Xiao Hua finished listening to Grandma Wang's story. She found it hard to imagine to what extent someone had to be forced before they were willing to disfigure their own face and accept a demotion from the highest rank to the lowest. Not going out normally as though she didn't exist, passing several decades in this manner. No wonder Grandma Wang was always sitting in front of the stove, not going anywhere. It had probably become second nature to her from a young age.

Xiao Hua felt Grandma Wang's situation to be relatable, and felt miserable in her heart.

Returning after reincarnating, there were times when she was uncertain where she would end up. She was still young at the moment, but even after maturing for a couple of years she had no idea if she would be released at that time. That's why she tried to avoid thinking about the future, because she wasn't sure what the future would bring.

Ezoic

How could a servant have a say in her own future?

Ezoic

Grandma Wang saw Xiao Hua suddenly grow quiet, and comforted her smilingly: "It's normal for life to be filled with numerous difficulties. Everything that comes will eventually pass. As long as you remain true to your heart's desires you will find happiness. This granny desired to live, and now I am still living. I've lived for so long, and even if I've suffered a little, I am content and can develop my own happiness…she on the other hand lives in glory and splendor, but before the old master passes away doesn't she still have to spend her days as if cock-fighting…."

"Alright, that's enough. Talking about granny's business is depressing. I wanted to comfort you initially, but ended up having the opposite effect." Grandma Wang smiled and waved a hand. "Tell me what's going on with you. I can tell you've got a lot on your mind."

Xiao Hua didn't omit anything and explained the situation.

Grandma Wang finished listening and sighed: "A person's attention span is limited. You just continue your deaf and mute act. Whatever they end up doing has nothing to do with you as long as you don't get involved. At most, they can accuse you of not doing your job properly. Once things really start going down, I reckon they won't have the spare attention to continue blaming you."

Ezoic

Xiao Hua's pent up emotions were instantly released. That's right, she had gotten a little obsessed. Trying too hard is as bad as not trying enough. Since she had been placed in this situation, there was no way to stay out of things completely. As long as she didn't meddle, what harm would getting some complaints do?

Xiao Hua also understood that after coming back to life, she was used to being on edge which was why she ended up in this dilemma.

With her problem solved, Xiao Hua and Grandma Wang continued chatting for a while. Only after seeing it was getting late did she leave.

Having made up her mind, she waited until dinner was served in the wayside pavilion, only making her way to the guest residence after she was done eating.

Bi Yuan's eyes fixed upon her the moment she showed up, and found an excuse to bring her outside. She didn't complain about her tardiness, and instead asked her to keep an eye on Cui Lan.

Xiao Hua made a confused expression. Bi Yuan saw that this lass didn't really seem to understand but it also wasn't appropriate to explain too much. She could only repeat her instructions one last time.

After speaking she hurriedly went back to the room. The young master was about to eat, and she couldn't allow the other two flirty hussies to be alone with him.

The 4th young master went to practice his writing in his study after eating. The three senior maids crowded around him once again.

Xiao Hua stood outside without entering.

Only after the night grew long did the young master get ready for bed. Liu Ye and Bi Yuan took their leave, and Bi Yuan gave Xiao Hua a few meaningful glances on her way out.

Ezoic

Serving by the young master's side was something Xiao Hua had yet to do in this life, and she wasn't planning on fighting for the opportunity at hand either. In any case, Cui Lan was more than happy to fulfill that role.

The 4th young master liked cleanliness, and would always take a bath if it wasn't in the middle of winter. Xiao Hua took two junior maids to fill up the bathtub with water, and allowed them to take their leave. She also left, leaving behind Cui Lan who presumably wanted to stay.

The 4th young master stayed inside washing for a long time, during which Xiao Hua heard the sound of water splashing and Cui Lan making coy and tender sounds.

Ezoic

The nightscape was mesmerizing. The nightscape was also a cover for many dirty deeds.

She remembered in her past life she had climbed the bed also while on night duty, except she didn't have Cui Lan's daring and instead was faced with her own timidity and bashfulness. She had slipped Liu Ye who was on duty with her some laxatives. At that time the situation hadn't gotten as chaotic as the present, and no one was particularly on guard against the other, allowing her to take advantage. Only after the story of her bed climbing had gotten out did the others start guarding against each other.

Cui Lan came out with a red face, allowing Xiao Hua to call the others to clean up the bath. Cui Lan herself didn't notice, but Xiao Hua saw her robe was half open, revealing her undergarment.

After the bath was cleaned up and the junior maids had left, Xiao Hua and Cui Lan blew out the lamp in the main room, leaving only the two lamps inside the bedroom. Xiao Hua didn't wait for Cui Lan to say anything before grabbing some bedding and heading to the study to take a nap.

Ezoic

Cui Lan let out a smile, and with a sway of her hips entered the inner room again.

The night was very quiet. Although Xiao Hua was some distance away from the inner room, she could still hear the sounds coming from there.

There was the sound of the 4th young master laughing softly and Cui Lan's coy and tender sounds, and slowly the noises started becoming abnormal.

Xiao Hua was only able to block out the noises by covering her head with her blankets, and fell asleep in a daze.

She slept exceptionally well, even Xiao Hua herself didn't know how she managed to sleep so deeply. She only woke up when Bi Yuan came at dawn to shake her awake.

Ezoic

Bi Yuan's eyes glared daggers at her, her gaze full of cold anger.

"Why did you sleep so deeply?" It seemed that the young master hadn't awoken yet, so Bi Yuan kept her voice low.

Xiao Hua said in an aggrieved manner: "Big sis Cui Lan said I kept getting in the way of her work, and so decided she would take the first shift and I would take the second…..I also don't know why she didn't wake me up."

"So useless."

Bi Yuan desperately glared at her once more before turning around and leaving.

Ezoic

Xiao Hua knew the situation wasn't good so she cleaned up her bedding and snuck away to wash up. She dawdled a long while before making her way back to the guest house.

After arriving, she saw that the 4th young master was no longer there. The three senior maids where inside with their swords drawn and bows bent. Xiao Hua did not dare enter, remaining outside while looking in.

Bi Yuan's face was a shade of green and red, and she couldn't resist going up and giving Cui Lan a slap.

Based on the young master's intimate interactions with Cui Lan in the morning, and Cui Lan hurriedly clearing out the bedding after he left, it didn't take a genius to figure out what happened.

This slut Cui Lan had climbed into the young master's bed!

Ezoic

The realization left Bi Yuan's head reeling, as well as feeling extreme rage. Just as she was feeling content about having the estate madam on her side and being so close to getting placed in the young master's chambers, Cui Lan's actions truly poured a bucket of cold water over her head.

"You lowly hussy!" Bi Yuan rushed up for another blow, but Liu Ye restrained her from the side, saying repeatedly: "Big sis Bi Yuan, you definitely can't, definitely can't!"

Cui Lan covered her face, and suddenly jumped up, probably feeling confident all of a sudden and angrily glared at Bi Yuan.

"What gives you the right to hit me?"

"Because you, because you – " Bi Yuan suddenly didn't know what to say, and could only say angrily with her face red and breath short: "Because you are shameless!"

Ezoic

Exactly, she was shameless. Bi Yuan never expected Cui Lan to move so quickly, unable to wait to this extent before climbing into the 4th young master's bed. She didn't even have a chance to guard against it.

Cui Lan let out a snort of laughter and raised her head.

"Whether or not I'm shameless, what does that have to do with you!?"

It had to be said, Cui Lan's retort was pretty good.

That's right, what does someone else being shameless have to do with Bi Yuan? Whether or not someone kept their face, it wasn't as though it was Bi Yuan's face.

Ezoic

Hearing this, Xiao Hua's shoulders shook as she stifled her laughter, not daring to make a sound.

Bi Yuan was probably in a blind rage, shrieking as she lunged forward again only to be restrained by Liu Ye from behind.

"You were shameless enough to climb into young master's bed, of course it's my business…."

Cui Lan interrupted her before she could finish her scolding. Cui Lan's hands were folded across her chest, her gaze sizing Bi Yuan up and down, her smile which stretched from ear to ear was somehow also scathing.

"Big sis Bi Yuan, aren't you sticking your nose in a little too many things? You're in charge of young master's food and young master's drink, but are you also in charge of his bed? Who do you think you are? You're his senior maid, not his wife!" Cui Lan said in a sickly sweet voice, her tone and words were truly irritating.

In an instant Bi Yuan was enraged. She threw off Liu Ye and rushed up, pulling on Cui Lan's hair.

Ezoic

Cui Lan saw Bi Yuan approaching, rolled up her sleeves and started fighting with Bi Yuan.

Cui Lan had endured Bi Yuan's scolding for long enough, and was out for revenge. Her blows were extremely crafty, trying her best to aim towards Bi Yuan's face.

You think you can take me, with your skinny figure that was pampered from birth? I, Cui Lan, wasn't like you with such a good mother. I raised myself up from the lowest ranks of sweeper girls, Cui Lan spat darkly in her heart.

Xiao Hua watched frozen from the side. They really came to blows?

Ezoic

In her previous life it wasn't as if Xiao Hua hadn't fought with the girls in the young master's room before, but at that time there would always be some common maids helping on the side so she didn't lose out too much. At most someone would get knocked down. Now as a spectator, Xiao Hua was filled with a sense of disbelief.

Liu Ye watched laughing from the side, no longer trying to stop the fight.

Only after the two fought for some time and Cui Lan signaled her with her eyes did Liu Ye rush up acting concerned to pull the two apart.

Bi Yuan lacked stamina and was tired from the fighting, panting non-stop. Cui Lan had also wanted to stop, and the two separated on either side.

Only after the two split up did Xiao Hua see their conditions clearly. Cui Lan's hair had been pulled into a mess, and her clothes were crooked, but Bi Yuan was in a worse state. Not only was her hair like a bird's nest, her clothes were also torn, revealing her undergarments. Her face had several claw marks from Cui Lan's nails.

Ezoic

Cui Lan yelled from one side: "Get off your high horse. We weren't born as fortunate as you, but we are more honest with our actions. We take what we want, unlike some pretentious people who clearly desperately want it, but need to put on an act of modesty.

Bi Yuan's eyes turned red with anger, "you—"

Liu Ye fanned the flames on the side: "Oh no, big sis Bi Yuan your undergarments are showing. Oh no, your face is also –"

Bi Yuan promptly found a mirror and took a look.

After looking, she let out a wail and burst into tears. She covered her face and ran out, holding her clothes shut.

Ezoic

Xiao Hua didn't have time to react yet before hearing Liu Ye say to Cui Lan: "You clawed open her face, won't you get into trouble with Matron Qu?"

Cui Lan was also exhausted, and found a place to sit before smiling in satisfaction: "Don't worry, I controlled myself. It'll only cause her to hide from people for a few days, but won't leave any scars. Besides, with her haughty personality she would be too embarrassed to go snitch about being beaten by me. Not just that, the current me is also no longer afraid of that Matron Qu."

Liu Ye thought about it and realized she was right, and the two laughed in satisfaction.

After laughing, they suddenly remembered Xiao Hua's existence. Their gazes moved simultaneously onto her body. Xiao Hua let out a forced laugh and said: "Both of you big sisters just pretend I don't exist. I didn't hear anything."

Liu Ye thought Xiao Hua had really been quite honest. Apart from using slightly unscrupulous means to get promoted to senior maid, she had remained low key all this time and refrained from fighting with them over anything. Liu Ye was even more relieved, but still warned: "Keep your mouth shut."

Xiao Hua continuously nodded her head and no longer looked their way, finding a cleaning rag and pretended to look busy.

When the young master returned at noon and didn't see Bi Yuan, he briefly asked about her. Cui Lan implied that Bi Yuan hadn't been feeling well and managed to avoid further questioning. Liu Ye also added some interruptions and acted coquettishly on the side, so the young master no longer spared any thought to where Bi Yuan had gone off to.

Xiao Hua clearly knew the truth, but could she accuse Cui Lan of lying in broad daylight? Of course not, so she maintained her silence.

Evening arrived in the blink of an eye. After supervising the maids setting the table for dinner, Xiao Hua retreated.

Tonight was not her shift, and whatever would happen had nothing to do with her, and there also wasn't anything she could do. Guessing that Bi Yuan would be in their room, she went to chat with Grandma Wang in the small kitchen, dawdling until it was very late before returning.

Bi Yuan lay on the bed facing away and didn't say anything, so Xiao Hua also silently washed up and climbed into bed.

Ezoic

The next day, Bi Yuan strangely still showed no signs of movement. Xiao Hua didn't want to remain with her too long in case something occurred, and left for work. She planned on taking the day shifts for the next few days, leaving the night shifts to Cui Lan and Liu Ye, thinking they would be more than happy to do so.

Ezoic

Walking into the guest residence, she saw Liu Ye attentively helping the young master change clothes. The two of them laughed quietly a few times, and Liu Ye's face was also full of sweet bashfulness.

Cui Lan walked in at this moment.

Cui Lan smiled a bit and didn't comment, and went with Xiao Hua to fetch hot water and a towel for the young master to wash up.

After sending off the 4th young master, Liu Ye turned around and cleaned up the bedding.

