Chapter 3

Ding Yi was quite taken aback. Since arriving in this world, he had no time to understand or accept it; a series of events came one after another, almost suffocating him. Under such continuous blows, an ordinary person might have developed psychological issues—let alone Ding Yi, who knew nothing about this world. The previous owner of this body, Scholar Ding Yi, couldn't bear it and hanged himself, didn't he?

However, Ding Yi was no longer that bookish scholar. His strong mental fortitude allowed him to remain calm in this critical moment and face the harsh reality.

The young lady in front of him, Liu Xiaoniang, was Scholar Ding Yi's fiancée, betrothed to him in the womb. She had a straight nose, fair skin, and large eyes, suggesting that her ancestors might have had some mixed heritage.

Ding Yi didn't feel much distress over the severed friendships and the servants quitting, but the beauty in front of him, who spoke of breaking the engagement, made him, as a man from the modern era who had traveled back to the Ming Dynasty, feel somewhat reluctant. But he was very clear that beauty was not as important as life. If his fiancée discovered that his behavior was completely different from usual, it would be a huge problem. So, he spoke in the manner of the times, shaking his head and saying, "It seems that with both my parents deceased and my family in decline, my father-in-law must think the times have changed, and our families are no longer a match. Well, I can only wish Miss to find a good husband and live a long, happy life..."

To his surprise, as soon as the words left his mouth, Liu Xiaoniang, without regard for Peng Zhang sitting nearby, burst into tears before she even spoke: "It's not about the mismatch of families... The villagers all say Scholar Ding Yi has become weak and is a lackey of the eunuchs... My father is also under great pressure... But I know, Ding Yi, you are not that kind of person... Ding Yi, I am your family in life and in death, and I will take my own life to honor our betrothal!"

Liu Xiaoniang was not just talking; she quickly pulled out a pair of scissors from her person.

Scissors, again, scissors.

Ding Yi couldn't sit still any longer and snatched the scissors from her.

Breaking off ties and cutting the robe with scissors; Yu Yu thought he was trying to drive her away with scissors; and now this fiancée, who hadn't even crossed the threshold, was also brandishing scissors. Why were there so many scissors in this era?

Ding Yi's control over his strength in this body was not very good, and he used too much force when grabbing the scissors, causing Liu Xiaoniang to stumble. But at that moment, Ding Yi didn't think much about it and instinctively supported her waist to prevent her from falling, gently persuading her, "Who told you such nonsense? How could I become a lackey of the eunuchs? I would rather eat their flesh and sleep on their skin. Rest assured, I will never do such a thing!"

As Ding Yi supported her waist, Peng Zhang, dressed as a scholar, was still sitting nearby. Liu Xiaoniang quickly pulled away, but her face turned red, and her voice was barely audible: "Is what you say true, Ding Yi?"

Ding Yi continued, "A man's word is as good as his bond! If you don't believe me, I can swear to the heavens..." Before he could finish, Liu Xiaoniang's soft hand covered his mouth. In this era, people took oaths very seriously, and Liu Xiaoniang didn't dare let him swear.

"Ding Yi, don't do that, I naturally believe you." She lowered her head, not daring to raise her blushing face, but the redness in her ears was unmistakable.

After much effort, Ding Yi managed to calm Liu Xiaoniang down, but he felt a bit regretful. The more he interacted with her, the more likely he was to reveal his true identity, which went against the principles of solo infiltration he had learned in special training.

But with such a devoted beauty willing to die in front of him, Ding Yi couldn't remain completely rational.

Ding Yi noticed that Peng Zhang's face was becoming increasingly grim.

However, now Ding Yi finally understood why those scholars had thrown their robes at his door early in the morning. Joining the eunuchs was a source of deep shame for scholars. Thinking deeper, could it be that the body he had taken over, Scholar Ding Yi, had been killed by a righteous knight because he had agreed to join the eunuchs, leading to his possession of this body?

But that didn't seem right. Ding Yi touched his chin; this body had no external injuries, and the only mark was a bruise on his neck, suggesting it was a suicide, or perhaps he was strangled and then hanged.

Before Ding Yi could think further, someone came to the door. It was Liu Xiaoniang's family steward, looking for his young mistress.

The steward, though a servant, looked at Ding Yi, who had a scholarly title, with a sense of moral superiority. However, Ding Yi didn't have the time to argue with him. After much persuasion, he finally convinced Liu Xiaoniang to go home and promised not to join the eunuchs.

