Before Liu Zhen discovered him, Ji Ci had already been standing there for so long he had forgotten the time.

In the warm spring season, colorful wildflowers grew all along the babbling creek. And beneath a tree full of peach blossoms, Liu Zhen, somewhere between a young lady and a girl, sat quietly, holding a bamboo slip in her hands, her head lowered, engrossed in her reading.

Her hair seemed to have grown longer, now reaching her waist. Yet, it was not tied up in the style of a child's topknots, but was neatly braided as before. As she lowered her head, the braid fell from behind, resting softly on her shoulder, making her skin look even fairer.

She looks more beautiful than any woman I have ever seen, even though she is still so young, Ji Ci thought to himself.

Ji Ci had accompanied his father and grandfather to the Governer's banquets and had seen many so-called noble ladies. The women of the Ji Family were also raised with the education of a great house, their demeanor and conduct vastly different from that of ordinary village folk. But in his eyes, all of them combined did not leave as deep an impression as Liu Zhen.

Qin Shi Huang had banned the Book of Odes and the Book of Documents, and they could not be discussed in public. However, this did not prevent Ji Ci from having long since memorized the contents of these two books. The verses a young man could recall to describe the scene before him flashed through his mind one after another.

And so, he remained in a daze.

Until Liu Zhen spoke.

Although he knew she couldn't read his mind, Ji Ci couldn't help but blush.

He walked over. "Ah Zhen, long time no see."

Liu Zhen said in surprise, "Your face is very red. Have you been in the sun too long? Let's go back!"

Ji Ci said hastily, "No, it's fine! It's from walking!"

He quickly changed the subject, "Have you not finished this scroll yet?"

Liu Zhen smiled, pursing her lips. "I've read it three times. It's just that one can never read a good book too many times. Each reading brings a new understanding, so I read it a few more times whenever I have the leisure!"

The boy, whose heart was just beginning to stir with affection, was a little shy and had lost the calm composure he'd had when interacting with Liu Zhen before. He felt a bit awkward, not knowing what to say on this topic. After thinking for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out, "If you like, I will come often in the future and bring you books."

"Great! Then thank you very much!" Liu Zhen did not stand on ceremony.

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked toward the house. Madam Zhang had already heard the news that Ji Ci had come up the mountain with Xu Zhongfang and personally came out to greet them, saying, "The Liu family is now a family of fugitives, guilty of a crime. We are endlessly grateful that the young master has not abandoned us and has even come to visit!"

Ji Ci hurriedly said, "Madam, you are too kind. Liu Nan and Ah Zhen are both my friends. Friends should share weal and woe. Elder Xu is willing to risk danger for his friends; such a righteous act is precisely what I should learn from. Compared to Elder Xu, I am still far behind!"

Xu Zhongfang laughed heartily. "Good lad! You've praised yourself while also speaking well of me!"

Ji Ci smiled without speaking and bowed again with his hands clasped.

To be honest, the more Madam Zhang looked at Ji Ci, the more pleased she was.

In terms of family background and character, not to mention in Xiang Town, even looking across the entire Yingchuan Commandery, Ji Ci was outstanding. Furthermore, Ji Ci was of a similar age to Liu Nan, and he and Liu Zhen were childhood sweethearts who had grown up together, innocent and without guile.

Liu Zhen was nine years old this year. In another two years, she would be about old enough to discuss marriage. Although Madam Zhang was not her birth mother, she had raised her for many years and naturally hoped she could marry into a good family.

By this standard, Ji Ci was the best candidate Madam Zhang could think of.

But it was a great pity. If it were before, when Liu Yuan was still the County Commandant, a marriage alliance might have been possible. But now, their family had become fugitives, and they didn't even know when they would be able to leave this mountain, let alone form a marriage tie with the Ji Family.

The Ji Family would also never accept their eldest legitimate grandson marrying a woman whose father was a fugitive, let alone her becoming the future matriarch of the clan.

Thinking of this, Madam Zhang looked at Liu Zhen and Ji Ci standing together, a perfect match like a string of pearls and a pair of jade discs, and could only sigh inwardly for her family's misfortune and feel sorry for Liu Zhen.

