SGEIRS -Chapter 365 Selling Oneself into Slavery

Someone came running toward them in a panic. It was a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features. Even though her clothes were washed to the point of fading and patched in several places, her beauty could not be concealed.

Behind her, a middle-aged couple was chasing. The woman’s face was twisted with anger as she shouted, “You little brat, stop right there! Are you planning to jump into the river too?”

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi instinctively pulled his young wife aside to avoid being accidentally knocked over.

The girl ran to the railing, looked down at the river, and turned pale with fright. She then glanced back at the approaching couple. In a desperate move, she sought help from the elegantly dressed couple beside her, and fell to her knees with a thud. “Kind sir, merciful madam, please have mercy on me. Save me!”

Meng Jinyao saw the girl kneeling there, tearful and pitiful, glancing at the couple behind her and the small crowd watching nearby. She didn’t immediately intervene but chose to observe the situation.

Gu Jingxi ignored the girl as well.

The middle-aged couple relaxed slightly. The woman took a few hurried steps, bent down to grab the girl, and scolded, “You little wretch! We pity you and have cared for you according to your elders’ wishes, yet you insist on eloping? Are you that desperate to get married?”

The girl struggled, trying to dodge toward Meng Jinyao as if seeking protection. She sobbed and pleaded, “No, it’s not as she says! Sir, madam, please help me! I’ll repay your kindness for the rest of my life, working as your servant if I must!”

The woman, now furious, pinched her arm, causing the girl to gasp in pain. She turned to Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao, saying, “Don’t bother yourselves. This wretched girl is just eager to get married and insists on eloping. As her uncle and aunt, we have to intervene for her own good.”

The man stepped forward to apologize. “Sorry for disturbing you. We’ll take this brat away now.”

The girl struggled even more violently, tears streaming down her face. “You’re lying! You’re slandering me. It’s not like what you’re saying at all!”

The onlookers whispered among themselves. Seeing the delicate girl crying, some felt a pang of sympathy—but this was someone else’s family matter, tied to an elopement. Who really knew the truth? They were there just to watch the drama and wouldn’t intervene.

Meng Jinyao looked at Gu Jingxi, seeking his opinion. Seeing him smile faintly, she spoke: “Madam, I think you may have misunderstood this girl. Perhaps there’s some confusion. Why not let her explain the situation clearly so you can understand?”

The woman frowned. “What confusion could there be? I saw it with my own eyes—how could that be false?”

The girl quickly shook her head and explained, “Madam, she’s lying. I only spoke a few words to another person—that’s the boy from the neighboring house, someone I grew up with. My uncle and aunt tricked me into coming to my grandmother’s house, claiming she was gravely ill. That morning I overheard that they actually planned to force me to marry my cousin—because he is disabled and cannot find a bride. Only then did I understand their intentions.”

At her words, the crowd gasped. Even the middle-aged couple’s expressions changed as people condemned them for scheming against their own niece.

Meng Jinyao, however, still had a question. “Young lady, your uncle and aunt tricked you to marry your cousin. Didn’t they worry that your parents or other relatives would find out and intervene?”

The girl sobbed. “My parents passed away long ago, and my grandmother died earlier this year. I have no other family. I never imagined my uncle and aunt would deceive me—they preyed on me, a lonely orphan.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding, then turned to the middle-aged couple with scorn. “Uncle, aunt, how could you do such a thing?”

Others watching began condemning them as well.

The man’s face darkened as he said sternly, “Madam, I advise you not to meddle. Do you believe everything this girl says? Her grandmother entrusted us to care for her in her last moments. We only took pity on her and brought her home. We didn’t expect her to slander us.”

The girl hurriedly denied it. “Madam, he’s lying! My grandmother never asked them to look after me—she only asked the neighbors for some help.” Tears streamed down her face. “Please, madam, save me. Don’t let them take me back. I’m willing to sell myself into slavery, to repay your great kindness with a lifetime of work.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the woman scolded, “You little brat! Why would you sell yourself into slavery? You could be a proper citizen, yet you insist on becoming someone’s servant? What a wretched girl!”

The girl’s expression was resolute. “I’d rather be a servant than be forcibly married off by you.”

The woman, fuming, sputtered, “You…”

At that moment, Meng Jinyao spoke decisively: “Very well. Then you can stay with me as a maid. There’s no need to go back with them.”

Hearing this, the girl’s face lit up with joy. She quickly knelt and thanked her: “Your servant thanks you, madam!”

The middle-aged couple seemed taken aback, not expecting this outcome.

Meng Jinyao continued, “Uncle, aunt, from now on she is my maid. You have no right to interfere. As for her selling herself into slavery, that is her choice—you may be her relatives, but you are not her parents. You cannot control her fate.”

The couple exchanged glances, realizing the young couple was wealthy and influential, not ordinary people to be trifled with. They dared not say more.

The woman, still angry, scolded, “You foolish girl! Do you know who they are? By selling yourself into slavery, you risk being exploited for your beauty and sold for profit.”

The girl remained unafraid. “Even so, I accept it. At least this is my choice.”

Meng Jinyao, unwilling to listen to more bickering, said calmly, “Young lady, if you are determined to sell yourself into slavery, come with me and sign the contract.”

The girl replied with a respectful “Yes,” then stood and followed Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi back.

Back in the guest room, Gu Jingxi closed the door.

Meng Jinyao spoke first: “Young lady, I don’t need a maid. I only saved you because it was the right thing to do. I’ll give you some money for your journey. When we reach the next dock, I’ll have someone take you off the boat and back to Beijing. Be more cautious next time so you’re not deceived. If your uncle and aunt get off at the next dock, get off at the following one—then you won’t encounter them.”

The girl looked up in disbelief. “Madam, your servant…”

Before she could finish, Meng Jinyao interrupted sternly: “Young lady, I saved you out of kindness. I hope you don’t repay kindness with resentment.”