Dongyue Country, with peace everywhere, the nation thrived, and the people enjoyed prosperity.

In the Capital, the Qu Chief of Staff's mansion was bustling with excitement today.

It was said that a remarkable figure was coming to visit.

However, the lively atmosphere did not extend to a certain corner of the backyard.

The courtyard walls were tall and intimidating. Originally, the walls were not this high, but over time and with certain events occurring repeatedly, they gradually became taller.

At this moment, by the wall in the backyard, stood a lady in green. Beneath her long eyelashes, clear and lively eyes sparkled, her nose was tall and delicate, her lips small, and her face held an expression of melancholy, paired with a seemingly fragile figure that could sway with the wind... She was the living embodiment of Lin Daiyu.

Two years had passed. Not too long, but not short either, just enough to make someone feel stifled.

She had attempted to escape for two years, and for two years she had failed.

Thinking of herself, Qu Tan'er, a modern person from the 21st century, it could be said she caught the fashionable trend of time travel. Less pleasantly, it could be said the heavens threw her into this unfeeling place. Was it because she followed a history professor to a museum? Having heard of a new batch of ancient artifacts of unknown era, and accidentally lying on an ancient bed that made her dizzy... The result of that lie... Never mind, maybe one day when she was in a bad mood, she'd think of jumping into a river, committing suicide, hanging herself, or drinking poison. She might just get lucky and travel back again.

But today was her best chance to escape—

It was said that the backyard wouldn't be guarded so tightly today.

It was said that her so-called father was too busy to care about her today.

It was said that the Eighth Prince, who was well-liked by the top figures in the palace, was coming today.

Coincidentally, this Eighth Prince was the one she had been ordered to marry.

Qu Tan'er gazed at the high wall with melancholy in her eyes. Her ten fingers twisted together as if she was struggling with something.

Then she bit her thin lips, her beautiful eyes flashing resolutely, "Why be afraid? If escaping fails at worst, the Qu old lady will use the family law on me again? Lying down for ten days or half a month and I'll recover!" The next moment, after confirming no one was around, she bent down, let go of her hands, quickly lifted the corners of her skirt slightly, and swiftly tied a knot, before climbing a small rockery to step on a nearby shaky little tree branch!

Finally...

When she reached the wall's edge, she was just about to jump down, but the height made her hesitate.

Since the opportunity to escape was discovered last minute, she had nothing with her except a few silver notes.

At that moment, she regretted not having a rope or ladder! (Actually due to too many previous escape attempts, the maids monitored her closely every day, making it impossible for her to get such things.)

But if she didn't escape now, she would feel discontent.

If she jumped, she might die a terrible death.

If she didn't jump, her end would be even worse.

Hey? Someone's outside the alley?

Seeing that person, Qu Tan'er was momentarily stunned. Though she couldn't see the face clearly, she sensed that person's peerless elegance. Dressed in a white brocade robe, with a figure flawless as Cui Baiqing Song, leisurely shaking a folding fan and strolling, like floating white clouds on a green mountain, or serene water under the night...

But soon, Qu Tan'er disregarded it and pouted.

Damn, that guy probably was just a pretentious person.