Chapter 2
The next morning, Aunt Tanxi arrived with word that the Old Madam wished to see me.
I asked Tanxi why the Old Madam had summoned me.
Her face cold, she dipped into a curtsy. “You will know when you get there, miss.”
Inside the room, smoke curled from a gilded animal-shaped censer, filling the air with sandalwood.
An old woman with silver hair sat in a chair, commanding respect without the slightest show of anger.
This, I presumed, was the Old Madam of the Xie family.
I dropped to my knees, made a deep obeisance, and offered my greetings.
She did not tell me to rise. She merely turned the prayer beads in her hand.
Only when my knees had gone numb did a voice finally sound above my head.
“You may rise.”
Clenching my teeth, I endured the pain and pushed myself up.
But my knees hurt so badly that I could barely stand.
The Old Madam gave a soft snort. “You cannot even kneel properly, yet you dare dream of becoming mistress of the Xie household?”
Her voice was robust and carried considerable authority.
I understood that she meant to put me in my place.
No sooner had I straightened than I dropped back to my knees with a thud.
“The Old Madam sees clearly. This servant is frail, unworthy, and lowborn. How would I dare covet the impossible?”
The Old Madam saw my fear, and the desperate hope of survival within it.
“At least you know your place.”
I did not answer. She continued,
“You cared for Qingheng for three years. By rights, you might even be called the Xie family’s savior.”
“Tell me. What reward do you want?”
I bowed my head lower.
“This servant only did what she ought to have done.”
I swallowed. “But if the Old Madam insists on rewarding me, then please grant me a thousand taels and set me free.”
The Old Madam burst out laughing, as though she had heard something terribly amusing.
“A thousand taels, and your freedom as well?”
She rose.
With every step, her cane struck the floor once.
Each blow seemed to land upon my heart.
At last, her exquisitely embroidered shoes stopped before me.
“Someone as lowborn as you—what makes you think you are worthy?”
My breath caught in shock.
To people like them, that sum was insignificant.
Could the Old Madam truly be so miserly that she would deny me even this little?
“Qingheng pleaded with me for a long time. Once the Xiang bride enters the household, he wants to take you as his bedchamber maid.”
“That honor alone is a gift beyond anything you deserve. What more could you possibly want?”
So that was why he had cared so much about Duke Xiang last night. He intended to marry the man’s daughter.
What a masterful calculation.
But Xie Qingheng—
there was a gulf between a principal wife and a bedchamber maid.
If you could never give me what you promised, why make the promise at all?
Was it because I cared for you for three years without showing desire,
so you dangled the offer before me merely to see whether I would fall into your trap?
I raised my head and met the Old Madam’s piercing gaze.
“Old Madam, not everyone dreams of climbing into noble society. This servant has no wish to become anyone’s bedchamber maid. I want only a quiet, ordinary life.”
Perhaps she had asked the question merely in passing.
It had never occurred to her that someone as lowly as I might make a genuine request.
People born so high above others took everything for granted.
They never thought to ask whether anyone else was willing.
“I know my lord harbors great ambitions. If I truly remain, I will only deepen the discord between him and Lady Xiang.”
“I beg the Old Madam to show mercy. I swear I will never set foot in the capital again for as long as I live.”
The Old Madam’s gaze faltered.
After weighing the advantages and risks, she finally spoke.
“Tanxi, withdraw five thousand taels.”
“In three days, you will have your freedom.”
I let out a breath.
Only three days. I could wait.