Chapter 1, Adding Insult to Injury

Zhang stood in the corner of the wall, covering her face and crying, tears falling to the ground through her fingers, looking extremely pitiful. After a while, she murmured, "How could I have wanted this! Chun Jun grew up under my watch; I treated her as my own. I always prioritized her, never allowing her to suffer. Now, what can we do if you die... if you die, what will become of us, a mother and her orphaned child?"

Lost in thought, there was a knock at the door, and before I could rise to open it, a small figure bumped into my arms

The two individuals walked to the front of Liu Hong and his wife's room, lifted the curtain, and entered the house. Before they could speak, the smell of traditional Chinese medicine mixed with the stench of decaying flesh assaulted them, rushing straight to their heads, nearly choking them. Upon seeing Wu Wang struggling to prop himself up, Liu Hong pushed Zhang Shi, who had come forward to help him, away with a forceful shove. It seemed that the effort was too great, causing strain on his injuries, and he broke into a cold sweat, clutching his chest and gasping for breath for a while before shouting, "You don't need to help me! Just consider me dead; keep all household matters hidden from me."

At this moment, Zhang also stood up to take a look, while Depei crouched down beside him and brushed off the mud and dust from his mother's skirt

Do not be sad, Uncle. I will go to the city with Depei tomorrow and exchange it for silver.

"Spring, my dear," one day Zhang called her, his face showing a hint of hesitation, "You see, your aunt truly has no way out. Your uncle is now bedridden, unable to move at all, and the enemies who harmed him have vanished without a trace. He is troubled in his heart, and every day he only scolds me, leaving me with no one to share my suffering with..."

It turned out that Liu Hong had returned home for the festival and had placed his wages on the counter. Unbeknownst to him, he was targeted by a villain who followed him all the way to the open channel, robbed him of his money, and then pushed him down the embankment. He lay unconscious in the muddy water for half a day, until by chance he was spotted by Li Kaifu from the same village, who called for help to rescue him, thus saving his life. Zhang's family expressed their profound gratitude and sent off Li Kaifu and the others, welcoming the doctor in. Liu Hong wailed incessantly, gradually becoming weaker, with only exhalation left and no inhalation.

Liu Hong, however, would not yield, and shouted, "Nonsense! The daughters of the Liu family do not become concubines, even if they are to be sisters-in-law. This must be remembered!"

Depai Meng stood up and said hesitantly, "I will no longer study. I will go find Mr. Li and ask him to come and treat my father. Tomorrow, I will go to the fields to pick sweet potatoes and sell them to pay him back."

"Sister Chun Jun," De Pei cried with sobs, "Are you getting married? Or are you going to be someone's concubine? That won't do! The sister of Ruan Qiu from the village returned home the day before yesterday with a bruise the size of a pigeon egg on her face. I heard it was from being beaten by the legitimate wife. Are you going to end up like that too?"

Do not blame me, "It was my mother who hid it in my hairpin during the chaos. Uncle, please do not hold it against me for not taking it out all these years, it is truly... difficult to part with it in my heart

The sound of chopping wood came from the kitchen. After a while, my aunt came out with a water bucket and saw Wu Wangdao, saying, "You got up early today, but are you thinking about tomorrow's outing?"

Without hope, I still have to make a trip to the town tomorrow to seek out some better doctors. Years ago, before the authorities came to raid our home, my mother hid a pearl in her hairpin, secured it tightly with a ribbon, and instructed me to guard it carefully, so that it could be exchanged for some silver to buy food in the future. Fortunately, when the officials took them to prison, they only stripped them of their clothes, and this pearl has remained safe all along, unbeknownst to my uncle and aunt. If it weren't for the urgent need for money, I would not want to pawn it; keeping it serves as a memory. Once it enters the pawnshop, who knows what it will be appraised as? Being able to exchange it for eight-tenths of a tael of silver would already be a stroke of luck.

"Uncle, do you know?" she asked helplessly

Liu Hong had become so emaciated that he was nothing but skin and bones, with dark circles under his eyes. After hearing Zhang's words, his complexion grew even more ashen, and he angrily declared, "This matter must not be mentioned again! Otherwise, I... will dismiss you!"

