(TN: Long Chapter ahead but I decided not to cut it so as not to delay your reading pleasure.)
Liu Sanlang drove the ox-cart straight to the village doctor’s house. With Wang Shi on one side and Liu Sanlang on the other, they helped Wen Shi inside. Wen Shi had pretended to be sick; she didn’t really need to see the village doctor. Seeing that Wang Shi was still accompanying her, Wen Shi took advantage of the approaching lunchtime to ask Wang Shi to go back home and prepare lunch.
Wang Shi, worried about Wen Shi, reluctantly left after hearing Wen Shi reassure her that Liu Sanlang was there. Liu Yan was not interested in staying at the village doctor’s house, especially since they couldn’t go to Bofeng Temple anymore. Instead, she slipped away to play with her friends.
As the old ox licks its calf, birds also tend to their chicks1(lǎo niú shì dú, niǎo jìn qí yí)parents instinctively nurture/take care of their offsprings.
Watching Wang Shi’s figure heading home, Wen Shi thought that no matter how much Wang Shi’s obey to Liu Kangsheng, she should be able to stand up to him regarding the fate of her own daughter. Wen Shi felt assured. In her heart, she murmured, “Yu’er, third sister-in-law can only help you this much.”
As for her and Liu Sanlang, there was no way they could go back now. In the future, they would have to make a living under Liu Kangsheng’s control. Even if they thought about splitting from the family later on, the method and timing of the separation would all depend on Liu Kangsheng’s decision. Wen Shi dared not sow discord in his heart.
~
By the time Wen Shi turned back, Wang Shi, and the others had already left.
The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.
Tsolhla, Nkw Zw bye yzalyeu osjld wr clqsal Eydt Fbk’p elryavwal.
Jwv obld pbl qkapv osjl wr, bla lulzkep qlzv zkjl vblu olal qkzzle okvb zlye, blyhu yde ekqqknwzv vs srld. Tla nsdpnkswpdlpp oypd’v hlau nzlya, yde pbl pllxle kxxlaple kd y easopu pvyvl, wdyczl vs qwzzu yoyjld.
Rd bla xkde, vblal oyp y hytwl vbswtbv watkdt bla vs oyjl wr iwknjzu. Mbkp vbswtbv oyp kdvlaxkvvldv, sqvld kdvlaawrvle cu vbl easopkdlpp, cwv kv rlapkpvldvzu jlrv Nkw Zw yzlav.
Fbl pvawttzle, qkdyzzu zkqvkdt bla blyhu lulzkep y ckv yv y vkxl. Gp y ckv sq zktbv ldvlale bla lulp, vbl blyhu easopkdlpp alnlele y zkvvzl, yde pbl tayewyzzu clnyxl xsal yoyal.
Ohld ps, bla vbswtbvp alxykdle lmvalxlzu pzwttkpb.
Ebld Nkw Zw qkapv srldle bla lulp, vblal oyp y xsxldv sq nsdqwpksd. Rv vssj y obkzl qsa bla vs tayewyzzu alnyzz alnldv lhldvp. Fbl oyp pvyavzle yde vakle vs pkv wr, sdzu vs qkde vbyv bla cseu oyp olyj, yde pbl nswzed’v xwpvla vbl pvaldtvb vs lhld xshl y qkdtla.
Wsa iwkvl y obkzl, Nkw Zw qktwale swv bla pkvwyvksd. Tla bydep yde qllv olal cswde, yde pbl oyp vbasod kdvs y nsadla okvb y nzsvb tyttkdt bla xswvb.
Mbl sdzu alzklq qsa Nkw Zw oyp alyzkgkdt vbyv pbl oyp pvkzz kd vbl bswpl sq Nkw Iydtpbldt yde Eydt Fbk; pbl byed’v clld vyjld swv sq vbl Nkw qyxkzu ulv.
She tried to stay as calm as possible. Liu Kangsheng and Dalang and his wife had blatantly taken action during the daytime. Without a doubt, everyone in the house must have been sent away. Making a commotion now to seek help would only lead to tighter surveillance from the likes of Wu Shi and others.
She remained silent, not making any noise, conserving energy to feel for the knots on her wrists.
