After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

The autumn wind was bleak and the chill was growing, but the chrysanthemums were in full bloom at this time. The eldest princess held a grand chrysanthemum poetry reading at Liuyun Villa outside the city.

This princess is the current emperor's older sister, born to the same mother! In that thrilling palace struggle, only the two of them survived. And this beautiful Liuyun Villa is the princess's property.

The village is awash with flowers, each one a dazzling display of beauty. There's also a small, exquisite hot spring, the steam rising from it creates a truly relaxing atmosphere.

This year's Chrysanthemum Poetry Festival is incredibly large, inviting not only students from the Imperial College but also talented young scholars from the Imperial City's Lushan Academy. And for the first time, young men and women from various families have been invited to participate. This poetry festival doesn't discriminate between legitimate and illegitimate children; as long as you have talent, you can showcase your talents here!

Tang Wenshu imagined this scene: her two brothers riding tall and mighty horses, following the carriage with heroic demeanor on both sides, while she and her mother sat in a spacious and gorgeous carriage, slowly heading towards the mysterious and beautiful Liuyun Villa.

The scenery along the way was breathtakingly picturesque. In the distance, rolling hills shrouded in mist; in the nearby fields, golden wheat waves swayed in the wind, as if expressing the joy of a bountiful harvest. A stream beside the road gurgled, its waters crystal clear, its bottom visible, and fish swam happily. Occasionally, small animals could be seen darting through the woods, adding a touch of life and vitality to this tranquil world.

Finally, the group arrived at Flowing Cloud Villa. Everyone disembarked and headed to the East and West Courtyards, respectively, according to their status and gender. Although the Tang family's Third Branch wasn't favored within the Tang Mansion, they still had to maintain a certain level of respectability in front of outsiders. So, they consciously lined up behind the First and Second Branches, slowly entering Flowing Cloud Villa.

Walking in front were the members of the first and second branches, dressed in finery, their heads held high and their chests puffed out, their demeanor high and mighty. Following them came the members of the third branch of the Tang family. Tang Wenshu's father, Tang Jilian, walked with a smile on his face, neither humble nor overbearing. Tang Wenshu, meanwhile, followed obediently behind his mother, curiously observing everything around him.

At the back were the people from the fourth and fifth houses. They looked a little reserved, as if they were filled with awe for Liuyun Villa.

However, reality often surprises, and imagination is only imagination. Before departure, Tang Wenshu, perhaps from a bad meal or something else, had persistent diarrhea, delaying their departure for a while. Tang Qi and Tang Zhengrong had no choice but to go ahead with the Duke's Mansion to the East Courtyard, while Zeng Yuan stayed behind to catch up once Tang Wenshu had recovered.

With the help of the small pills from the court doctor, Tang Wenshu finally got better after two incense sticks. The carriage was traveling on Zhuque Street. Tang Wenshu lifted the curtain and looked out the window. There were shops lining the street, and pedestrians were strolling and shopping. People's faces were filled with happy and satisfied smiles.

Suddenly, she noticed that many pedestrians gathered in one place. Driven by curiosity, she looked over and saw a little girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old kneeling on the ground. In front of her was a person covered with a white cloth. Next to her was a sign with four big words written on it: "Selling oneself to bury father."

These four characters were written with the grace and ease of flowing water, the strokes flowing naturally without a trace of drag. The font was dignified and beautiful, yet possessed a lively beauty. Tang Wenshu could not help but be drawn in, a surge of curiosity and pity welling up in his heart.

"Thirty taels of silver is too expensive. Two taels of silver would be enough to buy a maid."

"Yes, even in Yihongyuan, buying a woman only costs ten taels, and she's a very beautiful woman."

Tang Wenshu looked at the tear-stained, pitiful girl in front of her, and couldn't help but feel pity. She whispered to her mother, "Mom, let's save her."

Zeng Yuan smiled slightly. She didn't object to her daughter's kindness and compassion, so she smiled and replied, "You'll have to use your own monthly allowance."

Tang Wenshu hesitantly covered her purse, but quickly released it. She frowned, closed her eyes, and handed the purse to Aunt Rong beside her, muttering, "Use it. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

Nanny Rong took the purse, counted out thirty taels of silver, gave it to the little girl, and arranged for her father to be buried. The little girl burst into tears of gratitude and thanked her profusely. She then followed Nanny Rong to the carriage, carefully sitting on the edge, not daring to enter.

