When Lu Chi led a black donkey into Tongluo Town, twilight was just settling in. The evening clouds at the horizon were edged with a brilliant golden rim by the last rays of the setting sun. Not far away, a household was hosting a wedding celebration, with the crackling of firecrackers mixed with the bustling voices of people, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Mm, this was a good omen.

Lu Chi was thinking just this when suddenly a fragrant breeze stirred behind him, and someone bumped into him.

“Sorry, excuse me, excuse me.” It was a graceful young woman wearing a rouge-colored silk dress who squeezed past him in a hurry without looking back.

With such a rushed manner, it seemed she was heading straight for that household celebrating the wedding nearby. Lu Chi had just come down from the mountain and was perhaps too bored, so he unconsciously led his donkey to follow her.

At that moment, the bridal sedan chair had just touched the ground. Mischievous children surged forward, chattering and laughing as they surrounded the area asking for wedding coins. The groom was trapped and couldn’t move, but fortunately the matchmaker was well-prepared and quickly ordered the servants to scatter copper coins. “Quickly, quickly, don’t delay the auspicious time.”

With the matchmaker’s help, the groom finally broke free and was about to kick the sedan door when his body suddenly stiffened slightly, as if sensing murderous intent from behind. He stiffly turned his head and met a pair of eyes blazing with fury… Well, if looks could kill, he would probably be pierced by ten thousand arrows right now.

“Zhu Yizhi! We grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and this is how you repay me!” The young woman charged forward aggressively, hands on her hips, shouting angrily.

The neighbors and wedding guests watching at the entrance fell into an eerie silence. The groom called Zhu Yizhi’s expression immediately became somewhat complicated. He remained silent for a moment, then said, “A’Ke, today is my wedding day, don’t make a scene…”

“You… you actually say I’m making a scene? Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married? You clearly promised me…” The young woman’s almond-shaped eyes widened, looking as if tears of anger were about to fall.

“Miss Shi, please don’t make trouble. If there’s anything, we’ll talk about it later,” the matchmaker nearby quickly intervened with a smile.

“Talk about it later? By then he’ll already be married, what’s there to talk about!” Miss Shi glared at the matchmaker huffily and said in annoyance.

The matchmaker was choked by her words and simply ignored her, turning to the groom instead. “Young Master Zhu, the auspicious time has arrived. Don’t miss it – this is the most important event of your life. If you mess it up, not only will this old woman have failed your parents’ trust, but you’ll also hurt their loving hearts.”

Hearing these words, a flash of determination crossed the groom’s eyes. He said quietly to Miss Shi, “Stop making trouble, I’ll talk to you later,” then turned toward the bridal sedan, preparing to kick the door.

Seeing this, the young woman angrily reached out to pull him back.

The groom gripped his sleeves tightly and shook her off without looking back, striding to the bridal sedan and kicking the door.

As if to prove his determination at that moment, he used great force in that shake, and the unprepared young woman was pushed and fell backward.

Lu Chi, who had been following along, stepped forward and caught her just in time. All he felt was fragrant softness in his hands. He helped her stand steady, then stepped back somewhat uncomfortably and said, “I apologize for the offense, Miss.”

The young woman seemed not to hear, only glaring furiously at the groom. The groom, however, acted as if he were avoiding her like a venomous snake and never dared to look back at her again.

The music started up again, and the frozen atmosphere became lively once more.

She stood at a distance, glaring as the groom helped the bride with her red bridal veil down from the sedan chair, glaring as they both walked through the decorated gate of the Zhu family… She glared until her eyes were sore before angrily withdrawing her gaze. Somewhat dejected, she turned to leave, but as soon as she moved her foot, she hissed and sucked in a sharp breath, nearly sitting down on the ground.

Fortunately, someone beside her supported her. She used that support to steady herself and looked up to thank him, but when she saw the appearance of the person before her, she was slightly dazed. She had originally thought that He Kexian, the young master of the He family’s wedding cake shop, was the most handsome man in Tongluo Town and could bear the description “face like polished jade.” Only now did she realize how ignorant she had been.

This person’s beautiful appearance was truly rare.

“Is this young master’s first time in Tongluo Town?” She stared at him blankly and asked this question out of nowhere.

Lu Chi was startled. “How can you tell?”

“If this weren’t young master’s first time in Tongluo Town, I couldn’t possibly not know that Tongluo Town had someone as handsome as you.” As she spoke, as if to confirm her own thoughts, she nodded seriously.

Lu Chi coughed lightly, actually made somewhat embarrassed by her straightforward words.

“Yes, I just arrived in Tongluo Town today.”

“Then is young master planning to stay long in Tongluo Town, or just passing through?” She blinked, her eyelashes fluttering, and asked further.

For some reason, Lu Chi strangely saw eager anticipation in those clear black and white eyes.

“Mm… I’ll probably stay for a while.”

“Wonderful!” Her eyes lit up and she immediately became delighted. “What’s your name, young master?”

“…I’m Lu Chi.”

Mm, that strange sense of anticipation really wasn’t his imagination.

Lu Chi didn’t understand what she was so happy about – she had been very sad just moments ago.

“‘Always envying the jade-carved gentleman of the mortal world, Heaven should grant him a beauty sweet as cream.’ Young Master Lu, if you have plans to marry, you can find me at the Shi family on East Street in Jujia Lane!” She said with a smile, extremely enthusiastically.

Find… find her?

If he wanted to marry, why would he find her?

Lu Chi’s eyes widened in shock, instinctively letting go of her supporting hand and stepping back. This, this, this… this was only their first meeting – were all the young women down the mountain so bold nowadays?

When Lu Chi let go, the young woman cried “Aiya!” and lost her support, falling forward.

