Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1. I arrived in Wheyle with Andrew. The imperial examination was imminent, and he stayed up late every night studying diligently.

I heard that before the examination, candidates needed to visit the homes of various examiners with gifts. Without these bribes, their papers might not even be considered. I silently cursed those corrupt, conniving officials, thinking about how they protected each other.

Life was already a struggle for poor scholars, and now they had to endure this additional exploitation on their only path to success. But there was no other way; this country was rotten to the core. Everywhere you looked, there were homeless and destitute people. Just making it through each day was a small miracle.

There were many expenses to cover, and I worried over the money we had, which was barely enough for our daily needs. When I looked up, I saw the most luxurious brothel in Wheyle. Without hesitation, I walked in.

I decided to return to my old profession as a courtesan. It was the quickest way to earn money and the only way I could help Andrew. Dancing in the capital paid much more than in a small town.

I was attractive and danced well, often receiving tips from wealthy young men. When they wanted me to drink with them, I downed two jugs of wine. When they wanted me to undress, I pretended to be drunk and vomited all over them. The madam rushed over, apologizing profusely to the guests while I lay on the ground, feigning unconsciousness. Eventually, I really did fall asleep.

I was exhausted. The daily rehearsals left me physically and mentally drained, but whenever I thought of Andrew, I felt a surge of determination.

That night, Andrew came to see me. He held my hand and sobbed, apologizing for not being worthy of me and begging me to stop sacrificing for him. I was confused. The person I knew so well now seemed distant and incomprehensible. I couldn't even understand what he was saying. I must have been truly drunk. But what about Andrew? He hadn't been drinking, so why was he talking nonsense?

After that night, I didn't see Andrew for a long time. He sent a message through someone, saying he had found a new place to stay and that studying with friends was more efficient. I didn't doubt him at all.

Before the examination, I set up a porridge stall in the refugee camp. I had never sought any reward for my past charitable acts, but this time, I prayed to the heavens, wishing for Andrew to become the top scholar and achieve great success. The heavens heard my prayers. He did become the top scholar, and he did achieve great success.

On the day the results were announced, I saw his name at the top of the list. He was the top scholar! No one knew how happy I was. I hugged him and cried tears of joy. We had finally overcome all our hardships. After years of diligent study, he was now famous throughout the land.

Everyone congratulated us, and I smiled and thanked them all, returning their well-wishes on his behalf. I pulled him along, thinking about our future. "There's a month between the announcement of the results and your return to the capital for your official duties. Let's hurry home and bring your mother here. She'll be so happy to know you became the top scholar."

He seemed dazed, and I thought he was overwhelmed with joy. I continued making plans. "We also need to think about our wedding. I should find someone to pick an auspicious date. Can we have the wedding in Spring Town? Your mother and Martha are there. A wedding should be lively and joyous. I don't know anyone in Wheyle."

"We need to buy fabric for the wedding dress and many other things for the ceremony. But don't worry, I've saved up quite a bit of money these past few months. I can buy my own dowry and jewelry; you don't need to spend a penny."

We happened to pass by a fabric shop, and I tried to pull him inside. "Making a wedding dress takes time, so I need to start preparing early." But he stood still, refusing to move no matter how hard I pulled.

Seeing his tightly shut eyes, a sense of unease crept into my heart. I asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me, speaking in a low voice, "I can't be with you."

My hand slipped from his arm, and my body began to tremble. Even my voice shook. "What did you say?"

He looked at me with guilt in his eyes but spoke firmly. "I don't want you anymore."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I blinked, asking him, "Why?"

He tilted his head back, a hint of scorn in his voice. "You're a well-known courtesan in Wheyle. Your background is unacceptable. I can't marry you."

I lost control and began to hit him, trying to vent all my frustration. "You promised to marry me! You said once you became the top scholar, you would marry me! You said it!"

People around us stopped to watch. Paying no mind to their stares and whispers, I loudly questioned him. "Your mother's eyes were cured because I asked Martha for help! The money for your examination fees was earned through my hard work as a courtesan! I had already stopped dancing, but I couldn't raise enough money for your bribes, so I went back to that life! Even the clothes you're wearing were bought with the money I earned as a courtesan! And now you say my background is unacceptable? Andrew, do you have any conscience?"

Andrew's face turned bright red. He looked at me with teary eyes but repeated, "I can't be with you." Then he fled, ignoring the onlookers' comments.

I was left standing there, facing their pity, sympathy, and ridicule. "Does she even know her place? A courtesan dreaming of becoming the wife of the top scholar." "She doesn't respect herself, yet she expects others to love her. What a fool."

The voices around me grew louder, and the world seemed to spin. I felt dizzy and eventually fainted. Before losing consciousness, I questioned how my life had come to this.