Ezoic

Only now did Xiao Hua understand why Cui Lan and Liu Ye put on such a performance yesterday. Turns out the two had not only collaborated, but had also planned the events that would follow already. Taking advantage of their fight, Cui Lan would mark Bi Yuan's face so that she would be too embarrassed to show her face in front of the young master, allowing Liu Ye the opportunity to make a move.

Xiao Hua couldn't help but be impressed by their scheme. No wonder she died so tragically in her past life. Her schemes, reactions and mind all fell short compared to the others.

In her previous life, only Cui Lan had followed her example and climbed into the young master's bed as well. Liu Ye remained still, and after a few years was matched with another servant. Xiao Hua couldn't help but ponder if her inaction this time around resulted in the roles changing, allowing Liu Ye and Cui Lan both to step up.

Xiao Hua couldn't be sure, but she knew that what was best for her now was to hide far away.

The 4th young master and the two recently accepted maids where full of intimacy, the news of which only reached Bi Yuan the day after through a few common maids' reports.

Bi Yuan's heart was full of unimaginable resentment and indignation. She restrained herself until dark before going off to find her mother. Xiao Hua was also unaware of this, only seeing that Bi Yuan was not in her room when she returned after her shift.

Matron Qu lived in a small pavilion near the back gate of the Jinyang Marquis Estate. Entering the pavilion, one could see that the family of four lived quite spaciously.

Seeing Bi Yuan crying so hard with her face covered, Matron Qu's brows were tightly furrowed. She wanted to tell her she'd been foolish, but didn't want to pour salt onto her wounds.

Matron Qu muttered to herself for a brief moment before opening her mouth and saying: "That's enough, don't cry anymore. Go back and stay in your room, say you are sick. Leave the rest to your mother."

Bi Yuan knew her mom was formidable so she wiped her tears and left under the cover of darkness.

Ezoic

Xiao Hua saw Bi Yuan return, but didn't know what to say to her. She just pretended to be asleep, leaving the night quiet.

Before two days had gone by, Cui Lan and Liu Ye's bed climbing had already spread throughout the pavilion.

Ezoic

Bi Yuan and Cui Lan's fight on that day also couldn't be kept hidden from the maids, especially since Bi Yuan had been hiding in her room recently, not having come out these past few days.

Therefore, the gossip regarding Cui Lan and Liu Ye managing to climb into the young master's bed first, and angering the senior maid in charge to the point of illness, spread swiftly throughout Jinxiu Pavillion, and even through the entire estate…..

Inside the Jinyang Marquis Estate's main pavilion.

The estate madam who was in the middle of verifying accounting records heard the servant's report and immediately threw the records in her hand across the room.

The old maids on the side saw the enraged madam and immediately knelt to the floor.

Ezoic

Tian-Shi took a deep breath and exhaled it all in one go, waving her hands and ordering everyone to take their leave. Only senior maid Xiu É and her wet nurse Matron Rong remained.

Senior maid Xiu É attended to Tian-Shi who lay crooked on the recliner, grabbing a footrest and gently placing her feet on it. Matron Rong fetched some tea and placed it by her hand.

Tian-Shi lay for a while and took a few sips of tea before managing to calm the anger in her heart.

"Yi'er this child really makes one worry…."

Ezoic

She rubbed her brows, her face full of concern. Only in front of her own people would Tian-Shi show a hint of weakness. Xiu É walked over and gently massaged her temples.

Matron Rong stood to the side, and gently said: "Madam don't be too angry. 4th young master, he's still young…."

Tian-Shi laughed bitterly, "He's still young when he's almost 18? I originally thought he liked to watch beautiful things, so when he filled his pavilion with beautiful maids I didn't say anything about it. But now…" Tian-Shi paused for a moment, "Look at the constant disturbances that pop up, it's really –"

The estate madam was unable to finish the rest of that sentence.

He left his principal wife alone, didn't get intimate with her, and didn't worry about first giving birth to an heir. Before, he had at least known to maintain his courtesy and keep his hands off the maids in his room. To think that now he has started cavorting with the maids.

Ezoic

First Qiao-Shi slapped his maid and he went over for a big argument. Then, just a few days later, those few senior maids climbed into his bed one after the other….this, this was simply preposterous!

Tian-Shi realized now that she herself hadn't sufficiently considered the previous situation. She only intended to knock Qiao-Shi down a few pegs and placate Matron Qu a little, especially since Bi Yuan getting slapped was quite an injustice. Who knew that the two senior maids serving Yi'er would lose their cool and climb into his bed one after the other?

"I know Yi'er this child also has some anger in his heart, and is trying to make things difficult for us, purposefully acting this way for us to see. But still—"

Tian-Shi sighed again, and couldn't speak any further. Matron Rong who was next to her also didn't dare interrupt, since this involved some of the estate's private affairs.

Only after a long while did Tian-Shi open her mouth again: "Forget it, it's just a couple of maids. Since he likes them then let it be. As long as he has what he wants, it could provide some distraction for him. As his mother, my heart would also be more at ease….."

Ezoic

The setting sun shone through the window, particles of dust illuminated by the ray of light.

Matron Rong let out a sigh in her heart, but also didn't say anything more. What a shame, the 4th young master used to be such a good kid….

Just as she had the thought, a common maid entered in a panic. Matron Rong initially wanted to reprimand her, but was immediately interrupted by her words.

"Madam, the 4th young madam has hung herself—"

The Jinyang Marquis Estate madam's teacup fell to the floor with a crash.

Ezoic

The main residence wasn't far from the guest residence. When the screaming started the maids in the guest residence knew something was wrong, following which a maid came running to inform them of the situation.

Hearing that the 4th young madam had hung herself, Cui Lan and Liu Ye exchanged a frightened glance and didn't know what to say. Xiao Hua was also shocked when she heard the news. In her past life, no matter how hard it got, Qiao-Shi had never attempted suicide.

Could she already not endure this time around when things were just getting started? Then what about when things got worse in the future?

The old maids in the main residence were going in and out, screaming their heads off.

Ezoic

Xia Tong and the rest of the junior maids were terribly frightened, repeatedly asking Cui Lan's group whether they should go over and take a look.

It stood to reason that they should go take a look. The 4th young master was not present currently, and someone had to be his representative from the guest residence to show some concern. Especially since the 4th young madam was the mistress of the Jinxiu Pavilion. Regardless of whether you treated her as one or not, if you still didn't go over when something serious happened then that would be disrespectful.

Cui Lan and Liu Ye went over to the main residence. Xiao Hua followed behind them with an ominous feeling in her heart.

She wasn't able to figure out where things had gone wrong since this situation didn't occur in her past life. She could only press upon her beating heart and enter the main residence.

The room was a mess. Qiao-Shi had already been taken down and placed on the bed. Chun Tao was sprawled by her side, crying her heart out. Matron Chen was also standing by, her face filled with tears and sorrow. However, since there was no one to give the orders at the moment, she could only take it upon herself to suppress her grief and order the maids to report to the estate madam and young master, as well as immediately invite a doctor over.

Cui Lan's group of three stood by the side unable to help much. Xiao Hua was just about to lend a hand when she was blocked by one of Qiao-Shi's maids with a glare.

Xiao Hua felt a tinge of coldness in her heart. They were being targeted.

Without mentioning the fact that Qiao-Shi was somehow able to hang herself in front of such a large group of maids unnoticed, the fact that Chun Tao and Matron Chen were crying their hearts out as though their entire family had died, and yet were able to calmly give orders for the madam and young master to be informed meant that Qiao-Shi was definitely in no danger.

Ezoic

This was all a performance!

Xiao Hua's heart grew colder the more she thought about it, as though having fallen into a bucket of ice.

Ezoic

Chun Tao cried intermittently, "…..wu wu wu, my dear young miss….how could you try to commit suicide? What would Chun Tao do without you….Chun Tao has served you since I was a child, if you're gone Chun Tao also doesn't want to live anymore…."

Chun Tao had apparently gotten a huge fright, calling out "young miss" with every other word. However, due to the chaotic situation, no one thought to reprimand her for not calling her "young madam".

"….young miss, you were really too foolish….how could you be unable to look past a couple of maids climbing into his bed….what do maids count as….they're just immature slaves that you can easily sell off if you don't like them…why couldn't you think it through…."

Xiao Hua thought wildly in her heart: here it comes.

Cui Lan heard Chun Tao's indirect scolding and wanted to go up and dispute it, but was restrained by Liu Ye who indicated behind her.

Ezoic

Cui Lan turned her head and took a glance. It turned out that the estate madam Tian-Shi had been standing by the door for an unknown period of time. There was a large group of old maids behind her. Even the main heir's wife Xiao-Shi had also come.

The two mistresses entered as all the maids in the room knelt to the floor. Only Chun Tao remained in place, seeming to have forgotten herself in her tears.

Only when Matron Chen went to pull her away did she seemingly react, kneeling limply on the floor appearing inconsolably heartbroken.

Tian-Shi's face was very stern, first asking Matron Chen what the situation was. When she heard Qiao-Shi was still breathing, she instantly put her thoughts on hold, waving her hand to the doctor behind her to perform treatment.

This wasn't the time for modesty between sexes. The old doctor first peeled back Qiao-Shi's eyelids, took her pulse and then had Matron Chen come up and pinch her central acupuncture point 1.

Ezoic

After Matron Chen pinched the spot, Qiao-Shi let out a moan and awoke. Upon seeing Matron Chen's tearful face in front of her eyes, she let out a wail and burst out crying. Matron Chen also ignored the surrounding crowd as she hugged Qiao-Shi and cried.

Translator's notes:

Clarification regarding the "Shi" in the names of all the madams. This indicates their maiden name, so "Qiao-Shi" means "maiden-named Qiao", similar with Tian-Shi and now Xiao-Shi. I considered translating it as madam Qiao etc, but the word for madam is again different, so have left it as is.

Between nose and mouth

After the doctor finished his treatment, Tian-Shi asked for his diagnosis.

The doctor declared that while Qiao-Shi suffered from pent up frustrations in her heart, there weren't any major issues with her condition. He prescribed two sets of medications to be taken orally which he said would be sufficient treatment, and some medicine needed to be applied to the wounds on her neck. Hearing this, Tian-Shi indicated for a maid on the side to follow the doctor, get the medications, and escort him on his way out.

After giving her instructions, she walked to the bedside and Matron Chen made way for her.

Ezoic

Qiao-Shi saw her mother-in-law approach and cried even harder without saying anything.

Ezoic

Qiao-Shi's face was pale and full of tears, her hair a mess and her neck sported a purple bruise.

Tian-Shi also found it hard to maintain her calm. No matter how one looked at it, her family was at fault. Her son was at fault, and she as his mother did not raise him properly…

Although such were her thoughts on the surface, Tian-Shi couldn't help feeling wronged in her heart.

Ezoic

Wasn't this overkill? As the principal wife, why are you so eager to die over a couple of maids? In the capital, which household's young master doesn't have a bunch of people in his room? Why was it that only in Yi'er's case did it drive the principal wife to hang herself?

But these inner thoughts couldn't be announced to the public, so she could only placate Qiao-Shi. If things got out of hand, the Jinyang Marquis Estate's reputation could be at stake. Others wouldn't speculate over Qiao-Shi, but would only say that the JinyangMarquis Estate abused its position and drove a principal wife to her death.

"Dear child don't cry, don't cry. Yi'er let you down!" Tian-Shi sat on the bedside and sighed while stroking Qiao-Shi's hand, her eyes full of heartache.

Matron Chen raised Qiao-Shi up by her arm to rest against the large pillow. Qiao-Shi continued crying desolately, crying and muttering at the same time: "…..mom 1, I really don't want to live anymore…I also don't have the face to live…forget the fact that my husband doesn't want to get intimate with me…."

Hearing Qiao-Shi's words, the main heir's wife indicated for Matron Rong to clear the room.

Matron Rong swept her eyes across and the maids on the side who weren't involved all left one after the other.

Cui Lan and Liu Ye also wanted to leave, but before they could move their feet Xiu E gave a couple kicks to the back of their knees, making the two kneel on the floor with pale faces. Xiao Hua wanted to act invisible, but before she could move she was stared down by Xiu E and could only kneel along with the others.

"…..wu wu……arguing with me over a maid….and now sleeping with two maids in his room in a row…where did he leave my face…I really don't have any face left to live…."

Tian-Shi held Qiao-Shi while comforting her. She only stopped crying after a long time, leaning against the bed sobbing while wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Mom, I'm not afraid of being embarrassed to say that even now my husband has yet to consummate our marriage." After raising the topic, Qiao-Shi started crying again.

Tian-Shi let out a sigh and stroked her head, "I know, dear child. Mom will help mediate for you."

Ezoic

Qiao-Shi only stopped crying at this moment, though continued to sob lightly.

Ezoic

Tian-Shi let go of Qiao-Shi and moved her gaze to the few people kneeling on the floor. Cui Lan and Liu Ye were immediately scared to the point of trembling all over. Xiao Hua also lay prone on the floor with her head down, not making a sound.

Amongst them, Cui Lan could finally endure no longer and cried while prone: "Madam, you can't blame this servant. The young master forcefully pulled me into bed…."

Beside her, Liu Ye agreed with a trembling voice, "Madam, please spare us."

