Chapter 51

As I opened the window, a refreshing morning breeze brushed against my face.

"This is so good."

With a deep stretch, I felt my body awaken and come to life.

It's a new day~

It's a new life~

For me~

And I'm feeling good~* (Ctto Feeling good by Nina Simone.)

Growl.

But I think I need food.

The closer I got to the door, the more I realized how quiet it was.

"Excuse my intrusion."

When I opened the door, a small kitchen greeted me, with spices scattered on the counter and unwashed dishes piled up in the sink, and a bucket full of water on the ground.

I opened each pot just to see a small soup with a few corns, with the other pot filled with rice. It looks as if it had been eaten in half, though.

Growl.

Looking for a spoon, "No, there's no spoon, not a fork, nor chopsticks—oh, there is, just used."

I took the used one and gave it a good wash.

Was this water used to wash the dishes?

"Just one piece to bite."

Then I'm off!

As long as I tasted, my stomach would stop growling. Although not permanently solved, it's far better than no food.

"Mmm. Smoked rice is good."

The memory of cooking rice using the old way reminds me of our campfire during our provincial trip. But this scent is far thicker. I inhaled it deeply.

"Ah~." That smell is so good. Let's better close the lid.

"And wash the dishes."

Since I'm here, let me repay you guys a bit for taking care of myself. Usually, such people would always go out early for labor and come back in the afternoon or even at night. Working hard every day it goes on and on until they grow old unless there's some breakthrough of course.

Commendable people.

Anyway, let's just finish this quickly and then look around.

I just hope the ML won't make a big fuss when searching for me since he is much better at doing it discreetly.

"Hmm~ Laalalaaala~."

Ah, right. Where are my clothes? I couldn't find them even when I passed by the bed. "Did they sell it as my fee and replace it with these old clothes?"

That could also work. It's reasonable, especially if you are in a house like this. When I go back, I should ask the ML for money and grab some dresses for them to sell before accepting the punishment ML already planned out. I shivered, thinking about that smiling face. Who knows what that mischievous, malignant torture is he thinking?

"Very dangerous."

Creak.

"Eh?"

"Ah."

"The miss is awake."

Should I act foolish?

My head spun, immediately I smiled warmly at the old man whom I recognized from the blurry image whenever I tried to open my eyes when my fever hadn't died down yet.

"This miss apologize for using your water."

Silence.

He just silently looked at me, so I just courteously smiled, inspecting him. Besides, if he did something wrong, he would have done it already when I was in my weak state.

"It's you, Grandpa." I realized he was also the old man who had just passed by using a cart filled with haystacks. Such coincidence!

"You shouldn't be standing even if you feel you're already in good health."

"That..."

I scratched my head, chuckling awkwardly. "This miss wants to eat rice a little. Again, forgive me for eating without your permission."

He frowned, walking to the pot of rice and a big bowl of soup covered in a lid. "You want to continue, and eat this?"

Why are you looking at me in disbelief?

I shook my head. "This miss already ate rice. It's fine. Please don't misunderstand that I'm dissatisfied with your meal. This miss has an enormous appetite and might clean it neatly."

"Wha—hahaha!"

Eh?

"...senior?"

What are you laughing at?

"Goodness, it's rare to chance upon a noble like you."

Oh, I see. So you thought, as a noble, I won't eat such a meal made by commoners?

I'm the same, really.

"It doesn't matter. You can come and eat if you like. That pale of water your using is for drinking. We wash our dishes outside."

That…sorry.

"Did you just woke up?"

I nodded.

"How many days has this miss stayed here?"

He ushered me to sit down and serve the food.

"Counting now, about four days."

Four days!

Oh, I'm dead. I'm a goner now.

Did I run so far and well-hidden that he hadn't found me yet?

"Is there someone looking for a person who looks like me or a lost girl?"

The old man shooked his head.

"This old man and my grandchild didn't go to the market and town these days. We took care of our crops."

No wonder.

