Chapter 51 Madness

One autumn rain brings one chill.

In Fanghua Garden, apart from Li Qu sitting by the window admiring the fish, everyone else was busy as bees.

Cheng Guo, who had been promoted to second class by Li Qu, came in to announce that Qiao Gu had brought a matchmaker to the door, asking Li Qu to select someone to fill the vacancy.

Li Qu came out to greet him with a smile.

Qiaogu stepped forward and greeted Li Qu, saying, "Greetings, Auntie."

Li Qu quickly bent down to help her up, saying, "You're too kind."

After a few pleasantries, we got down to business.

Li Qu smiled faintly: "Third Master said that he was used to familiar faces, so he picked a well-behaved maid from the lowly servants and promoted her to second class."

We are currently short of a menial servant; do you know of any suitable candidates?

Qiaogu looked at the matchmaker.

The matchmaker was already astonished by the sight of the servants and maids taking inventory in the courtyard. Seeing Li Qu's ethereal beauty, she knew that this person must be the master's most beloved concubine. She straightened her clothes and respectfully stepped forward to reply.

"They are all lowly maids. It is a blessing for them to be able to serve as servants to noble people."

As he spoke, he beckoned someone forward.

Li Qu then saw a row of girls dressed differently and of varying sizes appear before him.

Some of them had shoes and clothes, and they were clearly trained 'intellectuals'.

Some were dressed in rags, were thin, and didn't even have shoes; nine out of ten of them were brought in to serve as supporting characters.

Li Qu's gaze swept over all the maids, and she randomly pointed to a barefoot one: "Let's go with her, big feet make her walk steadily."

The matchmaker was taken aback at first, then quickly pulled out the lucky girl, pressed her to kneel on the ground, and said many kind words to Li Qu, asking him to give her a name.

Li Qu called her "Qingguo".

May your future be filled with smooth sailing and all your wishes come true.

The girl kept kowtowing, her body trembling with excitement.

As for the rest, it was a matter of Qiaogu and the matchmaker negotiating.

In a short while, the person and the contract were handed over to Li Qu.

Li Qu gave Qiao Gu a large purse: "Thank you for your hard work."

Qiaogu discreetly slipped the purse into her sleeve: "The Second Madam is in charge of the household, and with so many people and so much to do, there are bound to be some oversights. Please bear with me, Aunt."

"The Second Madam is virtuous and capable, and everyone, from top to bottom, respects her greatly. I am truly ashamed that my aunt has asked me to take the blame."

"I am deeply grateful to Madam Xie for her repeated kindness and care."

First, let Qiaogu say a few words and then take her leave.

Amidst her busy schedule, Cui Guo glanced at the new handyman and said, "Why are you dressed so thinly? You don't even have shoes."

She quickly told Chengguo, "Clean her up, find her some clothes, and send her to Aunt Li's place to learn manners for a few days."

Chengguo immediately went to do the task.

Li Qu, clutching the contract with Qingguo, sat down on the veranda, watching Qingguo, who came from a poor background, cautiously and timidly follow Chengguo.

She suddenly remembered herself before she was six years old and the scenes at home.

Grandparents are still alive, so we cannot separate the family.

Their whole family did the heaviest work, ate the worst food, and wore the most patched clothes in the extended family.

Her mother couldn't give birth to a son simply because her father was a mute who tarnished the family's reputation.

She has only ever owned one pair of shoes since she was a child.

These were soft-soled shoes that her mother had sewn together from tattered rags that were no longer wearable. They looked just like modern floor socks, but were much rougher and simpler.

When the feet grew bigger, we took them apart and used scraps of cloth to fill the gaps and enlarge them.

If there's a hole, patch it up with scraps of cloth.

It is riddled with holes.

Even worse, her patriarchal grandmother only allowed them to wear these kinds of shoes, which weren't even considered proper shoes, in winter.

"You worthless wretch! If it weren't for your good looks and the money I could sell you for, this old woman would have strangled you to death!"

In this environment, her beautiful older sister became timid and hesitant.

The free-spirited second sister was trembling with fear.

It's just like the green fruit following behind the orange fruit right now.

She looked at the busy figures of everyone in the courtyard and smiled gently in the sunlight.

The older sisters are all wonderful.

The eldest sister always thinks of her younger sisters when she has something good.

Even though the second sister knew she would be beaten by her grandmother and aunt, she would still rush up to tear and scratch at her younger siblings when she saw her cousins ​​bullying them.