Liu Hong, both angry and anxious, trembled as she pointed at Zhang, saying, "You, you, you... How could you, a lady from the Hanlin family, have wasted your education on such nonsense! My Liu family may have brought you trouble, but you absolutely cannot sell my brother's only flesh and blood as a concubine. I would rather suffer and die than accept this sinful money"

Upon hearing these words, the child wiped away his tears and sat silently at the table for a long while without speaking. Wu Wang felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, realizing that he could frighten the child but not himself. If it were not for the lack of alternatives, who would willingly take such a step

The physician shook his head and said, "I fear it is perilous! You must be cautious; a high fever is certain to arise. It will take seven days to pass through the gates of the underworld, and the leg cannot be saved. If you can preserve your life, that would be a stroke of fortune. I will first extract the shattered bones, then apply medicine and bandage it. If you wish to live long, it is likely that the leg will need to be amputated. I am powerless in this matter; it is better to seek a renowned doctor in the county." He then turned and drove Wu Wang and De Pei out, proceeding to treat Liu Hong.

Without expectation, Wu Wang complied, carefully storing the beads, and after offering his blessings, he withdrew.

Depei tilted his head and muttered, "In such a small town, where would there be discerning people? They are all farmers selling vegetables. I suppose the pawn shop usually only accepts tattered clothes and worn-out cotton jackets, how could they have ever seen such good things! It would be better to go to the city; surely, you can sell it for a good price, and then you won't have to marry into the Pei family." Depei was overjoyed, took her hand, and said, "Quickly go tell my parents, so they can be happy."

Do not wish to hold back tears in my stomach, I smiled faintly and said, "It was my mother who exchanged food for me, material possessions are gone if they are gone, what matters is to stay alive. The family has no money and no food, and Depei is growing now, he cannot go hungry."

Do not expect to be lost and dejected, sitting outside the door, reflecting on the Liu family's circumstances over the years. Relying on the mountains, the mountains collapse; relying on the sea, the sea dries up. Just as we have begun to live a stable life, such a thing has happened to my uncle. What use is offering three incense sticks daily to the gods and Buddhas

Zhang wiped away her tears and nodded, saying, "He knows that Aunt Qi came to ask for your Geng tie six months ago. At that time, he even inquired near the Pei family. Ultimately, he was in a subordinate position and couldn't speak to you about it. If it weren't for the difficulties, this matter would definitely not be brought up again"

Do not expect to retreat a few steps in panic, leaning against the pillar under the awning, she inevitably lost her focus. She already knew what her aunt was going to say; the day before, Aunt Qi had sought out Mrs. Zhang, and she had inadvertently overheard their casual conversation. It turned out they were trying to arrange a match for her. It is truly embarrassing to say, as she was once a young lady from a prominent family, yet now she has fallen to the point of becoming a concubine. Indeed, thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west bank.

Seeing that there were no words from her, Zhang knew she was in a difficult position and could only say with some resentment: "In fact, that Mr. Pei does not bring you disgrace. Although he is not the main wife, he is well provided for, with no worries about food or clothing, and there are maids and servants to attend to him. His wife is the daughter of a scholar, known for her amiable nature. Mr. Pei has only one wife, with no concubines, and no external residences; he is a person of integrity. Once you enter the household, you will certainly not suffer any grievances. This marriage, even if we take a step back, is already the best outcome. Times have changed; one cannot eat with high aspirations. Even if your aunt is not good, she cannot harm you, as you are still your uncle's own niece. In the future, when I go down, I will still have to face your unfortunate parents. As long as you live well, it will not be in vain for me to bear the blame of selling my niece." As she spoke with emotion, she even cried out, "I was close friends with your mother in the boudoir. It was because of her that I married your uncle. Who would have thought that less than three years after entering the family, we would all be implicated and exiled to this desolate place? Relying on your uncle's old friend, I managed to escape from slavery. The past wealth and glory have all turned to smoke and clouds, and I cannot even see them in my dreams..." Good child, your aunt is not like this. Unfortunately, a single coin can bring down a hero. I am sorry for you!"

At this point, without any hope, he just poked his head and said, "What does a child understand? I have married, and I have money to send you to school, to take care of your father's illness. Do you want to see him suffer from the consequences of his illness?"

Do not wish to brush off my sleeves, I said softly, "I got up early to help my aunt with the embroidery, and I still need to go to the riverbank to pick some willow branches. I am already 14, how can I spend all day just thinking about playing"

Liu Hong was carried back on a door panel, his body covered in blood and flesh, trembling incessantly. His legs were twisted, and his posture was strange, suggesting that his bones were likely broken. Wu Wang saw that Zhang was only crying and had lost all composure, so he had no choice but to lead people to lift his uncle onto the kang. Meanwhile, he instructed De Pei to summon the doctor and twisted a cloth to wipe the sweat from his uncle's forehead.

Do not expect to gather your robes and bow, "Yes, Lord Spring has noted it down."

