The sun hung high in the sky, casting long golden rays over the crowded streets of the lower district. Dust rose with every hurried footstep as vendors called out their goods,fruits, cloth, herbs. all blending into the usual hum of the afternoon market.
Zhao Wei clutched her basket tightly, the last of her meager earnings wrapped in a worn cloth inside. Her face was tired, but her eyes though dimmed by years of hardship still held a quiet strength.
She was on her way home, her mind already drifting to Li Cheng. He hadn't eaten well in days, and she was determined to make something warm tonight so he could eat to his satisfaction, even if it meant skipping her own meal.
But as she turned the corner, the ground suddenly quivered under the thundering hooves of horses. A luxurious carriage appeared, pulled by two black horses. the carriage itself gleamed with polished gold lining, its silk curtains fluttering in the breeze like the wings of an arrogant bird. Behind it rode three bodyguards, their cold gazes sweeping the street.
People stopped to stare, bowing their heads slightly as the carriage came to a slow, deliberate halt.
Zhao Wei's steps faltered.
The curtain lifted.
And there she was.....Yang Xin. The Lady of the Li family.
Elegant as ever, wrapped in robes of soft lavender silk, her hair coiled in elaborate pins that shimmered like stars. Her beauty was undeniable, but her expression was sharp, her eyes laced with superiority.
The moment their eyes met, Zhao Wei knew this would not be a peaceful encounter.
Yang Xin's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Stop the carriage," she commanded smoothly, her voice like velvet hiding the blade of a knife.
The horses neighed and halted as ordered. Yang Xin descended from the carriage, her movement graceful and practiced. Her two maidservants followed close behind, holding up the edges of her robe as if the ground itself were too filthy to touch her hem.
People began to gather. Curiosity always followed wealth, especially when drama was in the air. They whispered and pointed, many recognizing both women.....one now honored, the other disgraced.
"Oh, isn't this a surprise," Yang Xin said, her voice dripping with mock concern. "Isn't this the former Lady of the Li Family? The one who gave birth to a... what was it again? Ah yes.....a cripple."
A few chuckles broke from the crowd. Some looked away awkwardly. Others leaned in closer, hungry for more humiliation.
Zhao Wei's shoulders stiffened. She said nothing at first, only straightened her back and met Yang Xin's eyes with steady gaze.
Yang Xin stepped closer, raising her chin like a queen addressing a peasant.
"My son, Li Yuen, is already of age, you know," she said proudly. "He'll be going to the Immortal Peak for the Awakening Ceremony. A true cultivator's path awaits him."
She paused, turning to the crowd, letting her voice rise just enough for all to hear. "Meanwhile, your useless son will still be scrubbing dirt off people's shoes and running errands like a common mutt."
More laughter. Louder this time.
Zhao Wei's hands tightens around the basket handle. But her voice remained calm. "What do you want, Yang Xin?" she asked, her tone clipped but respectful.
Yang Xin's smile grew even wider. "Oh, nothing at all. I simply wanted to see if you were still alive... and to wonder how much longer you and your crippled son will last."
Her laughter rang through the square, high-pitched and cruel. Even the maidservants exchanged smug looks.
Zhao Wei took a slow breath. though her heart bled inside her chest whenever Li Cheng's situation is being brought up. "Thank you for your concern, Madam Li. We're still alive, and we'll continue to live, no matter how you look down on us.
But madam Li don't you have anything to do at home?, haiii....it seems that the Li family is becoming worse everyday, they now accommodate idle people ".... Zhao wei said, and the crowd on the street almost choked no one dared to laugh while some giggled, they were scared of the Li family to begin with.
Zhao wei shook her head and turned to leave. But Yang Xin's eyes flashed.
"You dare speak to me like that?" Yang xin barked. Her composure cracked, revealing a venomous rage beneath.
It wasn't just Zhao wei's words but the reaction from people infuriated her more.
"Someone....hold her down!"
Before Zhao Wei could move, two of the guards stepped forward and grabbed her arms. Rough hands yanked her basket from her grip and shoved her to her knees, spilling the few vegetables she had bought onto the dusty street.
