Chapter 3 The Sacrifice
Half a month ago, Eunuch De, the chief eunuch beside Consort Shu, had come out of the palace to shop. He met Elder Sister who was selling embroidery.
He liked her embroidery, and he liked her even more.
A few days later, he came to the mansion to propose marriage. He wanted to secretly marry Elder Sister outside the palace.
Father was unwilling at first. After all, who would want to marry their daughter to a rootless eunuch?
But Legal Mother persuaded him. "Eunuch De is a favorite of Consort Shu and watched the fourth prince grow up.
We cannot afford to offend him. Besides, if Elder Sister serves him well, our Yun family will have someone in the inner palace.
In the future, Eunuch De will remember us when good things come. "
Elder Brother also said that if they could climb onto Consort Shu's side, he would benefit too and life in the palace would become much easier.
After weighing the pros and cons, Father decided to sacrifice Elder Sister for Eunuch De.
When Second Sister heard the news, she volunteered to come to our courtyard to "persuade" Elder Sister.
As soon as she arrived, she ordered the maids to force Elder Sister to her knees.
"Yun Lan, you really have good fortune! To actually catch Eunuch De's eye. This young miss advises you to obediently agree, lest you suffer."
Born to a concubine, we ranked below the servants after our mother's death and often faced torment from Legal Mother and Second Sister.
In the past, Elder Sister would have agreed obediently to avoid giving Second Sister an excuse.
But this time, Elder Sister glared back fiercely. "Do you want this good fortune? I will never marry that old eunuch."
Second Sister sneered. "Such a stubborn mouth. Slap her!"
The crisp sound of slapping echoed in the courtyard.
I tried to save Elder Sister but was kicked back into the room and locked inside. I could only cry helplessly.
After beating her enough, Second Sister laughed contemptuously. "Who are you putting on this act for? Mother has spoken. Whether you agree or not, in seven days Eunuch De will send the betrothal gifts and take you away. Stop struggling."
Second Sister left with her people.
I knocked on the door for a long time before Elder Sister finally opened it.
Seeing her face covered in blood, I hugged her and cried bitterly. "Elder Sister, let's go find Father. Father will stand up for you."
Elder Sister's eyes were empty. She spoke lightly. "If Father had not given permission, how could Yun Shu have come to test me? Niuniu, Elder Sister cannot hold on anymore. The road ahead is up to you."
I did not understand what she meant. I just held her tightly, afraid to let go even for a moment.
But that night, I still fell asleep.
When I woke up, Legal Mother had locked the resisting Elder Sister in the room, and Elder Sister had begun a hunger strike.
When Father learned of it, he did not feel any pity. He slammed the table instead. "If she starves to death, it will be easier for me to explain to Eunuch De."
Legal Mother, Second Sister, and Elder Brother did not care at all.
Only I squatted outside the room every day, begging Elder Sister to eat again and again.
Watching the food being carried in and carried out untouched every day, my heart sank deeper and deeper.
Elder Sister really did not want to live anymore.
No one expected that the day before Eunuch De was supposed to send the betrothal gifts, Elder Sister suddenly started eating again and claimed she was the Reborn One.