Chapter 4: The Liu Family

Chapter 4: The Liu Family

Compared to the beauty of Fu'an Street, the Liu residence was dilapidated and in ruins.

Liu Ming’s father had committed suicide in prison, and now Liu Ming was the only male left in the Liu family.

Liu Ming’s grandmother and mother were both at home.

However, Liu Ming’s younger sister had been sent to a music house and entered into the music registry.

The Liu family had once possessed some wealth. His grandmother and mother were elderly and naturally could not be entered into the music registry, and Liu Ming, being the only male, could not be either.

Thus, only Liu Ming’s younger sister had been registered.

The crime Liu’s father had committed was not severe, and since he had died by his own hand, the punishment inflicted upon the Liu family was not heavy. However, it was now nearly impossible for Liu Ming to sit for the imperial examinations and attain an official rank.

Liu Ming’s face was cold; he knew Hanzhi had not come with good intentions.

"Madam Gu, my feelings for Yunzhu are witnessed by heaven and earth; they are not something that can be obstructed by mere worldly wealth."

"Young Master Liu, I admire your talent, but it is a pity about your background.

This silver is not meant to hinder the affection between you and my third sister. I hope you can use it to redeem your sister’s status, and use the remainder to pull some strings. If you can place high in the examinations, I believe Mother will no longer obstruct your relationship with Yunzhu.

In the past, the Great General could endure the humiliation of crawling between another man's legs. Young Master Liu, you carry a heavy burden. Do you not wish to clear your father’s name? The crime clearly did not warrant death, so why did he commit suicide? I believe you have thought about the key to this mystery far more than a woman like me ever could.

I am merely the daughter of a merchant; being able to enter this Marquis’s mansion is already my greatest blessing. But it is precisely because of my background that life in the mansion is so difficult for me. Even the servants in the house despise the smell of copper on me. Although I think highly of you, Young Master, all matters in this house are decided by the Eldest Master and Mother; I have no say."

Sometimes, it has nothing to do with talent.

Liu Ming’s current status destined him to be unable to pass the examinations.

Furthermore, one thousand taels of silver was not much; it was not enough to bribe the key figures.

"Madam Gu, it is I who spoke out of turn. I hope you will forgive me."

Liu Ming bowed to Hanzhi.

Hanzhi returned the bow.

"Young Master Liu, please do not contact my third sister for the time being. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to answer to Mother. I hope you understand."

Hanzhi reminded Liu Ming once more.

Liu Ming’s expression darkened.

Hanzhi had reminded him that he carried far too much on his shoulders.

His father’s case—he had to uncover the truth, not just for himself, but for the Liu family.

And his sister—how could a weak girl like her survive in such a place? He had to get her out first.

But now that his family had fallen, none of his former friends were willing to lend a hand.

The only person he could rely on was Gu Yunzhu.

Gu Yunzhu’s eldest brother worked in the Ministry of Personnel; if he could help even a little...

In these past few days, Liu Ming had suffered enough; the pride of a scholar had long since vanished.

He couldn't even get enough to eat, consuming sour and foul food every day. He had had enough.

He knew that Gu Yunzhu had never had a good attitude toward this sister-in-law and had spoken ill of Hanzhi to him in private more times than he could count.

He also knew that Hanzhi’s status in the Marquis’s mansion was low, but it was true that Hanzhi had money.

It was also true that the Marquis’s mansion was very poor.

Seeing the way Hanzhi struggled to walk, he knew she had been punished by kneeling too often.

Gu Yunzhu had told him that the Old Madam was intentionally trying to cripple Hanzhi’s legs.

Because Hanzhi was a woman who frequently went out to manage shops and show her face in public, and because the Old Madam had never liked Hanzhi’s background—she had only married her into the family because the Marquis’s mansion was too poor.

Liu Ming understood the Old Madam’s underhanded tactics. The more the Old Madam tormented Hanzhi, the more she would naturally intensify her efforts to force him to give up on Gu Yunzhu. But if he gave up on Gu Yunzhu, he feared he would never have a chance to rise again.

Hanzhi sat in the carriage, her face pale because she was carsick.

Of course, there was another reason: Hanzhi had intentionally applied a very thick layer of white powder.

Hanzhi had no desire to share a bed with Gu Yunhan; she found him dirty.

The original owner had previously believed Gu Yunhan to be deeply affectionate, still mourning his concubine three years after her death, and had admired him for it.

She had thought that there were such good men in the world, and that as long as she treated him with sincerity, she would surely be able to warm this stone.

Hanzhi remembered the original plot.

Gu Yunhan felt that Hanzhi had managed the household well over the past few years, so he intended to "reward" Hanzhi by sharing a bed with her.

This was exactly that moment.

Naturally, Hanzhi did not need Gu Yunhan’s reward.

She was intentionally making herself look ugly; if Gu Yunhan could still stomach that, then there was nothing more to be done.

After returning to her room, Hanzhi lay on the bed and feigned illness, looking as if she were on the verge of death.

The doctor had long since been bribed by Hanzhi.

He claimed that Hanzhi was severely ill, that her legs were practically ruined and she would likely never stand again, and that her constitution was so weak that her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were all damaged.

Hanzhi also took the opportunity to have someone build a wheelchair.

"Mother, your daughter-in-law should be here to serve you every day, but my body is truly too weak. I would like to take the liberty of suggesting that we take in a concubine for the Eldest Master. She can help serve him and also take my place in coming to pay respects to you every day.

Liuzhi has grown up in the Marquis’s mansion since she was a child and is quite pretty. If she can bear children for the Eldest Master, it might make up for some of my shortcomings."

The Old Madam looked at Hanzhi sitting in the wheelchair. She hadn't expected that simply sending Hanzhi out to find the scholar Liu would result in her returning as a cripple.

The Old Madam had already been dissatisfied with Hanzhi, and now she was even more so.

However, seeing Hanzhi’s sickly appearance, she couldn't be too harsh; otherwise, the reputation of being a cruel mother-in-law would spread.

The Old Madam glanced at Liuzhi, who was standing behind Hanzhi. The longing and anticipation in Liuzhi’s eyes were a bit too intense.

Liuzhi had been raised under the Old Madam’s eyes; she was a servant born into the household.

Having such a woman by Yunhan’s side would put her mind at ease.

Furthermore, the Old Madam detested the woman Gu Yunhan was keeping. When the late Marquis was alive, that woman had seduced him and nearly caused him to divorce her.

Now that the Marquis was dead, she was seducing her precious son.

Yundian was a disappointment, and the only one in the Marquis’s mansion who showed promise was Yunhan. Yet, he was stubborn as a mule, refusing to take a concubine and insisting on being with that woman even if it killed him.

If Yunhan were ruined, the Marquis’s mansion would truly be finished.

Therefore, the Old Madam could only pretend to be oblivious. Now that Hanzhi had taken the initiative to suggest it, the Old Madam was naturally pleased.

The Old Madam had never wanted to arrange a concubine for Gu Yunhan herself, as it would make her look like a cruel mother to her daughter-in-law.

The Old Madam was extremely cautious about her reputation. As long as the Marquis’s title had not yet fallen upon Gu Yunhan’s head, she had to be careful to maintain her good name and could not tolerate the slightest blemish.

"You are a thoughtful one; let it be as you say! Liuzhi has been by your side for years and is a good-looking girl. I can rest easy having her by Yunhan’s side."