As soon as Liu Xiaoniang's carriage left, Ding Yi felt a tightness in his chest and instinctively struck out with his elbow.

Peng Zhang let out a painful cry, clutching his ribs and crouching on the ground, but he continued to scold, "Rujin, I thought you were a remarkable man, willing to tarnish your reputation to infiltrate the eunuchs' ranks!" The pain from the blow made him gasp, and after a while, he continued, "To do this for such an ugly woman, you break your promise..."

Now, Ding Yi understood everything.

When he accidentally hit Peng Zhang, he felt a bit embarrassed because he had injured a friend who had come to visit despite the severed ties. But now, he felt no guilt.

The so-called promise.

It wasn't a promise but a handle, a handle that forced Scholar Ding Yi to hang himself.

It seemed that Scholar Ding Yi had some handle on him, or was incited to agree to infiltrate a certain eunuch's ranks. This was a dangerous game, and after returning home, he probably realized it was a bad idea. He feared the consequences if he failed, or that it would involve his fiancée. Not doing it would break his promise.

So, he chose to end his life, solving the problem.

That's why Ding Yi was here.

However, looking at this "Jingxian" brother, Ding Yi's face didn't improve. Scholar Ding Yi had been driven to suicide, severed all ties with his old friends, and even his servants were quitting. His future father-in-law wanted to break the engagement, and this "Jingxian" brother was still relentless, coming to pressure him. What a great friend, indeed.

"This woman is so ugly, why are you so concerned, Rujin?" Peng Zhang sat back in his chair and continued his pressure. Ding Yi's current body, though a scholar, was not as strong as his previous one. The elbow only made Peng Zhang crouch for a while, and he didn't break any ribs, so he continued to nag.

Peng Zhang then began to quote classics, making Ding Yi's head spin: "In life, one should achieve merit, fame, and virtue, the three immortalities. Achieving fame, in our case, is impossible; as for virtue, as the 'Yunming Lun' states, 'To achieve virtue, one must be noble,' which is a dream for us. The only option left is to achieve merit, to serve the country and the people, and leave a lasting legacy..."

Ding Yi rubbed his nose; he couldn't listen anymore. Listening to Peng Zhang, he suddenly missed his Marxist philosophy professor from his previous life, who was at least more engaging. He interrupted, "Jingxian, I, Ding Yi, am an ordinary man. Being a scholar is already a stroke of luck. I am content with collecting rent and reading books at home. This kind of achievement is better left to more capable people."

If it were about defending against invaders, holding a sword and shield, or infiltrating the steppes to assassinate a tribal leader, even if it meant certain death, he would have done it. After all, he had received years of national education and military service, and he wasn't short of patriotism.

But this was clearly a political struggle.

Even if he were to be a spy, at least he should have a fake identity, a way out if things went wrong, and ensure that his loved ones, like Liu Xiaoniang, wouldn't be implicated.

But now, it wasn't like that! He was to go in without any cover, and the masterminds were deliberately spreading rumors, causing him to lose his reputation, sever ties with old friends, and more. If things went wrong, he felt these people would not lift a finger to help him.

"Rujin, think carefully. You are not Chen Ping. Don't say I didn't warn you," Peng Zhang rubbed his ribs, smiled coldly, and said calmly.

Chen Ping? What did Chen Ping have to do with this? Ding Yi hated this way of speaking, always beating around the bush. Fortunately, he finally remembered the reference: Chen Ping and his sister-in-law. Was Scholar Ding Yi so wicked that he had an affair with his sister-in-law? But Ding Yi wouldn't admit to such a thing, even if it were true, it was the previous owner's doing: "Nonsense! When did I ever do such a beastly thing!"

"Rujin, you are too naive," Peng Zhang laughed, seeming to enjoy it, and his ribs didn't hurt as much. "It doesn't matter whether you did it or not, but what matters is what the scholars, gentry, and commoners of Rongcheng think. Rujin, think about it. Your sister-in-law, Ding Yangshi, with her fox-like charm, has been a widow for ten years, not returning to her parents' home or remarrying. Heh, who knows if it's true or not! You know, the matchmakers in Rongcheng have all been driven away by Ding Yangshi and already bear a grudge. If not for your status as a scholar, they could make the dead speak, and it wouldn't matter whether it was true or not."