Chapitre 11: Chapter 7: Buying a Coachman for the Woman_2
Of course, if someone came looking for trouble, she was more than happy to welcome it.
That was all money! Although money isn't omnipotent, being penniless is absolutely untenable. It seemed there was still some distance between her and her previous luxurious life. The revolution had not yet succeeded, she still needed to work hard at robbery. Come on!
"Nanny Xu, how much are these two? You name the price."
"Thirty taels," Old Lady Xu wavered, extending three trembling fingers. She felt uncertain in front of the lady who seemed to regain her noble demeanor. Had her old eyes been playing tricks, or had that fight really just happened?
Such a bargain, not even worth as much as a good horse, and these were two living people!
Gu Changsheng sighed, damn the ancient times, where people were worth less than an animal; it was too tragic.
"Xiao Cui, take fifty taels of silver and give them to Nanny Xu, the extra is for everyone's shock. The rest I'll leave to Nanny Xu's troubles," Gu Changsheng gave Xiao Cui a meaningful glance.
"Mistress, rest assured, rest assured, I'll go to the Government Office and get the official transfer documents straight away and send them to you at the Anping Inn," Old Lady Xu repeatedly bowed, feeling generous; that was almost half more silver than asked for! Since the customer wasn't afraid of trouble, she was happy to let go of those two troublesome kids.
"So, I'll take these people with me then?" Gu Changsheng stood up, pulling over Little Meat Bun on one side.
"As Mistress wishes, as Mistress wishes," Old Lady Xu bowed again, turning to the siblings, "You haven't thanked your new mistress yet. Being with such a household is your good fortune, don't make any more trouble, or you won't end up well."
Han Qiu, with his brother again kneeling, said, "Han Qiu thanks the mistress, Han Qiu swears, swears to be loyal until death!"
What's so good about ancient times? It really didn't fit her approachable image; she accidentally became a wealthy figure, feeling distressed as she glanced at the two kneeling people. Damn it, don't they know there's gold under a man's knees too?
"Alright, let's go," she sighed and led the way out first.
Old Lady Xu, of course, thanked them profusely and saw them off, then turned back to the people standing dumbfounded in the hall and scolded, "What are you still doing here? You unlucky creatures, disperse and go about your business!"
...
Back at the inn, Gu Changsheng buried herself in the bed, deep in depression.
She was supposed to buy a coachman, right? But on a whim, she'd bought a maid and a little boy instead. The maid seemed to have some skills, but the little boy, only six or seven years old, required her to care and pay for his upbringing! And who knows what trouble they might bring; this purchase didn't seem economical at all!
Wondering whether she could still change her mind now, considering Old Lady Xu's visibly relieved expression, that seemed a bit difficult.
She should have chosen a big, strong coachman, someone to make an impression when going out. Damn it, she should never have been kind on impulse.
"So, can I let you go?" she asked, rubbing her disheveled hair, conflicted.
"This servant is an official slave," Han Qiu stood aside, expressionless.
An official slave, destined to be a slave for life. If she let them go, they would still end up as slaves. So, was today's effort all for nothing? Damn it all!
"All right, this little boy is your brother, named Han Mo, right?" Gu Changsheng conceded defeat, the deed was done, and there was no pill for regret. Accepting fate was a skill; it's just two more people, she wouldn't die from that, would she?
"Yes," came the brief and forceful reply.
"My mood is a bit off right now. Seeing how destitute you've become as official slaves, hurry up and tell me about your tragic experiences. It'll cheer me up."
Xiao Cui frowned, lifting her head from the sewing basket reluctantly and calling out, "Nanny..."
How could she be like this? Nanny was far too harsh...
However, Han Qiu seemed not to care much, continuing with a cold expression as she narrated the tale as if it were someone else's, unconnected to her.
As it turned out, these two were from a General's family. Their father, Han Jingye, was the Main General stationed at Tongguan City on the Northern border. Last winter, the North of the desert suffered from a once-in-a-century heavy snowfall, with all cattle and sheep freezing to death. The poorly clothed and hungry Tartars surged southward in large numbers to pillage, besieging Tongguan with ten times their number. Han Jingye had no choice but to hold his ground and call for reinforcements from nearby posts, but help did not arrive in time, compelling him to die in battle upon the city walls.
When the Court heard of Tongguan's loss, they were enraged. They accused the city's defense as ineffective, confiscated the family's property, and sent all adult males in the family to the execution ground. Han Qiu and her brother Han Mo also became official slaves.
Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng could not bring himself to be amused. He sighed and said, "Don't speak of the matters of being ennobled, for the success of one General comes at the cost of thousands of bones. Your father died on the battlefield, unaware of the events that followed. In that, perhaps, there is some fortune..."
Han Qiu and Han Mo finally showed emotion, their faces revealing grief.
Her father had fought with his life, defending Tongguan to his last breath, only to have the Court charge him posthumously, resulting in the ruin of their family.
How could such a Court not chill her heart? How could she not feel that her father's sacrifice was in vain?
"Don't be sad. There's a saying that goes, 'Since ancient times, how many have returned from war?' For a soldier, dying on the battlefield is the best end. As for your family's misfortune, I can only say it's bad luck," Gu Changsheng stood up, patting Han Qiu's shoulder in an unmistakable gesture of comfort.
She was just unfortunate to have an Emperor who was not very wise.
Who could be certain about the affairs of the Imperial Court? As a former soldier, she felt a deep empathy...
"I thank the Nanny for taking in me and my brother. Han Qiu is willing to follow you for life, never straying," Han Qiu knelt to the ground again. Gu Changsheng felt what she did—a familiar sensation born from military life that comforted her. Perhaps, as Old Lady Xu said, encountering such a master was their good fortune.
"Alright, we don't have so many troublesome rules here; you don't need to kneel all the time." He pulled her up from the ground and turned to Han Mo, "Your brother is not much older than my son. From now on, he can serve as a Little Pageboy by his side. As for your lifelong commitment, a lifetime is too long; whatever opportunities arise in the future will depend on your fate."
"I may not have the power to change fate, but taking care of the two of you is well within my means…"
Before Han Qiu had the chance to thank him, Gu Changsheng let out an "Ah!" clutching his stomach and squatting down with a face full of misery, "Xiao Cui, check if there's any food left in the inn. I've exerted myself too much today, your Nanny is hungry!"
Xiao Cui packed up her sewing basket with an I-knew-it-wouldn't-last-long expression and left to find food.
She knew Nanny would not stay serious for too long. In no time, her true colors were showing.
After feasting to satisfaction, Gu Changsheng, with a belly fully stuffed, planned to buy a comfortable coach the next day so they could continue their journey southward. The future home was getting closer...
"Mother, mother, there's trouble outside..."
Gu Ze, who was daydreaming of a pleasant future life, turned around to see Little Meat Bun running in with small, hurried steps, seemingly in a great rush.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone