As evening approached, the sunset colors deepened.

Sun Miao'er's window faces west, and the whole room is bathed in a reddish glow, with wisps of smoke slowly drifting out from not far away.

It would be a shame if she died like this. She wondered how the awards ceremony would end without the main character. Just as she was lamenting her achievements, another commotion came from outside.

"Why did Butler Zhao come so early today? It's almost dark."

Jin put down her work. She had only mentioned it to Steward Zhao last time, but she didn't expect him to come to take the girl away so quickly. The girl was not fully recovered yet. What if the other party didn't like her?

Zhao Si got straight to the point, "My master owns a few acres of land in your Fushui Village. I came here to collect the debt, and since I remembered the girl you mentioned last time, I figured I might as well pick her up on the way, so I don't have to make another trip next time."

Jin was married into the family from another village, and Zhao Si was, in a sense, her brother. They chatted for a while when Jin returned to her parents' home last time.

“Miao’er caught a chill a couple of days ago and is resting at home. We’re afraid that taking her away now would disrupt your family’s affairs.”

Madam Jin stammered, unable to find a reason to refuse, and fearing she might miss this opportunity, she said, "This girl doesn't have the life of a young lady, but she's got the body of one. It only rained for a few days recently, and she's already fallen ill! Isn't that infuriating!"

“My dear sister, you know how much my master has in his pocket. All those maids from before have become old women, and they are no longer worthy of the attention of the young masters and ladies in the mansion. He only wants to pick a few who catch his eye and send them over. Once they enter the mansion, they will be fed and clothed, and naturally they will grow up to be fair and tender.”

Zhao Si's meaning was clear: what Master Zhao was looking for wasn't just maids, but rather a few old and faded concubines whom he wanted to find some new ones for.

Sun Miao'er heard everything clearly from inside the house. Although Sun Miao'er's family was a farming family, they were not cheap laborers. A perfectly good girl was being sold to someone as a concubine. If she did well, she could become a mistress, but if she didn't, she would probably lose her virginity and end up with an unclear identity.

"Second son's wife, why are you selling Miao'er? She... she's someone I raised myself..."

Grandma Sun, leaning on a wooden cane, struggled to move out of the door. She was so thin that she was practically skin and bones. Hearing what was going on outside, she knew she had to intervene today, even if she couldn't manage it anymore!

“Mother, a girl is growing up and will eventually get married. My eldest brother passed away early, and my sister-in-law has been missing for about half a year now. Do you really want to keep Miao’er at home forever?”

Unexpectedly, this old fellow still has the strength to get out of bed. Times have changed, and Madam Jin no longer takes Old Lady Sun Miao'er seriously.

Grandma Sun Miao'er's voice was mournful. Thinking of her poor granddaughter, she shed tears. She only hated that her body was useless and she couldn't even manage her own household, letting this wicked daughter-in-law control it.

"Miao'er has reached the age, and you should consider what kind of family to choose for her. Even if Miao'er marries a farmer, she can't become someone's concubine!"

Madam Jin rolled her eyes. "Mother-in-law, you make it sound so easy. With the meager wages Yuanhu earns, I still have to support Miao'er and her brother. Two more mouths to feed just appear out of nowhere. Money doesn't grow on trees. We can't afford to raise Miao'er, who's so delicate. Xiaoman will be going to school in a few months; she needs to pass the imperial examinations and bring me, her mother, some pride. These are all professions that require money. Mother-in-law, do you only favor your own granddaughter and not your own grandson?"

Grandma Sun Miao'er had no words to express her suffering. Over the years, she had never shown any favoritism. She only pitied Miao'er because Miao'er had lost her father at a young age. She treated her grandsons, granddaughters, and even grandsons-in-law equally. She never expected that it would be said like this by Madam Jin.

She's barely able to take care of herself right now. She's done everything she could to say and advise. Her poor granddaughter can only pray for good fortune.

Sun Miao'er heard everything clearly through the door. It seemed that Jin Shi was determined to sell her off. But if she let her have her way, how could she repay the love that Old Madam Sun had given her granddaughter over the years?

Outside, Steward Zhao was chatting with Madam Jin when Sun Miao'er called Xiaoman over and pulled him into the inner room.

"Xiaoman, did you see that person coming in outside?"

Xiaoman nodded, "Sister Miao'er, he is my mother's cousin, so I have to call him Fourth Uncle."

Sun Miao'er lowered her voice, "Do you like your older sister?"

"Of course I like her! Besides Grandma, Sister Miao'er is the best person to me!"

Hearing this, Sun Miao'er felt relieved. It seemed that Xiaoman was very clever despite her young age, able to distinguish right from wrong and good from bad.

"Sigh." Sun Miao'er sighed, her brows furrowing slightly. "But your fourth uncle is taking my sister away today."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman shook her head vigorously, "No! Sister Miao'er can't leave. I'm still waiting for her to get better and make me something delicious!"

For Sun Xiaoman, the food made by Jin was simply inedible, leaving an indelible shadow on his young mind and body. In contrast, the cooking of Sister Miao'er was the most delicious he had ever tasted.

Tears welled up in Sun Xiaoman's eyes, and Sun Miao'er quickly hugged him, wiping away the tears from his little face. This sight made her, a young woman, overflow with maternal love. "Sister doesn't want to leave, but she has no choice. However, sister has thought of a way. As long as you cooperate with sister, we can definitely get away with it."

Since there was a way to keep her sister, Sun Xiaoman readily agreed, her tears turning into a smile.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door, followed by Jin's feigned concern, "Is Miao'er in the room? Auntie has come to see you."

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