Chapter 1: No One Can Save You

The spring chill was biting, and the plum blossoms trembled upon their branches.

A thousand miles away from the capital, in Xilin Village, wisps of cooking smoke curled into the air.

As the sky just began to brighten, Yu Tingwan slipped into the kitchen.

She was fair-skinned and dressed like a country girl. A triangular kerchief was wrapped around her head, and she kept her eyes cast low all day, intentionally concealing her beauty to avoid going out. Yet, her features were the kind that could not be found even in the surrounding ten villages. Her eyes were like autumn waters, her lips a delicate crimson, and a beauty mark at the corner of her eye added a touch of captivating allure.

In these times, grain was precious. She did not dare waste much, grabbing only a few small handfuls of broken rice to wash clean before lighting a fire to cook porridge.

Behind her, Lady Wang stood with a grim face and a critical gaze, being utterly harsh toward this niece of hers.

"The Hu family took you in not so you could pester Er-lang," she said with loathing. "If you want to marry him, you ought to consider whether you are even worthy."

Yu Tingwan’s movements paused slightly, her expression filled with absurdity. "Why would you say such a thing, Aunt?"

Lady Wang straightened her back proudly. "My Er-lang is a refined scholar, highly esteemed by his teacher. He is bound to achieve great things in the future. It is not surprising that you wish to climb a high branch."

She shot a sharp, contemptuous glance at Yu Tingwan and spat, "Give up on that idea."

What use was being pretty? She looked nothing but seductive. She looked just like her deceased mother—not a decent woman.

The chill seeped through the seams of her clothes, making Yu Tingwan shiver.

If not for the early death of her parents, and the fact that she lived in a chaotic world full of villains with no money to her name and a face too striking for her own good, why would she have come to the Hu family to seek refuge with her uncle, only to endure Lady Wang's disdain?

She gave a light laugh. "Before my second cousin went to the academy last time, he said he had set his heart on me."

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang lost her composure, her hands flying to her hips in agitation. "You must have seduced him! You shameless little wench!"

"He said he has loved me for a long time, and that he intends to marry me."

Lady Wang’s eyes bulged with fury. A surge of resentment choked her as she shrieked, "I will absolutely never allow it!"

Fuming, she grabbed a broom from the kitchen, intending to strike her.

Yu Tingwan showed no sign of panic; she didn't even flinch. She suppressed the pity in her eyes, parted her red lips slightly, and uttered four words.

"I refused him."

The ferocity on Lady Wang's face faltered, and the broom froze mid-air.

"What?"

"But he won't give up."

"You should manage him."

Yu Tingwan looked at Lady Wang with watery, deer-like eyes, her tone sincere. "It is truly quite annoying."

A sensation of metallic sweetness rose in Lady Wang's throat; she nearly coughed up blood from rage. She understood Yu Tingwan's words, yet it felt as if she understood nothing at all.

She actually looked down on Er-lang? How dare she!

Lady Wang's breathing grew rapid, her chest heaving violently. A cold sneer escaped her lips. "Keep up that stubborn mouth of yours!"

"Mother!"

The heavily pregnant Little Xu rushed in from outside. "I heard from the neighbor auntie that the heavy snow has blocked the road ahead. I'm afraid Da-lang, Er-lang, and Father won't be able to return for a few days."

Hearing this, Lady Wang began to pace frantically.

"What are we to do?"

"The weather is so cold, and the nights are even worse. Not only might the crops be damaged, but how many people freeze to death? The master and Da-lang are hardy; a bit of cold won't bother them. But Er-lang is precious—how can his body endure such things?"

*This old hag!*

Little Xu was livid.

*As if your Er-lang is a golden nugget! Everyone else is just grass!*

If it weren't for the fact that the scholar was returning from the town academy, and Lady Wang refused to let him walk, insisting that Father and Da-lang take the ox cart to fetch him, would her husband have to suffer such hardship!

But she did not dare show even a hint of her emotions; who wouldn't want to benefit from a scholar's status?