Cui Lan had yet to finish speaking before Xiu E gave her a slap, hitting the rest of her words back into her mouth. Xiu E normally looked gentle and refined, but when hitting people her hands were not the least bit restrained, causing Cui Lan's face to swell up with a single slap

Ezoic

Xiu E scolded while hitting: "Troublemaking hussy, you clearly wanted to climb into the young master's bed, you dare try to pin the blame on him? Is the young master someone you can implicate?"

Xiao Hua watched Xiu E's behavior and felt her heart sink even further.

Cui Lan let out cries of pain while being hit. After a few more blows, Tian-Shi waved her hand and only then did Xiu E relent, leaving Cui Lan sprawled on the floor.

Liu Ye who was beside her was even more terrified, lying prone on the floor unable to stop her body from trembling fiercely. Even she could probably tell something wasn't right. The madam intended to use them to placate Qiao-Shi's grievances.

Xiao Hua also didn't know what to do at the moment. She seemed to have been implicated by association, and in Qiao-Shi and the madam's eyes the three of them were all in the same boat. Bi Yuan managed to avoid calamity by having her face scratched open and not daring to show her face these past few days.

Ezoic

Had Xiao Hua known this would happen, she would have been willing to scratch open her own face. She clearly knew things were getting chaotic these couple of days, why didn't she think to hide further away? But she was also clear that having been raised to her position, it would be no use even if she hid at the edge of the world. Especially considering that the "four" senior maids had been stirring up a lot of trouble recently, driving the young madam to try and hang herself. As long as she was part of the four, she couldn't escape her fate.

At this moment she couldn't help but think of Bi Yuan, who had the benefit of having a powerful mother backing her. Otherwise, how could she have been able to stay inside as she pleased despite the chaos going on outside? Xiao Hua wouldn't believe that Matron Qu didn't lend her a hand.

Ezoic

"These are the maids that climbed into their master's bed?" Tian-Shi asked in a heavy voice.

Xiu E lowered her head and replied: "Yes madam. One is called Cui Lan, the other is called Liu Ye –" she paused a little and continued: "This one called Xiao Hua has yet to do so."

Xiao Hua who was on the ground hated that she couldn't immediately give Xiu E a few kowtows.

Her last phrase might have saved Xiao Hua's worthless life.

Xiao Hua was crying endlessly in her heart. How had she provoked misfortune for it to always seek her out? In her previous life she wasn't honest and ended up getting beaten to death. In this life she was already very honest and restrained, why did she still end up encountering this situation?

Ezoic

Just as Xiao Hua's heart was beating in apprehension, a maid dressed in higher status attire standing to Xiu E's side interrupted, "Madam, it's been reported that Xiao Hua is also someone who doesn't know her place. Initially she was just a sweeper girl in the pavilion, but was promoted to senior maid after catching the young master's eye."

Xiao Hua looked at that maid in disbelief. She didn't even know this person, why is she trying to screw her over so?

Her face was ash grey as she lay frozen on the floor. The sounds of the plank prior to her death in her previous life rang out once more in her ears, and that bone chilling coldness…

Looks like it's unavoidable. Is it possible that this life will have the same ending?

Tian-Shi furrowed her brows, considering how to deal with these maids. Qiao-Shi on the side started crying mournfully again.

Ezoic

She rubbed her brows and decided their fate in two sentences.

"Sell this lot outside the capital. If they have family within the estate, sell them off as well."

"Yes, madam."

Xiu E opened the door and went to fetch a couple of old worker crones. These old women were all big and beefy, seizing people as though grabbing birds and dragging them off.

When Xiao Hua heard she was getting sold and not beaten to death, she stopped resisting on the spot. She didn't wait for the old crones to fetch her, standing up and walking behind them.

Ezoic

Cui Lan and Liu Ye on the other hand were glued to the floor, struggling with all their might, calling repeatedly for the madam to spare them. These crones were all old hands, taking out a bundle of rags from their robes and stuffing it into the two's mouths, and worked together to drag them away.

Xiao Hua knew why the two were so riled up. Both of them were born into the estate, and their families worked there. Having their entire families sold off was severe punishment indeed.

Unlike her. When she ate her fill, her whole family ate their fill.2 It didn't matter where she was sold off to.

Originally she thought that by putting in some effort she could muddle along in the estate until getting released from service and getting matched with someone. Who knew an episode like this would end up occurring.

The current Xiao Hua was completely at a loss as to what path she should take in the future. On second thoughts, at least she wasn't beaten to death. Xiao Hua had expected the madam to have them all beaten to death to appease Qiao-Shi.

Ezoic

Tian-Shi added a few more words of comfort to Qiao-Shi before taking her people and leaving. After a short while, Xiu E sent over a large amount of medicine for wounds.

The maids in Jinxiu Pavilion were treated to a feast for their eyes. The felt fear in their hearts and tucked in their heads, each one deciding to start acting properly from now on, knowing the winds had shifted.

Qiao-Shi lay on the bed and revealed a satisfied smile. Matron Chen looked again at her neck and grumbled in sympathy: "Young madam, your neck is all bruised."

Qiao-Shi smiled and patted her hand: "Using these small bruises in exchange for mom's sympathy, and getting rid of those eyesores at the same time, it's worth it!" After a pause, she harshly said: "It's just that Bi Yuan got off cheaply!"

A principal wife had to resort to putting on a show of suicide to take care of a few maids. It had to be said Qiao-Shi had it hard. But she had been forced to resort to extreme measures.

Ezoic

Disliked by her husband, knocked down by her mother-in-law and having maids climbing into her husband's bed in succession. The maids had all watched with peculiar expressions. She knew if this had gone on, her face would have fallen into the mud for everyone to step on. Qiao-Shi had shut the residence door and pondered for a few days before deciding to pull out all stops. Her face had already been lost anyway, might as well be shameless for once.

She at least had to let the people in the estate know that her identity as the 4th young madam wasn't for show, and also let her mother-in-law and husband know not to force her too far, or it would end badly for everyone.

The situation now left her extremely satisfied. She felt that over the next few days her husband would definitely come to the main residence and consummate their marriage.

Matron Chen let out a sigh to the side, and didn't speak any further.

Knowledge was accumulated with life's continuous struggles and setbacks. Qiao-Shi was originally a pampered girl from a wealthy family. After marriage she had experienced repeated humiliation and setbacks, and had now learned to use various means to achieve her goals.

Ezoic

For the moment, no one could judge whether this was good or bad.

On Bi Yuan's side, after hearing the maid's report that the other three had been sold off by the madam, she waved her hand and sent the maid off. Only then did she cover her mouth and start laughing.

Great, really great. Everything was taken care of. Let those two conspire against her! No one expected the ending to be this way, hahaha, conveniently getting everyone all in one go!

It should be known that within this estate, merely having schemes wasn't enough. One needed to have at least some patience and acumen. Being so desperate as to climb into bed one after the other, even if the estate madam's side hadn't meted out punishment, the 4th young madam's side wouldn't have let them off!

Some families rejoiced, others worried. The winners rejoiced, the losers worried. The worldly affairs of large households have always been this way.

In China girls often refer to their mother-in-law as their mom after marriage

meaning she was alone

Only after sending off a maid with some medicine for Qiao-Shi did Tian-Shi slowly take a seat by the table.

After sitting there thinking for half the day, she sent someone to call the 4th young master over.

It turns out that the reason 4th young master hadn't showed up wasn't because he was completely heartless regarding Qiao-Shi's suicide attempt. It was because Tian-Shi had ordered someone to block the news from reaching him.

Ezoic

After taking a look at the situation, Tian-Shi had realized her daughter-in-law was putting on an act.

Ezoic

But no matter what, the act was putting her life on the line. Apart from feeling angry, she had also pitied Qiao-Shi and played along with her until the end.

After all, she was afraid if things got out of hand Qiao-Shi's family would come looking for trouble. While the Jinyang Marquis Estate didn't have to fear the high official from the Ministry of Appointments, she also didn't want to turn them into enemies over such a trivial matter. Qiao-Shi just wanted to fight for some dignity within the estate and it was just a couple of maids. Might as well just sell them off. What was important was the reputation of the estate that she had to worry about.

Tian-Shi thought it over some more and sent Matron Rong to go oppress the servants a little further and have them keep their mouths shut. After Matron Rong left the 4th young master walked in.

Ezoic

Looking at the clueless youth, Tian-Shi's head started hurting again. She was trying to figure out how to approach the subject, and since she had sold all his maids this child was probably going to make a fuss again.

As expected, once Tian-Shi told her son about the situation, he immediately jumped up and wasn't able to maintain his decorum.

"Mom you said Qiao-Shi hung herself?" Thinking of Qiao Shi's appearance, he couldn't help but frown. "Well then, is she dead? And mom, why would you sell off Cui Lan and the rest? It didn't have anything to do with them. Bring them back immediately."

It had to be said that Qiao-Shi was Ruan Siyi's sore spot, like a fishbone stuck in his throat. He could be gentle and caring to any woman, with Qiao-Shi being the only exception.

Hearing her own son speak so heartlessly about Qiao-Shi, Tian-Shi wasn't sure whether to criticize him or say something else, and hearing her son still asking about those maids vexed her even more, the flames raging in her heart causing her to start coughing.

Having started, the coughs wouldn't stop. Tian-Shi was afflicted with a lingering cough which would erupt depending on the season and time. These few days she had treated it to the point where she wasn't coughing anymore, but her anger had caused it to start once again.

The maid on the side brought both water and medicine, and Matron Rong who walked in at this moment ran over to help Tian-Shi catch her breath. She let out a sigh and said to the 4th young master standing helplessly at the side: "4th young master, please don't disturb the madam anymore. She has already worried her heart enough for your sake."

Ezoic

Matron Rong used to be the estate madam's wet nurse, and was always greatly respected by the few young masters. Therefore, her words to the 4th young master were always very direct.

4th young master's handsome face flushed with embarrassment and he wasn't sure of what to say. He wanted to help but there wasn't anything he could do except stand by the side resentfully.

After Tian-Shi swallowed the pills along with a few gulps of water she was finally able to stop coughing. Only then did the 4th young master take his seat again. He half hung his head, giving the air of knowing he was in the wrong.

A few maids came up with a copper basin and towel to wipe off Tian Shi's face. Only then did she with Xiu E's help lean back against her recliner.

Ezoic

After a while, she slowly opened her mouth: "Yi'er, you aren't young anymore. Having gotten married, you're now an adult. But why do you never think before you act?"

Ezoic

"Mom—" The 4th young master sat there without knowing what to say.

Since he was still young despite being an outstanding talent, there was still inevitably some immaturity. Seeing this younger son in front of her, Tian-Shi only felt some relief after thinking of her older son.

Tian-Shi sighed again, and spoke once more: "Since Qiao-Shi is your principal wife, why don't you leave even a bit of face for her? When hearing that she had hung herself, your first questions was whether she died yet? How did I give birth to such a heartless thing?" Feeling her own chest start to get tight again, Tian-Shi hurriedly evened out her breathing.

"Mom, I didn't…I didn't mean it like that…." The 4th young master also didn't know how to explain. Although he said he didn't mean it, those words had truly come out of his mouth.

Ezoic

Tian-Shi raised her hand, "Alright, that's enough. Mother knows you didn't mean it. But—" She paused, and opened her mouth again: "But no matter if you meant it or not, such words can't come out of your mouth. Mother knows you don't like Qiao-Shi, and mother has also said she wouldn't care if you take some concubines afterwards. But you also can't just insult Qiao-Shi's dignity like that in broad daylight. If you do that how is she supposed to have the face to continue living in the estate?"

The 4th young master lowered his reddened face.

Tian-Shi sighed once again. This son of hers was pampered from childhood, and has a warm and pure nature. His only two problems were his love of beauty and his inability to think things through.

She could only blame herself for spoiling him and protecting him too much. Almost eighteen years old and never thinking about his words before he spoke, and his actions were even more purely according to his whims.

"Qiao-Shi's father is a high official in the Ministry of Appointments. If Qiao-Shi really hung herself in our estate, wouldn't it force our families to become enemies? Although our household doesn't fear them, and we're also not afraid of making our in-laws our enemies, how would outsiders view our Jinyang Marquis Estate? That we bullied people based on our position, and forced a principal wife to her death?"

The 4th young master was just about to speak but was interrupted again by Tian-Shi's words: "Mother knows you think Qiao-Shi isn't good looking enough, but since ancient times the wife has always been married for her worth and concubines taken for their looks. All the wealthy households came about this way. It's impossible for everyone to marry a wife that suits their tastes. As the master of your own pavilion, the most important thing is to be impartial. Who cares if you don't like her and don't favor her? Who you want to pamper is your own choice. However, you cannot take away her dignity. If you don't leave her face, can she avoid causing a disturbance? Furthermore, the moment you leave her without face is the moment you throw your own face away since a married couple should stand united."

The 4th young master sat there with a pondering face though it was unclear what he was thinking about.

Ezoic

Tian-Shi also wasn't expecting to get through to him in one go so she sighed. "Alright, you don't have to feel too frustrated. Just keep mother's words in your mind. Regarding those maids –"

Upon hearing this the 4th young master still wanted to ask for mercy on their behalf, but his words were swallowed up by the madam's glare.

"Those maids will either be sold or beaten to death. The choice is yours."

The 4th young master hesitated for a while before opening his mouth: "Then it's better to sell them off."

