"What is this?"

With a dazed head, Xiao Yang looked down and discovered that she was wearing an extremely luxurious green silk celestial crane brocade robe.

Xiao Yang was taken aback. This was attire only worn by aristocratic children in ancient times, worth at least a million dollars in modern times!

An hour ago, after the museum closed, a group of black thieves came. Xiao Yang, who stayed on duty, was knocked unconscious.

Waking up, I found myself here.

"So you're not dead after all? Then wake up already, I went through so much trouble dragging you to this graveyard. What a pain!"

A sarcastic remark brought Xiao Yang back to his senses.

Looking at the man in front of him, who resembled a servant, Xiao Yang exclaimed in surprise, "Burial ground? How did I get here?"

"It seems you've been beaten senseless. You only just became related to our young mistress today, and you dare defy the master? A son-in-law who disrespects his superiors deserves to be killed."

"We thought you were dead, that's why we brought you to the graveyard. We didn't expect you to be so lucky and alive!"

The domestic helper stared at Xiao Yang with disdain, his eyes filled with mockery.

Xiao Yang was a little stunned. He was single, how could he suddenly kiss someone? And to be killed on the first day of his marriage?!

At that moment, a sharp pain shot through Xiao Yang's head, and a memory that wasn't his own surged in like a torrent.

It turns out that the owner of this painting is also Xiao Yang, a trustworthy and honest person.

The Xiao family's ancestors were founding heroes, reaching the highest position among ministers and becoming prime minister, second only to the emperor.

Unfortunately, by the time it reached his father Xiao Shinan's generation, he was falsely accused by someone in court. The emperor was furious and directly stripped Xiao Shinan of his post, sending him to serve as a soldier on the border, and confiscated all the property of the Xiao family.

Today, Xiao Yang went to the Zhao family to marry Zhao Xiangling, following the marriage agreement left by his ancestors.

Now the Xiao family has fallen into poverty, all their property was confiscated by the court, and they live a rather hard life. The elders of the Zhao family couldn't bear to see Xiao Yang living such a difficult life, so they asked him to marry into the Zhao family as a son-in-law.

Unexpectedly, on my wedding day, before I even got to see my wife Zhao Xiangling, my brother-in-law Zhao Bin hit me on the head with a stick.

Xiao Yang's body was already frail, he couldn't withstand such a fatal blow. He died instantly.

Perhaps because of the relationship between having the same name and surname, Xiao Yang from modern times just occupied his, coming back to life.

"Since you're still alive, come back with me. To be honest, you have a really miserable life. If I were you, I would just die here. You'll probably get beaten to death anyway."

The houseboy's words were sharp and domineering, showing no respect for Xiao Yang at all.

Xiao Yang was instantly furious. How dare a lowly servant behave so arrogantly towards him? Did he think Xiao Yang had no temper at all?

Suddenly, he waved his hand and struck the houseboy with a palm to the face.

Slap!

The housemaid covered her face, took a step back, and widened her eyes in disbelief.

It is said that this uncle-in-law is honest and tongue-tied. Now he actually dares to challenge someone himself?

"Am I cheap? How could the Xiao family be cheap?"

Xiao Yang glared angrily, he wanted to see what this servant dared to do to him!

Since I've been reborn here, this life absolutely cannot be like the last one, where people were bullied.

"You...you... such a useless waste! You wait for me! I'll go inform the master right now! Just you wait, you'll be beaten to death again!"

The servant was stared down by Xiao Yang, his heart pounding in his chest. He suddenly felt intimidated and fled the scene hastily.

It was late at night when the journey was difficult. After Xiao Yang returned from the burial ground, it was already dawn.

Tap tap tap!

A scattered and orderly sound of footsteps came from afar.

Xiao Yang turned his head toward the direction the sound was coming from. He saw several tall and imposing men running quickly towards him.

The man at the front walked with a powerful hunting dog, nearly a meter tall even when lying down.

The dog was clad in a golden armor, glistening in the moonlight. It looked majestic and imposing, even more so than Xiao Yang.

"What a human being, worse than a dog," Xiao Yang mocked himself.

Zhao Bin immediately started shooting: "So you're really still alive! I tell you, Xiao Yang! You don't deserve my sister! Get out of here! There's no place for you in the Zhao family! Otherwise, I'll have my dogs kill you!"

Xiao Yang looked up and saw that the person who had come was his murderous brother-in-law, Zhao Bin.

Like the Zhao and Xiao families, the Zhao family was also composed of founding generals. Their descendants were all outstanding talents.

Zhao Bin before me, though young in age, has already risen to the rank of a third-rank commander, overseeing thousands of soldiers.

The sister he spoke of was Zhao Xiangling, the wife of Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang didn't care about Zhao Bin's threatening words. He glanced at the menacing dog and coldly said, "This marriage was arranged by your grandfather and mine. Do you think I, Xiao Yang, would just leave like that? You're dreaming!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bin gritted his teeth and glared fiercely: “You're so arrogant! Right now you're just a poor scholar, while my sister is the number one talented woman in the capital. Do you even deserve to compare yourself to her?”

"Hmph!" Xiao Yang sneered, "When the time is right, I will naturally leave and have nothing to do with your Zhao family! But, not now!"

Xiao Yang's family also has some face. If even the bride's face hasn't been seen before they are kicked out, the Xiao family will have no standing in the future.

Even if he was unwilling, Xiao Yang had to stay at Zhao Mansion for a while for the sake of the Xiao family's face.

"Is this true?!" Zhao Bin was delighted.

Xiao Yang said coldly, "A word is final. I will definitely break off the engagement!"

In Zhao Bin's eyes, Xiao Yang couldn't make any waves, so he readily waved his hand: "Alright, since you're so sensible, I'll treat you well!"

……

The Zhao family lived in a dilapidated shed.

Here, weeds grow rampant and spiderwebs cover the houses.

This is what they call good hospitality? Even the servants' quarters are better than this. A truly pathetic person, worse than a dog.

Enough is enough, having a place to take shelter is better than sleeping in a graveyard!

Sitting on the steps of the courtyard, Xiao Yang recalled from memory that this place was also during the Song Dynasty, but it wasn't the Song Dynasty in Chinese history. They shared the same name, yet they had many similarities and differences.

The Great Song Dynasty was founded less than a century ago, and the previous emperor fell ill. He passed away soon after.

The new emperor was inexperienced in governing the country, so naturally the power of the government fell into the hands of Prince Song Taizong.

Song Taizong had long coveted the throne. Although he dared not openly rebel, his heart was already set on seizing power. Secretly, he courted favor with officials in the court.

To consolidate his newly acquired throne, the new emperor Zhang summoned talented scholars and held a civil service examination.

During the Song Dynasty, examination venues were established in every level of government administration: prefectures, counties, districts, and townships. A yearly examination was held at each venue.

This is a magnificent spectacle that has never been seen in all of history.

Before Zhao Jia came, Xiao Yang had also registered for this year's provincial examination.

Years of arduous study in a cold study room, as long as one can pass the imperial examinations and attain an official position, one can aspire to be an esteemed official.

By then, not only the Zhao family but even the imperial court would have to give us some face!

“In my past life, I had a heart full of passion and knowledge. Unfortunately, I was naive to the ways of the world and was ostracized, ending up as a security guard at a museum. My grand ambitions were never realized!”

In this lifetime, since I've been reborn, then I must make a name for myself!

Xiao Yang vowed in his heart that he must make a name for himself in the Song Dynasty and let those who looked down on him bow their heads!