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Chapter 80: Making a Determination

“Come here, little girl, tell me, how old are you this year, and what can you do?” Although Su Wenyue was tender-hearted, she still had to ask the necessary questions.

The child seemed to have been frightened by beatings, and was very timid. Upon hearing Su Wenyue’s question, she did not dare to respond but instead looked to Mrs. Liu Jin, Mrs. Liu’s eldest sister-in-law from her mother’s family. Only after Liu Jinshan nodded did she begin to speak, her voice still very small.

“My name is Jin Qiao, I am eleven years old this year, I can do housework and farm work, cook and light the fire, I can also collect pig fodder, chop wood, and work in the fields.” Jin Qiao thought for a moment and listed all the things she could do. Although these were common tasks, they were quite remarkable for an eleven-year-old child.

“Very good, you know quite a bit. The injuries on your body were caused by your stepmother, weren’t they? Do you hold a grudge against her in your heart, do you blame your father for not protecting you properly? I heard you have a younger brother born to your stepmother, do you feel jealousy and resentment towards him?”

“This…” Jin Qiao did not expect Su Wenyue to ask such questions. She lifted her head that was originally lowered, feeling somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to answer properly. She feared that a wrong answer would make Su Wenyue reject her, and she would have to return to that nightmare of a home where her stepmother would surely beat her to death. When her Aunt had taken her out of the house, her stepmother had said not to come back, or she would see what was coming to her.

Mrs. Liu Jin and Mrs. Han Liu were also not expecting Su Wenyue to be so direct with her questions, leaving the child with no room to maneuver, they too were somewhat flustered and looked at Su Wenyue pleadingly.

Mrs. Liu Jin tugged at Mrs. Liu’s sleeve, and Mrs. Liu spoke reluctantly, “Fourth Daughter-in-law, Qiao Qiao is still a child, isn’t it a bit much to ask her these questions?”

“If you want to pass my test, then these questions must be answered clearly and truthfully. Otherwise, consider your visit to the Han Family as that of guests. I will take good care of you with food and drink, but afterward, you should still take the child back with you. Neither the Su Family nor I will accept someone into our home without understanding clearly who they are.”

Upon hearing Su Wenyue’s words, Mrs. Liu and her eldest sister-in-law fell silent, not daring to speak further. Despite their concerns, they understood this reasoning. Anyone would want to check a child’s character before taking them in; they just hoped Qiao Qiao would be wise and careful with her words.

“Jin Qiao, consider your answer carefully. What I value most in a person is their character. If you want to stay, you must answer my questions honestly.”

Mrs. Liu Jin and Mrs. Han Liu both sighed in relief upon hearing Su Wenyue speak, interpreting her words as a clear hint. Although Jin Qiao was timid due to her stepmother’s upbringing, she was still a clever child and, upon hearing Su Wenyue’s hint, should know how to answer.

Jin Qiao indeed understood. At eleven years of age, her experiences had made her more mature and adept at avoiding harm than most children. Otherwise, after so many years, she would have long been beaten to death by her stepmother. She knew what was the better answer but hesitated; she could feel the genuine kindness from this beautiful older sister, different from others’ pity and sympathy. The look in this older sister’s eye held a respect she had never experienced before; she did not want to deceive her.

Yet, in a moment of thought, Jin Qiao made up her mind. Her gaze met Su Wenyue’s with newfound candor. Su Wenyue, seeing Jin Qiao in this manner, felt some satisfaction. Here was a child who understood right from wrong, who knew her own mind, which was rare under the oppression of a stepmother. Originally, Su Wenyue had intended to send Jin Qiao to serve in the Su Family home, but now she was somewhat reluctant to let her go; she needed people by her side as well. However, considering that Jin Qiao was indeed a relative of Mrs. Liu’s, she could not help but feel some concern.

Mrs. Liu and her eldest sister-in-law felt things had gone awry when they heard Jin Qiao’s response. The child was smart enough, so why couldn’t she grasp the situation? Such things shouldn’t have been said. Now, the Su Family would surely not want Jin Qiao.

“Fourth Daughter-in-law, you mustn’t listen to the child’s nonsense. She’s just young and doesn’t understand some things. Please, don’t take her words to heart.” Mrs. Liu Jin felt uncomfortable hearing her niece express resentment towards her own big brother, yet considering Jin Qiao’s circumstances, it seemed inevitable. Regardless, she still hoped for the best for her niece and quickly spoke up in defense to Su Wenyue.

“Jin Qiao, you said you want to sell yourself into the Su Family. Do you know what selling yourself means? It means that from then on, your life is not your own anymore. Everything about you will belong to the Su Family, including whether you can marry or not depends on the Family’s decision. Even if you were sold or killed, no one would have a say, and the Government would not have the right to intervene.”

Su Wenyue saw that Jin Qiao should be aware of what selling into servitude meant, otherwise she wouldn’t have brought it up. But it was still necessary to make things clear so that Jin Qiao would understand the implications thoroughly and not harbor resentment later about becoming a servant. Moreover, if Jin Qiao were to stay with her, Su Wenyue would require a death contract to feel assured of her service; otherwise, Jin Qiao would simply have to go to the Su Family. The choice was up to Jin Qiao herself.

“Miss Su, I’ve thought it over. I want to sell myself. If I stay in that family, my stepmother will beat me to death anyway. It’s better to sell myself and earn a chance to live. No matter how bad it gets, it can’t be worse than it is now.” Jin Qiao spoke with determination, showing she had made up her mind.

“What if I told you that you don’t need to sell yourself and you could still work for the Su Family, earning a set wage every month? Would you still want to sell yourself?”

“Can I earn wages every month without selling myself?” Jin Qiao was stunned by Su Wenyue’s proposition, breaking her previous understanding, as she had never considered this possibility.

Mrs. Liu Jin was overjoyed, interpreting Su Wenyue’s words as assurance that Jin Qiao could stay without having to sell herself into servitude; this was an even better prospect. When the time came, she could find a suitable match for her niece and fulfill her duty to her departed sister-in-law. Mrs. Liu Jin’s eagerness to help Jin Qiao wasn’t just because she was her niece, but also due to the care her elder sister—the late mother of Jin Qiao—had provided in the past.

“What do you say? Make up your mind and tell me.”

“Not having to sell myself would certainly be better. Once sold, I would become servant property. I still hope for Qiao Qiao to marry and have children, to have a good life. There’s no need to think about it.”

Mrs. Liu Jin, fearing that her niece might make a foolish decision at this moment, answered directly on behalf of her niece. Su Wenyue, however, paid no attention and looked to Jin Qiao, waiting to hear Jin Qiao’s own intentions..