Chapter 9

◎Agree to become a concubine in the Jiang family◎

The imperial decree was issued in the palace, and the news was relayed back to the Jiang residence in no time.

"My lord, I have found out everything. The Xue family has been punished by His Majesty. Xue Lingyi has been pardoned and only sentenced to exile, but the male members of the household will be enslaved and sent to the palace as maids." Ruiming, the most trusted confidant of Jiang's father, bowed and said.

Father Jiang was embroidering a handkerchief when he heard this. He put down his needle and thread, and his eyes gradually became thoughtful. He said to Ruiming, "You heard it during the day. He'er is a stubborn child. She probably still has feelings for that child from the Xue family. If Xue Lingyi hadn't been so inflexible three years ago, the marriage between the two children might have been arranged long ago."

This involves a past event, but it's somewhat dishonorable for both families.

Ruiming dared to speculate on Jiang's father's meaning, "Does the master mean that he wants to arrange for Miss to marry the Xue family's young master?"

Father Jiang chuckled lightly, with a hint of disdain in his voice.

"No matter how handsome the young master Xue is, now that the Xue family has fallen, he is not worthy of my He'er according to his status. If he were the legal husband three years ago, it would be fine, but now he can only be a concubine at most."

The Xue family's refusal to marry Jiang He back then not only humiliated her but also severely embarrassed the Jiang family. Xue Lingyi, considering herself from a prestigious family, even insisted on choosing a husband for her son who was of outstanding status.

Ruiming also understood that his master was harboring resentment for the young lady's attitude three years ago.

He had met the famous Young Master Xue before. Would someone of such noble character be willing to become a concubine?

Now, however, Xue Lingyu has no choice but to make the decision.

The soldiers, armed with knives, surrounded the Xue residence, ransacked it of its remaining wealth, and detained all the male relatives, saying they would soon be enslaved and sent to the palace as servants.

Mr. Xue's father was already critically ill and couldn't withstand any more rough treatment. The soldiers brought in the chill from outside and dragged him, who was only wearing a thin shirt, into the courtyard. Mr. Xue's father had once been a nobleman from a high-ranking family and had never been treated so roughly before. Coupled with his weak constitution, he almost vomited blood in the courtyard.

Xue Lingyu wanted to check on her father's health, but the soldiers showed no mercy and were completely in a businesslike manner. The Xue family's crimes had been established, and he would be reduced to a slave.

"Please, my father is unwell, please give him a cloak." Xue Lingyu had no choice but to bend over and bow his head. The cold wind was biting, making him shiver, but he could only grit his teeth and plead.

The officers showed no mercy, saying, "What do you need a cloak for, you slave? You should worry about yourself first. With looks like that, I wonder if any brothel would be willing to take you in. You could live a good life there too, but... hahaha."

The officers and soldiers looked at him and began to jeer.

Outside the Xue residence, a wealthy family's carriage slowly came to a stop. After the soldiers approached and inquired about the situation, they immediately adopted a respectful attitude and jogged off to report to their leader.

The leader of the team, surnamed Wang, immediately went to the door to greet them after hearing the news from his subordinates.

A well-maintained man slowly stepped down from the carriage and smiled at her, saying, "Lord Wang."

Lord Wang was very eager and greeted him warmly, saying, "So it's Lord Jiang. I'm on official business here. What brings you to this disgraced official's home? Is there something urgent you need to see me about?"

The Jiang family is now a place that many people fawn over, so Lord Wang's attitude is not surprising.

Jiang Shangyi loved her husband dearly and always brought him along in public, which is why many people had seen Jiang's father.

Father Jiang nodded and said, "I apologize for coming here so abruptly, and please forgive me if I have disturbed you. I do have an urgent matter that I would like your help with."

Lord Wang had been looking for an opportunity to curry favor with the Jiang family, so now that he had a chance, he naturally had to seize it.

"Lord Jiang, please speak."

"I've heard that those who have entered the slave register can be sold at will. Recently, my household has been short of a few servants, so I was wondering if you have any connections, sir."

Jiang's father's words were very clear, and Lord Wang immediately understood his meaning.