In her past life, Zhou Yapo2the slave trader hadn’t even reached the boundaries of Anyi County at this time. In this life, Liu Kangsheng acted six or seven days earlier. The only possibility was that she had made Liu Kangsheng or the Dalang couple uneasy. Thinking of her absence at home last night and the sudden appearance of Liu Dalang at home this morning, Liu Yu was more inclined to believe that the couple was uneasy.
A few days ago, this couple was still worried about a price difference of twenty taels, reluctant to sell her to another Yapo, insisting on waiting for Zhou Yapo. Twenty taels were not a small amount. Greedy people like them, who were extremely greedy for money, wouldn’t just stop being greedy in two days. So, why would they tie her up so early?
Could the second and third households, including Wang Shi, all be sent away for six or seven days?
That was impossible. Especially with Wen Shi’s large belly, how could she easily go out at this time?
As Liu Yu’s thoughts shifted, she had a rough idea. It was likely that she would be moved soon. As for where she would be placed, after a little thought, she guessed the approximate location. It was probably the residence of Wu Shi’s elder brother who had always been scheming behind the scenes. Liu Yu had heard that this elder brother had a residence in the county.
She shifted her wrists, maneuvering her fingertips to reach the knots.
She repeated this action countless times from Yuanzhou to Yangzhou in her past life. It became a skill she hadn’t used since witnessing a fleeing girl being cruelly violated by the man accompanying Zhou Yapo’s group in front of them, only to be sold into the lowest-ranked brothel street. After Zhou Yapo carefully showed them the sights of the brothel street, the skill Liu Yu had long abandoned became her only hope for self-rescue.
The ropes were tied tightly. Liu Yu’s wrists were sore, and she could barely let her fingertips touch the hemp rope. She carefully felt around, attempting to replicate the technique of untying the knot over and over again in her mind.
Suddenly, there was a knocking sound on the door outside. Liu Yu paused, listened attentively, and heard Wang Shi’s puzzled voice, “Who bolted the door?”
Then came another series of knocks.
It was Wang Shi!
Hearing her voice, Liu Yu thought that in this life, Wang Shi was unknowingly sent away so she must not have known anything. Liu Yu felt her heart pounding.
Although she had been sold by Wang Shi once before, at this moment, an uncontrollable hope arose in her heart. She hoped that Wang Shi would choose her this time, like any ordinary, common, and resilient mother in the world, standing up for her, protecting her just once.
As this thought emerged, another one sprang forth almost ferociously—did you forget the past life? Wang Shi was also a culprit; she sold you with her own hands! You expect a culprit to save you?
However, no matter how it roared, that trace of indulgent hope, originating from blood ties, had firmly taken root in Liu Yu’s heart, entwining and intertwining with the furious howling and screaming part of her, locked in a fierce struggle.
In the midst of a profound shock, Liu Yu turned her head towards the direction of the courtyard gate. Separated by a mud wall, she couldn’t see anything, yet her gaze seemed to pierce through the void, reaching the mother and daughter from another life.
The hands bound behind her had unknowingly clenched into fists at some point, fingertips trembling. No, her whole body was shaking imperceptibly! Liu Yu finally understood that in both lifetimes, she had yearned for one truth, and today, right now, this truth would finally be revealed before her.
This time, she had to remain sober, watching how Wang Shi, whose blood is flowing in her veins, would make her choice, and what that choice would be.
~
Someone else whose heart was pounding was Wu Shi, waiting in the courtyard. Originally waiting for her elder brother to come to their aid, she thought the knocking was him arriving. However, it turned out to be Wang Shi, who should have been on her way to Baofeng Temple. Wu Shi, who was leisurely sitting on a stool, daydreaming, was startled to her feet.
She subconsciously looked towards the direction of the courtyard gate, then sought help from Liu Dalang and Liu Kangsheng.
In an instant, Liu Dalang’s back straightened, and his whole body tensed up.
Since he had the idea of selling Liu Yu, he had never been afraid of Wang Shi because he knew that Liu Kangsheng would be there to support him. As long as his father favored him, he had nothing to fear from Wang Shi, the stepmother. Even he and Wu Shi could cleanly distance themselves from this matter.
