Lu Wanrong hurried into the house and took a piece of cloth from the desk while the servant girl quickly ground some ink. She dipped the brush and began to write furiously.0

Having heard of our ancestor's passing, I am filled with extreme anxiety and fear. Our family has lost its support, and I fear we cannot protect the two mountains— Huaqian and Tiaoyun. I urge senior clan brother to lead our family eastward, either to Mushroom Forest Plain or the prefecture, and offer the two mountains to the Li Family. Leave by dawn to ensure our family's survival. If you hesitate and delay, disaster will strike us overnight… and it will be too late for regrets!0

Pausing briefly with her hand hovering mid-air, Lu Wanrong looked at the tear-streaked face of her servant who had come with her as part of her dowry.1

Her voice was trembling when...0