When traveling by boat, there had always been a rule against taking aboard strangers of unclear origin midway through a journey. This was especially true for these few men who, though dressed as ordinary merchants, were all robust. The one referred to as “young master” was particularly imposing with his tall stature and eagle-like gaze. Zhang Da was a relative of the Zhen family and had been their steward for many years. He was naturally cautious, and with the mistress on board, how could he easily allow strangers aboard? Just as he was about to politely refuse, the man who had called out earlier spoke again: “Don’t worry! We’re going to do business at South Gate. It’s not our first time. We need to get there quickly, but we’ve lost our boat and are afraid of delays. Seeing that yours appears to be a fast vessel, we humbly request a ride. When traveling away from home, everyone encounters difficulties. Helping each other out also ensures convenience for yourself in the future!” As he spoke, he tossed a five-tael silver ingot toward the bow of the boat.

South Gate was one of the most prosperous areas in Quanzhou. Zhang Da heard his sincere tone and reasonable words. He asked a few questions about business at South Gate, which the man answered without error, sounding indeed like someone familiar with the area. Zhang Da hesitated, then asked them to wait while he consulted Madam Meng.

On the shore, Xiao Yintang’s attention finally seemed to shift from the official boats to the deck. His gaze swept over, and just before he could see her, Jia Fu abruptly turned and rushed into the cabin. She was so hasty that she didn’t watch her step, tripped on her skirt, and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. She barely managed to steady herself by grabbing the cabin door. Once stable, she immediately began shaking her head desperately at her mother.

Madam Meng noticed her daughter’s face suddenly turning pale and hurriedly left Zhang Da to come to her.

“Mother, don’t let those people aboard! I don’t like strangers on our boat!”

Seeing her daughter’s distressed state, Madam Meng was very concerned and no longer cared about anything else. She quickly said to Zhang Da: “It’s best not to get involved.”

Zhang Da complied and returned to the bow, tossing back the silver ingot the man had thrown earlier. He smiled and said: “I apologize, gentlemen. Although we are going to Quanzhou, we need to stop at several places along the way. It will take at least several days, which might delay your journey. Please find another boat.”

The man who had called out showed displeasure and said: “We can pay you more!”

Zhang Da quickly bowed, smiling apologetically: “I truly apologize. Since there are women on board, it’s not convenient to allow strangers aboard.” With that, he ordered the sailors to raise the sail and row.

The man’s eyes flashed with anger. He sprang up with a leap and jumped onto the bow of the boat, grabbing Zhang Da by the collar: “I’ve asked so many questions and wasted all this breath talking to you, only for you to refuse in the end. Are you making fun of us?”

Zhen Yaoting, who hadn’t yet entered the cabin and was wandering on the deck, suddenly saw the commotion at the bow. Seeing someone forcibly boarding and grabbing Zhang Da’s collar, he immediately rushed forward: “Let go of Uncle Zhang! What ruffian dares to cause trouble on my Zhen family’s boat?” Before he could act, the man gave him just one push, causing him to lose his balance. He staggered backward six or seven steps before finally sitting down hard on the deck. The servants, seeing their young master pushed to the ground, all gathered around.

Zhen Yaoting rose from the ground in fury and ordered everyone to grab weapons and charge together.

Zhang Da was startled, realizing they had encountered unreasonable people. But they were now in Fujian territory, only a few days’ journey from Quanzhou, so he wasn’t panicked. He simply said: “Sir, please calm down! Everyone encounters difficulties when traveling away from home. We would naturally help if we could. But as I said earlier, it’s truly not convenient. Our master usually avoids getting involved in conflicts, but when trouble comes to us, we’re not afraid. We frequently visit the government offices in Quanzhou…”

“Enough! Come down!” The young man who looked like a young master suddenly spoke.

The man who had forcibly boarded turned his head, saw his tightly knit brows, and seemed to fear him. He immediately released Zhang Da’s collar, shoved him aside, jumped back down from the boat, and stood behind the young man. He said something inaudible, and the group turned to leave.

Zhen Yaoting’s earlier fall had been quite painful, and he still ached from it. Feeling humiliated, how could he let the matter drop? He rushed to the bow again and shouted at the retreating figures: “Stand there if you’ve got the guts! Weren’t you acting so important just now? You’re just going to leave like this? Sons of turtles, cowardly bastards!”

Zhang Da tried to stop him but was too late. He saw the young master-like man suddenly halt his steps, turn his head, and sweep his gaze toward Zhen Yaoting, his eyes dark and heavy.

Zhang Da had followed the old master traveling north and south since his youth and was a worldly, experienced man. Seeing this young man’s expression, he involuntarily shuddered, knowing the man had been provoked to anger. When traveling away from home, it was best to avoid trouble. He immediately had people pull Zhen Yaoting away while he repeatedly bowed to the men. Then he ordered the boat to quickly leave the shore.

Jia Fu was hiding behind the cabin door, watching as Xiao Yintang narrowed his eyes, but ultimately withdrew his gaze, shaking his head at his angry companions. Only then did they all turn and leave together.

Jia Fu was so tense she could barely breathe. Only after watching Xiao Yintang and his group gradually disappear into the distance did she feel her limbs go weak. Opening her hand, she found her palm drenched in cold sweat. She supported herself on a chair and slowly sat down, lost in thought.