But now, Wang Shi had caught them red-handed. He was no longer fearless against this stepmother. At this moment, a sense of timidity arose within him. If Wang Shi caused a scene, their husband and wife would lose all reputation in Liujiacun.
Liu Dalang still cared about his face despite his mischief hidden deep inside. This was something he shared with Liu Kangsheng.
The couple both looked towards Liu Kangsheng, seeking guidance.
Liu Kangsheng’s face turned extremely ugly. He had planned everything perfectly. As long as they could get through this day, when Wang Shi, along with the other two wives, returned home and asked about Liu Yu, he could simply say that she had gone to town and never returned. Even if they searched for her overnight, they couldn’t find her.
Human trafficking wasn’t something rare; every year, there were a couple of cases. Considering Liu Yu’s appearance, blaming it on a trafficker would be enough to divert attention. Everyone in the village knew that Liu Yu had been running to town every day recently. Even if someone talked about it, it would be seen as her own misfortune for getting involved in trouble.
As for Wang Shi, Second Wife, and Third Wife, even if they had suspicions, as long as there was no evidence, their suspicions would be useless forever.
He had calculated everything perfectly, but unfortunately, Wang Shi returned at this crucial moment. Moreover, if Wang Shi came back, what about his third son and his daughter-in-law? Did they return together as well?
Liu Kangsheng felt a headache coming on!
He held the dry tobacco stick tightly in his hand, asking his eldest son in a hushed voice, “When will Wu Jin arrive?”
Wu Jin was indeed the elder brother of Wu Shi.
Liu Dalang’s calf was trembling a bit as he replied, “He said he’d arrive around noon.”
Liu Kangsheng glanced towards the east room, where Liu Dalang and his wife lived. With just one look, Liu Dalang’s heart trembled. He shook his head repeatedly.
Liu Yu was tied up in his room. If this matter got exposed, his reputation would be completely ruined.
Selling a daughter was one thing, but a stepbrother selling his stepsister— that wouldn’t be acceptable. It would be impossible to explain away.
Liu Kangsheng clearly thought about this too. With Wang Shi still banging on the door outside, he gritted his teeth and said, “You and your wife go back to your room.”
Liu Dalang knew that his father would take care of this matter and somehow resolve it. He sighed and signaled to Wu Shi, and the couple stealthily returned to their east room, firmly closing the door.
Wang Shi’s brows were already tightly knitted. Just as Wang Shi was about to shout again, the courtyard door was pulled open from the inside.
To her surprise, the one opening the door was Liu Kangsheng. She asked, “What’s going on? I’ve been knocking on this door for half a day. Why are you the one opening it? Where’s Wu Shi?”
As she spoke, she looked around, attempting to find the figures of Wu Shi and Liu Dalang.
Liu Kangsheng, without showing any emotion, surveyed Wang Shi. Only when he saw that she was alone did he breathe a sigh of relief and said, “They’re not here. Weren’t you supposed to accompany Third Daughter-in-law to Bao Feng Temple? Why did you come back now?”
Wang Shi didn’t notice any unusual expression on Liu Kangsheng’s face and replied, “On the way, the third daughter-in-law felt abdominal pain, possibly related to childbirth, so we hurried back. She’s currently at Dr. Liu’s house.”
“What!” Liu Kangsheng was suddenly alarmed, his complexion changing drastically. “What did Dr. Liu say?”
“I didn’t hear anything. On the way back, the third daughter-in-law’s abdominal pain subsided, so it should be fine. We’re just checking her pulse for peace of mind. I came back first to prepare some food, and I’ll also pick up some eggs to take to Dr. Liu’s house.”
In rural areas, when seeking medical treatment, if there were medicine costs, they would pay for the medicine, and the consultation fees could often be offset with eggs, rice, or other items from home. Wang Shi was also concerned about Wen Shi’s condition. As she spoke, she quickly headed towards the main house.
Liu Kangsheng was only anxious about Wen Shi’s situation, and in this moment of distraction, Wang Shi had already stepped past him several steps. Not wanting Wang Shi to see Liu Yu, who was bound in the room, he hastily shouted, “Come back!”
