Su Ying started in surprise, her grip on the dagger tightening. She hadn't expected someone to be living in this cave, much less someone who could see through her male disguise at a glance!

At this moment, she didn't know whether this sudden development was fortune or misfortune, but her intuition told her that this mysterious old man might change her original escape plan...

The atmosphere in the cave grew still for a moment.

"No need to be tense, young lady," the old man ambled closer. In the light filtering through the cave entrance, Su Ying finally saw his appearance clearly—an elderly man with long, flowing white eyebrows, dressed in coarse cloth garments, holding several freshly picked medicinal herbs.

"Who are you? Why do you live here?" Su Ying asked vigilantly, still gripping her dagger.

The old man laughed heartily. "Just a simple mountain villager. I live here because I enjoy gathering herbs. But you, little miss, disguised and fleeing into the deep mountains—you must have your reasons."

Su Ying bit her lip, offering no response.

"No need to explain if you don't wish to," the old man said indifferently, walking toward the depths of the cave. "But in my view, those people pursuing you are quite formidable. Without help, escaping will be difficult."

Su Ying hesitated briefly before deciding to take a chance. "If you have any suggestions, Elder, please speak freely."

With his back to her, the old man calmly began brewing tea. "Five miles downhill there's a town called Luochuan. They're holding a festival now—the crowds and noise make it perfect for hiding. Would you like me to escort you there?"

This aligned perfectly with Su Ying's intentions. She had planned to go to Luochuan Town, but still harbored doubts. "Why are you willing to help me, Elder?"

"Young people having their own minds is a good thing," the old man replied, passing her a steaming cup of tea with a mysterious glint in his eyes. "Finish your tea, and we'll depart."

A quarter-hour later, the old man led Su Ying down a hidden path from the other end of the cave. The route was extremely secluded—impossible to find without intimate knowledge of the terrain. Along the way, the elder continually taught Su Ying to identify medicinal herbs, as if merely taking an apprentice for an outing, showing no sense of urgency whatsoever.

As the sun began to set, they finally glimpsed the silhouette of Luochuan Town in the distance. The town wasn't large, but it was currently decorated with colorful lanterns, presenting a lively scene.

"Elder, what celebration is happening in town?" Su Ying asked curiously.

"The annual embroidered ball matchmaking festival," the old man smiled. "If you wish to hide, you might join the festivities. The crowds make for excellent cover. This is where I leave you. Until we meet again."

"Wait—" Su Ying tried to detain him, but the old man's figure flickered and vanished among the trees, leaving only an ethereal message: "Opportunity will come naturally—don't force it."

Su Ying stood frozen, taking a moment to gather herself. She adjusted her attire, ensuring her male disguise was convincing, before heading toward the town.

Though not as prosperous as Suzhou City, Luochuan Town was currently bustling with activity. Red lanterns hung along both sides of the streets, and the calls of merchants mingled with laughter from visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Blending into the crowd, Su Ying gradually relaxed her tense nerves.

"Have you heard? For this year's matchmaking ceremony, the daughter of Luochuan's wealthiest family, the Zhangs, will personally throw the embroidered ball!"

"What's so special about that? Didn't she do the same last year? And still didn't find her ideal match?"

"This year is different. I heard Miss Zhang has taken a vow—whoever catches the embroidered ball today will be accepted as her husband!"

The surrounding discussions caught Su Ying's attention. She thought to herself: this would make excellent cover. If she could mix with the spectators, her pursuers would struggle to find her among the sea of people, even if they traced her to this location.

Following the flow of people, Su Ying arrived at the town square. In the center stood a high platform adorned with colorful ribbons, creating a festive atmosphere. Below, numerous young men had gathered, all hoping to try their luck.

"Young brother, are you here to test your fortune too?" A similarly dressed young man patted Su Ying's shoulder.

Startled, Su Ying quickly lowered her head to avoid eye contact. "No, I'm just here to watch."

"Then stand beside me—the view is excellent from here!" the man offered enthusiastically.

Su Ying nodded but quietly stepped back a few paces, finding a less conspicuous position. She surveyed her surroundings, confirming no Zhao family pursuers were present, which somewhat eased her mind.

As darkness fell, lanterns around the square were lit, adding warmth to the evening in Luochuan Town. A drumroll silenced the crowd as all eyes turned toward the platform.

A plump woman, presumably Madam Zhang, walked onto the stage with a beaming smile. "Thank you all for coming! Today, my daughter seeks a husband by throwing the embroidered ball, looking only for a sincere heart, regardless of social status. Now, I present my daughter!"

Amid cheers, a young woman in a red dress slowly ascended the platform. Even from a distance, Su Ying could tell that Miss Zhang was beautiful and carried herself with grace. She held an exquisitely embroidered red ball, scanning the crowd as if searching for her ideal match.

"Miss Zhang is about to throw the ball!" A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.

Su Ying stood still, watching the spectacle before her, reminded that she had fled home precisely to escape such arranged marriages. While lost in thought, a sudden commotion arose from the crowd.

"It's the Zhao family's men!" "Why are they here?"

Su Ying's heart tightened as she quickly retreated deeper into the crowd. Through the gaps between people, she spotted several Zhao family servants searching at the periphery, clearly having tracked her to Luochuan Town.

"Damn it!" Su Ying cursed under her breath, desperately seeking an escape route. Leaving now would only draw attention. The only option was to remain hidden in the crowd and wait for an opportunity.

At that moment, Miss Zhang on the platform raised the embroidered ball, ready to throw it. All eyes focused on her, including the Zhao family servants, temporarily distracted by the scene.

