Rebirth (Bing Hu Chong Sheng)

The dark prison cell reeked with nauseating odors everywhere.

As soon as Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing entered, they heard whistles coming from all directions accompanied by shouts: "Hey! Look! That guy's back again!"

The jailer whipped each cell with his leather whip, cursing loudly: "Stay the hell quiet! Looking for a beating?"

Chu Qiao turned her head to see Liang Shaoqing giving her an awkward smile: "Heh, they're... they're all acquaintances. I've been hanging around here for the past few days."

At times like these, Chu Qiao always felt deeply amazed by the wonders of creation. She stared at Liang Shaoqing, unable to utter a single word, feeling that even getting angry would be a waste of energy. Fine, she admitted it - she had killed and stolen, committed too many sins, and heaven was finally beginning to punish her.

Pushed into a cell, the jailer shouted a few commands, locked the door, and went off grumbling to drink. Chu Qiao looked around and saw about a dozen people in the cell. Though it was still daytime, the entire prison only had one skylight in the main hall, leaving the interior pitch black. Even with Chu Qiao's excellent eyesight, she could only vaguely make out shadowy figures.

The prisoners inside watched the newcomers with hostile gazes, several of them deliberately shifting to occupy the only empty space available.

Liang Shaoqing, clearly already familiar with this place, showed none of the righteous courage and moral preaching typical of scholars. Instead, he naturally shrank closer to Chu Qiao and whispered: "Xiao Qiao, the people here are really fierce."

However, as soon as he finished speaking, several piercing screams suddenly erupted. In a flash, Chu Qiao stepped forward. When one prisoner tried to trip her with his leg, she kicked back in response. With a crack, the man's leg bone dislocated, and he immediately curled into a ball, howling in pain.

"Move aside!"

Without even glancing at him, Chu Qiao walked straight past and addressed several shadowy prisoners.

This was exactly what prisons were like - they respected strength and preyed on weakness. Seeing this young master in luxurious clothes display such formidable skills, who would dare provoke him? In moments, an empty space against the wall was cleared. Chu Qiao sat down with her knees bent, remaining silent. Seeing this, Liang Shaoqing hurried over and sat down right next to Chu Qiao. Then, with an air of looking down upon the world, he pointed at the surrounding prisoners and arrogantly declared in the tone he'd learned these past few days: "Stay quiet! Don't even think about bullying people!"

Ugh!

Chu Qiao almost wanted to cry. She buried her head in her hands, feeling so frustrated she wished she could die.

"What on earth did this guy eat growing up?"

The woman groaned in agony. Unexpectedly, Liang Shaoqing's hearing was sharp. He turned to her and politely replied: "The five grains and miscellaneous crops, every grain obtained through people's hard labor. I've never been picky since childhood, eating everything. Just enough to fill the stomach, no need to be too particular."

Eyes darkening, head spinning, Chu Qiao barely restrained the impulse to slap him across the face and fell completely speechless.

"Who? Who's causing trouble?"

Hearing the screams, the jailer immediately came running over waving his club as if his pants were on fire, shouting: "Who's causing trouble? Tired of living?"

The prisoners in the cell immediately looked toward Chu Qiao with perfect synchronization. The woman's face remained cold and detached, her eyes like frost as she glanced sideways at the jailer with an icy stare, but said nothing.The jailer had lived in the capital his whole life and was accustomed to seeing high-ranking officials and nobles. Over time, he had developed a sharp eye for judging people. Seeing this young master, who was not very old, dressed in luxurious clothes, with an extraordinary demeanor—aloof toward everyone and appearing utterly confident—the jailer thought to himself, Could he be the son of some powerful family? While face was important, one's life was even more so. Seeing Chu Qiao's demeanor, the jailer immediately deflated and muttered half-heartedly, "You... behave yourself."

Then he slunk away.

Liang Shaoqing was instantly filled with admiration for Chu Qiao and said, "Xiao Qiao, you're even fiercer than he is. Even he's afraid of you."

Chu Qiao had no interest in engaging with him. When she first entered, she had already surveyed the terrain. Escaping from this place wouldn't be too difficult—after all, it was just a low-level prison holding petty thieves. The problem was how to bring that idiot Liang Shaoqing along.