His sudden arrival at the Xue family, coupled with the fact that the male members of the Xue family had been reduced to slavery, and considering the conflict between the Xue family and the Jiang family three years ago, made it easy to guess Jiang's father's intentions.

Selling a few slaves is not a big deal. Even if they are not sold by her, the brothel will come to select them, and the rest will be sent to the palace.

"I will prepare it for Lord Jiang right away, and the price is..." Lord Wang couldn't help but rub his hands together.

Knowing that she wanted to make a quick buck, Jiang's father generously promised, "The Jiang family will buy these people at three times the price, and Lord Wang need not worry about His Majesty pursuing the matter."

Lord Wang was overjoyed: "Everything will be done according to Lord Jiang's wishes."

Xue Lingyu still couldn't accept the reality of being reduced to slavery. Her father's health simply couldn't withstand such torment, and she didn't understand why His Majesty had suddenly imposed such punishment; the Xue family hadn't received any prior warning...

Xue Lingyu even wondered if Jiang He was behind it all, since he received this retribution for not agreeing to become her concubine.

What started as mere suspicion turned into unwavering conviction upon meeting Jiang's father.

Lord Wang ordered the soldiers to release Xue Lingyu and her party, then turned to give Jiang's father a fawning smile:

"Lord Jiang, you've bought all these people, so we'll head back now."

Father Jiang nodded and said, "Please take care, Lord Wang."

The moment Xue Lingyu gained her freedom, she took off her coat and draped it over her father's shoulders. Holding his cold hand, Xue Lingyu felt so heartbroken that tears almost welled up in her eyes.

"Father, Father, let me help you back inside to rest."

Father Xue was so cold that he almost lost consciousness and could only be helped back by Xue Lingyu, with the servant also helping.

Several servants followed behind Jiang's father, all dressed in thick fox fur coats and carrying hand warmers. They didn't feel the slightest bit cold. He watched Xue Lingyu enter the house and only came out after a long while.

He knelt down and kowtowed to Jiang's father, his words earnest: "Lord Jiang, thank you for saving me."

Father Jiang took a few steps back, raised his hand and said, "You child, the ground is cold. Be careful not to catch a cold. Get up quickly."

Xue Lingyu didn't insist on kneeling out of affectation; he knew that Jiang's father must have his own purpose.

Father Jiang looked Xue Lingyu up and down carefully, thinking to himself that she was indeed the person Jiang He still missed. Her face was so tender that it looked like it could drip water, her eyes were filled with tears, and there was a captivating red at the corner of her eyes. Although her figure was slender, she was clearly a woman who could bear children.

You absolutely cannot find another person like that in the capital.

“Young Master Xue, you should know what would have happened to the men of the Xue family if I hadn’t come today, and what kind of utter ruin you would have ended up in.”

Xue Lingyu silently acquiesced.

Father Jiang paused for a moment before getting straight to the point: “Actually, He’er still cares about you. If you are willing to become a concubine in my Jiang family, for the sake of the Jiang family, we might be able to protect your parents. You have seen the situation now. If you had any other choice, your father probably wouldn’t be able to endure a second day like today.”

"Besides, the Jiang family is no longer the merchant family it once was. Being a concubine in the Jiang family is not a disgraceful thing. If you can give birth to a daughter or a child for the Jiang family, it is not impossible to set you free."

Jiang's father actually offered a deal, but Xue Lingyu had no choice.

He bit his lip, his chest heaving slightly, and asked:

"Lord Jiang's words are true. If I give birth to a child, whether it is a girl or a boy, you will set me and my family free."

Father Jiang knew that he had relented. "Of course, and I will make proper arrangements for your father."

A note from the author:

Happy Winter Solstice, my darlings! Did you eat dumplings today?

◎Latest Comments:

[Catching bugs isn't like having children, is it?]

I love it! Hooray!

[Great! Good for childbirth and reproduction]

There's been a misunderstanding.

Am I remembering correctly? Was the female lead retaliating for the male lead's family's fate?

Is this why he dribbled the ball there?

Let's go!

Let's go!

[Didn't eat it! The chive filling was bad!]

Happy Winter Solstice! I've entered the mansion! The female lead doesn't know yet.

Wishing you a happy and healthy Winter Solstice!

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