Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Changle must have said a lot of good things about me.

Over the last few days, Zhou Yuqing has been exceptionally kind to me. He’s been generous with his money and has even cut back on his sharp-tongued remarks.

When I walked, he was in such a good mood that he rewarded me with one tael of silver.

When I ate, he waved his hand and rewarded me with three taels.

When I was lost in thought, he rewarded me with five taels, all while smiling broadly.

Seeing my stunned expression, Zhou Yuqing asked tentatively, “Cough, summer is almost here. I could use a new set of clothes.

“But clothes take time to make, and you’re so clumsy that I’m afraid you won’t finish in time. A fan pendant, a jade belt cord-anything is fine, really. As long as it’s a sincere gesture from you, I suppose I could reluctantly accept…”

I didn’t quite understand what he meant by that.

But lately, Zhou Yuqing has been happy, showing a pleasant face to everyone he meets.

According to Changle, Zhou Yuqing is going to the capital next month to seek medical treatment.

Apparently, the Young Master’s Uncle Zhou, who is a high-ranking official in the capital, found a wandering divine physician. The physician is staying in the capital for a short while and can examine Zhou Yuqing. Perhaps he can even cure his lame leg.

That day, I finally saved up twenty taels of silver and rushed off to find Zou Bo’an.

Before I left, Changle busied himself giving me instructions: “There were reports of bandits and rebels in the neighboring town just a few days ago, so you must be careful.

“Come back early. Today is the Young Master’s birthday, and he’s definitely waiting to eat with you.”

After saying that, Changle added with a mysterious smile, “The Young Master didn’t want me to tell you, but there’s a huge surprise waiting for you!”

I’ll definitely be back early. Once I give the money to Zou Bo’an and explain everything to him, I’ll come back to eat with you all.

The Zou Family school was bustling with people coming to offer congratulations and gifts.

They were celebrating Teacher Chen’s return to teaching and Young Master Zou, Zou Bo’an, taking over the family business.

Surrounded by people, Zou Bo’an saw me waving at him and quickly squeezed through the crowd to stand before me, his smile gentle as ever. “Ah, it’s Miss Grape. Is there something you need?”

I thought for a moment and asked nervously, “Young Master Zou, last time I asked if you were married…”

Zou Bo’an’s face suddenly turned red, and his eyes sparkled with a smile. “I went back and asked my father and mother. They said if Miss Grape is willing, you can first become a concubine.

“It’s not that we look down on you, but I cannot go against my mother’s wishes. However, I can promise you that after half a year, I will elevate you to the position of primary wife.”

I hurriedly pulled out the twenty taels of silver and held them out to Zou Bo’an.

Before I could explain that this money was to redeem my own freedom, I heard Zhou Yuqing’s voice behind me, thick with anger and resentment.

“You’ve even prepared a dowry? You think you’re worthy of hooking up with the Zou Family?

“Grape, why don’t you look in a mirror? Besides me, who else would even spare you a glance?”

I whipped my head around, wanting to explain that it wasn’t what he thought.

This money wasn’t a dowry; I wanted to buy myself back from the Zhou Family so I could live a good life in the Zhou Family from now on.

But Zhou Yuqing was too enraged to listen, spitting out only the most hurtful words.

“Look at yourself. Who would ever want you?

“No wonder you had to prepare twenty taels. If you didn’t spend money, why would the Zou Family ever be willing to let you through their door?”

His constant claims that I wasn’t worthy and his belittling remarks stung more than the magpie droppings or the fire poker ever had.

The onlookers gathered around, pointing and whispering at me.

They laughed at my lack of propriety, my shamelessness, and my wishful thinking.

Miss Su clutched her handkerchief and sneered sarcastically, “No wonder she was so desperate to get close to Young Master Zou during the Doucao gathering.”

However, Miss Zou protected me, stepping in front of me. “Young Master Zhou, as her cousin, you have no right to interfere in Grape’s affairs.

“Why are you being so aggressive? Could it be that you’re jealous? Do you care that much about who Grape marries?”

I knew Zhou Yuqing was proud and never willing to lose an argument.

Sure enough, he let out a cold laugh. “What cousin? She’s just…”

I thought he was going to reveal my title as his ‘belly-warming maid’ to humiliate me.

But seeing my face covered in tears, Zhou Yuqing suddenly froze. He hesitated, and even his voice softened. “…She’s just a poor relative who came to seek refuge with our family.

“…Why can’t I manage her? I insist on it! Grape, come here. Come home with me.”

I gripped my sleeves tightly, my stubbornness flaring up as I refused to move an inch.

Zhou Yuqing, do you think you’re so amazing? So capable?

Yes, you’re very impressive. You know how to insult and despise me in such roundabout ways that it takes me ages just to realize what your sharp words even mean.