Ji Ci was a man of his word. Ever since he had followed Xu Zhongfang to see Liu Zhen and the others and had learned the way himself, he would come up the mountain to visit whenever he had a spare moment, bringing bamboo slips with him for Liu Zhen to exchange and read.

Of course, at this time, as the rebellion outside was intensifying, the flames of the rebel army were threatening to spread to Yingchuan Commandery. The County Magistrate of Changshe had no time to worry about the escape of Assistant Governor Wu and Liu Yuan. He was busy answering the imperial court's call to conscript soldiers to fight the rebels. Xiao Qi had also been transferred to Yangdi County, receiving a promotion. So, in fact, the Liu family's matter was no longer a major issue.

However, since the same County Magistrate was still in charge of Changshe County, Madam Zhang and the others could not come down the mountain immediately. But with a scion of a great house like Ji Ci running up the mountain all day, an observant person could still see that something was afoot. It was just that no one reported it; otherwise, it would have been absolutely impossible for Madam Zhang and the others to live so peacefully in the mountains.

The addition of Ji Ci not only meant that Liu Zhen had new books to read, but for Madam Zhang and the others, it also meant they had a reliable source of news.

The Ji Family was a great house and a guest of honor to the Governer; the speed at which they received news was far faster than Xu Zhongfang.

From his mouth, Madam Zhang and the others could also learn about the current situation outside.

The insurgents were not quickly eliminated as many had expected. Instead, the number of rebels grew, and the scale of the rebellion expanded. People flocked from all over to join the rebel ranks, including many nobles from the former Six States. The Qin army fought with the rebels, with victories and defeats on both sides. The Qin army suffered many casualties, but the rebels did not gain much of an advantage either. There were also some Qin officials who, intimidated by the rebels' momentum, directly surrendered and joined the rebellion.

As these matters were recounted eloquently, the listeners found them thrilling and frightening.

Although Madam Zhang was limited by her origins and her perspective was not broad, she knew that in the current situation, only with the fall of the Qin dynasty, or the death of the current emperor, could their family's name be cleared. Therefore, whenever she heard Ji Ci say that another rebel army was locked in a deadly struggle with the Qin army, her joy would show on her face. She would clap her hands and cheer, wishing the Qin dynasty would collapse tomorrow so that Liu Yuan could return.

And so, when the sixth month arrived, Ji Ci did not disappoint, bringing even more shocking news.

Most importantly, this news was greatly related to the Liu family.

It was said that Liu Yuan had taken the group of prisoners who escaped with him and joined the King of Zhangchu, enlisting in the mighty rebel army!

Madam Zhang and the others were simply stunned.

For the first time in her life, Liu Zhen's mouth fell open, losing her composure like a fool. The thought in her mind was: My dad actually went and became a rebel!

Liu Wan and Liu Zhuang were still young and had no idea of the shocking nature of this news, simply staring blankly at everyone.

The hot-blooded youth Liu Nan was excited after his shock, his face filled with irrepressible enthusiasm, as if he himself were about to join the rebellion.

After a long while, Madam Zhang finally spoke. "...Who is the King of Zhangchu?"

Ji Ci said, "Chen Sheng. That rebel leader. He proclaimed himself the King of Zhangchu."

Liu Zhen's voice was also a bit dry. "Ah Ci, how did you learn of this?"

Ji Ci: "My grandfather heard it from the Governer."

In fact, after his grandfather returned, he had said to him, "I know what you have been doing going up the mountain so often these days. From this day forward, you are forbidden to go again."

So, this time, Ji Ci had come up the mountain by secretly sneaking away from his family, which had taken him considerable effort.

Liu Zhen's head gradually cleared, and she then said two words: "This is bad."

Everyone looked at her.

Liu Zhen: "If the County Magistrate of Changshe and Xiao Qi learn this news, I'm afraid they will send men to capture us, to use us to threaten Father."

Madam Zhang turned pale with fright. "Then what should we do?"

Ji Ci frowned, also feeling this was a difficult problem. He looked at Madam Zhang and the others. They had finally settled down temporarily in the mountains, and the dilapidated house had been tidied up to be more habitable. To flee again at this time, where could they go? Fleeing deeper into the mountains, which were full of tigers, wolves, and other beasts, would be less safe than staying here and waiting to be captured.

