Chen Feiqing had always been frail and prone to illness. The Chen family worried he might die on the battlefield, so they spent money on his education in reading and arithmetic, hoping that when he joined the military, he might be assigned a clerical post—one of the few roles that didn’t risk his life directly.
Even so, such positions were scarce, and even with some skill, he might never be assigned one.
When Chen Yousong returned to the house, Chen Feiqing took the items, glanced at them, and was immediately surprised.
“Mother, Father didn’t give silver, but Li Chutian already agreed not to interfere with Alì’s marriage. It remains under Father’s care,” Chen Feiqing said, puzzled. “Since when did the Li couple become so agreeable?”
Zhu Shi listened, utterly shocked. She opened her mouth but could not reply.
In her husband’s eyes, she must have seemed selfish and cruel. What was the use of arguing? Besides, this time no silver was spent. What about next time?
“Other matters, I cannot control. But this silver… no one touches it.” Zhu Shi gritted her teeth, putting the money away. No matter what, she would not be the sucker here.
The couple left the room in a sour mood.
The Chen siblings were stunned for a moment, then helpless. They understood: no one was wrong. Mother acted for their sake, and Father was not heartless. The only one to blame was Li Chutian, who couldn’t even accommodate her own daughter.
…
In the following days, Li Shu didn’t rest either.
Whenever she went out, she found a secluded spot to change her appearance. These past few days, she dressed as a boy. The original body was underdeveloped, thin as a bean sprout, with no chest or hips—so Li Shu didn’t need much disguise.
Because of this, she decided to fatten herself up.
She bought chicken, duck, fish, and other dishes from local restaurants, about twenty plates each time, storing them in her space—enough for two months.
In a few days, she had scouted nearly all of Ganhe Town. Nearby were farming lands and small villages. Trade mostly occurred in town. Because it was a border checkpoint, the town was surrounded by mountains, with only one main road to Yicheng; the rest were rough mountain paths.
She also learned that entering Yicheng required household registration papers.
Border towns strictly checked travelers to prevent military families from deserting.
In other words, if she wanted to travel beyond Yicheng, she would be treated as a refugee or runaway servant. A lone girl would certainly be stopped.
Yet she felt the border unstable.
Some general had died in the military camp, and a precious nanmu coffin had been used—this was no small matter.
Who knew when Yunjiang Pass might fall? If it did, Ganhe Town would be trapped like a frog in a jar.
Li Shu felt a deep melancholy, worried about her bleak future.
Soon, it was August 18.
The Qian family was conducting business.
Li Shu crouched outside their door with the town beggars, holding a broken bowl, trembling, watching passersby.
She considered that beggars were the safest: neither bandits nor soldiers paid attention to them. Even in danger, she could hide in a corner and go unnoticed—provided she didn’t act as a human shield herself.
“You’re new, huh? Be bold, don’t be shy! I heard the Qian family bought lots of meat yesterday. Talk sweetly, and maybe you’ll get some. See that woman over there? Don’t copy her…” An old beggar nudged her arm and pointed.
Li Shu looked in that direction.
A familiar face.
“That old lady used to sell lamp oil. Her family suffered recently, can’t eat properly, so she came begging too. But she’s different from us—she cares about dignity, wants Qian family’s food but not humiliation. Such things don’t come easy!” the old beggar scoffed.
Li Shu grinned and nodded: “She’s coming to take our spot. Shouldn’t we beat her?”
The old beggar paused. “Her son died… she’s pitiful.”
“But I know her. Back when my father was alive, we went begging past the Qi family’s house. She poured swill on him! It was winter! My father fell ill because of it—I lost my dad!” Li Shu looked genuinely upset.
“Your father… killed by her?” The old beggar felt sympathy for this “crippled” child.
“Yesterday, a kind lady told me to sneak in through the side door early. She’d give me a chicken… I’ll get it and share it with you!” Li Shu quickly changed the subject, hobbling toward the side door. Before leaving, she added sadly: “It’s my own fault. When my father died, I went to Qi family to demand justice and got beaten by her son. Lucky I survived—otherwise, no chance for this chicken…”
Reaching the side door, seeing no one around, she pulled a roast chicken from her space and walked back.
The beggars were astonished that she really had food.
Li Shu generously shared the meat and sweetly bowed to the “big brother.”
This “big brother” was a strong, indulgent ex-gangster who had lost everything to gambling, now acting as the leader among the beggars. Everyone who got food had to give him a share.
Her flattery worked; he was pleased.
After eating, he led the beggars toward Qi Pozi.
“What are you dirty-handed fools doing?” the old lady cried, seeing them reaching for her. She was both disgusted and panicked.
“You killed my brother’s father?” the leader snorted. “How dare a wicked person like you beg on my turf? Beat her!”
Qi Pozi glanced at Li Shu. She didn’t recognize her—who was this child? When had she killed anyone’s father?
“I didn’t—” Before she could finish, she was struck.
She curled up on the ground, covering her head, wailing.
Li Shu didn’t intervene directly. She protected the perimeter, watching someone look her way, then restrained the “big brother” to control the situation.
The beggars thought she was kind and sensible, letting her choose positions. Qi Pozi, wrongly beaten, fled in terror.
The Qian family gradually became busy. The noise from inside spilled outside.
Li Shu observed the visitors. By noon, a few men came with a large chest. They were dressed plainly but exuded an air of deadly intent.
They left immediately after delivering the chest.
The old Qian patriarch frowned, ordering it moved inside, not wanting it left a moment longer.
“Sorry, everyone! My grandson has a chronic illness, and it flared up again. Can’t host you properly. I’ll personally apologize in a few days…” he began ushering guests away.
Li Shu watched the activity closely.
She estimated that it would take time for the innkeeper to deliver messages. To prevent the silver from being moved, the bandits were probably waiting outside the town. In less than half an hour, they should arrive.
The guests left, though puzzled. The grandson’s illness made it hard to linger.
Soon, the sound of hooves approached, accompanied by screams and children crying.
The bandits’ whips cracked loudly through the air, piercing eardrums.