Wang Xiuxiu sat leaning against the carriage, the sound of the wheels rolling over the stone road reaching her ears, and only then did she realize how real it was.
She sighed softly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the bundle resting on her lap.
The bundle contained the silver coins and a gold-embossed invitation card bestowed by Madam Cheng.
The post felt heavy, as if pressing on her heart, reminding her of the test she had just experienced.
Recalling her days at the Cheng residence, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but frown.
This Madam Cheng is a calculating person.
During her time at the Cheng residence, in addition to rushing to make nightgowns, they also kept sending her new tasks to bother her, such as embroidering various handkerchiefs and sachets, which never stopped!
Wang Xiuxiu wanted to speed things up and finish her work as soon as possible so she could leave this ruthless place that devoured people without spitting out their bones!
So during those days and nights, she hardly slept at all, her hands never stopped sewing, and her eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.
In addition, the atmosphere in the Cheng residence made her feel extremely depressed.
Madam Cheng was extremely strict with her servants, especially with the young and beautiful maids, whom she kept a close watch on.
When that young master was in the mansion, the entire Cheng family was shrouded in a tense atmosphere.
Anyone who is good-looking and quick-witted is not allowed to serve you, lest something go wrong.
Wang Xiuxiu once witnessed a maid being severely beaten by Granny Lu for glancing at the young master, and afterwards she was even transferred to the backyard to do rough work.
However, these things have little to do with Wang Xiuxiu.
After she had her measurements taken, she had no further contact with that young master.
She simply buried herself in her embroidery every day, trying her best to avoid the gossip and troubles in the household.
What made her most uneasy was Madam Cheng's probing of her.
On the surface, Madam Cheng was very polite to her, but in reality, she was testing her at every turn and pressing her relentlessly.
Wang Xiuxiu, with her keen intuition, had already discerned Madam Cheng's intentions.
She was just an embroiderer, yet she was summoned by Madam Cheng repeatedly, with Madam Cheng subtly probing her background.
---
These days, Wang Xiuxiu has been busy every day, and has gradually completed more than half of her tasks.
The remaining tasks will all be completed in less than ten days.
One day, Granny Lu came to deliver a reward, but her words were full of inquiries about her family background, and she even hinted that she wanted her to sell herself into the Cheng family in the future.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart was filled with alarm bells. She knew that Madam Cheng had taken a liking to her skills, but also had doubts about her as an outsider embroiderer, which was why she wanted to buy her.
Wang Xiuxiu tossed and turned all night, thinking about it.
The next day, Wang Xiuxiu finished making all the nightgowns ahead of schedule, and in the afternoon she was summoned by Granny Lu to report to Madam Cheng.
She took a deep breath and stepped into Madam Cheng's courtyard.
"Raise your head and let me take a good look." Madam Cheng sat upright in the hall, her eyes sharp and piercing.
Wang Xiuxiu raised her head as instructed, but dared not look directly at him, allowing Madam Cheng to scrutinize her.
She sensed the scrutiny and probing in Madam Cheng's eyes, which strengthened her resolve to make her decision.
"Hmm, she is quite good-looking." Madam Cheng's eyes showed satisfaction. "However, her work is even more beautiful. May I ask you, would you like to stay and work for our Cheng family?"
"May I ask, Madam, how do you conduct your affairs?"
Madam Cheng raised an eyebrow and continued, "Naturally, it means selling oneself into the Cheng family and becoming a wealthy servant."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. However, I have other concerns and dare not stay at your residence for long," Wang Xiuxiu replied hesitantly, her eyes lowered and her face showing struggle.
Madam Cheng frowned slightly, her tone tinged with displeasure, "Oh? What could be so important that it's more important than securing a good future in my Cheng family?"
“I still have parents and siblings in Jinzhou. I only wish to be with them and not dare to abandon my family to enjoy wealth alone. I hope you will understand, Madam.”
Madam Cheng was not satisfied with her answer, but in the end she did not insist. She even had someone deliver an invitation to Wang Xiuxiu.
"Very well, you may go now. But if you ever want to find work in the future, you can come and try your luck at my Cheng residence."
Wang Xiuxiu knelt and kowtowed again, and only after receiving permission did she turn and leave.
This post is both Madam Cheng's approval of her and a test.
For a family like the Cheng family, which has been wealthy for generations, trust is more important than ability.
Clothing is close-fitting and has many rules, providing the most opportunities for tampering.
Wang Xiuxiu had inquired and learned that the embroiderers currently employed by the Cheng family in each branch were all family servants who had been sold into servitude for generations.
Madam Cheng was impressed by her skills, but worried that she might not be loyal enough.
Wang Xiuxiu believed that before today's probing questions, they must have sent someone to her house to inquire.
Since they had already inquired, and were now testing him and sending invitations, they were only waiting for him to willingly sell himself into slavery at the Cheng family mansion.
However, Wang Xiuxiu was quite surprised that after doing so much, he let her go so easily in the end.
Wang Xiuxiu didn't want to get stuck on a single point; if she couldn't figure it out, she would stop thinking about it.
However, she wouldn't tell anyone about this.
This post might become her fallback plan in the future.
The carriage jolted, and Wang Xiuxiu came to her senses.
She gently lifted the carriage curtain, and the spring sunshine shone on her face, warm and comforting, as if it could dispel all the gloom in her heart.
Wang Xiuxiu took a deep breath. The air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and flowers, which made her feel a long-lost sense of ease.
On the way here, I shared a carriage with Granny Lu. I couldn't even look at the scenery outside the carriage, and I had to be very careful with my movements.
Now free from those constraints, Wang Xiuxiu simply leaned against the car window, letting the spring breeze caress her face, her eyes greedily capturing everything outside.
In springtime in Jiangnan, the weather is mild and sunny, and flowers are in full bloom.
The mountains stretch endlessly, covered with lush green trees, resembling a natural painting.
In the distance, the lush green rice paddies stretched as far as the eye could see. A gentle breeze blew, and the rice ears swayed softly, as if waving to her.
On the ridges of the fields, children chased and played, their laughter carried on the wind, clear and melodious, like heavenly music.
A smile unconsciously crept onto Wang Xiuxiu's lips, and the long-suppressed emotions in her heart seemed to dissipate considerably.
At that moment, she suddenly felt an urge to jump out of the carriage and run wild in the fields.
She longed to walk barefoot on the soft earth, to reach out and touch the swaying rice stalks, and to run and laugh with the children.
But no, at least not yet...
She still has unfinished business and unfinished journeys.
The carriage wheels rolled by, leaving behind a vibrant picture of spring in Jiangnan, and Wang Xiuxiu's mood gradually calmed down.
Although her life wasn't very pleasant, at least she was free.
Thinking of this, Wang Xiuxiu's resolve hardened even further—she would never sell herself into slavery.
No matter how good the treatment the Cheng family offered, she would never give up her freedom.
She has a long road ahead of her, and no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, she will use her own hands, stitch by stitch, to embroider her own bright future.
Wang Xiuxiu gently lowered the carriage curtain, leaned against the carriage wall, and closed her eyes to rest.
Outside the window, the spring scenery was still bright, but Wang Xiuxiu's eyes held a newfound determination and composure.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com