What sustained her all the way was not only her past experiences and thoughts, but also so much profound and immeasurable love.

If given another chance, she would still try to contact Wu Xubai and Xiao Cong.

Even now, she has no regrets!

She can hold her future in her hands again!

Her heart was filled with both passion and determination.

*

Around noon, Granny Xu reported, "The items sent by the Third Master have been checked and counted, and can be transferred to the warehouse this afternoon."

Li Qu didn't care and waved the contract in her hand at Granny Xu.

"Your indentures have been delivered by Third Master."

From this day forward, she will be their true master, the one who can decide their life, death, and future.

Granny Xu quickly ushered everyone from Fanghua Garden inside to formally kowtow to their master.

She said solemnly, "This old servant's heart is finally at ease. From now on, I am willing to follow your lead and obey your orders."

The maids kneeling behind her shouted in unison, "We will obey your orders, Madam!"

Li Qu smiled and helped Xu Mama up: "Thanks to your care, I will need your help in the future."

"It's all my duty."

Li Qu then looked at everyone and said, "From now on, let's work together to make our lives prosperous and thriving."

“I’m not afraid of trouble, but I hate stirring up trouble even more. Only when you act in an orderly manner can I provide you with a safe and supportive environment.”

"If you dare to cause trouble, spread rumors, or act against our will in this courtyard, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

"I hope everyone will take the example of Huai Chun and others, be sincere and kind, be bright and cheerful, and walk the broad road of success with an open and honest heart."

Then came the routine reward ceremony.

After the performance, everyone in the courtyard seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, and they were all in high spirits.

Li Qu was also in a good mood.

The bronze hairpin was returned to its rightful owner.

I acquired the jade pendant again.

See, once he takes the bait, he doesn't even have to ask for what he wants.

"I have no way to repay the kindness of Third Master towards me, so I can only rejoice in it even more."

She seemed to be talking to herself, but in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, everyone in the courtyard knew that the concubine was very touched by the Third Master's thoughtfulness and liked him even more.

*

There was joy at Fanghua Garden, and Granny Tian, ​​who delivered meals from the kitchen, personally came to deliver lunch to the door.

Li Qu gave her a tip, and the beautiful Granny Tian's round face beamed with joy.

She patted her plump chest and said, "From now on, Auntie, just tell me what you want to eat."

This made the maids laugh.

*

After the meal, Li Qu began to draft a list of things to bring to his family, planning to go to the Hezhou Prison to pick them up.

Zhou Jin said that dealing with her parents' affairs today should be enough in one morning.

He then gave her a jade pendant, presumably agreeing to her going out to reunite with her parents.

Black ink falls on white paper, and with each stroke, beautiful regular script leaps onto the page.

The autumn air is chilly, but people's hearts are burning with joy. Today is a joyous day for everyone.

As things progress, my confidence grows, and my mind becomes increasingly at peace.

Cuiguo hurriedly entered and reported, "Auntie, my brother just sent a message."

Li Qu didn't even look up: "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing major. It's just that Third Master left the city early this morning and handed over the matter of the Hezhou Prison to Master Zhou Feng."

"It seems that Master Zhou Feng has encountered some difficulties and will wait for Third Master to return to make a decision before he will release the people."

Li Qu paused slightly with her pen: "Have you heard of any difficulties?"

"My brother is too dull to find out."

"I'll go and see for myself."

*

Zhou Jin's jade token was still working perfectly, allowing him to leave the mansion without any obstacles.

Upon arriving at the Hezhou Prison, Zhou Feng personally came out to greet him.

"I've met you before, Auntie. I'm your nephew, Zhou Feng. We met once before at Baoyue Tower."

He smiled happily and obsequiously, as if he had a very good relationship with Li Qu.

Li Qu quickly bowed and said, "I dare not accept the title of Lord Prisoner."

"I deserve it, I deserve it. That's what my third uncle told me to call him."

Zhou Jin, who was being blamed, was completely unaware of this.

"You jest, sir. Third Master is a man of strict rules and impartiality."

Zhou Fengxin said: Isn't it precisely because my third uncle, who is very particular about rules, suddenly stopped following them that your uniqueness is highlighted?

He still smiled and said, "Indeed, Third Uncle is a role model for us all. Please come in, Auntie."

Li Qu was utterly helpless when the other party insisted on addressing her in that way, and then continued inside.