Tang Wenshu asked curiously, "What's your name?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the little girl's eyes. She quickly wiped away her tears and replied respectfully: "I am Pei Qingqing, my father is the former magistrate of Chang'an County." As she spoke, tears could not help but burst out, but she still maintained an elegant demeanor.

Tang Wenshu opened his mouth in surprise. "Chang'an County Magistrate? What's going on? How could the County Magistrate's family end up living on the streets, even having to sell themselves to bury their father?"

"Pei Zheng, the magistrate of Chang'an County, was honest and upright throughout his life, but he was framed by a villain and imprisoned unjustly." said Nanny Rong.

"This happened half a year ago. He was your father's classmate. It's a pity. We only heard about it recently. If we had known earlier, we would have found a way to clear his name." Zeng Yuan interjected.

"What's going on?" Tang Wenshu asked.

"During his time as an official, Dad enforced the law impartially, earning him the love of the people. However, his integrity infringed upon the interests of some powerful individuals. They viewed him as a thorn in their side, eager to eliminate him as soon as possible.

Finally, they found an opportunity and framed Daddy for corruption and bribery. Although Daddy defended himself vigorously, he was still thrown into prison under the manipulation of the powerful.

I don't know what kind of inhuman torture my father endured in prison. When his body was released, some people helped to examine it. It was covered with all kinds of scars. The jailers must have abused him in every way, using all kinds of torture to try to make him confess to the trumped-up charges. But Pei Zheng remained steadfast and refused to give in.

Soon after Daddy was imprisoned, we were driven out of our home, homeless, and faced a difficult life. My mother and brother campaigned extensively for Daddy's cause, but were met with resistance and no one paid any attention. They, too, were persecuted, and to bury them, we sold everything we could.

But, but, as she spoke, Pei Qingqing started crying again. Her father had not been cleared of the charges yet, and he was tortured to death in prison.

Qingqing is now the daughter of a criminal and the daughter of a convict, and can only be bought and sold as a slave." She said with self-pity.

"Qingqing, don't cry. You are a good child. I can't help you in any way. I am lucky to meet you this time." Zeng Yuan wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Afterwards, Zeng Yuan asked Nanny Rong to go to the street to buy a dress for Pei Qingqing, and after they changed into it, they went to Liushui Villa together.

Pei Qingqing remained silent along the way, her face calm, yet she could hardly hide her worry and confusion. She secretly felt fortunate to have been sold into the Duke's mansion, and even more grateful to Madam Zeng for her kindness in taking her in.

Her father had once told her that the Duke's Third House was trustworthy. However, she knew the road ahead would be difficult, and she wondered if she would ever have a chance to clear her father's name and avenge her mother and brother. With this in mind, Pei Qingqing did her utmost to curry favor with Zeng Yuan, hoping to gain more support and help.

"From now on, you will follow Shu'er." Zeng Yuan made the final decision, which determined Pei Qingqing's future life.

Tang Wenshu sat quietly at one end of the carriage, staring blankly ahead, her heart filled with conflict and confusion. She couldn't help but recall her past perseverance and faith. Back then, she firmly believed in certain principles and values, believing that some things were absolutely forbidden. However, as the world changed, she found that her own perspectives had also unconsciously shifted.

Tang Wenshu once believed that human trafficking was an extremely sinful and unforgivable act. But now, she personally participated in it and approved of it. This made her feel extremely painful and guilty. She realized that she had strayed from her former self and had become increasingly unfamiliar.

At the same time, her previously held beliefs about the world and life began to waver. The very ideas she once held as truth now seemed blurred. Unsure how to cope with these changes, she felt a wave of confusion and anxiety.

Tang Wenshu felt as if she had fallen into an endless abyss, unable to extricate herself. The moral bottom line she once upheld gradually crumbled, and the firm belief in her heart began to crumble. She didn't know if she could ever regain her once pure and kind self, or if, in this world, she had no choice but to be assimilated.

At this moment, Tang Wenshu felt unprecedentedly lonely and helpless. She didn't know what path to take, nor how to escape this state of confusion. She could only sit silently in the carriage, letting her thoughts drift, hoping to find a glimmer of answers...