Chapter 1 - BEG (1/2)

Life's best three teachers–heartbreak, empty pockets, and failure.

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Thunders roared as the rain poured from the sky, washing up all the heat that has been plaguing the summer. The earthy scent of petrichor wafted in the air. People scuttled away like mice to take shelter from the rain. But a weak woman braved the rain and knocked at houses to beg for help.

Qin Jingyi pounded at the door like a madman. A moment later, a burly man opened it and asked angrily, ”What do you need?”

The woman who was drenched with rain stuttered as she spoke, ”Please help—my moth—mother—She—!”

”Leave!” the man bellowed and pushed her out of the door before she could finish her sentence. She fell on her bottom and felt the moist ground when her hands tried to cushion her fall. With the impact of the fall, there was excruciating pain radiating from her bottom up to her spine. Her wounds from the beatings she received from the guards haven't healed yet and added to her dilemma. Tears suddenly sprung out her eyes as the feeling of being aggrieved swamped in her.

Qin Jingyi clenched her fist. Wincing in pain, she stood up, wiped the tears that were falling from her face and walked to the next door.

”Please help my mother! Please” she begged but nobody opened the door even if she could see people's silhouette from the window.

”Help!” she yowled with her voice mingling with the sound of rain and thunder. While she thumped on the door, tears were rolling down on her face.

Her hopes rose when a door opened but instantly shrank when the woman chided angrily, ”Why should I help you?”

”Please—just help my mom!” She kowtowed profusely which resulted in the botch of red appearing on her forehead.

”What benefits would I get for this?” The woman scoffed. The woman was aware of her identity. When she saw Madam Qin days ago, she immediately recognized her and sent a letter to the capital. Any minute, the Imperial guards will arrive. The palace will give a hefty reward if Prime Minister Qin's wife and daughter would be captured. Just thinking about the reward made her happy. So, she didn't want to be punished for helping this despicable family.

”Go away!” The woman banged the door on her face.

Feeling defeated she turned away. Qin Jingyi looked up at the sky and let the raindrops fall onto her face, washing all the stains that marred her once beautiful face. Now, it's just full of scars. The elegance she used to carry around was no longer evident. She looked gaunt and her hair lacked all the luster.

Nobody could have ever thought that the once unreachable Lady Qin had been reduced to a beggar. The almighty Qin Family has fallen to the brink. The newly crowned emperor issued a decree. The Qin Family has to be executed. Their crime, abetting rebellion and colluding with the enemy to murder the previous emperor. The 2nd Prince who became the Emperor had forgotten that it was his wife's family, the Qin's that helped him achieve his goal. He even divorced his wife and married his favorite concubine on his coronation day.

That same evening, Prime Minister Qin, the previous Emperor's right-hand man was executed in front of everyone. Her siblings and relatives were beaten, tortured and dismembered.

Jingyi and her mother were spared because one of her brother's men were able to sneak in prison and let them flee. However, he sacrificed himself so they can escape unscathed.

At this moment, she felt nothing but that gnawing numbness. Watching her family member executed one by one was like a poison slowly sipping into her veins, tormenting and giving her nothing but paralyzing pain.

”At least for poison, there's an antidote. This one? None.”

Because everything will be forever etched in her mind. Her father's mournful begging to spare the younger children, her sister's frightened screams and her brother's torn expression as he watched his wife and children killed in front of him. Jingyi felt nothing but regret.

And as if the gods weren't contented playing with her. They were able to escape and took shelter somewhere away from the capital but Madam Qin suddenly became gravely ill. She collapsed earlier. She suspected her mother was poisoned. But with no silver at all, how could she ask the doctor to cure her.

Jingyi felt tightness in her heart, remembering her ill mother. Unsure of what to do next, she stood from the ground and puttered on the dirt road. With her shoulders hunched down, she looked like a tiny lost kitten.

”Where are you going in this rain?” An elderly shouted.

Jingyi hurried to her door and told her the problem. After listening to her, the old woman limped as she entered her house in haste and returned with a tael of silver. She placed them on her hands.

”Here, bring this to the village doctor and call him.”

Jingyi looked at it feeling embarrassed but thinking of her mother, she accepted and grasped it like it was gold. She used to spend money like it was nothing. Realizing it now, having no money to buy what you need is really horrible.

”Thank you, grandma.” politely, Jingyi thanked the old woman.

”Don't be so polite. Now, hurry and go.” she smiled, showing her toothless mouth. At the same time, her mottled skin touched her shoulders as if she was telling, it's going to be fine.

The gesture made her tear up and sniffed in between sobs. What she's doing now is a favor she will never ever forget in this life.