Chapter 114 Rescue: How can a woman secure her place in life?

Chapter 114: Rescuing the Beauty: How a Woman Can Make Her Way in the World

Tian Qin went down to the river every day to beat clothes clean, a grueling task that her frail body could hardly sustain. All sorts of ailments, big and small, sprouted up like mushrooms after a rain.

Backaches and leg pains didn't count as real sickness among the poor. There was a physician in town who practiced acupuncture; a few needles could unblock the meridians throughout the body. But a single needle cost a fortune, way out of reach for the poor.

The wealthy Zhang family were the local big shots and bullies in the area. Zhang Xia, the Zhang family's playboy, had set his sights on Tian Qin as she washed clothes and often harassed her.

When Tian Qin refused him, Zhang Xia instructed the other washerwomen to gang up on her, cutting up the clothes she'd just washed and shoving her into the river, drenching her head to toe.

The neighbors all whispered about the pretty young widow who had just moved into the alley, with skin like creamy lard and a waist as slender as a silk ribbon, yet she was going to marry the short, dark, ugly Bo Ge—a total waste of a beauty like her.

Zhang Xia was a womanizer who'd ruined countless decent women, and he coveted Tian Qin.

No way would Tian Qin ever give in to a creep like him.

That day she was bullied so bad—not only did she not get paid, they made her pay for an expensive peacock-feather coat. Those washerwomen had obviously wrecked it on purpose.

Tian Qin fled the riverbank and ducked into a dark, damp alleyway, curling up, hugging her knees, and sobbing—she didn't want to go home—well, it wasn't really her home, it was Nanny Chen and Bo Ge's place. If she returned in such a sorry state, she would surely be questioned.

The alley was desolate and narrow, with no sunlight reaching it, and no one passed by. Tian Qin let herself have a good cry. A black cat digging through the trash startled at her, pacing warily with its bright green eyes locked on her. Even a stray cat was better off than her—it seemed to be mocking her.

After she'd let it out, her tears slowly dried up. The depression that had ballooned inside her deflated, leaving her hollow. But she pulled herself together, not daring to wallow.

She rubbed her eyes hard. Life goes on. She'd asked for this—this life was what she'd once dreamed of. Starving to death beat the psychological abuse she'd put up with in the Xie mansion.

She pulled herself together, stood up, and brushed off her clothes without a trace of tears.

The jar of hand cream Bo Ge had given her was still tucked in her bodice. Tian Qin scooped out a tiny bit with her nail and rubbed it onto her tear-streaked cheeks, chapped from the salt air, so her face wouldn't crack in the wind when she went back to the river. The rich, subtle scent filled her nose. The sun felt warm on her—there was still hope.

She walked down the street for a bit, and the lively noise of people slowly washed away her sorrow. She thought more: maybe her suffering wasn't really suffering at all, just a normal part of life for countless poor folks.

It was just that she'd lived too long in a greenhouse, a life of luxury that had slowly boiled her like a frog, stripped her claws, and left her unable to survive on her own—that's why she couldn't take it.

No. She'd already broken out of the cage; she had to try hard to adapt.

A dull ache throbbed in her chest—the Love Gu stirred again.

The moment Tian Qin got back to the riverbank, that playboy Zhang Xia and his men blocked her path.

"Hey, little lady, how about coming over to my place? I promise you won't want to leave."

The men grinned lecherously and crowded in on her. They knew quality—a delicate flower like her must've been a caged canary from some rich house, a well-trained concubine or maid. Now that her master had thrown her out, they could snap her up as leftovers.

"Just deign to come to my place for a cup of tea, and I'll forget about the peacock coat. Otherwise, don't blame me for taking you to the authorities."

Zhang Xia's shameless face had a nasty edge as he cornered her, rubbing his hands together.

Facing the thugs, Tian Qin was about to say "Sure" and pretend to play along, then shove the bastard into the river.

But at that moment, Bo Ge suddenly burst out of nowhere and punched Zhang Xia square in the face:

"You bastard! Don't touch her!"

