Chapter 33. Shanhe is forced onto the "boat" (a metaphor for a difficult situation). ...
A runaway slave.
Shanhe was shocked. Her limbs suddenly went cold, and she trembled like a leaf. The slave document in her hand was crushed beyond recognition.
In an instant, the days of being reduced to a government slave flooded her mind like a tide. Shanhe closed her eyes and shook her head vigorously, but she could not shake off those terrifying and miserable days that she dared not think about a second time.
Liang Ye's meaning was clear: if she ran away again, he would have no choice but to report to the Jinling government and have the government send troops to capture her and bring her back.
Yes, she'd forgotten. These past two years in the Liang family had been too smooth; under the old master's protection, she'd completely forgotten that the Liang family held such a crucial weakness over her!
In the east wing kitchen, Qingyue, no longer hindered by Cheng'an, rushed over and supported Shanhe's swaying body. Both mistress and servant had tears in their eyes, looked at each other silently, and neither could say a word.
The fence was wide open, and three horses trotted away. After a few steps, the middle white horse suddenly stopped, and Liang Ye whispered a few words to the person beside him. Immediately, Cheng An turned his horse around and galloped back. Upon reaching the courtyard, he dismounted, deftly tied the reins, and walked steadily to Shan He, bowing respectfully: "Madam Xue, the master was worried about your safety and specifically instructed me to guard you here tonight."
Shanhe, tears welling in her eyes, looked up over Cheng'an's shoulder, her gaze meeting Liang Ye's, who was perched high on horseback not far away. He sat upright in his saddle, his gaze fixed intently on the small courtyard. Seeing Shanhe looking at him, his expression remained unchanged; he merely nodded slightly, then pulled on the reins, turned his horse around, flicked the whip, and swiftly disappeared into the vast mountain forest.
Qingyue helped the distraught Shanhe back to the house, while Cheng'an went into the east wing and began to prepare his own lodging.
He had just taken a step when Shanhe suddenly spoke up: "Cheng'an."
She choked up and said, "If I go back with your uncle, live in his house, and receive his protection, then what am I?"
Cheng An turned his back to her, stopped, and turned back with a warm smile: "Master is genuinely concerned for your safety and doesn't want you to suffer outside." It was meant to comfort her.
He didn't answer directly, but Shanhe had already filled in the blanks in her mind:
She was a mistress. A mistress with no official status, who had even been her brother's wife.
Once inside, Qingyue took out a handkerchief, sat opposite Shanhe, and carefully wiped away her tears, while she herself couldn't hold back her own sobs. She said, "Miss, what should we do now?"
Shanhe shook her head blankly, unsure of what to do. Cheng'an was skilled in martial arts, and Liang Ye's instruction for him to stay and protect her was, in reality, to monitor her and prevent her from escaping again. She looked up in despair, forcing back her tears. How had things come to this between her and her elder brother? Shanhe didn't understand. Given her lowly birth as a government slave, Liang Ye should have been eager for her to leave the Liang family. Wasn't he the one most concerned about the Liang family's rise and fall, and about his and Liang Shao's future? Keeping her around was tantamount to planting a hidden danger nearby.
She couldn't understand why her usually gentle and well-behaved elder brother, who had always doted on Ah Shao and her, had become like this. So harsh, so cold, so heartless. Which one was the real Liang Ye? Was it the upright young master she had known for the past two years, devoted solely to his studies, or the Liang Ye who today disregarded her feelings and used her status as a slave to threaten and manipulate her? She slumped against the backrest, all her strength drained away. Only the thin slave certificate remained, clutched tightly in her hand, crumpled into a ball.
Qingyue said cautiously, "Maybe before Chengmin arrives tomorrow, Master Wu will come over again. We can ask her to think of a way to get out of this."
Is it possible to escape?
Shanhe looked toward his palm.
The slave sign lay there, a glaring reminder to Shanhe that she was nothing but a lowly slave! A lowly slave whom anyone could trample on and abuse! If Liang Ye wanted to, he could bring her back to the ends of the earth, unless she died!
die……
Shanhe was startled by the word.
Why should she die? She resolutely divorced Liang Shao and left the Liang family, all to live a good life. She survived the most difficult times. She couldn't die, she shouldn't die. She had promised herself that she and Qingyue would work together to build a vibrant and prosperous life.
A dull, cramping pain began in her abdomen. Shanhe leaned against the white wall, half-curled up, staring blankly at the slave register documents, wistfully thinking about the future. She sat there like a piece of wood, listless and lifeless, with only the occasional tears that flowed down her face as proof that a trace of life still remained in her body.
