Yu Yi’s voice also choked up, “Mother, your daughter has redeemed herself, and today I’m here to redeem your freedom.”
Yu Song took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but they continued to flow uncontrollably. She gripped Yu Yi’s hand tightly, as if afraid she might suddenly disappear.
After mother and daughter cried together for a while, Yu Song finally stopped crying. She looked Yu Yi up and down with swollen eyes, seeing that despite her fatigue, her complexion was good. She wanted to ask about her experiences, but the bustling entrance was inconvenient. She asked the gatekeeper to request leave from the master and then pulled Yu Yi inside, “Yi’er, come talk with mother.”
In Yu Song’s living quarters, Yu Yi looked around, surprised to find her mother living alone in a room. Though still a servant’s room, it was meticulously organized and clean.
Yu Song carefully asked, “Yi’er, during this past half year, at the courtesans’ house…”
Yu Yi nodded, “Daughter was at the courtesans’ house, learned some songs from Meng Niang. Madam Wang saw that daughter could play a few tunes and didn’t force her to entertain clients.”
Yu Song looked relieved, her eyes reddening again. After dabbing her eyes, she suddenly asked, “So, you redeemed yourself? Where did the redemption money come from?”
Yu Yi had anticipated this question. “A wealthy merchant often came to hear daughter play and sing, always giving much silver. Other clients also gave tips. Daughter saved carefully and accumulated redemption money.”
“
Yu Song, though still somewhat puzzled, believed Yu Yi’s explanation about the courtesans’ tipping customs or redemption prices.
To divert her mother’s thoughts, Yu Yi asked, “Mother, how have you been living?”
Yu Song smiled, “Not bad. Because I know some characters and can manage a household, the steward didn’t make me do hard labor from the start. Later, the master found out and had me teach his two daughters reading and needlework. My monthly wages increased, and they even gave me a separate room.”
Though the master treated her well, she was still a servant. Yu Yi felt some comfort but said, “Mother, I’ve come to redeem your freedom.”
Yu Song asked, “Yi’er, do you know where Xin and Yue are?”
Yu Yi replied, “Daughter already knows their location.”
“How are they?” Yu Song asked anxiously, most concerned about Yu Yi, who was sold to the courtesans’ house.
“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.”
Left with no choice, Yu Yi had to leave the Lei residence. She walked slowly, pondering what to do. She originally didn’t want to beg anyone, but if she forcibly took Yu Xin and Yu Yue away, they would remain slaves and find it difficult to live normally or get married. So she had to find a way to make the Lei residence agree to release them.
Lei Yuan He was a ninth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue. If she could seek pressure from an official of higher rank, he would have to agree.
Yu Yi found the residence of Chen Gao, her father’s old friend and the Minister of Criminal Affairs, and sought to meet Minister Chen. Unexpectedly, she didn’t wait long before being invited inside.
Minister Chen was extremely moved and deeply apologetic upon seeing Yu Yi: “Your father’s incident happened so suddenly. Although his case was handled by the Criminal Affairs Ministry, I tried my best to help, but despite being the Minister, I couldn’t clear his name…” He sighed deeply.
Yu Yi suppressed her heartache and said, “I know Minister Chen did his best. This case was personally ordered by the Emperor. How could you have changed anything?”
Minister Chen shook his head sadly, and Yu Yi momentarily fell into painful memories.
After sitting quietly for a while, Minister Chen asked, “May I inquire what brings you here today? If you have any difficulties, please speak freely. Whatever I can do, I will certainly do my utmost.”
Yu Yi replied, “I am now a commoner, so please don’t address me so formally. I’ve come about my two sisters, who were bought as maids by the Lei residence’s warehouse official. I want to redeem them, but Lady Liu is unwilling to release them.”
“This is a small matter. I’ll just make a few inquiries,” he responded.
Yu Yi bowed deeply to Minister Chen, “I am immensely grateful to Minister Chen.”
The rest of the passage continues in this narrative style, detailing Yu Yi’s encounter with White Shou and the events surrounding her family’s downfall.
After searching the Hou Mansion, the head eunuch narrowed his eyes and said: “The numbers don’t add up. Yu Binyi, where are your two sons? And your eldest daughter?”
Yu Binyi coldly looked at the night sky outside the door and did not respond.
Although Lady Yu’s face was pale, she forced herself to maintain a calm demeanor, compelling herself not to look at the three disguised children in the courtyard. She could not have all her children change clothes, as too many missing people would expose their plan, especially the young girls who might reveal something out of fear and arouse suspicion from those conducting the house search. She looked guiltily at the legitimate and illegitimate children in the main hall, some as young as five years old.
The head eunuch snorted and told the officer: “Go search the mansion again.” Then he turned to the servants in the courtyard and loudly asked: “Who among you knows the whereabouts of Young Master Yu, Second Young Master Yu, and Young Miss Yu? The first person to speak will be immediately released, and I swear I will not go back on my word.”
Most of the Hou Mansion servants had worked there for many years. They had heard stories of servants in other noble houses being beaten to death for minor mistakes when their masters were in a bad mood.
Working in the Hou Mansion meant that as long as one was diligent and obedient, one could live peacefully.
