Chapter 11: Yuanyang Refuses Marriage
Глава 11: Юаньян Отказывается от Замужества
Yuanyang was Grandmother Jia's most trusted servant. She had served the old lady for many years and knew every detail of the household. She was honest, loyal, and had a strong sense of right and wrong. Everyone in the mansion respected her.
Юаньян была самой trusted servant Бабушки Цзя. Она служила пожилой женщине много лет и знала каждую деталь дома. Она была honest, loyal и имела strong sense of right and wrong. Все в особняке уважали её.
One day, the eldest son of the family, Jia She, decided that he wanted Yuanyang to be his concubine. He sent his wife to speak with Yuanyang, promising her fine clothes, good food, and a comfortable life. "This is a great honor," the wife told her. "You should be grateful."
Однажды старший сын семьи, Цзя Шэ, решил, что хочет Юаньян как свою concubine. Он послал свою жену поговорить с Юаньян, promising ей fine clothes, good food и comfortable life. «Это great honour», сказала ей жена. «Вы должны быть grateful.»
But Yuanyang had no desire to become a concubine. She valued her freedom and her dignity more than wealth and comfort. When she was pressed to accept, she made a bold decision. She went directly to Grandmother Jia, cut off a piece of her hair, and swore that she would never marry.
Но Юаньян не имела никакого желания становиться concubine. Она ценила свою freedom и dignity больше, чем wealth и comfort. Когда её pressured to accept, она сделала bold decision. Она пошла прямо к Бабушке Цзя, cut a lock of her hair и swore, что никогда не выйдет замуж.
"I would rather die than serve as a concubine," she declared, tears in her eyes. "I have served you faithfully all these years, and I wish to continue doing so. Please protect me from this fate." Grandmother Jia was deeply moved by Yuanyang's courage and anger at her eldest son.
«Я лучше умру, чем буду служить как concubine», заявила она, со слезами в глазах. «Я служила вам faithfully все эти годы, и я хочу продолжать делать это. Пожалуйста, защитите меня от этой судьбы.» Бабушка Цзя была глубоко moved courage Юаньян и angry на своего старшего сына.
The old lady refused to give Yuanyang away, and the matter was dropped. Yuanyang continued to serve Grandmother Jia with the same loyalty as before. Her brave act showed that even a servant could stand up for her rights and refuse to be treated as property.
Пожилая женщина refused to surrender Юаньян, и matter was dropped. Юаньян continued serving Бабушку Цзя с той же loyalty, что и прежде. Её brave act showed, что даже servant could defend her rights и refuse to be treated как property.