Liang was imprisoned in a wing room of a separate courtyard. She was not physically abused, but she was starving.
Every day there was only a bowl of porridge with a plate of pickles.
Apart from that, there was nothing else to eat.
She was so hungry that she felt weak all over and her cheeks were slightly swollen.
At first, she still had the energy to shout and cry. But after a few days of starvation, she no longer had the strength to resist. She just answered whatever was asked, just wanting a bite of food.
With a creak, the door opened from the outside.
The sunlight came in and was very dazzling.
Liang raised her hand to block the light, thinking that the meal delivery was very early today.
The footsteps were chaotic, and it was obvious that there was more than one person coming in.
After Liang adjusted to the light, she put down her hands and looked at the person who came.
She didn't know the beautiful young lady who was luxurious, noble and had a fierce look in her eyes, but she guessed her identity.
She was so excited that she wanted to stand up, not wanting to lose face, but her legs and feet were weak. As soon as she stood up, she fell back to the ground.
Xiao Qin'er smiled contemptuously, "Are you Liang?"
Liang bit her lip and hummed, "My concubine greets the Madam."
"You're quite clever. You recognized me right away. I remind you, don't talk nonsense. You're not even a concubine."
Xiao Qin'er looked at Liang calmly. She was a beauty, delicate and frail. No wonder Liu Yi liked her.
"I wonder what instructions Madam has?" Liang lowered her head and looked pleasing.
When you live under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
She had no money to compete with Xiao Qin'er and could only give in.
Bring out Liu Yi?
Liang Shi was not stupid. Xiao Qin'er secretly abducted her here, which showed that Xiao Qin'er was not afraid of Liu Yi at all.
Bringing up Liu Yi would only backfire and anger the other party.
So she was as docile and weak as possible.
If she was lucky, she would be a non-threatening little person in Xiao Qin'er's eyes, not worth the fuss. If she was even luckier, she might even be able to return to Liu Yi's side.
Xiao Qin'er sneered. She had seen many women like this. She thought she could get away with it by playing some tricks.
She asked casually, "You're quite good at coaxing men. The young master was so coaxed by you that he didn't even know how to go home. You're quite capable."
"My humble servant is humble and I am grateful for your kindness, sir. I can only do my best to serve you."
"You're quite modest. The young master has been raising you for half a year and has spent no less than ten thousand taels on you. Tell me, how did you coax the young master?"
"My maidservant is only serving you wholeheartedly, and I have never deceived you."
Xiao Qin'er laughed sarcastically. Just a few words had revealed the depth of this woman's scheming. She deliberately pretended to be pitiful and innocent, just to deceive people.
"Since you won't say anything, I don't want to waste my time talking to you."
After saying that, she stood up and left.
"Ma'am, wait!"
Liang called Xiao Qiner.
Xiao Qin'er turned around and looked at her, "What else do you have to say?"
Liang considered it for a moment, "I am a lowly servant, not worthy of public appearances. I pose no threat to Madam. I am willing to serve Madam and share her worries. Please give me a chance."
"You drive me?"
Liang nodded repeatedly.
Xiao Qin'er laughed heartily, "A woman of unknown origin like you, what qualifications do you have to be commanded by this lady?
Do you think you can deceive me just because you are a little pretty and clever? Dream on.
Do you think I'm the woman from that low-life place you used to live in, who has no knowledge and learned all these skills just to please men?
"I am a lady of low status, so why would I want a bitch to serve me? Don't pollute my eyes. A bitch should be aware of her status as a bitch and not dream of getting something that doesn't belong to her."
As soon as she finished speaking, the nanny took two steps forward and slapped Liang's face several times in a row.
Liang was knocked to the ground, unable to get up, and dazed.
The nanny scolded, "Don't you even consider your own status? How dare you negotiate with Madam? You're such a fool."
Liang was extremely embarrassed, but she was too weak to get up.
Xiao Qin'er didn't even look at her and left.