As evening fell, the jailer brought them a meal. Chu Qiao took one look and nearly vomited. Surprisingly, Liang Shaoqing ate it quite happily. It seemed his claim of not being picky about food was genuine. This bookworm always had an unusual ability to adapt. No matter the circumstances, he could quickly integrate and find the tenacious will to survive.

The sky gradually darkened. Chu Qiao sat with her eyes closed, waiting. Two prisoners were still awake, and she didn't want to harm anyone. Her only option was to wait until the dead of night to pick the lock and escape. With crude locks like these, she could pick two hundred of them in the time it took an incense stick to burn.

Liang Shaoqing slept soundly, and his sleeping posture was rather graceful. It seemed this bookworm only looked somewhat human when he was asleep—even though he was leaning on Chu Qiao's shoulder.

By midnight, the entire prison was quiet, filled with the foul stench of men's sweat and deafening snores. Chu Qiao carefully nudged Liang Shaoqing's arm and, before his incessant mouth could open, covered it with her hand. She whispered sharply, "Shut up. Don't say a word. Follow me."

Liang Shaoqing's eyes were dazed for a moment. He rubbed them and looked at Chu Qiao in confusion, frowning slightly as if he still didn't understand what she intended to do.

Seeing he remained silent, Chu Qiao cautiously moved to the door, light as a cat, without making a sound. A dagger, fine copper wires, and a grappling hook were the three items Chu Qiao always carried with her. No matter the circumstances, she would find a way to replenish them quickly to avoid being at a disadvantage. When she first entered the prison, the guards, seeing her luxurious attire and calm composure, hadn't dared to search her.

A soft click echoed in the darkness, and the lock sprang open. Just as Chu Qiao turned to pull Liang Shaoqing along, the man behind her let out a startled "Ah!"

Fortunately, the sound was soft and didn't wake anyone, though one of their cellmates turned over in his sleep. Chu Qiao turned back and glared furiously at the scholar. Liang Shaoqing pointed at her, stammering for a while before finally whispering in accusation, "Xiao Qiao, you can't do this! This is against the law!"

Chu Qiao nearly choked with rage. She hissed in a low, fierce voice, "Are you coming or not?"

Liang Shaoqing said pitifully, "Xiao Qiao, we only committed a minor offense. We'll be released in a couple of days. But if we escape, it'll be a serious crime."The girl was so furious she felt her teeth itching with irritation. She turned to leave on her own, but Liang Shaoqing immediately panicked and rushed forward, trampling noisily through the grass as he grabbed her arm anxiously. "Alright, alright, I'll go with you! Don't leave me behind!"

But by then, it was already too late to leave. The sound of chaotic footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor, and in the dim, flickering light, it seemed a large group of people was approaching.

Liang Shaoqing instantly turned pale with fear—they had arrived far too quickly, leaving no time to react. Chu Qiao yanked him back to their original spot and forced him to sit down. Sure enough, the next moment, many prisoners stirred awake at the noise, blinking groggily.

"Your Honor, this way, please," the jailer's obsequious voice rang out. Following him, about twenty soldiers in dark red bailiff uniforms marched in, swords at their hips. They halted directly in front of Chu Qiao's cell, each holding a gleaming torch in one hand. A middle-aged official with a long beard stepped forward, exuding an air of authority as he asked sternly, "Is this the place?"

The jailer hastily bowed and scraped. "Yes, Your Honor, this is it."

Chu Qiao sensed intuitively that these people had come for her. Perhaps Li Ce had sent them to find her, or maybe they were pro-Daxia factions from the Biantang court. Of course, there was also the possibility that local officials bribed by Daxia intended to abduct her quietly.

She remained seated calmly, tilting her head slightly as her fingers slowly crept toward her boot, where a cold dagger was hidden. Every muscle in her body tensed as she mentally mapped escape routes and calculated her chances in a direct confrontation.

Just then, the official suddenly turned toward the other end of the corridor and bowed respectfully, saying with a fawning smile, "Young Master, the person you're looking for is inside."