She knocked her head again, burned paper money, and gazed longingly at the copper basin, waiting for the paper money to burn out. Suddenly, she saw a wisp of blue smoke spiraling upwards, and the red paper pasted on the beam fluttered down, as if her parents in the underworld were aware and wanted her to repay their kindness. Enough, enough, enough, what more is there to choose when one is at the end of the road? Just take one step at a time. She thought of Mr. Pei and his wife, who were deeply in love like butterflies; it was quite rare that after five years of marriage, he had not taken a concubine. Now, it was not that the wife had no children, otherwise, he would not allow other women into the garden. It is a pity that she was going to snatch someone else's husband, not knowing if there was a place for her among those two. If not, her later days would surely be very bleak.

The two were startled and rushed out of the threshold. They saw De Peiguang with one foot bare, his face streaked with tears and snot, pointing urgently towards the village entrance, saying, "My father has broken his leg and has been carried back!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Shi stumbled and nearly fell, but was supported by Wu Wang, her face already devoid of color.

Do not hope to rely on the skirt strings, she gritted her teeth and said, "It is better to sell it, first get through the current difficulties, and later when there is money, it will not be too late to redeem it. If Uncle still does not agree, then Chun Jun will have to marry Mr. Pei, exchanging some betrothal gifts to repay the kindness of raising her."

Zhang's face was filled with despair, and her eyes gradually became sore. Looking at her calloused hands and her head full of gray hair, she was only twenty-eight years old, yet she had been worn down by hardships to such an extent. She was no longer the aunt who used to sit on the embroidery stool with finely drawn eyebrows, coaxing her to sleep. Do not hope, do not wish, everything is determined by fate, and not a bit is within one's control

It turned out that the uncle was unaware; it was solely the idea of Zhang. Wu Wangxin felt greatly relieved in his heart, hurriedly took a quilt and stuffed it behind his waist, and poured water for him to drink

Depei suddenly raised her head and said, "You are a concubine, not a maid; what use is it to be skillful!"

Liu Hong was at a loss for words, and after weighing the options, he could only agree. He then said, "You should go to the Guangjudel Pawnshop in the city and look for a man named Zheng Liansheng. I have some acquaintance with him, so he won't deceive you."

Zhang was momentarily struck as if by a thunderclap on a clear day, collapsing to the ground and nearly losing consciousness. After being helped to a spring stool and receiving some kind words of encouragement, he gradually felt better. Turning to his uncle, Liu Hong appeared embarrassed and sighed, "Your aunt is rather superficial; I truly feel utterly ashamed."

A large and a small one talked for a while, and through the wall, I heard a sorrowful crying sound. It seemed that Uncle and Aunt were also worried about this matter. Although Wu Wang was somewhat annoyed with the Zhang family, recalling her usual kindness towards her, she did not want to lose her temper. She then asked De Pei, "Is your father feeling any better?"

The Liu family was originally a family of officials, with very strict family rules. One of these rules was that no one was allowed to ruin their status by becoming a concubine. Therefore, regardless of whether they were born legitimate or illegitimate, the women of the Liu family would always become the legal wives upon marriage, without exception

Depay took it and played with it, only to see that the pearl was crystal clear and radiant, surprisingly as large as a chestnut. He was taken aback and said: "Is this a night pearl? Will it shine when the lights are out?" He was about to climb onto the stool to blow out the oil lamp

De Pei said, "Using a cloth to apply the broth made from the bone-setting herb on my leg seems to have improved a bit"

Without hope, she raised her eyebrows and pretended to say, "Who said that? Being a concubine has many intricacies. Ruan Qiu's sister was beaten because she was foolish and could not win the master's favor. Your sister Chun Jun is certainly not that kind of person. Have you not seen how beautiful the grasshopper cage I made for you is? In the future, it will surely please the mistress."

He handed the East Pearl to Liu Hong again. Liu Hong took it with just a glance and asked, "Where did this East Pearl come from?"

Do not be overly concerned, she smiled and said, "This is not a night pearl; it is an eastern pearl, extremely rare, found only in the imperial palace, and ordinary families cannot see it. Tomorrow, accompany me to the town to find a knowledgeable pawnshop to pawn it, so we can get some silver to hire a doctor to treat your father's leg"

Without hesitation, I washed my hands, and in the earthen basin, there was already dough prepared by my aunt. I took a piece the size of a fingernail and began to pinch it delicately. Before long, it transformed into a swallow, each one vivid and lifelike, complete with slender eyes and feathers, evoking great affection in those who beheld them. By the time I finished shaping the dough the size of a fist, there were already seventeen or eighteen swallows. At this moment, my cousin Depei also came in, chuckling, "The swallows are all ready. Just leave the willow branches to me; I will climb the tree and pick the best ones." With that, he cheered and ran off. I, along with my aunt, mixed the remaining dough with date paste to make cakes, now just waiting for my uncle to return from the cupboard. My uncle worked as a bookkeeper in a cloth shop, several dozen miles away from home, and rarely returned, only taking leave during festivals. I noticed a faint blush on Zhang's cheeks, reminiscent of lotus flowers, which I found quite pleasing.

