Chapter One: Transmigration

Dusk was falling, and outside the house, the gentle patter of rain began to fill the air.

"Where am I?"

Jiang Chen struggled to open his eyes, his entire body wracked with an unexplainable ache. Fragments of memory flashed before his mind's eye, countless shards surging into his consciousness all at once.

He glanced at the dilapidated thatched hut around him and shook his head with a bitter smile.

He had crossed into another world.

Now, he was a penniless scholar in the Da Qian Dynasty, a once-mighty empire forged by unyielding cavalry, standing unshaken for three centuries. Three hundred years before, Da Qian had conquered all with an invincible army, sweeping aside its foes like autumn leaves. Yet, not even an unrivaled cavalry could withstand the relentless tide of history, and so, in the end, it was discarded by time.

Now, with turmoil raging within the royal family, Da Qian had entered its twilight, its strength all but spent. In the halls of power, corrupt officials abounded, and the court was filled with men of base character, feasting on the nation's wealth. To the west, foreign barbarians sharpened their blades, casting covetous eyes toward Da Qian's borders. Natural disasters descended upon the land in unending waves, leaving the people suffering bitterly.

Though the original owner of this body lived deep in the mountains, he too once had a happy family. But years ago, his parents, merchants by trade, were killed by bandits from Tiger Head Mountain, casting him into the abyss of misfortune.

Suddenly, there was a knocking at the rickety wooden door, accompanied by a small, melodious voice as clear as a silver bell.

"Chen, are you all right?"

A warmth blossomed in Jiang Chen's heart at the sound, for it belonged to his childhood friend—the daughter of the neighboring butcher, Wu Yue.

After the Jiang family’s downfall, those in the village who had once benefited from their kindness all distanced themselves. Only Wu Yue, who had played with him since childhood, never abandoned him. During every festival, she would secretly bring him food from her home.

"I'm... I'm fine," Jiang Chen replied, licking his parched, cracked lips and enduring the ache in his body. He forced himself to stand and open the battered door.

Outside stood a slender, pure-faced young girl clad in a worn, gray robe. At the sight of her, Jiang Chen's heart trembled.

She glanced at him nervously, only to find Jiang Chen staring straight at her. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and her gaze flickered away.

"Big Brother Jiang! I'm sorry! My father kept me shut in the house these past few days, and I couldn't come see you. I heard that you were—"

"Yue’er, I'm all right," Jiang Chen interrupted gently.

A shy smile flickered across her face. She bit her lip, tears sparkling in her beautiful eyes as she looked up at him.

"Big Brother Jiang, I brought you some food and medicine..."

As she spoke, she drew a small, bulging cloth bundle from her chest.

Jiang Chen’s heart warmed instantly. Had it not been for Yue’er’s help over the years, he might have starved long ago.

He took the bundle, but the heat from the food made him frown. A thought struck him, and he glanced again at the girl. She was covering her reddened chest with her delicate hands.

He had served in the army in his previous life and had seen all manner of wounds. In that moment, he understood—she must have burned herself hiding the food for him.

His smile froze, and a tremor passed through the softest part of his heart. As a mercenary before, he had lived with death at his heels, never knowing such warmth.

"Yue’er, thank you," he said softly. "Thank you for taking care of me all these years. One day, I’ll repay you and give you a good life."

"Big Brother Jiang..." Yue’er’s face flushed deep red. She seemed to want to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

"It’s enough for me to be able to help you," she murmured.

With that, she shot him a shy glance, her cheeks bright with color. "I need to hurry back! If my father finds out I snuck out again, he’ll never forgive me!"

She hesitated, then drew out a small, exquisitely made sachet from behind her back.

"This... I made it myself. It’s for you!"

A scented sachet?

How could Jiang Chen not understand Yue’er’s feelings?

"Thank you," he replied, his heart growing warm at the sight of the girl, head bowed low before him.

Their hands touched for a brief instant, and Yue’er recoiled as if shocked by lightning, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

"Big Brother Jiang, I have to go!"

With those words, she fled, leaving Jiang Chen standing there with the sachet in his hand. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled; the scent was just like that which clung to Yue’er—gentle and comforting.

Watching her retreating figure, a steely resolve shone in Jiang Chen’s eyes.

Meanwhile, as Yue’er returned home, her heart blossomed with delight at the thought that Big Brother Jiang had accepted her sachet.

But just as she was reveling in her happiness, a voice called out from inside the house:

"Yue’er! The scholar from the neighboring village is coming to propose marriage! Hurry up and get ready!"

Yue’er looked up, and her face turned as pale as paper.