Xie Chi traveled for two days on bumpy roads before reaching Wuxi.

Entering the Xie residence, she headed straight for Grandfather’s room. The maid serving tea saw her and was so startled she nearly dropped the tray in her hands, “Seventh… Seventh Miss.”

“Huan’er.”

Huan’er was stunned for a long moment, then quickly approached, “Seventh Miss, weren’t you… we thought you both…”

The housekeeper heard the commotion and came out to see, “Seventh Miss!” He turned toward the inner room, “Miss has returned… Master! Miss has returned.”

Xie Jiaxing was helped out by servants. He seemed to have broken his leg and was using a walking stick.

Xie Chi approached and perfunctorily called out “Father.”

Seeing her, Xie Jiaxing’s expression slowly changed from shock to seriousness. He looked behind her, “Where’s Little Nine?”

Xie Chi remained silent.

Xie Jiaxing repeated: “Where’s Yingying?”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t bring Yingying back.”

The second concubine and two sisters rushed over upon hearing the news, “Well, if it isn’t Little Seven! Master, our Little Seven is quite capable—entering a bandit den and escaping unscathed. Look at those clothes, they’re new too. Seems she was well-liked by those bandits. How did they let you come back?”

As soon as she finished speaking, they heard the third concubine crying and running over from a distance, “Yingying, Yingying, Yingying’s back.”

When the third concubine approached and didn’t see Xie Ying, she grabbed Xie Chi and demanded: “Where’s Yingying? Why don’t I see Yingying? Why didn’t she come back with you?”

Xie Chi said calmly: “Ninth Sister is gone.”

“What do you mean gone?”

Xie Chi lowered her face, “She’s dead.”

The third concubine collapsed to the ground, beating her chest and wailing, “My Yingying! How old was she! Those damned bandits!” The third concubine stood up and went to hit Xie Jiaxing, “It’s all your fault! All because you wouldn’t pay the ransom! For the sake of your face, you don’t even want your daughter! Yes, you have many daughters! You don’t care about one or two. In the future, when they’re all dead, who will you show your face to!”

Hearing this, the second concubine wouldn’t stand for it, “Sister, what do you mean by that? What do you mean ‘when they’re all dead’? Who are you cursing!”

The third concubine turned to scold her, “Shut your stinking mouth! Don’t think I don’t know you whisper in Master’s ear. If your daughter had been captured by bandits, let’s see if you’d pay the ransom!”

Xie Jia became angry, “Third Aunt, isn’t your heart too vicious? Your own daughter died and you want us to accompany her.”

Xie Yao said: “Little Nine insisted on following Fourth Brother to Jinan. No one at home wanted her to go, but she secretly followed anyway. No one forced her—she was asking for death. Who’s to blame!”

Xie Jia said: “Exactly. We don’t even know how she died. Those stinking bandits aren’t human—a whole mountain of men, tsk tsk tsk, just thinking about it is terrifying. Little Nine was delicate with a fierce temperper, couldn’t stand grievances. Her face wasn’t as thick as Little Seven’s—to be defiled by bandits and still have the nerve to come home. At least she died cleanly, saving us from gossip.”

The third concubine lunged forward and slapped both of them, “Say that again!”

Everyone started fighting, big and small. Xie Jiaxing roared, “Enough! Everyone quiet down!”

The third concubine started crying again, grabbing and hitting Xie Jiaxing, “You still want quiet! You used to love her so much! Aren’t you afraid she’ll become a ghost and haunt you! Can you sleep at night!”

Xie Jiaxing found it annoying and pushed her away, “Help the third concubine back to her room.”

“Yes.”

The second concubine was secretly pleased. The third concubine was beautiful and had been deeply favored by the master before. After this incident, her days would be difficult. With no proper wife in the Xie house now, if she lost favor, the second concubine would be the sole power in the rear courtyard. Seeing Xie Chi had remained silent, she deliberately asked: “Little Seven, how did Little Nine die? You need to give everyone an explanation.”

Xie Chi thought about it and decided not to reveal the truth. After all, with so many people talking, if it got out it would be bad for Ninth Sister’s reputation, so she said: “She fell off a cliff while escaping. She wasn’t violated.”

