Just after the festival, the unrestrained cold wind was still biting, making one's bones stiff with cold.

On a dirt road that wasn't very wide, a donkey cart was moving slowly. An old man with white hair and beard sat on it, leisurely swinging the reins in his hand, swaying back and forth with the cart. It was clear he was in high spirits.

There was a small bag behind the car. A moment later, a child of about ten suddenly emerged from the pile of luggage and complained loudly: "Grandpa, when are we going to hide? The kid is almost frozen to death."

The man who was called grandpa’s face darkened, and he immediately turned around, flicking the reins in his hand. A long scar on his cheek appeared. He impatiently growled, “What are you shouting for? Grandpa is driving a carriage here. If you call again, I'll throw you out. You useless brat, there are so many things going on, if it weren’t for the fact that I promised you…”

Li Xia in the back was starting to get scared. She rolled her eyes at the old man's back and silently thought: "You're not even in a hurry, you'll abandon me! Just see if you dare!"

A peddler shouted and threw the goods in his hands, as if he were crazy!

Had I not just woken up and heard the old man say, “This little brat won’t die, will she? The young mistress is just out of breath. If this can't be sold for money, I'll take a huge loss…”

He really thinks he's the old man's grandson, acting so convincingly. He's planning to pretend to have amnesia and avoid the truth.

From what I hear, the original owner of this was a young lady from a wealthy family. I wonder if her family will ever find her.

But no matter what, we can't just sit here and wait. What if we get sold? Who knows what would happen then? In ancient times, a young girl like me could be sold anywhere...

A mistress or a daughter-in-law?

Anyway, they're not good places. I'd rather live alone in solitude than have my fate controlled by others.

Li Xia shivered, her arms covered in goosebumps. She pitifully called out to the old man's retreating figure: "Grandpa, I'm cold. Why don't you find a dilapidated temple to hide in? Otherwise, I'll definitely freeze to death."

The old man took a serious look, squinting and asking, "Really cold?"

This is a good item he's been working on recently, and if it sells well enough, he'll be able to enjoy himself all winter. The young lady of the house raised the fur, it won't freeze, but if it were really to die from the cold…

Thinking about how that little rascal had her head busted open before, he finally nodded.

Then you sit tight, let's go hide in the temple up front.

The donkey cart swayed as it went past. Li Xia rolled her eyes, expressing her displeasure, while Zi was huddled in a corner of the cart, calculating how to find an opportunity to escape.

The dilapidated temple wasn't far, and Li Xia quickly jumped off the donkey cart. Her big eyes darted around curiously.

"What are you looking at? Come over here..."

The old man watched Li Xia's nimble movements, feeling a sense of unease. He called her over.

"Oh, here they come, it's really cold..."

Sitting in the corner of the dilapidated temple, Li Xia gazed at her hands. They were white and flawless, like fine mutton fat jade, a clear sign that she was raised as a pampered child from a wealthy family.

Unfortunately, it never inherited the original owner's memories, not even knowing the original owner's name, let alone anything else.

"Grandpa, where are we going? Are those uncles and aunts nice?"

Li Xia blinked her bright, big eyes, filled with both questions and curiosity.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Just follow grandpa," the old man said gruffly, clearly unwilling to reveal any more information.

His gaunt fingers pulled out a lumpy steamed bun from the tattered bag, and with his slack eyes drooping, he said: “Hurry up and eat some, we’ll be on the road again soon.”

Li Xia felt a surge of anxiety in her heart. From here, she could already see the outlines of the city walls. If she couldn't find an opportunity, there would be no way to escape.

"Am I not worried? Grandpa, don't you think I'm just a child that you want to sell for money?" Li Xia murmured softly, her voice neither loud nor quiet, with a hint of grievance.

The old man's hand clutching the steamed bun froze, and his eyes fixed on Li Xia, growing increasingly sharp.

"What's wrong? Did something come to mind?"

If they notice something's wrong, it's over. Li Xia was startled, trying her best to steady herself, forcing out a pitiful smile and squeezing out some tears with all her might.

"Grandpa, you really don't want to sell me away, do you? Please don't sell me! I promise I'll be good from now on. I know I didn't work hard before, but I will in the future, okay? Grandpa, please don't kick me out. I won't leave. I want to stay with you always…"

Her hands clutched the old man's sleeve, her whole body shaking with sobs. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with snot, leaving her utterly disheveled.

This is the first time she's ever acted this well at this age. Everyone knows that a thousand gold coins wouldn't make someone cry like this, so it should be covered up, right?

That old man looked at Li Xia for a long time, finally deciding that she probably hadn't remembered anything. Otherwise, the pride of a well-bred young lady would never allow her to do such a thing. He patted Li Xia on the back and impatiently said, "Don't worry, grandpa won't sell you. I'm just taking you out to broaden your horizons."

"Really?"

"Don't you still not believe what Grandpa said?"

"Believe!" Li Xia stopped the tears welling up in her eyes, a silly smile plastered on her face, determined to appear like an innocent child from the countryside.

He deftly shoved the steamed bun into his hand, and his eyes lingered on the water pouch hanging from the old man's waist with a hint of greedy longing.

"Eh?" Since the old man had acted as Li Xia's grandfather before selling him, he naturally couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He took down his water bag and handed it over.

"Um-hum, thank you, grandpa. I'll be ready to go once I finish my water!"

Li Xia's suggestion was that, as they were currently outside the city walls and lacked any cover, leaving would require them to blend into a crowded area. Taking advantage of the dense crowds could help them obscure their presence, though it remained uncertain whether he had accomplices waiting for him within the city.

"Grandpa, let's go!" Li Xia smiled mischievously and pulled on the old man's sleeve, her stomach churning with plans for her escape.

The old man squinted at Lei Xia's watch for a while before standing up nimbly with one hand on the ground.

"Hop in the carriage, we'll be at the city in half a day. I'll treat you to a good meal when we get there."

Then, they would send the person to the most powerful brothel in Qinhuai. It's well-known, after all!

This little girl isn't noticeable now, but after careful cultivation, she'll be even better than the current top star. She's incredibly beautiful!

Thinking of the money he was about to get, the old man felt that his knees, which had been aching from the cold winter, didn't hurt as much anymore.

Li Xia closed her eyes, huddled under the donkey cart's baggage. Her whole body was shivering from the cold, her pale face flushed.