Chapter 54 This is the end of our relationship! ...
Okay, okay...
I thought she'd be terrified, but it turns out she's not afraid at all; in fact, she's quite swaggering around...
In that case, what is there for her to feel guilty about?
But there's really no need to continue fighting like this.
He rubbed his face hard, until his skin stung, but he remained defiant.
"Fine! You're amazing, I admit it! This is the end of our relationship!"
This person is so self-righteous. Who wants to end things with her here? Does she really think everyone else is made of clay and has no temper?
A cold smile appeared on Shan Lai's pale face. He opened his mouth to mock, but suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded...
Just moments ago, a person was full of energy and acting aggressively, but suddenly, like a mountain collapsing, he fell straight down and crashed to the ground with a loud thud...
Ziyu was startled, but quickly recovered and shouted to those around her, "Quickly, fetch a doctor! Just the Imperial Physician Qi who often treats the Madam! I'll cover the consultation fee and travel expenses!"
It was already late at night, but the lights in various parts of the Liu residence were gradually lit up.
This time, her illness was far more severe than before. Shanlai was often in a daze and rarely had a clear mind. When she woke up, she had to eat and take medicine. After taking the medicine, she would fall into a daze again and go back to sleep. This continued until autumn passed and the snow fell, when she finally recovered completely. By then, the mourning curtains that had been hung in various places in the Liu family for Old Madam Qin had all been removed.
As early as when he was old enough to sit up, Shanlai wrote a letter to Liu Min.
Ziyu seemed to have improved. She had been taking care of everything for Shanlai, from getting him medical treatment and medication to recuperating, showing her utmost care and concern. Once, while Shanlai was lucid, she pulled him aside for a heart-to-heart talk. She recounted how difficult her life had been, how her parents' lack of ambition had forced her to be inferior to others, enduring hardship and humiliation. Finally, things had turned around, only to be disrupted by a new mistress. Some people, unable to bear seeing her success, mocked her. She had lost her temper and, influenced by these sarcastic remarks, had acted rashly, hoping Shanlai would be forgiving and forgive her. She believed that a harmonious future was always better than constant conflict. She rambled on and on, but Shanlai didn't respond. However, she knew that after such a commotion, forgiveness wouldn't come easily. She just couldn't keep Shanlai from knowing her feelings. There was still a long road ahead; she wasn't afraid of not being able to straighten herself out. She had that much patience. Then, in a friendly manner, they began to talk about other things, such as the people and affairs of the Liu family, and the local customs of Xingdu. In the end, they always said that they would definitely go out and play together when they had free time in the future.
She appeared to be absolutely sincere, but Shanlai refused to believe her; in truth, he harbored deep resentment.
But now that we're under someone else's roof and controlled by others everywhere, there's really no need to tear things apart. Let's just get through this period first, and settle things another day.
But no one came to pick her up, and she didn't reply to any letters.
Three strikes and you're out. Shanlai didn't write a third letter. Her pride wouldn't allow it; she would never be weak, never beg for mercy from anyone. She wrote to Liu Min because she felt fate had bound her to him, that she could rely on him. But this seemed to be just wishful thinking. He didn't care about her at all; he just left without a second thought. If it weren't for Lü Yang, she might already be dead. She had overestimated herself.
He's just a servant, what's the big deal?
She would never allow herself to become a joke.
So I started to be kind and gentle to everyone, including Ziyu. If I couldn't leave, I had to make long-term plans.
No matter how unwilling I am, there's nothing I can do.
Unexpectedly, Ziyu is a very good person—diligent, righteous, straightforward, and grateful…
They practically worship kindness.
Although Ziyu bowed her head and yielded to Shanlai, Shanlai did not say what he wanted, so Ziyu's position as the head of Guangyitang was not affected in any way, and she remained the one who had the final say.
“Our tasks were assigned by Madam, and there’s no one more suitable. So even though there’s one more person now, there’s no need to assign tasks. It would be too much trouble for Madam, and if the assignments aren’t satisfactory, no one would feel comfortable. If you ask me, it’s better not to make a fuss. If anyone is too busy, just call her over to lend a hand. What do you all think?”
Green Willow naturally sided with Shan Lai, and Orange Maple had nothing to say, afraid of offending Shan Lai, whom she had already decided was someone she couldn't afford to offend, so she didn't have any ulterior motives. As for Peach, she smiled and said it was fine, adding that as expected of her older sister, she was very thoughtful, which left Green Willow with mixed feelings.
Such a person.