Tian-Shi nodded her head in satisfaction. "It's not that mother wants to sell your maids. Since Qiao-Shi made such a commotion the other day, if those maids aren't sold off it would be hard to maintain the peace. Please understand your mother's difficulties."

Ezoic

"Mom, I understand. It's all your son's fault for making things hard on mom."

Tian-Shi sat up and patted his shoulders, tenderly saying: "Silly boy, you are your mother's son. Making your mother worry about you is natural. Just keep in mind, no matter how much you dislike Qiao-Shi you must always be considerate of her dignity. That way, even if you take in a few maids or concubines, she wouldn't be able to say anything."

Her son had just married his wife not too long ago. As his mother, Tian-Shi had to put some effort into teaching him how to maintain the pavilion's equilibrium.

"Alright, go on back. Mother is tired and wants to rest for a bit."

The 4th young master nodded his head and walked out.

Ezoic

One will eventually have to face some undesirable situations in life while growing up. In the previous life, Ruan Siyi gradually became more and more depraved. Who knows if things could change in this life after Qiao-Shi's episode.

Of course, this was a little off topic.

Cui Lan, Liu Ye and Xiao Hua were shoved and jostled by those old crones to an abandoned building near the wayside pavilion and were locked inside.

The house was simple and crude, completely empty on the inside. The floor was covered in dust and countless webs hung in the corners. As though afraid of people escaping, the windows were completely boarded up, though it left a few large gaps for light to shine inside.

Ezoic

Cui Lan and Liu Ye had fallen to the floor. After a brief moment, they pulled out the rags in their mouths and pounced at the door, hammering with all their might.

Xiao Hua knew there was no chance of rescue at this point and didn't want to waste her energy. She found a corner and sat there curled up with her arms around her legs.

"Open up, open up! I want to see the young master…." Cui Lan yelled while crying, hitting the door repeatedly. Liu Ye was next to her doing the same.

But no matter how they beat at the door, no one responded. It was completely silent outside the house.

The two having been dragged the whole way didn't have much left in way of appearance. Their clothes were filthy, their hair was a mess, and their faces were filled with snot and tears, completely losing the look of the Jinxiu Pavilion's senior maids.

Ezoic

The two didn't get tired of hitting the door but Xiao Hua grew tired of watching, taking the rare initiative to open her mouth on her own: "Stop hitting, don't waste your energy. No one's going to come release us…." She paused and continued: "The young master also won't come."

Cui Lan turned around and glared at Xiao Hua, her red streaked eyes giving her a deranged look.

"Stop speaking nonsense. You're just a maid, but Liu Ye and I are different. Young master will definitely come rescue us."

Xiao Hua inwardly sneered. How were they different now?

Even with such a large commotion at Qiao-Shi's residence, the young master hadn't hurried back.

She knew that it wasn't because he was completely heartless. Regarding this man who used to be her everything in her past life, Xiao Hua still had a good understanding of his character. He wasn't callous. The only possibility for his absence was that the estate madam had prevented the news from reaching him.

Ezoic

If this was the case, the madam was certainly clear that dealing with them in front of the young master would cause him to argue. She simply took care of them first without telling him. Since the madam had put in so much effort, how could she let the young master come save them?

Especially considering Qiao-Shi had gone to the extent of hanging herself. To suppress this incident definitely required some scapegoats. If it couldn't be the 4th young master, then it had to be them.

Having thought up to this point, Xiao Hua secretly spat.

She really had eight generations worth of bad luck. Imagine getting caught up in calamity just like that. She clearly remained honest, honest, and also honest. She was low key to the lowest key, but was still implicated in the end.

Ezoic

However, Xiao Hua also knew that thinking about this was useless and could only accept her fate. Besides, having been sold so many times, she had gotten used to it already.

But it was truly hard to get used to it in her heart. Having entered the Jinyang Estate in her past life, no matter how hard it got, her days were never truly bitter.

Now having reincarnated once, despite her best efforts to protect herself, she still ended up getting sold off.

Xiao Hua couldn't be said to be a child of good fortune. In fact, one could say her life has been rather miserable.

She was sold at five years old by her dad for a few pieces of silver to an old merchant master's household.

The steward in the estate saw that she was still young, thin and small, so arranged for her to work in the kitchen stoking the fire. If it weren't for the fact that she had to work at such a young age, that rich merchant's household was pretty decent. She never went hungry and she never got beaten. Since kids in poor families had to help with work at an early age, she actually didn't think much about it.

Ezoic

Unfortunately the merchant decided to relocate his household, and having only worked for three years tending the fire she was sold off once again.

Ezoic

She was bought and sold in succession through three households, but these ones weren't as nice as her first master's. Beatings and starvation was a common occurrence….these households' harshness and criticisms let the young Xiao Hua realize that not all households could be as lenient as her first one. She had even ran away once after being unable to endure, but a child who wasn't yet ten on the outside streets had nowhere to go. No food, no water, and no shelter. She could only become a beggar on the streets. She even came close to being kidnapped and sold off to the brothel, and was thoroughly frightened. She found her way back to her broker and after suffering a round of beatings was sold once again.

The Jinyang Marquis Estate had been her 5th household in her previous life.

She had felt it was like a paradise upon arriving. Everything was magnificent and well designed. All the maids were as pretty as flowers, and all the madams, young mistresses and young masters were aloof and removed, as though they were gods.

Ezoic

Life in the Jinyang Marquis Estate was also great. As a maid she got nice clothing, good food and even a salary every month. Although she would still get scolded by the head maid when her work wasn't done well, there was very little beatings and also no starvation.

At that time, as a common sweeper girl in the estate, Xiao Hua's standards for happiness was really very low. She had even thought that she'd be willing to stay as a sweeper maid forever.

But people always change. Especially when you place someone who was starved in front of a feast of delicacies. Her eating habits were often very unpleasant to look at, and she would also eat very urgently.

People aren't easily satisfied. A farmer who acquired one acre of farmland would dream of having two acres. Once he had two acres, he wanted ten. After becoming a landowner he would think becoming a government official would be better. After becoming an official he would want a higher ranking position….

Xiao Hua was like this in her past life too.

At first she thought being a sweeper girl was already pretty good, very satisfying and very happy. But she slowly, slowly watched as those senior maids in the estates walked around with reputations not much worse off than their masters. There were also those who used to be maids, but caught their master's eye and became concubines. Once you became a concubine your life was set. You could wear golden threads and have a maid to serve you. If you were lucky enough to give birth, even if you lost favor in the future you would still have something to depend on.

As a maid, becoming a concubine was the ultimate dream.

Xiao Hua's thoughts had gradually started to change.

Life in the estate was always pretty good, and having been raised there for over a year, Xiao Hua also transformed from the pitiful little thing who was just skin and bones into a budding flower.

Xiao Hua had previously secretly compared herself to the maids and concubines in the estate and felt that her appearance wasn't worse off. She even exceeded them by a bit. Although she had yet to mature, she still had the makings of a slender and elegant little beauty.

From desire springs forth ambition, and one's status often results in ambition growing wildly.

Ezoic

Just when did ambition first enter her heart?

Xiao Hua didn't know. All she knew was that she started saving her monthly salary like the other maids and slipping some to the maids in charge. She learned to smile whenever she encountered people, and also learned to fawn and flatter others.

Xiao Hua had a good foundation, and after being raised for a year her appearance started to show it. Not only did she gain some meat on her bones but her skin became fair and exquisite. When placed in a group of maids, it was like a crane in a flock of chicken.

The 4th young master's pavilion happened to need a sweeper girl with decent appearance, and the head maid whom Xiao Hua had often flattered appointed her to the spot.

Xiao Hua still remembered her feelings when she had been appointed at the time.

The 4th young master was young and handsome, recently married with no chambermaids or concubines. The 4th young madam was also not liked by the young master, and if she could obtain his love she could become someone who was above others.

In her past life, Xiao Hua carried those restless thoughts into Jinxiu Pavilion, and began to enact her plans….

Whenever she recalled her past self, Xiao Hua would always have the urge to laugh. Not only was she dumb and foolish, but she put on airs and ended up putting herself to death.

In this life although she didn't put on airs, she still couldn't find shelter.

Ezoic

On the side, Cui Lan seemed to have been overly shocked and was as if she had lost her mind, hitting the door repeatedly and muttering to herself: "Young master will definitely come save us, young master will definitely come…."

Liu Ye's mind was stronger than Cui Lan's by quite a bit. She stopped hitting the door, finding a spot by the wall and sat silently on the floor.

Ezoic

Cui Lan hit the door for a while, and seeing Xiao Hua and Liu Ye both seeming to have given up hope, ran over and shook them. She shook Liu Ye a few times, then ran over to shake Xiao Hua.

"Right? Young master will definitely come save us, right? Right?"

It seemed as if she would find relief if the people with her could affirm her thoughts.

Xiao Hua was a little dizzy from being shaken by her, and struggled hard to get free of her before saying loudly: "Enough, stop shaking me. Even if you shake me to death, the young master wouldn't come to save us!"

Cui Lan stood there lifelessly.

Ezoic

Xiao Hua didn't care about Cui Lan's look of defeat, and continued saying: "I didn't even say anything when I got implicated because of you two, what are you going crazy over?" Once Xiao Hua started speaking, her heart filled with indignation. Who had she provoked to deserve this? "The 4th young madam messed around with suicide, there had to be some scapegoats to pacify the situation. It's impossible for it to be the 4th young master, so it could only be us! The fact that we weren't dragged off and beaten to death is already pretty good, so why don't you save your breath."

Ezoic

Xiao Hua finished speaking and found another corner to curl up in. She had some anger in her heart. Why was it so hard to live her days peacefully like she wanted?

Liu Ye started crying mournfully to the side.

It was no wonder she would cry. Initially scheming her way to riches and status, who knew that not only did the riches and status evade her grasp, even her entire family got sold off.

Cui Lan also stopped her craziness, crouching in place and crying with her face covered.

Ezoic

Only a short time had passed but their circumstances had changed drastically. Moments earlier they were respected senior maids of the estate's son. Moments later, they were sold off. It wasn't surprising for the two to find it hard to endure.

Xiao Hua also felt panicked and heavy in her heart, but didn't express it as clearly as the other two.

She wasn't born into the estate, and wasn't some spoiled princess. She was just a little girl who was sold all over the place from a young age.

Having schemed herself to death in her past life, she had decided to behave honestly in this life and didn't have high hopes for herself. Just passing her days peacefully was sufficient. But even such a simple desire was now shattered. Cui Lan and Liu Ye might not know it, but Xiao Hua was very clear in her heart. Once you are sold, everything would depend on your luck. If you were lucky you would be sold into a nice household as a servant, with no beatings and no starvation. If your luck was not so good, you were sold straight to the brothel, where you would be as good as dead.

Xiao Hua couldn't help but shiver thinking up to this point.

Ezoic

She touched her own face and examined her body, slowly feeling relieved in her heart.

Luckily, luckily she had yet to mature. Although fourteen years old, she hadn't developed well.

But Xiao Hua was still a little worried, and rubbed the dust on the floor onto her face.

She applied the dust quite skillfully, not making her whole face dirty but instead staining both her hands with dust and pressing against her face after rubbing her hands together a few times.

After pressing again and again, she had darkened her face, arms and neck. From the outside, she appeared to be a skinny, dark-skinned, sloppy little girl. She rubbed the floor again, and marked two dark streaks around her eyes, and another across her face. Finally, she ruffled her hair into an unkempt and scraggly bush.

Ezoic

This was what Xiao Hua had slowly put together from her experiences of being sold repeatedly.

Xiao Hua had seen some older girls trying to conceal their appearances, and making their face completely filthy. Sometimes being too dirty was also a distinguishing feature. Her disguise was just right, not too dirty but cutting a sorry figure, which meant it wouldn't attract too much attention.

Regarding the rest, she had to rely on Cui Lan and Liu Ye. Since the young master had gotten intimate with the two of them, hopefully the madam would be considerate and not sell them off to some dirty place, casually selling them off as servants instead.

Cui Lan and Liu Ye were both crying into their hands, and didn't notice Xiao Hua's actions.

Once they stopped crying and found a place to sit, they noticed Xiao Hua's pitiful appearance. However, they just assumed it happened during their relocation process from Qiao-Shi's residence, and also wasn't in the mood to pay attention to others.

Ezoic

The light in the room went from bright, to gradually fading and finally to darkness.

During this time none of the old crones brought them food, so Cui Lan and Liu Ye started getting restless. Xiao Hua on the other hand was very familiar with this situation.

They were about to be sold off, who would think to come give them food. It was already nice enough not to starve them to death!

Xiao Hua didn't think any further and tried to leave her mind blank, trying to ignore the pangs of hunger in her stomach. She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes and hypnotized herself to quickly fall asleep.

This special ability was learned by Xiao Hua during her days of suffering from hunger because a sleeping person no longer feels the hunger.

Ezoic

But it had been a while since she had to use it, and Xiao Hua felt she was no longer as proficient at it. Especially since Cui Lan and Liu Ye continued to weep on the side, their cries causing her thoughts to be in turmoil.

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, continuously enduring without saying a word. She told herself to imagine having fallen asleep already, and gradually fell asleep for real.

Xiao Hua suddenly awoke in the middle of the night.

