(Sansukini: Last time, I wrongly posted Chapter 56 before Chapter 55. Did you notice it or did you skip Chapter 55? I really am getting older and forgetful these days.)
After seeing off Wei Shi and returning to the west wing, Liu Yu fell into contemplation, looking at the box of silver.
A few days ago, Wei Shi took her to visit every family in the clan. Due to her resemblance to her grandmother, she heard the elders in the clan mentioning her grandmother frequently during those days. It was only then that Liu Yu learned that their family had moved back to Yangshan Village in her grandmother’s generation.
Yangshan Village was the hometown home of her grandfather, but her grandmother was not originally from Yuanzhou. After the death of her grandfather, the young grandmother, along with her father, uncle, and aunt (who was still a maid at the time), returned to Yangshan Village. Her grandfather’s ancestral house had long disappeared, so they bought land and settled down in Yangshan Village after some management.
The current two-entry courtyard they lived in was built at that time. When the Liu family first returned, they did have some wealth, but after buying land and settling, there was considerable expenditure. Today, apart from this house, the Liu family was not much different from ordinary farming families. Liu Yu’s second and third brothers worked in farming with Wei Shi. If it weren’t for the eldest cousin working as a constable in the county yamen, the family would not be financially stable.
Eighty taels of silver could make the Liu family risk the danger of being criticized and heartlessly sell her. Forty taels, for a farming family, was undoubtedly a significant amount. However, Wei Shi gave it to her so easily.
Liu Yu understood clearly that when her father had his accident, they hadn’t separated from her grandmother’s family yet. This money might have been from her father, perhaps from selling game that hadn’t been handed over to her grandmother yet. If she accepted it, she would feel guilty.
Liu Yu was lost in her thoughts when the door to the west wing was knocked. She turned her head to see Liu Yanping outside with a bright smile, “Yu’er, take a look at what I’ve got for you.”
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Liu Yanan’s face changed, looking at Liu Yanping with a gesture that seemed to say, “You’re in trouble now.”
Liu Yanping remained composed on the surface. Unsure if Liu Yu would be afraid of the rabbit, he handed it to Liu Yanan and headed towards the main hall.
Seeing that something was amiss, Liu Yu quickly followed suit.
As Liu Yanping walked into the main hall, Wei Shi was already waiting. He greeted her with a “Mother,” but Wei Shi cut him off, asking, “Do you remember the family rules of our Liu family?”
Liu Yu rarely saw her Aunt with such a stern face, so she looked at Liu Yanan in confusion. Meanwhile, Liu Yanping had already provided the answer, “No hunting without permission, and no venturing into the mountains.”
After giving the answer, Liu Yanping quickly defended himself, “Mother, I didn’t go into the mountains. This rabbit was caught by Liu Datian. I found the baby rabbit cute and asked him to give me one to bring home for my sister to raise as a pet. If you don’t believe me, go to Liu Datian’s house and check.”
Wei Shi was suspicious, “Are you sure you didn’t go into the mountains yourself?”
Liu Yanping’s tone was resolute, “Really, it wasn’t me. I wouldn’t dare to violate the family rules you and grandmother established.”
Wei Shi’s expression softened slightly. She glanced at the small rabbit in Liu Yanan’s hands and said, “Alright, let’s have lunch. There’s food on the stove for you.”
Then she asked Liu Yu, “Does Yu’er like raising this?”
Girls naturally love fluffy things, and it was the first time Liu Yu had received such a gift. She nodded immediately.
Wei Shi, willing to indulge her niece, smiled when she heard Liu Yu’s answer. She instructed her younger son, “Then, Yanan, make a cage for it.”
Liu Yanan agreed and found a small basket to put the rabbit in. He then began gathering materials to make a cage. Liu Yu was about to fetch water for Liu Yanping, but he insisted on doing it himself with a playful warning, “I’m covered in mud; don’t let it splash on you.”
However, Liu Yu didn’t leave. After Wei Shi went back to her room, she quietly asked Liu Yanping, “Second Brother, did Aunt not allow you to go into the mountains because of the hunting incident with my father and uncle?”
