"It's all my fault," the woman wailed, "If I hadn't fallen ill and dragged the family down, Shui'er wouldn't have had to become a maid for the Xun family. And you, Shi Tou, wouldn't still be unmarried at your age." She sobbed uncontrollably. "We've already agreed with the Wang family. This time, Shan Xing will definitely marry into your family. Your engagement has been delayed for years. Shan Xing's mother says if it's delayed again, she'll marry Shan Xing off to a wealthy widower in the city as a second wife!"
The young man's face contorted in pain. "I'm so sorry, Shan Xing. I'll go talk to Shan Xing's family. If they hate me, or hit me, I can't sacrifice my sister for my own sake. She's already worked hard enough for this family."
Qi Zhenzhen exchanged a look with Wen Cen. Shui'er's family was truly in a desperate situation.
"You've come to me to ask me not to take the blame for your young lady. What can you offer me?" Shan Xing asked, biting her lip.
"How much is the betrothal gift your brother needs for his wedding?"
"Fifteen taels. Ten taels are for the bride's family, and five taels are for the wedding banquet," Shan Xing replied hesitantly.
"I can give you fifteen taels. Also, our household needs someone to manage the daily chores. If you're willing..." Qi Zhenzhen paused, then continued, "You could come to my home and help with the work. There's no one else at home, just my mother, my younger brother who is studying at the academy, and myself."
Hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words, Shui'er's face showed a struggle. "Would you dare to employ someone like me?"
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Why wouldn't I? You are kind-hearted by nature, and this incident isn't entirely your fault. The Xun family and you are merely fulfilling each other's needs."
"I need to think about this," Shui'er said after a moment's consideration, without giving an immediate answer.
Wen Cen and Qi Zhenzhen exchanged glances. "Then we'll come back tomorrow."
Shui'er nodded and saw Qi Zhenzhen and Wen Cen out.
The next afternoon, Qi Zhenzhen went to Lu Family Village alone. She easily found Lu Qing Shui's house. There was a fierce argument happening in the courtyard.
"What does your Shi Tou mean by this? Does he think our Shan Xing is easy to bully? They got engaged when they were sixteen, and our Shan Xing is twenty-one this year, an old maid! Everyone in the village laughs at Shan Xing! Do they not laugh at our Chen family? We've endured all of that! That brat Shi Tou went to our house early this morning to call Shan Xing out, and actually said he wanted to break off the engagement!" An angry woman was yelling at Lu Qing Shui and her mother.
Lu Qing Shi stood to the side, his head hanging low, not uttering a word.
There was also a girl with tear-streaked cheeks, constantly trying to placate the furious woman.
"Sister Shan Xing, you know better than anyone what kind of person my brother is. He doesn't dislike you, nor has he changed his mind. He's just worried that you'll suffer if you marry into our family..." Lu Qing Shui said, holding the hand of the girl named Shan Xing. "Aunt Chen, please calm down. Let's talk it over. We will definitely prepare the betrothal gift as agreed, and the banquet will be grand. We won't let Sister Shan Xing be wronged."
The furious woman's voice gradually weakened. She glared at Lu Qing Shi. "You brat, if only you were as sensible as your sister."
Lu Qing Shui's mother also apologized with a look of guilt.
Lu Qing Shi looked at his mother and sister, then at the resentful Chen Shan Xing. He stubbornly straightened his neck and said, "Auntie, all the mistakes are mine. Our family cannot afford this betrothal gift."
The woman, who had just been appeased, flew into a rage again. "Is the Lu family bullying us like this? Wasn't it agreed that Shui'er would take the blame for the Xun family's young lady, and the Xun family would give your Lu family some money?"
Lu Qing Shi's face turned red and his neck bulged. "Shui'er went to take the blame. What will happen to her in the future? She'll be exiled! She's a young girl, how can she endure that? To let my marriage happen, you're sacrificing my sister's entire life. I, for one, cannot do such a beastly thing."
"Didn't they say she'd only be in there for two years?" Shan Xing's mother said. "Shui'er earns five hundred coins a month as a maid, which is six taels of silver a year. Didn't the Xun family say they'd give ten taels for one year, thirty taels for two years, and fifty taels for three years? How easy is it to earn this money? And when she comes out, won't the Xun family give her some money? Where else can she find such a good deal?"
"Mother, what are you saying?" Chen Shan Xing stomped her foot and pulled her mother. Lu Qing Shi and Lu Qing Shui's expressions were quite unpleasant. In Shan Xing's mother's eyes, taking the blame had become a good thing. What was she thinking?
"Hasn't Auntie considered that with this stain on Shui'er, how will she ever find a husband in the future?" Lu Qing Shi said in a low voice.
Shan Xing's mother also realized she had spoken too insensitively. Her expression became awkward. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just that for us country folk, earning fifty taels is not easy. Shui'er, Auntie knows you are a good child. You wouldn't bear to see your brother still unmarried at such an old age, would you? Do you want the Lu family's lineage to continue?"
"In any case, our Shui'er will not go to earn this money," Lu Qing Shi said, speaking before Lu Qing Shui. "Shan Xing, you know how I treat you. Our family cannot afford the betrothal gift, but rest assured, I will not mistreat you. If you are willing to marry into our family, our whole family will treat you well, and I will work hard to earn money to give you a good life."
Shan Xing's mother put her hands on her hips and pointed vaguely at Lu Qing Shi. "Lu Qing Shi, you have no shame! Are you saying my Shan Xing should marry you for free? I raised her all these years, and you Lu family get the benefit? Is there such a good thing in the world? I'm telling you, absolutely not! Do you really think our Shan Xing has no other choice but to marry you? My Shan Xing has a good temperament and is beautiful. The esteemed master has taken a liking to our Shan Xing! Lu Qing Shi, don't you regret it later."
With that, she grabbed Chen Shan Xing and left.
As they reached the doorway, she saw Qi Zhenzhen standing there and glared fiercely at Qi Zhenzhen.
Lu Qing Shui beckoned Qi Zhenzhen inside, saying with a wry smile, "You've witnessed our family's troubles."
Qi Zhenzhen waved her hand, appearing understanding. "Fate is predetermined. Those who are meant to be together will find a way, no matter the twists and turns."
When she had passed by the Chen mother and daughter earlier, Qi Zhenzhen had not seen a trace of longing in Chen Shan Xing's eyes.
"I've made up my mind. I won't take the blame for your young lady. I will ask the master to allow me to redeem myself. When we signed the contract, it stated that if I didn't complete the term, I would have to pay one tael of silver to the Xun family," Lu Qing Shui said. "As for the money you offered, we've discussed it. We cannot accept your money. This matter was originally our wrongdoing."
Qi Zhenzhen did not press Lu Qing Shui. From their two encounters, she could sense that the Lu family members were inherently kind.
"Then have you made up your mind? To work as a long-term laborer at my home? You'll have four days off each month, and you can come back to reunite with your family," Qi Zhenzhen asked.