Be Mine

Yun Heng's smile always gave me a sense of warmth, like a ray of sunlight suddenly piercing through the icy world, and I tried my best to bask in that light, hoping to absorb as much of its warmth as possible.

“From now on, you and Wan Chun shall serve at my side. Surely that won’t be too much of a grievance for you?” he said, his words sounding suspiciously like flirtation.

“General, what do you mean? I am merely a servant to the princess. I am not the princess herself—there is no question of being wronged or not,” I replied, forcing a smile brighter than a blooming begonia, though inside, my heart felt charred and scentless, like a blossom burnt to ash.

Inwardly, I screamed: Wronged—so wronged! Now I truly am a maidservant. What a fate!

“What? Are you unhappy about it?” he asked.

How could he know what I was thinking? I wanted so badly to tell him I was unwilling, that I wanted to leave and search for my brother, but reality forbade me from saying so.

“Not at all, I am simply expressing my sincerity,” I said.

“Is that so?” he asked, and to my surprise, stood up.

I was pouring tea for him at that moment, standing close by, and now that he rose, the distance between us shrank to almost nothing.

“Of... of course...” At this crucial moment, my words tangled.

He reached out and lifted my chin with one hand, his other arm encircling my waist. “Or perhaps, you don’t wish to be a maidservant, but someone even closer to me...”

If we got any closer, we'd be in bed together.

I quickly shook off Yun Heng’s hand; he clearly hadn’t expected such a reaction and was momentarily embarrassed.

“A maidservant ought to do her duty. There’s nothing wrong with serving the general, and the monthly wage is surely higher than what I get now,” I said.

“You’re only after the money?” he asked.

“What else would it be? I’m just a humble maid. If I don’t love silver, what else is there to love?”

“I’ll give you a hundred taels if you become my woman,” he said.

Did I hear that right? He wants me to be his woman—for silver...

If I truly were just a lowly servant girl, perhaps I’d be overjoyed. But I am not, and if I fainted, it would only be out of rage.

“You’re a mighty general, thinking silver can buy anything. I like silver because it lets me buy the things I want to eat and use, but silver can’t be taken to the grave. Too much of it isn’t necessarily a blessing. I would never sell myself for a hundred taels...”

He laughed heartily. “Mufan, oh Mufan, your views on silver are certainly novel. But I like your backbone. Well done.”

Why did I see a glint of gold in his eyes?

“General, if I am to be your servant, will I at least be safe?” I asked, taking two steps back to slip from his grasp, crossing my arms over my chest for good measure. He would understand my meaning.

“Naturally. I am not to be trifled with,” he replied.

Then perhaps you should refrain from trifling with me. It’s late—why won’t you leave? Tomorrow, even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I still wouldn’t be able to clear my name.

To make it clear I was tired, I gave an exaggerated yawn.

“Rest well. Be sure to attend me in the morning,” he said.

Only after he left did I finally breathe easy. So what if I’m a maidservant? Who’s afraid of whom?

I hurried to wash up and then lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Even now, I couldn’t quite tell what I felt for Yun Heng. When he asked me to be his woman, a part of me did hope for it, but the mention of a hundred taels snuffed out that hope.

The hatred for my country’s fall and my family’s ruin—how could such wounds ever heal?

Still, staying by Yun Heng’s side might allow me to learn much...