East City, before the Luo Residence.
Yang Shifei took a deep breath, a knot of nervousness tightening in his stomach.
He lowered the travel bag from his shoulder, straightened his relatively clean robes, and then touched his face.
Good. Not ugly and clean.
He retrieved a stack of red paper from his bag, repeatedly confirming the correct recorded address.
The characters for 'marriage contract' were faintly visible between the folds of the red paper.
Yang Shifei looked up at the 'Luo Residence' plaque hanging above the grand entrance, a wave of emotion washing over him.
"I never thought I'd get the chance to be a live-in son-in-law, even after transmigrating."
His thoughts couldn't help but drift back to six months ago.
Back then, he was just an unremarkable recent graduate, fretting over what kind of job could support him, where he should settle down, how to manage his future daily expenses—rent, utilities, insurance…
After leaving campus, the pressures of life seemed to clock in punctually, arriving all at once.
But just as he'd composed himself, ready for the second interview with a company he'd already contacted—
He'd been looking at his phone, missed a step, and fallen into a pit.
The good news was that the pit wasn't deep.
It was probably for some roadwork, repairing pipes or something; there was even a maintenance worker half-squatting inside. Even if he'd dived in headfirst, the worst would have been a mouthful of mud.
The bad news was, that's when he transmigrated.
Yang Shifei vividly remembered losing his balance, his hands instinctively protecting his phone and head, his face a mask of terror as he looked at the maintenance guy in the pit.
And the guy had happened to turn around at that exact moment, looking up at him with an equally shocked expression.
"What the fuck!" "The fuck?!"
The two had only managed that hurried, mutual exclamation, their final farewell in modern society.
The next moment, he appeared in the sky above an unfamiliar field and fell, ramrod straight.
He ended up with a bruised and swollen face, along with various sprains and contusions, groaning in pain for a long time, unable to get up. He'd almost thought he was going to die right there.
It wasn't until a peasant woman happened to pass by and kindly helped him back to her home.
Yang Shifei's mind was a chaotic mess at the time. It took a long while of confirming with the peasant woman and her family before he finally accepted that he had truly transmigrated.
Many misunderstandings and jokes arose during that period. He was almost handed over to the authorities because of his 'strange attire' and various' ravings.' It took a great deal of persuasion for them to reluctantly take him in.
After a series of twists and turns, he finally settled down in the remote mountain village to recuperate.
During this time, he thought about his parents and how to get home. He even wondered if he'd hit his head and was hallucinating, that if he just closed and opened his eyes, he'd find himself in a hospital room, head wrapped in gauze.
His mom would be sitting beside him, scolding him as usual for looking at his phone while walking, then, gritting her teeth yet with a hint of heartache, she'd point to the various IV drips hanging nearby, saying he'd have to recuperate for a while before he could eat properly. Then, whatever he wanted to eat or drink, they'd make it at home once he was better; he wouldn't be allowed takeout even after the feeding tube was out.
And his dad would be silent, scrolling through his phone, looking up at him, then shaking his head and sighing helplessly.
Unfortunately, he wasn't dreaming.
Yang Shifei lay in bed for two days, despondent for three.
He couldn't understand how other transmigrators managed to ruthlessly abandon everything.
But humans are highly adaptable creatures.
After his injuries had somewhat improved, he silently packed away all his emotions, endured the pain, got out of bed, and went into the fields to try and help, starting to adapt to life in this world.
He wasn't a child anymore; he had to learn to accept.
The world had changed dramatically, but he had to keep moving forward.
And the slightly worn marriage contract in his hand now was the 'reward' for his persistent help with farm work over the past month.
"—How on earth did Auntie Niu and the others get connected with such a prominent family?"
Yang Shifei stood rooted before the Luo Residence for a long time, his handsome face a canvas of complex emotions.
During the nearly half-month he spent recuperating in Niu Family Village, he had gained a general understanding of this world.
Although it was called the 'Liang Kingdom,' its history was entirely different from any dynasty he recalled. There were even martial artists, a pugilistic world, divine weapons, and the like; it clearly had some Wuxia elements.
If it were some other transmigrator, they might have started venturing into the pugilistic world early on and made a name for themselves.
Unfortunately, he was a graduate who'd been halfway to a 996 work life. Never mind singing or dancing, he was practically an invalid; even a basic fitness test would leave him exhausted and puking everywhere.
Especially after he tried wielding Auntie Niu's ancestral weapon—and nearly fractured his wrist in the process—he temporarily gave up on savoring the romantic adventures of the pugilistic world.
Besides, after recovering, he first had to help Auntie Niu's family plant more crops to earn some silver, to repay their kindness for saving his life.
