaying a life-saving debt is only right. I am Li Sheng. I don't carry much silver on me, but please accept this hundred-tael banknote, Miss." He then unfastened a pouch from his belt and handed it over as well. "Present this pouch at the military camp here, and you can find me."
Han Yuling accepted the banknote but refused the pouch. With resolute finality, she said, "A hundred taels is enough. We part ways here." Her decisiveness struck a chord in him, prompting him to cup his fists deeply. "May I ask the young lady's honorable name? I will certainly call upon you to express my gratitude later."
Han Yuling shook her head with a smile. "Since I already have the silver, no thanks are needed. You and I are even now." Her words were as absolute as they were elegant.
The leader of the men in black suddenly realized that money could solve anything. He quickly pulled out a five-hundred-tael banknote, offered it to Han Yuling, and smiled with a sly, upturned mouth.
"Miss, as long as you're willing to help us, this five-hundred-tael note is yours," the leader said eagerly, holding the bill out right before her.
Han Yuling cast a casual glance at the banknote, accepted it gracefully, and smiled with a slight curl of her lips. "I made no promise to help you. This matter has nothing to do with me. Until we meet again." With those words, she turned and walked away.
"How can you take the money and do nothing!" the leader shouted in alarm, his voice tinged with panic and fury.
Han Yuling stopped, turned back, and gave him an icy look. "You chose to hand over the money of your own accord—that's your business. Whether I help or not is mine—you have no right to interfere." Having said her piece, she turned and strode away.
The leader of the men in black stood frozen in shock, boiling with rage. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to willingly hand over a fortune only to be treated with such utter disdain by this woman. Filled with bitter regret, he nonetheless dared not provoke Han Yuling directly. He had already learned firsthand just how formidable she was.