The Legitimate Daughter Becomes a Slave

Her father and brothers are to be exiled after being imprisoned on charges of belonging to a “treasonous faction.” The Lu family estate is confiscated, and the women and children are sentenced to servitude.

The eldest uncle’s wife, who learned of the news in advance, sends white silk for the women to hang themselves.

As the pallid silk tightens around her delicate niece’s neck, Lu Qingmeng jolts awake from a dream.

The estate is being confiscated!

The entire family is doomed!

The dream is so vivid that Lu Qingmeng knows she cannot sit by and do nothing.

All the men in the family have already been imprisoned. She had hoped her eldest aunt might find a way to save them, but discovers that the woman only intends to secretly save the eldest branch’s children.

After being set up, Lu Qingmeng is driven to seek help from the wife of the eunuch who heads the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs.

Madam Lin, who married a eunuch, makes her sign a three-year indenture.

Three years of servitude in exchange for her family’s lives: such humiliation is nothing.

After she signs the contract and enters the household, Madam Lin tells her that if she wants to save her father and brothers, she must plead with the household’s Second Master, Jiang Kuo.

Jiang Kuo is the Commandant of the Northern Garrison Branch. He is known for cruel methods such as flaying and slow slicing, and even has the power to stop children crying.

Few servants or maids in the household dare approach him.

But this new maid is bold, fussing over him and going out of her way to curry favor.

Later, after Lu Qingmeng buys her freedom and leaves the household, Jiang Kuo says coolly, “Since you’re already my woman, why not let me take you into my household as a concubine?”

Lu Qingmeng gives a cold laugh. “Thank you for your favor, Second Master, but I’m too lowly to presume. Entering your household was a transaction. Now that it’s done, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Jiang Kuo watches Lu Qingmeng walk away, his voice rising despite himself. “Don’t regret it.”

Lu Qingmeng has no regrets. Jiang Kuo does…