C1 Changes

The main gates of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion were wide open, bustling with life and excitement. Today marked the sixtieth birthday of the matriarch, and given the family's esteemed history and the marquis's current position as Deputy Minister of Works, a steady stream of well-wishers arrived to celebrate.

With the main entrance crowded, a stately carriage pulled up at the side gate. Jing Bao lounged lazily inside, having traveled with her mother, Mrs. Lu, from Lin'an for twenty days straight to make it in time for her grandmother's birthday.

Exhausted from the journey, she hoped to rest but was suddenly reminded of the strange man she encountered outside the city earlier.

"Don't go to the Xuanping Marquis Mansion today, or you'll be in grave danger!" His words echoed in her mind, causing a shiver of unease just as the carriage came to a halt.

A large hand abruptly swept aside the curtain. "A fine young man hiding in a carriage—are you afraid to face people?"

Jing Bao opened her eyes to see a young man standing before her. He was not yet twenty, with a straight nose and striking features, exuding the charisma of a noble family.

"You are..."

"Lu Huaiqi!"

Jing Bao understood. "So, it's Cousin Huaiqi. Mother always said you lived up to your name, and meeting you today, I see she was right."

Lu Huaiqi was the youngest son of her uncle, known for being quite the troublemaker, as her mother often described him.

Lu Huaiqi murmured, "I've heard the men from the south are as fair as women, and it seems true."

Jing Bao, unfazed and smiling, invited, "Cousin Huaiqi, would you like to join me up here? The ride is smooth and comfortable!"

Lu Huaiqi smirked slightly, pulled a pouch from his pocket, and tossed it over. "This is from my fourth sister for you. If you have anything for her, I can pass it along."

The fourth sister was the Fourth Miss of the mansion, Jing Bao's fiancée.

Jing Bao was actually a girl, but due to unavoidable circumstances, she had been forced to disguise herself as a boy from a young age. No one knew her true gender except her closest family.

Jing Bao removed a hairpin from her hair. "Please give this to the Fourth Miss and tell her not to mind that it's an old item."

"Old items show true sentiment. Jing, the mansion has prepared a performance and drinks. I'll take you to enjoy it later, so hurry over."

Jing Bao was about to say, "No need," but the person dashed off, disappearing from sight.

"Lift the sedan..."

The porter had just started to shout when a sudden rush of footsteps was heard. Several armed guards entered in a line, and the leader shouted loudly:

"By order, we are here to seize the Marquis Mansion. Those not involved, leave immediately, or face consequences!"

Jing Bao's vision darkened. How could such a calamity occur on her grandmother's birthday?

Suddenly, she recalled the warning from the man outside the city, and her heart sank with fear. Could he have known all along and tried to warn her? But there was no time to dwell on it now.

She quickly jumped out of the carriage and helped her trembling mother, Mrs. Lu, to get down. "The law doesn’t punish married women, Mother. We need to leave the mansion quickly."

Mrs. Lu's legs were weak, and she struggled to move. As they reached the gate, they were stopped by guards. A bright blade was drawn, and Mrs. Lu fainted in fright with a gasp.

Jing Bao hurriedly pulled out a few silver coins, offering them with a smile. "Officer, we're relatives here to attend the wedding at the Marquis Mansion. We haven't even entered the second gate yet. Could you let us through?"

The leader of the guards, noticing their travel-worn faces and unfamiliar clothing, coughed meaningfully. Jing Bao understood and handed over a few more silver coins. "Officer, please take this and share a drink with your brothers."

The leader gave them a cold look. "You think a few silver coins are enough to save all your lives? This isn't charity."

Feeling embarrassed, Jing Bao turned and removed all the jewelry from Mrs. Lu, offering it with both hands. "I apologize for my oversight. This is all we have..."

Before she could finish, the leader snatched the pile of jewelry from her hands.

"Now that's more like it, hurry up and get out of here!"

Jing Bao quickly led the group out of the mansion. Once outside, her face turned serious, and a cold glint appeared in her eyes, commanding respect without a word. The previously frantic servants fell silent, instinctively looking at her.

"Get Mother into the carriage and leave here immediately!" Jing Bao ordered.

"Yes!"

The carriage sped away, quickly departing from the mansion. Meanwhile, a figure emerged from the shadows of an alley across the street, glanced in the direction the carriage had gone, and then walked away in the opposite direction.

...

"Sir, you're finally back!"

Qi Lin was overwhelmed with emotion, tears in his eyes, as he saw his master return to the mansion.

"Hmm."

Gu Changping responded blandly, noticing Qi Lin's joyful expression as he approached, a hint of complexity in his gaze. Only after witnessing the mansion being raided again did he truly believe he had returned to his past life.

​