First Entry into the Chen Family

"Yes, Master, back in my village, there's a girl named Lua; she's diligent, resourceful, and very kind. If you permit, I would like to bring her here to work as a servant. I will teach her properly and ensure she doesn't trouble you."

Aunt Bay bowed her head, her hands clasped tightly, her voice trembling but still maintaining decorum.

Before her was a middle-aged gentleman, his face stern, his eyes serious behind a pair of white spectacles. He didn't answer immediately, only silently lifted a teacup, took a small sip, then placed it back on the old wooden table. The gentle clink of porcelain echoed in the quiet room like a subtle signal.

A moment later, he finally spoke, his voice deep and muffled:

"As long as she knows etiquette and doesn't cause trouble, bring her up. The household is short of help in the downstairs kitchen."

Aunt Bay bowed even deeper, her voice joyful yet still respectful:

"Yes, I am indebted to you, Master. I promise to look after her carefully."

That afternoon, Lua left her village in an old horse-drawn carriage that kicked up dust on the red dirt road. She sat huddled to one side, her hands clutching a faded cloth bag containing a few old clothes. Her eyes watched the distant rice fields gradually disappear behind her, her heart filled with both worry and fear.

She didn't know what lay ahead, only that from now on, her life had changed.

The place she was heading to was the vast plantation of the Chen family clan, orderly and cold like another realm.

There, Lua would meet him.

The first man to make her heart tremble, and also the one who, later, would leave her with nowhere to run.

After three days of bumpy travel, the horse-drawn carriage finally stopped before the side gate of the Chen family plantation. Aunt Bay pulled her down from the carriage, took the cloth bag from her hands, and urged softly:

"Walk properly, don't look around aimlessly. The people of this household are particular; don't let anyone find fault with you."

Lua mumbled a soft "yes," her hands clasped tightly, her eyes downcast, not daring to look directly at the large, half-open gate. Through the patchy, rusty iron bars, she only saw a gloomy, spacious courtyard, tall, dense trees, and a row of old houses with red tiled roofs.

The gatekeeper's eyes appraised Lua from head to toe. He said nothing, only jerked his chin towards the inside then lazily opened the gate.

Aunt Bay took her hand and pulled her in, introducing as they walked:

"This place is huge; I got lost several times when I first came up here. You just need to remember to follow my instructions, don't meddle in affairs that aren't yours, and most importantly, stay away from Young Master Yi Kang."