Chapter 55: Freedom from Slavery

Chapter 55: Freedom from Slavery

After the commotion in the alleyway died down, Sui Yu returned home with a bowl. The sheep in the pen were bleating from hunger, and the piglets were rooting in the trough. She went into the kitchen to find that the pot was already filled with water, and the porridge stuck to the bottom had been scraped up. Bending down, she stuffed some firewood into the stove and then went out to the camel pen to dig up the winter-stored radishes that hadn't been finished. The radishes had gone woody, and even the camels preferred the leaves over them. She picked five, washed them clean, chopped them into small pieces, and threw them into the pot to boil. Once cooked, this would serve as pig feed.

Thinking back to last year when she complained that a live pig weighing only seventy pounds was too light, she now realized how difficult it was for a pig to grow that big on such fare.

People struggled to get enough food themselves, let alone pigs, which could only eat swill mixed with radishes or be taken out to graze.

"I'm going up the mountain," Zhao Xiping said, entering to fetch an axe.

"What for?" Sui Yu asked.

"To find a tree. I need wood for the carpenter to make a bed. If I give him wet wood, I'll have to pay extra, but he'll still do it." Zhao Xiping hurriedly went to lead the camel.

Sui Yu laughed at this, leaning against the door frame with a playful look. "What's the rush? Is your Uncle Old Niu going to be a father, and you're feeling antsy?"

Zhao Xiping ignored her comment.

"Why didn't you cut it in winter? It's almost May, and there might be snakes on the mountain," Sui Yu said seriously, adding, "Look carefully. Better yet, wait until winter."

"Trees don't have leaves in winter; I can't tell what kind they are," Zhao Xiping said, striding out. "Don't worry so much; I know what I'm doing."

Unappreciative, Sui Yu spat at him.

The radish soup in the pot began to bubble. Sui Yu carried the pig feed bucket inside, lifted the lid, and tossed in the wilted radish tops and old shepherd's purse from the basket. After softening, she ladled it into the pig feed bucket.

"Sui Liang, come stir the food," she called out loudly.

Sui Liang ran in with his cat, taking the stirring stick to cool the food faster.

Sui Yu cleaned up the kitchen and then went to the vegetable garden to cut two bunches of leeks and pull a bundle of bitter greens. Returning, she fed the pigs, and after they finished eating, she opened the fence to let the sheep and pigs out.

With the crops in the fields taken care of, Sui Yu's daily tasks were limited to caring for the pigs and sheep, while most of the camel care fell to Zhao Xiping.

"Going to let the sheep out again?" Aunt Sun glanced at the sheep and pigs. "You've raised these two sheep well; they haven't lost weight even after weaning."

Sui Yu didn't take credit, hugging Sui Liang. "It's all thanks to Sui Liang's careful care. When we were busy working, he took care of the pigs and sheep."

"That boy is quite capable."

Sui Liang smiled shyly.

As soon as the siblings left, a young maid dressed as a servant approached, looking around. Aunt Sun, who had just entered her house, came back out and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Is this Thirteen Villages? Do you know Sui Ling?" the maid asked.

Aunt Sun pointed to the neighboring alley. "That's the one."

Sui Hui only remembered that Sui Ling mentioned living in Thirteen Villages, so she sent the maid to find her first.

The maid went door to door asking about Sui Ling, who was washing clothes in the courtyard. Hearing the voice, she came out. "I am Sui Ling. Who are you? Why are you looking for me?"

"I am the maid of Lady Hui. Last night, she had a dream about Mother and woke up feeling unwell. She sent me to bring you and Miss Sui Yu to keep her company," the maid said clearly.

Lady Hui? Sui Ling was stunned. When did her sister become a lady? She felt both happy and annoyed, locking the door and following the maid.

"When did my sister become a lady?" Sui Ling asked directly.

"On the thirteenth day of the first month, three months ago."

Sui Ling was even more upset that such good news had been kept from her. When the maid mentioned Sui Yu, she replied curtly, "Why call her? We don't have the same parents."

"Lady Hui said so," the maid murmured.

"She's not here; she must be out tending the sheep."

The maid gave up on the idea, thinking that those who tended sheep always smelled of mutton, which would make Lady Hui sick.

Sui Ling followed the maid into the Hu residence, stepping into the side yard where she learned that Lady Hui was pregnant.

She felt increasingly uneasy.

Sui Hui was still sleeping in bed, having conceived through medication. Her pregnancy was difficult, causing her great distress. She had vomited all night and drank water early in the morning, only to vomit again. However, the severe symptoms were a good sign, indicating that the baby had arrived. Two days ago, the doctor confirmed a weak but present pregnancy.

She woke up late in the morning, learning that Sui Ling had arrived. After a quick wash, she went out to meet her.

"Sister, you sure are enjoying yourself. At this hour, I'd be preparing lunch if I were at home," Sui Ling complained upon seeing her.

Sui Hui ignored her, turning to the maid. "Why didn't my cousin come?"

"The miss said Miss Sui Yu is tending the sheep and isn't home."

"Is your cousin more important than your own sister?" Sui Ling grew even more resentful.

At the mention of sheep, Sui Hui thought of the mutton she had eaten two days ago, covering her mouth and gagging. She waved her hand, dismissing the maids.

"Have you visited Brother?" Sui Hui drank some water, then asked, "I heard that during spring plowing, the laborers were working in the fields. Did you go to see him?"