But unexpectedly, he hadn't repaid much of their kindness when Auntie Niu suddenly thrust this marriage contract into his hands one day, a wide grin on her face.
"Young Yang, ah, our family has no male heirs. How about you go fulfill this engagement for us?"
"How can that be! This Luo family said they want to marry into your Niu family. I'm an outsider—"
"Hey, don't say that. Our surname is Niu, yours is Yang. We're all family!"
"…"
Although he hadn't expected Auntie Niu to crack a deadpan joke, Yang Shifei thought about it and, half-reluctantly, agreed.
He felt this was an opportunity.
He had transmigrated, after all. Even if he didn't learn some supreme divine skill to roam the pugilistic world, he should at least make good use of his modern knowledge and try his luck out there a few times.
At the very least, he couldn't be a freeloader.
Living off a peasant family wasn't an option either.
Even if he didn't make a name for himself in the pugilistic world, or even if the Luo family didn't acknowledge this marriage contract, he could use this as a stepping stone to find lodging in the county town or elsewhere and look for work as a clerk or bookkeeper.
He thought, perhaps all those years of studying useless mathematics were about to shine at this very moment… At least his college entrance exam scores weren't low.
Though he'd basically forgotten most of it.
But, as long as he could earn a bit more silver, support himself, and also take better care of Auntie Niu's family so they wouldn't have to endure such harsh, sun-beaten days in the future.
Right, no freeloading.
But what if he failed in the pugilistic world, in business, in officialdom, and couldn't even find a job…
Ahem, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
Yang Shifei had always been a man of action.
So, after making his decision, he immediately used the money he'd saved from doing various chores and farm work in the village to buy himself two sets of 'new clothes.' After bidding farewell to Auntie Niu and her family, he hitched a ride on a passing horse-drawn carriage, traveled dozens of li over mountain roads to East City, and now stood here.
Knock, knock, knock—
Yang Shifei deliberated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to knock on the main gate of the Luo Residence.
He'd been single his entire life; forget having a girlfriend, he'd never even held a girl's hand.
Now, to impersonate someone using their family's marriage contract, traveling all this way alone to present himself as a 'live-in son-in-law,' was indeed quite embarrassing.
But then he thought about his lack of power and influence, not to mention money or property…
He endured.
Right now, he could only continuously rehearse the local dialect and phrases, silently reciting the speech he had prepared, hoping to make a good first impression on the people of the Luo Residence.
Although he had yet to meet this Eldest Miss Luo and didn't know her temperament, since he had accepted the marriage contract out of Auntie Niu's kindness, he had to make a good showing, at least superficially.
"Junior Yang Shifei, here to visit in accordance with the marriage contract. May I ask… huh?"
Yang Shifei's knocking paused as he watched the courtyard gate creak open slowly. He was stunned.
The gate wasn't latched.
Yang Shifei had a peculiar expression as he looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds were gathering; the moonlight was dim. He had rushed to arrive in East City just in time today and hadn't even managed to eat dinner before hurrying over for this visit.
In this era, many nimble thieves had learned martial arts. He'd heard they could leap over eaves and run on walls; those with profound cultivation could shatter gold and crack stone without issue. A mere wall was indeed no different from a decoration, but at least it was a facade. It was eight or nine in the evening, and not only was the courtyard gate unlocked, but even the latch wasn't engaged. Weren't the servants of this Luo family a bit derelict in their duties?
Forget it, it was none of his business.
Yang Shifei steeled himself, pushed open the main gate, and peeked inside the Luo Residence.
The moonlight was sparse, but he could vaguely make out clusters of flowers in a garden, rockeries, and water features—clearly the grand courtyard of a prominent household. Perhaps even nobility.
This matched the information he had gathered on his way.
This Luo Residence seemed to belong to a major family from the capital, with quite a high status.
And the Eldest Miss Luo was a 'runaway' maiden who had presumptuously settled down in East City.
Initially, many neighbors thought this young miss would soon be dragged back home, but unexpectedly, she had lived there for two or three years without any trouble. From time to time, Luo Residence servants could be seen shopping outside, seemingly indicating a long-term stay. The people of East City had gradually forgotten about it.
However, that Eldest Miss Luo rarely went out, and very few had seen her face. According to neighborhood rumors, she was a devastating beauty, a true national treasure.
"…Anyone here?"
Yang Shifei poked his head further into the courtyard. He could vaguely see a flicker of light in the direction of the rear courtyard, but the front courtyard was deserted.
Had they really forgotten to lock the gate?
He stood his ground, cleared his throat, and called out a little louder.
"…"
There was still no response from the rear courtyard of the Luo Residence.
Yang Shifei tightened his collar, feeling a slight chill.
He looked at the vast, empty courtyard, feeling helpless. He decided to find an inn for the night and come back to pay his respects first thing in the morning.