Wang Shi suddenly halted her steps, looking at Liu Kangsheng inexplicably. “What’s wrong? I’m going inside to get a few eggs and then head to Dr. Liu’s place.”
In rural households, if they could avoid spending money, they would. Liu Kangsheng’s mind worked quickly, and by now, he had a plan. With a stern face, he scolded, “Stupid! Is Dr. Liu’s family waiting for your eggs to cook today’s lunch? Instead of worrying about those miscellaneous eggs, you should be concerned about the third daughter-in-law’s belly. Hurry up! Go back to Dr. Liu’s house now. Inquire about the condition of the third daughter-in-law and the child in her belly. If anything happens to my grandson, I won’t spare you!”
Wang Shi was left stunned by the scolding. Having just returned home, she was scolded out of the blue, and the first words were calling her stupid. Her lips trembled, feeling both wronged and embarrassed. She wanted to retort, but surprisingly, as she tried to recall, it seemed like he hadn’t scolded her wrongly at all.
She stood there, her hands and lips shaking. Ultimately, she didn’t dare to say a word back. Turning around, she prepared to return to Dr. Liu’s house to check on Wen Shi.
Liu Kangsheng breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Liu Dalang and Wu Shi, peering out through the door gap, also breathed sighs of relief. It was precisely at this moment that a muffled sound rang out from the main house!
Wang Shi suddenly looked over, and her eyes widened. As she thought about the empty house, the closed courtyard gate during the broad daylight, and the lack of response when she had been knocking on the door earlier, a string of thoughts exploded in her mind.
Even the scolding she received from Liu Kangsheng as soon as she entered the house and being stopped by him when she attempted to enter, urgently being sent to Dr. Liu’s house, all transformed into a sinister plot in Wang Shi’s mind. She abruptly turned to look at Liu Kangsheng and noticed a momentary change in his expression. Wang Shi instantly affirmed all her suspicions.
Liu Kangsheng had a guilty conscience, especially when it came to secret affairs!
She swiftly entered the main hall like a gust of wind, rushing into her own bedroom. The door was pushed open with a thud, and even though Liu Kangsheng tried to follow, he couldn’t stop her.
The door slammed against the wall, emitting a dull and heavy sound. With her mind filled with thoughts of catching an affair, Wang Shi, charging in, only saw Liu Yu bound and gagged on a chair in the room. She faced Liu Yu’s tearful eyes.
As if thunder had struck her directly on the top of her head, Wang Shi was dumbstruck, standing there in a daze. Her eyes stared, and she forgot to blink or even breathe.
It was Liu Yu. This was her room. But why was her daughter tied up in such a manner?
After the initial shock, a nearly desperate cry escaped her lips, “Yu’er!”
Wang Shi’s entire body tensed, and she rushed into the room, heading straight for the bound Liu Yu. Almost like muffled thunder, she was struck dumb, staring blankly. After a moment of shock, a near-piercing scream followed, “Yu’er!”
Wang Shi’s hair stood on end, and she practically threw herself into the room, reaching out for the bound Liu Yu.
At this moment, Wang Shi, in her care and in her pain rushing towards Liu Yu, displayed a genuine and ordinary mother’s reaction. In this moment, Liu Yu believed that Wang Shi loved her.
Before this maternal love could get close, Liu Kangsheng’s hand reached from behind, grabbing Wang Shi. He also covered Wang Shi’s mouth before the wailing could start. With a dark and stern expression, he pulled Wang Shi, saying, “Come with me!”
Liu Yu stared at Wang Shi being dragged away by Liu Kangsheng, struggling and kicking him as they tangled their way out of this temporary prison.
She knew the moment had come for Wang Shi to make a real choice.
It’s not that Wang Shi does not love her; she just does not always love her.
Sometimes, Liu Yu could see vague hatred, fear, and a complex mix of emotions in Wang Shi’s eyes, though these moments were rare. However, she remembered them all.
She couldn’t understand, and never did, how a mother could have such complicated and indecipherable feelings towards her own child.
