“Xin and Yue were sold to the same official’s household. Daughter hasn’t visited yet, coming first to redeem your freedom.”
Yu Song shook her head, “I’m doing fine here. Go first to redeem your two sisters, then come back for me.”
Yu Yi pleaded, “Mother, please come with me. Once you’re settled, I’ll immediately go to redeem Xin and Yue.”
Yu Song absolutely refused, insisting Yu Yi first redeem her other sisters. “Xin and Yue’s situation is uncertain. If they’re suffering, the earlier you go, the better. Go quickly!”
“
Helpless, Yu Yi could only bid farewell to her mother and go to redeem Yu Xin and Yu Yue.
Chapter 45: Yu Yi’s Spacetime (3)
Yu Xin and Yu Yue were thirteen and ten years old, respectively, both bought by the Ministry of Revenue’s Corrupt Punishment Library’s Chief Steward Lei Yuan. Yu Yi rushed to Lei Yuan’s residence and inquired about them with the household steward. The steward Tang said they were quite clever and well-behaved. The older one had recently been chosen to be a maidservant for a concubine, learning household rules.
Yu Yi began to worry; being chosen was not a good sign. If the master’s family refused to release her, it would be difficult to redeem her sisters.
She asked the steward Tang about redeeming Yu Xin and Yu Yue. Tang said he would ask the concubine’s opinion. Soon, Tang returned alone. Yu Yi anxiously asked, “Steward Tang, what did she say?”
Steward Tang smiled, “The concubine says she truly likes your sister and is reluctant to let her go.”
Yu Yi’s heart sank. When Tang’s steward had gone in earlier, she had considered another possibility – this so-called “taking a fancy” might not mean appreciating Yu Xin’s abilities, but possibly selecting her as a potential concubine’s maid. Now hearing Tang’s steward speak like this, could her speculation actually be true? Yu Yi secretly shook her head, hoping she was overthinking things.
She begged Tang’s steward to let her see Lady Liu, but he repeatedly refused, only saying: “This is your sister’s good fortune.”