It's true what they say, a barking dog is a dangerous thing.
Ziyu seemed to have seen through her true colors and immediately distanced herself from her, even moving to another place to live, openly disliking her. But she still smiled every day, as if she didn't understand the deeper meaning behind other people's behavior, or that she had already ruined her reputation and was avoided by everyone.
But it didn't matter. No one said anything bad to her because of it. She still had food and clothing, and dignity. She was always smiling and cheerful. Over time, the people around her gradually forgot about what she had done before. They no longer thought of her as a hypocritical and ruthless person. They stopped being wary of her and even spoke to her kindly.
Guangyitang is truly a place of harmony and joy.
Shanlai began to learn about some of the fun things girls do: embroidery, grass fighting, shuttlecock kicking, cat's cradle, paper cutting, guessing games, and even playing leaf cards... all of which he had never heard of or played before.
For the servants of the Liu family who remained in the capital, this was a golden period. Without their masters, they had virtually no work to do, but they received their monthly wages as usual, and enjoyed countless moments of leisure, passing the time with ease, like the autumn moon and spring breeze...
Shanlai is a very intelligent person. When learning something, no matter what it is, she grasps it very quickly. However, she seems to lack talent in embroidery. Within a day or two, her hands are covered in blood from pricking them, and the embroidery she produces is barely passable. She is very dissatisfied with this and the more she fails, the more she wants to try, because she refuses to believe that she cannot do it.
By this time, Ziyu had become quite close to her, so she advised her that it's okay if she doesn't do well. How many people in the world are truly all-rounders who can do everything perfectly? Why put so much pressure on yourself? If there's anything you want, just tell the people around you, and surely they'll agree.
But Shanlai believed that she should be good at everything; she was certain she could do it, she had to do it. So, she practiced day and night with needle and thread and an embroidery hoop. Finally, in a flash of inspiration, as if enlightened, she suddenly had a breakthrough. Not only did she no longer prick her hand with the needle, but the things she made were also exquisite and beautiful. It was a peony, blooming on a square foot of snow-white satin, lifelike and dazzling.
Shanlai almost immediately took it to show Ziyu, to show her her success, and to tell her that she could do it too.
Ziyu carefully observed her success, her eyes wide open. She glared at her, quite resentfully telling her not to play with embroidery needles anymore, how were ordinary people like them supposed to live?
The embroidery hoop was taken away, and Shanlai didn't look for another one because he wasn't very interested in embroidery; it was too mentally taxing. He was just too competitive, which was why he had put in so much effort. Now that he had won, he naturally stopped being so persistent.
Ziyu, on the other hand, came over with the peony she had embroidered and asked her where she got the pattern. After learning that she had drawn it herself, she immediately found paper, pen and color and asked her to draw a few more patterns for her.
It's just a small favor, of course I won't refuse.
With a wave of the hand, the peony is a peony, the jasmine is jasmine... each one is as real as the last.
As Ziyu admired the sight, she exclaimed, "I'm truly impressed. It turns out there really are perfect people in the world, far beyond what ordinary people like us can compare to. If someone like me can meet one in this lifetime, I've lived a truly fulfilling life."
After Ziyu left, many more people came to ask for her services. It wasn't just the people from Guangyitang; all the women in the household came looking for her—girls, wives, and mothers-in-law. What was remarkable was that no matter what they wanted, Shanlai could draw it all, and he drew it well.
On a clear night after a snowfall, there was not a breath of wind or a cloud, only the full moon in the sky. The snow reflected the moonlight, illuminating the vast and clear heavens.
On such a night, Shanlai, braving the wind and wearing a thick coat, sat under the open window, slowly flipping through the sketches by the light of the snow and moon, feeling very relaxed.
She was still living in Wu Qingyu's west wing room, which overlooked the courtyard. There was white snow, red plum blossoms, and green bamboo. It was a cold winter, but she didn't feel cold because there was a charcoal stove right at her feet.
Life is truly unpredictable. I used to be a farm girl at home, spending my days with chickens and ducks. Although there were green grass and fragrant flowers, it was mostly filth and stench. I never imagined I would be where I am today.
Clean and tidy, comfortable and peaceful, with the beauty of nature, poetic and picturesque, doing what I love, having close friends, surrounded by laughter and genuine kindness—except for the absence of my father, this is truly the best time of my life…
She was so good to her that she felt she could forgive many things.
So he laid out paper and, amidst the snow and moonlight, picked up his brush and began to write.
She wrote to Liu Min again.
