Chương 16: 16. Some staying and some leaving
She sat and calmly waited that everyone got into their room. As the four men stood by the door waiting for Shu Ya started explaining.
''In two days we will go out. One of you will stay here to watch over our stuff. The rest of you will come with me. I fear that when I arrive in the north, they won't be enough food either for you or for me. You guys have to stay by my side until winter passes as there is no connection to the north after that. I hope Lord Ka told you that.'' She seriously started explaining.
They nodded and one of the guards took out a letter. ''Actually, I should give you this letter when we arrive on the north, but I think you should take it now.''
Shu Ya looked ta the thick letter and when she opened her heart almost jumped out of her chest. ''What is this?'' She stared at the guard.
''Miss, these are our papers. As you sent the other two servants back I kept the contracts of us four with me. The other two said they will send a message to the Lord Ka and then find a way to come to the north.'' The guard tried explaining.
Shu Ya looked at the papers and she saw something she couldn't understand. ''What is death contract?''
Weiling took out her clothes one more contract and gave it to her with an explanation. ''Death contract means we will serve you until we die.''
Shu Ya held her head with her hands as she tried to understand. ''What were you thinking? I am just a child that was expelled from the fraternal family and cut off that name. My maternal family is sent to exile and probably lives a simple life. How should I feed you all and pay for your work? I have some money now, but how long will it last? Are you willing to live a completely simple life in the north? With a penniless child.''
Accept Lord Ka's family and Weiling, no one else knew that she had a bunch of money on her.
The guard kneeled. ''Miss, I and my brother actually asked Lord Ka for these contracts.''
She was completely baffled by his words. ''Why?''
''Your late mother. Lady Bai was someone who saved our village a long time ago from a big plague. After we heard what happened to her and to you, the two of us chose to stay by your side no matter what. We have only each other and no other living family members. Our villagers gave up on us a long time ago and we became simple guards on Lord Ko's side. So when we asked him to let us go, he accepted. About money don't worry. We were paid quite well and none of us is a heavy drinker or gambler so we saved a lot of it. We will by land and some animals and with that, we will be able to survive in the north. Please miss, we were already set free by Lord Ka. Don't kick us away.'' The two guards started bowing deeply to the floor while she stood there frozen.
She rose her hand and stopped them with a deep sigh. ''I will keep these contracts with me, for now. But if any of you ever want to be free I will let you. These other two contracts...''
Servants bowed politely. One of them stepped forward. ''I have a family so I will serve you devotedly next two years and go home to start a family. I hope you can forgive me.''
Seeing his apologetic tone she chuckled. ''What are you sorry about. Thank you for staying by my side no matter how long. I can pay you money as you worked already for two years and after winter passes you can go home. It's better than relying on you next two years and then you leave, I will be sad.''
Seeing her big eyes he bowed one more time. ''I will do as miss wishes.''
She looked at the other but he pressed his lips and was silent for a moment but then looked ta her after bowing. ''Miss, can I have the same offer? I do not have a big family, but I found out that my uncle sold my only sister to the next harbors red district. I want to buy her off.''
Weiling rose her eyebrows. ''You want to get money in advance? And still, expect...'' But stopped when Shu Ya patted her arm.
Shu Ya looked at him seriously. ''In your case, write death contracts for both of you or work for me for at least ten years. Your sister and yourself and then I will send you with guard... wait what are your names. I cant continue calling your number one and number two. It's not proper.''
The guards just realized they never introduced themselves to neither Weiling or miss Bai. ''Oh, I am Mingli and this is Mingyu. Or you can give us new names.''
Shu Ya shook her head. And looking at the other two servants. The one that is about to get married bowed his head. ''My name is Xiaosi and his name is Tengfei.''
Shu Ya klapped her hands childishly. ''Finally, I know all your names. By the way. Mingyu will stay here to make sure that they won't sail off without us. Mingli you will come with me and Xiaosi you will follow Tengfei and bring the red district matron to me. After I speak to her I will make choice will I buy that girl or not.''
She actually said buy and could see Tengfei from the corner of her yes balling his fists in anger. She turned her head and stared right at him. ''Yes, I will BUY her. That is what you asked me to do. The moment I buy her she will become a simple servant and work of the amount of money I paid for her. That or I give you your contract right now back and you go find another way to free your sister.''
She took his contract our and pushed it to the other side of the table with calmness.
Tengfei was stuck with surprise after hearing her words. ''You are setting me free?''
She shrugged. ''Yes. But the moment you leave this room, you don't have any more right to speak to me again. You will be a free and unrelated person to me. Understood?''
Tengfei didn't even blink when he took the contract and ripped it in small pieces. ''Free, after so many years finally free.'' He went to Shu Ya and plopped on his knees while giving her grad bow. ''Miss, thank you. I will remember this day forever. I promise.''
Shu Ya just emotionlessly accepted his bow and looked at him until he went out. As soon he closed the door she smiled at Weiling. ''Now there are only you four left...''
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