It's just a simulation game, how did the fairy become real?

The palace, though vast, was a cage.

pat.

Pei Yichen placed his hand on Jiang Li's head and gently rubbed it.

A warmth emanated from his palm.

Jiang Li, who originally hated being touched, found herself feeling a sense of familiarity for some reason.

She remembered her father, who always made her laugh.

Before he was five years old, he would always stroke his head like this.

"Since you don't have a home, would you like to come to my house?"

The capital city is very big, and it will be very hard for the young girl.

I will give you a job that will allow you to support yourself.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li felt a strange sensation.

The other person's eyes were clear and innocent, without the slightest hint of filth.

He genuinely wanted to help me.

"Thank you. I'll come to you if I need anything."

Jiang Li shook her head again.

Pei Yichen smiled and, as if by magic, produced a candied hawthorn from behind his back and handed it to Jiang Li.

"I just saw a vendor passing by, so I bought one on a whim. Here I am~"

Pei Yichen stuffed the candied hawthorn into Jiang Li's hand.

"My name is Pei Yichen."

If you really need anything, you can come directly to the Pei residence to find me.

I will inform the servants and the steward.

After Pei Yichen finished speaking, he left the alley.

"Pei Yichen... son of Pei Zhongshu, went to Zhongnan Mountain to study martial arts five years ago, has he come down the mountain now?"

Jiang Li watched Pei Yichen's retreating figure, muttering Pei Yichen's information to herself.

On the night of his father's death, Pei Zhongshu arranged for his son to leave home.

The subsequent clashes between the Pei family and other powerful families resulted in numerous casualties.

Pei Yichen hid early and was not implicated.

"Pei Zhongshu is a good man."

Jiang Li took a bite of the top hawthorn fruit. The Pei family had sacrificed too much, and Pei Yichen had not yet grown up. If he were to be caught in the vortex, Pei Zhongshu might not be able to protect him.

"If possible, Pei Yichen, you should just stay a useless young master."

"At least I won't die."

"So sour~~~"

......

Witnessing the changes in the capital, you felt melancholy and unknowingly arrived at the Pei family's gate.

The Pei residence retains its grandeur, though it bears the marks of time.

The butler seemed to be preparing to leave; after you called out to him, it took him a while to recognize you.

The return of the young master of the Pei family to his home filled the vast Pei mansion with joy.

[Mother, Father, Second Uncle... the entire Pei family gathered together.]

There were more people, but many fewer.

You heard some rumors while you were out, but wisely refrained from mentioning them during the meal.

She simply drank cup after cup with her second uncle and father, while her mother, who was usually quite strict with them, just watched silently, without uttering a single harsh word.

After a few rounds of drinks, you helped your second uncle back to his room to rest. Once you were covered with the blankets, your second uncle suddenly reached out and grabbed your hand.

"Yichen, you shouldn't have come back."

My second uncle, who was once full of vigor, now looks somewhat forlorn.

The sword he always carried with him when he was in the Imperial City Guard was now gathering dust in his study.

"Rest at home for a while, then go back to your Zhongnan Mountain."

Your second uncle looked at you with teary eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and said nothing.

You gently patted your second uncle's hand. Before you left home, your second uncle had doted on you. Now, looking at your second uncle with his graying temples, you felt a surge of emotions.

After your second uncle has fallen asleep, get up and go to the study.

Before your father left, he asked you to come over.

"They're here?"

In just five short years, my father has aged considerably; his slightly hunched figure seems to carry a heavy burden.

"Hmm." You nodded gently and strode over to your father.

"Stay home for two or three days, then go back."

Your father's words left you somewhat stunned.

After five years apart, and only one day of joy, I must be forced to leave.

You feel a pang of sadness, but mostly worry.

Although the Pei family was a member of the aristocratic families, they were a thorn in the side of them. On the way home, only the Pei family's reputation was somewhat better.

Without my father's efforts in the court, the powerful families might already have a firm grip on the royal family.

[You explained the situation on Zhongnan Mountain and demonstrated your swordsmanship. After five years of diligent practice, you can be considered to have completed your apprenticeship.]

The father remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly, "Fine, let them do whatever they want from now on."

Your father gave you a small notebook with brief records of some events.

After reading this, you will have a better understanding of what your father has done over the years.

Now I understand why my second uncle and father both wanted you to leave home.

The power of these aristocratic families is too great; even with my father's all-out effort, it's still difficult to withstand them.

The hunt by the powerful families is drawing to a close, and barring unforeseen circumstances, the Pei family could face disaster at any moment.

Your decision to descend the mountain and return home at this time may be destiny.

Your heart is heavy as you ponder a way to break this deadlock, but after several days, you still haven't made any breakthroughs.

【The Eightfold Lonely Shadow grants you the power to become a martial arts master, easily taking on a hundred opponents.】

The Imperial City Guard's Black Armor Army, heavily armored, formed a thousand-strong formation.

[Let alone martial arts grandmasters, even inhuman grandmasters would find it difficult to escape the Black Armor Army's hunt.]

The capacity of one person is far too limited.

You begin to consider taking over some of the Pei family's affairs and cultivating your own power.

Three days later, in a corner of the capital, you saw the girl dressed in coarse cloth again.

This time, they followed your example from last time, distributing copper coins to the beggars.

Perhaps because she hadn't concealed herself, a large group of beggars surrounded her. They jostled and pushed, threatening to bump into each other at any moment.

Seeing this, you tossed a handful of loose silver coins to lure the beggar away, then pulled him away from the alley.

"Are you stupid? You're surrounded, don't you know to leave first? What if it causes a riot and you get hurt?"

You know very well how beggars behave; after all, you've seen plenty of refugees outside the city.

Even within the capital city, safety is not absolute.

[Such a young girl, if an accident occurs, it would be very difficult for her to escape.]

Jiang Li listened silently to Pei Yichen's lecture, a faint smile inexplicably appearing on her face.

In fact, there was a grandmaster among that group of people who was following and protecting them.

If she hadn't signaled not to make a move, Pei Yichen would already be captured.

Pei Yichen's eyes remained clear and bright, without a trace of distraction.

He really cares about himself.

Show concern for a ten-year-old girl.

In that deep palace, apart from her deceased father, it seemed that no one else would treat her like this anymore.

"What's your name? I'll take you back."

“...Cuiping, I can go back by myself.”

Jiang Li made up a name on the spot, but it was very fitting for her situation.

Even if she ascends the throne in this capital city, she is still like a piece of duckweed, her fate beyond her control.

"Heh, I'll see you off then."

Pei Yichen took Jiang Li's hand. He could sense a powerful aura following them from within the crowd.

This girl is handing out money; she's probably being watched by powerful families.

"Giving them money like this won't improve their lives at all."

Pei Yichen thought for a moment, then spoke up.

"Didn't you give out money last time too?"

Jiang Li was puzzled: why can you do it, but I can't?

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."