Chapter 4

Chapter 4

After hearing the whole story, Madam Jiang, seated upright in the place of honor, covered her lips with a handkerchief and gave a soft cough. “This was an oversight on my part. Mama Lu, untie her at once.”

Fu Qiu flexed her arms, which had gone numb from being bound. Knowing better than to overdo things, she did not try to claim credit or ask for a reward. After thanking Madam Jiang, she made to leave.

But Madam Jiang said, “Wait a moment, young lady. If not for you today, once Yunxi had left the estate, she might truly have been abducted.

“Yunxi, come here. Thank her.”

The little girl blinked, then performed a rather imperfect gesture of thanks.

Fu Qiu dipped in return, only to see the little girl wrinkle her nose and make a face at her where Madam Jiang could not see.

It seemed Miss Yunxi had not wandered off by accident. She had deliberately shaken off the servants and run outside.

Fu Qiu straightened and said to Madam Jiang, “The path ends where white clouds lie; spring lingers long beside the clear stream.

“May I ask if the young lady’s name was taken from the poem Que Ti?”

Madam Jiang asked in surprise, “You are versed in poetry and books?”

Of course she had learned poetry and books in the brothel.

A cultured courtesan could fetch a higher price.

Fu Qiu lowered her eyes and said humbly, “Only a little.”

Madam Jiang asked, puzzled, “Then why have you come to my household to work as a servant?”

No wonder she asked.

A family that allowed its daughter to study would certainly not be poor.

Madam Jiang did not think in any improper direction. She was either a good person, or someone who had been very well protected.

Fu Qiu spun another story for herself, one of a fallen family and a drifting, rootless life. Madam Jiang’s eyes filled with pity as she listened.

Perhaps it was because Fu Qiu had died once, or perhaps the blood in this living corpse was cold, but now she could lie without blushing or batting an eye. She was entirely different from the old Fu Qiu, who had been weak, honest, obedient, and easy to bully.

To show closeness, Madam Jiang took her hand and asked, “Yunxi is just about to move into her own courtyard. Would you be willing to go and look after her?”

Fu Qiu blinked. She truly could not squeeze out any tears, so she could only give a delighted smile.

“Madam, I will never forget your great kindness.”

Miss Yunxi, however, did not look especially pleased.

But she had just caused trouble and did not dare bargain with her mother again. When no one was paying attention, she glared fiercely at Fu Qiu.

Fu Qiu did not call her out. She merely curled her lips into a sinister smile, frightening Yunxi so badly that she buried herself in her mother’s arms.

Madam Jiang gently patted Yunxi’s back and coaxed her in a soft voice.

Fu Qiu remembered that when that wicked bastard, so vile he practically smoked with it, had performed bone-weighing on her, she had been this afraid too. And her own mother had held her in her arms just like this, soothing her over and over.

“Nannan, my little Nannan.”

From that moment on, her memories of warmth came to an abrupt end.

Fu Qiu looked outside. The setting sun burned the edge of the sky blood-red.