The Chen Family's residence was located at the center of Hongshan Village.
Compared to the surrounding villagers' simple mud and straw homes, the Chen Family's blue brick structure stood out conspicuously, looking out of place.
Chen Yuan, who had hurried back from Shen Qing's house, pushed the door open and went inside.
In the courtyard, the accumulated snow had already been cleared.
Chen Tai, the second in the family, and Chen An, the third, were occupied lifting stone locks to train their strength.
"Big brother," Chen Tai put down the stone lock and asked, "Did everything go smoothly? Did Shen Fang agree?"
"Almost convinced her, but Shen Qing came back unexpectedly and disrupted the plan," Chen Yuan said regretfully as he walked back into the house.
The youngest, Chen An, interjected, "If you ask me, why go through so much trouble? We could just tie her up and send her off."
"Boss Song and Dong Family, opening a brothel, are in desperate need of women and are willing to pay high prices of thirty taels for beautiful women. Missing this opportunity is like missing the shop at the village."
"Shen Fang is quite good-looking, she should be worth that price. Once we get the money, maybe all three of us brothers could enter the Martial Arts Hall, become martial masters, move to the county, and not have to stay cooped up in this mountain lair."
Chen Yuan glanced at his younger brother and said, "Hongshan Village is about fifty or sixty li away from the county. Now with heavy snow and strong winds, the roads are difficult. Are you planning to carry her or do you want me to?"
"When the snow stops, if the Shen siblings still don't agree, we can act then. By that time, the traders from the city will be here, and hiring a mule cart or horse carriage to the city will be much easier."
"Until then, I'll try to persuade the siblings. If they act stupid, we would save a lot of trouble."
"As long as you have a plan, big brother." Chen An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Big brother, do you still have that Nine Skills of Martial Arts that father gave you?"
"It's still with me. Why?"
Chen An said, "I've had some insights these past couple of days and want to study it more. If you don't need it, lend it to me for a couple of days."
"Alright, I'll find it for you later. Since you've both started training strength, your consumption of meat is high. If there's nothing else, remember to go to the mountains tomorrow and bring back some game for a boost. In martial arts, training the body is key."
"I understand, big brother. My second brother and I plan to go to the mountains tomorrow," Chen An assured him.
Chen Yuan looked around and realized that only their brothers were home. Curious, he asked, "Where's dad?"
Chen Tai, who was lifting the stone lock again, replied, "He said in the morning he's going on a long trip to meet a friend and probably won't be back until tomorrow."
"Oh."
...
Shen Fang cleaned the pheasants thoroughly, plucking all the feathers one by one.
She held a pot of meat, reluctant, "My appetite is small, I can't finish it all. Why don't we save half of it to dry and eat later?"
"It's just one chicken, how can just half fill the two of us?" Shen Qing, sitting at the stove lighting the fire, said, "We eat bran cake every day, making us constipated. We need something fatty to lubricate our intestines."
As she spoke, Shen Fang's face turned a bit awkward, as if remembering something unpleasant.
"Don't worry. I'll go up the mountain again tomorrow; I won't come back empty-handed."
In the end, Shen Fang had to relent to Shen Qing.
The whole pheasant was prepared by the siblings.
A steaming bowl of chicken soup was gently placed on the table by Shen Fang.
The golden chicken soup emitted a faint aroma of meat, with a few green onions floating on top.
Although only a little salt was added, without any other seasonings, the natural freshness of the ingredients was enough to be unforgettable.
The pheasant, cooked for a long time, was tender and juicy.
With a light tear, the texture of the chicken was clear, and the aroma overflowed.
It was much better than the bran cake they ate every day.
Shen Qing picked up a bowl of chicken soup and drank it down, feeling a warmth throughout his body, like soaking in a hot spring, bringing a sense of comfort.
"Finally, a chance to appease this stomach."
In the cold winter, having meat and hot soup to eat.
Since coming to this world for over a month, Shen Qing finally felt like a human.
He put down the bowl, scooped himself more hot soup, and asked, "Sister, what did Chen Yuan say to you today?"
Shen Fang took a sip of chicken soup, warming her hands with the bowl, and recalled, "The same as before, asking if I was willing to sell myself to a big household in the city as a maid."
"And what do you think?"
"I want to give it a try. If I go, I could earn some money, and you'd live a bit better, little brother."
Shen Qing knew Shen Fang's thoughts were common in Da'an County.
Many poor families squeezed into the rich households in the city willing to become servants just to get a bite to eat.
For people at their social level, serving wealthy families was a respectable path.
If they happened to win the favor of their masters, they might receive rewards and rise in status.
At least they wouldn't starve to death.
Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Sister, would you listen to me?"
"As the only man in the family, your sister will certainly listen."
"In my opinion, even if it means becoming a concubine, you shouldn't go."
In the Great Zhou Country now, people were divided into strict hierarchies.
Emperor, nobility, officials, doctors, martial, farmers, craftsmen, merchants, slaves.
The so-called 'maid' was essentially a bonded slave.
They, the hunters who lived by the mountains, supported themselves through hunting, considered a bit superior to the itinerant tradesmen but lower than farmers who owned land.
On paper, they belonged to the farmer class.
As for slaves, they were the lowest class in the Zhou Country, only slightly above prostitutes with no registered status.
Once someone became a slave, it meant becoming private property of the master, subject to abuse or killing at will.
Their descendants would also be slaves for generations with no escape.
Being a maid in a wealthy family might look glamorous but was, in fact, very precarious.
An important point that Shen Qing didn't mention to Shen Fang was that Chen Yuan feared she wouldn't be sold merely as a maid.
Moreover, selling his own sister for money.
Shen Qing couldn't bring himself to commit such a heartless act.
Even if he had the money, he'd feel it was burning his hands.
"Alright, I'll listen to you, brother. If Chen Yuan comes again, I will refuse him."
Perhaps sensing Shen Qing's care, Shen Fang, although expressionless, felt genuinely pleased inside.
"Hurry and drink the soup, or it'll get cold."
A pot of chicken soup was finished.
Their once-starved bodies felt nourished, as if receiving precious rain, revitalized.
Both appeared much rosier.
After a bit of cleaning, Shen Qing, not delaying, grabbed his bow and arrows and headed into the bamboo forest behind the house, planning to practice his Bow Technique while there was still daylight.
Time waited for no one, and he was unwilling to waste too much effort.
Perhaps because of the chicken soup, Shen Qing didn't feel as cold standing in the snow.
While Shen Qing was drawing his bow, a shout erupted from the village.
"Murder! The Chen Family brothers have killed someone!"
The cries quickly spread throughout the village.
Shen Qing saw many people emerging from their homes, heading towards the Chen Family's direction.