Chapter 464 One Thing Subdues Another
When Xiao Liu was abandoned in the capital, he was already five or six years old. In addition, he was intelligent from a young age and had a good memory, so he remembered some things that happened in the Liu family in the past.
He dared not go back because he had already been castrated.
Later, he learned to read and write with the palace eunuchs. Because of his cleverness, he was able to serve the emperor from his teens.
If it weren't for this matter concerning the Zhou family and Eunuch Zhang, given his status in the palace, even the old master of the Liu family would have to bow to him.
Unfortunately, that young master of the Liu family was tired of living and insisted on provoking him.
After hearing Du Wanchun's suggestion to feign death, Xiao Liuzi held Lian'er's hand and said, "I'll take her with me to the estate."
Du Wanchun smiled and said, "Of course you should go together. It just so happens that you can also help Doctor Xu gather herbs."
Xiao Liu looked at Lian'er, then nodded emphatically.
After making arrangements for the two of them, Du Wanchun spread the news that a servant in the mansion had died.
The Zhou family had few servants, only trusted relatives who were loyal to them. Everyone stood together against outsiders, and no one let anything slip.
After receiving the news, the scout returned to the Liu family and told the eldest son of the Liu family about it.
The eldest son of the Liu family spent his days in a harem of women, and after waving his hand, he never inquired about it again.
He didn't take his half-brother seriously at all.
Because of his recent despondency, his mother couldn't stand it anymore and specially summoned Ma Tao'er to her courtyard, wanting to give her a hard time.
"The young master is young and easily swayed, so you should stop bothering him."
Who is Ma Tao'er? She's the kind of person who would marry four people for wealth and status.
Lately, Young Master Liu has been spoiling her, making her increasingly unruly.
She said without any politeness, "Madam, I was just doing my duty as a concubine. If you don't want the young master to come to my room, just tell him not to come."
When Madam Liu saw this arrogant young girl, she angrily said, "How dare you, a mere concubine, speak to me like that!"
Ma Tao'er raised her eyebrows and said, "Madam, please don't look down on concubines like that. Weren't you a concubine yourself back then?"
Liu's second wife had been elevated to the status of a concubine for many years, yet no one had brought up her past for a long time.
Ma Tao'er's words directly hit her sore spot.
Mrs. Liu suddenly stood up, pointed at her, and yelled, "What did you just say?!"
Ma Tao'er was startled by her appearance, but she was quick-witted and knew that Young Master Liu was coming. She immediately fell to the ground, cupped her face and said, "Madam, please don't hit me. I will never dare to do it again."
Young Master Liu happened to see this scene as he entered the door, and strode over, saying, "Mother, what are you doing?!"
Mrs. Liu quickly explained, "I just asked her to ask a few questions."
Young Master Liu pulled Ma Tao'er into his arms. "Mother, she fell to the ground just because I asked her a few questions?"
Mrs. Liu was momentarily stunned when she heard her son say this.
He looks just like his father did back then.
The Liu family's stepmother had used this pitiful act countless times, which caused Mr. Liu to scold her severely and even beat her several times.
Madam Liu and Master Liu were childhood sweethearts, but due to the instigation of this stepmother, they became mortal enemies.
The current Ma Tao'er looks exactly like she did back then.
"I am your mother! You don't believe me, but you believe her?!" The stepmother angrily rebuked the eldest son of the Liu family.
The eldest young master of the Liu family was initially a little guilty, but Ma Tao'er started crying, her cries were so pitiful, "Young master, it's my fault. I accidentally tripped and fell just now. It has nothing to do with Madam. It wasn't Madam who hit me."
After hearing Ma Tao'er's words, the eldest son of the Liu family became even more convinced that it was his own mother who had done it.
He picked up Ma Tao'er and said sternly to his stepmother, "Mother, don't look down on Tao'er. Although she is my concubine, she is my most beloved woman, just like Father loved you back then."
"You!" The stepmother trembled with rage.
She never expected that her son would use such words to mock her just because of a mere concubine.
She was so angry that she smashed all the cups on the table.
There was a crackling sound.
The eldest son of the Liu family carried Ma Tao'er out.
The incident at the Liu residence didn't cause a big stir, but it quickly became common knowledge.
Some say the concubine is ruthless, while others say the stepmother deserves it.
Some people even said that the eldest young mistress was pitiful.
Young Master Liu's wife is the granddaughter of Master Fang from Cheng'an County.
Master Fang is a great benefactor of the Zhou family.
The family's sons all took over the family business in the capital, but one daughter married into the Qingzhou Prefecture.
I don't usually visit the Fang family.
However, because of the recent uproar surrounding the Liu family, the news inadvertently reached the ears of Master Fang.
Master Fang took his granddaughter back to his mansion that very night.
These past few days, I've sent people to accompany her to the market in Cheng'an County.
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