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When the group arrived at the Zhang residence, they expected to be surrounded by Madam Zhang, who would arrest Hongyu and send her to the Zuo family. However, Madam Zhang only brought Shiliu to greet them and hugged Hongyu, bursting into tears.
“My child, your mother meant well. I thought you had suffered a lot outside, so I wanted to put you first and find you a prestigious family so you could enjoy wealth and luxury. Why don’t you understand your mother’s heart?”
You ran away without a care in the world, but the Empress demands an explanation from the Zuo family, or she will hold your father accountable…”
Shen Yu, unable to contain her anger, interrupted Madam Zhang sharply, "Give the Zuo family an explanation? Send the real bride to the Zuo family, and everything will be fine, won't it?"
Mrs. Zhang was speechless and looked embarrassed. Shi Liu, who was standing to the side, had no choice but to reveal the truth:
"Second Miss, Master has given his approval. You should return to the Zuo family. Don't put Master and Madam in a difficult position..."
How could a servant boss her around? Hongyu was in tears, completely at a loss.
Shen Yu hurriedly handed over a handkerchief and whispered in her ear, "You are the eldest daughter of the main wife. Just scold Shi Liu and don't let a servant arbitrarily assign you a status."
Reminded by Chen Yu, Hong Yu wiped away her tears and scolded Shi Liu in a loud voice, "You dog servant! My mother is the wife of Grand Tutor Zhang, and I am the eldest daughter of the Zhang family. How dare you address me so casually? Get out of here right now!"
After saying this, Hongyu stormed into the courtyard and shouted, "Father, the servants all say that you are going to marry Hongyu off to the Zuo family. Hongyu doesn't believe it. Hongyu wants to hear it from Father himself."
Grand Tutor Zhang had no choice but to reveal himself.
Hongyu stood there with tears in her eyes, her lips pursed and her arms hanging limply. Her pitiful, helpless expression was just like Lu Qing'er's.
Grand Tutor Zhang was not an ungrateful person. Lu Qing'er had been kind to him, and Madam Zhang had been equally kind to him.
Weighing the pros and cons, he could only let the isolated and helpless Hongyu marry into a wealthy family, while Changle, with her uncle who was the prime minister, would surely be able to find a good family.
He walked up to Hongyu, took out the auspicious cloud jade pendant, and handed it to her.
“Hongyu, listen to your father and go back to the Zuo family. Although the eldest son of the Zuo family is disabled in both legs, he is kind-hearted and will certainly not mistreat you.”
Hongyu took the jade pendant and saw that it was the same jade pendant her mother had left her. Her father knew she was not an imposter, but still wanted her to marry in place of Changle.
She didn't believe Liu Yao'er's words, and she didn't believe Madam Zhang and Shi Liu's words either, so she went to Grand Tutor Zhang to ask him for clarification.
She thought that when Grand Tutor Zhang saw her, he would be overjoyed and weep, or cry his heart out.
Now... Grand Tutor Zhang's face was cold and indifferent, his eyes serious, and there was not a trace of joy on his lips.
Completely disheartened, she could only follow Chen Yu's plan. Before that, she had to take the folding fan and return it to Liu Yu.
“Father, Hongyu is going back to her bedroom to fetch something and will leave soon.”
"Big sister, do you want this folding fan?"
Chang Le walked over with a folding fan in her hand. Hong Yu tried to take it back, but Chang Le handed it directly to Grand Tutor Zhang.
“Father, last night my eldest sister told Chang Le that she has found someone she likes and will marry him in the future. This folding fan belongs to that person.”
Grand Tutor Zhang opened his folding fan, his expression suddenly changing. He then closed the fan and threw it at Liu Yu, shouting, "You traitor! You've driven my son, Xiansheng, insane and unable to eat or drink. Now you're trying to harm my daughter, Hongyu! I..."
As Grand Tutor Zhang spoke, he felt dizzy and staggered to sit on the stone bench. Seeing the teacup, he grabbed it and threw it at Liu Yu.
"Don't hit Brother Yu! Brother Yu, run away!"
A thin young man ran over and threw himself into Liu Yu's arms, crying.
Ignoring the stares of others, Liu Yu hugged the young man and comforted him, "Sheng'er, don't cry, no one hit your brother Yu..."