From midday until sunset, she sat there listlessly, her mind a complete blank, unable to find a way out. She couldn't even understand why Liang Ye insisted she go back with him. He wasn't a lustful man, and he was usually very virtuous; how could he possibly harbor such despicable thoughts as taking his former sister-in-law as a mistress? Shanhe even felt that thinking such vile thoughts was presumptuous of him. But if he was truly acting on Old Master Liang's orders to take care of her, then why was he so forceful, disregarding her wishes and determined to have her go with him?
As dusk settled, her last glimmer of hope rested on Wen Deng and Wen Zhu. She began to yearn for their sudden return, hoping they would help her stall Cheng An, and then she would take Qing Yue and flee to the borderlands, disappearing into the vast sea of people. Even if the Jinling soldiers pursued her, they wouldn't be able to find her for a while, giving her ample time to change her name and identity.
But the lamp and candle won't come; they promised to come once every three days.
Qingyue leaned against the doorframe, looking worried: "Miss, let's have dinner."
The dishes were similar to yesterday's, with the addition of pork belly stuffed with lotus root, but Shanhe found them tasteless.
As night deepened, Shanhe remained troubled, unable to fall asleep. She decided to open the wooden window, hoping the mountain night view would offer some solace. However, Cheng'an was sitting in the courtyard, arms resting on his knees, gazing at the moon. Hearing the opening of the window, he turned and saw Shanhe. His smile remained gentle, his eyes like crescent moons: "My wife, go to sleep. I'll stay here tonight, so you can rest assured."
Shanhe's heart sank completely.
In a fit of pique, she slammed the wooden window shut, spread out a sheet of plain paper on the table, and began to write. But the brush hovered in mid-air, and she had no idea what to write or who to write to. It seemed that only Wu Tianqi could write to her.
Should I say goodbye to her?
Shanhe was unwilling to accept this.
She was so unwilling to accept it, unwilling to accept that after finally making a life decision and taking a step forward, she was forced back to where she started by the storm of fate.
The next morning, just as Shanhe finished dressing, Chengmin arrived in a blue silk mule cart. Besides Chengmin, a young servant boy named Huaisong, who had just been assigned to Lantai Pavilion this year, also came along.
Cheng Min stood under the porch of the main house, bowed his head and said respectfully, "Please get into the carriage, madam."
Shanhe, clutching her bundle, sat motionless on the edge of the daybed. She wanted to make a final stand, even if it was futile.
Cheng Min raised his voice slightly and smiled, "Wife, please get in the carriage, the master is waiting." He emphasized the last sentence.
Shanhe didn't move. Qingyue was also apprehensive, so she sat close to Shanhe, refusing to budge an inch. Shanhe gently took her hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid."
Cheng Min's tone became somewhat impatient: "Wife, don't make things difficult for us servants."
Shanhe bit her lip, pretending not to hear.
There was silence outside for a long time, so long that Shanhe thought she had succeeded in her struggle, but suddenly she heard Chengmin say a few words in a low voice, though she couldn't make them out clearly.
Before Shanhe could think it over, Chengmin had already entered the bedroom, her face cold, and gave Shanhe a slight bow: "Madam, Miss Qingyue, please forgive me."
After saying that, Cheng An and Huai Song stepped out from behind him, each grabbing one of Qing Yue's arms and lifting her up slightly, her feet were half off the ground. They lifted her out as easily as carrying a chicken, despite her struggles, without expending any effort.
Shanhe froze for a moment, then dropped her bundle and rushed to hug Qingyue's waist. Tears welled up in her eyes: "Chengmin! What are you doing! She's mine, she's not engaged yet, what are you doing!"
Cheng Min said coldly, "Madam, have you forgotten? She was brought back by the old master. She is also a slave of the Liang family, and she is also a member of the Liang family." He emphasized the word "also," paused, and continued, "You should invite Miss Qingyue to the carriage first."
Shanhe held Qingyue tightly, refusing to let An and the others make any moves.
Qingyue cried out, "Girl, don't worry about me! They won't dare do anything to you! Don't worry about me!" Before she finished speaking, Huaisong twisted her hand, bending Qingyue's left arm backward. Qingyue cried out in pain, screaming in agony.
Qingyue's face was contorted with pain as she cried. Seeing her like this, Shanhe could no longer hold back. She desperately clung to Qingyue, turning to Chengmin and sobbing, "Chengmin, I'll go! I'll go with you! Please, let her go... I'll leave right now! Let her go!"
Cheng Min smiled, nodded slightly to Cheng An and Huai Song, then took a half step back, revealing the bundle that Shan He had thrown on the couch, and said kindly, "We dare not touch your bundle, madam. Please take your luggage and get into the carriage."
