Human nature is a difficult thing to understand. Some people love to create a persona for themselves, wanting everyone to think they are good. Living like that is exhausting for anyone to watch, and Liu Xu's father is a perfect example.
"Have you heard the rumors circulating in the city lately?" Master Liu asked his second wife at the Liu residence.
"What rumors are you spreading, sir?"
"Everyone outside wears it. The owner of Huaxuetang is Ruoxi."
"Ruoxi...not that year..."
"Go and take a look for me today," the man said before leaving the room.
Madam Liu knew her husband's character well; he was someone who valued face and family honor above all else. The woman sat blankly on the edge of the bed. Why had he come back? Why did he come back!
They clearly agreed that they would sell her into a brothel so she would never be able to hold her head high again.
She wasn't unaware of the recent rumors, but she dared not admit it. What if it really was that eldest daughter of the Liu family from back then? She herself didn't know.
Inside the Huaxue Hall in Jiangnan, Liu Xu was checking the accounts of each shop one by one. Liu Huan's accounts were very well done, and one could tell at a glance that he had put a lot of effort into them.
"Uncle Huan, you've worked so hard all these years," the woman said, sitting in the main seat.
"It's not hard work."
Liu Huan has been happy these past few days; she feels happy whenever she sees Liu Buhui.
I never imagined that Miss already had a child. Judging from her intelligence, she's destined for great things.
The child from the brothel back then turned out to be the Prince of Zhenbei. Now, the young lady has a terrifyingly powerful backer. She's not afraid of the Liu family, let alone the daughter of the prefect.
"Master, Madam Liu has arrived."
Someone came to report from outside. Upon hearing this, Liu Xu stood up, and Liu Huan, who was beside her, lifted the curtain for her. Through the gap, the woman quietly observed the stepmother who had planned to abduct her years ago.
The stepmother's complexion was not good, and the wrinkles around her eyes and brows could not be concealed.
"It seems my dad wasn't too good to her either. I remember she wasn't even forty yet."
"Yes, Miss."
"Look at this old woman, I bet her concubines have been upsetting her quite a bit."
"Are you going out to meet her?" Liu Huan asked quietly from the side.
Liu Xu shook her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, and whispered...
"No rush, let's wait a bit longer."
She wanted her father to willingly hand over the Liu family. She wanted her father to know that power is the most effective thing forever, and while money is important, it is insignificant in the face of power.
Huo Xiaolong didn't understand; the entire banquet in Jiangnan was dragging on and on.
Why not just have them all play together? Why make it so big, with a bunch of men and a bunch of women in the front and back yards? You have to find an excuse for your mothers to arrange blind dates with you.
Unlike in the border town, where people gather together for banquets and such, men and women start by chatting and gossiping while the men boast and the women gossip. After dinner, they drink some wine and then everyone, regardless of gender, plays pitch-pot, composes poems, sings, and dances together.
Looking at it now, isn't it a little awkward?
The banquet was for Huo Xiaolong, but the young woman sat in the main seat, coldly looking at the group of men around her.
Why the cold face?
These people really didn't know how to talk to Long'er.
For the first time, the woman was able to sit in the main seat.
The prefect of Jiangnan was also a little timid, afraid that he might say something wrong and offend this living devil.
Why is Long'er called a living Yama?
Whoever can conquer the grasslands is none other than the King of Hell.
It's estimated that even the King of Hell is relying on her to achieve his annual targets.
"Say something! Where's the food? Are you just drinking tea?" Huo Xiaolong couldn't help but speak up first.
"Serve the dishes. Is Your Highness on a journey to the capital to report on your duties?"
"Um."
The young woman snorted coldly at the question posed by the prefect of Jiangnan.
It really feels different; at a banquet where women are in charge, the conversation never gets dull.
Even if Wang Zheng organized the banquet, he never let anyone feel awkward.
"You can drink however you normally do, don't worry about me," the girl in the python robe said.
If you weren't carrying a sword on your waist, that would be more believable. But would we really do that in front of you when we're playing with those things?
Have a few drinks, have a few dancers, it's always the same old routine. Then, talk business and make a deal, and in the end, you can go for a romantic stroll with the dancers under the moon. It sounds perfect.
"Where's your housekeeper? Why don't you send your wife and daughter over? They should know how to talk to people."
"Your Highness, in Jiangnan, men and women do not sit together."
"Then what am I?"
"You...you hold a high position and wield great power; we have nothing but respect for you."
"Are you kidding me? Does everyone have to be of high rank and power to dine with you? A few dishes and you're already this drunk? Are you implying that no one except the Emperor is qualified?"
Huo Xiaolong spoke in the local dialect as soon as he opened his mouth. The child didn't actually mean to attack anyone, but the moment he started speaking the dialect, it created a bit of a fighting atmosphere.
"Your Highness, please calm down. I had no intention of disrespecting His Majesty."
"Call all the women over, and they all keep their mouths shut like they're locked. If that's the case, don't invite anyone else to dinner next time."
What can I say?
They hold high-ranking positions and have considerable power.
Father and brother were still sitting downstairs.
If we're talking about who enjoyed the banquet the most today, it's definitely the group from Fengyuelou.
Those older sisters also hold official positions; aren't they all generals or vanguard officers or something?
Why did they all go to the backyard?
It was Hou Xiangxiang and Er Ya who brought it; those two have a real appetite. When they entered, they saw the maid carrying desserts and dishes, heading straight for the back courtyard. Then, the little girl told the girls at the brothel.
"Sis, the food in the backyard seems to be better than the food in the frontyard. Let's go eat in the backyard."
"Alright, then Long'er, you come with your father to the front yard."
Chunying had made perfect arrangements, completely oblivious to Long'er's speechless expression.
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