"Stop!" she cried, struggling, but she was no match for them.
Yang Xin walked forward slowly, deliberately, her footsteps though calm on the surface, but her trembling hands betrayed her fury. She stopped just inches from Zhao Wei.
"Who do you think you are to talk back at me?" she sneered. "Do you think you're still the almighty wife of the Li family?, That time is long gone. You are nothing now than a beggar. A woman no better than the dirt under my feet." she raised her hand and slapped Zhao wei across her face.
"Pah!"
The slap rang out across the square. Zhao Wei's head snapped to the side. Her cheek turned red instantly, and a small gasp escaped her lips. She bit it back, refusing to cry in front of her.
Yang Xin gripped her chin, forcing her face upward. "Don't let me see you again. Next time, it won't just be a slap."
Then she shoved Zhao Wei backward. The older woman tumbled onto the dirt road, her knees scraping against stone, her basket now trampled, her vegetables crushed under boots.
"Destroy her things," Yang Xin ordered with a flick of her hand.
The guards moved quickly, ripping her small bundle of cloth, scattering her money into the crowd, where greedy hands grabbed it like vultures. Her needlework samples, the ones she spent nights perfecting, were torn and thrown into the street like garbage.
Yang Xin didn't even glance back. She returned to her carriage, lifted by her maidservants with an air of smug satisfaction. As the horses started forward again, she leaned out through the carriage window and called back in a sing-song voice:
"Enjoy your life, Zhao Wei. The little of it you have left."
And with that, she disappeared around the corner with the sound the carriage trailing behind her.
Zhao Wei sat in silence, surrounded by the wreckage of her dignity. Her knees throbbed, her cheek burned, but the pain was nothing compared to the shame boiling inside her. The crowd had already begun to disperse. No one offered a hand. No one met her eyes. They simply moved on as if she were just another beggar in the street.
Only when the square was nearly empty did she allow the tears to fall.
They came slowly at first, then in waves. Her shoulders trembled as she stared at her broken basket, her ruined threads, the crushed vegetables she could no longer cook for her son.
"I'm sorry, Chang'er," she whispered, hugging herself tightly. "I couldn't even protect a meal..."
.........
..............
Not far away, in a nearby street, Li Cheng stood at a small roadside hairpin shop. He browsed carefully, hoping to find the right one for his mother. He had earned a little extra money and wanted to surprise her with a gift.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke through the street's noise.
"Li Cheng! Li Cheng!"
Startled, he turned toward the voice. He saw Madam Guo Qian running toward him, her expression urgent. She was the Li family's cook. She had just stepped out to buy groceries when she had witnessed the confrontation between Li Cheng's mother and Yang Xin. But she hadn't dared to step in after all, she was only a servant. Once, Zhao Wei had treated her like a sister, back when she was the lady of the house. But now she was in trouble she couldn't do anything to help her, she could do nothing except watch.
Breathing heavily, she grabbed his arm.
"Madam Guo?" Li Cheng asked, confused.
"Li Cheng, what are you doing here? Yang Xin is harassing your mother in the next street! Hurry, go help her!"
Li Cheng's eyes widened. Without another word, he spun around and bolted down the road, completely forgetting about the hairpin.
"Hey! Hey! You haven't paid!" the shop owner shouted after him.
Skidding to a stop, Li Cheng quickly tossed the hairpin back toward the stall and kept running, not even waiting to see if it landed in the right place.
As he reached the corner of the next street, his pace slowed. His heart pounded. There, in the middle of the street, his mother sat on the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Li Cheng walked toward her, each step heavier than the last. When he reached her, he dropped to his knees in front of her.
His mother slowly raised her head, her eyes meeting his. She saw the tremble in his shoulders and knew he was angry.
"Mother," Li Cheng said in a low and painful voice,"forgive this unfilia son for not being able to protect you. But don't worry. It won't end like this."
He stood up slowly, fists clenched, and without another word, disappeared into the crowd.
"Li Cheng, come back! Don't go asking for more trouble… please," she called after him, her voice breaking.
But he was already gone.