The General and the Ghost Writer Chapter 2

I got lucky.

The Madam heard I was strong and looked honest, so she assigned me to be the young miss's maid. I was taken to the miss's courtyard. Nanny Wen lectured me on rules the whole way. This time, she wasn't so fierce. "The Third Miss has been weak since birth. You need to be extra attentive."

"Everyone knows the Third Miss has a kind heart. Don't you dare take advantage of her kindness and act out."

"The Sterling family never lacks for food or clothing. Follow the miss properly, and you'll live a more decent life than even the daughters of wealthy merchants outside."

Back then, I was ignorant. I only remembered "work hard" and "no shortage of food or clothes."

"What is your name?" The young miss held my hand warmly.

I nervously clutched the corner of my shirt. "I... this servant is called Weed." The miss frowned slightly. "That's not a good name." She thought for a moment. "Do you have a wish?"

"This... this servant just wants to work hard for Miss and not worry about food or clothes," I stammered, accidentally repeating what Nanny Wen told me.

The miss chuckled softly.

"Let's call you Hope then."

"In this chaotic world, hoping for peace and safety is a good life."

From then on, Weed, whose life was as cheap as grass in the village, was gone. There was only Hope, the maid by the side of the Sterling family's Third Miss, Evelyn. Evelyn treated me well. She didn't make me kneel or bow constantly, didn't let me call myself "servant," and even taught me to read and write.

I waved my hands in panic. "The teacher said ignorance is a virtue for women. Reading is for men. Isn't it an insult for me to learn?" Evelyn spat in disgust. "Listen to their ghosts talk. Men and women are no different in this world. High status or low, it doesn't stop us from improving ourselves. Maid or miss, we are all just people. Never belittle yourself."

Under Evelyn's insistence, I became the only maid in the Sterling household who could read and write.

Everyone envied me. Occasionally, they'd ask me to write letters home for them.

But I never wrote home. My parents didn't want me, so I didn't want them either.

Evelyn always shared her delicious food with me. Soon, I grew as tall as her. Evelyn never disliked my strength or big appetite. She told me, "Being able to eat is a blessing. Strength is your talent."

Nanny Wen was right. Being with Evelyn was my blessing.

I grinned foolishly at her.

Evelyn suddenly asked me, "What do you want to do in the future?"

Future? It seemed like a distant word. I had never thought about it.

"I want to serve Miss forever." Thinking of my past and my current good life, this seemed like a good plan.

Evelyn lightly knocked my head. "I'm asking what your dream is?"

I insisted, "I just want to serve Miss." Evelyn still looked disapproving.

I didn't want to make her unhappy, so I started thinking about "dreams" and "future."

It seemed so far away from me.

At home, I hoped my parents would treat me just a little better. Not much, just half as well as they treated my sister and brother.

But when the famine came, they abandoned me without hesitation.

From then on, their future would not include me. And my future would no longer have their shadows. Evelyn treated me well. She fed me, clothed me, didn't mock me, and always encouraged and supported me.

I wanted to protect Evelyn forever.

Couldn't that count as a dream?

I suddenly remembered reading in a book that generals could protect their families and defend the country. Defending the country should include protecting Evelyn.

I told her, "I want to be a general." But could a woman really be a general?

Evelyn didn't think I was delusional. Hearing my words, she hired a master to teach me martial arts. She said, "Since you have such ambition, you cannot bury your talent."

Wearing the training clothes Evelyn had the tailor make specially for me, I felt a bit awkward.

But Evelyn held my hands, looking me over with satisfaction. "Not bad, you look the part. I really look forward to seeing our Hope in full armor."

To live up to her expectations, I trained even harder. Even the master praised me as a natural martial artist.

In her spare time, Evelyn would personally teach me military strategy.