Сhарter 2: A’Yuаn Is Sо Тirеd
Whеn Chang Yuan саme to dеliver the сhаrсоаl brаzier, А’Yuаn wаs just аbout to slеep. Chun Tао cаrriеd it in, hеr fасe unаblе tо conсеal hеr delight.
“Thosе snobbish оld women in the frоnt cоurtyаrd dеliberatеly withheld the сhаrсоal meаnt fоr уоu, Mistress. Luсkily, thе young mаster has rеturned. Feаring you might be соld, hе immediаtеly sent Chаng Yuan with thе brаzier.”
Chun Тao hаd a fiеrу tеmpеr and was а servant bоrn аnd rаised in the Marquis’s household. She hаd nеver suffered such humiliаtiоn before.
Shе hаd originally thought that by following a captivating mistress, she would be able to wield influence within the mansion. Little did she expect that her mistress would be so mild-mannered, offending no one, and now even the lowest of the low dared to bully her.
A’Yuan tugged at the corner of her lips. How could she not want to be more assertive? But her status was lowly, and she had no backing behind her. If she truly became arrogant and forgot herself, relying solely on Wei Xun’s favor, her fate would only be worse.
Besides, Wei Xun had no feelings for her.
She was merely a tool to warm his bed twice a month.
A’Yuan lowered her head and rubbed her sore, aching wrist, softly instructing Chun Tao, “Bring me my sewing basket.”
“Mistress, it’s late at night…”
Chun Tao’s expression froze, and she stood there, unwilling to go.
That sewing work shouldn’t have been done by the mistress in the first place. The mansion had embroiderers, so why did the Second Madame insist on giving all the needlework to her mistress?
“It’s fine. I can’t sleep, so I’ll just do a few stitches.”
A’Yuan’s tone remained gentle, but her attitude was firm. Chun Tao knew she couldn’t argue with her, so she could only stomp her foot and turn to fetch it.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t sleep. The Second Madame was in a hurry, and the mistress had already stayed up for three consecutive nights. Today, she had also attended to the young master, and now she must be utterly exhausted.
Chun Tao sniffled, her nose tingling with bitterness, feeling even more aggrieved on behalf of her mistress.
Why was it that the concubines in the Second Master’s quarters lived in comfort and luxury, while her mistress suffered grievances everywhere? If she told the young master, the Second Madame would surely rein in her behavior.
But every time she tried to complain, her mistress would stop her, wearing an expression of sternness she had never seen before.
Her mistress had said that if she dared to complain, she would be driven out of Jade Clarity Courtyard.
She had pledged her loyalty to her mistress three years ago, so she naturally didn’t dare to go. She could only watch helplessly as her mistress endured the mistreatment.
Chun Tao fetched the sewing basket and turned up the wick of the lamp a little brighter. She then brought a small stool and sat by the bed, accompanying her mistress as she sewed.
The little maid puffed out her cheeks, her expression indignant. A’Yuan swallowed the words urging her to rest, stood up, and draped a fur-collared cloak over her. “Then help me sort the threads.”
Although Chun Tao was still angry, her hands obeyed. She huffily straightened the embroidery threads.
A’Yuan glanced at her twice, afraid she might feel embarrassed or annoyed, and quickly turned her head away, though the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
At least in this vast mansion, she still had Chun Tao by her side.
The window was slightly ajar, and the candlelight flickered in the breeze, casting the shadows of the mistress and her maid onto the windowpane.
A’Yuan had learned Su embroidery, known for its lively needlework and meticulous craftsmanship, and she was most skilled at embroidering flowers and birds.
Since she entered Yangzhou’s Spring Mist Pavilion at the age of five, she had been learning embroidery for ten years.
Spring Mist Pavilion trained Thin Horses not only in appearance but also in skills. However, most Thin Horses chose talents like singing and dancing—skills that relied on their looks to serve others—unable to endure the hardship of embroidery. In the end, only A’Yuan persisted.