Liu Yanping nodded and whispered to Liu Yu, “Our family rules, the prohibition on hunting, were established by our grandmother in the past. After the incident in our family, with the passing of dad, second uncle, and grandmother, it was only after mom took care of grandmother’s affairs that the rule against hunting was added.”
Liu Yu asked, “And why the prohibition on joining the military?”
Liu Yanping shook his head, “I don’t know either. Even when our eldest brother joined the constabulary at the county yamen, it was initially to find you faster. Mom might not have agreed to him being a constable initially. Over the past few years, he used his connections at the county yamen to inquire about you and your mom several times. It was me and Yanan who went to verify the information. However, each time, we found out it wasn’t you.”
He recounted the efforts made by the two brothers in searching for her, making Liu Yu realize the considerable effort and money spent by her family in finding her. She felt touched and didn’t know how to repay them. A simple “thank you” seemed inadequate, and for the first time, she felt at a loss for words.
As for Liu Yanping, after wiping his hands and seeing her touched expression, he couldn’t resist. He reached up and patted Liu Yu’s head, actually just gently rubbing it a couple of times. It softened his heart, and he pretended to casually withdraw his hand, showing a calm older-brother demeanor, “Look at the rabbit.”
In reality, his hand behind his back trembled slightly, feeling fortunate to have such a happy little sister.
Liu Yu looked at the rabbit placed in the corridor of the west wing and then glanced at the embroidery inside the house. Suddenly, she had an idea. She made a purse for her second and third brothers, and well, she couldn’t forget the eldest brother’s either.
With something to do, she temporarily put aside thoughts of the forty taels of silver. She locked it in the wardrobe and started choosing fabrics and patterns, getting busy with her hands.
~
At the same time, the one she had in mind, Liu Yanqing, was leading two assistants in Changfeng Town, conducting investigations. A urgent order from Hongdu Prefecture was issued to the surrounding states and counties to search for a seven-year-old abducted boy with a red mole behind his ear. Although they didn’t know which family had lost the child, the order had been swiftly transmitted from Hongdu Prefecture to various counties. The county officials had mobilized their forces, and a thorough search had been ongoing for several days, indicating that the missing child was no ordinary person.
Liu Yanqing and his team were assigned to investigate in Changfeng Town, and this was already his fourth day conducting house-to-house searches. Today’s search wasn’t in any other area but the village where the Lin family, his mother’s side, was located. Three constables from the county yamen arrived, going door-to-door to inquire, and nobody was clear on whom they were looking for. All they knew was that they were searching for someone who had been sold.
Liu Erlang and Lin Shi, along with their child, were about to return to Liujiacun. After glancing at the commotion, they started their journey back. Upon their return to the village, the atmosphere was lively. The villagers greeted the family of four with more enthusiasm than ever before.
“Erlang, Lin Shi, why are you only just returning? Something big has happened in your family!”
Liu Erlang and Lin Shi were confused, and a villager explained, “Don’t you know? Your family’s Liu Yu has been sold by your father and the Dalang couple!”
Liu Erlang’s expression changed, “What are you saying? Who has been sold?”
The person speaking enjoyed the commotion, “It’s Yu’er! Your father insisted she was abducted and sold. Coincidentally, both your second and third households were sent away that day. I suspect the eldest household sold her and kept all the money. You should hurry back and check.”
Upon hearing that someone named Liu Yu from his family had been sold, Liu Erlang’s face turned grim. Lin Shi, on the other hand, heard about the eldest household keeping the money and was equally upset. The husband and wife turned and rushed back home.
Lin Shi was a strong-willed woman, but in recent years, she had been suppressed because she has not given birth to a son. Now given a reason to erupt, would she calm down? It turned into quite a spectacle in Liujiacun that day.
Of course, this had nothing to do with Liu Yu. On the same day, two more people arrived in Liujiacun. One was Mr. Li, who had inquired about the Liu family earlier. He had been waiting at the embroidery shop but hadn’t received any news from Liu Yu. Worried after hearing about her situation from Liu Yu before, he had come to the village to inquire.