The second concubine pretended to be sorrowful, covering her nose with a handkerchief, “Poor Little Nine, well, at least she was a chaste and virtuous woman.”

Xie Jia asked Xie Chi: “What about you? How did you survive?”

Xie Yao quickly followed up: “Were you defiled by those bandits? How did they let you come back? And those clothes—did the bandits buy them for you?”

Xie Jia laughed sarcastically, “They look quite nice too. Seems the bandits treated you well.”

Xie Chi didn’t speak.

Everyone took her silence as admission. The second concubine gloated with a humming laugh, “Such sin! Do we even need to ask? Coming out of a bandit den, how could she still be a maiden?”

Xie Jiaxing was at the height of his anger and poked Xie Chi’s left shoulder with his walking stick, “Why did you even come back? The Xie family would rather die than submit—you’ve truly disgraced our family! Why didn’t you die with your sister!”

Xie Chi wasn’t surprised he would say such things. Though Xie Jiaxing had forgotten his roots, he cared extremely about face. He wouldn’t accept a daughter with a ruined reputation who would make him unable to hold his head up in public. Back at Yun Village, He Feng had told her that the Xie family wouldn’t ransom them—they were buried and forgotten, as if they never had these two daughters.

The second concubine took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, “After all, we are a distinguished family. With this kind of thing happening, if you were like Little Nine, you could at least preserve your good reputation. But you… sigh… there will inevitably be neighborhood gossip. Rumors are terrifying.”

Xie Jia immediately chimed in: “Exactly. This kind of shameful thing was hard to hide to begin with. The Xie family spent so much on hush money to stop the rumors, saying you and Ninth Sister died in an accident while traveling. We even erected tombstones. Now you’ve suddenly returned, people will inevitably ask questions. When the truth can’t be hidden and the neighbors all know that a Xie family daughter was captured by bandits and then released, you may not care about face, but how are we sisters supposed to get married?”

Xie Chi didn’t want to listen to their nonsense and looked at Xie Jiaxing, “I’m going to see Grandfather.”

Xie Jiaxing immediately flew into a rage, “You still have the face to mention your grandfather.” Seeing Xie Chi walking toward the back courtyard, he raised his walking stick and struck her hard on the back. Xie Chi fell forward, her hands pressing against the ground.

The second concubine sneered, “Little Seven, you don’t know yet—the old man died over a month ago.”

Xie Chi froze, her head going blank for a moment, unbearable pain in her chest. She had just stood up when she heard Xie Jiaxing curse loudly, “Get out of here!”

She struggled to maintain composure, “How did Grandfather die?”

The second concubine deliberately mocked her: “From anger!”

Xie Chi felt her head buzzing, “I want to see him, take me to see him.”

Looking at her, Xie Jiaxing was reminded of her mother’s rebellious appearance, becoming even more disgusted. He ordered the servants, “Throw her out.”

The servants hesitated, not daring to touch her.

Xie Jiaxing raised his walking stick and struck Xie Chi’s arm again, “Are you deaf! Get out!”

After three strikes, Xie Chi fell to the ground and suddenly drew her gun on Xie Jiaxing.

Everyone in the courtyard cried out in alarm.

Xie Jiaxing looked at her in shock, “Well now, Xie Wanzhi, after one trip to a bandit den you’ve become a female bandit yourself! Shoot, shoot! Kill your father!”

Xie Chi quickly got up and lunged at the second concubine, grabbing her collar and holding her in her arms. The second concubine was caught off guard and strangled, screaming in terror.

Xie Jiaxing’s eyes turned red with anger, “Rebellion! Rebellion! Someone come!”

Xie Chi pressed the gun barrel to the second concubine’s head, “I only want to see Grandfather.”

The second concubine was shaking with fear, “I’ll take you, don’t do anything rash! I’ll take you!”

…

Xie Zhaoting was buried in the Xie family cemetery. Xie Chi forced the second concubine to the grave, looked at the words on the tombstone, her eyes stinging, and suddenly knelt down.

The second concubine fell to the ground with her, and seeing her release her grip, crawled and rolled to Xie Jiaxing’s side.