She appeared to have heard someone calling out her name and looked around.

The moon seemed to be bright tonight. The moonlight shining through the boarded windows allowed her to see the room clearly. Liu Ye and Cui Lan both looked to be sleeping, cuddled together in a corner.

Ezoic

Xiao Hua heard someone calling her softly once again, so she followed the voice and slowly made her way to the window.

Only after peeking through the gaps between the boards did she realize Grandma Wang had come.

Ezoic

"Granny Wang, why have you come?"

Grandma Wang's old face was stretched tight, seeming extremely sad but also afraid to upset Xiao Hua.

"You silly lass, wasn't it because I heard the news and was worried about you?"

Xiao Hua felt a little like crying, but was also afraid to upset the old woman and managed to smile instead, "You don't have to worry about me granny. I'm doing fine."

Ezoic

Grandma Wang finally couldn't stop herself from crying any longer. Afraid of being overhead, she covered her mouth. "You silly lass, how can you be fine if you're getting sold off? Unfortunately there isn't anything I can do. I can only watch helplessly."

Xiao Hua raised her head a little to stifle the tears that were about to flow out, took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Granny, you're looking down on me too much. No matter what, I, Xiao Hua, have been sold so many times. If I couldn't even get over this point, I wouldn't have been able to survive this long."

Grandma Wang was amused into both tears and laughter. Xiao Hua also raised her little fist and waved it around, "Granny, you shouldn't underestimate me. I am after all a little wild flower1 in the ground. The winds and rain can't blow or beat me to death. Even if I wilt this time around, I will bloom again next year." She blinked with all her might, trying to blink her tears back. "Oh, right. How did you know we were locked up in here, granny?"

Grandma Wang wiped away her old tears, "I've stayed in this estate so many years, would there be a place I wasn't familiar with? People who are getting sold off are usually kept in this pavilion. It's unfortunate that the estate is well guarded, and the area outside this pavilion passes through several gates. Otherwise granny really wants to secretly set you free."

Xiao Hua twisted her lips and acted nonchalant: "Granny, you're also silly. Even if you released me I have nowhere to go. Where would a little girl like me find a place to live in this world? I have no home, and my contract isn't in my hands. An escaped servant's fate is even worse."

Grandma Wang muttered to herself, "Ai, that's true –"

She passed a small cloth bag through the window gap, "Here, take this. There's some food and silver inside."

Xiao Hua pushed back, "Granny why would you give me silver, I don't want it."

Grandma Wang said urgently: "You silly lass. Getting sold off in such a rush, you definitely don't have any coins on you. At least take some with you, so if something really happens you can have some means to protect yourself."

Ezoic

Xiao Hua thought about it and realized she was right. She accepted the small bag and gripped it tightly with her fingers.

"Granny, thank you."

"No need for thanks. What use does an old grandma like me have for the silver? But there isn't much, just use it as a safety measure." Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Grandma Wang spoke again: "This grandma wasn't able to find out where you guys are being sold off to, but one thing is certain. The madam shouldn't be selling you guys off to some filthy place since those two have been intimate with the young master."

The line of thought happened to coincide with Xiao Hua's earlier thoughts. Hearing this, Xiao Hua was able to fully put her heart at ease.

The two spoke a few more words before Grandma Wang prepared to leave. As she was about to walk away, she forced a smile and said: "This grandma had been worried you would be depressed. If you're able to maintain that same spirit you had just know, there isn't anywhere you wouldn't be able to survive."

Ezoic

"Take care, granny." Xiao Hua mumbled.

"Little lass, you take care as well."

After Grandma Wang left, Xiao Hua curled up in the corner again. She looked at Cui Lan and Liu Ye, who were still asleep on the floor.

She opened the cloth bag, and found a couple pieces of silver coins and two pastries. The pastries were small, only the size of a palm. Grandma Wang had probably known the window crack wasn't large and so gave her smaller pieces.

The tears that had been held back for so long flowed out all at once.

She grabbed a pastry and peeled off pieces into her mouth. Her mouth chewed the pastry while her face was filled with tears.

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She told herself repeatedly that it was fine, it was just being sold, it wasn't as if she hadn't been sold before. She was the little wild flower that couldn't be beaten to death. Wherever the wind takes her is where she will grow.

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Although her thoughts were such, the tears wouldn't stop flowing.

She ate one of the pastries and put the other into her robes. Xiao Hua looked at the few pieces of silver, and after some thought used the cloth bag and a torn strip from her clothes to bind it around her leg.

Luckily she didn't have any pieces of jewelry on her, otherwise she wouldn't know where to hide them.

Having readied herself, she closed her eyes and continued to sleep, forcing herself not to think about anything.

When she awoke it was already bright daylight, though she wasn't sure when. Cui Lan had started pounding on the door again, this time to yell for food instead of the young master.

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Yet no matter how she yelled no one showed up. Cui Lan saw that there truly didn't seem to be anyone outside, and since this place was very remote no one could hear their sounds of activity. She turned around and looked at the other two in alarm, "They wouldn't starve us to death here right?"

Liu Ye didn't say anything, though her breathing grew heavier.

Xiao Hua saw her pitiful appearance and felt a little sympathy, giving her a glance and saying: "There's no way. They will sell us off before we starve to death. Therefore, you should save your energy so you can last until then."

Cui Lan wanted to cry again, but Xiao Hua's latter words made her hurriedly stop herself.

The three of them found their own spot to curl up in, with none of them talking to each other. Liu Ye and Cui Lan would faintly sob occasionally, but Xiao Hua who was curled up in her corner couldn't be bothered to respond to them.

Ezoic

The room went from bright to dark to bright again, during which time the second pastry was secretly eaten by Xiao Hua.

Only on the third day did they hear the sounds of people outside. Xiao Hua and the rest had been starved to the point of exhaustion.

Especially Xiao Hua, who was in her growth phase but having only eaten two pastries. If she hadn't already carried the expectation of being starved, she wouldn't have been able to last.

Two sturdy old crones walked in with stern expressions, holding a plate of buns and a pot of water.

After walking in, they used their feet to nudge Cui Lan who was on the floor, and told them to eat.

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Xiao Hua's eyes lit up, shakily standing and making her way over.

She first poured herself some water before heading over to the buns.

Although Cui Lan and Liu Ye were extremely hungry, they had yet to fully adapt to their new status. They each took a bun and nibbled on it as they sat. Xiao Hua saw their refined mannerisms and showed no modesty, grabbing three buns from the plate. With two cradled in her bosom and one in her hand, she also sat down and started chewing slowly.

The short and stocky old crone said with a rough voice: "All of you eat quickly. After you're done it's time to be on your way."

The old crone's words sounded frightening2 but Xiao Hua knew what she meant. She was saying they were about to be sold.

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Xiao Hua had also anticipated this, otherwise she wouldn't have grabbed the extra buns. Once you get to the trafficker, that's when you'll know what it's like to be missing meals.

Cui Lan finished her bun in a single breath and felt she was no longer hungry. She started pleading with the old crone to let her see the young master.

The short stocky crone gave her a look of disdain and said: "The young master won't see you guys, so stop thinking about it. If you behave well and don't cause any trouble, I won't let you suffer."

Cui Lan wanted to beg and cry once again, but quieted down after getting pushed back by the tall and sturdy old crone.

Seeing the three of them finishing up with their meal, the two crones gave Cui Lan and Liu Ye a glance over, and reached their hands out to take off all their silver hairpins and accessories.

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Liu Ye shrieked: "What are you guys doing? That's mine!"

The taller crone spat in contempt, "What's yours? You're getting sold, nothing is yours." While speaking, she and the shorter crone pinned the two of them to the ground and rummaged over their bodies, removing anything remotely valuable.

Cui Lan and Liu Ye had never experienced such rough treatment before, letting out yelping cries while paralyzed on the floor.

After the two were done with Cui Lan and Liu Ye, their eyes looked towards Xiao Hua's body. They saw the skinny and shriveled little lass with her face full of soot, unadorned hair and wrists, a skinny body that could barely hide anything, and two protrusions around her chest area.

Xiao Hua saw their gaze and hurriedly took out the two buns hidden in her robes, and acted aggrieved: "I had just been promoted to senior maid a few days ago, and worked as a sweeper girl before. I've only lived nicely for a couple of days before being implicated." As she was speaking, she burst into tears.

Ezoic

The two crones also knew the situation, and didn't say anything else. They yelled at Cui Land and Liu Ye to get up, and made the three of them follow them out. They walked out of the deserted pavilion, passed through a few gates and arrived at a small house.

Inside the house stood a tough-looking old woman. Upon seeing the two old crones, she started nodding and bowing, her originally fierce expression instantly transforming into a gratifying smile.

Xiao Hua saw this familiar trafficker and was suddenly dazed.

Trafficker Qian. To think it would be her.

She had initially been sold into the capital by this trafficker. This old woman was vicious and merciless, her character unreasonable and unkind. Of course, this was only towards the slaves under her control. Towards those with wealth and status, she was a completely different person.

"The two of you old sisters in charge came over, is it the three of them?"

The shorter crone spoke: "Trafficker Qian, these three will be handed over to you. Our madam has ordered that they be sold outside the capital, sold far away." Thinking of the orders she received, she spoke again: "Sell them to people as servants, you know what to do."

Trafficker Qian smiled and said fawningly: "That's for sure, that's for sure. Your estate can be assured of the way I handle things."

As a trafficker, she not only bought and sold servants, but also helped some rich households take care of a few shameful secrets. For those that offended their masters, the orders would be to sell them to some awful places. Those that have been intimate with the estate's young masters or old masters would get a little more consideration.

Sometimes she didn't understand what these people were thinking. Since they had already decided to deal with them, why bother being so picky with where they ended up? After all, what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over. But the reason she had such a network of rich households was because she dutifully carried out their orders. As long as they ordered it, she would accomplish it.

Ezoic

Glancing at the two sorry looking maids who were clearly "good saplings", trafficker Qian felt regret. It was really a shame about these two good saplings.

Trafficker Qian finished her transaction with the two crones, and waved her hand to let her own crones come in and drag the people away. Since Xiao Hua had been trafficked by her before, and also having heard that they were to be sold as servants, she followed behind without resistance.

Cui Lan and Liu Ye still wanted to struggle, but after being given a slap each by trafficker Qian's crones they became well behaved.

Ezoic

Author's notes:

Some readers have remarked that the plot is moving a little slow, this is a very profound problem.

I personally believe that these reincarnators or transmigrators need to experience things from a young age to mature. Xiao Hua hasn't experienced much in her two lives. In her first life after growing up with suffering she entered the Jinyang Marquis Estate where the small Jinxiu Pavilion became her whole world. Her time spent after reincarnating was very short, and while she had experienced the pain of death in her past life and knows she can't go down the same path, she still has the past experience of several years spent living the "good life". Therefore returning back in time there are still a few things she wasn't able to get used to right away, and having to face getting sold again she is inevitably very scared….this kind of obstacle in her heart is something that needs to be overcome before being able to revert to her original character. Kind of like rebirth from the flames….

Alright, did you guys understand what this author is saying? I don't really know what I'm saying myself.

Regarding the plot moving slowly I will pay attention to this problem in the future, but I will also say this novel is a little slice of life, sweet and cute novel. The main draw will be the interactions between the male and female lead, with some sprinkling of household and palace drama. The simple things will be the base, with some plots and schemes as seasoning…this will be the planned plot looking forward. However, this author also likes to go off plan, and once things go off it's like a wild horse that refuses to be bridled….

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Furthermore, our male lead is quite moe3. This kind of cute needs to be revealed slowly. If in the end his cute points aren't revealed, it means that my idea is of cute isn't quite the same as everyone else's, and I will definitely cry myself to death. I've rambled too much, hiding under a lid and escaping….

Xiao Hua means little flower

the phrase she used can also imply death, kind of like kicking the bucket

Cute and adorable

Xiao Hua had already stayed in this place for three days.

Upon arriving she had been separated from Cui Lan and Liu Ye and was placed inside this room.

The room was very large and very crude. A wide open enclosure filled with bunks that didn't even have blankets, packed full with around ten to twenty people. They were all girls whose ages ranged between ten and eighteen.

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The people here mostly had dull and lifeless expressions, and those who didn't were crying into their arms. The air inside the house was depressing and stagnant to the point of suffocation.

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Xiao Hua found herself a bunk against the wall and lay down. She wasn't unfamiliar with this kind of environment. If she didn't find her own spot early on, she would end up sleeping on the floor.

As expected, the room soon filled up with more and more people. Those that came in later had to curl up on the floor.

This room was normally locked, and would only open when trafficker Qian's servants brought them food. "Bringing them food" meant a single piece of hard flat bread a day for everyone. If you were still hungry you can only endure. If you want more food, wait for tomorrow's serving and you'll have some food again.

Ezoic

There was a wooden barrel in one of the corners of the room. Whenever people needed to relieve themselves they would use it. With the number of people and the lack of windows, the contents of the barrel remained in the room. After two days, the nauseating smell had permeated the room.

But no matter how hard the living conditions were, they could only endure because there was no way to resist. They were merely slaves.

Living in such cramped conditions for so long, many of those who came in with dull expressions slowly ended up breaking down as well.