"Father has a plan. Seeing that the situation is bad, he won't stay out overnight; he will likely return to town to wait for news."

Lady Wang felt somewhat relieved. "Yes, yes, you're right."

She paced back and forth, frowning. "But expenses in town are high. Lodging and food aren't cheap. They didn't bring extra travel money."

It was almost the New Year, and the academy was closed. They couldn't get in.

If they had to sleep in the open... how could her Er-lang endure such suffering!

Little Xu's eyes flickered, and she fell silent.

The weather was cold, and frostbite had already appeared on her face. When her husband left, Little Xu had gritted her teeth and stuffed him with the private savings she had hidden for half a year, telling him to buy some facial grease.

That fool Da-lang better not turn around and give it to his father to cover the lodging costs.

Just as the two were lost in their own schemes and at a loss for what to do, Yu Tingwan, who was tending the firewood, spoke up indifferently.

"They brought it."

Lady Wang snapped her gaze toward her.

"How do you know?"

Because she had reminded them.

Yu Tingwan had known long ago that the mountains would be blocked, and for a month at that. Before her uncle set out, she had suggested that since they would be away from home, they should prepare for emergencies, and since there were no relatives in town, he should bring extra silver.

She also knew...

Yu Tingwan slowly raised her eyes, her gaze drifting toward Lady Wang with a haunting depth.

She also knew that Lady Wang, driven by greed, would take advantage of the uncle's absence to forcibly marry her off to the sixty-year-old Gentry Dong.

It wasn't a marriage; it was a sale.

Xilin Village was remote and impoverished, so there were fewer rules.

As long as the bride price was paid and a few banquet tables were held, the man could simply take the woman away.

Sure enough, Lady Wang's eyes darted with shrewd greed.

She had had enough of the master's protection of Yu Tingwan.

Why not...

Suppressing her racing heart, Lady Wang bit her lip and went to the locked cabinet to take out two eggs. As she passed Yu Tingwan, she gave her a heavy shove, claiming she was in her way.

Unexpectedly, as if anticipating it, Yu Tingwan stepped aside.

Lady Wang pushed empty air and nearly twisted her waist.

"You!"

Yu Tingwan: "Oh, my mistake."

If one said her attitude was good, her tone was dismissive. If one said her attitude was poor, her apology was quite proactive.

The humiliated Lady Wang felt a breath catch in her throat—unable to exhale, unable to swallow—her entire face turning red with suppressed rage. She glared fiercely at Yu Tingwan and strode out.

Once she left, only Yu Tingwan and Little Xu remained in the kitchen.

Such a stingy woman actually walked out with eggs!

Little Xu, a bully to the weak and a coward to the strong, abandoned her submissiveness toward Lady Wang and puffed out her round belly arrogantly. "Do you know where Mother is going?"

Yu Tingwan watched the flames dancing in the hearth.

Closing her eyes, she saw the image of herself kneeling before Lady Wang, pleading in desperation.

[*“Aunt, please show me mercy. I won't marry him, I won't marry him.”*]

She had humbled herself, yet the latter had maintained a high-and-mighty air, attempting to crush her hopes.

[*“I am doing this for your own good. How could I harm you? Why won't you be grateful, Wan-niang? Yes, Master Dong's grandson is your age, but an older man knows how to cherish a woman.”*]

And then there was Little Xu, touching the gold hairpin given by the Dong family, smiling with pure delight.

[*“This snow is falling beautifully. The mountains are blocked, Father can't return, and no one can save you. Whether you want to marry him or not, you must.”*]

[*“So what if you are pretty? You are just like your mother—meant to be ruined by men.”*]

Neither of them was good.

It felt as if she had stepped into an ice cellar, her entire body turning numb and stiff. Her arms were seized, and the balding Gentry Dong threw a bag of silver to Lady Wang before dragging her away.

She struggled wildly, but her violent resistance only angered Gentry Dong, who raised his hand and delivered a stinging slap to her face.

[*“Believe it or not, I'll take you right here.”*]