The Xie family, being in business, kept guns at home. The servants brought guns to Xie Jiaxing, who pointed his gun at the back of Xie Chi’s head, “Unfilial daughter, not only did you lose your chastity, you even wanted to commit patricide! What face do you have to continue living, what face do you have to meet our ancestors!”

Xie Chi suddenly stood up and turned to face them, frightening everyone into stepping back.

“You think I wanted to be your daughter! Mother was brutally raped by you and died of depression in the end. She should have killed you then and aborted the child!”

Xie Jiaxing trembled with rage and raised his gun. “Bang”—the bullet grazed Xie Chi’s left arm.

He still showed mercy, “Xie Wanzhi, from today on, you have no relationship with the Xie family. I’ll pretend I never had a daughter like you. Get as far away as possible!”

Xie Chi was used to being injured—this graze was nothing. She looked at these people around her who shared some blood relation. This was the home she had fought desperately to return to, even willing to flatter bandits.

She laughed softly, turned around and knelt before Xie Zhaoting again, kowtowing several times.

In that instant, she suddenly felt much weight lifted from her heart, no longer having any attachments.

…

Xie Chi had nowhere to go, but fortunately He Feng had left her some money that could sustain her life temporarily.

She found a cheap small inn near the Xie house, choosing a north-facing room where she could see the Xie family’s main gate through the window.

She was afraid that if He Feng came, he wouldn’t be able to find her.

On the fourth day, no one came looking for her.

Xie Chi stopped waiting. She didn’t want to stake her entire future on one man. She needed to find work to make a living.

Besides writing and painting, Xie Chi didn’t know what else she could do, but now she couldn’t even afford ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. Later, she took on line-drawing work at a painting shop, barely managing to cover food and lodging.

…

That day after work, Xie Chi was buying flatbread at a shop when a young gentleman in a long robe called to her, “Wanzhi?”

Xie Chi turned around to see an unfamiliar face.

The man looked her over carefully, “Wanzhi! It really is you!”

Xie Chi didn’t understand and took the flatbread wrapped in oil paper, walking two steps closer to him, “You are?”

“Xue Dingqing.”

Xie Chi vaguely felt she had heard this name somewhere.

“My father was friends with Old Master Xie. We met three years ago, though you probably don’t remember me.”

Xie Chi suddenly remembered—he must be the student Grandfather had wanted to introduce to her.

“I heard about your situation. If you need help with anything, you can come find me.”

“No need, thank you.” Xie Chi stepped aside to leave.

Xue Dingqing followed, “You don’t need to be polite with me. My father made a marriage arrangement between you and me with Old Master Xie. You went to Jinan, so you might not know.”

Xie Chi stopped, “Haven’t you heard?”

“Hm?”

“I was captured by bandits.”

“I know.” Xue Dingqing frowned slightly, “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“I had relations with the bandits, I’m no longer chaste.”

Xue Dingqing’s face immediately turned red.

Xie Chi continued walking forward, “Besides, I didn’t know about the marriage arrangement, and Grandfather is gone now, so it doesn’t count.”

Xue Dingqing followed again, “Your family drove you out, where are you living?”

Xie Chi ignored him.

“I’m going abroad to study.”

Xie Chi wasn’t interested, “Congratulations.”

“I… I’ve heard some bad rumors. If you have nowhere good to go, you can come with me.”

Xie Chi found him inexplicable and looked at him with a light laugh, “I’m not familiar with you. If you want to take care of me for the sake of our elders, there’s no need. Thank you for your kindness, but please don’t follow me anymore.”

Xue Dingqing stopped in the middle of the road, watching Xie Chi’s retreating figure from afar.

Three years unseen, she had become even more distant.

…

Xie Chi brought some manuscripts home to work on. The only thing she needed to do now was earn more money to keep herself alive.

She was tired from drawing, her eyes stinging. Wanting to sleep, she drank a cup of cold tea in one gulp to refresh herself and continued drawing lines.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from outside, accompanied by hearty laughter that sounded like He Feng’s voice.

Her heart skipped a beat, immediately becoming alert. She dropped her brush and ran outside. Two men passed by the inn, one fat and one thin. Just from their backs, she could tell it wasn’t him.

Xie Chi stood in the cold, lonely street, feeling somewhat ridiculous.

She pinched herself hard and returned to her room, patiently continuing to draw lines.

