Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Night falls, and the dense forest is shrouded in darkness. The towering mountains stand majestically, inspiring a sense of solemnity and grandeur. Even in the sweltering summer heat, the temperature remains high, and the air is thick with a stifling heat.

Cui Yu'an and his two companions trudged through the forest. They were covered in dirty, grimy mud, which they occasionally swatted off, but to little avail. Sweat soaked their clothes, mixing with the mud and making them even more uncomfortable.

A damp smell permeated the forest, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves and branches. They walked cautiously, afraid of stepping on anything dangerous. A hint of weariness and helplessness flickered in Cui Yu'an's eyes; how much longer did they have to walk?

"Zhizhou, Miss Shen, look over there is a lake. Let's camp there for the night! We can also wash off this filth."

To Cui Yu'an's delight, the lake shimmered under the moonlight. The lake was vast, at least several hundred acres in size. The three carefully surveyed the surroundings to ensure there was no danger before laying out their straw mats.

The moonlight, like silver, spilled across the lake, as if veiling it in a mysterious mist. The shimmering water, dreamlike and enchanting, captivated all who beheld it.

The lake water was crystal clear, and fish swam freely in it, as if expressing their joy.

The three carefully laid out straw mats by the lake. Shi Wanxia built a stove with stones, while Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an gathered firewood. The three worked together, and soon the firelight shone on their faces.

Cui Yu'an couldn't resist any longer and dragged Shen Yanchu to the river to wash up, while Shi Wanxia made mushroom and rabbit soup with her back to them.

Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an placed their change of clothes by the lake and took off their dirty clothes without hesitation.

They leaped into the clear lake water. Today they were trapped in the swamp, their bodies filthy, and the water was a treasure to them.

The lake water was icy cold, yet it felt incredibly comfortable to them. They scrubbed their bodies vigorously, their hair floating in the water.

Shen Yanchu's hair was as black as ink, and Cui Yu'an's hair was also much smoother and cleaner. The two of them moved with practiced speed and skill, as if they wanted to wash away all their fatigue and grime.

In the water, their skin appeared even whiter, and their muscle definition even more pronounced. Water droplets slid down their bodies, shimmering in the moonlight. Their faces were wet, yet their unwavering resolve and courage remained undeniable.

After washing up, Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an emerged from the lake. They exuded a fresh aura, as if they had been reborn. Sunlight shone on them, outlining their perfect physiques.

They smiled at each other, changed into clean clothes, washed and wrung out their dirty clothes by the river, and returned to Shi Wanxia's side. Shi Wanxia looked up and was instantly captivated by the scene before her.

The two young noblemen were like lotuses emerging from the water, their hair still damp, their faces handsome, exuding a captivating aura. Their skin appeared even whiter under the water droplets, and their eyes revealed a clarity and liveliness.

Shi Wanxia blushed slightly, a touch of shyness welling up inside her. She realized that she was also covered in dirt, a stark contrast to the two noble young men.

She lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Once you've finished washing up, look in the pot. There are wooden sticks over there. Use them to dry your clothes! I'm going to take a shower too; I'm so dirty."

Shi Wanxia took out the clean clothes, went to the lakeside, and found a tree with some shade. After all, there were two big men there, and even if she was carefree, she still had to avoid them.

The clear lake water made Shen feel comfortable. She put her clothes on the shore, tested the slightly cool water with her feet and found it to be tolerable, then carefully walked into the lake to wash herself.

After taking a shower, Shi Wanxia casually wrung out the water from her hair, washed her clothes and shoes on the shore, and returned to the campfire barefoot.

Completely unaware that Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an were both looking down at her, their expressions quite different.

Shen Yanchu was somewhat angry. Didn't this girl know that a woman shouldn't show her feet in front of men other than her husband? She had studied for so many years, surely there were rules against it?

Even without the tutor, someone would have told her; this wasn't just something for ladies of noble families, but for ordinary women in the marketplace. He rose, his expression a mixture of anger and sternness, and covered her delicate feet with his cloak.

She glanced at Cui Yu'an, who kept her head down, not daring to look around. This girl was really giving her a fright every now and then; how could a woman so casually expose her feet in public? So…

Even with her slow reflexes, Shi Wanxia sensed something was wrong. What were Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an up to? One of them kept his head down and didn't dare to look at her, while the other's terrifying aura was directed at her. What was going on?

She asked Shen Yanchu, puzzled, "Brother Shen, Young Master Cui, what's wrong with you two? You're acting strangely."

Shen Yanchu stared at her for a long time with a look of exasperation before speaking: "Miss Shi, a woman's jade feet should not be shown to any man other than her husband. Didn't you say you've studied for over ten years? Don't you know this?"

Shi Wanxia was taken aback by these words. There's such a saying? There really are so many rules in ancient times! What does Shen Yanchu mean by that? Is he questioning me? No, my temper is short-tempered. In a fit of anger, she threw off her cloak, startling Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an, who immediately looked away.

“Why can’t I decide what’s right for myself? Does it need to be bound by so-called etiquette? And you’re questioning me? I’m not reading the so-called cumbersome Four Books and Five Classics that you talk about. I’m reading the knowledge that I need, that the country needs, and that the people need. I’ll say it again, I’m just myself. I’m not the kind of woman you’ve always thought of. Don’t you have the so-called ‘don’t look at what is improper’? If you can’t stand my behavior, you don’t have to look. I know what I want to do and what I can do.”

Shen Yanchu was at a loss for what to do with this stubborn girl. He sighed. The girl was still so unyielding. Cui Yu'an wisely left first, after all, Shen Yanchu's petty and vindictive nature was not to be trifled with.

Shen Yanchu glanced at the sensible Cui Yu'an, pondered for a moment, then sat down beside her and covered her jade feet with his cloak. He said with a hint of helplessness, "Miss Shi, don't refute me first. The rules of this world are much harsher on women than on men. Don't put yourself in danger."

Shen Yanchu's face grew increasingly gloomy, and her aura became more and more fierce. Sometimes, this girl was as stubborn as an ox.

Shi Wanxia was touched by his words. Yes! This was an era of clear class distinctions and male superiority. People treated women and men very differently. Men could have three wives and four concubines, but women could not.

There were also various feudal customs and laws that restricted women's behavior, including their lives and freedom. She thought for a moment, nodded, and took out her socks to put on.

"Brother Shen, I understand. Go and bring Cui Yu'an back!"

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Shen Yanchu breathed a sigh of relief. He got up to find Cui Yu'an.

Little did he know that Shi Wanxia had only temporarily suppressed her sharpness and hostility. She had her own principles, and as a fine young woman who had received patriotic education, she would never follow the crowd.