She came here just to see what kind of woman had captured Liu Yi's heart.
After watching it, she lost interest.
This kind of woman is not worth her effort.
Before leaving the villa, she said to the steward, "Sell her to a brothel. The more remote and lowly the place, the better. Since she likes to serve men, I will grant her wish and let her serve men for the rest of her life, until she dies."
The steward received the order.
Xiao Qin'er also urged: "Get this done as soon as possible to avoid any more trouble."
The manager immediately ordered someone to prepare a car. He knew where Liang could be sold and he guaranteed that she would be sold to the most remote and cheapest brothel.
Xiao Qin'er did not stay, as she didn't need to worry about the rest of the matters.
She returned to her parents' home.
Liu Yi did not come to invite her back to the palace, and Xiao Qin'er laughed out of anger.
Good, very good.
She wouldn't go back until Liu Yi came.
Madam Xiao advised her to be more friendly and not to get angry with Liu Yi.
It is only a matter of time before Liu Yi takes a concubine, if not this year then next year.
Xiao Qin'er said angrily: "Even if he wants to take a concubine, he must get my consent and approval before he can take a concubine. He is keeping a mistress outside without my knowledge, so does he still have the right to do so?
Mother, I cannot compromise this time. He must come and apologize to me and personally ask me to return. Otherwise, I will raise the eldest grandson of the royal family in the Xiao family."
Madam Xiao stamped her feet anxiously, "If you continue to make trouble like this, won't you push your son-in-law out?"
Xiao Qin'er burst into tears. "Even if I give in first and take the initiative to return to the palace, his heart won't be with me. I'm fighting for my dignity instead of a bun. He's bullying me, and I'm not allowed to make a scene?"
Seeing that she was crying so hard, Mrs. Xiao couldn't persuade her anymore and could only let her go.
Liu Yi was anxious and angry, with blisters all over his mouth.
I searched the entire capital, but couldn't find Liang.
As time goes by, the chance of finding Liang becomes increasingly slim.
Liu Yi felt both pain and anger.
He felt that Xiao Qin'er had done something, but he had no evidence. Moreover, Liang's abduction was unlike Xiao Qin'er's usual behavior.
Perhaps, as Wang Shun said, Liang had encountered a kidnapper.
Liu Yi felt heartbroken when he thought that he would never see Liang again in this life, and that Liang might be abused or sold to the dirtiest place.
Coupled with the blisters in his mouth, he hadn't had a proper meal for several days.
Xiao Qin'er was still angry with her, so she took the child back to her parents' home and refused to come back. She insisted that he go to her house to invite her back, which made Liu Yi furious.
"I won't go. I'll ask her to stay at her parents' house for the rest of her life."
Liu Yi drove away the people sent by Pei. He was extremely upset and disliked everyone.
Pei was so angry that she had no choice but to ask Prince Ning to step in.
"We can't let the Fourth Brother and his wife continue to quarrel. It's been five or six days, and this princess hasn't seen her little grandson in five or six days. Your Highness, please have a good talk with the Fourth Brother. He was wrong in the first place. If he goes and apologizes to Qin'er, this matter will be over."
Prince Ning said nonchalantly, "I heard that the concubine that the fourth prince kept was abducted by kidnappers?"
"Exactly! It's been so many days, there's no way they can be found. The fourth brother is so stubborn that he insists on blaming Qin'er for the affair. He's really talking nonsense."
Prince Ning said, "Let him be. After ten days or half a month, when he calms down, I will talk to him again."
"We have to wait another ten days or half a month? If we keep wasting time like this, how can the fourth brother and his wife recover?"
"Will the fourth brother listen to advice now? He's so anxious and furious that he doesn't have the energy to try to appease anyone. I'm afraid if he fails to win over the man, the couple will just fall out."
Pei thought about it and thought it made sense. So she followed Prince Ning's wishes and temporarily left the fourth son and his wife alone.
Everyone in the palace was talking about it and gossiping.
