Whether she secretly cried in bed at night or not, no one knows, but in the following days, the price of vegetables in Beijing did indeed rise, and the business of major restaurants also declined significantly. People wearing worn-out clothes were everywhere on the streets.
Even everyday conversations range from what banquet they're attending today to how much rice they've saved—topics brimming with everyday life.
Liu Mansion.
With the mistress of the house bedridden, the servants were terrified and acted with extreme caution.
“Mother,” Liu Xun said wearily, “please stop making a fuss. If you keep going like this, the Emperor will send someone to reprimand you.”
He was in so much pain that he couldn't breathe when he handed over his vast fortune.
But what can he do now that things have come to this and he can't go back on his word?
I could only force a smile.
"Where is Grand Secretary Liu? Is he too guilty to come back?"
When she said this, Madam Liu's face was ashen, and her eyes were filled with barely suppressed anger.
"Mother," Liu Xun looked around nervously, "you can't say such things, please be careful."
I'm so tired. I'm already suffering enough, and now I have to comfort this troublesome mother.
“My son, I’m so unwilling to accept this. After all these years of hard work, I finally managed to save up this fortune. I was hoping that my son and I would have someone to rely on for the rest of our lives, but who knew that heartless man would squander it all. It really makes me so angry.”
“Mother, be careful with your words. Even the Emperor has praised Father’s patriotic and people-loving actions. Please watch your words.”
He was only slightly embarrassed, yet he was repeatedly harassed. If his mother's words were to get out, who knows what those people would do next.
Hearing this, Madam Liu's face turned green, which made her even angrier.
It was clearly that heartless man who deliberately threw away the mother and daughter's savings, yet she couldn't utter a word of complaint. Her heart was bleeding, but she had to pretend nothing was wrong.
I've never felt so stifled in all my decades of life.
Liu Xun didn't respond to this, afraid that his temper, which he had finally managed to control, would collapse again.
He had long considered these assets as his own, but he watched helplessly as they slipped away from him little by little. No one could truly understand the heartbreaking feeling he was experiencing.
He even considered picking up his broadsword and taking down the bandits one by one.
“Mother, the whole capital is watching our Liu family. Whether you are sick or not, you should get better by now. Otherwise, outsiders might think that your family has a grudge against the Emperor.”
There were already grievances.
Madam Liu could only roar these words in her heart.
“I understand,” she said listlessly as she stood up. “Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you.”
"Thank you, Mother."
"Where is your father? The Emperor can't possibly leave such a big matter unrewarded. He can't leave us with nothing. Where are the gifts?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xun paused again.
"Mother, Father, he, he," he said through gritted teeth, "he gave the things away!"
"Give it away?"
The sudden increase in volume penetrated the walls and reached the outer courtyard, causing the servants sweeping in the yard to pause and instinctively turn to look at the room.
Madam Liu realized she had lost her composure, cleared her throat, and continued in a low voice, "What happened? Who did he give it to?"
"To be given to the Imperial Academy!"
At this point, Liu Xun's expression became even more unpleasant.
How much do you hate that mother and daughter? You'd rather give it to those ignorant commoners at the Imperial Academy than let them use it.
He thought his vast fortune could at least buy him two jars of wine, but he ended up with nothing.
It's a huge loss.
"Where is Liu An now?" Madam Liu was so angry she lost all reason. "I'll fight him to the death!"
After saying that, he walked out with a resentful look on his face.
"Mother, calm down," Liu Xun quickly pulled her back. "If things really get out of hand, we'll be the ones who lose face, not Father."
So, I'm stuck with this loss.
Liu Xun, who had always had a smooth life, never imagined that his father, whom he had never taken seriously, would betray him so easily, and that this one time would severely damage his foundation.
The father gained fame and recognition, while he alone suffered so much loss without even the right to be unhappy.
On what grounds?
"That old bastard," Madam Liu understood this as well, and cursed through gritted teeth, "why doesn't he just die out there!"
He spoke with such sincerity that he was practically swearing an oath.
“Mother, don’t be impulsive. Father is now with the Lady Protector of the Nation, so it’s best if we don’t offend her,” Liu Xun paused, then spoke with his eyes closed. “It’s just money. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. With Father around and backed by the Lady Protector of the Nation, he’ll be able to earn it all back sooner or later.”
"The Protector of the Nation?" Madam Liu asked in confusion. "What's wrong with that vixen now?"
“Mother,” Liu Xun looked up at the sky nervously, “the Lady Protector of the Nation is a banished immortal. Don’t speak ill of her, or you will incur the wrath of Heaven.”
"What immortal being? He's just a fraud. Only people like you who have read books and are always suspicious would believe such things."
If there really are ghosts and gods in this world, how could she still be living so comfortably when all those wronged souls under her command have been haunting her for so long?
These men think so highly of themselves, they actually believe in this? They're making a fool of themselves.
"I personally experienced this matter, and it cannot be faked," Liu Xun argued earnestly. "If you don't believe me, Mother, you can go outside the city and see for yourself. Marquis Liuxian and his sons are busy bestowing blessings upon the people, and countless people have received tangible benefits. Even I, because of that cup of wine, have had most of my long-standing ailment cured."
"I don't believe it, I don't believe it!" Madam Liu's face turned deathly pale. "There can't be any immortals in this world, absolutely not!"
As he spoke, he was covered in sweat.
“Mother, don’t get agitated,” Liu Xun said, knowing her worries. “Gods don’t concern themselves with human affairs. They only accept the reverence of mortals. Don’t scare yourself.”
"real?"
Madam Liu's voice still carried a hint of fear.
"Of course it's true. Otherwise, with so many injustices in the world, wouldn't even the gods be exhausted? Let alone a banished immortal."
“Indeed,” Madam Liu was persuaded, her brows relaxing. “Immortals are always aloof and detached, without any emotions or desires. I was just overthinking it.”
As she spoke, she had already regained her usual noble and dignified demeanor.
"Very well, since your father has such an opportunity, a little money is nothing to worry about. The opportunity to become an immortal is more important."
“But,” Liu Xun said hesitantly, “Mother, I have no chance to see Father except when I go to court.”
That was the purpose of his trip.
I am at a disadvantage in terms of both status and seniority. If my father doesn't want to see me, there's really nothing I can do.
Mother is different. She and her husband have been married for decades. Even if they were enemies, they understand each other best and will definitely have a solution.
"What do you mean?" Madam Liu asked, frowning. "Is he deliberately avoiding you?"
“Yes,” Liu Xun gave a bitter smile. “Mother, as you know, I have never been favored by my father since I was a child. No matter how respectful I am, it is no use. Perhaps I was born with a weak bond with my family.”
"Nonsense! My son is so sensible and filial. If someone doesn't like him, it's because they're blind. It has nothing to do with my son!"
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