A soft rustling of sleeves followed, accompanied by unhurried footsteps. A long, dark shadow stretched into the cell under the torchlight, followed by the appearance of sky-blue embroidered boots and deep purple robes adorned with dark golden cloud patterns. A white jade belt cinched the waist of the tall man. His sharp eyebrows arched elegantly, his complexion pale as jade, lips crimson, but his eyes held the chill of deep winter snow. He gazed calmly at Chu Qiao, and in that expression, in that look, she could almost hear his unspoken words: You fool!

The Biantang official fawned over Zhuge Yue, saying, "Young Master Zhuge, our subordinates were negligent and failed to treat you with proper respect."

Zhuge Yue nodded politely. "It was merely a misunderstanding since they didn't identify themselves. There's no need for concern, Your Honor."

The official breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the jailer, growling, "Release them at once!"

The jailer scurried forward to unlock the door, but before he could even produce the key, the lock fell to the ground with a clatter.

The jailer and the official's faces instantly twisted into expressions of extreme embarrassment. The official muttered under his breath, "Useless fool!"

The jailer looked as if he had swallowed something bitter, his face a mask of misery.

Zhuge Yue naturally understood what had happened. His gaze swept lightly over Chu Qiao's face, a faint, mocking smirk tugging at his lips as he let out a soft, disdainful snort.

Chu Qiao lowered her head, wishing she could bury it in her chest. The humiliation was simply unbearable.Liang Shaoqing stumbled out of the prison cell in a daze while the jailer repeatedly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness. He then heard Zhuge Yue speaking to the official: "Allow me to introduce you, this is the young master Liang Shaoqing, son of Magistrate Liang Rongtang of Shangyu County in our Daxia. Magistrate Liang is an old acquaintance of mine, and Shaoqing is also my friend. He came to Biantang for scholarly travels, never expecting such a misunderstanding would occur."

"So you're Magistrate Liang's son! Please forgive this official's negligence."

Liang Shaoqing suddenly had an epiphany and pointed at Zhuge Yue, saying: "Oh! So you're my father's friend. But why have I never seen you before?"

Both Zhuge Yue and the official turned pale at this, while Chu Qiao felt so exasperated she wanted to bang her head against the wall. Couldn't he understand what they were implying?

Zhuge Yue hadn't expected to encounter someone so skilled at throwing conversational curveballs, completely disregarding conventional etiquette. Clearing his throat lightly, he said with perfect seriousness: "It's been many years since I last saw Magistrate Liang. When I visited your residence back then, Young Master Liang was still very young. It's perfectly reasonable that you don't remember me."

Poor Liang Shaoqing—though he appeared no younger than Zhuge Yue and might even be a year or two older—had now been relegated to junior status in their conversation. Zhuge Yue kept referring to someone of similar age as "having been young back then" without the slightest change in expression, showing truly extraordinary composure.

Seeing Liang Shaoqing about to speak again, the observant official quickly interjected, fearing he might utter something even more shocking: "In that case, why don't you esteemed guests move elsewhere? This place is hardly suitable for reminiscing."

"Exactly," Zhuge Yue smiled in agreement, then turned to Liang Shaoqing: "Young Master Liang, after you."

Liang Shaoqing courteously cupped his hands in salute, straightened his tattered attire, shook out his straw-covered sleeves, and strode confidently ahead.

Noticing Chu Qiao still standing in place, Zhuge Yue slowly turned his gaze toward her, his eyes carrying their usual mockery as he said in a low voice: "Aren't you coming? Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"

With that, he turned and left.

Indeed, it had been embarrassing enough.

Chu Qiao sighed helplessly and followed behind.

The jailer wiped sweat from his forehead in terror, never expecting that young man to have such powerful connections. Fortunately, he hadn't mistreated him much. Though it was strange—why hadn't anyone come to rescue him during his previous incarcerations?

In the dim lamplight, prisoners pressed against their cell doors to watch, their eyes still heavy with sleepiness. Seeing no further excitement, they returned to their beds to continue sleeping.