Without money to redeem the medicine, let alone going to the county, I can barely afford to eat now, and enduring this for a short while is impossible, especially in March and May. People say that in times of great difficulty, everyone looks out for themselves. Recently, the Zhang family has not treated her as they did before; they have turned cold without saying three words. This is only human nature; even biological parents sell their daughters when they can no longer get by, let alone someone who is an outsider.

Zhang looked at Liu Hong, then at Wu Wang, and sorrowfully said, "It is easy to sell, but difficult to redeem; it is better to keep it for self-defense."

Before long, we heard Depei shouting outside the courtyard, "Mom, something terrible has happened!" His tone was extremely mournful

In the following days, Liu Hong indeed suffered from a persistent high fever, becoming so dazed that he could hardly recognize anyone. Zhang's family wept, fearing he would not survive, but fortunately, after five days, the fever subsided, leaving him emaciated and unrecognizable, with legs swollen to a thickness greater than his body. The Liu family was engulfed in sorrow; Liu Hong's wages had been stolen, and the remaining half tael of silver at home was spent on medicine, making their daily life increasingly difficult, each day worse than the last. The cloth shop where Liu Hong worked only sent a servant to deliver a small amount of money, and the next day, it was heard that they had hired a new accountant, completely cutting off Liu's family's means of support.

Liu Hongzheng stood there, recalling his brother and sister-in-law, and tears immediately streamed down his face as he choked out, "It has already been six years in a flash, yet yesterday is still vividly in front of me"

The physician hurriedly took a piece of ginseng for him to hold in his mouth while he used scissors to cut open the trouser leg. Wu Wang, unable to avoid the sight, leaned over the edge of his uncle's bed and saw that Liu Hong's legs were broken in two or three places, blood and flesh were a mess, and pale bones were protruding from the flesh, which was quite horrifying. At that moment, Wu Wang felt as if the sky was collapsing and the earth was sinking, holding the frightened De Pei in his arms, while Zhang and the other three burst into tears.

Liu Hong shook his head repeatedly, "This is what your mother left for you; how could I sell it! You should keep it, as it is also a memento."

Mu Wang softly said, "I do not blame my aunt; she cares for me as well."

Opening the lid of the trunk, she pulled out a cloth bag from the corner, carefully pouring the East Pearl into her palm and presenting it before Depei, saying, "Take a look at what this is"

Such a small person possesses such great ambition, without hesitation, I hold him in my lap, "Thinking of me in this way brings me great comfort; what are a few sweet potatoes worth? You run around in the fields, and if you happen to encounter someone, it could be quite serious. It is better to stay at home, so that I can be at ease."

After speaking, she turned and returned to her room, bolting the door, and fell into a deep sleep, not waking until it was dark. She washed her face and knelt before her parents' memorial tablets to consult the divination with copper coins. Since she was not familiar with such practices, she ultimately could not discern any good or bad omens. Therefore, she simply bowed her head in prayer, saying, "Father and Mother, my uncle and aunt have asked me to become a concubine. I am unwilling, but now my uncle has fallen off the embankment and broken his leg, and he has no money for treatment. He is rolling in pain day and night, and I truly cannot bear it. For six years, I have relied on my uncle for support, and I have no way to repay him. This time, I shall act out of filial piety. If you agree, let the blue smoke from this paper money swirl up, and I will return to my aunt tomorrow. If not, I will pack my clothes and escape overnight, regardless of where I end up. I am determined to survive, so I hope you will guide me on the right path."

The weather has just begun to warm up, and tomorrow will be the Cold Food Festival. Without expecting to rise early, I opened the door, and outside it was still shrouded in mist. The sun had risen about a foot high, appearing like a cake made of cornmeal.

Do not sigh in despair, and bow to her, saying: "At present, I cannot comply with your request; allow me to think it over."

Zhang smiled gently, saying, "I believe my aunt misspoke; Chun Jun is truly filled with filial piety." He then looked at the girl, noticing her bright eyes and the noble air about her brows and eyes. Zhang felt quite gratified, thinking that the hardships of these years had not caused the child to suffer, which was a way to honor her parents.