Madam Meng had also witnessed the earlier scene and couldn’t help but blame her son for his recklessness. Zhen Yaoting was defiant, stubbornly retorting a few words. Jia Fu, troubled and upset, left her mother and brother, returned to her room, threw herself fully clothed on the bed, and closed her eyes.

Scenes from her previous life flashed before her eyes like a lantern show.

She had thought that by escaping the marriage with Pei Xiuzhi and returning to Quanzhou, whatever changes occurred in the capital would no longer concern her. She never expected that she would encounter Xiao Yintang again. It seemed heaven had played a joke on her after helping her once—in this life, she had seen him even earlier than in her previous life.

Recalling the dark glance he had cast before leaving, Jia Fu couldn’t help but shudder.

Prince Yun, the Third Prince Xiao Lie, had a side that was talented and strategic, good at recognizing and utilizing people’s abilities. He was also calculating, bitter, and deeply patient, which allowed him to preserve himself under his eldest brother Emperor Tianxi’s suspicion for nearly twenty years. In the end, in the overt and covert struggles among the three brothers, he emerged as the final winner.

Xiao Yintang was his son and naturally inherited some of Prince Yun’s temperament. Having been by his side for many years, Jia Fu wouldn’t claim to understand him deeply, but she knew he didn’t lack his father’s methods and scheming. As for his ruthlessness, there was no need to even mention it.

Those who rose to power, whose hands weren’t stained with the blood of many?

She remembered clearly that in her previous life, shortly after she married Pei Xiuzhi—not even a year later—the current Emperor Yongxi, who had risen to power as regent for Prince Shun’an, made his move against Xiao Lie, who had been living in seclusion in the Southwest. Xiao Lie would not wait passively for death, and the conflict between the brothers finally erupted.

Jia Fu couldn’t imagine why, at such a crucial time, Xiao Yintang, the heir of Prince Yun, would suddenly appear here in secret, personally heading toward Quanzhou. What was there in Quanzhou that attracted him? What did he intend to do?

In today’s incident, her brother wasn’t entirely wrong, but his temperament was indeed too rash. Sooner or later, he would suffer greatly for it. Xiao Yintang’s journey was a secret mission, and he didn’t want to attract attention, which was why he let it go. Otherwise, given the offensive nature of her brother’s insults, how could someone like him simply turn and leave?

Fortunately, they had escaped danger without incident, and he had just walked away.

Jia Fu’s mind was in turmoil. For several consecutive days, except for necessary matters, she didn’t step out of her cabin at all. Madam Meng saw that her daughter had been listless these days, with a pallid complexion. At first, she thought she was ill, but upon examination, she didn’t seem sick. When questioned, Jia Fu wouldn’t say anything, which made her mother anxious. This anxiety was then redirected toward her son, blaming him for frightening his sister that day. Zhen Yaoting, realizing that his sister had indeed changed after that day, felt regretful and tried various ways to cheer her up, once again promising to start doing proper work. Madam Meng told him to learn accounting with Zhang Da, but after just two pages, he was yawning continuously and fell asleep where he sat.

Her brother, Jia Fu also felt a helpless frustration similar to Madam Meng’s, disappointment that he couldn’t live up to expectations. She could only console herself that someday, her brother would truly mature. Seeing her mother worried for her, and with their arrival home drawing near, she forced herself to raise her spirits to face her grandmother’s dissatisfaction.

On this day, they finally returned to their home in Quanzhou.

Old Madam Hu had received the news half a month earlier, and among the servants traveling with them were also her people. She already knew that her daughter-in-law had ultimately refused the marriage proposal, which greatly displeased her. But contrary to her usual behavior, Madam Meng showed no fear of the old lady. She knelt and said that marriage was supposed to bring harmony and good fortune, but this engagement had been fraught with complications from the beginning, which was inauspicious. Moreover, these days, she had observed that apart from the Old Madam, few in the Pei family were kind-hearted. If her daughter were forced to marry into that family, the outcome would likely be contrary to their hopes. That’s why she had taken the initiative to make this decision. Beside her, Zhen Yaoting also knelt down and solemnly swore to heaven that he would reform himself, work diligently, and never cause his grandmother to worry again.

What’s done was done, and the people had returned. Although Old Madam Hu was displeased, there was nothing she could do. Additionally, with the year-end approaching, there were countless matters to attend to: the family’s fleet, shipyard, shops, and various dealings with government officials. This marriage, in which they had placed great hopes, was thus summarily concluded.

Madam Meng breathed a sigh of relief. She busied herself daily helping the Old Madam with various tasks, while Jia Fu assisted as well. Her brother was forced to follow Zhang Da, complaining bitterly all day. Life seemed to have returned to its original pattern.

But Jia Fu could never forget the unexpected encounter at Fuming Island.

She had heard clearly that he was also going to Quanzhou. Fearing another encounter with him, she hadn’t stepped outside the house since returning home. After ten days passed like this, with Quanzhou city remaining peaceful and calm, the atmosphere of the New Year gradually began to permeate.

With the New Year approaching, Jia Fu guessed he must have already left. The heart that had been constantly anxious finally began to settle down.