The osmanthus trees cast deep shade, their buds yet to bloom.
Li Qu stopped in the cool shade, and Chang San, walking ahead, halted as well, turning to look at her.
She smiled faintly. The blazing sun filtered through gaps in the leaves, swaying in the breeze, yet it revealed not the slightest flaw on her face. Her skin, cold-white as a peeled egg, bore a faint flush—no doubt from being made to kneel in the sun as punishment.
Beautiful eyes, gleaming teeth, a face that could topple cities.
Chang San stole only a single glance before lowering his eyes in shame.
He seemed to know that Li Qu was unwilling to be his wife, and for once he spoke up in his own defense: “Third Master’s orders cannot be defied.”
Who does not love beauty?
A single sentence had already left him drenched in sweat, feeling utterly hideous.
Not only was his face ugly—his heart felt even uglier, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Li Qu walked calmly toward the main kitchen.
“Brother Chang San, to be honest with you, my brother-in-law Zhao Lianqing is the magistrate of Wan County, and he is on good terms with the Heir of Prince Yan, Xiao Cong.”
“The Zhou family naturally has no fear of my brother-in-law, but if you intend to use a chicken feather as an imperial edict—to wield trivial authority against me—you had better think carefully. If my brother-in-law presses the matter, can the Chang family emerge unscathed from his hands?”
“And even if you step back and use Third Master Zhou as your shield, if my brother-in-law seeks the Heir of Prince Yan’s intervention, would the Zhou family really, for the sake of a mere household slave like you, risk offending the Prince Yan’s residence?”
Every word from Li Qu struck straight at Chang San’s heart.
“If I offend the Zhou family, He County will be no place for me. But your parents both serve in the Zhou residence, and you have no brothers. Even if you were freed from servitude, you couldn’t abandon your parents and follow me to Wan County.”
As she spoke, Li Qu lifted her foot and resumed walking.
The two talked as they walked, and this time Chang San followed behind her.
He stared at her heels, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Li Qu slowed her pace to let him catch up.
Seeing him fall in step, she turned her head to look at him: “Help me leave the Zhou residence, and I will give you a thousand taels of silver.”
“With that money, whether you wish to take a wife or concubines, or buy property, you’ll be set for life.”
“Besides, I am skilled at treating skin. The freckles on the Third Young Lady’s face were improved by my remedy. I can give you healthy skin in return.”
Chang San stopped abruptly and looked up at Li Qu.
He was not ashamed of being a slave, nor of hauling manure—he was ashamed only of his face, covered in red, blotchy sores.
God knew how desperately he longed for a normal face!
He was tempted.
Seeing this, Li Qu knew she had won Chang San over, and her heart eased. She lifted her chin and smiled, gesturing for him to follow: “Come, let’s see your parents. This will require their help as well.”
Li Qu already had a flawless plan for her escape in mind.
With the pressure of becoming Li Qu’s husband lifted, Chang San seemed more talkative.
He asked: “Why won’t you be Third Master’s concubine?”
Whether it was the lightness of nearing her escape from the Zhou residence, or her utter disgust at the Zhou family’s practice of forcibly seizing women, Li Qu cast all caution about “walls having ears” to the winds. Quickening her pace, she spat out in fury: “He’s not worthy!”
Behind a lush thicket of flowers and small trees, on another forked path just a step away, Zhou Jin glanced toward the direction from which the voice had faded, then shifted his gaze back to the tearful woman before him. He looked her up and down, his eyes finally settling on her face.
He spoke critically: “You’re far inferior to her.”
He decided to change his mind.
Lu Yanyan was overwhelmed with shame and indignation. “Third Cousin, I am your own cousin, from a respectable family with a clear background. Even if offering myself to you is improper, I am still far more solid a match than others.
Aunt means the same. Even setting aside family ties, Cousin shouldn’t compare me to some plaything who trades on her looks!”
With that, she turned and ran off crying.
When Li Qu arrived at the main kitchen, everyone there was congratulating Mother Chang on the good fortune in her family.
But Mother Chang’s smile was uneasy.
Li Qu’s “glorious achievements” had long since spread throughout the entire Zhou household.
A woman whom even Third Master disdained and who dared to deceive the Old Madam—her family could hardly afford to get involved!
And when she heard that Li Qu wanted a sham marriage with Chang San as a way to leave the Zhou household, Mother Chang’s head throbbed even worse.
This time, Li Qu tried courtesy before force: “The weather is hot, and my mother is pregnant, so I’ll have to stay in He County for at least half a month before leaving.
During that time, I can first help Brother Chang San treat his skin condition.”
Chang San’s skin was a matter of constant worry for the whole family.
Before, Chang San had taken a fancy to a kitchen maid who tended the stove. The girl was ordinary-looking.
But upon hearing that Chang San was interested in her, the very next day she married a widower ten years her senior.
She would rather be someone’s stepmother than Chang San’s wife.
If Chang San’s face were healed, with their family’s circumstances, what good bride would be beyond his reach?
Mother Chang was tempted, but felt that secretly defying Third Master carried too great a risk.
Li Qu smiled faintly. “Aunt Chang, one of the guarantors for my brother-in-law’s civil examination entry was Xiao Cong, the heir of Beiyan. This can be verified.”