Crying, screaming, wanting food and water and freedom. The only thing that brought were a few tough old crones who handed out beatings to those caught making noise. Of course they couldn't beat anyone to death or even injure them. If problems arose they would also get into trouble. They would only use long and thin willow branches as a whip, making you jump in pain without leaving any marks.

Of course if you continued to make a fuss, what awaited was an actual whip. At that point thoughts of holding back were thrown out the window. They weren't "good saplings" and so weren't expected to bring in large profits. As long as the face was fine, trafficker Qian's lot didn't care about your fate.

Afterwards, no one dared to make a fuss anymore. Everyone was frightened, Xiao Hua included.

She hadn't made a fuss in the beginning due to her fear. Especially since it wasn't her first stay with trafficker Qian. She was very clear how to minimize her own suffering.

Endure the hunger and the thirst. Luckily she had hidden two buns on her, secretly breaking off a few pieces to fill her stomach in the middle of the night so she wasn't starved to the point of insanity.

When a person was repressed to such a degree, without any chance of resisting the oppressor, what was left to them would be to bully those who were weaker than them. Sometimes, human nature was just that twisted.

The number of bunks in the room was very little, and could fit around twenty people or so. The rest could only curl up on the floor and those on the floor were dissatisfied. They already felt hollow in their hearts, having been brought to this place, beaten and tortured, and still had to sleep on the floor at the end of the day. Those with rougher personalities could no longer endure.

"You, get down here for me." Those that couldn't endure undoubtedly targeted the bunks of smaller and weaker people.

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Pushovers would be oppressed, so the above situation would occur repeatedly.

As expected, after seeing the first person who was unable to endure manage to bully her way up to a bunk, several others couldn't sit still and started to do the same. Some pushovers were bullied into submission, but others resisted, perhaps unwilling to endure further humiliation. Or perhaps their hearts were originally fiery, which resulted in both parties fighting fiercely.

Fights between girls were ugly, and usually involved hair pulling and face clawing. In this case they didn't dare go for the face since they had seen how trafficker Qian's people handled things. They were afraid if they harmed someone's face and the victim ended up snitching, the clear evidence and many witnesses would force them to face the consequences.

Xiao Hua had picked out the bunk in the far corner upon arrival, and so the commotion had yet to reach her.

She only watched quietly, watching in silence and not saying a word.

Ezoic

She suddenly felt the scene before her eyes to be familiar yet foreign at the same time. Foreign because it had been too long, and familiar because she had experienced it too many times when she was younger.

After reincarnating back into the Jinyang Estate where she died in her past life, she was surrounded by familiar people and familiar events. Many times it would daze her, giving her the feeling that it was all a dream. Sometimes she would realize it wasn't a dream but still be afraid of meeting the same end as last time.

Only after being sold did Xiao Hua finally have a sense of reality, and was able to shed the weight in her heart.

She had finally escaped from her past life's influence. No matter what, at least she had avoided the case of her being beaten to death in the Jinyang Marquis Estate.

Rebuilding can only occur after destruction. Perhaps this described the scene before her eyes. The tenacity within her that had been covered up by vanity after being sold into the Jinyang Marquis Esate had returned to her at some point.

The memories that had been blurred for a long time appeared in her mind one after the other –

She was eight years old, almost too long ago to clearly remember. She could only remember it was before her time at the Jinyang Marquis Estate. Having gone through many households, there were always those who would bully her due to her age. The old bullied the young, the hard bullied the soft. It seemed as though this was a way for those people to release their pent up feelings from their own oppressors—

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"You really are a little flower that can't be stomped to death. How are you still not dead after such treatment?"

Why would she be dead? Survival was her innate ability!

"Why don't you cry? You don't even cry when getting insulted, you really are a lowly seed!"

Why would she cry? If she cried wouldn't they laugh even louder, wouldn't they be even more satisfied?

……

Ezoic

She had experienced all kinds of insults and humiliation until she slowly grew older.

It was because she had suffered so that she tried her best to become someone of higher status in her past life. She didn't want to suffer any more, but unfortunately she was too stupid and didn't consider enough, resulting in such an ending.

But the experience from both lives combined has also taught Xiao Hua many things about survival. She knew when she could resist, and when she couldn't. When she couldn't, she would submit meekly. When she could, she would never allow herself to be humiliated.

For example, at this moment –

Xiao Hua raised her head and looked at the person who wanted her to get down. Looks like her body was too frail, making her appear as a soft persimmon to others.

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Xiao Hua knew how to deal with such people who appeared brave but were cowardly inside. She stared back without saying anything, and saw that person's apprehension. She said: "Scram!"

That person immediately scrammed.

Xiao Hua buried her head once again.

That's right, having experienced so much she still hadn't died. In this life, she was determined to survive.

Ezoic

Having stayed another few days in this room filled with an oppressive atmosphere, Xiao Hua had her wrists tied along with a few others and was taken onto a carriage.

The carriage was very large, and was able to fit around ten people. Everyone found their own space to huddle up in.

Seeing that there was still room, Xiao Hua was a little suspicious. Trafficker Qian was someone who always used her resources to its fullest, and would never waste any space. If she could bring one more along, she would bring one more along. But soon her suspicions were cleared, because another person was brought into the carriage. It was an unconscious young lady.

The remaining space just happened to fit someone who was lying down.

After trafficker Qian had her placed onto the carriage, she swept her gaze around and finally settled on Xiao Hua.

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"You, keep an eye on her until she wakes up."

Xiao Hua didn't make any noise, only nodding her head.

The carriage door was closed once again. Xiao Hua carefully placed the unconscious girl's head onto her knees. Since her hands were bound, it was an extremely difficult maneuver. The only reason she did so was because she saw the white cloth wrapped around the girls' clearly injured head. Giving her head some padding with her legs was better than letting her get injured further.

The carriage swayed as it began to move. Only then did Xiao Hua lower her head and examine the unconscious person on her legs.

The girl was around fifteen, sixteen years old. She was very fresh looking, her skin white and fair, and her countenance appeared to be extremely frail and delicate. She wore rough, commoner's clothing that didn't fit her body, as though it had been taken from someone else and hurriedly pulled on.

She looked at her fingers, which were as expected tender without any calluses.

Xiao Hua's heart leapt, but then laughed in spite of herself. What did the girl have to do with her? No need to blindly worry about things.

The days spent on the carriage were very difficult. The space was too small and they couldn't even stretch out their legs. Being hungry was one thing, but having to use the bathroom was a hassle. The carriage only stopped once a day for them to relieve themselves. If they wanted to go again, they had to hold it until trafficker Qian's caravan fleet stopped for the night to rest.

The fleet this time was very long, with around ten or so horse carriages and a few caged cars. It wasn't clear where this batch of people was going to be sold.

Ezoic

The unconscious girl awoke on the third day.

Xiao Hua saw her shock as she realized she had been sold off, and couldn't resist offering a few words of comfort.

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It was the most she could do for her, the rest would be up to her own thoughts. After all, a person's survival depended not on the words of others, but on their own inner tenacity and toughness.

If that wasn't present, she doubted that this girl, who was clearly pampered from a young age, could hold on.

Xiao Hua expected to see her start to cry desolately and fall apart, since after all her appearance looked as though the wind would blow her over, clearly having lived a privileged life. Yet unexpectedly, the girl's character was completely different from her appearance, not only quickly recovering her calm but even having the guts to ask Trafficker Qian for food.

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Even more surprising was that Trafficker Qian made an exception on this occasion, allowing Xiao Hua to confirm her thoughts.

The will to survive is bountiful. Even in desperate straits one could persevere with gritted teeth.

Days passed one after the other. Xiao Hua saw the girl's eyes change from dull to bright, and finally fill with an indescribable brilliance.

She liked seeing this, because it was as if she saw a ray of hope inside this lifeless carriage. Although Xiao Hua could continue to endure without such things, she couldn't help but be extremely moved at the sight.

That feeling was very unfamiliar. What could it be? Xiao Hua couldn't figure it out.

Ezoic

That girl had told Xiao Hua her name. It was a beautiful name: Qing Wan.

Every time someone introduced themselves to Xiao Hua, she would always sigh about how nice sounding their names were and how tacky her own was in comparison. However, she had never considered switching her name.

In the past whenever she had been resold, even if the previous master had given her an elegant and refined name, she would always discard it and call herself Xiao Hua, a little flower that couldn't be stomped to death.

Of course, the last line had never been said out loud for people to hear.

Qing Wan was a very special girl, one who didn't match her frail and delicate appearance.

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She was very astute and prudent. Xiao Hua bitterly smiled as she thought she had seen through her intentions.

She actually wanted to escape!?

After observing for a few more days, Xiao Hua confirmed her guess. She couldn't help but consider whether she should give her some pointers.

After considering for two days, Xiao Hua finally couldn't help but tell Qing Wan some of her own experiences as well as what the world was like outside.

She didn't intend to persuade her, but just wanted to tell her about the truth of the world and let her decide by herself.

Ezoic

Escape? If it was really that easy to escape, she would have done it long ago. Was anyone willing to be sold repeatedly, let along be sold five times?

Even if you overlook Trafficker Qian's tight security around her caravan, the wild and mountainous countryside as well as the harsh society of the outside world was not one where a weak female wanderer could survive. The best case would be to wander the streets as a beggar, the worst would be to get kidnapped and sold into those filthy places. Especially for girls who had decent appearances, the outside was full of difficulties.

It wasn't that she had gotten used to servitude, but rather she was clear in her heart that even becoming a servant or slave was better than wandering homeless outside, where perhaps you would end up in situations far worse than servitude.

Furthermore, Qing Wan was clearly of noble birth. A delicate lady who hadn't seen much of the world. Who knew which of the households in the capital's young mistresses had managed to end up in such a place?

However, Qing Wan hadn't said anything, and so Xiao Hua didn't ask. Everyone had their own secrets, just like herself.

The carriage continued to proceed, bringing with it suffering and sadness. But no matter what, survival was the first priority.

Seeing Qing Wan give up on her idea of escaping, Xiao Hua was a little at a loss. She didn't know whether she did the right thing.

Perhaps escaping was a good idea?

She didn't know, and her heart told her that if she wanted to avoid disaster she should stay put.

Ezoic

Qing Wan's mind also seemed to be settled, and she obediently stayed put without any further thoughts of escape. She ate as expected, drank as expected and remained sullen as expected. It seemed as if having spent the past few days in the hands of the traffickers, she started to realize how to act in order to have a more comfortable stay.

Yet the standard of living remained extremely poor. In order maintain the speed, the trafficker provided very little food. They received a single piece of flatbread a day and two sips of water, keeping them in a state where they barely wouldn't die of thirst and starvation.

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The people in the carriage gradually grew thinner, especially Xiao Hua. Her originally skinny body now showed signs of emaciation. Yet the weaker her body grew, the brighter her eyes became.

Lin Qing Wan felt that the skinny little girl before her eyes had a quality about her that astonished the heart.

The air in the carriage was unpleasant to breathe, a mixture of sweat and filth.

Ezoic

Qing Wan and Xiao Hua were huddled in the innermost corner of the carriage, both relaxing with their eyes closed as they conserved their energy. Sometimes, they would go the entire day without speaking more than a single sentence, mostly just communicating with their eyes. It wasn't that they didn't want to talk, but rather their mouths had grown drier the further along they went. The water provided was far too little, and everyone's lips had crusted over, cracking as soon as they were opened.

Yu Zi Man curled up in a corner of the carriage and looked at the incredible scene before her, often unable to remain calm.

Although she had transmigrated, she ended up in such a place. What was even more awkward was the she had transmigrated into the body of a wealthy young mistress, but due to the resentment of her younger stepsister, she was sold outside the capital to traffickers. When she awoke, she was already on Trafficker Qian's carriage heading from the capital towards the north, surrounded by dull and lifeless slaves.

She was a girl from the 21st century, but ended up in such a place.

After experiencing many hardships, Yu Zi Man, now called Qing Wan, had decided to give up on escape. What that Xiao Hua had said was right. Such a feudal society had nowhere for a single woman wanderer to escape to. She would end up begging on the streets or kidnapped and sold to a brothel.

She wasn't able to return to her new body's home either.

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It had to be said that "her" younger sister's scheme was rather vicious. As the young mistress of a wealthy family, even if it was a commoner family, going missing and turning up again would be an enormous stain on her reputation and dignity. She would end up "suddenly falling ill and passing away" if she returned home. Especially since the principal wife, her stepmother, had never liked her, and "she" had always been invisible to her father. If she really spent countless efforts to stupidly show up again, her stepmother would undoubtedly be happy to see such a situation.

But in such a foreign world, even with the memories of her original host, how was she to survive? The original host was also someone who never left her house. The one time she was tricked by her stepsister into leaving the house to offer incense, she was knocked unconscious and thrown to the traffickers.

The only thing worth rejoicing over was that the trafficker didn't seem like she was selling her off to some filthy place but rather as a servant or, as she had heard while losing her consciousness, as a bride to some peasant.

Regardless, she could only grit her teeth and endure, acting based on the circumstances. She just hoped the heavens would be merciful and not force her into desperate straits for a life and death struggle.

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Her stomach was hungered to the point where it couldn't growl anymore, leaving only a hot burning sensation in her gut. A small pair of hands reached over from the side, and secretly stuffed something into her palms.

