At that time, Zou Wenjun was seven months pregnant. After exchanging greetings, the two agreed to take a stroll in the garden.
For the past few months, Zou Wenjun has come to pay his respects every day, without doing anything overstepping his authority; he has truly lived a law-abiding life.
In addition, her words pleased Liu Ying, and the house was quiet and lonely. Over time, Liu Ying also opened her heart to Zou Wenjun.
He also became less wary of her, and when they had free time, the two would often meet up for walks and chats to relieve boredom.
As usual, the two walked and talked that evening.
However, a stray cat that came from somewhere bumped into Zou Wenjun. Although Liu Ying tried her best to protect Zou Wenjun, the two of them still fell to the ground.
By the time Liu Ying realized what was happening, all she saw was Zou Wenjun's blood from her lower body and her moans.
Liu Ying remained calm and immediately instructed the maid beside her to find the midwife and doctor.
But in the end, they couldn't save the baby in Zou Wenjun's womb.
When Liu Yuanliang arrived, he only saw the doctor shaking his head repeatedly.
It is said that she suffered a severe blow to the abdomen and gave birth to only one stillborn baby, which was a fully formed male fetus.
Upon hearing this, Liu Ying immediately felt heartbroken and blamed herself for not taking good care of Zou Wenjun.
During the months they spent together, Liu Ying and Zou Wenjun had already developed a mutual respect and appreciation for each other.
He immediately instructed his servants to send the best tonics to Zou Wenjun's room so that she could recover her health.
Who knew that when Zou Wenjun woke up, she insisted that Liu Ying had pushed her to the ground.
Liu Ying was incredulous for a moment, but with maids and servants around her, she could certainly prove her innocence.
To everyone's surprise, the maids and servants who went for a walk also insisted that Liu Ying had deliberately pushed Zou Wenjun to the ground.
At the time, Zou Wenjun insisted that it was Liu Ying who took her pulse and discovered that she was carrying a boy, which is why she became jealous.
Liu Ying immediately laughed in anger. She thought that even if everyone else was framing her, the person next to her in bed would definitely believe her.
To everyone's surprise, Liu Yuanliang, who was usually gentle and considerate, was now looking at her with a gloomy face.
As a result, Liu Ying and Liu Miaoyin were placed under house arrest.
This confinement lasted for more than ten years.
At that time, Liu Yuanliang gave her two choices: either confront the government or be confined to her home.
Now that her servants have falsely accused her, and she has gone to the authorities, she is naturally at a disadvantage.
Zou Wenjun is also carrying a life in her womb; if she doesn't die, she will be exiled.
If something happens to her, her daughter will naturally not survive.
So, Liu Ying stayed in the courtyard with Liu Miaoyin for decades.
As early as the first day of the lockdown, Zou Wenjun had already thought things through thoroughly.
It turns out that Liu Yuanliang had planned all of this long ago.
At first, Liu Yuanliang advised Liu Ying to let her maids go out and get married, but as time went on, resentment inevitably arose in their hearts.
Liu Ying agreed.
Later, they advised her to let the old woman beside her go and enjoy her retirement, saying that she had taken care of the Liu family for most of her life and it was time for her to rest.
At the time, Liu Ying thought Liu Yuanliang was kind and that what she said made some sense, so she nodded in agreement.
It turns out that everything they did was just to undermine Liu Ying's power.
At that moment, Liu Ying, having figured all this out, felt a chill run through her body.
The thought of Liu Yuanliang using his own flesh and blood to get involved made her feel nauseous.
This is why she dared not go to the government office; she was certain that Liu Yuanliang would not treat Liu Miaoyin well.
Over the years, Liu Yuanliang had not harmed Liu Ying, leading Liu Ying to suspect that Liu Yuanliang was only concerned with his own reputation.
He was afraid people would say he was living off someone else's wealth.
Liu Miaoyin was released before she came of age, and Liu Yuanliang planned to marry her off.
The Liu family has an ancestral rule that any child born of the legitimate wife, regardless of gender, has the right to inherit the Liu family's property.
Zou Wenjun gave birth to another daughter for Liu Yuanliang the following year.
Both Liu Ying and Liu Miaoyin knew that this was in order to completely control the Liu family.
In fact, the reason why Liu Ying and her daughter have survived until now is because they hold the Liu family's power.
That hand of cards is a symbol of the head of the family. Without it, Liu Yuanliang's position is ultimately illegitimate.
Furthermore, having no cards in hand suggests that the death of the previous head of the family is questionable.
Then, the entire collateral branch of the Liu family will come to investigate this matter.
The Liu family has been skilled in medicine for generations, and the coroner will certainly not overlook any clues.
The Liu family made their fortune through medical skills. Although they later ventured into other businesses, they never forgot their roots.
Fortunately, Liu Ying had a backup plan, otherwise that villain Liu Yuanliang would have succeeded long ago.
Originally, Liu Yuanliang thought that no matter what, he should choose a good husband for Liu Miaoyin.
Even if she is not given away to someone else, she can be married off to a merchant she is working with.
Regardless of age, anything that is beneficial is acceptable.
After Liu Miaoyin was released, she naturally hated Liu Yuanliang and Zou Wenjun.
Therefore, when she saw her half-sister engaging in illicit relations with another man, she did not hesitate to bring over all the people who had come to Liu Yuanliang's birthday celebration that day.
This damaged her half-sister's reputation, forcing her to marry a man as a concubine.
Therefore, Liu Yuanliang and Zou Wenjun did the absurd thing of making Liu Miaoyin throw a bridal ball in public to choose a husband in order to humiliate her.
Liu Yuanliang also threatened her that if she did not comply, her mother would be punished severely.
Liu Miaoyin had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree.
That's how things unfolded later.
At that time, Liu Miaoyin felt that this was all there was to her life, and the worst that could happen was that she would die.
It wasn't until the embroidered ball reached Li Ershu's hands that Liu Miaoyin's eyes ignited with hope for life.
After listening to what Liu Miaoyin said, Gu Lili couldn't help but feel emotional.
If so many sordid things happen in the inner quarters of a wealthy household, then the harems of princes and emperors must be even more terrifying.
“Miss Liu, I have something I’m curious about. Why do you think we can save your mother?” Gu Lili asked.
Even if the three of them are dressed in finery today, it doesn't mean they have the ability to help her.
You know, he was the richest man in Jiangdu.
Liu Miaoyin smiled sheepishly and said, "When I was standing by the window looking down, I happened to see the two young masters talking to the officials downstairs. After they finished talking, the officials came up. So I guessed that the three of you must be of extraordinary status, which is why I dared to ask for your help."
Gu Lili and the other two understood; so that was the reason.
However, Gu Lili looked at Liu Miaoyin with a half-smile and said, "Why do you think we'll definitely help you?"
Even if they were of extraordinary status, they were only meeting for the first time and had no prior relationship whatsoever.
Her father sent her away like a piece of merchandise; what bargaining chips did she have that would make Gu Lili and the other two go to such lengths for her?
Liu Miaoyin knelt before Gu Lili with neither arrogance nor servility, and said, "Miss, if you help me reclaim the Liu family, I am willing to offer up all of the Liu family's assets!"
Liu Miaoyin was indeed very smart; she realized that among the three, Gu Lili still held the power of speech.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com