Mother Chang gritted her teeth. “Five thousand taels. But if the masters pursue this matter…”
“Which is why the wedding should be sooner rather than later,” Li Qu said unhurriedly.
“Once the wedding night is past, the Old Madam won’t want me to be Third Master Zhou’s concubine anymore.”
“And Third Master Zhou has no taste for watching others’ wedding nights.”
“In this way, the matter is settled.”
“At the same time, Aunt Chang, you can take this opportunity to request the favor of manumission.”
“Then Brother Chang San and I can move out of the Zhou household, which will make it easier for me to come and go to prepare his medicine.”
“Since I’ve offended the masters of the Zhou household, staying out of their sight will naturally mean fewer accidents.”
Mother Chang glanced at her son’s face and agreed. “Five thousand taels! But if you break your word, Miss, we’ll report to the masters at once!”
“Mm. I have no wish to provoke the Zhou family, so naturally I’ll honor my promise.” Just as Li Qu finished speaking, an acquaintance from the kitchen came to the rear building looking for Mother Chang.
“Aunt Chang, Nanny Xu from Third Master’s courtyard has sent wedding items, with word that tonight there’ll be a wedding for Concubine Li, and she asks you to come over.”
Mother Chang was startled. “So soon?”
Li Qu raised an eyebrow.
It seemed she was not the only one unwilling to follow the Old Madam’s arrangements.
“Aunt Chang, since the masters have given orders, you should go attend to it.”
The visitor, seeing Li Qu, smiled and bowed to her, then said, “We also ask that you come along, Madam. A makeup artist has come to do your bridal makeup.”
Mother Chang and Li Qu exchanged a look, and Li Qu asked, “Where is the makeup to be done?”
“Nanny Xu said, in Xiuyan Pavilion, right next to the main kitchen.”
Li Qu felt a wave of relief. She had thought Zhou Jin had gone back on his word, but it seemed he intended to personally bring about her marriage to Chang San.
Very good.
Chang San went to find Father Chang and explain the whole story.
Li Qu and Mother Chang went to see Nanny Xu.
This time, Nanny Xu did not nag when she saw Li Qu.
Li Qu maintained proper courtesy and cooperated with Nanny Xu’s arrangements—washing, changing clothes, having her makeup done.
Looking at the gold-and-jade hairpin inserted in her hair, Li Qu said doubtfully, “This hairpin is far too precious.”
“It was bestowed by the Master.” Nanny Xu’s manner was no longer as eager as before—much calmer and more detached.
Seeing that Nanny Xu did not wish to talk, Li Qu said nothing more.
Inside Xiuyan Pavilion, red lanterns hung high.
Li Qu, dressed in ordinary clothes with a red veil covering her head, sat on the bed scattered with longan and red dates, quietly waiting for Chang San to arrive.
She felt that her makeup today looked rather lovely.
Still, thinking of how Chang San didn’t dare look at her, she wasn’t afraid that he would be overcome with lust upon seeing her.
And if he did get any ideas, she had a hairpin to stab him with!
There seemed to be clamor outside—probably the kitchen staff drinking wine.
Li Qu knew the Chang family were respectable servants, and now that the Master was giving them face, some festivity was only proper.
She thought that after tonight, the predicament of the Zhou family of Hezhou would be resolved.
Once she left the Zhou residence and confirmed that Mother’s health was not seriously harmed, they could set a date for Wan County.
Once in Wan County, everything would be settled.
At the thought, she couldn’t help but smile.
Eldest Sister said she had found a suitor for Second Sister—the scholarly type Second Sister liked. Barring surprises, next year they would no longer have to pay the tax levied on Second Sister for being past marriageable age and unwed.
All good things.
The more she thought, the lighter her heart grew. When the veil was lifted, she did not immediately look up at Chang San, only saying, “Today is the wedding; tomorrow we will likely have to pay respects to Third Master Zhou.”
“At that time, I will raise the matter of having you freed from servitude.”
Mother Chang would beg the Old Madam, and she would beg Third Master Zhou—if one door doesn’t open, another will; at worst, they could wait until year’s end.
Li Qu’s gaze slowly came into focus. Before her eyes was a brocade robe embroidered with golden crabapple blossoms.
She abruptly looked up—and met Zhou Jin’s deep, cold eyes.
In an instant, the memories Li Qu had deliberately suppressed came surging forth.
In the pavilion in the rear courtyard of the Hezhou government office, Li Qu had watched with her own eyes as this very man slit the throat of a beautiful young girl with a dagger.
Blood spurted out, splattering across this man’s jade-smooth cheek—like painted plum blossoms, eerie and terrifying.
Li Qu felt goosebumps shudder across her whole body, as if she had been happily picnicking in a safe outdoor spot and suddenly realized she was being stalked by a lurking cold-blooded beast—her heart nearly stopped.
Her throat swallowed involuntarily. Before she could speak, her chin was seized by fingers cold as icy jade.
“Whether you’re worthy or not is not for you to decide.”
“Li, keep those little sharp teeth of yours in check—otherwise, this Master will have your nine generations executed by slow slicing.”
(Omitted: ten thousand words of content that failed review)