Jiang Jiang recalled the situation. Damn it, the indenture contract had already been signed, just yesterday. No wonder the original owner had jumped into the river in despair.
She forced a smile onto her face. "Yes."
Seeing her obedience, Nanny Zhang's expression softened somewhat. She called over two maidservants to carry her through the side gate of the Xu residence.
The Xu family was a well-known wealthy household in town, famous throughout the surrounding villages. The one in charge was Xu Wangcai.
After the Madam Xu passed away, Xu Wangcai began taking concubines, one after another. Jiang Jiang was his seventh.
This rotten world, this rotten man—was he trying to collect the Seven Fairies?
Seven concubines, huh? He really wasn't afraid of dying from exhaustion one day, dead on top of a woman's belly!
Jiang Jiang grumbled inwardly, but not a trace of it showed on her face.
She glanced at her own body—thin as a beanpole, skin stretched over a skeleton frame, swaying with every step. A slightly stronger gust of wind would probably blow her two miles away.
Before she recovered her strength, she couldn't take on anyone. To survive, she'd have to lie low and stay put in the Xu residence for now.
The Xu family was preparing to flee from famine, and as a concubine, she'd have to go along. Once she found the indenture contract, she'd look for a chance to run on her own.
With that thought, she was carried into a side room.
Though the room wasn't large and the decor was plain, it was far better than the woodshed she'd lived in back in Dali Village.
The maidservant changed the bedding and lit some incense. Before long, a pleasant fragrance filled the room.
The candles had been swapped for red ones, a double happiness character was pasted on the window, and even the plates on the table held peanuts, red dates, and longan.
Though simple, it was indeed the setup for a wedding night.
Jiang Jiang felt a mix of emotions. She'd struggled for five years in the post-apocalypse, her mind consumed with survival—no time to think about love or romance.
Now, having transmigrated in an instant, it was her wedding day, and she was just a concubine!
Sigh…
A maidservant's impatient voice came through. "The young master will be here soon. Serve him well. Don't say I didn't warn you—if you don't please him, he won't come back next time!"
With that, she swayed her hips and left.
Before long, flirtatious voices drifted in from outside.
"Naughty, young master, you should go in now. Tonight is your wedding night—I wouldn't dare delay you."
"No rush. Let me kiss you first, then I'll go in and see her."
"Naughty!"
Ten minutes passed.
Creak.
The door opened.
A young man around five foot seven walked in. His looks were passable—better than average—but his expression was far too lecherous. One glance told you he wasn't anything good.
He looked at Jiang Jiang, a lewd grin spreading across his face. "My little beauty, I'm here!"
With that, he lunged hungrily toward the bed.
Without a second thought, Jiang Jiang sidestepped, dodging out of the way.
This rotten man wanted to touch her body?
He was dreaming!
Bang!
Xu Wangcai slammed headfirst into the headboard.
In this Xu estate, there were several maidservants, six concubines, and no fewer than five male servants.
She couldn't run even if she wanted to, so she couldn't afford to offend Xu Wangcai!
With that in mind, Jiang Jiang immediately put on a tearful expression, frantically searching her mind for an excuse.
Luckily, in the post-apocalypse, she'd often put on acts to survive—otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to bluff her way through this so easily.
Xu Wangcai was originally quite angry, but upon hearing the crying and seeing Jiang Jiang's face—thin yet pretty—his anger faded for the moment.
Under the lamplight, gazing at a beauty only made him more spirited.
He flashed a smile again. "It's fine. This young master is magnanimous and won't hold it against you."
Jiang Jiang looked at him with timid eyes. "Um… Young Master, I've started my period."
Xu Wangcai's expression suddenly darkened, and he stared at her coldly. "Cuizhu, come in!"
"Yes, Young Master, this servant is here."
"Check her. See if she's really on her period!"
Cuizhu grabbed Jiang Jiang and unceremoniously led her to the private washroom at the back. "Take off your pants!"
"Alright." Jiang Jiang remained unhurried, slowly slipping off her long skirt while pulling a small blood pack from her Spatial Dimension.
This was artificial plasma developed by Hope Base, used to lure zombies in the wild. It wasn't expensive, and almost everyone carried one.
Jiang Jiang carefully punctured the packaging with her fingernail, letting the thick plasma soak onto her undergarments, then tucked the remainder back into her Spatial Dimension.
Cuizhu, seeing her dawdle, feared she might be up to some trick and immediately leaned in.
When she saw the large patch of bloodstains on the undergarments, she wrinkled her nose in disgust. "What bad luck. If you're on your period, why didn't you say so?"
"It just started…" Jiang Jiang feigned an awkward smile.
Cuizhu couldn't be bothered to say more. She turned and left the room, leaning close to Xu Wangcai's ear to whisper, "Young Master, she really is on her period…"
Xu Wangcai's expression improved considerably, and his gaze toward Jiang Jiang softened. "Even if you're on your period, it doesn't have to delay our wedding night."
Jiang Jiang froze for a few seconds before reacting, forcing a smile. "This… how could it not be a problem! Young Master, you should head out first."
"In a few days, once I'm feeling better, I promise to give you a wedding night you'll never forget."
With that, Jiang Jiang even tossed him a clumsy, unpolished flirtatious glance.
In a few days—if Xu Wangcai truly dared to come find her again.
She'd hit him with a left hook, then a right hook! Then a monkey stealing bananas move, and send Xu Wangcai off to become a sissy!
Xu Wangcai didn't respond, only giving Cuizhu a meaningful look.
The latter understood, turned, and left, making sure to close the door behind her.
The room fell silent, red candles flickering, adding an inexplicable touch of intimacy.
Xu Wangcai rose, grinning lewdly as he grabbed Jiang Jiang's hand. "It's fine, I don't mind."
"If the bedding gets dirty, we can just change it."
Jiang Jiang's body stiffened. This dog of a man… was he really planning to run a red light?
She yanked her hand back. "Young Master, what are you joking about? With my period… we can't consummate the marriage."
"Who says we can't? It's not like I haven't tried before." Xu Wangcai leaned close to her ear, his hot breath reeking of garlic. "I promise you'll never forget tonight!"
Though Jiang Jiang's body was frail and weak, a surge of rage nearly made her lose control and snap!
She silently drew a dagger from her Spatial Dimension. If it came down to it, she'd have to resort to the last resort!
Kill this bastard first, then flee the Xu household!
Even if this body was on its last legs, she would never allow this dog of a man to touch her even once!
Seeing Jiang Jiang stay silent, Xu Wangcai assumed she'd agreed. He spread his arms wide. "Beauty, don't worry. I'll take good care of you."
Jiang Jiang twisted her wrist, the dagger glinting coldly, hidden in the shadows of her sleeve. If he dared to embrace her, she would dare to stab!
Bang!
At that moment, the door suddenly burst open.
The maidservant's face was pale, her voice panicked, "Young Master, the deep well… the deep well has run dry!"
"Just now, news came from the front courtyard that the Imperial Observatory has declared that the great drought in the north will last three years! Young Master, this is only the first year—what are we going to do?"
"The city gates opened long ago, and everyone has fled to escape the famine. If we stay here any longer…"
Xu Wangcai lost all interest, hastily rising to his feet, "How much stored water is left?"
"Enough… enough for at most a month!"
With the deep well dry, staying any longer would be no different from waiting for death!
Xu Wangcai made his decision immediately, striding toward the door, "While we still have water and grain, pack up at once. We're leaving the city—heading to the prefectural capital!"