"The youngest daughter of the Thoreau family was kicked out of Xianghe Manor. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Noam picking her up with a cart. Her body was covered in bruises and blood - such a pitiful sight."
"Pitiful? If you ask me, Grace got what she deserved. She wasn't meant for a noble life but still tried to become a concubine. I heard she even snuck into the master's bed and got pregnant with his child."
"That Grace was never a proper lady. Anyone could see that seductive air about her."
In the village alley, several women stood or sat around, their gossip painting their own versions of truth, whether black or white.
...
Meanwhile, in the Noam household that was the subject of all this talk, chaos reigned.
Noam's wife Nathalie, née Hector, sat on the bed crying hysterically.
"What are we going to do? With Little Seven in this state, forget about marriage - just living will bring shame to our Thoreau family. I should just end her life now. She's nothing but trouble."
Noam, standing silently by the door, glanced at his wife and said consolingly, "Dead or alive, at least we got her back. She's still breathing. I sent Max to town to get medicine."
"What's the use of medicine? We should just wrap her in a straw mat and be done with it. Did you see how the villagers were pointing at us? I've lost all face. Miley just got engaged - what if her in-laws hear about this?"
Just as Nathalie finished speaking, she noticed their eldest daughter Miley standing in the doorway of the side room.
Miley, only fifteen, was a graceful girl with gentle eyes and a slender figure - the picture of youth. Seeing Grace on the bed, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mother, I don't care about that. Little Seven was sold to the manor in my place - how could I worry about my engagement? Mother, please stop scolding her. We need to treat her injuries. We must get a doctor from town."
Just then, the Noam's second child - Max - entered from the courtyard, carrying on his back an elderly man in his sixties with kind features - Doctor Wright from town.
Hearing his mother's words as he entered, Max spoke up, his heart aching for his youngest sister.
"Father, Mother, I won't let Little Seven die. I brought the doctor, and I'll work at the brick kiln to pay his fee if I have to."
Max, only a year or two older than Miley, spoke with the maturity of an adult.
Doctor Wright, dedicated to saving lives, stepped through the doorway and approached the girl on the bed.
The fate of a farm girl seemed destined for death - why bother with those outdated rules about men and women now?
Max stood to the side, his eyes fixed on the unconscious Grace lying in bed.
Mrs. Hector and Miley stood together, barely daring to breathe as they waited for Doctor Wright's diagnosis. Their earlier loud crying and cursing had completely vanished, replaced by worried expressions.
Speaking of which, Grace was truly born under an unlucky star.
Back then, it wasn't supposed to be her who was sold to Peaceful Manor. The matchmaker had first chosen the beautiful and elegant Miley.
However, Miley had just gotten engaged at that time. How could they justify selling her for five years to her future in-laws?
The Noam couple couldn't resist the money though - five years of service would bring them six silver taels, no small sum.
After discussion, they decided to send Grace, whose formal name was Sadie, the youngest Thoreau daughter, to replace Miley at Peaceful Manor. They thought she'd return safely once the contract ended.
But life is full of unexpected turns.
As people gossiped: Grace was vain, and after entering Peaceful Manor, she caught sight of the master - a man of incomparable beauty and grace. She fell for him, ended up in his bed, and finally met this tragic fate.
...
Doctor Wright spent a long time checking Grace's pulse before turning to Mrs. Hector.
"The girl still has breath in her chest - there's hope for survival. But there are some things I need to discuss with you."
Mrs. Hector, being a woman of decades of experience, immediately understood. Hearing Doctor Wright's tone, she guessed he had private matters to discuss.
She quickly ordered everyone out: "Max, go find your father and get some copper coins."
Then she turned to Miley, softening her voice, "Miley, you go too. The doctor needs to speak with me."
Miley looked at her mother Mrs. Hector with concerned eyes, speaking softly, "Mother, let the doctor speak. This is about my sister, and I'll be the one caring for her mostly. I promise not to tell anyone."
Miley was delicately beautiful with a slim figure. Her fine eyebrows curved slightly upward, and her pupils were hazel. Looking closely, both her hair color and features seemed somewhat different from the Thoreau family.
She looked unlike other village girls.
Strangely, the Noam couple treated this daughter exceptionally well, even more preciously than their two younger sons.
Seeing only Mrs. Hector and Miley remained, Doctor Wright considered briefly. This matter couldn't be concealed - miscarriage required the same careful attention as childbirth. From checking her pulse, he could tell this woman had either given birth or miscarried.
"As for whether the child was alive or dead, he couldn't make a definitive judgment."
Seeing Wright's flickering gaze, Mrs. Hector felt her heart sink. "Dr. Wright, please tell me, how is my Little Seven doing?"
"The girl on the bed was with child. But given how severely she was beaten, especially around her lower back... looking at the situation, the baby couldn't have survived. Is she your daughter-in-law or your daughter? How could anyone be so cruel?"
Dr. Wright finished speaking and shook his head with a sigh, feeling deep sympathy for the unconscious young woman on the bed.
