Volume One, Chapter Five: Make a Scholar His Slave?!
The old nursemaid was stunned as well. He had assumed General Pu was merely interested in making acquaintance with their young lady, but to think he intended to teach her martial arts? The master and servant exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
Pu Hong gave it little thought, preparing to disembark from the carriage. The old nursemaid, still sweating from fright, gratefully said as her life’s savior was about to step down, “This humble servant thanks General Pu for saving our lives!” She moved to kneel, but Pu Hong stopped her with a firm hand. “Nursemaid, no need for such formality. Protecting you is my duty.”
Then he inquired, “Which noble family in the capital does the young lady belong to? If you do not mind, I can escort her safely back to the city.” The nursemaid nodded and replied, “Our young lady is the second daughter of Minister Meng of the Ministry of Revenue.”
Pu Hong nodded briefly, then descended the carriage and, after conferring with his subordinates, decided to entrust the master and servant to Wang Xian’s escort. Given the dozens of casualties this time, he had to return to camp personally to report.
“Miss Meng, the mountain bandits have all been eliminated. Deputy General Wang will escort you back. There is no need to worry.” Meng Tingfeng gently lifted the curtain and smiled softly. “Thank you, General.”
Pu Hong spurred his horse and rode off. Wang Xian took the reins, willingly assuming the role of coachman. The twists and turns of this ordeal had shaken the old nursemaid to her core. When Miss Meng was captured by those bandits, she nearly believed they would perish there. But fortunately, the young lady was blessed with great fortune—surely a lady in heaven watched over her, sparing her from harm.
The thought brought tears to her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. Meanwhile, the “blessed” Meng Tingfeng slowly closed her eyes, pondering the bandits’ affair.
Li Fang and Li Shi were already dead. The old nursemaid would handle all traces related to Li Fang, so there was no need to worry. But what about Li Yin?
When the bandits arrived, she had not seen Li Yin among them. If Li Yin had returned to the mountains and found her father and brothers gone, it could pose a great danger.
Lost in thought, a shouted voice suddenly interrupted her: “Wait, wait a moment!”
Meng Tingfeng opened her eyes and paused slightly.
It was the voice of Cheng Cai.
Sure enough, lifting the carriage curtain, Meng Tingfeng saw a breathless Cheng Cai running toward them.
This was the sworn elder brother she had always respected and trusted.
Originally, she had saved the starving and near-death Cheng Cai. Admiring scholars, upon learning he was a student, her heart had filled with admiration.
In the cold winter, knowing his hometown was suffering famine, she risked punishment to shelter him. Even when she herself lacked enough food, she stole provisions daily to feed him. Later, learning of his ambition for officialdom, she insisted on bringing him back to her household despite the old nursemaid’s objections. Eventually, he passed the imperial examinations and became a retainer under her father.
Yet in the end, he betrayed her with a cup of tea.
The scorching pain and tearing sensation from the flames seemed to revive on her skin. Meng Tingfeng recalled Cheng Cai’s last look—guilty and cold—and a metallic taste of blood rose in her throat.
No matter his reasons for betrayal, she would never forgive him!
She would bring him back to the Minister’s mansion again, uncover the truth behind his treachery, and make him suffer a thousandfold more than she had!
But this time, he would have to pay a price.
Swallowing the blood in her throat and suppressing her hatred, her hands clenched slowly beneath her wide sleeves.
Now, Cheng Cai had yet to don the splendid blue-silver embroidered robes. He still wore ragged, coarse clothes, his hair tangled and unwashed for days, emitting a sour stench that caused everyone to pinch their noses.
Yet Cheng Cai was oblivious, looking toward Meng Tingfeng, who had peeked out from the carriage, his eyes filled with joy.
“Dog slave, where—where are you going?” He nervously wrung his clothes, eyes fixed on her as if afraid she would flee at any moment.
Meng Tingfeng blinked innocently. “Brother Qianzhi, I am no longer a dog slave. I have a name and a family. Naturally, I am going home.”
Cheng Cai was elated. Seeing the magnificent carriage, he knew her identity was no simple dog slave. Now that she was returning home, if only he could go with her…
“Could you take me down the mountain with you? It’s far too cold here and there’s no food. I’ll starve to death.”
Before Meng Tingfeng could reply, the old nursemaid immediately emerged from the carriage, disapproving: “You have hands and feet, a manly man. Why would you starve to death on this mountain? Besides, our young lady is unmarried. Bringing a man along makes no sense.”
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cai’s face turned pale. He hurried forward: “Nursemaid is right. I have just recovered from a serious illness and have little strength. I know no one on this mountain except Dog Slave—no, the young lady alone. Would the young lady really bear to see me die here?”
His words were pitiful, but the nursemaid saw his ragged clothes wrapped tightly, while Meng Tingfeng’s coarse garments were riddled with holes far more numerous. She remained unmoved.
Yet she caught the hint of pity in the young lady’s troubled expression. With a sigh, she said, “Miss must be worried he will die here on this mountain and wishes to bring him back to the mansion?”
Meng Tingfeng’s eyes brightened. “Nursemaid, may I?”
The nursemaid nodded. Turning her head, her gentle expression vanished, replaced by a cold tone directed at Cheng Cai:
“If you are willing to serve the young lady as her attendant, become a servant of our household, then naturally you may return with her. However, a servant must be loyal. If you swear an oath here, sign a contract, andI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.