Okay, maybe I might have looked back once.
But only just to see if he was onto me!
He wasn't. Just kept staring out into the pond of floating yellow-green sparks...
After what happened yesterday night, my father has been angry with me. Just after dinner, he started this intense lecturing session in his study. Of course, directed at me.
"You've embarrassed me for the last time!" My father paces back and forth while yelling.
He is very much upset that I did not speak with the Prime Minister's nephew yesterday night.
"You will get married to Scholar Liu next month!" He points at me.
My heart flourishes with flames of anger. "No, I will not!"
"You will, and you will bring honor to this family."
"I have no desire to bring anyone honor, but myself."
"This is why you're a failure! You don't care for anyone but yourself!"
"I am only a failure in your eyes."
"If you want to be of value then you must do what you're told. By marrying Scholar Liu, you will have his children and bring these two family together."
"Is that all I am to you and She-De-- Madam? A baby making thing? Is that all my mother was to you?"
"You will do as I say or I will kick you out of this family!"
"Kick me out then!"
"You-- "
"You want to sell your child for self gain then might as well pawn me off to the royal family! Why stop at the Prime Minister's?!"
"You indecent wench!" Father rushes to slap me across my face.
I see his movements faster and evade to the side with his fingertips just scratching the surface of my left cheek.
"Men!" He calls for his servants from outside the study. Two enter and await his orders. "Lock her up in the storage room until the day of her wedding!"
I don't care to beg as the servants each grab me by the arm and drag me to the storage room.
It is dark and cold in this room. The room where my mother gave birth to me. It's also the room where she died.
Loose straws covers the concrete floor. I sit down on a pile and tried to calm myself because at this point I was going to scream at this injustice. Even if that man is my father in this lifetime, I'm not above teaching him a lesson!
Parents are supposed to cherish their children with proper discipline and appropriate support. I haven't really been able to experience that in most of my lifetimes.
"If he thinks I'm going to let him keep me in here for a month then he's got another thing coming!" I shout.
A week went by, and I stayed captive that miserable room. I'm sure my father has people watching Nanny Ma and Chuju in case they were planning on visiting me.
Finally one late at night, I see a small shadow with quiet steps.
"Young Miss."
"Chuju!"
"Young Miss, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, but incredibly hungry."
"They don't feed you?!"
"I'm only given one meal a day, so I'm starving."
"Here. I brought you some bread." She sneaks the bundle in between the wooden poles of the window.
"Thanks," I say as I quickly munch on the bland bread, but right now it taste delicious.
"What are you going to do? Are you really going to marry that man?"
"No way! I still want to travel the world. You know, my dreams and stuff."
"Then how are you going to leave?"
I stare into her eyes. "You have to get me out Chuju."
"Me?!"
"I know you're a coward and timid, but you have to be brave!"
"O-- Okay. But how am I supposed to get you out?"
"You're not strong enough to break the latch... Burn this storage room down."
"Young Miss, are you crazy?! I can't do that! What if you get hurt?!"
"Damn it! You're right. I can't draw attention to my escape."
After pondering for some time, I finally thought of it. "I know! Chuju..."
The plan is set. I've asked Chuju to go to the Prime Minister's nephew and tell him to come visit me. My father won't be able to refuse him, and I will be given a chance to freedom.
Sure enough he shows up at the door step the day after Chuju asked him to come.
The door to the storage room opens, creaking with resistance.
My father looks down at me and says, "Go prepare yourself and meet with Scholar Liu. You try to escape, and I will punish Chuju."
I don't say anything to refute him. He has two servant escort me to my quarters.
Chuju meets me inside my room while the two male servants wait outside.
"Young Miss, Madam came into your room when you were locked away and took all the money you saved up to leave."
"She what?!"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop her from taking it." She looks at the ground with remorse, fidgeting her fingers.
"Ugh. It's okay. I have to get ready and meet this Scholar Liu. I will cut the visit short and sneak back. I get my things and leave. You wait for me here."
"Okay. Your father will be out today, but be aware of Madam when you get back."
"Mm."
I don't even know what that Scholar Liu wants with me. He has eleven concubines at his side. I'm sure most of them are as young as me, which is sick because he's looks like a sixty-year-old man. And why is he only a scholar? Shouldn't someone at his age have a different title already?
We meet briefly in the courtyard. I tell him I'd like to take a walk to the market, and he agrees to accompany me.
"Scholar Liu, you have many concubines in your household, so why must you marry?" I ask as we walk through the market.
"A man's life isn't complete without a wife. Although I am happy with all my concubines, I have no children. I've met with a prestigious taoist monk who says that our Ba Zi, if together, will surely bring about a bountiful amount of children." He raises his eyebrows as if to seduce me.
"Ah, is that so?" I reply.
I don't want to! Blegh!
He reaches for my hand, pulling it with his scaly fingers. "I know you may think I'm old, but I'm only fifty-six. I still have energy for night duties."
Oh my God! He's older than my father by ten years!
"Excuse me!" I force my hand away from him. "I have to get going. I have some errands to take care of at home."
Before he could stop me, I disappear into the crowd. Swiftly returning to the home residence, I sneak in through the back. Tip toeing to that She-Demon's room, I search her belongings for anything of value to sell.
"You take my things, I take yours!"
I find the most perfect and valuable item to steal. It is the golden bracelet gifted to her by the royal family. It is encrusted with diamonds and rubies, glistening so bright that I couldn't stare at it for long. My peasant eyes is not used to such luxury.
Quietly pacing back to my room, I enter and see Chuju packing a small bundle for me. "Chuju! Are we all set?"
"Young Miss!"
"Where's Fei Fei?"
She picks up a woven basket with a straw cover and shows it to me. I can clearly see a calm cat through the holes.
"You can wear the basket on your back."
"Thanks. Are you all ready to go?"
"You want me to go with you, Young Miss?"
"Well, yes. I'm not leaving you here."
"Oh! Young Miss, I'm so happy!"
"Come on."
Chuju ties a cloth bag across her upper body after packing some things for herself. However before we leave, I want to give something to Nanny Ma.
She is in the nursery watching over my father's new child. Sitting in a chair, she appears to be taking a nap. The baby must be tiring her out.
I tap her on the shoulder, awaking her slowly.
"Xiao Tong? Are you going somewhere?"
"Nanny Ma, I'm leaving."
She gets up frantically. "Where are you going?"
"I can't stay here any longer. I will not do as father say and marry that man. You've known that I want to explore the world and live out my dreams."
"But the world is such a scary place! How can a delicate Young Miss like you survive out there?"
"Haha. Don't worry... I know a thing or two about this world."
"Oh, Xiao Tong..."
"Don't cry." I hold onto her shoulders, rubbing them softly. "I made you this scarf."
I pull the dark auburn scarf from my bundle and arrange it around her neck. On both ends, I stitched two beautiful yellow flowers with green and orange details.
"When you miss me, just take a look at this scarf and know that I'm all right."
I give her a long hug and feel her arms tighten around me. Chuju and Nanny Ma also talk and share a farewell hug.
Out onto the streets, Chuju and I were able to pawn the She-Demon's bracelet for quite a few taels. We won't have to worry about money for awhile. Quickly, we hire a carriage east.
The first stop is Invigorating Essence Sect.
What lifetimes have been your favorite so far, readers?!
Why is that certain lifetime your favorite one?
See you in the next chapter!