The other person was coincidentally Chen Huaihua, the sister of Chen Ma, who worked at the Chen family in town.
It wasn’t a family visit. Chen Sheng, upon learning about Liu Yu being saved by Lu Chengxiao and seeing Lu Chengxiao’s dry clothes, couldn’t help but imagine the scene of Lu Chengxiao rescuing someone from the water. The two found a secluded place to dry their clothes, and his mind raced. Perhaps Lu Chengxiao held and even kissed Liu Yu. Maybe he saw it or not; after returning home in a daze, Chen Sheng locked himself in his room and suffered for several days.
Madam Chen thought the matter ended there. However, after Chen Sheng’s two days of suffering, he unexpectedly began to miss Liu Yu again. Madam Chen had already been keeping an eye on the Lu family after hearing about Lin Jiuniang’s whereabouts. She first saw Lin Jiuniang around and then went to Liujiacun. She thought the Lu family was going to marry that poor girl.
Madam Chen was delighted, thinking that Chen Shi (Lu Chengxiao’s mom) came from a poor background and had a humble demeanor. Among the three daughters-in-law1She’s counting 3 because she’s counting Liu Yu as one of the daughters-in-law, except for the second son’s wife, the other two were not up to standard. She was pleased that someone else had helped solve her big problem. As long as Liu Yu’s marriage was settled, her son’s infatuation would be gone.
However, her joy only lasted for an hour or two. She realized that the father and son of the Lu family had left Changfeng Town for several days and hadn’t returned. Lin Jiuniang also stopped frequenting the Lu family and Liujiacun.
So, did the matter go through or not?
Seeing her son once again showing interest, Madam Chen couldn’t wait. She immediately instructed Chen Ma to inquire with her sister, Chen Huaihua.
As soon as Chen Ma arrived at Liujiacun, she encountered the commotion caused by Lin Shi’s return.
After gathering information, she went back to report to Madam Chen. When she heard that Liu Yu had been sold, Madam Chen couldn’t contain her joy. Forgetting her usual pretenses, she burst into laughter on the spot. Once she realized Chen Ma was still there, she quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and dismissed her.
On the other side, Cui Erniang was also worried about Liu Yu. When she first heard from Mr. Li that he intended to inquire about the Liu family, she asked him to inform her once he had detailed information. While Chen Ma was responding to Madam Chen, Mr. Li also brought the news to the embroidery shop.
Upon learning that Liu Yu had been sold by her family, Cui Erniang was stunned. Her knees went weak, and she sat down on the chair behind her. Thinking about how Liu Yu had contemplated escaping a few days ago but ultimately didn’t make it, her eyes welled up with tears.
Mr. Li also felt a sense of self-blame, “I should have helped Miss Liu at that time. I hesitated, and now… sigh.”
In Changfeng Town, there were people with good intentions, malicious intentions, and those acting for personal gain, but everyone was talking about Liu Yu. Some were reveling in her misfortune, others were causing chaos, and some were genuinely lamenting.
Meanwhile, in Anyi County, the siblings from the Li family were having a discussion, and the topic was Liu Yu.
The conversation traced back to the morning when Li Zhongjue parted ways with Lu Chengxiao. They had agreed to meet at Lufeng Cloth Store later in the evening. As the day approached dusk and the sky darkened, Li Zhongjue and his sister were supposed to head to Lufeng Cloth Store.
Before leaving, Li Yunbi was meticulously dressing up. Li Zhongjue, observing her little thoughts, felt a headache. While packing the fabrics he dyed to show Lu Chengxiao, he discreetly spoke to Li Yunbi, “We’ve been out for a few days. It’s not good to disturb Uncle Lu’s family too much. I’ll take these fabrics to Chengxiao later, and we’ll meet tonight. We’ll leave for home early tomorrow.”
While still placing hairpins on her head, Li Yunbi’s movements paused. She turned to Li Zhongjue and said, “Brother Lu just returned, why are we leaving tomorrow? Can’t we stay a few more days?”
