The night deepened, the cold wind sharp as blades.
Despite the excruciating pain from her wounds, Chu Qiao forced herself to stand and began jogging in circles around the small woodshed, occasionally stopping to rub her limbs to keep from freezing to death in this dilapidated place.
Just as the third watch drum sounded, a faint noise startled her. She halted and turned warily toward the source.
The window, taller than a person, was slowly pushed open to reveal a small head. The newcomer’s bright eyes scanned the woodshed cautiously before landing on Chu Qiao standing below. A flicker of joy crossed their face, and they quickly raised a finger to their lips in a hushing gesture before nimbly climbing inside.
A chill from outside swept in as the boy hurried over, wrapping his arms around Chu Qiao in a tight embrace. His voice trembled slightly but held firm reassurance: "Don’t be afraid, Yue’er. Your fifth brother is here."
The boy was thin and young, only about eight or nine years old, dressed in ill-fitting, earthy gray clothes that made him appear even smaller. Though not fully grown, he stood just half a head taller than Chu Qiao, his features hinting at an unyielding resilience. He held the child tightly, patting her back repeatedly as he comforted her: "Don’t be scared. Fifth Brother is here."
For some reason, Chu Qiao’s eyes welled up—seemingly an instinctive reaction of this body—and large teardrops fell uncontrollably, dampening the boy’s coarse clothing.
The clear moonlight streamed through the slightly ajar window, illuminating the two small figures. The world outside was bitterly cold, yet a faint warmth lingered between them. The boy’s slender frame stood like a steadfast mountain; even if he trembled slightly from fear in this frigid night, he held his younger sister firmly, his arms wrapped protectively around her.
"Yue’er, are you hungry?"
The boy released her, using his grimy fingers to gently wipe the tears from Chu Qiao’s face. He managed a warm smile and said cheerfully, "Look what Fifth Brother brought you?"
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he produced a small cloth bundle from behind his back and deftly unwrapped it, releasing the inviting aroma of food. Noticing Chu Qiao still standing, he raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. "Sit down."
A coarse porcelain bowl, its blue floral pattern faded and chipped in places, was filled to the brim with white rice topped with green vegetables. Though there was little oil, the scent was wonderfully fragrant. The boy handed her a pair of chopsticks, urging, "Eat quickly."
Chu Qiao lowered her head and took a bite. Her mouth tasted salty from tears, and her throat felt tight. She chewed mechanically, letting out a soft sob. The boy watched her intently, his lips parting slightly with each bite she took, as if guiding her through the meal. Whenever she swallowed, his eyes would crinkle with happiness.
As she stirred the rice with her chopsticks, they hit something solid. She lifted it out—a piece of braised pork, still steaming hot.A piece of meat the size of a thumb, slightly charred from roasting, half-fat and half-lean, appeared incredibly tempting in such a pitch-black, icy night.
A loud gulp suddenly broke the silence. Chu Qiao looked up at the boy, who embarrassedly rubbed his stomach and deliberately said with an air of indifference, "I just finished dinner, I'm not hungry at all."
Handing the chopsticks over, Chu Qiao said, "You eat it."
The boy immediately shook his head. "We had an amazing meal tonight. The fourth young master treated us to extra dishes—braised carp, sweet and sour pork ribs, crispy fried pork fillet, boiled duck—so many dishes! I ate until I felt sick, and now I can't eat another bite."
Chu Qiao stubbornly held out the chopsticks. "I don't like fatty meat."
The boy froze for a moment, glancing at Chu Qiao and then at the piece of braised pork. He couldn't help but swallow hard. After a long pause, he finally reached out and took the chopsticks, carefully biting into the fatty part before handing the remaining lean meat back to her. He grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and said with a laugh, "Yue'er, now you can eat it."
A sudden pang of sadness hit her nose. Chu Qiao quickly lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes but refusing to fall.
After a long while, she slowly lifted her head and smiled at the boy, opening her mouth to eat the piece of meat. She chewed while grinning widely.
"Yue'er, is it delicious?" The boy's eyes sparkled like the brightest stars in the night sky.
Chu Qiao nodded vigorously, her throat tight and her voice choked. "Fifth Brother, it's delicious. This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life."
"Silly girl," the boy said, patting her head with a touch of sorrow in his expression. "You're still so young to talk about your whole life. Never mind the future, just think of all the delicacies we had when we were little. You were too young then, so maybe you don't remember. But don't worry, one day, Fifth Brother will make sure you have enough to eat and warm clothes. I'll get all the finest things in the world for you to eat—not just braised pork, but also ginseng, abalone, bird's nest, shark fin, geoduck, whatever you want. When that day comes, no one will ever bully us again. Yue'er, do you believe in Fifth Brother?"