Even Gu Jiu couldn't help but ask Liu Zhao, "As your brother, don't you need to go see the Fourth Young Master?"
Liu Zhao rested his head on Gu Jiu's legs, holding a book in his hand.
It's a rare opportunity for him to have some free time, so he wants to seize the time and enjoy it.
In a few days, he will return to the barracks.
He snorted, "Old Four can't figure things out himself, so why bother with him? Besides, he doesn't need my discipline."
This tone is full of disgust.
Gu Jiu rubbed his brow and asked curiously, "You and the Fourth Young Master are brothers, but I think you are more like enemies than brothers. What is the conflict between you and him? How did it become such a rift?"
Liu Zhao looked away from the book, pondered for a moment, and said, "There's no irreconcilable hatred between him and me. It's mainly because we've disliked each other since we were young, and over time, it has become what we are today."
"So you and the Fourth Young Master don't like each other. No wonder."
Liu Zhao raised his eyes and looked at Gu Jiu. He even reached out and pinched her nose. "From your tone, it seems like you've seen through everything. Tell me, what have you seen through?"
Gu Jiu first slapped Liu Zhao's hand away. "Hate it, always pinching her nose. It's almost deformed."
Then she said, "Some people are born enemies. No matter what the other person does, they will always find fault with him or her.
Even the smallest things can be magnified countless times in your mind.
You and Liu Yi, you two brothers must have been enemies in your previous life. You became brothers in this life. It was God's intention for you to resolve your grudges.
But looking at the current situation, you can't resolve it. When you hate someone, crying is wrong, laughing is wrong, being bad is wrong, and being good is wrong. In short, everything they do is wrong. Is it the same for you and Liu Yi?"
Liu Zhao smiled coldly, "I'm not that petty. I can't cry or laugh, or be bad or good. You underestimate me."
"What about the Fourth Young Master's opinion of him? Is he as 'magnanimous' as you?"
Gu Jiu deliberately emphasized the word "magnanimous" to remind Liu Zhao not to flatter himself.
Liu Zhao said, "He is naturally a stingy person. He has been stingy since he was a child, and he is good at putting on a show to make people happy."
Gu Jiu clicked his tongue twice.
I never thought that the usually serious Liu Zhao would have such a childish side. His tone was sour and disgusted.
Liu Zhao frowned, "What's with that expression?"
Gu Jiu suppressed a laugh and said, "No wonder you didn't even ask about the Fourth Young Master's situation. It seems like you've already made a conclusion about this matter."
Liu Zhao said expressionlessly, "He brought this upon himself. He deserves it!"
"As an older brother, shouldn't you be a little more generous and not say that your brother deserves it?" Gu Jiu reminded him kindly, at least to save his face.
As the eldest son of a royal family, you have to show some manliness.
Liu Zhao snorted lightly, looking very disdainful, "This young master does not need to give face to anyone." Especially Liu Yi, there is no need to give him face.
Gu Jiu saw through it all. Liu Zhao was just arrogant and disgusted.
She asked, "Do you think the Fourth Young Master will give in?"
Liu Zhao flipped through the book and said, "This is something that will happen sooner or later."
…
After Liu Yi calmed down, King Ning talked to him.
The father and son talked behind closed doors for half an hour. When Liu Yi came out, his eyes were red, as if he had been crying.
What a surprise.
Liu Yi was persuaded by King Ning and gave in to Xiao Qin'er. He took the initiative to go to the Xiao family and bring Xiao Qin'er and the child back to the palace.
On the surface, Xiao Qin'er won a great victory this time, forcing Liu Yi to surrender and getting rid of that annoying woman.
But she won face but lost feelings.
However, Xiao Qin'er probably doesn't care much about Liu Yi's feelings now.
Liu Yi didn't have her in his heart, so why should she care?
When Xiao Qin'er returned to the palace, Pei immediately asked her to take the child to Chunhe Hall.