She lowered her head and picked up the half-embroidered sock. The Second Madame, Zhao Wan, liked peonies and had specifically instructed that all her clothes and socks be embroidered with them.
Peony petals were intricate, with many colors, and each flower required half a day of her effort.
A’Yuan had originally wanted to delay a bit, but the news of Wei Xun sending the charcoal brazier today would soon reach the ears of the Second Household.Now that the Second Mistress is in charge of the household, the reduction of charcoal must be her doing. As Wei Xun’s sister-in-law, she naturally wouldn’t dare confront him after he had embarrassed her, but she would certainly find ways to make things difficult for A’Yuan.
A’Yuan disliked trouble. She would rather endure hardship herself to avoid leaving any evidence than cause a disturbance that might reach Wei Xun.
Three years ago, when she first entered Jade Clarity Courtyard, Wei Xun had already warned her. Even today, she remembered the man’s cold tone.
“Since you’ve entered the household, behave yourself. Serve Mother well and be respectful to your elder brother and sister-in-law. I am busy with official duties and have no time to deal with your troubles.”
At that time, A’Yuan was nearly fifteen, still harboring the romantic fantasies of a young girl. Wei Xun was a rare handsome gentleman in the capital, and A’Yuan was delighted to become his concubine.
But Wei Xun’s words felt like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, completely extinguishing her romantic notions.
For three years, she had been cautious and careful, treading on thin ice in the marquis’s household. No matter how much she suffered, she never thought of troubling Wei Xun.
She had nothing, but she could still guard her heart.
The master and servant worked through half the night before finishing all six sets of clothes and socks.
The moment she put away the needle and thread, A’Yuan felt dizzy and her vision darkened. She nearly fell off the bed, but Chun Tao was there to support her.
“Why must you do this, Mistress? It would only take a word to the Young Master…”
The little maid was exasperated, but A’Yuan forced a faint smile and said nothing. “It’s late. Go to sleep. I’ll be fine after a rest.”
Her past life had been much harder than this. Now, just staying up for two nights made her body feel delicate.
A’Yuan felt a pang of self-mockery. Compared to Chun Tao’s anger, she truly didn’t feel wronged.
Being able to live peacefully now was already enough for her.
Chun Tao massaged her temples for a while and only left when she saw A’Yuan’s complexion had improved.
The candle was extinguished, the door closed, and the room returned to silence.
Exhausted from the day’s work, A’Yuan had forced herself to finish the embroidery. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep.
But her dreams were restless, filled with blazing flames and the sound of weeping and wailing.
Father Xie and Mother Xie lay on the ground with arrows piercing their chests. A’Yuan, only five years old, threw herself over them, crying until her voice grew hoarse.
“Father… Mother…”
With her last breath, Mother Xie pushed her away. “A’Yuan, run. Promise Mother… survive.”
Before she could finish, another arrow shot from the distance struck Mother Xie’s heart. Blood sprayed onto A’Yuan’s face, blinding and scalding.
She froze, watching as horses approached in the distance. Her feet felt as if nailed to the ground, unable to move.
But her mother’s words echoed in her ears. A’Yuan had no time for grief or fear. She forced herself to flee, but how could a five-year-old child outrun galloping horses? Soon, she was caught by bandits and thrown onto a horse’s back.
A bandit roughly wiped the blood from her face. Seeing A’Yuan’s appearance, his eyes lit up.
“What a beautiful girl! She’ll fetch a good price!”
In times of chaos, women were commodities, and brothels were the highest bidders.
A’Yuan was sold into Misty Rain Pavilion, becoming a lamb awaiting sale, to be raised and sold to new customers.
During her ten years as a Thin Horse, A’Yuan always remembered her mother’s words: no matter how hard or painful, she must survive.
But even the strongest endurance has its limits.
The fire at the Xie household and the whips and cold water of Misty Rain Pavilion alternated in her dreams. A’Yuan curled up under the blanket, tears soaking her pillow.”Mother, A’Yuan is so tired of living.”
“A’Yuan wants to go home…”