Chu Qiao nodded, lowering her head to shovel the rice into her mouth. The taste was bitter, yet it filled her with warmth.
"Yue'er, don't be afraid." The boy took off his outer coat and draped it over Chu Qiao's shoulders. His voice, though childish, was firm and resolute as he spoke word by word, "Fifth Brother will protect you. I'll stay here with you. Don't be afraid."
The moonlight was bleak and shifting, filtering through the cracks into the woodshed and casting large patches of bright, frost-like light. Under the silvery glow, the two small children huddled close together—so insignificant, yet so heartwarmingly intimate.
In the distance, lanterns blazed brilliantly, the sound of music and strings filled the air, and the aroma of wine and meat wafted far and wide. The sleepless Zhenhuang City had finally reached the climax of its grand evening feast. Under the dazzling lights, no one remembered the little girl who had narrowly survived today's hunting grounds. The howling wind whipped through the air, sending the blazing flags of Daxia fluttering wildly.
When she woke the next morning, the boy had already left. On the ground was written a neat line of small characters: Fifth Brother will come again tonight. There are steamed buns under the firewood.
Chu Qiao dug through the dried branches in the corner and found two slightly yellowed steamed buns wrapped in oilpaper. Clutching them, her expression remained calm, but her eyes gradually softened.Three days passed in this manner, with no one coming to check on her. Each night, the boy would bring food and stay with her, only to slip away quietly the next morning. On the third day, the wooden door of the woodshed was flung open with a loud crash. Zhu Shun looked down at Chu Qiao, who had survived three days in the shed, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. In the end, he still ordered his subordinates to release her.
As she stepped out of the woodshed, Chu Qiao paused at the doorway, casting one last glance at the dilapidated shack. Her lips pressed together, and then she resolutely turned away.
Zhu Shun, Zhuge, Jing, Mu, Jue, Che, Yan…
The child slowly closed her eyes and lifted her face. The sunlight fell upon her forehead, forming a radiant halo of golden light, shimmering as if a phoenix were taking flight.
The further she walked, the more rundown the houses became. Everywhere, large groups of children cautiously hid behind trees and corridors, secretly watching her. When she reached a small courtyard and the supervising servant had just left, a crowd of children suddenly rushed forward, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
"Little Six, you're back!"
"Sixth Sister, we thought you wouldn't make it back."
"Sister Yue'er, wu..."
The children chattered and cried loudly, their sobs unrestrained. Chu Qiao was taken aback, momentarily frozen in place as they surrounded her, enduring their tears and runny noses.
"Alright, stop crying now."
A boy's voice suddenly rang out. The children turned around and cheered joyfully, "Fifth Brother!"
The boy ran in from outside, clutching a cloth bundle. After just a few steps, it slipped from his hands, scattering all over the ground—it was a bag of melon seeds. The children cheered in unison, immediately releasing Chu Qiao and rushing forward.
"Don't fight, there's enough for everyone," the boy said, adopting a mature tone. "Yue'er has just escaped death and is badly injured. Don't disturb her. In the coming days, everyone must help with her tasks."
The children nodded repeatedly. A little girl with two braids lifted her fair, delicate face and said with a smile, "Fifth Brother, don't worry, we'll help Sixth Sister."
The boy asked, "Little Seven, are your injuries healed? Why are you out of bed?"
"Fifth Brother, they're all better," the child replied, tilting her head back with a smile. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing arms covered in blue and purple whip marks, some wounds still raw and not fully healed. Little Seven grinned and said, "The medicine you brought works really well—it doesn't hurt after applying it. Little Eight hurt her back yesterday when she was kicked by Swiftwind while feeding the horses, so I have to help her."
"Lin Xi, come inside. I have something to tell you," a young girl suddenly stepped forward and took the boy's hand.
The boy glanced back at Chu Qiao and said, "Yue'er, it's windy outside. You should come in too."
Inside the small, shabby hut, a large heated bed stood against the wall, neatly arranged with over ten sets of bedding. The boy named Lin Xi asked, "Sister Zhi Xiang, what is it?"
Zhi Xiang, not much older herself—only in her teens—crouched down and opened a blackened cavity in the bed. She pulled out a small box and said, "In five days, it will be the anniversary of the Jing family's massacre. We've secretly prepared the incense, candles, and paper money you asked for."
Lin Xi nodded. "Be careful. Don't let the supervisors find out.""Don't worry, no one will come to our side. But you, serving by the Fourth Young Master's side must be careful. Just the day before yesterday, I heard Sitao from the laundry room say two young attendants were beaten to death in the Fourth Young Master's quarters again. With the master away from home and Young Master Huai not managing the inner household affairs, they're becoming increasingly unrestrained. Last month, the old master killed over twenty young slave girls. The Du family who were bought in with us have already been wiped out. I'm really worried that one day it'll be our turn."
