Run

"Master," Yu Ming said respectfully, bowing slightly. "Master Qiu has sent someone to invite you to the front hall."

Qiu Che didn't even lift her head, flipping to the next page of her book. "I'm not going."

Yu Ming hesitated, her concern evident. "Master Qiu seemed quite angry today... Are you sure this won't cause trouble?"

They had only been in the manor for two days, but it was already clear to her that Qiu Chu Dong didn't value her master. Even the servants followed his lead, offering only surface-level obedience.

She didn't want her master to be stifled by others' control but feared that a moment of defiance might lead to future regret.

"He's angry because I embarrassed his precious son in front of guests."

Qiu Che chuckled softly, though a trace of mockery lingered in her eyes. "Don't worry. I'm no longer the same as before. I hold an official position now. He needs me to bring glory and prosperity to the Qiu family. He won't dare to do anything to me."

Yu Ming finally relaxed.

Taking a sip of water, Qiu Che shifted the topic. "Let's discuss other matters later. The three-day deadline is approaching, and I've been observing you two. You each have your strengths. Yu Ming, you excel in arithmetic and have a dignified presence when interacting with others. Yu Yan, on the other hand, has a kind and pure nature. She's not great with words but seems to have a knack for martial arts..."

Seeing their confused expressions, Qiu Che sighed in mild exasperation.

"What I mean is this: from now on, Yu Ming, you'll be my steward. You'll handle intelligence gathering, social connections, and financial matters."

"As for Yu Yan, you'll officially start martial arts training tomorrow. One day, you'll become my first female bodyguard."

Yu Ming was taken aback. "I... I have no objections to your arrangement, but how can Yu Yan, as a woman, take on the role of a bodyguard?"

"I can."

Yu Yan suddenly appeared and spoke firmly, her tone serious as she looked at her sister. "Sister, I can do it. I enjoy practicing martial arts. I can be a bodyguard."

Yu Ming frowned at her sister's abrupt and impolite entrance.

Pulling Yu Yan back, she was about to speak when Qiu Che calmly set down her teacup and interrupted, "If she has the talent and determination, then why not let her? If men can do it, why can't women?"

"But—"

"Yu Ming," Qiu Che said gently, "I've told you before—I'm not looking for maids. I want subordinates."

"Do you know why, at the pawnshop, I didn't choose two strong young men but instead picked you two?"

That's right.

Why did she choose them?

Among so many people, they were probably the least remarkable.

Yu Ming was stunned. "Master..."

"Some instinct told me that you wouldn't be content to one day be bought by a wealthy young master or an old man, destined to live as a maid confined to the back courtyard or worse, a plaything hidden from the world."

The sisters shuddered at the thought of such a future.

"So I bought you."

"But your freedom has always been yours. I won't force you to stay. I made that clear from the start."

Qiu Che rubbed her temple and continued, "So, since I don't look down on you, why do you look down on yourselves?"

"Remember this: those who see themselves as inferior will always be treated as such."

"I don't want to hear 'I'm a woman, so I can't' from you again. Understood?"

Yu Ming closed her mouth, deep in thought.

Yu Yan, however, quickly replied, her tone rising with enthusiasm, "Understood, Master!"

Qiu Che waved them off. "Think it over carefully. Give me your answer tomorrow morning."

…

"Such arrogance!"

No sooner had Yu Ming and Yu Yan left than Qiu Chu Dong stormed into Qiu Che's courtyard with his steward in tow, his face dark with anger.

"Just because you hold an official position now, you think you can disregard your father? I have to send people to invite you, and you still refuse to come? Should I prepare an eight-carriage sedan to carry you over?"

Qiu Che glanced up briefly, her tone indifferent. "If Father is willing, I have no objections."

Qiu Chu Dong was momentarily speechless.

Seeing her remain seated, engrossed in her book without any intention of greeting him as she used to, his face turned red with embarrassment.

Snorting coldly, he stepped over the threshold and sat in the main seat, speaking with self-righteous indignation.

"I've taught you before that as a child and sibling, you should fulfill your duties—be filial to your parents and respectful to your siblings."

"You used to do well. But now, your behavior is utterly—"

"Utterly rebellious, correct?"

Qiu Che's gaze lifted, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "If you came here just to lecture me, then there's no need. I have an appointment tomorrow and need to rest early tonight. I won't see you out."

"You—!"

Qiu Chu Dong slammed the table in fury, about to shout, but abruptly paused as if something had caught in his throat. "An appointment? With whom? Young Master Wu?"

Qiu Che sipped her tea, a faint smile on her lips as she replied blandly, "Whoever Father thinks it is, that's who it is."

Qiu Chu Dong hesitated, suspicion clouding his expression.

When did she meet Wu Yi Qi? And how had they grown so close?

After a long silence, seeing that Qiu Che ignored him entirely, he awkwardly smoothed his beard and offered an apology laced with reproach.