The young man was none other than Zhang Xiansheng, the son of Grand Tutor Zhang.
Grand Tutor Zhang glared angrily, slammed his hand on the stone table, and roared, "Hugging and cuddling in broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this? Kneel down!"
Liu Yu immediately knelt down, but Zhang Xiansheng cried and pulled at him, "Brother Yu, get up! Don't kneel before him! He killed my mother! They are all evil people..."
Zhang Xiansheng suddenly fainted while crying.
Liu Yu used one arm to carry Zhang Xiansheng back to the room and placed him on the bed, his eyes filled with tears as he leaned over the edge of the bed.
Seeing that Liu Yu cared so much about Xian Sheng, Shen Yu used the excuse of examining him to keep the others out of the door, so as to prevent Grand Tutor Zhang from continuing to scold Liu Yu.
Liu Yu was already in tears, choking out, "Xiansheng has been sick for two years. All the imperial physicians in the palace have seen him. Every time they cure Xiansheng's illness, it will relapse after a few days. If it cannot be cured, Xiansheng's life will probably be ruined."
Chen Yu sat on the edge of the bed to examine Zhang Xiansheng and found that Zhang Xiansheng not only suffered from depression and mental confusion, but also showed signs of chronic poisoning. No wonder he was weak, thin and bony.
"Fish, everyone says I'm the one who ruined Hyunseung, do you believe it?"
After spending the past two days together, Shen Yu realized that Liu Yu was not a lecherous rogue who acted recklessly, but rather a righteous and courageous man who was willing to take responsibility.
Before she could respond, Liu Yu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Does Yu Yu also think I'm a bad person?"
"No!"
Liu Yu was overjoyed, and with tears in his eyes, he looked at Chen Yu with a smile, wanting to hear how Chen Yu would judge him.
Shen Yu frowned and asked thoughtfully, "Young Master Zhang's condition is quite serious. Has he been frightened? Or has he experienced a great tragedy?"
Liu Yu nodded, turned around and sat on the floor against the bed. If he moved a little more to the right, he could lean against Shen Yu's legs. Watching Shen Yu pull her legs back, he had no choice but to sit obediently so as not to scare Shen Yu away.
Three years ago, the Crown Prince invited the young men and women of noble families to go hunting. Bao Qianxun nearly fell off a cliff, and Xiansheng pulled her back, but accidentally knocked Chang Le off the cliff. Fortunately, Zuo Zhen came to her rescue, and Chang Le was unharmed. However, Madam Zhang refused to let it go and blamed Lian Niang for instigating Xiansheng to murder Chang Le. As a result, Madam Zhang ordered Lian Niang to be beaten to death. Xiansheng hid in a corner and saw everything. From then on, he became mentally confused and talked nonsense.
"The Grand Tutor doesn't care?"
“At that time, the Grand Tutor accompanied Prince Yan to Jiangnan for disaster relief. After returning, Xiansheng became like this.”
Why is Hyunseung only clinging to you?
Shen Yu was eager to ask, wanting to know if Liu Yu was the freak that others were talking about.
Liu Yu was secretly delighted. Shen Yu must care about him, so he naturally wanted to explain Xian Sheng's situation to her.
“In this Zhang family mansion, Madam Zhang holds absolute power, so naturally no one dares to treat Lian Niang and Xian Sheng kindly. I often come to the Grand Tutor’s mansion to help Xian Sheng as much as I can, and Xian Sheng naturally becomes close to me. Damn it, those scheming people framed me for causing Xian Sheng’s condition. Even the Grand Tutor doesn’t believe me, saying that I… am fond of male concubines and will definitely harm Xian Sheng. Little do they know, Xian Sheng is terrified by their evil deeds.”
After saying this, Liu Yu grinned bitterly, tears welling up in his eyes and streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks.
It turns out that this philandering playboy also has a lot of bitterness and helplessness, and he can also help the weak and fight against the strong, which makes Chen Yu look at him with new eyes.
But... everyone says Liu Yu has a penchant for male concubines. Unable to suppress her doubts, Shen Yu decided to seek an answer.
Seeing Liu Yu close his eyes, tears still streaming down his face, she asked softly, "Does Young Master Liu truly have a penchant for male concubines?"
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