Inside the Cheng family ancestral hall, the flickering candlelight created a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
The old man's coffin was placed in the center of the hall, covered with gorgeous silk and surrounded by various flowers and offerings, making it exceptionally splendid.
The family members, dressed in mourning clothes and holding incense sticks, paid their respects to the coffin with sorrowful expressions.
The eldest sons of each branch of the family knelt before the coffin, silently burning paper money, their faces solemn.
The vigil lasts for three days and three nights, during which family members take turns keeping watch and dare not slack off for a moment.
During this period, the Cheng family members were busy keeping vigil and entertaining visiting relatives and friends.
The servants of the Cheng family were so busy that they wished they could be split in two.
Even Wang Xiuxiu, who was hiding in the embroidery room, was dragged out by Granny Lu and sent to the front yard to serve tea and water.
Today is the last day of the mourning period for the Cheng family's ancestor. The funeral will be held early the next morning.
After two busy days, Madam Cheng was too exhausted to continue, so she went back to her room to rest early.
Wang Xiuxiu was ordered to deliver tea to the various masters of the house who were still keeping vigil.
At midnight, after the clapper sounded three times, Wang Xiuxiu carried a lacquer tray through the hanging flower gate.
The night was deep, and the moonlight, like water, spilled onto the garden path, making it appear exceptionally quiet and cold.
The candlelight in the lantern flickered in the wind, reflecting a shimmering golden light onto the ginseng soup in her hands.
Suddenly a cold wind swept by, and she subconsciously turned around, where the shadows of trees in the dark suddenly swayed.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickened her pace as she turned the corner of the corridor.
As she walked into the garden, suddenly, a dark figure darted out from behind her, covered her mouth, and dragged her into a side path.
Wang Xiuxiu was startled and instinctively struggled to break free from the other party's restraints, but the difference in strength was too great, and she was unable to resist at all.
By the moonlight, Wang Xiuxiu could see clearly that the man covering her was none other than Grandpa Cheng, who was dressed in mourning clothes.
Her heart sank, and she simply stopped struggling, appearing submissive.
Upon seeing this, Grandpa Cheng relaxed his grip and began to tear at his own belt with a grin.
"Xiuxiu, right? Don't worry, the master has been kind to you today, and he will be kinder to you in the future..." Old Master Cheng's voice was lewd and full of smugness.
Since the Cheng family patriarch fell ill, Grandpa Cheng has not eaten meat for nearly half a month.
While out relieving himself today, he saw this girl who usually avoided him and was immediately overcome by lust, chasing after her without a second thought.
I thought he was a serious person, but it turns out he was just putting on airs!
Grandpa Cheng was secretly pleased with himself, and his actions became increasingly bold.
Taking advantage of her smugness, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly kicked him in the groin, then scrambled to her feet and rushed out.
Wang Xiuxiu reacted quickly, but Cheng Laoda reacted even faster.
Before he could run more than a few steps, he grabbed his hair from behind and slammed him against the wall.
Grandpa Cheng frantically tore at his clothes, the rough brick wall chafing his back until it ached.
At this moment, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't care less about anything else; she just cried out for help.
\"Help……\"
Before the scream had even faded, Grandpa Cheng's slap landed with a whoosh.
Wang Xiuxiu seemed oblivious to the pain, continuing to cry and scream incessantly.
Seeing her like this, Grandpa Cheng was afraid that it would attract other people, so he became more and more flustered and actually reached out and grabbed Wang Xiuxiu by the neck.
With her throat gripped, Wang Xiuxiu was filled with despair, her eyes filled with nothing but hopelessness and helplessness.
Today, I fear I cannot escape death...
Just then, a dazzling light, like a shooting star falling to earth, suddenly appeared in the dark garden.
The black-armored guards' iron boots shattered the remaining snow, and their swords were still sheathed at their waists. Old Master Cheng was already terrified and fell to the ground.
Grandpa Cheng released his grip on Wang Xiuxiu's neck and turned to flee the scene.
Several black-armored soldiers quickly stepped forward and, within a few steps, firmly restrained him and brought him back.
Soon, a tall man slowly walked out.
In the darkness, the cold wind howled.
His dark cloak fluttered in the wind, as if he were a savior descending from the heavens.
"Sir, please help me!"
Wang Xiuxiu clutched her torn clothes, kneeling in the cold snow, the purplish-blue finger marks on her neck a shocking sight.
His voice trembled, filled with despair and fear, as if he had grasped at the last straw.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could utter a second word, a heavy cloak was draped over her head.
The cloak carried a faint sandalwood scent, and its warmth instantly enveloped her cold body.
Looking up again, through blurry vision, the man strode towards Grandpa Cheng, whose legs were trembling like leaves.
His back was as upright as a pine tree, his steps were steady, and every step he took touched people's hearts.
Although Wang Xiuxiu couldn't see his face clearly, she felt that his figure was as majestic as a mountain, carrying an undeniable majesty.
"Ze... Brother Ze?" Grandpa Cheng's voice trembled, clearly terrified by this sudden turn of events.
The man didn't answer, but just gave him a cold glance.
Grandpa Cheng immediately fell silent, even his breathing became cautious.
Wang Xiuxiu was helped to change into clean clothes.
During this time, my fingers trembled slightly, and the thrilling scene from just now kept replaying in my mind.
