The Heroine Disguises Herself As A Man To Enter The Academy, And The Hero Loses His Memory And Forgets his First Love. - Chapter 6

The Next Day.

Wearing a veiled hat and the only pure snow-silk gauze gown left after her family’s downfall, Zhu Bafu let her plain hair fall loose, adorned with no jewelry or flowers. She stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that. Ever since their home was raided, she’d rarely touched this dress. The only times she had worn it were to see Li Luyang. Perhaps it was pride—or stubbornness—but she simply refused to look poor or pathetic in front of an old acquaintance, as if groveling.

She lowered her head and walked briskly toward the nobility district in the heart of the imperial city, trying not to attract attention. Dodging glances, she quietly arrived at the back gate of the Li residence.

Even the back gate of a wealthy household was grand. Bright peonies in various colors lined the base of the wall. Two large lanterns with the character “Li” hung on either side of the tall gate. The threshold loomed before her—it felt imposing and hard to cross. A house servant stood guard, but on days when she was to meet Li Luyang, he would send everyone away and come alone.

Zhu Bafu clutched the embroidered pouch in her hand. Inside was the silver she was entrusting to Li Luyang, to deliver to her father during his upcoming trip out of the capital.

With a creak, the thick wooden gate swung open.

A pair of blue cloth shoes stepped over the threshold and descended the steps with ease, walking toward her.

Through the veil, she raised a hand in greeting—only to watch as Li Luyang reached forward and gently lifted the gauze from her head. His handsome face came into focus—delicate brows, clear eyes, and a soft smile. His gaze was deep as he looked at her, brushing a strand of hair at her temple.

Uncomfortable, Zhu Bafu took a step back and lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his.

Sensing her subtle rejection, Li Luyang realized he had overstepped. He retracted his hand with a soft chuckle. “It’s been a while. I was worried you’d changed so much I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“Uh… hehe… You always joke like that. I’m just a girl who stays home every day. How much could I possibly change? Still the same old me.”

“True. Still the same little Fu—always shifting your eyes the moment you see me, like you don’t really want to talk.”

“Eh?” That was a dangerous accusation—she still needed a favor from him! “When have I ever not wanted to talk to you? It’s just… businessmen like you are busy. I didn’t want to take up your time with small talk.”

Li Luyang smiled. “And how do you know talking to you isn’t serious business to me?”

“I just… figured,” she mumbled, unable to come up with anything better. She rolled her eyes discreetly, then remembered the pouch in her hands. Better to focus on the real reason she came. She held it out with both hands. “This is the silver for my father. Also, for what you covered last time. He wrote to say you secretly slipped in extra silver and told me to repay you in full.”

Li Luyang glanced at the pouch. He didn’t take it, just frowned slightly and stared at her in silence.

“Ever since my father was demoted and exiled, I’ve asked you to deliver silver for me on every business trip. I know it’s a hassle, but… to help my father suffer less, I had no choice but to keep troubling you.”

“Do you have to say that every time I return?” he said quietly. Always polite. Always keeping things formal. Always counting favors clearly, never owing him a thing. She was short on money, yet wouldn’t borrow a single coin. She always had to remind him she was the one begging for help—as if he’d turn his back on her any minute. And he understood why she acted like this. After all, when the Zhu family fell, his own father had been the first to cut ties and break off their engagement. No matter what he did, he could never erase that wound.

“It’s not that I do it on purpose,” Zhu Bafu said, scratching her head. She hadn’t noticed the look in his eyes. “It’s just… you’ve helped my father so much, and I honestly don’t know how to repay you.” She wanted to say something heartfelt, but her brain was empty. When it came to flirty lines or melodramatic nonsense, she could talk all day. But real, honest gratitude? She struggled to find the words.

“I even thought about giving you a gift, but I don’t have anything worthwhile. I tried embroidering something for your wife, but… hehe, my stitching’s too embarrassing. You really wouldn’t want fat ducks hanging around your house. Uh… how about this: when your wife gets pregnant and you’re expecting a son, I’ll write a couplet for your door as a blessing?”

“……”

“‘Heaven grants a noble son, Earth bestows a gifted heir.’ And across the top, we’ll write ‘Aspire to Greatness.’ How’s that?”

Li Luyang suddenly went silent. His expression grew darker and darker, his mood visibly sinking. He didn’t respond at all. Her cheerful blessing fell flat. She had no idea what she’d said wrong. The silver was delivered, mission complete. Since he seemed upset, she figured it was time to leave. She opened her mouth to say goodbye—but Li Luyang spoke first, his voice sharp.

“If I don’t say it outright, will you never understand? Don’t you know I don’t want your courtesy? Don’t you know what kind of repayment I actually want? Don’t you know who I think about when I’m traveling with the caravan?”

“……” Who else could it be? She wasn’t dumb. Just from the way he looked at her, teeth clenched, eyes burning—of course it was her.

When it came to men and women, once the truth was out, there was no going back. But her goal was to stay on good terms with Brother Li forever—friends for generations—so she could keep getting his help…

She swallowed hard and turned to run—but Li Luyang grabbed her elbow and dragged her to the wall, blocking her path.

“I don’t want to see you suffer anymore. Come with me.”

“C-Come with you?” Why did he stop talking there? Please, say more.