By the time they exited the prison, dawn was approaching, with a faint fish-belly white appearing at the horizon. The sedan chairs stopped in a long alley where Zhuge Yue stood amidst the morning mist. The thin fog settled on his shoulders, lending him an ethereal handsomeness through the haze.

The man's gaze remained indifferent, his focus unclear. Standing before him, Chu Qiao felt slightly awkward. After thinking for a long while, she finally said softly: "Thank you..."

Before she could finish, Zhuge Yue suddenly gave a cold laugh and turned his head away as if unwilling to listen.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Qiao continued: "I know it's meaningless to say this every time we meet, but I truly am grateful. You've helped me again."

Zhuge Yue lowered his head slightly, narrowing his eyes as he said coldly: "Weren't you going to Yanbei? Why are you still lingering here?"Chu Qiao lowered her head, remaining silent.

A flicker of irritation flashed in the man's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "I'll send someone to escort you away immediately."

"No need!" Chu Qiao said urgently.

Zhuge Yue's brows slowly furrowed. He stared deeply at Chu Qiao, his gaze like sharp knives piercing through her, as if wanting to tear through flesh and blood.

Chu Qiao's voice was soft, carrying a hint of difficulty: "There's something I haven't finished..."

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry... I can't say."

Yes, how could she tell him? Could she say that Yan Xun had already arrived in Biantang, that he was the one named Liu Xi?

Zhuge Yue's eyes gradually turned cold. Chu Qiao quickly explained, "I'm sorry, this matter is too important. Our positions are different, I really can't..."

"Enough!"

Zhuge Yue's brows tightened. Not wanting to hear more, he turned away, his back facing them as he said in a low voice, "You always have plenty of reasons anyway. I was never anyone to you to begin with, so there's no need for me to question your affairs. You may leave."

Just then, Liang Shaoqing, who had been following behind, suddenly stepped forward. This man, whose heart was so broad he could even fall asleep in a sedan chair, walked out with sleepy eyes and happened to see Zhuge Yue speaking coldly to Chu Qiao. Immediately feeling a sense of righteous indignation, he stood boldly in front of Chu Qiao and declared, "Sir! Although you helped us, we could have gotten out without you—we might have just had to stay inside a few more days. You have ties with my father, and since you're old acquaintances, how can you be so rude to my friend?"

Zhuge Yue frowned, glancing at him sideways, and asked Chu Qiao with a questioning tone, "He's your friend?"

Even a fool could hear the mockery in Zhuge Yue's voice. Chu Qiao braced herself and nodded, saying, "We... haven't known each other long..."

Heaven bear witness, Chu Qiao wasn't trying to hide anything—she simply felt this man was utterly embarrassing.

"Xiao Qiao! What are you saying? We've shared hardships and dangers together, slept together, endured difficulties together—have you forgotten all that? What do you mean 'haven't known each other long'?"

Scholar Liang was clearly displeased, quite dissatisfied with Chu Qiao's disregard for their friendship.

Shared hardships and dangers? Chu Qiao glared at him. Wasn't it me being dragged down by you and suffering misfortune along the way?

Before she could voice her thoughts, a cold voice came from the side. The man in deep purple robes suddenly looked gloomy: "Slept together?"

"Sir! What kind of look is that? Although you helped me, you cannot insult Xiao Qiao with your eyes!" Liang Shaoqing said loudly. "I've decided—I'll set off for Shangyu immediately. After informing my parents, I will marry Xiao Qiao and bring her into my household."

Scholar Liang's attitude was resolute, his eyes seeming to say: See, I'm a responsible man.

"Into your household?" Zhuge Yue's expression could no longer be described as merely murderous. He looked coldly at Chu Qiao, his tone icy: "You stayed in Tang Capital and refused to leave—was it for him?"

Chu Qiao quickly shook her head: "No, no..."

"Xiao Qiao, don't deny it." Liang Shaoqing patted Chu Qiao's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I will marry you."

Chu Qiao's head was completely spinning. The words "grief and indignation" were truly insufficient to describe her current mood. Looking at Liang Shaoqing, she could no longer contain the fury boiling within her. Suddenly raising her fist, she smashed it hard against his head."Who wants to marry you! Are you out of your mind? Why do I always have such bad luck whenever I meet you! You idiot! Did I owe you in my past life?"