After all, he had only accepted the marriage contract; it wasn't like he was actually married yet. Trespassing into a private residence without an invitation, even if he was here to propose marriage, would inevitably lead to wagging tongues.
Yang Shifei slowly pulled the heavy courtyard gate closed, preparing to turn and leave.
But just then, a slender, jade-like hand reached out from inside the gate, positioning itself between the two gate doors.
Yang Shifei jumped in fright, hastily stopping the gate, nearly crushing the person's hand.
"Miss?"
He pushed the gate open again and saw a young girl standing gracefully behind it.
She wore a celadon-green long dress and a snow-white blouse. Her figure was petite and delicate. A string of silver bells on her sash chimed softly with the wind, like a gentle sigh. Her youthful face, as fair as white jade, was cool and serene, only a pair of lively, beautiful eyes blinked playfully.
Judging by her age, perhaps fourteen or fifteen?
She was quite short, not even reaching his chest.
Yang Shifei inwardly guessed this might be a servant girl of the Luo family. He composed himself and quickly stated his purpose.
"It's you," the young girl nodded slightly, her voice as crisp and beautiful as a song.
This made Yang Shifei breathe a sigh of relief; no misunderstanding.
"Since it's already dark, this humble one will return tomorrow—"
"Not coming in?"
The young girl raised a hand, interrupting him. She turned sideways and, with a smile, gestured towards the inner courtyard. "They are all inside."
Yang Shifei hesitated. "Will I be disturbing everyone in the residence?"
"It's not late," the young girl smiled. "Just in time, actually."
"…Very well."
Yang Shifei thought for a moment, then shouldered his travel bag again. "I'll go pay my respects to Eldest Miss Luo first."
The young girl just chuckled softly, pushed the gate open wider, and stepped aside.
Yang Shifei walked into the courtyard. Just as he was about to ask more, he saw her point towards the inner courtyard. "Go straight there."
"Alright."
Having received permission from a Luo Residence servant girl, Yang Shifei didn't dither. He followed her along the winding garden path.
"…"
The two walked in silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yang Shifei watched the servant girl's slender back swaying as she walked ahead, sighing inwardly.
He didn't know if she practiced martial arts, but she truly made no sound as she walked.
After navigating several winding stone paths, he soon arrived before the door of a softly lit boudoir.
Seeing no one else around and no lights in the other rooms, he surmised that Eldest Miss Luo should be in this room.
Yang Shifei looked at the young girl who had stopped, and pointed at the door. "Miss, could you please make an introduction?"
"She knows you're coming."
The young girl's smile was somewhat unsettling. "Just open the door."
Yang Shifei frowned, sensing something odd.
He wasn't sure if it was because this little servant girl was unbelievably beautiful, or if her words and attitude were rather peculiar.
But standing foolishly outside a woman's boudoir wasn't a solution. He remained silent for a moment, then stepped onto the stone steps before the door, about to knock.
However, through the crack in the door, he vaguely saw a graceful silhouette inside, her back to the door. Bathed in the flickering lamplight, she appeared exceptionally alluring and enchanting. Her long, dark hair cascaded down to her waist, yet it still couldn't conceal her stunning curves.
Two slender servant girls stood on either side, seemingly combing her long hair.
Yang Shifei's hand paused, feeling a bit awkward.
Didn't she say she was expecting him? Why did it look like she was still grooming herself?
He had never been in a relationship, let alone understood the quirks or taboos of noblewomen of this era. He only knew the general customs and etiquette. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should speak up and remind the woman inside.
Just as he was hesitating whether to wait until she finished dressing before speaking, he saw the two servant girls' hair-combing movements become increasingly strange.
Yang Shifei's brow twitched, an inexplicable feeling rising in his heart. He instinctively squinted, trying to get a clearer look.
He saw the two servant girls gradually tighten their grip, their ten fingers clutching the woman's long hair, and then slowly pull it apart towards either side.
"!"
Yang Shifei froze, almost thinking he'd stumbled upon a scene of servants bullying a down-on-her-luck young miss… by pulling her hair?
What was going on in this Luo Residence?
But before he could even click his tongue in amazement, he witnessed an even more horrifying scene.
The woman whose hair was being pulled didn't make a sound, sitting quietly as if she felt no pain at all. And as the servants gradually pulled, her waterfall of long hair was almost split into left and right halves. Then, the top of her head, like a pair of separating gears, revealed jagged cracks that had previously been interlocked. It was like a melon splitting open, or more like a delicate flower slowly blooming.
"…"
Yang Shifei's face stiffened. He took a step back, his heart pounding furiously.
What melon or flower? This was clearly an entire head being pulled open!