Seeing that the pain on her face didn’t seem fake, Lu Chi quickly supported her again. “Did you sprain your ankle?”

She nodded with a bitter expression. “Oh no, what should I do? I snuck out, and now I’ve hurt my foot. If I’m late getting back and my three brothers find out… there’ll be trouble.”

Three brothers…

Though Lu Chi also had a brother, because they were half-brothers by the same mother, they weren’t close. Looking at her condition, her three brothers probably didn’t treat her well normally. That made sense… People generally favored sons over daughters, especially when she had three older brothers – her life probably wasn’t easy.

Lu Chi hesitated for a moment. Although this young woman’s sudden enthusiasm made him somewhat at a loss, but… as the saying goes, if you’re going to be a good person, see it through to the end. Moreover… she was heartbroken and disappointed right now. If he just left her here alone, it would seem rather excessive.

“If Miss doesn’t mind… I could escort you partway.”

She blinked, only then noticing the little black donkey standing beside this Young Master Lu…

“Young Master Lu is truly a good person – meeting by chance yet so helpful, and so handsome too… truly ‘appearance reflects the heart,'” Miss Shi said sitting on the little black donkey, her face still carrying some baby fat showing endless emotion. “This shows there are still good people in this world, unlike that scoundrel Zhu Yizhi. We grew up together since childhood, and he clearly promised before that if he ever married, he would definitely let me be his matchmaker. But as you just saw, he broke his word! And dared to push me!” As she spoke, she became indignant again.

Hearing this, Lu Chi nearly stumbled. So this was the real reason she disrupted the wedding?

“Make… matchmaking?”

He recalled her earlier words, “Young Master Lu, if you have plans to marry, you can find me at the Shi family on East Street in Jujia Lane,” and suddenly felt he might have misunderstood something…

“Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself to you yet.” The young woman looked at him with a smile, tilting her head as she introduced herself: “My name is Shi Fa Ke, and I’m a matchmaker.”

Shi Fa Ke – this name clearly came from the Book of Songs: “How does one cut wood? Without an axe, it cannot be done. How does one take a wife? Without a matchmaker, it cannot be achieved.”

Mm, from the name alone you could tell this was a young woman determined to become a matchmaker.

Lu Chi’s expression was somewhat indescribable.

“Where is Young Master Lu from?” Shi Fa Ke turned her eyes and asked.

This question made Lu Chi’s spine tighten. He instinctively glanced at the young woman riding on the donkey’s back, meeting those round, curious almond-shaped eyes. He coughed lightly and looked away. “I’m from Lanzhou.”

“Lanzhou isn’t very far from here.” Shi Fa Ke said with a smile. “How long does Young Master Lu plan to stay in Tongluo Town?”

Seeing this young woman’s appearance of wanting to get to the bottom of everything, Lu Chi thought for a moment. Since he planned to temporarily reside in Tongluo Town, he would have to face these questions eventually and needed to have an explanation ready. He just hadn’t expected to face such interrogation upon entering Tongluo Town, and from a young woman at that…

“To be honest, I’m traveling for my studies. I passed through Tongluo Town and saw it was a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery, so I wanted to stay for a while. I should leave by the autumn examinations at the latest.”

“Oh my, so Young Master Lu is a scholar – my respects, my respects.” Hearing him mention the autumn examinations, Shi Fa Ke’s smile became even sweeter.

Scholars were very sought-after. Zhu Yizhi was a scholar, and after he passed the imperial examination, his teacher at the private school betrothed his own daughter to him, which showed how valued they were.

Young, handsome, and with a promising future – Shi Fa Ke’s gaze toward Lu Chi became increasingly benevolent.

Lu Chi shivered, somehow feeling cold.

“Oh right, Young Master Lu, since you’re from Lanzhou, have you heard of Qianya Mountain in Lanzhou?” Shi Fa Ke suddenly asked curiously.

Lu Chi suddenly stiffened, then said nonchalantly, “I have heard of it. Why does Miss ask about this?”

“My father told me about it. He said there’s a Feiqiong Stronghold on Qianya Mountain, where the leader occupies the mountain as king, robs the rich to help the poor, and lives freely with his own people, land, and money. My father really admires that.” When Shi Fa Ke spoke of it, her face also showed admiration.

What exactly had this Miss Shi’s father been teaching her! Lu Chi’s mouth twitched violently.

Fortunately, after Shi Fa Ke finished her sighs, she let go of this topic and asked again, “Young Master Lu, having just arrived in Tongluo Town, have you found a place to stay? My father has some small influence in Tongluo Town – if you need help, just ask.”

“Thank you for your kind offer, but it’s not necessary…”

“Don’t be polite! You helped me today too, and we’ll be neighbors in the future. It’s natural to help each other.”

No… really not necessary…

Just as Lu Chi was getting a headache from this irrefutable enthusiasm, he suddenly heard the distant sound of lively commotion carried on the wind. He smoothly changed the subject: “Eh, what’s that sound?”

Shi Fa Ke pricked up her ears to listen. She could faintly hear the sound of drums and music carried on the wind, mixed with bursts of laughter and cheering – it was indeed very lively. She was also somewhat puzzled. “From the sound, it seems to be coming from the direction of the He family’s wedding cake shop. Mm… it’s probably the cake shop having some kind of customer-attracting activity.”

“Oh?”

Seeing Lu Chi’s curiosity, Shi Fa Ke fully demonstrated the enthusiasm of a host, beginning to enthusiastically introduce Lu Chi to the various customer-attracting methods of different merchants in Tongluo Town. The topic was finally successfully diverted, and they actually felt quite congenial.

“Ah, that’s my house up ahead.” Shi Fa Ke suddenly sat up straight and pointed ahead.

Lu Chi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Mm, for some reason… he suddenly felt a sense of relief.