If this person hadn't appeared in time, she probably would have...
When they entered the room again, the man was already sitting at the head of the table, while Grandpa Cheng was kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his expression full of terror.
The atmosphere inside was so heavy it was suffocating.
"Wang Xiuxiu?" the man asked in a deep voice.
"This servant is Wang Xiuxiu." She lowered her head, her voice slightly hoarse.
"He said you seduced him. Do you have anything to say?" The man's tone was calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
When Cheng Dalang heard Lu Jingze say that, he thought Lu Jingze believed him and immediately perked up. He started spouting nonsense, slandering Wang Xiuxiu for seducing him and for being unruly.
After this battle, Wang Xiuxiu had nothing left to fear.
If no one takes charge of things today, I will surely die.
If I fall into Madam Cheng's hands in the future, I'll die anyway. It's better to die with a clear conscience!
She raised her head, her face bruised and swollen, and said righteously, "My lord, I did not. Our ancestor has just passed away. If I dare to have any disloyal thoughts at this time, may I be struck by lightning!"
Her voice was not loud, but every word was firm and resonant.
As Lu Jingze watched, a barely perceptible hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, and he unconsciously curved his lips slightly, seemingly taking a bit of interest in this farce.
When Wang Xiuxiu noticed his curved lips, her heart sank.
Anyone who saw themselves like this would probably not believe that they had intentionally seduced someone.
But if this official intends to protect her, then no matter how much I plead, it will be to no avail.
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head, no longer expecting anything.
"Guards, take this unfilial and immoral scoundrel away. We'll deal with him after the ancestral funeral tomorrow, when we ask the elders of the Cheng family to open the ancestral hall for punishment," Lu Jingze coldly ordered.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu was overwhelmed with joy at surviving such a calamity, and she was almost ready to shout "Your Honor!"
“Since you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t need to kneel anymore. Get up.” Lu Jingze’s voice was still indifferent, but it carried a hint of barely perceptible gentleness.
Just as Wang Xiuxiu was about to get up, a thought struck her, and she immediately prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed again.
"Please, sir, save my life!"
Lu Jingze was taken aback by her sudden action and frowned, asking, "What do you mean?"
Wang Xiuxiu raised her head, her eyes full of pleading: "I am a maid in the First Madam's courtyard. I have always been diligent and hardworking in the Cheng family and have never dared to slack off. If the First Madam finds out about what happened today, she will definitely beat me to death! Please, sir, save my life!"
Lu Jingze looked at her, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Oh? How do you want me to save you?"
Wang Xiuxiu bit her lip and mustered her courage to say, "This servant was not born into the Cheng family. I sold myself for the sake of my family. Now, I would like to ask you, sir, to allow me to redeem myself."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingze raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of deliberate embarrassment, "I am not a member of the Cheng family, so I cannot make decisions for you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank, but she did not give up and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, sir!"
"Thank me for what?" Lu Jingze asked.
"Thank you for saving my life, sir." Wang Xiuxiu's voice was soft, but full of sincerity.
"Aren't you going to ask for anything more for yourself?" Lu Jingze asked again.
Wang Xiuxiu shook her head, a resolute glint in her eyes: "This servant dares not ask for anything more."
"So what are you going to do next? How are you going to explain this to your wife?"
Wang Xiuxiu gave a bitter smile and said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, there's no need to explain. There's a dry well in the back garden."
When she said that, Lu Jingze was stunned for a long time.
He never expected that this seemingly delicate woman would have such a resolute mind.
In the end, Wang Xiuxiu still failed to jump into the well.
Because before dawn the next day, a soldier in black armor handed her a contract of indenture.
"Go, my lord has ordered me to escort you away," the soldier said coldly.
At that moment, Wang Xiuxiu truly felt the joy of surviving a disaster.
She took the contract, her hands trembling so badly she had to forcefully control them.
"My lord, please wait for me a moment while I tidy myself up," Wang Xiuxiu pleaded.
The soldier frowned, but still agreed: "Then hurry up."
Wang Xiuxiu woke up Songsong, who was sleeping next to her.
Last night, when I didn't go back, this little guy somehow found his way here.
"Songsong, go and bring the money your mother hid over. Hurry up, or someone will find out," Wang Xiuxiu whispered.
Songsong rubbed her sleepy eyes and obediently ran out.
When the soldier outside got impatient and was about to knock on the door to urge her, Wang Xiuxiu opened the door from the inside and poked her head out, carrying a small bundle in her hand.
“These are the clothes I changed out of yesterday. I want to take them with me to wear in the future,” Wang Xiuxiu explained.
The black-armored soldiers didn't care about any of that; they only glanced at it before looking away.
As dawn broke, the carriage drove out of the side gate.
After traveling for less than an hour, Wang Xiuxiu finally left the territory of Quanzhou.
After successfully arriving at an inn in Yongzhou City, the black-armored soldier handed Wang Xiuxiu a household registration book and a small packet of silver.
Without saying anything, he turned and left.
When Wang Xiuxiu opened it, she saw that it was a release certificate already stamped with the government seal.
Despite her brother's coldness, Wang Xiuxiu still felt warm all over.
Clutching the release certificate tightly, tears welled up in her eyes without her realizing it.
From this day forward, she was no longer a servant of the Cheng family, but a free woman.
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