As they were speaking, sharp screams suddenly came from outside, followed by a shrill voice shouting, "How dare you! You lowly slaves actually dare to steal! Have you no regard for your lives?"
Lin Xi frowned and was about to go out when Zhixiang grabbed his arm, whispering urgently, "Quick, leave through the back. No one can see you here, or the Fourth Young Master will beat you to death."
"But I—"
"Just go!"
Such a simple hut actually had a back door. Pushing Lin Xi outside, Zhixiang grabbed Chu Qiao's arm and said seriously, "No matter what happens, don't come out." Then she hurriedly ran outside.
Screams and the sound of whipping immediately erupted. A plump woman with greasy features swung her arms wildly, viciously shouting, "Aren't these the young misses of the Jing family? How have you fallen to such a state? Your sisters work as prostitutes in the Flower Recognition Quarter, and you little thieves work here—truly a nest of lowborn scum!"
"Madam Song, we admit our wrongdoing! We won't dare again!" Zhixiang shielded the other children, her face already whipped several times, covered in bloody welts. Kneeling, she grabbed the woman's skirt hem, loudly pleading, "We really won't dare again!"
"Admit your wrongdoing? I think you won't remember unless you're beaten!"
Lash after lash fell ruthlessly upon the children. Little Qi, who wore two braids and was already injured, passed out after a few strikes. The children burst into loud cries, but the woman only grew more energetic with her beating. With a shout, she raised her whip high once more.
A swish sounded, but no intense scream followed. Madam Song looked down to see a small girl in tattered clothes standing before her. Though thin and frail, her eyes were cold and sharp. Her small, dark hands tightly gripped the whip as she said grimly, "That's enough."
Madam Song flew into a rage. "You wretched girl! Are you seeking death?"
"Yue'er, Yue'er, let go quickly!" Zhixiang crawled forward on her knees, desperately tugging at Chu Qiao's clothes while crying and shouting, "Quickly apologize to Madam Song!"
Chu Qiao remained unmoved, coldly staring at the woman as she said icily, "Try hitting them one more time."
Madam Song raised an eyebrow and yelled, "I won't hit them—I'll hit you!" With that, she swung the whip down hard. Chu Qiao sneered, grabbed the woman's belt, and tripped her with a swift move. The woman's large, overweight body thudded heavily to the ground!
A pig-like squeal instantly erupted. Chu Qiao slowly walked over to the woman, bent down, and said with a cold smile, "Aren't you going to go tattle?"
Madam Song scrambled to her feet, shouting, "You just wait!" before turning and rushing out of the courtyard.
Zhixiang ran over anxiously, tears welling in her eyes. "Yue'er, you've caused a huge disaster! What are we going to do?""You watch them," Chu Qiao instructed before turning and following the woman out.
She had memorized the route on her way over. After rounding two corridors, she saw the plump woman running hurriedly across the stone bridge. The woman was already panting from the short sprint. Chu Qiao crouched in the grass, scanned her surroundings to confirm it was safe, then picked up a stone. Squinting slightly, she swiftly hurled it at the woman's ankle.
With a sharp crack, the stone struck Auntie Song's ankle. The woman cried out in surprise, slipped, and immediately tumbled off the bridge!
It was midwinter, and the lake was covered with a thick layer of ice. When she fell, she didn't break through the ice but lay sprawled on the surface, moaning and groaning.
Chu Qiao rose from the grass and slowly walked onto the stone bridge. Looking down at her from above, she called out, "Hey, do you need me to call for help?"
The woman turned her head and immediately replied kindly, "Good child, please go call someone for me. Oh, it hurts so much."
Chu Qiao smiled, a bright and vivid smile. She bent down, picked up a large rock, and with effort lifted it overhead. The woman saw this and panicked, shouting, "You—what are you doing?"
Without letting her scream further, Chu Qiao gently released her hands. The rock slammed onto the ice with a loud thud, shattering the surface. The woman let out a cry before being completely submerged in the freezing water. A few bubbles rose, and then she sank without a trace.
Chu Qiao stood on the stone bridge, her expression calm and her eyes peaceful, showing no trace of emotion.
This was a world that devoured people. To survive, one had to be the first to swallow the beasts that preyed on others.
Without a hint of hesitation, she turned and walked back. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, the children rushed toward her, all bearing injuries and with tears in their eyes. Chu Qiao reached out and hugged Little Qi, who had just woken up and was at the front. Taking a deep breath, she said softly, "Don’t be afraid. Everything is alright now."
In the lowest-ranking slave quarters of the Zhuge residence, the young slave girls, who lived like dogs, could no longer hold back their tears and wept bitterly.
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