Bo Ge was short and stocky, and the surprise blow sent Zhang Xia stumbling back. Zhang Xia staggered back, tasting blood—he had a nosebleed. Shocked and furious, he flew into a rage and yelled, "They're rebelling! Beat them!"

The thugs immediately surrounded them. Bo Ge's broken leg had only just healed—two fists couldn't beat a dozen. Soon his face was all bruised up.

Seeing it was going south, Tian Qin gave the flustered, bloody-nosed Zhang Xia a hard shove, knocking him into the water to cause chaos, then grabbed Bo Ge and ran.

Gasping for breath, Bo Ge didn't even have time to grab his baozi stand. They ran all the way home.

Tian Qin looked back carefully, shut the door, and let out a breath: "Nobody followed us."

"That was close."

Bo Ge limped along, clearly the frantic run had reopened his wounds; cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Tian Qin supported him, stumbling every few steps. Nanny Chen heard the commotion and rushed out, pulling aside the curtain, shocked: "Oh dear, what happened?"

Tian Qin had no time to explain in detail; she went inside to get medicine to bandage Bo Ge. Nanny Chen was furious and crying: "Is there no law in this land? Bullying people in broad daylight!"

Bo Ge endured the excruciating pain: "Those men are thugs, coveting Miss Tian's beauty."

Nanny Chen quickly checked if Tian Qin was hurt and fumed: "Let's go to the authorities."

Even as she said it, she knew it was futile. Under the circumstances, it was a blessing that the powerful Zhang family didn't pursue them; how could they possibly retaliate against the Zhangs? The court doors open to the south; without money, don't even think about entering. The poor have always been pitiful.

Tian Qin thought for a moment and said calmly: "Here's the plan: Bo Ge and I won't go out for a few days. He's injured and needs rest. I earned some silver from selling umbrellas before; we can make do with that for now."

Nanny Chen agreed. The Zhang family's thugs were not to be messed with; they should keep a low profile. Thinking about it, she couldn't help but feel sad. The Zhangs were merely low-level thugs; compared to the Xie clan, they weren't even a hair's worth. The young lady, a tiger fallen in the plains, was being bullied by dogs—how humiliating to suffer at the hands of such riffraff.

In the evening, Zhaolu and Wan Cui returned. Hearing that Tian Qin had been bullied, they were also indignant. Fortunately, those thugs didn't recognize Zhaolu and Wan Cui, so they could still sell the baozi.

Nanny Chen looked after the wounded Bo Ge and Tian Qin, her heart heavy with a hundred sorrows. Being targeted by the Zhang family's local bullies meant that unless they left the capital, life would be hard from now on.

Tian Qin, a lone woman, was coveted by outsiders because she had no master. It wasn't just Tian Qin—this world simply didn't allow women to appear in public; it was too dangerous and too easy to get into trouble. Marrying early could cut off outsiders' covetousness. Let the men do the work of earning money and manual labor; women should stay home, raise children, cook, and clean. That was the most suitable arrangement, the way ordinary families did it.

Nanny Chen carefully lifted Bo Ge's clothes—the injuries were far worse than she had imagined.

The Zhang thugs had brought knives. Although Bo Ge had run fast, there was a bloody gash about ten inches long on his shoulder, causing him to wince in pain.

"Bear it; if I don't apply the medicine, it will fester."

Nanny Chen carefully dabbed iodine on the wound. Tian Qin stood by holding gauze, the ghastly scar shocking.

Bo Ge was bare-chested, a little embarrassed because Tian Qin was a girl, and the girl he worshipped as a goddess.

Nanny Chen understood, but she didn't actively send Tian Qin out. After all, Bo Ge was hurt because of her; Tian Qin should know. If she wanted to leave, she could; if she stayed, it might be a good chance to bring them together.

Tian Qin stood blankly by the bed, looking both sad and confused. She thought: if she wanted to stand on her own, she had to rely on a man. Bo Ge was the best choice—he treated her well, was hardworking and steady, and his mother was Nanny Chen, whom she knew well.

