Jin Yue roamed the bustling streets, her senses alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the ancient city. Stalls lined the streets, selling all kinds of goods—silks, spices, trinkets, and food. People bustled about, bargaining with merchants, chatting animatedly with one another. It was a world so different from what she knew, and yet, for the first time since she arrived, she felt a strange sense of freedom.
As she wandered deeper into the market, her eyes caught sight of a frail old man sitting quietly at the corner of a narrow alleyway. His booth was shabby, a worn cloth spread beneath him, displaying various items—old trinkets, strange objects, and what appeared to be handmade crafts. Most people passed him by without so much as a glance, some whispering and gesturing toward him with disdain.
"Crazy old man," one passerby muttered under his breath as he steered clear of the booth.
Jin Yue frowned, watching as people avoided him like a plague. The old man sat silently, his eyes dull, though there was a strange glint of wisdom hidden within them. Despite the bustling market around him, he seemed to belong to a different world entirely. Something about the way he was ignored stirred her heart.
Feeling a tug of compassion, she walked toward him, curiosity piqued. As she approached, the old man's head lifted slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a moment of silence before she bent down, scanning the peculiar items he had for sale. Most of them were unfamiliar to her, but she didn't care.
"How much for this?" she asked, pointing to a small, intricately carved pendant that caught her eye.
The old man's wrinkled face creased into a small, almost cryptic smile. He looked at her for a long moment before shaking his head. "You are not like the others…kind soul." he muttered under his breath, his voice raspy. "I see it in your eyes."
Jin Yue blinked, startled by the sudden comment. "What do you mean?"
The old man chuckled softly. "You… you are destined. I knew someone would come eventually." He reached beneath his worn robe, pulling out something wrapped in an old, tattered cloth. His gnarled hands trembled slightly as he unraveled the fabric to reveal what looked like an ancient map, yellowed with age.
Jin Yue's eyes widened as the man handed it to her.
"I do not sell to the likes of them," he said, nodding toward the crowd that ignored him. "But you… you are different. This—this is our family's hidden treasure. Passed down for generations. It is not for just anyone. But you," his eyes gleamed as they bore into hers, "you are the one who should have it."
Jin Yue stared at the map, confused but intrigued. "A map?"
The old man nodded solemnly. "It is a map to a place where heaven and earth are closest. The treasures there are beyond imagining, but it is a place riddled with danger. Many have sought it, none have returned. Only one who is destined will be able to unlock its secrets."
Jin Yue hesitated, unsure of whether to believe the old man's words. But something about the way he spoke, the intensity in his eyes, made her take him seriously. She carefully accepted the map, rolling it up and tucking it into her robe.
"Thank you," she said softly, and the old man's cryptic smile returned.
"You will need it," he murmured. "Soon enough, you will understand why."
I only have this with me, jinyue took all the money in her body which was five gold ingot...it is enough to last ordinary people years with that money. The old man nodded to accept saying its all destined.
With that, Jin Yue rose to her feet, casting one last glance at the old man before turning and making her way back into the throng of people. The weight of the mysterious map now sat heavily in her mind, its possibilities stirring her curiosity. A place where heaven and earth meet…
As she wandered further down the street, her thoughts racing, little did she know that her day was about to take an even more unexpected turn.
As she turned a corner, however, she abruptly collided with something...no, someone. Jin Yue stumbled back, catching her breath as her eyes landed on a tall figure before her.
The man was… breathtaking. His sharp features, cold but impossibly handsome, left her momentarily speechless. Dressed in elegant robes, his presence radiated authority, but all Jin Yue could focus on was his face. How can someone be this beautiful?
Without thinking, she let out a low whistle, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. "Well, well, what do we have here? A beauty in the courtyard so early in the morning?" She leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What's your name, handsome?"
The man's expression stiffened, his eyes narrowing as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "Beauty?" he repeated, his voice low and edged with irritation. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
Jin Yue shrugged, completely unfazed by his icy demeanor. "You, of course. I mean, look at you! You're practically too good-looking for your own good." She winked playfully. "Lucky me, stumbling into such a fine sight."
The man's brows furrowed, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. "Do you have no manners, woman?" His tone was cold, but Jin Yue caught the faintest hint of bewilderment. Clearly, no one had ever spoken to him like this before.
She let out a laugh, crossing her arms as she tilted her head at him. "Manners? Oh, please. You don't need manners when you've got charm." She gave him a mock salute, her grin widening. "Besides, it's not every day I run into someone as pretty as you."
The man's jaw clenched, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. His eyes flickered with recognition....he knew exactly who she was. She was Jin Yue, the woman betrothed to him, the third prince. He had seen her on the day of her supposed 'miracle,' the day she'd transmigrated. And now… this was the saint everyone was talking about? A woman who had the audacity to call him beauty? Even though she disguised herself he still recognised her
"You…" he started, his voice laced with frustration. "Do you even know who I am?"
Jin Yue raised an eyebrow, giving him an appraising look. "Nope. But does it matter?" She gave him another cheeky grin. "As long as you're easy on the eyes, I don't really care."
He stared at her, his face a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. "I am Murong Yezi," he said coolly, his eyes locking onto hers. "The third prince of this kingdom."
Jin Yue froze, her heart skipping a beat. The third prince? She stared at him, momentarily stunned. So this was the man she was engaged to. For a brief moment, her mind raced with disbelief, but as she glanced over his sharp, elegant features, a thought crept into her mind. Well… if this is my engagement partner, it might not be so bad after all.She blinked, then slowly straightened her posture, her mind racing. But instead of panicking, she broke into a wide grin. "Well, well, Your Highness," she drawled, completely unbothered by the revelation. "That just makes you an even more interesting beauty."
Murong Yezi's eye twitched, clearly not expecting such a rogue response. "You have no respect for titles, do you?" he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Jin Yue waved him off with a laugh. "Respect is earned, not given. But don't worry, you've definitely earned my admiration… for your face, at least."
Murong Yezi stared at her in disbelief. This woman...was nothing like what he had imagined. She was brazen, shameless, and utterly unpredictable.
Before he could respond, Jin Yue gave him a final playful wink and began walking away. "See you around, Your Highness! Don't miss me too much."
As she disappeared down the path, Murong Yezi stood there, still trying to process what had just happened. What have I gotten myself into? he thought, utterly bewildered by the strange, irreverent woman he had just met.