It wasn't that he wanted to send someone to pick him up, but rather that he wanted to take care of himself.
She knew he must be feeling terrible right now.
She was wrong before; she was too panicked and too scared, so she only thought about her own suffering and wanted someone to save her, without considering that the person she was begging was also in endless pain at that time.
He was in far more pain than her, so how could he possibly care about her?
She had personally experienced the pain of losing a loved one; tears and heartbreak could not alleviate even a fraction of it, especially considering his background...
Wu Qingyu really shouldn't have stayed.
When I was blinded by the leaves, I felt only resentment; now I am very fortunate.
Fortunately, there was someone he was close to and trusted by his side.
It's been a long time, I wonder how he is now.
The letter was sent, but there was no reply for a long time. She sent another one, but still no reply. This time, Shanlai didn't follow the rule of "third time's the charm," and sent a third letter, still without any response. So she sent a fourth one...
Liu Min is certainly not good.
He knew he was a pitiful person, and he always knew that Old Madam Qin treated him the best and was his only support. Without his grandmother, what would become of him?
He didn't want his grandmother to worry, so he obediently followed the arrangement and parted ways with her. He didn't need a father, nor did he want a future.
He shouldn't have left, but it was too late for regrets.
He couldn't stay calm; the thought that he might never see them again in this life made his heart ache as if it didn't exist...
He didn't know what else he could do, he just cried. Crying was useless, but what else could he do?
There's nothing he can do.
His father and his grandmother's son shared the same sentiment. They both existed in this world because of their grandmother, and they should have been the closest of people to each other.
Liu Shen was in a panic. He appeared calm on the surface, as if nothing had happened, but he was not only panicked, but also terrified.
His mother was dying.
Once you're dead, you're gone, and you'll never be again...
They are mother and son! They have depended on each other for decades. He knows her suffering better than anyone. He vowed to repay her. He has indeed become successful, but he has not been able to give her a good life. Although she was the one who harmed him in the beginning, and things wouldn't have turned out this way if she hadn't acted on her own, it is undoubtedly his fault that they have fallen into this situation.
He was arrogant, thinking that everything was under control and that there was still time.
He was just being arrogant.
He knew he was wrong, but the situation was beyond repair.
He rode a horse, with a carriage behind him. Inside the carriage were his wife and children, all his relatives, as well as his mother's relatives. No matter how urgent the situation, he could not abandon his responsibilities.
But it started raining heavily.
The car got stuck in the mud and broke down, unable to move.
His daughter, only six years old, was caught in the rain and frightened, and was wailing in her mother's arms. Her mother, his wife, was pale from the cold rain... They were women and children, and had always been pampered. It was really too much for them.
But, but.
His mother is unwell, and if he delays, he may not be able to see her one last time.
How could that be?
There is simply no choice.
"You should find a place to take shelter from the rain. I'm sorry to trouble you... I'll go first. You should take your time and focus on safety. Nothing else matters."
That's how it is for them, but not for him.
He had to get back quickly no matter what, so he turned his horse around.
Just before he cracked the whip, he heard a loud, unfamiliar shout, which left him momentarily stunned.
The rain was pouring down, and everything was obscured; his face was blurred, but he knew he was crying.
This child, this crying child, was his son, whose birth he had so eagerly awaited. He was still on his way when he received the letter. He was a very reserved and rather proud man, so he was very aloof and seemed to have never spoken to anyone in his life. But that day at the inn, he smiled and struck up a conversation with a young merchant sitting at the next table.
"Do you know what? I received a letter from home. My wife is pregnant, and I'm going to be a father..."
But he was born in such a chaotic time; his arrival in this world came at the cost of his mother's life.
There are too many things we have no choice but to do. There are just too many.
There are too many things he can't control, which is actually because he hasn't tried his best to fight for them, because he always felt that there was still time.
At first glance, he was just a blurry lump of flesh; upon closer inspection, he had grown into a big child with a nose, eyes, long arms, and long legs, who respectfully addressed him as "Master."
master.
He called him Master, and he continued to call him Master after that.
This was the first time he had called someone "Dad".
For a moment, he felt he could agree to anything.
It was raining heavily, and he nestled in front of him, hiding inside his cloak. Father and son were close together, but they couldn't feel each other's warmth, but it didn't matter.
They traveled almost non-stop for fifteen days, from Xingdu to Pingcheng.
They've all peeled off a layer of skin.
But I still didn't get to see him one last time.
The night before they arrived in Pingcheng, Old Madam Qin passed away.
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