Ever since she was kicked out of the Xie mansion, she had been living at Bo Ge's house, weathering storms together. There was no reason to refuse Bo Ge.

"Nanny, give me the clothes; I'll sew them," she said, taking the initiative to ask for Bo Ge's bloodstained shirt that had a big tear.

Nanny Chen immediately said, "You don't know how to do such work; I'll sew it."

Tian Qin was a spoiled young lady; even her own clothes were mended crookedly.

Come to think of it, the Lord had taught her hunting, archery, chess, fishing, polo… but why had he never taught her needlework or feminine virtues? The things ordinary girls could do, the young lady couldn't do a single one.

Nanny Chen didn't miss the chance to push further: "Tian'er, if you truly feel sorry for Bo Ge, then apply the medicine for me. I'll go decoct the medicine first, then cook dinner for you all."

At this, Bo Ge's face flushed crimson. With half his arm bare, how could he let Tian Qin apply medicine? He almost blurted out "Don't," preferring to endure the pain.

Nanny Chen shot Bo Ge a stern look to silence him, then looked at Tian Qin with hopeful anticipation.

Tian Qin nodded and took the iodine.

Nanny Chen happily said, "Alright, I'll trouble you."

She got up and left, leaving Bo Ge and Tian Qin alone.

As Nanny Chen instructed, Tian Qin applied the medicine. Bo Ge felt mortified, burying his face in his hands. His strong, dark, rough muscles were slick with sweat and gave off a salty smell. Tian Qin wound the gauze around several times and tied a tight bow.

"You suffered today," she said.

Bo Ge's voice was so low it almost melted, "I'd go through anything to protect you."

Tian Qin said, "I have no way to repay you."

Bo Ge interrupted, turning his head sharply in agitation, "I don't want repayment!"

Tian Qin sighed.

"Be careful, don't rip the wound open."

Apart from polite pleasantries, they had very little to say. Bo Ge was a loyal, tongue-tied man, not one to actively win a woman's heart. His burning gaze avoided Tian Qin, hidden fiercely, almost burning a hole in the bedding.

Nanny Chen quietly listened outside to the two of them, frustrated that her son was a lost cause. Bo Ge was as dense as a block of wood; if he had a tenth of the Lord's charm, Tian Qin would have been smitten by now.

She paced back and forth, anxious about this marriage. First, her son was really too old; he needed to settle down. Second, Tian Qin was alone and helpless, and she also needed a strong man's protection.

There was a distinct distance and awkwardness between Bo Ge and Tian Qin, as if a wall stood between them. How could the marriage succeed? Would she, an old woman, have to propose marriage herself?

Tian Qin seemed gentle but had a stubborn nature. Nanny Chen feared that pushing too hard would annoy Tian Qin.

After waiting a bit longer and watching the last candle flicker out, Tian Qin left Bo Ge's room. She left the money from selling umbrellas as payment for his sacrifice that day. Bo Ge naturally refused, but Tian Qin walked away sullenly, clutching the coins. There was no romantic atmosphere between them; instead, they seemed like merchants haggling.

After Tian Qin left, Nanny Chen went into the room and scolded Bo Ge harshly for being useless.

"You're tongue-tied. I'm tired of even talking about you. Starting tomorrow, you must actively find things to say to Tian Qin. If she has feelings for you too, hurry up and propose! She was bullied by those local hooligans from the Zhang family—how innocent and wronged she is. Marrying her will give her peace of mind and keep others from trying to take advantage."

Bo Ge was very troubled, caught between a rock and a hard place, "You're only talking about the good situation. What if Miss Tian doesn't like me?"

If he rashly proposed, Tian Qin would surely feel offended and might move out. Then he wouldn't even be able to see her face anymore.

Tian Qin's former husband was a refined gentleman, the best man in the world. How could she ever see him as worthy of her? He felt a deep-seated inferiority to his very core.