Chapter 36 This is my own brother

As soon as they entered Xuancheng Gate, fast horses galloped towards Fengsheng Street.

The message was passed down through the ranks, and when Madam Yue received it, she was overjoyed. She stood up, clapped her hands, and laughed, "I was just thinking about it! It's really about to arrive!" She then urged the maid, "Hurry up and drag the young lady out of bed. What kind of state is she in, sleeping until this late?"

The girl smiled and accepted the order.

Madam Yue then asked the maid to redo her hair and makeup, saying, "This is too plain, it makes me look sickly and unlucky!" As she spoke, she even complained about her clothes, saying that the white did not suit her complexion and that she wanted to change to red.

As soon as the change was finished, the nanny brought the young lady over.

What a coincidence! What a lucky break!

He took it, hugged it tightly, kissed it on the forehead, and asked with a smile, "Daddy's back, aren't you happy?"

Of course I'm happy. I haven't seen Dad for over a month, and I ask Mom every day when he's coming back. I miss him...

They're finally back.

Liu Qi didn't need to change her clothes, because she was already wearing red, which was auspicious and festive.

Liu Qi only wore red.

The promotion was a matter of His Majesty's whim, as was the reward. A palace servant brought news that Scholar Liu's wife was about to give birth and that someone from home was urging him to return. His Majesty laughed and said it was a double blessing. He then ordered someone to pick out some cloth for Liu Shen to take home and swaddle the baby.

When the child was born, a precious girl, Liu Shen named her Qi and also gave her the nickname Fei Luo to repay the kindness he had shown.

A name with a history, or a nickname with a history, is an honor to speak of, no matter when or to whom.

Her mother truly loved her and spared no effort in pampering her, always wanting her to be proud. Therefore, she often dressed her in red to remind everyone that she was noble and beautiful.

Of course she is.

Her father was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations, with a promising future ahead of him. Her mother came from a noble family and was the only daughter in the family, so she was very much loved. She was also her mother's only child, as beautiful as a flower and as intelligent as a charming girl.

How much more smug could one be?

Madam Yue, accompanied by her daughter, personally went to the gate of the Liu residence to greet her husband.

They blocked the way at the door, forbidding anyone from passing, and set up a brocade curtain to prevent spying. Even though the autumn heat was intense and made people dizzy, the wife did not back down at all. She set up ice, fanned herself, stood on tiptoe, and peered out, eagerly waiting.

Seeing the carriage in the distance, they couldn't wait a moment longer. Holding their daughter's hand, they happily went to greet it.

The driver quickly jumped off the carriage and bowed his head to greet the lady.

The lady ignored her, simply looking up at the carriage curtain with a loving smile.

The carriage curtains swayed gently, and the soft sunlight revealed the ethereal and noble countenance of the immortal.

There was a moment of suffocation.

Just like when we first met.

She truly loved him.

She suffered a lot in order to be with him.

She was the youngest child in her family and the only girl. Her parents and several brothers all doted on her, and she was raised in a sweet environment, never experiencing any hardship.

However, she fell in love with him, a married man, and was so infatuated that she searched for him everywhere and waited in places where he might appear, just to see him once.

Gradually, rumors began to circulate.

Her mother asked her cautiously, and she didn't hide anything, telling her all about her deep love and sweet troubles.

This is certainly a big deal, a huge deal.

But her mother didn't say anything at the time, and she didn't realize anything was wrong. She even naively asked her mother what she should do to get what she wanted, as if all she wanted was a piece of clothing or a piece of jewelry. Her mother still didn't say a word and quietly left. She was immersed in her own thoughts and didn't notice anything.

You can't go out anymore.

When they start making a scene, it's a complete uproar; they refuse to eat or drink, and they throw things around, yell and curse.

Everyone tried to persuade her, but to no avail.

She knew they meant well and didn't blame them, but she just loved him so much that she couldn't live without him.

She felt like she was going to die if she didn't see him for four or five days. She couldn't care about anything else, so she disguised herself as a maid, went out, found him, and told him that she loved him and was willing to be his concubine without any status.

She was a beauty, praised by everyone, yet he rejected her because he had a wife. Knowing that she would arrive home safely with someone else, he turned and left.

He's such a good person.

So my heart aches even more.

Her brothers found her, tied her up, put her in the car, and took her home.

The family members are all busy and rarely get together, but for her sake, they all showed up in her room without missing a single one.

Some people patiently tried to persuade her, while others pointed at her and angrily cursed her; it was quite a scene.

She spoke her mind, saying that even if she had to be a concubine, she would still marry him. If her family thought she was a disgrace, they should just pretend she had never existed. After saying this, she buried her face in her arms on the table and cried so hard she couldn't get up.

They are all people who genuinely care about her.

After this incident, an atmosphere of "reconciliation" began to emerge in the family.

She was still the most pampered youngest sister, and they all spoke to her in soft voices, as if they had agreed to pretend they "didn't know," as if there was no such person and nothing had ever happened.

But it still restricts her movements.

She fell ill from worry, and within a month, she became emaciated and bedridden.

Her mother cried in front of her every day, but she had no interest in caring.

In the end, she won; they finally softened their hearts.

Her mother told her that if he agreed, they would send her to him.

She received assurances and recovered quickly, her cheeks regaining their plumpness.