“Just like when you said my imitating Miss Su was like Dongshi imitating Xishi’s frown, it made me a little sad.

“But then I thought, being Dongshi isn’t so bad. Dongshi was good at reading people; she was a sensitive, observant girl.

“If you knew I thought that way, you’d surely laugh your head off.

“But Zou Bo’an would praise me for being broad-minded and having a unique perspective.

“That was the first time anyone had praised me since I was sold here.

“At that moment, I might not have liked Young Master Zou, but I truly hated you.”

Seeing my tears fall in large droplets, Zhou Yuqing finally lowered his head.

“Silly Grape, I intended to take you as my wi-”

Having reached the depths of sorrow, I didn’t even have the heart to defend myself anymore.

“I want to leave the Zhou Family.” I lifted my head and stared fixedly at Zhou Yuqing. Saying these angry words actually brought a sharp, cathartic pain to my heart. “You’re not as good as Young Master Zou. You’re inferior to him in every way. I hate you. I hate how mean you are, and I hate your sharp tongue…”

As I was about to say even harsher things, I looked at his legs and suddenly froze.

When my mother was alive, she taught me that no matter how angry I was, I should never speak of the pains a person cannot change.

Like their birth, or their illnesses.

Zhou Yuqing’s face grew pale, bit by bit.

Hearing that he was inferior to Zou Bo’an, his heart finally turned to cold ashes.

He tightened his grip on his purple bamboo walking stick and said, one word at a time, “Do not regret this.”

I won’t regret it.

During my time in the Zhou Family, aside from your sharp tongue, you did treat me very well.

You gave me fine clothes to wear and a soft bed to sleep in.

When the war was raging outside and coarse flour buns became as precious as silver,

You pushed white flour steamed buns and rouge goose breast in front of me, saying a Grape should be plump and round.

When you came to the Zou Family to pick me up for dinner, I truly vowed in my heart that even if I had to sell myself, I would stay with the Zhou Family.

But you cannot treat me so well and then treat me so poorly at the same time.

The next day, Zhou Yuqing left. He didn’t ask me to pay back the silver.

The Zhou Family took Zhou Yuqing to the capital to treat his legs. If they delayed, that traveling physician wouldn’t wait for them.

Once the misunderstanding with the Zou Family was cleared up, Zou Bo’an didn’t ask me to repay those twenty taels of silver either. He only gave me a kind warning.

“The world is unstable right now, Grape. You must make plans for yourself.”

I did make plans for myself. I kept those twenty taels of silver untouched, intending to return them to Zhou Yuqing when he came back.

When I heard that the rebel army was coming, I thought about heading back to my hometown to hide and wait for the trouble to blow over.

But plans cannot keep up with circumstances. Refugees and marauding soldiers swarmed like locusts and bees.

Powerful families who received word fled as quickly as they could.

Only the common folk were left, swept up among the soldiers and bandits, fleeing north in search of a way to survive.

I watched as grain became more expensive than silver, then more expensive than gold, and finally, more expensive than human life.

I exchanged those twenty taels of silver for four coarse flatbreads, which I kept hidden against my body, not daring to let them be seen.

Bandits passed through like a comb; soldiers passed through like a fine-toothed lice comb.

I hid among the crowds of refugees, fleeing for my life alongside them.

While starving until I saw stars in a ruined temple, I saw a woman whose breasts were as shriveled as empty grain sacks, unable to squeeze out a single drop of milk. She held a baby who was too weak to even cry. I couldn’t bear it, so I broke off a small piece of bread and quietly handed it to her.

When people have been hungry for a long time, their five senses go numb, leaving only a sense of smell for food as sharp as a needle.

Someone caught the scent of the grain and shrieked, “She has food!”

People slowly surrounded me like hungry wolves, staring at me with eerie eyes, as if I were a choice piece of meat.

I hurriedly threw the half-piece of bread behind me.

The crowd scrambled for it, but some people kept their eyes on me, closing in step by step.

“She must have more on her!”

I backed away step by step until I hit the corner of the wall, with nowhere left to run.

Looking at those pairs of hungry eyes, I suddenly remembered my mother saying that in years of famine, people eat people.

I leaned against the wall, forcing my trembling legs to hold me up, when I suddenly heard someone call my name.

“Grape!”

I snapped my eyes up.

It was Zhou Yuqing.

How did he get here?

…What was he doing here?

Wary of the dagger in Zhou Yuqing’s hand, the people didn’t dare step forward.

“Sil-”

Seeing me huddled in the corner out of fear, Zhou Yuqing started to mock me, but then he realized I hated his sharp tongue and went silent.

After all the fear and anxiety of these past days, I couldn’t hold back my tears.

“What did you come back for?”

He grabbed my wrist firmly.

“To take you home for dinner.”