Chapter 39 Another Cloud Screen

Shanlai noticed Ziyu's sudden change in expression; how could he not see it? Everyone was eager to be the first; who else would he look at but her? The others simply stood with their heads down, not even glancing at each other, showing their genuine submission.

Another cloud screen.

To become a thorn in the side of the locals when you go somewhere is not the original intention of being a kind person.

But there was nothing she could do; she couldn't make decisions for herself, nor could she make decisions for others.

She felt disgusted and somewhat dejected. She stood quietly with her head down, unwilling to look or care anymore.

After letting go of Shanlai's hand, Madam Yue continued talking to Liu Min, asking him what he liked to eat and what he liked to play. Liu Min couldn't refuse her, so he casually mentioned two of his usual favorite dishes.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yue laughed and said, "So you like spicy food. It seems we'll have to find a chef from the Southwest!" Liu Min slightly curved the corners of his mouth in a smile.

Encouraged, Madam Yue asked what kind of books he liked to read. She said that both her family home and her maternal family home had libraries, especially her maternal family home, where her father and elder brother were avid book lovers with vast collections. She could find any book he wanted. With her gentle and bright eyes, she eagerly awaited his answer, ready to give him whatever he asked for, perfectly embodying the image of a loving mother.

But before she could even get there, her daughter suddenly started making a fuss.

Liu Qi burst into tears without warning, grabbing her mother's sleeve and saying she wanted to go back.

Madam Yue exclaimed in surprise and quickly took a handkerchief to wipe her daughter's tears, asking as she did so, "Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

Liu Qi didn't explain why she was crying; she just kept insisting on going back and kept turning her head to look at Liu Min.

this……

Madam Le glanced at Liu Min with a heart pounding in her chest. Seeing that there was no change in his expression, she felt relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She dared not say anything more, gripped her daughter's hand tightly, and stood up from the chair.

"I'm so sleepy, it's always like this, it's driving me crazy all day long..."

Lady Yue found a suitable reason to explain Liu Qi's strange behavior. The reason why Liu Qi was crying was not really important. What was important was that Liu Min must not think that this girl was doing this because she was trying to cause him trouble.

"She usually gets up around 9 AM, but today she was in a good mood, so I put her up at 7 AM. She's just a child, I can't be patient... It's also because I spoil her too much, that's why she's like this. Liansi, please don't laugh at her, I don't blame her, it's just that I'm too soft-hearted. As soon as she cries, I'm completely helpless... Luckily you came. I heard about it beforehand, everyone praises you as a good person, strict with yourself, well-read and polite. With you as a role model for your sister, I don't have to worry about the future..."

"I'll take her back to sleep first. Liansi, you should lie down and rest for a while too. Once you're rested, we'll go to Qingxue Pavilion for dinner. Wouldn't that be nice, with our whole family together..."

Lady Yue led the sobbing Liu Qi away, repeatedly instructing Liu Min not to see her off. Liu Min had no intention of seeing her off anyway; he simply stood by the door for a while, bowing slightly, which was enough of his courtesy.

As soon as she left Guangyi Hall, Liu Qi stopped crying, it seemed she really couldn't get over her brother whom she had just met.

Lady Le had only one daughter, and she couldn't bear to blame her for anything she did. But Lady Le also wanted to treat Liu Min as her own son. With her own son being so indifferent and her daughter behaving this way, Lady Le couldn't help but sigh.

"What are you doing! Do you know how hard it is for me? Don't you care about me at all? If you make a scene like this and anger him, what will you do? Should I protect you or side with him?"

Liu Qi didn't understand the adults' thoughts. She was just unhappy to see her mother being attentive to others while ignoring her. She wouldn't let herself be wronged. If she was unhappy, she would make a scene until she got the result she wanted.

As a mother, how could Madam Yue not know her daughter's temperament? Mother and daughter were the same kind of people, the difference being that Madam Yue had grown up and was now an adult. Being an adult inevitably meant being less free to do as one pleased.

"That's your own brother, my good daughter, have some pity on me! Please don't cause this kind of trouble again. What will I say if your father finds out?"

As soon as Madam Yue left, Liu Min turned around and went back to his chair. Before sitting down, he glanced around; there were quite a few people, almost filling the room, but it still felt empty.

It was the emptiness in his heart.

A family...

This is not his home; they are the family. He is the extra one and has no reason to be here.

He has always been a grateful person; if someone treats him well, he will repay them tenfold. But here, he can't do that. He feels like he has become a different person, and this change makes him very uncomfortable.

His stepmother, the woman who replaced his mother, seemed to genuinely treat him well. Logically, he should repay her, and according to his logic, he should repay her double. But he just couldn't do it...

She was truly good; everyone should say so. But he couldn't, because he was his mother's flesh and blood. That pitiful, tragic woman—if even he didn't hate her, who else would speak up for her?

He would never accept her kindness, never.

He coldly observed everything before him.

At that moment, the look in his eyes would send chills down anyone's spine.

Shan Lai thought she should do something, and after thinking hard about what to say, she was about to look up when someone gently pulled her back. When she looked up, she could only see the fabric of her clothes almost touching her face.

Ziyu was fourteen years old. Because she had always lived a peaceful life and never lacked food or drink, she was very tall and strong, easily overshadowing Shanlai. She did this on purpose, and after succeeding, she felt a little flustered and her heart tightened. However, what was done was done, and it was too late to regret it. There was no point in thinking about it, so she should hurry up and do her own thing.

She smiled, a gentle and warm smile, and asked Liu Min, "Young Master, would you like to rest?"

Liu Min ignored him.

Ziyu got anxious and couldn't help but turn around and secretly glance at the person behind her.

