The rain in Xilin came suddenly, pouring down in an instant. Pedestrians on the street hurried home, but only Fang Jian held an umbrella, walking through the rain with heavy steps. She did not know how long she had walked. The hem of her long robe was splashed with muddy water, sticking to her pant legs uncomfortably, but she had no mind to care.  

That day, she visited many people—teachers, classmates, elders of her clan, wealthy merchants. She begged countless people, but no one helped her. They could only shake their heads, help her up, and say there was nothing they could do.  

Fang Jian’s family was not wealthy. They owned only a few acres of thin land, but she was born intelligent and could study well. Her teacher at the elementary school said she had a bright future. Her parents were overjoyed and borrowed some money from relatives to open a small food stall at the county gate, working from dawn to dusk to support her studies, hoping she would make a name for herself. She did not disappoint them. At sixteen, she passed the child student examination, becoming quite an ambitious young scholar.  

However, good times did not last long. When a powerful noble entered the city, her parents blocked his path. That noble was used to being arrogant. He shouted for people to seize the lowly commoners who dared to offend him and throw them into the county prison. Their fate was unknown. The neighbors rushed to the school to report the news. Fang Jian hurried to the county office to argue, but the county magistrate feared the noble’s power and had her thrown out.  

Fang Jian sought help from everyone she knew. But the people she could reach were either small scholars like herself or respected teachers in the countryside—none of them had any influence.  

“Ah Jian, it is not that I do not want to help, but I am just a poor scholar. I am powerless. While there is still time, go beg someone else. I will write you some name cards. Shopkeeper Ye in the east of the city, Mister Song in the north…”  

“You are Fang Jian, right? To be honest with you, that noble is connected to the heavens. People like me have some reputation in this county, but even we cannot speak on your behalf. Just let it go. A gentleman can wait ten years for revenge.”  

“You are really troublesome, boy. What is your relationship with me? Why should I stand up for you? Go away, go away.”  

“This is fate, child. People must accept their fate.”  

…  

Fang Jian walked through the rain, stopping and starting. It felt as if something was gripping her heart. In just two days, she had gone from pain to anger to numbness. She was only seventeen, and the books of sages she had read never taught her how to face the sudden trials of life.  

The rain poured harder. As she passed a teahouse, she numbly walked under the eaves and accidentally overheard the conversation of some people sheltering from the rain.  

“The highest-ranking official in Xilin County now is someone from the Gao family, right?”  

“Huh? Gao family? Oh, oh, oh, you mean former Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Gao Yunqu?”  

“That is right. If it were not for her father’s death and her period of mourning, she could have risen even higher.”  

“Wow, Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is a fourth-rank official? She is not even thirty yet, right?”  

“Well, that is the Gao family. Old Master Gao even served as Prime Minister. Listen to her name—Yunqu, the path to the heavens. Ordinary families would not dare to give such a name.”  

Fang Jian seemed to have grasped a lifesaving straw. Her eyes lit up, and she rushed forward, grabbing the man’s sleeve, asking, “Where is that Lord Gao now?”  

“Who are you? Let go!”  

“Please, just tell me. I am waiting for a life to be saved,” she pleaded.  

Seeing her pitiful state, the man said, “Lord Gao Yunqu should still be in mourning. Her house is in the east of the city, in Tongren Alley.”  

“Thank you!”  

Fang Jian ran toward Tongren Alley like a madwoman. But after all, she was a scholar, weak in body. She soon slowed down, panting heavily. The slower pace cleared her mind a little. That was a fourth-rank official. What could she possibly offer in exchange for help?  

When she reached the entrance of Tongren Alley, she steadied herself. Her parents had worked day and night for her. She had not yet repaid their kindness. How could she turn a blind eye to their suffering? As long as Lord Gao was willing to help, she would give anything.  

The Gao residence was one of the grandest buildings in Xilin, with towering gates and five banners of scholar titles. A family like this was not one a commoner like her could approach. She tried to send in a visiting card, but the guards saw her ragged state and did not even bother to deliver it. Instead, they drove her away. So she stayed at the gate, waiting for that slim hope.  

The spring wind and rain still carried a biting chill. It seeped into her damp clothes and into her bones, bringing a dull ache. She was still growing, and at night, she would often be woken by the pain of her bones stretching. Her mother would use a warm towel to soothe her joints and watch over her until she slept. But now, that burning pain spread from her bones to her whole body, searing her heart.  

But luckily, she waited long enough.  

A magnificent carriage, one she had never been so close to in her seventeen years, stopped at the entrance of the Gao residence. A servant jumped down, placed a footstool beside the carriage, and held up an umbrella, calling, “Master, we are home.”  

Gao Yunqu responded and stepped out of the carriage. Her face was fair and elegant, carrying an air of heroism, yet her beauty was distinctly feminine. She wore a simple but fine robe and had her hair bound with a small jade crown. She exuded a graceful and noble charm. She stepped down and walked towards the entrance, but someone called out to her.  

“Lord Gao, I am Fang Jian. I beg you to save my father and mother.”  

The slender girl wore a long robe washed until it was almost white. She was soaked with the dampness of the spring rain, trembling, but her face carried a desperate determination.  

Gao Yunqu saw the fire burning in her eyes. That fire made her delicate face even more striking, carrying a sharpness and fierceness that made her incredibly alive.  

Gao Yunqu became interested. She asked, “Is this your attitude when asking for help?”  

Without hesitation, Fang Jian lifted her robe and knelt in a puddle, pressing her forehead heavily against the blue stone slabs before the Gao residence. She called out loudly, “My parents offended the noble who entered the city and were thrown into prison. I have begged everywhere, but no one would help. I cannot bear to see them suffer injustice. I beg you to extend a helping hand. From now on, I will serve you however you wish.”  

Gao Yunqu took a step forward and hooked a finger under her chin, lifting her face from the muddy water.  

What a face—fair and delicate like a flower needing careful care. The dirtied water slid down, making her appear messy, but not dirty. It only made one want to press her further into the dust, just to see if the fire in her eyes would still burn.  

Gao Yunqu smiled and let go. “Come in.”  

Fang Jian wiped the rain from her face with her sleeve and carefully followed Gao Yunqu into the mansion. It was the first time she had ever seen such luxurious grandeur, but she did not dare to look around. She kept her head down, following Gao Yunqu into the study.  

The Gao family’s study was filled with books. She stood before the desk, while Gao Yunqu sat in a grand chair, studying her with a smile.  

After a long time, an attendant brought in a letter. Gao Yunqu glanced at it and placed it face down on the table. She looked at Fang Jian again and said, “This matter is not difficult for me.”  

Fang Jian’s heart leapt with joy. But before she could speak, Gao Yunqu continued, “When asking for help, one must have something to offer. What will you trade in exchange?”  

Fang Jian knelt again and gritted her teeth. “I will be your servant, a slave at your disposal.”