"I may have been impulsive earlier. But if you're on good terms with Young Master Wu, why didn't you tell me sooner? I lost face in front of him today because of it."

"Was that my fault?"

Qiu Che replied unhurriedly, "If not for Qiu Zhe's sharp tongue, insulting me on the day of my triumphant return, would Young Master Wu have developed such a poor impression of the Qiu family?"

"Father."

Setting her teacup down, Qiu Che met his gaze squarely, her tone calm. "It's not just Qiu Zhe. You need to reflect on your own behavior. When he insulted me, your first reaction was to side with him and reprimand me. Was that the right thing to do?"

Qiu Chu Dong suppressed his anger, forcing a smile. "That was just a moment of urgency. Of course, I care deeply about you—"

"Really?" Qiu Che raised an eyebrow. "Then why, on the day of my return, did the entire household come out to greet me, but Mother was nowhere to be seen?"

"You know she means the most to me."

"…Don't tell me she was off doing some menial chore, like laundry or cooking?"

Qiu Chu Dong's face stiffened. "How could that be... But she is a concubine, always unwell and rarely seen. On such a joyous day, I was worried her coughing might offend you, so—"

"We both know the truth," Qiu Che interrupted his rambling. "You simply think she's unpresentable. In your eyes, she's just someone you forced into this family, far beneath your legitimate wife. And I'm nothing compared to that useless good-for-nothing son of hers."

Her tone was light but piercing. "Father, you should acknowledge that it's your poor parenting that's the issue, not try to shift blame and expect me to continue working for you."

"Qiu Che!"

Qiu Chu Dong finally exploded, pointing at her angrily. "How dare you speak so insolently! Calling your brother sharp-tongued and disrespectful—he's your elder! I'm your father! You should respect me above all! You have no right to lecture me!"

"…"

For a moment, the courtyard fell into an uneasy silence.

After a long pause, Qiu Che chuckled softly.

"Why are you laughing?" Qiu Chu Dong demanded, his anger flaring anew.

"I'm laughing because I never realized before how amusing your questions sound," Qiu Che said lazily, her tone laced with mockery. "Have you been spending your nights at the Lan Xiao Pavilion learning to act?"

Lan Xiao Pavilion was the capital's most renowned theater, and Qiu Chu Dong's penchant for gambling and other vices was no secret.

Hearing her insinuation, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and rage. "I won't argue with you today. But I advise you to clarify things with Young Master Wu as soon as possible. If this causes dissatisfaction from Minister Wu, you'll be the Qiu family's greatest disgrace!"

With that, he stormed out, leaving the servants to awkwardly exchange glances at the threshold.

"He comes and goes like the wind,"

Yu Ming remarked with a polite smile, but her expression turned frosty once he left.

Yu Yan, uncharacteristically annoyed, muttered, "The real sinners are him and the eldest son. If they hadn't caused trouble, Young Master Wu wouldn't be upset."

Yu Ming signaled her to quiet down.

Though confused as to why even here they had to hold their tongues, Yu Yan respected her sister's wisdom and refrained from speaking further.

Meanwhile, Qiu Che allowed them to vent on her behalf, remaining silent as she stared at her book, seemingly lost in thought.

After a long while, she rose.

Yu Ming, startled out of her thoughts, quickly straightened and asked, "Master, are you going out?"

"No. To Yi Hong Pavilion."

Yi Hong Pavilion was where her second mother, Wang Shi, resided.

Wang Shi, frail and bedridden, fit the description Qiu Chudong had given. Her persistent coughs were a nightly echo in the servant quarters.

But from her bone structure, it was clear she had once been a graceful beauty.

In her youth, Qiu Che often visited her, but as she grew older, she stopped.

Partly because Qiu Chudong disliked her mother's presence and forbade her visits as punishment.

Partly because, as she matured and read more, she could no longer bear to see Wang Shi's helpless sorrow.

Much like now.

Wang Shi, upon hearing of her argument with Qiu Chudong, clutched her hand anxiously. "He's still your father. Don't hold a grudge against him. Apologize, and this will all blow over."

"Mother."

Qiu Che interrupted her, glancing around the shabby room. "Where is Caique?"

Caique was the maidservant assigned to Wang Shi.

Wang Shi's face paled. "She must have stepped out for something…"

A lie.

She had clearly abandoned Wang Shi to enjoy herself elsewhere.

Qiu Che's sharp eyes had long since pieced together the truth.

"Never mind," Wang Shi said, patting her hand. "I'm fine on my own."

Her words were punctuated by a fit of violent coughing.

Qiu Che glanced at her mother's bound feet, and a turbulent emotion surged beneath her calm exterior.

"Let's run away."

"…What did you say?"

Qiu Chudong's shocked voice echoed. "The princess… loves Qiu Che?"