Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 058

Chapter 58: Ten Years

Meng Jie felt a little unhappy when she heard An Zhi speak so directly.

In her opinion, marriage wasn’t just about that. She knew An Chengye was a playboy before she married him. Comparing An Chengye to He Xu, she felt He Xu was much better. If she weren’t older than He Xu and Madam He wasn’t so discerning, she would have sent someone to the He family to propose marriage. Besides, the union of men and women was a natural thing. Meng Jie felt that He Xu’s homosexuality was just a hobby and wouldn’t affect his ability to continue the family line.

But she had suffered several times in secret at An Zhi’s hands, so even though she was angry, she didn’t dare to vent it in front of her. After calming down for a while, she slowly said, “Zhi’er, what you said is not quite right. Everyone in this world wants to have children to carry on the family line. No matter how much He Xu likes men, he is inherently a good person.”

“Madam, I never said Young Master He was bad, it’s just that he doesn’t have the same ambitions as me.” An Zhi said in a deep voice. Although they would still live under the same roof in the future, she still felt it necessary to remind Meng Jie, “Madam, you should understand me. The fact that I was able to readily cancel the marriage with the Pei family proves that I have no intention of climbing up the social ladder. I told you last time that the matter between you and me is superficial to outsiders, and it is very likely that your reputation will be damaged.”

An Zhi stood up and gently warned Meng Jie that if she didn’t listen, she shouldn’t blame her for being cruel and ruthless in the future. “Please return these treasures to Madam He, and tell her that I don’t have the good fortune to enter her house. As for the orchids, you can come to my yard and take them anytime. Consider it my gift of apology to Madam He.”

After saying this, An Zhi bowed slightly to Meng Jie, and without waiting for Meng Jie to speak, she turned around and walked out.

Xi’er held a box of treasures and stood from beginning to end. Not only were her hands sore, but she felt very embarrassed. Seeing that the eldest girl had gone far away, she turned around and carefully looked at her lady, whispering, “Madam, what about this?”

“What else is there to ask? Didn’t you hear the other person say no?” Meng Jie slammed the table in anger, pointed at the door, and shook her hand before reluctantly withdrawing it. Afraid An Zhi hadn’t gone far, she lowered her voice and cursed, “So ungrateful! With her conditions and the rumors in the capital, but still refusing to marry. Does she really think she’s some noble daughter of a marquis, or even a princess?”

Seeing her lady gasping for breath, Xi’er quickly put down the gift box in her hand, walked behind her and patted her on the back, “Don’t be angry, take care of yourself. The eldest girl is very proud. Since she said that you don’t need to worry about her, then you can just take a rest. If she can’t get married in the future, she will get anxious one day.”

“You’re right. If she’s not anxious, why should I be?” Meng Jie thought Xi’er was right and smiled. “I want to see who she’s going to marry in the future, despite her pretentious appearance! I hope she ends up being with one inferior to the He family or the Cheng family. That would really make me laugh.”

In Meng Jie’s opinion, An Zhi was already sixteen, and most girls of that age in the capital were engaged. The few who weren’t had difficulty finding a husband. Right now, An Zhi had high standards, and she was young and pretty. But in a year or two, when she became an old maid, she didn’t believe An Zhi wouldn’t be anxious.

“Put away these gift boxes, and also the silver that my aunt gave me. Pack them together and deliver them to the He family in person tomorrow.” Meng Jie’s heart ached at the thought of the silver gone before it even warmed her lips.

Xi’er was also reluctant to part with the silver. “Madam, these gifts can be returned, but the silver is a gift from your cousin. Is it okay for you to keep it?”

Meng Jie glanced at Xi’er and said, “Of course I’ll keep the money she gave me the first time, but if I keep the second, she’ll probably tell me I’m greedy. Stop talking nonsense and pack it up quickly so I don’t get upset.”

At the same time, An Zhi walked to her own courtyard.

She stopped by the rockery and looked at a row of more than a dozen pots of orchids, each of which she had carefully cultivated. She felt pained to give away any of them.

Finally, she looked at the pot that Pei Que had brought over, pointed at it, and said, “Fusheng, come here and take this pot of flowers to Madam. Ask her to help me deliver it to Madam He.”

Fusheng emerged from the corridor. He replied with a “yes,” picked up the flowerpot and left.

An Zhi glanced at Fusheng’s back, still feeling angry. She snorted and turned around to see Pei Yu standing in the corner.

Pei Yu was dressed in green. Since he was at home, he did not wear a mask. Compared with when he first entered the An Mansion, his complexion looked better, but he had stubble and looked more and more like a commoner.

An Zhi waved to Pei Yu, “Come in with me.”

After entering the house, Cuisi came over to serve tea. Pei Yu stood in the living room with his brows slightly furrowed.

An Zhi: “You have been in the An Mansion for a while. Your status is different now. You have seen so many low-class people. What are your thoughts?”

Pei Yu looked at An Zhi and didn’t answer because he didn’t understand what An Zhi meant by asking this.

“Don’t understand?” An Zhi took a sip of tea and smiled. “Pei Yu, I’ll give you a chance to shorten the ten-year master-servant agreement, okay?”

Ten years. How many decades could a person have in their life? And the twenties were the most prime and energetic ten years.

Hearing An Zhi’s words, Pei Yu’s dark eyes lit up instantly.

He had originally entered the An residence out of spite, but over that time, he spent his days dealing with grooms and servants, doing menial tasks that were completely different from the sage books he had read over the past twenty years. Furthermore, An Zhi took him to various banquets, where he used to be part of the mingling crowd, able to discuss his ambitions with promising young men. But now, he was merely the most humble servant, excluded from his ideals.

In fact, he had long since regretted it.

He regretted his poor judgment of people and his youthful impulsiveness.

“Are you kidding me?” Pei Yu asked cautiously.

“Do you think I need to play tricks on you now?” An Zhi looked at Pei Yu, supporting her head with her left hand, and looked at Pei Yu with a pair of crystal eyes. “I always say what I mean. If you don’t believe me, then go away. After all, I will definitely set you free in ten years.”

An Zhi had previously planned to let Pei Yu experience the life of a servant for ten years, but now she wanted to make the best use of him.

Seeing Pei Yu’s eyes flicker slightly, she guessed that Pei Yu was still considering it, so she directly pointed out her idea, “As a woman, I have too many shackles. There are many things I cannot touch or participate in. But I want to do them, so I want you to be my hands, my eyes, and my ears. As long as you help me complete the corresponding tasks, I will reduce the time you spend as a servant.”

At this moment, An Zhi had no one else she could trust, so she chose Pei Yu. Firstly, she had Pei Yu’s indenture in her hand. Secondly, Pei Yu had an unchangeable arrogance and he had experienced betrayal once, so he would not easily turn against her. So, she could use him.

Pei Yu looked at An Zhi, and he suddenly felt her a little unfamiliar. She was bold and calculating, which made him feel both amazed and frightened.

Thinking back to the time he brought An Rong to break off the engagement, An Zhi seemed like a different person, as if… a lot more alive.

He studied An Zhi and began to think, “Tell me, what is the first thing you want me to help you with?”