On the way, before Li Qu could ask any questions, Zhou Feng began to explain in detail.

"My third uncle found two witnesses to verify the truth of what the Li family members said."

"However, the old woman among them was very uncooperative and insisted on seeing the Li family."

"Moreover, this old woman is often emotionally agitated and curses, and my nephew is afraid of disturbing Madam Li's pregnancy, so he dares not let her see him."

"Seeing that torture had yielded no results, they then questioned another old man for his testimony."

Li Qu interjected, "Was torture used?"

"Hmm." He didn't take it seriously. "Fortunately, what the old man said basically matches what the Li family said."

"Now there's only one problem: I don't know if Uncle Three is determined to get this old woman to talk."

“If Uncle thinks that what the old man said is enough, I can release him now.”

“But…” he said, glancing at the veil Li Qu was wearing, “it has to be Uncle San who gives the order.”

Li Qu kept walking.

Zhou Fengyi quickly followed beside him. When he couldn't hear Li Qu speak, he smiled again.

"Don't worry, Auntie, the Li family has always been well taken care of."

"Apart from not being able to go out, I have no worries in any aspect of my life."

"And there's also the renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor from the capital who takes Madam Li's pulse every day."

Upon reaching the interrogation room door, Li Qu pushed it open.

Through the veil, she saw the person she expected, bound at a ninety-degree angle to a torture bench, with terrifying silver needles inserted into both toes.

He is old and frail, yet resilient and unyielding.

Zhou Fengcai realized he had taken the wrong path.

"Auntie, the Li family is still locked up in the old cell. This is..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp scream came from inside the old woman.

"Ahhhh! Li Qu? Li Qu! It's you! It's you!!"

The person inside seemed to be insane, their voice shrill and mournful, filled with hatred.

Granny Xu shouted, "How dare you!"

Zhou Feng was puzzled: "Does this old woman know my aunt?"

Oh, of course I know them. How could I know about the Li family if I didn't?

He continued with his nonsense: "Look at you? What's wrong? Is there some... personal grudge?"

"If that's the case, sister-in-law, why don't you tell me what kind of personal grudge it is?"

"If it is confirmed that there is a deep personal grudge, then her words are not credible."

"With that old man's testimony, we can give Third Uncle a satisfactory answer."

“Nephew, you can now decide to release the Li family.”

He spoke clearly, raising his finger to point at the old woman who had been tortured, then looked at Li Qu: "This..." He looked at the old woman again, then at Li Qu, and then... He suddenly turned around and locked his gaze on Li Qu's face, which was partially hidden behind her veil.

She has the appearance of a seductive temptress, yet she possesses clear and innocent eyes.

What a contradictory and conflicting beauty.

No wonder even the usually self-possessed Third Uncle was willing to bow down to her.

Suddenly, Xu Mama's deeply lined old face appeared in Zhou Feng's pupils.

Zhou Feng snapped back to reality and gave an awkward laugh: "Ahem, sorry."

Granny Xu snorted coldly.

Zhou Fengcai denied that he had lost his mind when he saw her again.

The two exchanged knowing glances, but Li Qu, standing nearby, spoke calmly: "Grandma."

The two were startled and looked at Li Qu.

But then Li Qu slowly smiled and said, "The dead cannot be brought back to life. What do you want?"

The old woman was struck as if by lightning; her pupils dilated violently, and she fell silent.

I suddenly remembered that 'accident' from a long, long time ago.

What did she say at the time?

"The dead cannot be brought back to life, Third Brother's family, what more do you want!"

So that's where retribution comes from!

She understood.

But she couldn't accept it!

Her clear, sharp eyes flashed with boundless hatred, and her pain tore her heart apart.

She yelled at her, "I knew it was you! I knew it was you!"

How could you be so heartless? They are all your blood relatives!

"Six members of the family, all dead! You monster, you wicked monster who brought ruin to the family, why didn't you die in the chamber pot back then! Why didn't you die in the chamber pot!"

"My precious grandson! My very lifeblood!"

"How could you, you scourge, have ruined everything!"

"Aaaaaah!"

She screamed and struggled in Li Qu's direction, wishing she could break free of her restraints and tear at Li Qu's flesh.

Li Qu watched quietly as she went mad with grief over the loss of her blood relative.

She was the same way back then.

She simply endured and waited for the right opportunity to use a borrowed knife to kill, thus avenging her brother's murder twelve years in the making.