“Girl, I’m not trying to lecture you, but look at you—always cooped up inside the house. How can that be good? Getting some exercise will make your body healthier and stronger, you know?” As her older brother, I naturally had to show a bit of authority and presence. After all, I’m a transmigrator—can’t have myself wandering around without even a little sidekick, right? That would be way too lame.

After all, I’m still young. My body is only at the development stage of a sixteen-year-old, a bona fide virgin boy. More exercise means better physical development. Of course, my little sister has to come along for a stroll too. Young girls should also get some proper exercise.

Staying in the room all day writing and drawing, with no extracurricular physical activity at all, will seriously affect the health and development of children and teenagers. As a fellow transmigrator, my sister should develop in all areas—morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor—just like me, and become an outstanding talent useful to society.

And Benjamin Lincoln still stuck to me like a shadow, never leaving my side. Looking at this sturdy young man, at least 1.85 to 1.9 meters tall, I gloomily measured my own height, which couldn’t be more than 1.7 meters. I was speechless—people really can’t be compared; the gap is just too big. “Benjamin, my sister and I are going for a stroll in the back garden. If there’s nothing urgent, you don’t need to follow.”

“That won’t do.” Benjamin Lincoln shook his head rapidly. “My dad and madam both told me to stick close to you these days, young master. Your health is weak—if anything happens again, my dad would probably break my legs.”

Looking at that stubborn face, I could only wave my hand in resignation. “Fine, if you like following, then follow.” Honestly, having such a huge bodyguard is pretty cool. Unfortunately, we’re inside the residence, so no one can see how impressive it is.

Hmm, although it looks a bit desolate and rundown, the courtyard, still full of classical Chinese architectural charm, is truly captivating. At least for me, a Tang Dynasty fan from the future, being able to see the architecture of this era with my own eyes and touch it—there’s just no way to describe that happiness in words.

Benjamin Lincoln sneakily leaned over to my sister and whispered, “...What’s the young master doing now? Look, he’s always scratching the pillar.”

Hearing this, I almost broke my own fingernail, black lines of frustration all over my face. What kind of person is this? What do you mean, scratching the pillar? I am, after all, a dignified gentleman, a future renowned prime minister, a famous minister of the great Tang dynasty, destined to be remembered for ages. I’m not going crazy or feeling resentful—why would I imitate mammals scratching pillars?

“I don’t think so. My brother is just feeling the paint on the pillar. Maybe he thinks it’s too old.” My sister’s answer finally gave me a bit of comfort—at least she’s looking at things from an aesthetic point of view. Unlike Benjamin Lincoln, who compares my act of feeling the weight and history of the past to the unconscious behavior of animals.

I turned my head and glared fiercely at Benjamin Lincoln, but unfortunately, whether his eyesight is bad or his skin is just thick, he still stood there with a simple, honest smile. My sister, on the other hand, came over and asked softly with concern, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just that being here made me think of our home. I wonder how things are there.” I sighed lightly. Although our uncle treats the three of us like family, the problem is, after all, we’re living in a relative’s house. No matter what, it’s never as comfortable as living in your own home.

“Don’t think too much, brother. Uncle said that once you’re capable, mother won’t stop you. When that time comes, you can take back what belongs to you.” My sister reached out, gently tugged my sleeve, and spoke softly. Her eyes were full of trust and admiration.

“Exactly. As long as you give the word, young master, I could even bring you their heads.” Benjamin Lincoln’s deep voice came over, his towering figure standing tall. On that young, honest face was a kind of persistence—called loyalty.

“Yeah, I will. That’s a must.” I gently patted my sister’s hand, the corners of my mouth lifting as I gave them a confident smile. Looking at the lush spring scenery, isn’t it just like the starting point of my journey in this time and space?

As for that arranged marriage, with that family’s ugly faces—even if his sister looked like a beautiful peony, I wouldn’t be interested. As someone from the twenty-first century, born in the new society, raised under the red flag, educated in patriotism, and tested by the Young Pioneers, the Communist Youth League, and the Communist Party, as a youth of the new era, I naturally yearn for free love, for freedom in marriage, for... Well, anyway, I crossed over with a heart determined to break the old ways.

As an outstanding, passionate youth of the twenty-first century, free from low and vulgar tastes, I must hold high the banner against arranged marriages and against the old feudal view of marriage that ignores men’s and women’s pursuit of free love and their own values. Advocate late marriage and late childbirth? Uh... getting married in my twenties would really let down my late father and my mother, who eagerly hopes I’ll settle down and start a family soon.