"This is my chance!" Su Ying thought, seizing the opportunity to quietly move toward the other side of the crowd.

But at that precise moment, the unexpected occurred.

"She threw it! Miss Zhang threw the ball!" The crowd erupted in cheers.

Su Ying instinctively looked up to see the red ball tracing a graceful arc, flying toward her location. Young men around her raised their hands, eager to catch it.

Not good! Su Ying inwardly panicked. If the ball landed near her, it would draw everyone's attention, revealing her presence with unimaginable consequences.

In desperation, she swung her hand forcefully, attempting to redirect the ball elsewhere.

"Whack!"

She did hit the ball, but the direction was completely opposite to what she intended. Instead of flying elsewhere, the ball headed toward a quiet corner where a young man stood.

"Thump!"

The ball struck him squarely in the chest.

The entire gathering fell silent as all eyes turned toward the young man who had been hit.

Su Ying couldn't help but look back as well.

He appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in coarse cloth, covered in wood shavings—clearly a carpenter. With sharp eyebrows and a straight posture, he now stared confusedly at the embroidered ball on his chest, seemingly unaware of what had just happened.

"A hit! The ball hit someone!" Someone shouted, and the crowd immediately erupted.

"It's that carpenter!" "Miss Zhang chose a carpenter?"

On the platform, Madam Zhang's expression changed dramatically. She hurriedly whispered something to her daughter, but Miss Zhang firmly shook her head and descended from the platform, walking directly toward the carpenter.

Su Ying suddenly remembered her predicament and quickly lowered her head to avoid attention, preparing to slip away in the commotion. However, just as she turned, she came face-to-face with one of the Zhao family servants!

The servant was startled momentarily, then exclaimed with delight: "Found her! Miss Su is here!"

Terrible! Su Ying's heart raced as she tried to escape, only to discover herself surrounded by Zhao family servants. Just as she was about to be captured, a sudden inspiration struck. She pointed at the carpenter hit by the ball and shouted:

"Misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding! I knocked the ball away—it has nothing to do with this gentleman!"

Her declaration caused an uproar.

Even the carpenter was stunned, looking confusedly toward Su Ying.

Miss Zhang also froze before angrily demanding: "Who are you? How dare you interfere with my marriage fate?"

"I..." Su Ying was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain.

During this awkward moment, a resonant voice called out from the crowd:

"Oh my, isn't this my apprentice? Causing trouble again?"

Everyone turned to see an old man who had somehow appeared beside the carpenter, looking at Su Ying with exasperated fondness.

Su Ying immediately recognized him as the mysterious elder from the mountain cave!

The old man patted the carpenter's shoulder and smiled. "Young Lu, you're a fortunate one, being hit by the embroidered ball. According to tradition, this marriage is heaven-ordained and cannot be declined!"

The carpenter—addressed as "Young Lu"—appeared even more confused. He looked at the old man, then at Miss Zhang in the distance, finally resting his gaze on Su Ying, his eyes full of bewilderment.

The scene descended into chaos. The Zhang family insisted that the ball had hit the carpenter, sealing the marriage fate; the Zhao family servants maintained that Su Ying was their target, allowing no interference; meanwhile, the old man stood by with an amused smile, observing everything unfold.

Su Ying knew she must escape immediately or face dire consequences. She quietly approached the carpenter called Young Lu and whispered: "Sir, might I have a word in private? This matter is serious—I need your help."

Young Lu looked at her, and despite his confusion, gave a slight nod.

While the argument continued, Su Ying suddenly shouted: "I admit it! I knocked the ball off course, and I'll take responsibility!"

This outburst redirected everyone's attention toward her. Seizing the opportunity, Su Ying grabbed Young Lu's sleeve, and they slipped into the dense crowd, quickly disappearing into the night.

Behind them, the angry shouts of the Zhao family servants and the questioning calls of the Zhang family gradually faded.

In a small alley of Luochuan Town, Su Ying pulled Young Lu along quickly until she was certain no one had followed. Only then did she release a sigh of relief, leaning against a wall to catch her breath.

"Why... did you bring me along in your escape?" Young Lu finally spoke, his voice deep and gentle, quite fitting for a carpenter.

Su Ying looked up, and in the dim moonlight, truly saw for the first time the young man she had inadvertently implicated. His face had distinct features, with a brow that conveyed steadiness and determination, utterly unlike an ordinary carpenter.

Strangely, she felt this face seemed familiar, yet couldn't recall where she might have seen it before.

"I have difficulties I cannot explain, and had no choice but to act as I did. I beg your understanding," Su Ying bowed with clasped hands, deciding to maintain her male disguise for now.

Young Lu shook his head. "No matter. I had no interest in the embroidered ball ceremony anyway. But you seem to have considerable troubles."

"Indeed," Su Ying smiled bitterly. "Those people won't give up easily. I fear I must leave Luochuan Town as soon as possible."

Young Lu pondered for a moment before suggesting: "Why not come to my carpentry shop for temporary shelter? It's secluded with few visitors—should be safe."

Su Ying considered this idea with interest, but another thought gave her pause: "But wouldn't that cause trouble for you?"

"It's a small gesture," Young Lu smiled warmly. "Come, it's getting late. If we don't return soon, my master will worry."

Thus, an accidental misdirection of an embroidered ball connected two people whose paths should never have crossed. Yet at this moment, Su Ying had no inkling of the mysterious past hidden behind this seemingly ordinary carpenter's apprentice...