Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Just as Zhang San reached out for me, I pulled out the chili powder I had prepared and flung it at him.

A pungent, choking odor quickly filled the air.

Clutching my purse, I darted back and forth, launching an indiscriminate attack on everyone except my brother.

“Achoo! Achoo!”

Frantic sneezing erupted throughout the crowd.

Taking advantage of the chaos, I grabbed my brother’s hand and bolted down the mountain.

After only a few steps, we ran into a group of children with their faces covered.

The oldest among them looked to be about my age, while the youngest was only six or seven.

Their leader yanked down his face mask, revealing himself to be Lu Yuan.

“Whoa, what’s that smell? It’s so strong!”

I rushed up to Lu Yuan, stood on my tiptoes, and whispered into his ear.

I didn’t know what this kid was eating to grow so fast. Even though he was two years younger than me, he was already taller.

“Find a way to make sure they can’t get out of bed for a month. Their eyes are stinging from the chili powder right now, so they won’t even know who’s hitting them!”

Lu Yuan’s face flushed red as he turned and ran off.

It seemed the chili powder was indeed quite potent.

To buy that powder, I had even pawned my favorite hairpin.

I pulled my brother toward the foot of the mountain while the cries of Zhang San’s group echoed from above.

“Ow! Which bastard hit me?!”

By the time we reached home, my brother’s face was still pale. He pulled me into the house and shut the door tight.

“Ah Qing, tell me the truth. How did you know Zhang San was going to cause trouble for me today?”

I bit my lip and asked tentatively, “Brother, have you ever heard of rebirth?”

“Ah Qing, watch your words!”

My brother’s expression turned grim, his beautiful brows knitting together.

“The Master did not speak of the strange, the chaotic, or the supernatural! The concubine-born daughter of County Magistrate Wang used to babble nonsense about ‘transmigration’ and coming from the future.

“Not long after, she threw herself into a well and died!”

I lowered my eyes.

The current Emperor detested talk of ghosts and gods above all else. If my rebirth were discovered, I would not only lose my own life but also bring ruin to my family.

“Lu Yuan told me about it.

“He asked me for three taels of silver, saying the little beggars under his wing overheard Zhang San and the others talking.

“They planned to ambush you today and break both your hands so you could never take the Imperial Examination again. According to Zhang San, it seems some high-ranking person ordered him to do it and gave him a large sum of money!”

I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

The color drained from my brother’s face instantly.

Even his lips turned white.

If I told him, I feared he would be too distracted to study; but if I didn’t, I was afraid he would fall into a trap without any defense.

It was all because of my own incompetence. Even with a second chance at life, I still didn’t know how to protect my family.

Frustrated and anxious, I couldn’t help but burst into tears.