Chapter 1: Just a Contract
Chunxi is not qualified to attend Wei Lingze's recovery banquet.
The eldest lady sent someone to summon him. Passing by the garden, Chunxi saw a group of people surrounding Wei Lingze.
After the congratulations, someone asked, "That maid named Chunxi has taken good care of Brother Wei for three years. Now that Brother Wei is well again, should we give her a proper status?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the garden fell into silence.
Wei Lingze was devastated after injuring his leg. He stayed indoors for the first two years and only decided to go out and see people last year.
Wherever he went, he was accompanied by a maid.
Everyone knew that he treated that maid differently from others.
After an unknown amount of time, Wei Lingze spoke up: "She is indeed very good at serving people. If you like her, you can take her away."
The spring sun was shining brightly, and the flowers were in full bloom. All the young men from the noble families present were in high spirits, but Wei Lingze was the most eye-catching among them.
He swept away the gloom of the past and regained the handsomeness and extraordinary appearance of a young general.
As he said this, the corners of his lips rose slightly, and his smile was cold and unrestrained.
Yes, how could a lowly maid be worthy of a young general who was both civil and military?
What's more, he has a childhood sweetheart, a talented and beautiful fiancée.
Amidst the ridicule of the crowd, Chunxi went to the courtyard of the eldest lady Yun.
On the main seat, Yun was wearing a newly made dress, with her hair adorned with pearls and jade, looking very happy. "You have done a great service in taking care of the young master. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask."
Chunxi lowered her head and spoke softly, "Madam, I want my indenture contract and one hundred taels of silver."
"You want to leave the Wei family?"
Yun was a little surprised.
Chunxi knelt down and said, "Please grant me your blessing, Madam."
The Yun family has always been proud of their son Wei Lingze. When Wei Lingze was paralyzed, as long as he was happy, he would spoil Chunxi to the sky, and the Yun family would help him. But now that he has recovered, Chunxi has become a stain.
It just so happened that Wei Lingze took Chunxi out to show off everywhere, and many people knew that the Wei family had a loyal maid, and for the sake of the Wei family's reputation, they could not deal with her casually.
Chunxi is so aware of the current situation, and Yun is not stingy either.
He gave her a contract and a silver note worth one thousand taels on the spot, and ordered someone to take out the finest cloth, hairpins, and jewelry from the warehouse, fill a full carriage and send Chunxi home.
As soon as the carriage arrived at the alley, it attracted the attention of neighbors. When they heard that it was a thank-you gift from the Wei family, they all praised the Wei family for their loyalty and generosity.
After everyone left, his mother, Wang Shi, turned cold and said, "Are you stupid? Did the Wei family send you away for such a small thing?"
The eldest sister-in-law Qian, who was selecting cloth, was so frightened that her shoulders trembled. She withdrew her hand and stepped back, with a flash of reluctance in her eyes.
Such a good thing will not be returned to the Wei family, right?
When Chunxi sold herself into the Wei family as a slave, the family was already struggling to make ends meet. However, eight years had passed, and now a cart full of silks and satins was not to Wang's liking.
Chunxi's tone also turned cold: "The one who treated the eldest young master's leg was the imperial physician, and it was the Wei family who spent a fortune on the medicinal herbs. The eldest young master has more than just his daughter serving him in the courtyard. Madam has given so many things, what else do you want, mother?"
Wang frowned, "There are many people in his courtyard, but you are the only one serving him personally. You have had physical contact with him, how can you get married in the future?"
"Mother, what you said makes sense. Please make the decision for your daughter and talk to Madam Wei. Ask her to send a matchmaker to propose marriage to our family."
"Why propose marriage? The Wei family wouldn't even consider us that way. Besides, doesn't Young Master Wei already have a fiancée?"
Wang raised her voice, her eyes widening. Chunxi curled her lips and laughed sarcastically, "So mother knew that too."
Chunxi's eyes were stinging, and Wang's face was burning. She softened her tone: "We are of low status, so we can't expect too much. Being a concubine or a concubine is fine. You have taken care of him day and night for three years. In his heart, no one can replace you."
"Mother knows that the relationship we've had over the past three years is different from others. When the young lady comes into the family, do you think your daughter will have a good life?"
Although a concubine has a status, she is still a slave in front of the wife and can be beaten, scolded, and sold at will.
Wang choked, not daring to look Chunxi in the eye, and trailed off, "They were engaged a long time ago, but after the Young Master was injured, she delayed fulfilling the engagement. It's clear she was hesitant and held back. This is bound to create a rift, and the Young Master will protect you."
Protect her?
Wei Lingze is determined to achieve great things. He cannot be by Chunxi's side all the time. How can he protect her?
Chunxi laughed out loud in anger: "If the eldest young master protects me, the young lady will be unable to do anything to me. Mother, do you think she will take her anger out on my family?"
Wang's eyelids twitched and she suddenly woke up.
Yes, these common people are just ants in front of those big shots, and they can take their lives with just a few words.
Desire faded, and blood ties came to the fore. Wang's eyes immediately turned red: "I was confused just now. Don't be angry with me. You have been wronged over the years. Go home and have a good rest. I will stew some pork elbows for you."
Afraid that Chunxi would get serious, Wang fled into the kitchen to stew pork elbows.
Qian walked over to Chunxi and comforted her softly, "Don't be angry, sister. Mother is just worried that you'll suffer. When I heard that you were transferred to serve the young master, I cried for several days at home."
Taking care of a paralyzed person in bed is an extremely hard job. A favored child of heaven like Wei Lingze would be even more moody after being hit by this blow. Three years is easy to say, but only those who endure it day by day know how difficult it is.
Chunxi believed that what her sister-in-law said was true.
When she was sold into slavery eight years ago, her mother cried her heart out, but so what?
It has to be sold.
In the evening, younger brother Cao Wen came home from school. When he saw Chunxi, he rushed over and called her "Sister". Chunxi rubbed his head and felt a little warm in her heart.
The eldest brother Cao Wu works in a lumber workshop on the outskirts of the city. Except for festivals, he only goes home to visit when he transports things into the city.
After Cao Wen arrived home, the whole family sat down to have dinner.
In addition to the pork elbows that were stewed until soft and boneless, Wang also stir-fried twice-cooked pork and steamed buns.
Chunxi had a good appetite and ate five big meat buns and drank two bowls of soup before stopping.
Wang Shi tried to hold it back, but couldn't help asking, "Don't you live and eat with Young Master Wei? Why are you acting like this in front of him?"
Chunxi has no monthly salary now. Although he brought back a cart full of food, it is still scary to eat it the way he does.
"In the Wei family, I am just a servant. I don't even have the right to sit at the table. How can I have a meal with the young master?"
After being choked repeatedly, Wang dared not speak anymore.
After dinner, Chunxi washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. After a busy period, she washed her feet and lay down.
Smelling the familiar camphor wood scent on the quilt, Chunxi slowly exhaled and the corners of his lips curled up.
The days without having to wait on others are really... great!
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