Piercing shrieks instantly echoed through the entire long alley. Chu Qiao's pent-up frustration and resentment, suppressed for a full day and night, finally erupted like a volcanic explosion, surging forth like a tsunami!

Zhuge Yue quickly stepped back to avoid being caught in the crossfire, only to see Liang Shaoqing shouting while being beaten: "Do not speak, see, or act inappropriately!"

"A gentleman is open and honest, let's talk this through! Ah! Xiao Qiao, calm down! If you don't marry me, who will you marry? My family is very wealthy! Ah! Xiao Qiao, have mercy!"

Zhuge Yue crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a sidelong glance, watching Liang Shaoqing get beaten with considerable amusement.

Fortunately, Chu Qiao still retained a shred of rationality and didn't truly unleash her full strength. But by the time Yue Qi and the others rescued Liang Shaoqing from Chu Qiao's grasp, the tenacious man who was as resilient as a cockroach was left with only half a life remaining. He was still muttering to himself: "Xiao Qiao, your shyness... is a bit excessive..."

Chu Qiao stood there panting heavily, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes sparkling with vibrant energy.

Zhuge Yue watched her. In the thick morning fog, the woman dressed in men's clothing with disheveled hair actually appeared more charmingly naive, like a young girl.

For a moment, the narrow deep alley fell into complete silence. Their gazes were tender, like mulberry leaves in early spring being nibbled by spring silkworms, yet also like the season when flowers bloom.

"When are you leaving?"

Chu Qiao was taken aback, then replied: "Soon, probably."

"Come see me before you leave."

Chu Qiao was immediately astonished. She looked up, only to see Zhuge Yue turn his head away and say: "Mo'er wants to see you."

"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded: "I'll try, but I'm not sure if I'll have the opportunity. You know my current situation..."

"Alright, no need to explain." Zhuge Yue immediately cut her off, then said: "If bailiffs like these cause trouble again, you can use my name."

Chu Qiao shook her head. Seeing Zhuge Yue's expression change with signs of anger, she quickly said: "I'm afraid I might implicate you."

These simple words instantly dissipated his earlier displeasure.

Zhuge Yue turned around, his expression unreadable, but his voice was unusually calm: "Those people... I don't even regard them as worthy opponents."

Staying any longer seemed pointless. Chu Qiao said softly: "Well... I'll be going then."

Zhuge Yue remained silent. Just as Chu Qiao was about to speak again, a faint voice came from ahead: "Go."

Chu Qiao went to the back and called for Liang Shaoqing, who had already regained his vitality in such a short time. The two of them passed in front of Zhuge Yue.

Chu Qiao said quietly: "It seems something big is about to happen in Biantang. Their internal situation is unstable. You should be more careful in your actions."

Zhuge Yue's expression didn't change. His handsome face under the sunlight possessed a strangely enchanting beauty. He didn't speak.

Having encountered a soft rejection, Chu Qiao took a step back and began walking forward.

Liang Shaoqing immediately followed behind, but then heard Zhuge Yue suddenly say to him: "You... watch yourself."

"Ah?" Liang Shaoqing was startled, then assumed Zhuge Yue was advising him to be more careful in his actions. He quickly nodded with a friendly smile: "You too. When traveling outside, beware of thieves. Biantang has lax laws, and there are many thieves in Tang Capital. I've encountered them several times already."Her face darkened, unable to bear looking at Zhuge Yue's expression, Chu Qiao grabbed Liang Shaoqing's arm and stomped hard on his foot, angrily saying, "Can't you just shut up?"

"Ah! Xiao Qiao, that hurts!"

"Let's go!"

Liang Shaoqing nearly stumbled from being pulled along by Chu Qiao. Even after walking quite a distance, he kept turning back to enthusiastically wave at Zhuge Yue, shouting, "Come find me in Shangyu when you have time! Until we meet again! Watch out for pickpockets!"

The morning sun finally pierced through the thick fog, spilling golden rays across the ground in a glittering spectacle!