Sui Ling hesitated, making excuses. "Qian Wei wouldn't let me visit Brother."

Sui Hui had heard similar excuses from Sui Yu, and comparing the two, she felt even colder toward Sui Ling's selfishness, which mirrored their father's.

"Sister, do you still keep in touch with Sui Yu?" Sui Ling thought that only Sui Yu could provide information about the spring plowing, angrily saying, "She's such a snob. Seeing my situation, she thinks I'm not worth befriending and keeps refusing to talk to me..." Her words trailed off under Sui Hui's gaze, realizing that her once gentle sister had become distant, exuding a commanding presence like their mother, with eyes that seemed to see through her soul.

Sui Ling fell silent, lowering her head, lost in thought. Sui Hui paid no mind, sitting quietly, planning what to say next.

After a while, there was movement outside. Sui Ling heard the maid bowing and saw Sui Hui stand up. She followed suit, walking out.

Sui Hui smiled gently, her fine eyebrows drooping, looking kind and amiable. Upon seeing Lord Hu, she softly called him "Sir."

"Please accept my greetings, Brother-in-Law." Sui Ling playfully paid her respects.

Sui Hui frowned and scolded, "Don't be so disrespectful."

Sui Ling pouted her lips.

Lord Hu glanced at her and supported Sui Hui, saying, "Are you feeling better now that you've seen your sister?"

Sui Hui smiled again and nodded, "I do feel better, but it's a pity that my other sister is out tending sheep and couldn't come."

"In that case, we'll call her over when you're ready," Lord Hu instructed the maid, "Bring the food."

Sui Hui intended to nourish Sui Ling, so she arranged for two couches. Sui Ling had her own table with a bowl of beef soup, while Sui Hui and Lord Hu had only a clear chicken broth and vegetarian dishes.

To Sui Ling, this felt like an insult—she wasn't worthy enough to dine with the master.

Sui Hui didn't notice her reaction. Her mind was preoccupied, and with poor appetite, she put down her chopsticks after a few bites.

"What's wrong? Are you still worried even after seeing family?" Lord Hu asked with concern.

"I..." Sui Hui's heart pounded as she struggled with her unease, hesitating before speaking, "Seeing my sister reminds me of my brother. Last year, I visited him; he's only twenty-seven, yet he looks like an old man." She knelt and slowly moved closer to Lord Hu, tears in her eyes, "My eldest brother might not live through this year. He doesn't even know he's going to be an uncle."

Lord Hu smiled slightly, reaching out to touch her belly. He didn't want his child to have a criminal aunt or uncle, so he said, "Cry less. This child is hard-won; don't cry it away. As for your brother and sister, I can remove their slave status."

Sui Ling was overjoyed and knelt to express her gratitude.

"But there's one thing: once you lose your slave status, your identities will be considered dead," Lord Hu looked at Sui Ling, "Do you understand?"

Sui Ling didn't understand and looked at Sui Hui.

Sui Hui explained, "Removing slave status requires new registration. We won't bear the surname Sui anymore. I'll take my mother's surname and be called Wen Hui. My elder brother will be Wen An. What name do you want?"

For no reason, Lord Hu wouldn't dare to change slave status without proper cause, but he could declare them dead. Dunhuang was thousands of miles from Chang'an, and with three more deaths recorded, no one would notice.

"I'll be Wen Ling," Sui Ling decided to follow her mother's surname.

"Can we eat properly now?" Lord Hu smiled at Sui Hui, "How long have you been worrying about this?"

Sui Hui smiled sheepishly, feeling relieved. She picked up her chopsticks and mumbled, "Sir, I have another concern. I have two cousins who were also exiled. If not for my third uncle's sacrifice, you wouldn't have met me. Could you free them too?"

Lord Hu stroked his ring, half-smiling, "Are there any more relatives you want freed?"

Sui Hui sensed his displeasure but persisted, "No, they bullied us during exile. It was my third uncle and cousin who protected us."

"Sui Yu has cut ties with us..." Sui Ling muttered.

Lord Hu glanced at her, a mocking smile on his face.

Sui Hui's expression turned cold as she glared at Sui Ling, who shrank back under her gaze, her malice dissipating quickly.

But it was too late. Lord Hu put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and stood up, saying, "Since you've cut ties, there should be no further contact. A distant aunt means nothing to my son."

Lord Hu remembered Sui Yu's name. She had been reported by several people for encouraging soldiers to engage in business. She seemed far from trustworthy and should remain a slave.

After Lord Hu left, Sui Hui stood up from the low couch and approached Sui Ling step by step. Filled with anger, she slapped Sui Ling, leaving two bloody marks on her face.

"Fool, stupid and malicious. You deserve to die," Sui Hui grabbed Sui Ling's head, unmoved by her tears, "You should have died that night in the wolves' mouths. You have no sense of gratitude, selfish and harmful. You're a slave yourself; don't you know the suffering of being a slave? Did Sui Yu steal your man or kill your son? Why do you hate her so much?"

"I... I didn't mean to..."

Didn't mean to? Sui Hui had heard this excuse too many times. She gripped Sui Ling's chin and said, "From now on, we are no longer sisters. No contact except for life or death. I'll tell my brother about today, and whatever his choice, I'll stick to mine. Get out."

Fools aren't scary, and malicious people can be controlled, but someone who is both foolish and malicious brings misfortune to anyone associated with them.