Lin Qing Wan turned her head towards Xiao Hua, who gave her a wink. Without saying anything, she silently put the small piece of flatbread into her mouth, chewing on it slowly. The moment she moved her mouth, her cracked lips started bleeding. She disregarded this, and swallowed the flatbread that had some blood on it as seasoning.

She still couldn't compare to this tenacious little girl. They received so little food that normal people would devour everything they got in one go. Xiao Hua was the only exception, always storing some away like a small hamster, and waiting until the hunger was unbearable before eating a little to comfort her stomach.

Lin Qing Wan finished eating and pinched Xiao Hua's hand, expressing her gratitude without words while also deciding to be more like Xiao Hua.

Ezoic

In cases of extreme hunger, it really was necessary to eat many smaller meals. This prevents the stomach from getting injured. She just wasn't used to such a situation and hadn't considered it before.

Trafficker Qian's caravan wouldn't always stop to set up camp every night. Many times they had to sleep out in the open.

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Whenever this happened, the carriages with people inside would be arranged in a circle and heavily guarded. They even had hired guards take shifts throughout the night. Initially it seemed like this night would pass as any other, but unexpectedly someone tried to escape in the middle of the night. Xiao Hua and the others were also woken up and made to watch what happens to those who tried escaping.

The culprit was a girl from one of the carriages in front. According to Trafficker Qian, that carriage was full of "good saplings" who were normally raised well by Trafficker Qian and wouldn't suffer too much rough treatment. All so that they can be sold for a higher price at the brothel.

It was unexpected that Trafficker Qian would be so harsh in dealing with a "good sapling". Not only was she whipped ten times, trafficker Qian also announced that those on the same carriage would be punished as a group and not given any food for three days.

This was a typical example of killing the chicken to scare the monkey, while turning everyone in the carriages into potential snitches against each other.

Each carriage had around ten people, each with their own thoughts. Even if you wanted to escape, you had to first be able to hide it from the people sitting next to you. After all, no one wanted to suffer the collective punishment of going without food for three days. That would really be asking for their lives. Everyone became speechless and some were even scared to tears. Some, such as Lin Qing Wan, who had given up on thoughts of escaping but were still unsatisfied in their hearts were now completely convinced. And Xiao Hua merely watched fixedly. A trafficker whipping their slaves had never been a rare occasion. Once you saw it a few times, you didn't have the spare energy to feel sympathy anymore.

After around ten days, the caravan finally arrived at Yang City, the capital of the Yun Province. Xiao Hua and the rest were taken to a large courtyard and locked into a small house. Inside was the same enclosure with bunks, and the ropes that bound everyone's wrists were finally released.

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Xiao Hua guessed that this should be Trafficker Qian's final destination this time around.

As expected, starting from the second day, the people in the room started getting led outside. Some didn't return while others were placed back into the room.

Upon asking the people who were brought back, everyone realized that those who were gone had been selected and taken away.

There were many types of brokers in the Grand Xi Dynasty. Land and real estate, exchange of goods etc. The middlemen in such transactions were all classified as brokers. Trafficker Qian was someone who could be counted as the peak of the broker profession. Of course, the goods she dealt in was the least reputable of their profession, which was in common term human trafficking.

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Human trafficking was basically brokering the trade of people.

Yet regardless of reputation, Trafficker Qian ran a large business operation. To those large wealthy households in the capital, it could be said she was reputable. She not only delivered servants for those households, but also helped them deal with disobedient servants or shameful secrets. After several years of cooperation, both sides had developed a good rapport. Therefore, if the conditions were the same, many households preferred to sell people to Trafficker Qian. Human nature tended towards familiarity when doing business after all.

After Trafficker Qian developed her business operation, she no longer limited herself to the country's capital. Since some of her business required her to sell the people as far as possible, she had no choice but to expand. Trafficker Qian was very shrewd, and would never do anything in vain. As of today, she had already developed several traffickers downstream who all worked in unison for their benefits.

For example, the traffickers in the Yun Province would give some of the "good saplings" to Trafficker Qian to sell in the capital, and Trafficker Qian would give some of her good saplings on hand to these people in exchange. The maids from wealthy households were seen as extremely good saplings in a remote place like the Yun Province.

Of course, these people understood Trafficker Qian's bottom line. They could only sell these people to the places she specified. As traffickers, all they cared about was money. No one wanted to offend the nobles behind Trafficker Qian. Since Trafficker Qian had spoken, it meant the nobles behind her had left specific instructions.

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Therefore, those who worked with Trafficker Qian were extremely clear. No matter how good of a "sapling" they saw, if they were labeled to become servants then they could only be sold as servants.

The large courtyard where Xiao Hua and the rest were staying in was actually a sort of transfer station. Trafficker Qian would bring the people here, and those that often did business with her would come and pick from the goods.

Those who were traffickers handled many types of people. There were men who were used for hard labor and those were casually purchased for their strength. There were girls who were wanted by rich households as maids, and those just needed to be the right age without needing additional grooming. Then there were girls who were to be sold to officials as maids. The quality of these girls needed to be a level higher, and they had to understand basic etiquette. The housekeeper responsible for the purchase had to worry about being punished if he came back with a complete novice.

For some people, they just wanted to save themselves some hassle. On the other hand, some large households cared more about reputation, and even their maids had to have decent appearances. As such, those maids with decent appearances and manners were always hot commodities and can be sold off without much effort.

As a maid from a large capital household, Xiao Hua had also been brought out and presented several times. It wasn't known if it was her skinny appearance or her filthy appearance that resulted in her not getting picked every time.

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In the meantime, Qing Wan had been taken by Trafficker Qian and didn't return.

However, Xiao Hua wasn't worried. Qing Wan had revealed to her that she was most likely going to be sold as a bride to some peasant. Regarding the reason for such a strange arrangement, Qing Wan didn't say and Xiao Hua didn't ask. She thought there definitely had to be something fishy about it.

The number of people in the room steadily decreased. Most had already been selected, leaving behind a small portion who were all not outstanding. Finally one day, Trafficker Qian gathered them all up and gave them to another trafficker. Xiao Hua was also herded onto the carriage and taken elsewhere.

Translator's notes:

This was the last chapter of the first arc. For those of you who were a little confused about Qing Wan (as I was), the author's note clarifies things a little. Qing Wan is a character from the author's first novel: "The prestigious family's young lady and the farmer". From what I understand, this part where she encounters Xiao Hua is also present in that novel, and so it was a cameo for her previous readers.

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Author's note:

I have a feeling when this chapter gets released, there will be people who want to violently beat me up. But this author is innocent. The readers who followed Wan Wan over definitely know that Wan Wan and Xiao Hua met under the hands of trafficker Qian, but then went their separate paths. The new readers don't know, but the plot still has to proceed. Looking forwards…new arc starts after this chapter.

The day hadn't fully broken yet. The smell of morning dew and vapors still lingered in the air.

May was around the corner and theoretically it shouldn't have been this cold. It wasn't clear whether it was due to the surroundings, or if it was just too early in the morning. Xiao Hua who only had a single button-up robe actually felt chilled to her bones.

Xiao Hua wasn't sure how she got to this place, and wasn't even sure where this place was. She only knew that she was handed over by Trafficker Qian to another human trafficker and spent three or four days on a horse carriage. After reaching a completely foreign place, she spent a night before being taken away by the trafficker once again. Several more twists and turns later she ended up in this place.

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When she arrived yesterday it was already very late. The twenty or so girls all squeezed together in bunks and rested for the night. Before it was light out, they were awoken and made to stand outside in the courtyard.

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She used the faint light in the sky to peek at her surroundings. Due to the darkness, her surroundings were all she could make out. Everything further away was blurry. All she could see were the dark perimeter walls that seemed very tall.

Xiao Hua guessed she was currently in a large courtyard.

As they were lined up in a row, another group of people were led over. From their appearance, they seemed to be girls in their teens who were then placed beside them.

After everyone was in place, the people that led them here vanished.

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Since no one had given orders, the group of girls didn't dare move at first. Gradually, they started making some noise.

Xiao Hua had always understood to blend in. Since she was a newcomer here without a grasp of the situation, she continued to stand there honestly since no one had given orders. Overcoming the frigid air that caused people to involuntarily shiver, she restrained her gaze and stood in silence.

Having been a maid in both lives, this small bit of skill was something she could still perform.

While Xiao Hua could remain unperturbed, the girls beside her were unable to endure not just the cold air but also the uncertainty of the situation.

A little girl with a round face said in a clear voice: "It's not even light out, what on earth are they making us stand in the yard for?"

Some of the girls spoke in agreement, though there were still some who remained silent.

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Discussions gradually broke out. Some spoke quietly to those next to them, others began looking all over the place. Some even started calling out loudly, asking if anyone was there. Silence was the only response.

They really appeared to be alone, so the somewhat orderly row of people started to get chaotic. A few of the girls formed up in groups of twos and threes for discussion.

A girl with her hair pinned in two buns who was standing next to Xiao Hua slightly leaned her body over and whispered: "What do you think we're doing, why isn't anyone here? Where did the people who made us stand outside go?"

Xiao Hua restrained her gaze, not knowing whether to speak or not. Since they didn't know each other, she decided not to open her mouth after some thought.

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The girl wanted to speak further but a sneer was heard from the side.

It was a tall and beautiful young girl who looked around thirteen. Her eyes framed by her oval face made her appearance quite outstanding. It was just that her expression of arrogance and disdain made her seem a little unapproachable.

"Do you think everyone is as foolish as you, making a racket by asking questions left and right without even having a grasp of the situation? There might be people who are secretly observing."

The young girl's voice was very quiet, allowing just those around her to hear. After she finished speaking, she looked away in disdain, standing with her head lowered. Looks like this little girl was also quite well-behaved, knowing that this wasn't the right time to jump about.

The girl with the twin buns on her head wanted to retort but held herself back, lowering her head in grievance while her face flushed in embarrassment.

The day gradually grew bright and the courtyard grew more and more noisy, full of buzz as people whispered to each other.

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Suddenly there was the sound of a light cough. Only then did the girls below notice that at some point, a middle-aged lady with the appearance of someone in charge had been standing on the stage, observing with a keen gaze and stern expression.

Silence fell right away.

The managerial looking lady also didn't say anything, only selecting around ten girls to step forward. At first everyone was still confused, but they gradually realized that those who were selected had all been jumping about and making a clamor earlier.

Seeing the situation, the remaining girls were completely silent and stood at attention, deeply afraid the lady would call them out next.

After taking out around ten people, the original forty or so had been reduced by a quarter.

The lady waved her hands and a few maids appeared from out of nowhere, leading the people away. The whole process had occurred in silence.

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Only now did Xiao Hua realize that the people she saw since she arrived all had a kind of dignity and prestige, making one inevitably fall silent in front of them.

Where on Earth was this place? Xiao Hua's heart started feeling uneasy.

This didn't seem like some large family's household. The servants of those households wouldn't be so solemn and still.

As Xiao Hua was lost in her thoughts, the lady looked over the people remaining and opened her mouth to speak.

"My surname is Qi, and I will be the auntie in charge of you. You can call me Auntie Qi. The most important thing to remember when working here is to mind your words and actions. The ones just now were all disqualified, and I hope those who remain will continue to remain qualified until the end."

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Auntie Qi paused for a bit and continued: "During this period of time, I will instruct you. I hope your performance in the future will show remarkable improvements. First, you may all go eat breakfast. Cui'er, show them the way."

A maid around sixteen or seventeen wearing a bright red short coat with a verdant long dress bowed to Auntie Qi. She led Xiao Hua and the rest through a door to the side.

They arrived at a spacious room with ten or so tables, each surrounded by stools.

A few girls dressed in maid attire brought in a bucket of porridge and a basket of white buns. Another started handing out bowls, plates and chopsticks to everyone.

Cui'er said in a clear voice: "These will be your utensils for meals in the future. Make sure to do your own dishes after eating. There's a cabinet where you can store them on the side. This is the cafeteria. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided here every day."

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Before her voice could fade, a few girls who were probably too hungry to resist already grabbed their newly received bowls to fetch food. The maids responsible for serving the food showed no signs of movement, and completely ignored them.

Cui'er gave those girls a glance and continued speaking: "When a palace maid of a higher level is speaking, those under her are not to act without permission. Since this was your first offense, there will be no punishment. Next time you will go hungry for the day. Also, when getting food you must line up. Don't form a mob."

Cui'er paused a while after speaking, and seeing the girls remain completely at attention and still this time nodded her head in satisfaction.

"Alright, all of you go eat."

Without prompting this time, everyone lined up honestly.

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Xiao Hua secretly clucked her tongue. What kind of wealthy household was this, for the rules to be so strict?

It was finally Xiao Hua's turn to be served. The food was pretty good. The rice porridge was fragrant and the buns where large and white. Everyone was also given a small plate of side dishes.

Seeing this, Xiao Hua was actually very touched. She hadn't eaten such good things in a long time. Ever since being sold, it had been dry flatbread with plain water, with a serving of starvation for the rest of the day.

She carried her food with the utmost care and found a place to sit. She ate a mouthful of porridge and a bite of the bun, and suddenly felt extreme bliss.

