Xue Mianmian's expression grew even more desolate. "Father and Mother thought I couldn't handle the truth and ran away from home on a rainy night three years ago. Although they sent people to search for me over the years, they found nothing. They don't know that I've actually been locked up in Xue Ling's courtyard, separated by only a single wall from them."
"Did you ever try to save yourself?"
"Of course I tried!" Xue Mianmian's eyes reddened. "But Xue Ling threatened me with my former personal maids. He said if I dared to escape, he'd beat Chun'er and Dong'er to death! He accused me of stealing his life of luxury, saying I was just a servant who lived in wealth in his place for so many years by mistake. He said the rest of my life should be spent serving him as a slave to repay that debt."