“Yes. Come with me.” He didn’t continue. Instead, he made his meaning crystal clear. “I’ll pay for Xiaojiu’s schooling. I’ll take care of the officials. I’ll do everything I can to reunite your family.”

“So… are you offering to make me your concubine?”

Zhu Bafu’s words came out hard and flat. Li Luyang’s mouth tightened. He looked visibly pained. His hand on her shoulder slowly dropped.

Seeing him hesitate, she turned to leave. But as soon as she took a step, he grabbed the end of her sleeve.

“Would it be so bad to stay by my side? I’ll only keep you. I’ll take you with me on business trips. We’ll travel the land together. I’ll take you to see your father.”

His voice softened, full of promise. The bitterness of her life flashed through her mind. She frowned, bit her lip, and struggled, but she couldn’t shake him off.

Suddenly, a sharp female voice pierced the air.

“Only keep her by your side? What a fine line—‘a concubine is better than a wife!’ So I mean nothing to you? Li Luyang!”

Zhao Xiangmi, the young madam of the Li family, stood on the steps, her face twisted in fury. She walked toward the two of them, her gown embroidered in gold, her hair pinned up with heavy ornaments, and gold-threaded slippers on her feet. Her hands were folded properly in her sleeves, her face round with pride, her gaze filled with venom. She looked like she wanted to pin Zhu Bafu to the ground and grind her to dust.

“You avoid me day after day, won’t even say a kind word. And every time you come back to the capital, you run straight to the back gate—for this tramp?” Her voice rose as she spotted the pouch in Zhu Bafu’s hand. “Giving her money? Is she some filthy woman from a brothel?!”

Before Zhu Bafu could respond, Zhao Xiangmi stepped forward, yanked the pouch away, and slammed it to the ground. Silver coins scattered everywhere.

Zhu Bafu forgot her shame and crouched to pick them up—but pain stabbed her hand. A sharp heel had crushed it.

“Who said you could touch my family’s silver, you filthy wench?! Let go!”

“Xiangmi, stop—” Before Li Luyang could intervene, Zhu Bafu erupted.

“You arrogant b1tch! Take your foot off me!” Her money—why should she let it go? That foot was on her most precious tool—her hand! No wonder Li Luyang was desperate enough to stray, married to someone like this!

What kind of eyes did this woman have, looking down on her? Couldn’t she see Zhu Bafu’s grace and pride? Did she really look like the kind of woman who wanted to steal someone’s husband? She was a proper lady—no less than anyone!

“You—you fox! How dare you insult me?!”

“Oh please! So what if you’re standing like a teapot? Move your foot and I’ll show you how to pose better!”

“You damn tramp! I’m the official wife of the Li family! You think you can talk to me like this? You think you can become a phoenix? Know your place!”

“Is this how you treat guests? No wonder people say marriage is the grave of love. Look at you—you’re a whole tombstone! Crushing me is one thing—how much heavier must it be on your husband?! Ha!”

“Li Luyang! You’re just going to let this woman humiliate me?! My father is a court official! And she—what is she?!”

“Let go of her hand!” he shouted. He didn’t even acknowledge Zhao Xiangmi’s words. He just stared at the swelling hand under her foot, ready to pull Zhu Bafu away.

Ignored by her own husband, Zhao Xiangmi lost it. “You shameless harlot!”

She broke free, raised her hand, and slapped Zhu Bafu across the face.

Zhu Bafu saw stars. Her head snapped sideways. A cold shock hit her first, then a burning rage flared in her chest.

Forget saving face for the Li family. She kicked Zhao Xiangmi’s leg away and shoved her—sending her crashing against the wall with a loud thud.

Zhu Bafu stood up coldly, brushed off the dust, and kicked aside the scattered silver. She glanced down at the crying woman.

“Listen up, madam. You’re not the only one who’s ever been a ‘lady.’ I’m no less than you. In fact, I have everything you do—maybe more!”

She shot a glare at Li Luyang as he opened his mouth to speak—but she cut him off.

“In my life plan, there’s no room for being anyone’s concubine.”

That slap had reignited her fierce pride. But seeing the silver scattered across the ground still made her heart ache. It hurt more than her cheek.

“These coins were earned by these hands you just stepped on! They’re not some hush money for your cheating husband! I don’t come cheap!” She raised her chin proudly, secretly pinched her own behind to keep from crying, and shouted, “Since you’ve touched it, I don’t want it anymore. Hmph!”

She hadn’t spent silver so freely in years. But now it was gone. As she turned, she saw Li Luyang’s apologetic face—but she didn’t give him a chance to speak. She flicked her sleeve, lifted her head high, and strode away.

One step. Ten. A hundred. Only when the Li residence was completely out of sight did she finally break down.

The money was gone. Meant for her father, used instead as fuel for her temper. It felt great for a moment—but now, she could never shamelessly ask for his help again. She was terrible. Her temper was terrible. And even now, in ruin, she clung to her pitiful pride.

Her hand was swollen. Her face stung. Her veil fluttered in the wind as she ran. She didn’t stop. Tears streamed down as she turned a corner—“whoosh!”—brushing past someone. A soft scent of bamboo and tobacco lingered at her nose.

She wiped her nose and kept running—only to be gently grabbed by the collar and lifted effortlessly off the ground.

“Hey… Woman. Haven’t we met before?”