Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

After making sure everyone in the courtyard was asleep by the time he was nineteen, he packed up the things in the jewelry box on the dressing table, put on the little beggar's clothes again, and quietly went to find Liu'er.

As soon as she knocked, Liu'er opened the door. Nineteen looked her up and down; she wore a lake-blue jacket and thick cotton trousers with a silk lining, but the style was that of an ordinary peasant woman.

"Are you all packed?" Nineteen asked softly.

"Hmm," Liu'er lifted the bundle on her shoulder and nodded softly in response.

"Go, go."

After saying that, Nineteen grabbed Liu'er's arm and carefully avoided the patrolling guards, following the route they had taken the day before. Although it was somewhat inconvenient to have someone who didn't know martial arts with her, Liu'er's body was very flexible and agile from years of daily dance practice at the Red Pavilion, making her quite nimble in hiding. They were almost discovered a few times, but fortunately, they managed to evade detection without any serious incident.

Just as they climbed over the courtyard wall into the alley they had been in, a horse-drawn carriage with its four hooves and wheels covered in cotton cloth came along. Nineteen glanced at Zhao Dawei, who was driving the carriage, and with a burst of strength, pushed Liu'er onto the carriage, then jumped on himself.

"We escaped already?" Liu'er, sitting in the carriage, clutched her pounding heart and asked in disbelief.

"I'd say they escaped halfway!" Nineteen said nonchalantly.

Hearing her answer, Liu'er became a little anxious and hurriedly tugged at Nineteen's sleeve, asking...

What does "escaped halfway" mean?

"It means that I can only be safe once I can leave the city and get home tomorrow."

"What if Madam Mei arrests us again?"

"It's hard to say. Let's wait until we get out of the city safely tomorrow. But there shouldn't be any problems, so don't worry too much."

"..." Hearing what Nineteen said, Liu'er became even more worried. She was afraid that this matter would implicate her family and her sister's family.

During her years in the Red Pavilion, she had escaped, only to be brutally beaten upon recapture. She had even gone on hunger strikes, but Madam Mei would have her servants force-feed her liquid food by choking her. She had almost given up hope, but Madam Mei's words gave her a reason to live.

"Instead of making a scene here, you should learn some skills. Once you've gained respect in your husband's household, you won't have to worry about getting revenge for what you have today. And don't always think about seeking revenge against me. I only spent ten taels of silver to buy you. When I bought you, I had no idea what your relationship was with that Wang woman. After all, you weren't the first girl she sent to me." After saying this, Madam Mei flicked non-existent dust off her fingernails before continuing.

"It's because you're good-looking that you can stay in my brothel. Those who aren't good-looking would have been sent to the lowest brothels long ago. Once they reach a certain age, they have to come out and serve customers whether they want to or not, and they'll be serving peddlers and laborers. This is the last time I'll tolerate your troubles. If it happens again, I'll send you to another brothel. Once you're there, you'll know what it's like to have to serve customers as long as you're alive." After saying that, he patted her cheek again.

"Take good care of this face, learn some skills, and you'll have a chance to get revenge someday."

Even now, she can still recall the arrogant look on Madam Mei's face when she said those words. Liu'er couldn't help but shiver, afraid that she would be taken back again.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a small courtyard.

"Nineteen, we've arrived." Zhao Dawei's voice rang out from outside.

Nineteen jumped out of the car and looked at the gate of the courtyard.

"This is where?"

"This is the accommodation that Captain Ding arranged for you. Our courtyard is full of men, so it's not very convenient for the two of you to go there. I'll come and see you out of the city gate early tomorrow morning, but you and Miss Liu should still disguise yourselves." After saying that, Zhao Dawei took a bundle out of the carriage and held it in his hand.

"Let's go, I'll take you inside." With that, Zhao Dawei unlocked the brass lock on the gate and went into the courtyard first.

The courtyard is not large, consisting of three main rooms, one side room, and a kitchen.

After inspecting all the rooms and confirming that it was safe, Zhao Dawei handed the bundle to Nineteen.

"The house is fully equipped, including food. You can help yourselves to eat. I'm leaving now. I'll lock the door from the outside. Anyway, this courtyard wall can't stop you."

After the gate was locked from the outside again, Nineteen looked at Liu'er, who was still a little nervous while holding her bundle, and advised her...

"Don't be too nervous. Captain Ding has arranged for people to protect us in the shadows. Since I was able to sneak into the Red Pavilion and steal you out, I won't let you be caught again. Besides, even if you're so nervous you'll die, what's going to happen tomorrow will still happen. It won't change whether you're nervous or not today. Let's go, let's get something to eat first. I almost starved to death these past two days in the Red Pavilion. I'm going to have a good meal today."

After saying that, she took a few steps into the house, then turned around and noticed that Liu'er hadn't followed. She blinked her round eyes and asked with a smile.

"Sister Liu'er, can you cook? I can't cook at all."

"..."

Without Liu'er needing to answer, the two women entered the room and found a food box on the table. Upon opening it, they discovered four stir-fried dishes, a bowl of rice, and a soup, but it was already cold.

"Huh? Why is it cold? How am I supposed to eat this?" Nineteen touched the food in the food box, her eyes welling up with tears.

Seeing her like this, Liu'er sighed and casually placed the bundle she was holding to her chest on the table.

"In this cold weather, food that's just come out of the pot won't stay hot for more than fifteen minutes. Just take it to the kitchen to reheat it. Take the oil lamp and come with me."

At this moment, Liu'er finally acted like an older sister, carrying a food box and speaking to Nineteen.

Seeing that she had finally stopped looking so tense, as if she were about to die, Nineteen secretly curled the corners of her mouth. She carried the oil lamp and followed her to the kitchen.

She skillfully heated up the food and soup, then washed the pot, added hot water, and boiled some water for herself and Shijiu.

"Sister Liu'er, I didn't expect you to be so efficient at these tasks."

"From now on, call me Sister Xiao Cui," Liu'er said, glancing at Nineteen.

"Alright, Sister Xiaocui, can we eat now? I've been starving for days because of you." Nineteen blinked her round eyes at Liu Xiaocui.

Looking at her adorable appearance, Liu'er—or rather, Xiao Cui—sighed inwardly, thinking that Madam Mei must have been deceived by her innocent appearance back then.

After dinner, the two washed up briefly with hot water before lying down on the kang (a heated brick bed). Perhaps it was because it was late, or perhaps their tension had eased, but Xiao Cui fell into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down.