"Madam, do not panic. Let me go back and ask Elder Xu. Perhaps he will have a way," Ji Ci said.

Madam Zhang nodded repeatedly. "We can only entrust this matter to Young Master Ji!"

Early the next morning, Xu Zhongfang came up the mountain. He had clearly heard about this from Ji Ci, but he didn't have any good solutions, so his face was full of worry.

"Sister-in-law, if I take you out of Changshe County, you will quickly be discovered. It is not a good idea to go down the mountain at this time. It would be better to remain in the mountains and observe the situation. If bailiffs truly come up the mountain, at worst, I will risk my life to protect you and your family!"

Madam Zhang: "What are you saying, Uncle! For our family to be able to eke out a living here is already thanks to you. How could we be so ungrateful as to drag you down with us?"

Xu Zhongfang sighed. "Sister-in-law, didn't you say before that your parents' home has a cellar where you can hide? Why don't I go ask the Zhang family and see what they think? If they are willing to take you in, that would be for the best..."

Madam Zhang interrupted him, "I advise you not to even ask, Uncle. My father and mother sending some grain over was already out of consideration for our kinship. They come from a merchant background and have always been timid. They will certainly not agree to do anything more. It would be pointless to ask, so it's better not to say anything at all!"

Liu Zhen interjected, "Mother, Uncle, in fact, things may not be as bad as all that just yet. Since neither leaving nor staying is a good option, we might as well stay here, observe the situation for a few days, and then make a plan."

She wasn't clear on whether, historically, the army of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had ever captured Yingchuan Commandery. If they had, that would be for the best. At that time, their whole family could go directly to reunite with their father, and surely no one would dare to stop them.

Xu Zhongfang and Madam Zhang were at their wits' end and couldn't come up with a better plan, so they could only acquiesce, praying in their hearts that the County Magistrate of Changshe would not send anyone over.

In reality, after the news of Liu Yuan joining the rebel ranks spread, the County Magistrate of Changshe had indeed thought about sending men to capture Liu Yuan's family.

In his view, it wasn't just Liu Yuan's family; even that group with Liu Xin and Liu Chi could be arrested as well.

However, the County Assistant dissuaded him.

The County Assistant's reasoning was simple: "Magistrate, it is said that a gentleman does not stand under a collapsing wall; one must learn to seek fortune and avoid disaster. The rebellion is currently in full swing, and it's not yet certain who will win or lose. That group from the Liu family can't run far, not to mention people like Liu Xin and Liu Chi who hold official positions. How could they bear to abandon them and flee? It won't be too late to arrest them after the rebels are defeated. But what if the rebels win? With Liu Yuan's current position among the rebels, he might even be made a general. If we show mercy now, it could become a talisman to save our lives and get promotions in the future!"

When the County Magistrate heard this, he found it very reasonable and decisively followed the advice. So, not only did he not send men up the mountain, he even turned away Xiao Qi when he, having also received the news of Liu Yuan's rebellion, sent someone to ask if they should go arrest the family.

Madam Zhang and the others did not know that their fate now depended on the success of Liu Yuan's great undertaking of rebellion; they still thought that their daily, sincere prayers had truly worked.

For this reason, Xu Zhongfang deliberately reduced the number of his trips up the mountain. But each time, judging from the news he brought, not only were there no men coming up the mountain to arrest them, but he also found no signs of being followed on his trips.

As time went on, everyone relaxed, feeling that for the short term, their personal safety should not be an issue.

However, after coming four more times, Ji Ci completely disappeared. Liu Zhen had wanted to return the books she had finished reading and exchange them for new ones, but after waiting and waiting, she never saw any sign of him.

At first, she worried that Ji Ci might be sick and even asked Xu Zhongfang to go and check on him. But when Xu Zhongfang returned, his expression was very peculiar. He only told her, "I'm afraid Young Master Ji won't be able to come anymore. He has his difficulties, so don't blame him. He said you should keep reading those books and not be in a hurry to return them. He said I can help bring some more for you to exchange next time."

Liu Zhen immediately guessed the truth. "Is it the Ji Family stopping him from coming?"