The girl also saw Lin Yan's face when the carriage curtain was lifted.
But after just one glance, she lowered her head. She hadn't expected the carriage she had mustered the courage to stop to belong to such a young man.
This young man looked to be around her age, which made her blush a little. It wasn't from shyness, but rather embarrassment when facing someone her own age.
She didn't want to expose her hardship to others, but she had reached the end of her rope.
Lin Yan carefully observed the woman. Although her face looked fair and tender, upon closer inspection, one could see dry, peeling skin on her cheeks, and the skin beneath her eyes was particularly severe.
Her hands were also very rough, but this roughness was confined to her fingers, which bore quite a few small wounds. It was evident that she had once been a pampered young lady, but had now fallen on hard times.
Lin Yan took out a purse and had Dong Mei hand it to her.
"Take this money and properly bury your father. As for selling yourself, there's no need to mention it."
Lin Yan felt great sympathy for the women of this era. If she could help, she would help as much as possible. She would not take advantage of someone's misfortune.
Those in the carriages behind, seeing that the one in front had not moved, sent someone to inquire what had happened. They saw the woman kneeling there, dressed in mourning clothes.
"Master, please buy me," the woman pleaded, even though she saw Lin Yan was about her age and still called him "Master."
"We are in a hurry and cannot afford to delay. Moreover, you can maintain your status as a respectable woman. Why must you enter the low class?"
"But if you don't buy me, Master, I will have no way to bury my father, nor will I be able to maintain my status as a respectable woman." She knew this group was heading to the capital, and it was the time for successful scholars to return home.
She was well aware of whom she had stopped and knew that once she entered the low class, it would be incredibly difficult to escape it.
But if she hadn't been driven to desperation, why would she have made such a choice?
"Yan Ge'er, has something happened?" Since Lin Yan had not officially taken office, her two paternal uncles still called her by this nickname.
"Nothing. Just a woman seeking help." Lin Yan did not mention the woman's intention to sell herself to him.
"Master, please buy me. After I bury my father, I will leave with you. No, if it's inconvenient, I'll send the money back home and leave with you." The woman repeatedly bowed, her forehead touching the ground.
Lin Yan quickly signaled Dong Mei to help her up. Dong Mei immediately got out of the carriage and supported her, but the woman still tried to bow to Lin Yan.
"Miss, please don't be so agitated. Since you have difficulties, come up and tell us. Don't kneel on the road any longer." Lin Yan understood what the woman was going through.
The fact that she was willing to sell herself to bury her father showed her deep regard and filial piety. Yet, she was also willing to leave and give up personally burying him.
There must have been a reason why she could no longer stay in this place. The only reasons that would drive a woman to such lengths as selling herself were few, and considering her appearance, the reason was not hard to guess.
Lin Yan ordered the carriage to pull over, and the people from the carriages behind also disembarked.
"Tell us your story." After having a seat prepared for her, Lin Yan sat opposite the woman and listened to her experience.
Lin Bo and her two paternal uncles, as well as her cousin, all looked at the woman in mourning clothes.
Seeing Lin Yan's demeanor, the woman began to recount her story.
Her name was Dong Linlin, the daughter of a small shop owner in the county town. Her father had two sons but only this one precious daughter, whom he doted on immensely.
She had lived a very happy life in her early years. However, unexpectedly, her face brought her disaster. Overnight, her family's shop was gone, and her father was severely injured.
The family had exhausted all their savings, but it was not enough to save her father's life. Her two brothers were now working hard to save money, but it was but a drop in the ocean compared to the medical expenses owed for her father's illness and the funeral costs.
That person wanted her to offer herself willingly, which was why he spared her family. Her brothers had tried to reason with him, but all they got was beaten.
She also wished she could have left this world with her father, but before he died, he urged her to live well. Her brothers also watched her closely.
Today, she had run out while her brothers were out working.
She had inquired, and it was known that two esteemed scholars were passing by today on their way back to the capital. She intended to sell herself to avoid further burdening her two brothers.
She could not bring herself to submit to her enemy, nor could she cause more trouble for her already burdened brothers. Her only option was to sell herself.
Although she saw Lin Yan's sympathy and knew she could temporarily find stability with Lin Yan's help, Lin Yan would not be staying here long.
He could save her for a moment, but not for a lifetime. Once he left, she would again be plunged into despair.
She knew her face was the source of her troubles, but her body and skin were gifts from her parents, and she could not harm them at will.
Lin Yan showed no particular reaction after hearing her story, but Lin Bo and the others were furious, appearing as though they would go and deal with the scoundrel on her behalf.
"I can give you a letter of introduction, allowing you to seek justice from the local magistrate. He would surely not dare to do anything to you then." Lin Yan did not wish to keep a stranger by his side; he had too many secrets.
"Besides, your brothers would likely not want to see you as a servant."
This was a girl who had been pampered since childhood, how could she endure the humiliation of being a servant? Lin Yan did not want to bring endless trouble upon himself due to a moment of soft-heartedness.
"But..." She wanted to say more but was interrupted by Lin Yan.
"Your brothers are likely worried sick looking for you now. Have you considered how they would feel upon finding you if you so easily sold yourself?"
Lin Yan understood her feelings of self-reproach and guilt, but if she were to sell herself like this, she would surely regret it later.
"Dong Mei, Shi Shu, take my letter of introduction and this silver to escort this young lady back home. Don't let her family worry." After giving his instructions, Lin Yan walked back towards the carriage.
Lin Bo and the others found Lin Yan's actions to be very proper. Although it cost some money, it was worth it if it could save a family.
One carriage was assigned for Dong Mei and the others to take Dong Linlin home, while the rest continued on their journey.
They planned to wait for them at an inn in the next town.
Seeing that Lin Yan and his party were unwilling to buy her, Dong Linlin had no choice but to return home with Dong Mei and the others.
However, she was still very grateful to Lin Yan and his group. At the very least, Lin Yan was one of the few people who had been willing to help them since their misfortune.