Upon hearing this, Cheng An and Huai Song immediately relaxed their guard against Qing Yue.
The force binding Qingyue suddenly dissipated, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, her left arm hanging limply at her side. She was in too much pain to move, and could only weakly support her arm as she sobbed softly.
Cheng Min smiled and said, "Then we will wait outside. Please hurry, madam, the master is waiting." He deliberately dragged out the last syllable.
Shanhe was no longer listening to anything and rushed to Qingyue, her eyes blurred with tears as she examined her injuries. She gently touched Qingyue's left arm and asked in a sobbing voice, "Does it hurt badly?"
Qingyue bit her lip and shook her head desperately: "It doesn't hurt. Girl, don't cry, don't cry."
Shanhe wrapped Qingyue's right arm around her shoulder: "Let me help you up." She helped Qingyue sit down on the edge of the couch, then took out a letter meant for Wu Tianqi from her bundle and quickly hid it under the cushion. She then took out several silver notes, stuffed them into Qingyue's arms without even looking at them, and said in a low, urgent voice: "Qingyue, you can't go! You stay outside, follow Master Wu, and live well! If one day you become capable, at least rescue me. I... I also want to be able to live on my own one day." After saying this, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Hearing this, Qingyue was heartbroken. She grabbed Shanhe's sleeve and said urgently, "I won't leave! Miss, I'll stay with you! I'll die with you!"
Shanhe hardened her heart, pried her hands apart, and said resolutely, though her voice trembled, "You are my only hope outside! Do you also want to watch me be trapped and never be able to escape!" She wiped away her tears, picked up her bundle, and walked out without looking back.
Cheng Min, Cheng An, and Huai Song were all standing in front of the blue silk carriage, their eyes lowered as they waited quietly.
Seeing Shanhe come out alone, Chengmin raised an eyebrow: "Where is Miss Qingyue?"
Shanhe straightened her back: "I'll go with you. You... let her go."
Cheng Min laughed, "My lady is talking nonsense again. Qingyue is also a servant of the Liang family. Where is she going?" He turned his head slightly and said to Cheng An, "Go and invite Miss Qingyue."
Cheng An frowned, glancing at Shan He, who was clutching her bundle and streaked with tears. He finally sighed and was about to take a step when Huai Song stepped forward, clasping his hands in a respectful bow to the two of them. "No need for you, Brother Cheng An, let me go." Without waiting for a reply, Huai Song had already hurried into the house. A short while later, Huai Song finally grabbed Qing Yue's arm and dragged her out.
Inside the silk-draped carriage, Shanhe and Qingyue leaned against each other, weeping silently. Chengmin and Huaisong sat at the front of the carriage, while Cheng'an rode his horse to protect the right side of the mule cart. A breeze occasionally blew in, lifting the gauze curtains like bird wings fluttering. In the opening and closing of the curtains, half of Cheng'an's silent figure was revealed. He glanced at the two distressed, tearful faces inside the carriage, sighed to himself, and whispered words of comfort: "My lady, do not worry. I am doing this to protect you. The world is dangerous. You and Qingyue are alone out there. Not only am I worried, but even if the old master knew in the afterlife, he would surely blame me for not fulfilling my duty to care for you."
Shanhe smiled bitterly: "Who is he to me? Why should he take care of me? If he treats me as a slave bought by the Liang family, then he wants to enslave and drive me around. How can he 'take care of' me? If he treats me as family, then he shouldn't be forcing me like this and disregarding my feelings!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Min's face darkened, and she raised the whip and lashed the mule's rump hard. The mule jumped in pain, causing Shanhe and Qingyue inside the cart to lurch backward and crash heavily against the cart wall.
Cheng Min scoffed, "What you're saying, madam, is utterly unreasonable. Back then, when the old master brought you back from Jinling, he forced the second master to marry you. Why didn't you mention any 'coercion' or 'disregard for her feelings' then? Now that you've received the Liang family's favor and divorced the second master, you're putting on airs and being picky? Even if you really want to leave the manor, you should at least be a clean person, a woman of good birth. Just consider this: a woman of lowly status, a government slave, will be trampled on wherever she goes. When people see her slave registration documents and realize she's a government slave, are they going to respectfully address her as 'Good lady, government slave,' showing any respect for her background?"
He smiled coldly: "Miss Qingyue may not know, but Madam should remember. What kind of fate do women born into government slavery suffer? Have you forgotten, Madam? Now, Master is planning everything for Madam, and even the new house is almost settled. Madam only needs to live here in peace. What more do you want? I feel sorry for Master."
"They really don't know what's good for them," Cheng Min thought to herself.
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Author's Note: Bao is Shao Ying, Min is Ye Fu...
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