Marlowe's Luminous Shadows Chapter 7

My name is Briella Chen, and I am blind.

But in fact, before I was twelve years old, I could still see. It was just God's will, and misfortunes never come singly. God took away my parents' lives overnight and even made me blind.

Before I was ten years old, I was the only daughter in the family, and I was pampered. My parents treated me very well. Unlike other families, raising a girl required me to read and recite admonitions and be good at women's work.

And all day long I was either playing with birds and catching insects, climbing trees to pick fruits, watching the clouds and falling flowers, and listening to gossip.

She is very comfortable saying she is a young lady.

The servants at home often commented on my parents' neglect of discipline on me, and my wet nurse also advised me to be more sensible. The young lady should be dignified and not look like a country wild man.

I was very unhappy that the nanny who brought me up was not on the same side as me. I asked her, "Why do young ladies have to be the same? I want to be different."

The nanny kept sighing and shaking her head. Seeing me bulging her cheeks, she showed no sign of weakness. And because of my parents' indulgence, she couldn't say much more.

I grew up freely at home until I was ten years old. On the eve of my birthday, I really wanted to eat the shortcakes in the back alley, so I went to my mother's room to make trouble.

I was so greedy that I ignored the clouds of worry that formed between my mother's brows. I didn't even have time to ask why my father hadn't come home yet at such a late hour. I just sternly refused and lost my temper.

"If mother doesn't buy it for me, then I'll do it myself!"

After saying that, I turned around and ran away, completely ignoring my mother's calls behind me.

The shortbread shop is not far away. Just walk along the alley from the west gate and turn two corners to get there, so I didn't call the maid.

It was early spring, and the weather was getting warmer, but the evening wind was still cold. It was late at night, and there were not many pedestrians in the alley, only three or two people.

I wrapped my coat tightly and shivered when I arrived at the pastry shop. Fortunately, I walked quickly and caught up before the shop closed.

"Aunt Su, I want four shortcakes."

One for me, one for my mother, one for my father, and one for my nanny.

I counted on my fingers and touched the cloth pocket again. I found exactly eight copper coins.

"Hey, Miss Chen, there are only three."

Aunt Su pointed with a smile, and I looked up. I frowned for a long time, pursed my lips and replied, "Then three!"

It will be fine if the nanny and I share one meal.

Not long after, Aunt Su wrapped the shortbread and handed it to me, then waved her hand, but did not take the copper plate in my hand.

"Miss Chen always comes to our house to buy shortcakes. I'll give you these three today. Come back next time."

She smiled particularly brightly, as if something happy had happened today. I stared at her for a long time, and finally couldn't bear the itch and asked, "Why is Aunt Su so happy?"

Hearing my question, she mysteriously came to my ear and put my hand on her belly.

"I have a baby!"

I carefully felt the touch under my hands, and the cotton fabric seemed to beat slightly because of her beaming words.

I retracted my hand like an electric shock and exclaimed: "It's moving!"

"Haha, I burped because I ate too much at night." She laughed, "It's only been two months, how could it move."

Hearing this, I blushed a little for making such a fuss, so I could only hold the wrapped shortbread in my hands, hurriedly said a few festive words, and turned around to walk back.

Aunt Su's laughter continued intermittently behind her, which was particularly bright in the quiet night. Her ears couldn't help but feel happy because of her.

I couldn't help but wonder if my mother was as overjoyed as Aunt Su when she was pregnant with me.

After thinking about it for a few steps, I came to the conclusion that it was definitely, definitely, definitely, and I was very happy.

I remembered my wayward tone before going out, sniffed, and hugged the shortbread tightly. It was time for me to apologize to my mother.

But God is ruthless and unwilling to give me this opportunity.

Later, I often thought about what I would do if I could go back to that night.

However, memories have fermented and automatically turned pain and regret into wine. Over time, not much is left.

Now I can't even remember the ups and downs of my heart that day, only trivial scenes that can still express subtle emotions.

Just like a shadow play, the parents are supported by puppeteers in cloth armor. The night is a natural curtain, and the candlelight reflects the red stream all over the ground.

There was a "click" sound and the shadow puppet was disconnected.

I don’t remember how the nanny tried her best to stuff me into the dog’s hole, but the fishy smell inside stubbornly lingered in my mind. Together with the sweet and greasy smell of the crumbled shortbread in my arms that day, it filled my nose and made me sick. .

My father was the Minister of Household Affairs at the time. He had been an official for more than ten years. He was honest, upright, and of good conduct. He never took bribes, but he was wronged and fell victim to the emperor's son.

My mother was the youngest daughter of a Grand Master in the capital. She came from a well-educated family and was a lady, with a gentle and tenacious temperament. She taught me since I was a child that women should not live a restrained life and that it is good to be free and casual. However, she died in her most beautiful years.

My name is Briella Chen. I used to be a young lady, but now I am not.

When I saw Aunt Su again, she no longer called me Miss Chen. The pity in her eyes turned into a sigh. She told me to run away quickly, run away quickly, don't let me be caught up.

I ran forward without stopping, the soles of my shoes were worn out, and the legs of my trousers were hung torn. I used dirt to cover up the appearance that I cared about most, and exchanged hairpins for food and water, with only one thought in my mind.

I want to live.

I did not think about revenge and seeking justice for my parents, as written in the storybook.

Because living is hard enough.

I am extremely convinced that if my parents were still here, my safety would be the first priority in their hearts.

So, I restrained my temper and restrained myself.

I think, just live, just live.

I don’t know whether it was the clothes I exchanged with the female corpse in the mass grave that deceived the officers and soldiers, or whether I concealed my whereabouts all the way. I escaped capture as I wished, and on a sunny winter day, I finally knocked on the door of the Chen Mansion.

I looked at the plaque with the same word "Chen Mansion" written on the lintel, but the handwriting was no longer the upright and graceful it once was, but instead a dragon and a phoenix, and I couldn't help but feel sad.

The servants led me in, surrounded by rockery, green water, and winding corridors, but I couldn't bring myself to show any interest in it. I just walked with my head down, knowing very well that none of this belonged to me.

I'm just an orphan who wants to live under someone else's roof.

Mr. Chen is my father's biological brother, but I have never met him. I once heard from a servant that the two brothers had no contact with each other since their father's death.

When relatives are killed for justice, it is Mr. Chen and his wife who are killed.

Although I think my father is right, he did take over the magpie's nest, so when I met Mr. Chen in the main hall, I was prepared to be scolded and kicked out.

I lowered my head, my eyes reflecting the tattered clothes and torn embroidered shoes, trying to recall the etiquette and greetings my mother had taught me.

"Mr. Chen is well," I said, my voice like a mosquito.

A gust of wind hit me, and I closed my eyes, thinking that I was about to be beaten.

But unexpectedly, I fell into a warm embrace. Soft mink fur wrapped my cheek. The back of my head was covered by a warm hand, and there was a low murmur in my ear, like a soliloquy.

"Just go home, just go home."

Home?

Where is home?

Do I still have a home?

I have been wandering for half a year, but it feels like half a lifetime has passed, as if a lifetime has passed. This word is really strange to me.

But at this moment, feeling the long-lost warmth, all the hardships and hatreds in my heart disappeared.

Because of Mr. Chen in front of me, he promised to give me a home.

You are not reduced to a domestic servant, and you do not need to look up to others.

But to be a young lady, the third young lady in Mr. Chen’s house.