SOUTH CONTINENT
WU DYNASTY
PEACE VILLAGE
Under the vast night sky, a cloaked woman hurriedly placed a small basket on the doorstep of the Lin Mansion before disappearing into the darkness.
At dawn, a servant opened the gate and was startled to find the basket resting on the stone steps. He knelt to inspect it and gasped. Inside lay a newborn baby, sleeping soundly. Without hesitation, he rushed to summon his master, Lin Xu Lang, the esteemed patriarch of the Lin family.
Moments later, Lin Xu Lang arrived. His sharp gaze softened when he saw the tiny infant. Carefully, he lifted the child into his arms, cradling it with unexpected tenderness. As he did, he noticed a letter tucked beneath the baby's blanket. He unfolded it and read its contents, his expression darkening.
With a deep frown, he crushed the letter in his hand. Turning to his trusted bodyguard, he ordered in a low voice, "Find Xiao Xuli and a wet nurse for the baby. Summon Physician Lin and prepare everything the child needs."
"Yes, Master." The bodyguard bowed and departed at once.
Holding the infant close, Lin Xu Lang carried the child into his mansion, stepping into a future neither of them could foresee.
Fifteen Years Later
"Mistress! Mistress! Mistress!"
Panicked voices echoed through the grand halls of the Lin residence as four maidservants gathered together, their faces filled with worry.
"What should we do? Today is her Marriageable Age Ceremony!"
In the Wu Dynasty, every girl who turned fifteen was required to undergo a Marriageable Age Ceremony, marking her eligibility to meet her destined partner. According to tradition, when two fated individuals met, a glowing mark would appear on their foreheads, visible only to the pair. The sacred ceremony applied to both men and women.
"If we don't find her soon, the Great Master will have our heads!"
"We cannot return without her!"
"Buddha, please watch over our young miss!"
Desperate, the maidservants scattered through the bustling market, searching for their missing mistress.
Meanwhile, at Luo Gambling House, Lin Xue, the so called missing mistress, sat leisurely among a crowd of spectators, dressed in a young man's attire.
She was engrossed in a game of Liuno, a traditional Chinese board game played between two opponents. The board featured intricate geometric patterns, while six throwing sticks determined each player's moves, much like dice in other racing games. The first player to accumulate six points won the game.
Lin Xue had already won seven rounds in a row.
Across from her sat a bald, middle aged man whose face had turned red with frustration.
"Uncle, you've lost seven times already." Lin Xue smirked.
The man slammed his fist on the table. "You!"
"Take heart, Uncle. Losing to a young man isn't so bad," she added, amusement glinting in her eyes.
Mr. Heng pointed at her, trembling with rage.
"Bald Uncle, don't get too angry. You're already ugly enough," she teased with a chuckle.
Unable to contain himself, Mr. Heng sprang to his feet and raised a hand to strike her.
"Mr. Heng!" A calm yet authoritative voice interrupted him.
It was Shopkeeper Xa, the owner of the gambling house.
"Don't forget the rules of this establishment." His smile remained polite, but the warning in his voice was unmistakable.
Mr. Heng's furious expression immediately twisted into a forced grin. "Of course, Shopkeeper Xa. You've misunderstood! I was merely trying to greet the young master."
Shopkeeper Xa paid him no further attention. Instead, he turned to Lin Xue and bowed respectfully.
"Young Master Xu, here are your winnings. Please feel free to count them." He handed her a small pouch filled with silver taels.
Lin Xue weighed the pouch in her palm and nodded in satisfaction. "No need. I trust you, Shopkeeper Xa."
She cupped her fists in farewell before turning to leave.
"We look forward to your next visit, Young Master Xu." Shopkeeper Xa returned the gesture.
With a mischievous smile, Lin Xue waved at her defeated opponent. "Goodbye, Bald Uncle!"
Mr. Heng trembled with fury as she disappeared through the doorway.
Still inside Luo Gambling House, Shopkeeper Xa approached a man seated in the shadows. His refined yet sharp features exuded quiet authority. He was Luo Si Cheng, the third young master of the Luo family.
"Young Master, I have delivered the money. The young man introduced himself as Xu."
Luo Si Cheng watched the departing figure, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.
"She's interesting."
Shopkeeper Xa raised a brow, momentarily stunned. Had his young master already discovered the truth?
Meanwhile, Lin Xue strolled leisurely through the forest, her arms outstretched as she let the wind dance across her fingertips. A carefree smile spread across her face.
Suddenly, she stopped and pressed herself against the rough bark of a tree, peering through the dense foliage.
An intense battle unfolded before her. Swords clashed, and figures darted through the clearing like phantoms, their movements swift and deadly.
"Waaaah!" she whispered in awe, her eyes sparkling like those of a child witnessing a grand spectacle.
So captivated was she by the fight that she failed to notice an arrow speeding toward her hiding place.
A sharp whistle pierced the air as the deadly projectile sliced through the foliage.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Realizing she had been discovered, Lin Xue slowly straightened. Rather than panic, she broke into a breathtaking smile, her white bunny teeth glinting in the sunlight.
She did not run.
She did not panic.
Instead, she stood her ground, waiting to see what would happen next.