"Indeed, people like you would have someone searching for you. What noble house do you belong to?"

"From the King of Yi's estate."

He looked at me wide-eyed before squinting his eyes. Boy, I already knew that look, so I stopped him from voicing his thoughts.

"Please believe me, this miss is the personal maid of the wife of King of Yi and was lost while chasing the thief who snatched the money given to me by the mistress."

He snorted. "Seems you'll be getting a lot of beatings when you return."

I nodded. "Can this, senior, guide me where it is?"

"Shouldn't you escape knowing the consequence?"

That's true, but…

I smiled cheekily, "As long as this miss is alive, she can endure. The pay is quite rather high."

"Heh."

"Worry not; this miss will give you a reward."

The old man waved his hand in rejection, "It is no trouble."

I grinned. "Many thanks!"

Awesome.

"My name is Jun Xue."

"Yize."

Yize, that's a beautiful name. It suits him well.

"Jux Xue would like to ask if there are any women in your household?"

"My wife passed away early. Without removing your clothing, you would have continued to suffer. There was no choice if we wanted you to live. This old man offers his sincere apologies."

"No, no, no, that's fine."

I stood from my seat and stopped him from bowing.

This old man is sure sharp.

"Rest assured, Jun Xue remembered very clearly you waited outside the door and gave me clothes."

We made eye contact, and a flash of understanding could be seen between us. The eyes of the old man Yize squinted as he smiled, creases formed on the edges of his eyes. "Indeed, that's what happened."

"Wonderful."

It's nice to talk to intelligent people.

Besides, this is for our safety. If the ML finds it out, who knows, he might kill him and leave the young child orphan. Hopefully, we won't delve into that part.

"Where's your son? Did Jun Xue trouble you?"

"That child will come and accompany you."

Oh, so he just came to check me out?

"Then forgive me for bothering you again."

"You're easy to say forgiveness in the face of this commoner."

I just laughed.

In modern times, such commoner status has faded. There were not many royal families existing in the contemporary era. More so, neither my homeland nor the country I went abroad wasn't like that.

"Please, we all serve the imperial family."

I humbly uttered.

"If you want to leave now, wait for my child. Your clothes are still being dried by the sun."

I nodded and thanked him again.

Such a kind person. Are there many people in these ancient times as kind as him?

They are too different from those I communicated with when I asked for the way to ML's estate, looking at me with wonder, awe, and lust. This Grandpa Yize is like a cool grandpa who had gone through wind and rain. Unperturbed.

Taking what I think is a plow and a pickaxe.

"If you can wait till the evening, then this old man can cook beggars chicken for you."

Beggars chicken….

My throat suddenly became parched.

"Alright."

Let me extend it to one day. "It's making sure I'm well rested," I added, which the old man Yize just twitched his lips and went out.

Adding another day won't change that I was missing for three days. I'm still missing.

Okay, that's just my twisted logic.

After eating, although it tastes bland like water, I put it away and waited for the child to come. He knows where to wash their plate. Look, there are just two, no…three wooden bowls with this one plate. Huh? Wait, so are there three people here, and this wooden plate is used to serve food without any soup?

"I just went slow mode."

Clank.

Clang.

"Did the child arrive so soon?"

But when I opened the door outside, no one was in sight.

"It did come from the back part, although a bit faint if I don't listen closely."

Huh.

Wait, a thief in broad daylight? In this kind of poor place?

That's…impossible. Right?

Clang.

Let's sneakily check it out.

Bam.

Shkkk.

Bam.

Thud.

Shkk. (A/N: I know I suck at SFX bear with it pls.)

I tiptoed, hearing the noises coming closer and closer, and now there were different sounds. I can't even try to guess what that is. But if it's a daylight thief, isn't this a bit too noisy to do so?

Crunch.

I'm done.

I just stepped on a dried branch.

Swoosh.

"Ahh!"

Thud.

Ack!

"Whoa..."

This face, what a small world!

*****

Yìzé: goodness, kindness."