6 Chapter 6
◎Today, I don't seek to do anything to Liu Qingqing; simply dragging her into this mess will suffice. ◎
Chapter Six
They looked at each other, and Xiao Ying smiled slowly as she gazed into those eyes that resembled her elder sister's.
"Qingqing, please don't blame your mother for asking so many questions. You are a daughter of the Liu family and my sister's only child. Now that you are getting married, I should naturally take good care of you."
This person, though seemingly kind, spoke sweet words, yet every single one pierced her heart.
Little Ying was like a venomous snake that had not yet bitten anyone, its scarlet tongue flicking out.
Even if she marries into the Marquis's mansion, so what? Doesn't she still know this little vixen inside and out? Can she escape her grasp? She caused her elder sister's tragic death back then, and she doesn't even put Liu Qingqing in her eyes now.
Seeing that Liu Qingqing's expression was indifferent and she did not answer, Xiao Ying was not annoyed. Like a kind and helpless mother to her children, she patted the back of her hand and said kindly, "Go back to your courtyard and rest for a while. Your father and brothers have finished their work early today. It is not easy for you to come back. Our family must have a good reunion dinner."
Liu Qingqing didn't respond: "Didn't you say you needed me to inspect the ancestral hall for your mother? Since it's urgent, let's not wait any longer."
Madam Ying covered her face and chuckled: "Our eldest daughter of the Liu family has indeed married the right person. She has gained courage after marrying into the Marquis's mansion. She has never been so anxious as her mother before."
Hearing Xiao Ying call herself "mother" without thinking, Liu Qingqing felt nauseous. She lowered her eyes and stroked the embroidered butterflies on her brocade dress, not wanting to pay attention to Xiao Ying's performance.
Now that she's back at the Liu residence, she's determined to see what kind of show the people here will put on this time.
Xiao Ying got excited and teased Liu Qingqing a few more times. Seeing that she didn't respond as usual and still looked like a helpless person who could be easily manipulated, Liu Qingqing felt more at ease.
It seems the news was correct. What's the use of marrying into a noble family if you don't receive their favor?
Xiao Ying gave Ju Huan a wink, signaling to proceed with the plan. Ju Huan quietly slipped out.
"I finally managed to find my sister's dowry list today, and I called you back to give it to you. But as time has passed, the writing on the list has become blurry in some places. I had someone repair it, so I asked Ju Huan to go up and ask if it's done yet."
Instead of stopping there, Madam Ying, after setting a trap for Liu Qingqing so that she couldn't bear to leave, grabbed some salt and sprinkled it on Liu Qingqing's wound. "Why didn't you give Qingju a new name, daughter?"
Xiao Ying wasn't really asking, but just starting a conversation and then continuing on her own, "Speaking of which, Ju Huan wasn't originally called Ju Huan. On the day I married your father, I wore orange earrings, and to keep a memento, I gave this little girl a new name, Ju Huan."
Actually, that's not it. It was the day she seduced her brother-in-law and consummated their relationship by her elder sister's bedside. She was wearing an orange undershirt then.
Seeing Liu Qingqing's blank and ignorant look, Madam Ying was overjoyed. After laughing, she waved her hand at her with great kindness, "Alright, go and rest in your sister's courtyard for a while. We'll call you over when the order is fixed."
Liu Qingqing gritted her teeth, her hands trembling as she clutched her handkerchief tightly in her sleeves. Even after stepping out of the flower hall and being bathed in sunlight, her hands and feet remained icy cold. Granny Li followed closely behind her, carefully observing her young mistress's expression.
There's no use saying anything now; all we can do is hope this gets through soon, since Madam Ying has a hold on the young lady's weakness. But once we get back to the Marquis's residence, she'll definitely have to complain to the young master!
Perhaps Liu Xu felt guilty. Although his wife had passed away early, the main courtyard where she used to live was still well preserved. Servants had been cleaning it all these years, and it was no different from before. It was as if time had forgotten this little courtyard and had frozen in time.
After Xiao Yingshi married into the family, she also ordered that another courtyard be chosen as the new main house.
After stepping into her mother's courtyard, Liu Qingqing's surging anger gradually subsided.
She didn't chat with Granny Li, who stayed in the courtyard.
It was called a mother's ancestral hall, but in reality, it was just a place where her mother's memorial tablet was placed in the original main room. Liu Qingqing sat on the long couch by the window of the main room, gazing at her mother's tablet in quiet contemplation, as if her mother were beside her.
Many things happened today, and she needs to calm down and sort them out. Losing control of her emotions during the back-and-forth struggle with Xiao Ying is a major taboo.
Just then, a creaking sound of old, decaying wood rang out, and the door to the main room was closed.
Liu Qingqing frowned and looked over, calling out to Granny Li. But the outside was deathly silent, and Granny Li did not respond after a long while.
The courtyard was eerily quiet.
A hole appeared in the paper window of the inner room, and a thin wooden pole quietly appeared, with wisps of white smoke being blown in.
A moment later, Liu Qingqing's body went limp, and she floated lightly onto the soft couch.
The person behind the wall vanished like a ghost, swiftly slipping back into the rear room of the main courtyard, where they whispered a few words to the old woman waiting there. After the person left, the old woman quietly went to the main room.
Madam Ying was tending to the flowers and plants under the eaves. She had recently acquired a beautiful orchid, which her husband loved very much. These past few days, he had been leaving work early to return home and tend to it, and he would often compose poems and write essays, even turning down social engagements outside.
Although Liu Xu hasn't taken a concubine in recent years, he hasn't been idle outside. Madam Ying turns a blind eye and is happy to let him be, but she can't let him run wild. Like training a dog, she always has to pull the leash to bring Liu Xu home.
Hearing the old woman enter, Madam Ying pointed with her delicate hand, "Bring over that book of poems about flowers and plants."
Madam Ying lamented that her own life wasn't easy either. Unlike her elder sister, she lacked extensive knowledge and had to memorize poems during the day to please her husband when he came to visit. Today, since her husband was fond of flowers and plants, she had someone specially find a book of poems about flowers and plants.
The other day I was memorizing something about cats and dogs, which was really tiring.
Looking at the poetry book gave Xiao Ying a headache. She sighed and rubbed her brow. After a while, she put it down in disgust and asked Liu Qingqing to calm herself down.
Watching others have a good time helps alleviate one's own pain.
"How is it over there?"
The old woman lowered her head and flattered, "It's all under Madam's control."
Madam Ying chuckled smugly. She was quite capable of handling Liu Xu, a fourth-rank official of the imperial court. She did not show herself and was extremely patient. Today, she did not seek to do anything to Liu Qingqing, but only to drag her down with her.
Hearing that Xie Lang favored gentle and virtuous women, she decided to win him over and make Liu Qingqing appear virtuous.
This medicine was secretly given to her by her aunt, Madam Ying, who said it was very effective. She used it on her then-brother-in-law, the master, when she first arrived at the Liu residence, and also on herself; the effect was indeed excellent.
A gust of wind dispersed the white smoke from the old courtyard.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview: Liu Qingqing seemed to be having a dream, feeling as if her whole body was being roasted by a raging fire, unbearably hot and dry.
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