chapter 3

Momo was getting on in years, and her strength with the axe was waning.

In winter, her knees would ache. I would rub my hands warm and cover them for her. One night, she sighed deeply and said:

“Parents are truly heartless, selling such a good child like you into the palace.”

She tossed out the words, but waited a long time without a reply. Momo said I was being rude, and I protested, “You told me to pretend to be Mute.”

Momo was embarrassed, so she changed the subject and asked about my background.

My name is Guanqi. I have no father. When I was twelve, my mother fell ill and passed away, and I was left alone, traveling to Yandu to seek out my uncle.

My mother once said that when my uncle was poor, she helped him out. Now that our family was in trouble, he wouldn’t turn us away.

When I arrived in Yandu, my uncle’s family welcomed me warmly. The food was plentiful, and I was starving, but I forced myself not to pick up my chopsticks.

My mother also said that when living under someone else’s roof, one must be polite; if the host hasn’t started eating, neither should I.

I stayed at my uncle’s house for three months. My aunt was beautiful and gentle, and treated me very well. One night, she asked me to help her thread a needle.

I wetted the end of the thread, lost consciousness, and when I opened my eyes again, I was already kneeling in the grand hall.

“Pah! Two shameless beasts!” Momo grabbed my hand. “Remember, the prettier someone is, the better they are at lying.”

I said, then I’ll only trust Momo. Momo replied, if you can’t speak, then speak less.