…

The next evening, Xie Cheng waited downstairs at the inn where Xie Chi was staying.

Xie Chi hadn’t seen him since returning. When they were robbed on the mountain road, she only knew his leg was shot. Now seeing him walk with a slight limp, he must have lasting complications.

Xie Chi took Xie Cheng to her room. Xie Cheng stood in the center of the room, looking at the simple furnishings, “Come back with me.”

Xie Chi didn’t answer his question, “Fourth Brother, would you like some water?”

Xie Cheng walked over and took her hand, “I’ll go talk to Father and have you come back.”

Xie Chi pushed his hand away, “I’m fine here.”

“How is this fine? Nothing is fine.”

“I’d rather not go to the Xie house.” Xie Chi smiled, “Before, in the bandit den, I thought about escaping every day—at least I had something to strive for. Now that Grandfather is gone, I have no need to stay in your family. Besides, Xie Jiaxing has severed ties with me. Everyone wishes I’d die far away so I won’t disgrace the family. I’d better not be an eyesore.”

“Then Fourth Brother will find you another place to live. This place is damp and dark—you’ll get sick.”

“No need, I think it’s fine. At least I live comfortably.”

Xie Cheng sighed, “Fourth Brother has wronged you both.”

“It has nothing to do with you.” Xie Chi patted his arm, “Go back.”

Xie Cheng looked at the line drawings on the table, “Why are you drawing these?”

“To earn money.”

“Your talent is wasted on these.” Xie Cheng looked at her with pity, “How about this—you paint, and I’ll help you sell them.”

“I’m leaving in a few days.”

“Leaving? Where to?”

“To Suzhou.”

“What are you going to Suzhou for?”

“To seek refuge with one of Grandfather’s students, Uncle Yang, Yang Zhizhi. Do you know him?”

Xie Cheng shook his head, “Never heard of him.”

“When I was in seclusion with Grandfather, he often came to drink and paint. He has a small painting academy in Suzhou. I’ll seek refuge with him—he should be able to help me find work.”

“You really won’t stay?”

“Mm.”

Xie Cheng sighed, “Then I’ll take you there.”

“No need. I managed to run back from Shandong by myself. Suzhou is so close, it’ll be fine.” Xie Chi thought for a moment, “Fourth Brother, if anyone comes to the Xie house looking for me, tell them I went to Suzhou, to Zhi’an Painting Academy.”

Xie Cheng roughly guessed, “The bandit from the mountain?”

“Mm.”

“Since you escaped, why do you want people to know your whereabouts?” Xie Cheng frowned, “Don’t tell me you’ve developed feelings for the bandit? What happened to you these past two months?”

“Fourth Brother, please don’t ask.”

“If you don’t want to say, then don’t.” Xie Cheng took off his money pouch and gave it to her, “You must take this money.”

Xie Chi accepted it, “I need money, so I’ll take it for now. I’ll pay you back later. Thank you, Fourth Brother.”

“Why talk about paying back between siblings?” Xie Cheng touched her head, “Fourth Brother is useless, couldn’t protect you.”

Xie Chi smiled and tugged his hand, “There you go again.”

Xie Cheng also smiled, “Oh right, I bought your favorite pastries and candy.” Xie Cheng opened the package.

“I’m not a child anymore.” Xie Chi still picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, “But thank you, Brother.”

…

On the day she left for Suzhou, Xie Cheng wanted to see her off at the station but was discovered by Xie Jiaxing and detained at home.

Xie Chi waited for him at the station entrance for a long time.

Someone by the roadside was reading a newspaper, cursing as he read: “Those bastard little Japanese, killing so many people in Jinan, now shamelessly robbing mines. They say bandits are bad, but the Japanese are worse.”

Xie Chi hadn’t intended to listen to his words, but the word “bandit” was too sensitive. She turned to look and saw the man’s gnashing expression, asking casually: “What bandits? What about the Japanese?”

The man sighed, “Wiped out the bandits, seized the coal mine, and the government doesn’t even care.”

Xie Chi suddenly snatched the newspaper from his hands and looked at the few short lines, her hands trembling with rage.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Xie Chi nearly tore through the newspaper.

“Hey, miss, are you alright?”

…