Like everyone else in the room, Shanlai kept her head down, looking docile. She had originally intended to speak, but now she was determined to keep quiet. She hadn't planned to compete or fight for anything, so why offend anyone by stepping forward?

Seeing her like this, Ziyu breathed a sigh of relief. She was no longer as tense as before, her shoulders slumped, and a relaxed smile appeared on her face.

This person is quite sensible. Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. However, although he is a local snake, it's only temporary. In a while, she might be able to subdue a few people and become a local snake herself, standing on equal footing with him. Will she still be so obedient then? We must be careful!

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, heads bowed and silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Luo Qingyu came in and, seeing the scene, thought something had happened. She rushed to her wet nurse son and asked what was wrong.

Because her stomach suddenly started hurting so badly that she couldn't bear it, she left Yihetang. She only had time to say hello to Heshan before following the maid to the nearest outhouse. Feeling a little better, she rushed over, only to find this scene upon entering. Her worries came true, and she couldn't help but panic.

She was a movement in the stillness, and everyone else came to life with her, looking up at her.

Although Liu Min was still feeling uneasy, he didn't want Wu Qingyu to worry about him, so he shook his head and said that he was fine, just tired.

When Ziyu heard Liu Min say he was tired, she quickly said, "We will help the young master to rest right away!" As she spoke, she glanced around and the maids, both young and old, were fetching water or looking for clothes.

Wu Qingyu touched Liu Min's face and felt his hands were cold. Her heart ached terribly. She hated herself for not being able to do anything for him, and for not even being able to say comforting words in front of others. She was so upset that tears fell down her face.

With warm water and clothes ready, Ziyu stepped forward with a comb and said with a smile, "This servant will take your hair apart, young master."

Liu Min had no intention of sleeping, so he waved his hand and said, "No need to serve me, everyone leave."

Shanlai realized that she was in this "capital", so she bowed and turned to leave with the other maids.

Ziyu felt embarrassed by the light but firm rebuke. Holding the comb, she couldn't move. But people are most afraid of comparison. Seeing that Shanlai was also kicked out, she felt a little better and no longer felt embarrassed. After bowing, she turned and gracefully left.

Finally, with no outsiders around, Wu Qingyu held Liu Min's shoulders and asked him in a low voice, "Did she upset you?"

This "she" is, of course, Madam Yue.

Liu Min shook his head, "No, she's fine. Even her own mother couldn't be better..."

Then why are you still so sad?

Wu Qingyu understood that he was grieving for his mother; poor child. She touched his face again, sighed, and whispered, "This is your blessing; you should cherish it… You still have sixty or seventy years to live. Don't be so stubborn, trapped and unable to escape, suffering for nothing…"

This was meant to teach him to be pragmatic. He had already calculated that a stepmother like Madam Le was hard to find even with a lantern. Although it was because she couldn't have another son, no matter what the reason, she treated him well after all.

Liu Min also cried, "I know all of this, but I just..."

He would rather his stepmother treat him badly, so that he could hate her with a sense of justice.

In the courtyard, everyone was standing in groups, except for Shanlai, who stood alone under the hibiscus flowers. He was thin and looked rather pitiful.

A kind-hearted young girl, feeling a pang of pity and also bewitched by Shan Lai's handsome appearance, took a step forward, only to be suddenly pulled back by another young girl beside her. Confused, she glanced over, and the other girl looked at Zi Yu in the distance, giving her a sharp, scathing warning.

The little girl went to look at Ziyu, but Ziyu suddenly turned to look at her too, her eyes icy cold. The little girl was so frightened that she trembled and lowered her head, no longer daring to move.

After this incident, no one else was in the mood to concentrate.

Ziyu was satisfied, a smile playing on her lips, and she looked at Shanlai with a triumphant air.

Shanlai paid no attention to anything happening around him, simply looking up at the flowers.

If one does not contend, then no one in the world can contend with him. As long as he can protect himself, it doesn't matter if he suffers some grievances. Besides, she was never one to seek glory or boast.

She was willing to let others go, but others were unwilling to let her go.

Suddenly, a lot of noise came from outside, drawing people's attention.

There were seven or eight people, all carrying bundles and chests, but the one in the lead was empty-handed; he was Yuqiong, the head maid of Madam Le.

She spoke first to Ziyu, smiling, "These are the young master's luggage. Please arrange them as you see fit."

Ziyu smiled and agreed, then called for someone to fetch the items.

The goods were delivered, but Yuqiong wasn't in a hurry to leave. She looked left and right, and finally spotted Shanlai under the flowers. She walked over with a smile and asked, "Where is that Mama Wu?"

Having just met her and knowing she was someone close to Madam Le, Shanlai became more alert and cautious: "Young Master is tired from his journey and needs to rest. He probably assigned something to Mama Wu before going to sleep. Mama Wu is listening right now and should be out in a little while. Please wait a moment, Sister."

Yuqiong smiled and said, "I have something to do, so I won't wait. You can pass on the message for me."

"Sister, please speak. I'm listening."

"Madam left in a hurry and forgot to say some things. She asked me to come and tell you and Wu Mama. Wu Mama is settled in the west wing room. It's quiet there and suitable for recuperation. There's a dark room next to the young master's bedroom. You can stay there so you can serve the young master nearby."

Yuqiong had a pleasant voice, a gentle tone, a slow pace, and precise pronunciation, which made people listen to her without being distracted, and they could hear her very clearly.

So, apart from Yuqiong and Shanlai, everyone went to look at Ziyu, either stealing glances or staring straight at her face.

Because everyone originally thought that the secret room must be for Ziyu to live in, and that Ziyu was even living in it now.

They've already moved in, but now they have to move out to make room for others.

This is much better than being ignored and slapped in the face when you try to talk to your master.