But if she wasn’t Wang Shi’s biological daughter, she didn’t seem like anything else either.
In this moment, if facing someone you’re afraid of, like Wang Shi is afraid of Liu Kangsheng, but she still dare to kick, bite, and scratch Liu Kangsheng, she might only hurt him a little, but in the bigger picture, she still protected Liu Yu.
Liu Yu closed her eyes quietly, waiting in silence for the puzzle to be revealed.
~
In the kitchen of the Liu family, Liu Kangsheng held Wang Shi, who seemed almost insane, and scolded in a suppressed voice, “Have you gone crazy enough? Think clearly. Do you want to send her away, or do you want to die?”
“I don’t want to harm her. I just want to send her far away. Far, far away. Find someone reliable, spend as little silver as possible. As long as they can find her a good family, whether it’s to the south, north, east, or west, just not here. Do you understand? That face of hers, if it stays here, it will eventually bring disaster to our family.”
Wang Shi’s struggles gradually weakened. Her hands trembled, her face quivered, and tears blurred her vision. “I wouldn’t let her go. It’s you who made her learn embroidery. You insisted on it. From today, I won’t let her learn anymore. She will stay at home just like before. I’ll sell the embroidered items myself. In another two years, I’ll find her a husband within Liujiacun or in a more remote village.”
Liu Kangsheng coldly snorted, “Do you think you can keep it under wraps? Walking around town this past days, are you sure no one has taken an interest in her?”
Wang Shi was on the verge of collapse. “I won’t agree. If you don’t agree, it won’t matter if someone is interested!”
“Naive!” Liu Kangsheng’s voice raised and then immediately lowered. “Think about it. She’s not your only daughter. You still have Yan’er. The Liu family has a whole bunch. Yourself… hm, you know it in your heart.”
“Daughters grow up and get married. I’m just arranging for Liu Yu to marry further away. Find a wealthy family, let her be a concubine. Her life will be better than ours. I’m not letting her suffer. With her good looks, even if she becomes a servant, she’ll have a promising future. Letting her go is for our peace of mind, so you can sleep peacefully in the future.”
Wang Shi’s lips trembled, tears continued to flow, but she no longer exhibited the madness from earlier.
Liu Kangsheng took advantage of the situation and softened his tone. “In the future, rely on your eldest son, second son, third son, and Bao’er. You still have Yan’er. Consider this for yourself, Yan’er, and our entire family.”
When it came to Liu Yan, Wang Shi’s eyelids finally twitched, and then, with an almost desperate fierceness, she stared at Liu Kangsheng. “Swear that you really sold her to a wealthy family as a legitimate concubine.”
Liu Kangsheng’s eyelids twitched, and then, without hesitation, he raised his hand and held up three fingers. “I swear, I will indeed ask Zhou Ya Po to sell Liu Yu to a wealthy family as either a maid or a concubine.”
Wang Shi stared at him with determination, and a hint of a bloody taste emerged in her cheek as she bit down. “Go on. If you break your promise, I’ll make sure Liu Kangsheng’s lineage ends!” She had another sentence on the tip of her tongue about giving birth to slaves and daughters becoming prostitutes, but thinking of Liu Yan, she swallowed it back.
These malicious words made Liu Kangsheng shiver involuntarily. He resented Wang Shi’s apparent meekness over the years. Determined, he said through gritted teeth under Wang Shi’s intense gaze, “If I break my promise, let Liu Kangsheng’s lineage end.”
Wang Shi collapsed, then covered her face and burst into tears.
Liu Kangsheng anxiously covered her mouth. “Why cry? Afraid no one will know? Let me tell you, our family’s reputation cannot be tainted by selling our daughter. Liu Yu wasn’t sold; she got lost herself.”
~
Wang Shi returned to the main room as if she lost her soul. Facing Liu Yu’s red eyes filled with despair, Wang Shi’s choice was already evident. She had been abandoned once again.
Sansukini: Translating this chapter, I really felt so sorry for Liu Yu for hoping that her mother would help her this time. It’s so heartbreaking. Don’t worry, the mystery about her face will be revealed in a few more chapters.
Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)
You can also check out my other translations Here
Thank you for this chapter!