Chapter 41 The Stepmother is Disliked
Madam Li was slightly taken aback when she saw the newcomer, but then frowned and said sternly to the servants in front of her, "What kind of work are you doing? How could you let this country bumpkin in!"
The servant quickly bowed his head and said, "This lady said that she is the eldest young mistress's mother."
Liu Lanzhi immediately walked to Liu's side and said to Madam Li, "Yes, Madam, this is my mother."
Madam Li had guessed it the moment Liu entered the house, but she pretended not to know, which was just a way of looking down on Liu.
"Oh, it's your mother. I thought she had broken into the mansion to beg for food."
As Liu listened, her face grew increasingly grim. Thinking of the scene she had witnessed upon entering the room, she complained, "Mother-in-law, my daughter is, after all, the eldest daughter-in-law of your Li family. How could you make her kneel in front of so many people?"
Madam Li was disgusted by her questioning and stood up, saying, "I'm disciplining my daughter-in-law in my own home, what business is it of yours? If you think our Li family is bad, then take your daughter and leave immediately!"
Madam Li had never agreed to the marriage. When she thought her son was marrying Liu Lanzhi, it was only as a second choice to avoid marrying that foolish girl.
Upon hearing that Madam Li wanted to send her daughter away, Madam Liu quickly put away her previous arrogance and softened her tone, saying, "My dear in-law, our Lanzhi has always been sensible. If she has done anything wrong, I will personally teach her."
Madam Li didn't argue, too lazy to waste words on such a shrew. She turned and walked towards the backyard. "Fine, you'll teach her a lesson on how to be a wife today!"
After saying that, he left without looking back.
After Madam Li left, Liu Lanzhi took Liu Shi to her room.
When Liu saw her daughter's room, she was stunned; her daughter was actually living in a servant's room.
She stared wide-eyed in surprise and said, "Lanzhi, how come you, a young mistress of the house, are living in a servant's room?"
Liu Lanzhi burst into tears, saying between sobs, "Mother, the Li family looks down on me. The first two days after the wedding were alright, but Madam Li and Magistrate Li treated me coldly. But ever since the wedding, the eldest young master has also disliked me and has banished me to this servant's room. He doesn't even glance at me on ordinary days."
As she spoke, she cried harder and harder, “Mother, the life I’m living here is not human. They not only make me live in servants’ rooms, but also feed me their leftovers. They pick on me all the time, either making me kneel down or slapping me.”
When Liu heard her complaints, she was stunned. She had thought that marrying her daughter into the Li family would be a blessing, but she never expected it would be a hardship.
She hugged her daughter tightly and said, "Lanzhi, just bear with it a little longer. If you want to deal with Madam Li and Magistrate Li, you have to win over the eldest young master first. Once you are pregnant with the eldest young master's son, they will have to treat you like royalty."
Liu bit her lower lip and said, "The young master hasn't touched me since our wedding night."
This time, Liu slapped her across the face: "You silly child, if no one touches you, why don't you think of a way to seduce them, just like I used to seduce your stepfather?"
She said this with a smug look on her face.
Liu Lanzhi lowered her head and said helplessly, "Okay, Mother, I'll try again."
After the two made their agreement, Liu told Liu Lanzhi about Du Dajiang.
Liu Lanzhi felt indignant on behalf of her mother, saying, "Your stepfather is truly heartless. You've been with him for several years now, how can he just lay a hand on you like that?"
Liu sighed and said, "Lanzhi, this is my fate. You must live a good life and hold onto your man's heart and his family's wealth."
Liu Lanzhi wiped away her tears and nodded.
Just then, a maid called from outside, "Young mistress, the young master is back."
Liu Lanzhi got up and peeked out, asking, "Why is the eldest young master back so early today?"
The maid whispered, "Young Master brought someone back today, saying she's pregnant with his child."
This left both Liu Shi and Liu Lanzhi speechless with astonishment.
Liu Lanzhi asked her as if the heavens had struck the earth, "You mean that woman is pregnant?"
The maidservant replied softly, "Yes, young mistress. I heard that the young master sent someone to check her pulse, and the girl is indeed pregnant, and it is very likely to be a boy."
Liu Lanzhi collapsed to the ground, staring in despair ahead, "Mother, what should I do?!"
Liu herself was stunned, her brows furrowed and she couldn't speak for a long time.
Not long after, Young Master Li sent someone to deliver a message, saying that he wanted to send Liu back, as it was inconvenient for her family to come to the mansion.
There's nothing particularly inconvenient about it, except that Young Master Li doesn't like Liu Shi.
Upon hearing that Liu had arrived, he immediately sent men to drive her out.
Liu was outnumbered and powerless, and had no confidence to go against Young Master Li. She could only give her daughter a few instructions before leaving immediately.
When Liu returned to her village, she happened to pass by Changliu Village. At the village entrance, she vaguely smelled a special fragrance that was so pleasant that it could refresh the mind and body.
She looked up and glanced contemptuously in the direction of the Zhou family, then snorted coldly, "Hmph, no matter how bad the Li family is, they are still better than this Zhou family."
After saying that, he quickly left the place.
Inside the Zhou family home, Aunt Zhou spent the entire night making dozens of small incense towers out of fragrant wood.
She packed the incense tower into a box, intending to sell it along with the fragrant dew.
Du Wanchun, half asleep in bed, vaguely heard Aunt Zhou busy outside. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, only to find that Zhou Ruiyuan was still awake.
He was holding a book and reading it intently.
Du Wanchun got up and asked him, "Husband, did you not sleep at all last night?"
Zhou Ruiyuan put down his book, looked up at her, and said slowly, "Wanchun, I plan to participate in this scientific expedition."
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