Li Zhongjue and Lu Chengxiao had always been close. If it were only him, he would indeed want to stay a few more days. However, considering that he was with Li Yunbi and recalling the scene he witnessed this morning on the street, Li Zhongjue didn’t dare to stay longer. He replied, “No, the Lu family is probably busy with the marriage proposal these days. If we stay, they’ll have to go out of their way to entertain us, which is not appropriate.”
Upon hearing that Chengxiao was proposing marriage, Li Yunbi’s eyes immediately turned red. Li Zhongjue, who had resigned himself to not seeing that scene, sighed and said, “Yunbi, Chengxiao has someone he likes. You… should let go of your feelings.”
Li Yunbi’s tear drops fell, and she quickly wiped them away with a handkerchief. Biting her lip for a while, she said, “Second Brother, the girl’s family could sell her. A family like that, how can they be worthy of Third Brother Lu?”
Li Zhongjue’s hands paused, and his expression gradually turned serious. “Yunbi, whether that girl is worthy of Chengxiao is something Chengxiao himself and Uncle Lu need to consider. It’s not something you should worry about.”
Li Yunbi’s tears fell again. She was unwilling to accept it. Looking at Li Zhongjue, she said, “Then, what if I ask our parents to help me with the marriage proposal?”
Li Zhongjue’s face darkened. “Is it proper for a girl to say such things? Seeking a proposal is usually done by the groom’s family. Besides, Chengxiao is already in the process of arranging a marriage.”
He spoke sternly, and Li Yunbi’s tears flowed even more heavily. She cried, “I just can’t accept it. I’ve liked him for so long.”
“If you like Chengxiao, does Chengxiao have to like you in return?” Li Zhongjue was extremely troubled. Putting aside the fabrics in his hands, he patted Li Yunbi on the shoulder and said, “Yunbi, our parents didn’t teach you to behave like this. Tonight, you don’t need to accompany me to the cloth store. I’ll have Uncle Liu send food over for you. Stay in your room and calm down. Tomorrow morning, we’ll return to Yuanzhou.”
Upon hearing this, Li Yunbi didn’t know if she felt embarrassed or sad, or perhaps both.
There was a knock on the door. Li Zhongjue looked over, immediately patted Li Yunbi, and whispered: “Enough, it’s probably someone from the Lu family. Don’t cry anymore.” Li Zhongjue comforted her in a low voice.
Li Yunbi indeed stopped crying. Holding a handkerchief, she turned her back to the door to wipe away her tears. Seeing her turn away, Li Zhongjue stood up, went out, and opened the door.
The visitor was Lu Chengzhang 2second brother Lu. When he saw that Li Zhongjue opened the door, he smiled and said, “Brother Zhongjue, my father asked me to invite you and Sister Yunbi for dinner tonight. Chengxiao is up as well, so it’s a good opportunity for us to have a chat.”
Li Zhongjue smiled and replied, “I was just about to go. However, Yunbi hasn’t been feeling well this afternoon and has rested. I’ll accompany you over.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chengzhang glanced into the room. He said, “In that case, let’s not disturb Sister Yunbi’s rest. We’ll go together.”
Saying that, he invited Li Zhongjue to go first.
Li Zhongjue closed the door and quietly instructed the servant Liu Shu for a few moments before following Lu Chengzhang.
Walking behind him, Lu Chengzhang’s gaze subtly swept towards the suite where the Li siblings stayed as they descended the stairs.
Sansukini: So many same names. Honestly! They are all called Mrs. Chen (Cheng Sheng’s Mom, Lu Chengxiao’s mom and Chen Ma)
The Unwilling one is Li Yunbi. She’s not going to give up easily.
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I hope the brother stays sober and not get muddled headed to help out his sister forcefully win Lu Chengxiao. Thanks for the chapter.
I hope our ML can deal with her himself. It shouldn’t be Yu’er responsibility.
Thanks for the chapter!!!
She won’t bother Yu’er, but she’s also a schemer, just a more naive one.
There are some parts of the chapter being repeated.
I fixed it already. Thanks for noticing.
Thank you for this chapter!