Xiao Hua was used to savoring every bite of food slowly, no matter how hungry she was. She couldn't remember who had taught her this, but only knew this would prevent the stomach from getting hurt. This was especially true for the first meal after a period of extreme hunger.

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"You're sitting over here huh, let's sit together."

Xiao Hua turned her head towards the voice and saw the girl who had secretly whispered to her earlier.

"My name is Xi'er, what about you?"

Xi'er put her food down and sat next to Xiao Hua as though they were close friends.

Xiao Hua was not used to someone suddenly being so intimate with her, but still opened her mouth and spoke her own name.

Xi'er hadn't replied yet when a familiar voice sneered to the side, "What a tacky name."

Xiao Hua looked towards the source of the voice and saw another familiar figure. It was the oval-faced girl who sneered at Xi'er earlier.

Xi'er's little face turned red. "People like you—"

Concerned about Cui'er who had been constantly watching them from the side, she angrily closed her mouth, and finished her sentence quietly while lowering her head, "are really hateful."

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Xi'er looked very lovable, with large eyes and a cute nose. Her currently red face somehow gave people an urge to smile.

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"Don't bother with her." Xiao Hua spoke and returned her attention to her food.

Xi'er was clearly a little girl who loved to talk. To put it more bluntly, she was noisy. During the meal, the sound of her chittering could constantly be heard. Yet Xiao Hua didn't feel repulsed by this little girl. Though she wasn't sure how best to describe it, she could feel a sort of lively spirit from her.

After eating, Cui'er showed them where they could do their dishes. Once everything was cleaned up, she took them next door to an unfamiliar courtyard.

After entering, they were each given a set of clothing, and allowed to go bathe themselves clean.

The bathhouse was a large communal pool watched over by two old crones. Once they finished washing themselves, they were carefully inspected before being allowed to put on the clothes and go back outside.

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Xiao Hua hadn't had a bath in many months. Before they arrived, the trafficker had said they were dirty and smelly from head to foot, and was afraid no one would want them. She fetched some water and wiped them off, but of course it couldn't be compared to an actual bath. After the bath, Xiao Hua felt completely rejuvenated.

Their old clothes had been taken away. What Xiao Hua put on was the new clothes they received.

An indigo blue short jacket paired with a pale yellow long skirt made of fine cotton. Although the colors didn't look too good, they were extremely comfortable to wear. Being able to shed their dirty and tattered clothes, clean themselves thoroughly and put on brand new clothes, Xiao Hua was already very satisfied. Yet there were still people whose eyes were full of disdain.

"What an ugly color." It was the oval-faced girl speaking disdainfully to one side while pulling on her clothes.

Once everyone was done bathing and had changed into their new clothes, Cui'er led them out.

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At this time the sky outside was very bright. Cui'er took them through many gates and through a courtyard before finally reaching their destination. Xiao Hua guessed this had to be some wealthy residence since on the way they passed many pavilions within pavilions, all surrounded by tall, light gray walls.

Auntie Qi was already waiting for them. She swept her gaze over the group of girls and revealed a satisfied smile. The smile faded in an instant, her face soon resuming its unperturbed demeanor. Auntie Qi had the appearance of one who would easily get lost in a crowd, but she wasn't ugly. If one had to describe her, the word ordinary would come to mind. Yet the imposing air she exuded from head to toe was definitely extraordinary. Just her presence made others unable to resist standing at attention.

"Since I said I was going to instruct you, the first thing to learn will be the etiquette." After speaking, Auntie Qi looked to her side where a row of maids walked up, each holding a wooden pot.

These wooden pots were handed over to Xiao Hua and the rest.

"The first lesson today is to hold up a pot 1. I hope you can master this very quickly."

Hold up a pot?

A commotion rang out from the crowd.

Only after having stayed a few days did Xiao Hua realize where she had ended up.

This was the Jing Province, and they were inside the Jing Prince Estate as a batch of newly entered servants.

The Jing Province was the vassal state of the Jing Prince. The current prince was the emperor's fifth son, who was conferred as the Jing Prince. The palace maids inside a prince's estate could normally not be chosen from the commoners, but the Jing Prince sympathized with his subjects and abolished this imperial order, purchasing all his maids from the general populace.

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Xiao Hua didn't have any impression of the Jing Province, and wasn't even sure where it was located. She only knew what she had overheard from her time as a maid. It seemed to be very, very far from the capital, and could be described as a cold and desolate place.

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Since I'm here, might as well make it my home. Xiao Hua could only think of it this way.

The Jing Prince Estate had many strict rules, and her group of newly entered maids still weren't allowed to step outside of their training grounds.

Their training grounds was the large courtyard Xiao Hua and the rest had been staying in. It was said this place was specially used to train newly entering maids, and only after qualifying could they leave and begin their duties.

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The training was very arduous, but the housing and food given were all pretty good. They got two sets of clothing, from inner wear to outer wear, and even the bedding was new.

They lived four maids to one room. The room was very small, just enough to fit four beds and a cabinet each for their things. But compared to sleeping in the bunk enclosure, this was better by far.

It was worth noting that Xiao Hua coincidentally ended up being assigned to the same room as Xi'er. The other two in the room were also around the same age as them. One was called Xiu Yun, and the other was the oval-faced girl who was always sneering, Qiao Lian.

Of the four in the room, Xiu Yun was fifteen while the other three were fourteen.

Four people with four types of personalities. Xiao Hua and Xiu Yun were both girls of few words. Xiao Hua just didn't feel like speaking whereas Xiu Yun was naturally calm and quiet, though she normally could endure a lot of suffering. She was unlike Xi'er and Qiao Lian, who would whine for days after getting back from the day's training.

Qiao Lian still had the same haughty expression and penchant for mocking others. Xi'er was naturally talkative and didn't hold grudges. She would always be infuriated by Qiao Lian until her eyes turned red, but with a twist of her head it would seem as if nothing happened and she'd continue talking with Qiao Lian.

After listening to her chattering for a period of time, Xiao Hua felt that she still liked Xi'er a fair amount. She gave off a feeling of innocence, her face unable to hide any expressions and her stomach unable to swallow any words.

Learning proper etiquette was a very difficult task. Even though Xiao Hua had lived as a maid for two lifetimes, she had never been trained so strictly before.

Raising a pot was the first step, which was just keeping an empty wooden pot raised with both hands.

While it sounded easy, it was actually very difficult. This was because they weren't just raising it up and putting it down, but rather holding it up for an entire half-hour.

That was only the beginning. After training to hold up the empty pot for two days, the pot was filled with water. First the pot was filled by less than half, and then half. Many people were unable to endure and ended up spilling water all over themselves.

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Even though their clothes were soaked they were not allowed to go change, and were forced to keep holding the pot until the time was up.

After a few days everyone was complaining non-stop. Especially since their sore arms were not given a chance to rest before having to hold up the pot again the following day. It was basically torture.

The oldest of these girls weren't over sixteen, and the youngest was only thirteen. How could they endure such strict training? Many people secretly cried after returning to their room at night.

Yet even if they cried, they couldn't stop training. There were a few who refused to obey and were led away.

It was said they were returned to the trafficker. Having all come from traffickers and finally ending up in such a nice place where both food and housing were good, everyone gritted their teeth and continued to endure the bitter training.

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Every day before noon they would train etiquette and in the afternoon they were responsible for learning the rules of the estate. After, they were given some leisure time, though by this point most people were exhausted and went back to rest in their room.

Xiao Hua rubbed her arms as she entered her room along with the other three.

All four lay on their own beds without the energy to even talk.

Xiao Hua used her hands to gently massage her own upper arms, and found her muscles to be extremely stiff and sore when kneaded. Still, Xiao Hua continued to gently rub using her hands. She learned from experience that if she didn't take care of it now, it would hurt even worse during tomorrow's training.

Only after rubbing out the knots in her arms with clenched teeth did Xiao Hua let out a breath and lie back on her bed.

After resting for around half an hour, the people in the room got up one after the other. After days of such a disciplined schedule, they didn't need to look outside to know it was time for dinner anymore.

After they returned from dinner, they casually washed up and went to sleep since tomorrow was another day of early training.

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Auntie Qi who was responsible for their training probably felt that the past few days had been a little too harsh since the group of girls were all a little downcast. Today after training was finished, she didn't disperse them right away but remained instead for a speech.

"I believe that over these few days you have all become aware of what this place is. Working for our Jing Prince Estate comes with many strict rules and taboos, but there are also many benefits. Those who are able to qualify and enter will not only be given a monthly salary, but clothing for every season as well. Additionally, you won't have to worry about earning your freedom while working at the prince's Estate. Our estate rule is that every palace maid will be released at the age of twenty five. At that time, not only will we return your slavery contract to you, we will also arrange for those without housing a place to live within our Jing Province's borders. Most importantly, your listing on the slave registry can be erased."

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Auntie Qi paused a little and spoke once again: "Perhaps you don't understand what I'm saying at the moment. However, I believe that someday you will. Now, everyone can go rest."

Everyone dispersed. Auntie Qi's words were too profound and none of the girls took it to heart. Yet Xiao Hua was incredibly shocked. Forget about what Auntie Qi said in the beginning. After all, it was the same benefits as most rich households. What moved her most were the last two benefits: arranged housing and slave registry removal.

There were two types of slaves in the Grand Xi Dynasty, official slaves and private slaves. Those like Xiao Hua were private slaves, who were attached to their masters. They were not listed on the household registry and were instead assigned on a registry for those of lowly status.

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The imperial laws of the Grand Xi Dynasty were as follows. For escaped slaves, every day missing would be sixty strokes with a stick. The punishment is doubled after three days. If a slave strikes the master, no matter if it resulted in injury, they would be beheaded. If a slave kills the master, death by a thousand cuts. In the case of manslaughter, execution by hanging. When those of lowly status struck those of a higher status, the crime's severity is doubled, and in cases of relatively heavy injuries the punishment was death by hanging. In cases of deadly beatings, death by beheading. If someone of a higher status strikes someone of lowly status, the crime's severity is halved. Furthermore, the lowly status registry is a hereditary system. Once you are listed, unless someone of influence helps remove it, your descendants will automatically become listed on the lowly status registry….

The inhumane treatment of those on the lowly status registry in the Grand Xi Dynasty was clear, and slaves were the bottom rung of that registry.

Those of lowly status could not marry someone of higher standing. Just this point alone suffocated the future of those who were once slaves. Even if you worked in an estate and was released once you came of age, you could only find someone who was similarly of low status to marry, and your children will continue to have that same status.

Even though Xiao Hua become a concubine in her past life, she had remained ignorant and never had any understanding of such concepts. Only when Qiao-Shi had spat at her on one occasion saying how she was a slave sapling who could never escape her low status in her lifetime did she start to understand these kinds of things. Once she understood she had turned pale with fright. Her dad, for the sake of a few pieces of silver, had pushed his daughter into the abyss without even further consideration.

After Xiao Hua had understood she decided to suck up to the 4th young master and have him help erase her from the registry. However, for reasons unknown she hadn't managed to succeed up until her death.

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After reincarnating, Xiao Hua's main reason for being at a loss was because of this registry.

This was also why she never considered escaping. A slave not listed on the household registry but on the lowly status registry instead had nothing to rely on for survival and nowhere to go. This was without even considering the punishment for escaped slaves.

The subjects of the Grand Xi Dynasty were strictly controlled. Commoners who went beyond a hundred li1 needed a travel permit as proof of identity. How was someone not even on the household registry supposed to get a travel permit? If she was arrested for not having a travel permit, and later found to be an escaped slave, she would be executed.

But the Jing Prince Estate's treatment of its servants gave Xiao Hua hope. Perhaps in the near future, she could reach the age of release, escape her status and find someone to marry….

Of course that would all be in the future. Xiao Hua currently had to become qualified to stay.

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These few days at the training ground, Xiao Hua had also secretly observed the situation here.

The same batch of girls would wear the same clothing and eat the same food. But there would always be a few who were taken away for various reasons. Of the original forty or so people, only around twenty remained.

Xiao Hua didn't know what point she would have to reach to be considered qualified, and could only continue enduring until the end.

Therefore, from that day on, she put all her heart into her training. She never complained and never whined about the hardships. She was well-behaved and rarely spoke, afraid of being disqualified and thrown out. Of those in her room, Xiu Yun was like her, rarely speaking and not provoking anything. Only Qiao Lian and Xi'er could be considered more restless. Yet despite being restless, the two were quite diligent during their training.

After raising the pot, the next thing to learn was walking.

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Bystanders would say that everyone knew how to walk from when they were a couple of years old. Even Xiao Hua, with her two lifetimes' worth of experiences in serving different masters, had never seen such strict requirements placed on servants before. But since Auntie Qi said they needed to learn, everyone had to concentrate and learn.

They were required to walk with grace, always calm and unhurried. In order to train their walking, Auntie Qi had ordered special metal plates to be prepared. The plates were slightly larger than their heads, and although they were extremely shallow they were still filled with water. Every day they have to train by placing the plates on their heads until the plate never tilted and water never spilled.

Therefore, after their arm workout from raising the pot, everyone's necks and waists were polished next.

Only a long time later did Xiao Hua find out that this Auntie Qi from the Jing Prince Estate came from the imperial palace. The training methods she used on the servants here were all used to train maids in the imperial palace, hence the degree of harshness and severity.

Measure of distance ~500m