Just as I was about to go find him, news arrived that he had become a widower.

The problem was easily solved.

She simply couldn't believe it.

What followed went smoothly, as expected, without any major setbacks. Perhaps there were some, but because I was so happy, I didn't find them difficult.

She was willing to do anything as long as she could be his wife.

"How was the journey?"

She smiled gently, yet with a hint of shyness; her bright, expressive eyes held a thousand thoughts and a thousand unspoken words.

Liu Shen smiled slightly and said, "It's acceptable."

She bowed her head and smiled.

Liu Qi, a six-year-old child, did not understand these tender feelings; she simply reached out and called for her father to hold her.

Liu Shenyi picked her up, grabbed her little arm, gently shook it, and asked her with a smile, "Have you been a good girl at home?"

She was being naughty, so she didn't answer, but just smiled and snuggled up to hug her father's neck.

Madam Yue watched from the side, feeling satisfied.

She loved him so much, almost to the point of being devoted.

Looking at her daughter reminds her of her son.

"Where's Liansi?" she asked anxiously, peering into the carriage. "Why isn't she here?"

Liu Min had already gotten out of the carriage and had been standing by it. When he heard the question, he lowered his head and stepped forward, bowing respectfully, "Greetings to Madam." His tone was calm and very proper.

Madam Yue was overjoyed, "I'm so glad to finally see you! You must be exhausted from the journey!" As she spoke, she reached out to stroke Liu Min's face.

Liu Min pretended to look at Liu Qi, but turned his head slightly to subtly avoid the hand that was about to touch his face.

Because he loved Liu Shen so much, he was extremely tolerant of Liu Min and unwilling to doubt him in the slightest.

"That's my little sister!" Madam Yue smiled, her eyes crinkling, then turned to look at Liu Qi. "Come down and greet your brother!"

Liu Shen put Liu Qi down, bent over and asked the little boy under his arm with a smile, "What will you do when you see your brother?"

Liu Qi tilted her head and coldly looked her brother up and down.

This little girl is spoiled and has a bad temper. She thinks she's the boss and is always unhappy about this or that. Madam Yue hadn't thought much of it before, but now she felt a little uneasy and regretted not having said something to her daughter earlier, in case she said something unpleasant...

Unexpectedly, Liu Qi suddenly smiled sweetly and called out "Brother" in a clear and crisp voice. The sound of her voice was so sweet that it seemed to shatter when thrown to the ground.

Madam Yue swallowed her anger and looked at Liu Min with relief and anticipation in her eyes.

"younger sister."

The tone was the same as before, but the word "sister" sounded so intimate that even the calmest voice carried a hint of tenderness.

Madam Yue was completely satisfied.

Liu Shen also felt pleased, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Madam Yue quickly agreed, "Yes! It's still hot! Let's go inside!" As she spoke, she affectionately took Liu Min's hand.

Liu Min instinctively tried to dodge, but he stopped himself and let Madam Yue grab him and pull him toward the gate.

Liu Qi asked her father to carry her inside.

Of course, no problem.

Liu Shen sat down on the large chair in Yihetang.

Madam Yue did not sit down, but kept ordering the maids: "Where are the tea and snacks I asked you to prepare? Why haven't they been brought up yet?" As soon as she finished speaking, a group of maids came in orderly carrying trays.

Tea, snacks, fruits, and candied fruits—all kinds and varieties were abundant, almost too many to display.

Lady Yue personally served tea and asked Liu Min, "Would Lian Si like tea or a beverage?"

Liu Min said, "I drank water in the carriage and I'm not thirsty now. Madam, please sit down. It's more important to kowtow to you now."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yue quickly waved her hand and laughed, "We are mother and son, why are you kowtowing?"

Liu Min glanced at her lightly, somewhat unsure of his stepmother's intentions. What was she really up to? Was she genuinely trying to be kind to him, or was she deliberately trying to put him in a bad light?

But in any case.

"Ritual must not be abandoned."

Madam Yue thought, this is the child's heartfelt wish, how can I not grant it?

So he hurried to the large chair and sat down. But he couldn't sit comfortably; his body was tense, and he barely touched the chair surface.

As soon as Liu Min kowtowed, Madam Le immediately stood up and went to help him up.

She was truly sincere towards him. At least for now.

"What a good child!"

Looking at it from left to right, there's nothing I'm dissatisfied with.

"Fei Luo, you haven't paid your respects to your brother yet! Come here quickly!" Madam Yue beckoned to Liu Qi, then turned to Liu Min and said, "Did the old lady tell you my sister's name?"

Of course not. Old Madam Qin never mentioned Madam Le and her daughter to Liu Min, as if they didn't exist.

But how can you say such a thing?

So Liu Min simply smiled and remained silent.

The way he looks.

Madam Yue paused for a moment, her long-lasting joy abruptly cut short, she had truly been carried away by her own elation. Fortunately, Madam Yue was quick-witted and soon resumed the conversation.

"My little sister's given name is 'Qi,' and her nickname is Fei Luo. You can call her whatever you like, Lian Si." After saying this, he put on a stern face, pretending to be angry, and said to Liu Qi, "Why aren't you moving?" Then he smiled, hugged his daughter, and coaxed her, "Hurry up! This is your own brother, even closer than your cousin from your uncle's family!"