Arc 2

Zhou Tang crouched outside the walls of the Zhou family house, her heart racing with excitement. She had slipped out earlier, as usual, because she was bored in the stuffy Zhou family house, where she was only allowed to sit still and look pretty. While she was grateful for being born into a noble home, the freedom commoners had made her extremely envious. So she occasionally began sneaking out of her family house, going to the marketplace, festivals, and parties—she did anything and everything that gave her a sense of freedom.

She jumped, gripping the rough stone as she had done hundreds of times.

Almost there.

She swung her leg over the top and sat on the wall. As she was about to jump down, she heard a familiar voice from below.

"I was wondering when you'd return, eldest miss."