Front yard.
Two strong men were carrying goods from the ox cart into the courtyard.
"Yuno, come help," Gordan called. He was holding two scholar's chests.
Yuno froze. Had Gordan bought more books? He rushed over to take the boxes. They were heavy. The wood looked like fine chicken-wing wood. The books inside must be very valuable.
He returned to the yard and saw it full of heavy crates. He was shocked. How much did Gordan spend? His heart felt heavy.
"Yuno, why are you just standing there?" Gordan asked. He looked tired. This shopping trip had worn him out. He hadn't even had time to drink water.
Yuno quickly handed him a cup of cool tea, then went back to sorting the items.
Gordan gave each worker twenty copper coins. The two workers were from Lin River Village. That amount could feed a family of three for two days if used carefully.
Roman thanked him over and over. He patted his chest. "Young Master Gordan, if you ever need anything, come find me."
"Me too, Gordan," Colson said.
Gordan was generous and confident. He clearly came from a rich family. He looked noble and smelled like ink and books. Since he came to a small village like this, he must be here to rest. Rich people liked peaceful places now.
Gordan nodded politely and walked them out.
Soon, the yard was quiet again.
"Yuno, has that young lady woken up?" Gordan asked with concern. He had bought many things for her. He opened a trunk and pulled out a new dress and a pair of shoes. Then he picked up a leaf-shaped white jade hairpin. He looked at it for a moment, then put it back.
"Sasha doesn't have a hairpin," Yuno said quickly when he saw Gordan's hand.
Gordan paused, then said, "Take these to Miss Sasha. I also bought three strips of pork belly and three lucky fish. Later, use some of the meat to trade with neighbors for eggs and vegetables." He then walked toward the kitchen.
Yuno shook his head, holding the pure white dress. What girl would wear such simple clothes? Especially someone as beautiful as Sasha. Gordan should deliver the clothes himself.
No wonder Gordan was kicked out by the General and Madam. He had refused ten marriage proposals. Now he lived with a beautiful woman. How could he stay calm?
Thinking of Sasha, Yuno smacked his forehead.
What a fool he was. He had talked so much but forgot the most important thing. He ran to Sasha's room.
Sasha looked at the new clothes and shoes in Yuno's hands. Her eyes turned red.
She felt so lucky to meet such kind people.
She looked down at her dusty old dress and blushed. She got out of bed.
"Sasha, I'll close the curtain. You can change on the bed," Yuno said, trying to stop her. He was afraid she would hurt her foot.
"I'm fine, Yuno. And… I need to go to the toilet," Sasha said, face red. She couldn't wait any longer. She had to bear the pain.
Yuno nodded and quickly stepped aside. Then he remembered something. He grabbed a few sheets of white paper from the cabinet and put them inside the shoes.
Paper was expensive, but Sasha's feet were more important. Gordan wouldn't blame him.
Sasha couldn't hold it anymore. Her head lowered and her voice trembled. "Thank you," she said. She pulled on her socks and walked slowly to the washroom.
After she relieved herself, she felt better. Then her stomach cramped. She had to poop. Panic filled her. Her whole body shook.
"Yuno, can you go out for a moment?" she called out weakly.
She couldn't do it while someone was nearby.
After she heard the door close, she let out a long breath.
Inside the washroom, there was only a wooden pot. No toilet paper. Just a small bamboo stick.
She stared at it for a long time.
Was this the ancient toilet tool mentioned in history books?
No. She couldn't use it.
Just thinking about how many people had used the stick before made her want to throw up.
She had no choice. She took two sheets of white paper from the shoes and used them instead.
Afterwards, Sasha stared at Yuno for a long time, then decided to clean up the "traces" again tonight when it was dark and quiet.
At this moment, she really missed her parents and best friends. They must be searching for her desperately, but she didn't know when she could go back.
Pulling her thoughts together, she faced a new problem—there was no clean water and no soap here.
Sighing deeply again, she didn't think too much and quickly changed into a brand new white satin dress.
There was no bronze mirror in the room. She glanced at the white jade hairpin on the table, took it down, smoothed her hair with her fingers, made a simple bun, and firmly fixed it with the pin.
Opening the door, Yuno was right outside.
He stared blankly at the beautiful woman in front of him. His face suddenly flushed, and his eyes kept avoiding her, not daring to look directly at her.
Sasha was too beautiful, more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen.
Before, he thought the ten noblewomen who were arranged to marry the young master were very beautiful, but compared to Sasha, they were like clouds and mud.
Her skin was like creamy jade, smooth as silk, her face elegant and perfect, her figure like a willow. Especially those bright clear eyes, shining like stars when she smiled. Wearing this new dress made her look light and lively like frost and snow, as if she was untouched by the world.
How could there be such a beautiful woman in the world? It was truly amazing.
"Yuno, is there any water? I want to wash my hands," she asked politely. She kept reviewing the classical Chinese she had learned, unsure if she sounded natural.
Earlier, she told Yuno that her family had fallen on hard times, which was why she escaped here. She was not good at lying and didn't know if her words were convincing.
"There is. I'll go get water," Yuno said and ran off quickly.
His heart was beating fast. He felt like he might explode if he stayed there any longer.
This small house had two big water jars. He wasn't sure how long the water inside had been there.
Thinking it wasn't for drinking, he quickly scooped a basin of water and ran back.
Sasha put her hands into the water and washed carefully three times.
Yuno watched her and seemed to understand something. He quickly brought soap.
So thoughtful! Sasha looked gratefully at the young man and said thank you three times.
Yuno shyly scratched his head and tried to ask, "Sasha, you are so beautiful. You must have many husbands at home, right?"
He believed that with Sasha's beauty, even as a secondary wife, the young master would definitely accept her. It was hard to find a woman more beautiful than Sasha anywhere.
Sasha was a bit surprised and quickly waved her hand, "No, no. I am not married!"
Seeing Yuno's shocked face, she thought deeply.
What made Yuno think she was married? Could it be because of her hairstyle? She smiled awkwardly, "I don't have many buns. I usually style my hair in whatever is convenient."
"Sasha, you mean you have no husband and no servants at home, right?" Yuno asked, excited and almost out of breath.
"Yes. I'm only eighteen. I'm not in a hurry to marry," Sasha admitted.
The word marriage felt very far away from her. But recently, Gina Zeng had a boyfriend, and they talked about marriage every day. Thinking of that, Sasha's eyes darkened.
Yuno was extremely excited and didn't notice Sasha's change. He smiled with cute dimples and said, "Sasha, I'll go check if dinner is ready. I'll call you later." Then he ran away like a shooting star.
"Young master, young master!" Yuno shouted loudly as he ran.
Gordan heard him from a distance, quickly put down the spatula, and ran out.
"Yuno, did something happen to Sasha?" Gordan asked anxiously.