Pei hadn't seen her little grandson for several days, and her heart was filled with longing for him.
"Has the child become thinner? This princess has already said that the child is still young and cannot be moved around at will. As a mother, you should stop venting your anger and consider the child as well."
Xiao Qin'er lowered her eyebrows and said submissively, "Mother has misunderstood. Big brother hasn't lost weight. In fact, he's gained half a pound. I weighed him at my mother's house yesterday."
"Yeah?"
Pei estimated the weight, but was unsure. Half a pound was not noticeable.
But she still said, "You, you just have too much temper. If there is anything, why can't you sit down and talk it out? Instead, you have to get angry with the fourth brother and take the child back to your parents' home. Even if the fourth brother is a jerk, this princess will definitely stand up for you. How can you not be sensible? We are all mothers, so don't be so impulsive in the future."
Xiao Qin'er bowed and agreed, and treated Pei's affairs with complete obedience.
Pei had a lot to say, but when she saw Xiao Qin'er's attitude, she swallowed the rest of her words.
She gave him one last warning, "Have a good talk with the fourth brother. You'll have to live together in the future. He's already given in, so you should be more submissive too. As a woman, you need to be gentle to overcome strength. You can't just throw a tantrum and get angry with a man when you encounter problems. Men all want to save face."
"Thank you for your teachings, mother. I will definitely keep them in mind."
"I hope you will truly listen to what I say. The child will stay with me. I will send someone to deliver the child to you before dark."
Xiao Qin'er had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.
On the way back, she met Gu Jiu and Ouyang Fu
"Two sisters-in-law, where did this come from?"
Ouyang Fu said, "I just finished my work in the meeting hall and was about to go back to my room to rest. Did Fourth Sister-in-law come out from Mother's place?"
Xiao Qin'er nodded, "Yes, I just came out from my mother's place."
"How is Fourth Brother's wife? I heard that you and Fourth Brother have reconciled. That's really good news." Ouyang Fu congratulated.
Xiao Qin'er didn't appreciate it. "It's such a big joke. Everyone is watching the show. What's there to congratulate? Second sister-in-law, please stop laughing at me."
Ouyang Fu hurriedly said, "How dare I laugh at you? I'm speaking from the heart."
Xiao Qin'er snorted, obviously not believing what Ouyang Fu said.
She looked at Gu Jiu and asked, "Sister-in-law, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Gu Jiu chuckled softly, "Fourth Sister-in-law doesn't need comfort, nor does she need us to criticize Fourth Young Master for you. I don't think you'd be interested in talking about other topics. You're caught in a dilemma, so it's better to keep silent."
"Sister-in-law's reasons are indeed very complicated."
"That's because Fourth Sister-in-law does things one after another."
Xiao Qin'er snorted, "It's not convenient today. I'll treat you two sisters-in-law to a drink another day. Please don't refuse."
Ouyang Fu was curious, "Why would Fourth Sister-in-law invite us to drink when it's not a festival?"
Xiao Qin'er laughed, "I'd love to!"
After saying Wan, she left.
Ouyang Fu spat secretly, looked at Xiao Qin'er's retreating figure, and said, "Look at her arrogance. I really don't know what she is so arrogant about."
Gu Jiu didn't want to join Ouyang Fu in gossiping about Xiao Qin'er behind her back, so he found an excuse and left first.
Liu Zhao returned to the military camp.
Just one person is missing, but it feels like a lot of popularity is missing.
After a month of getting along, the couple became much more familiar with each other.
Gu Jiu sat upright at the desk, took out the booklet written by Liu Zhaoshu, and couldn't help but pick up the pen to copy it.
She imitated Liu Zhao's handwriting very closely, but it lacked some strength and fierceness.
She was not very satisfied and threw the copied manuscript into the trash can.
It is February now.
The sound of a baby crying was heard in the palace, and the tranquility of the capital was broken.
Just like this spring, all things come back to life and people's hearts begin to waver.
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