Anning and Hui talked for a while, and after Nanny Zhou woke up, they rode together to West Street.
On West Street, Anning had already told Qingping to first let Liu Li go ho for a few days, and once things were settled, arrangents would be made for Liu Li.
At this mont, Liu Li was living at her own ho.
Liu Li’s house was quite close to West Street. To be precise, their family was bought by Anning. Since capturing Prefecture City, Anning had bought quite a few servants, and Liu Li’s family was among them.
Anning had settled these servants down, Liu Li’s family all worked on West Street, their house was on the street behind the big mansion, where several not-so-large houses were located, inhabited by servants of West Street.
Liu Li returned ho, and her mother had taken leave to accompany Liu Li these days.
Liu Li’s mother started the fire, cooked rice and stir-fried two dishes. When the al was ready, she called Liu Li to eat.
Liu Li looked slightly unwell, and she was listless while eating.
Seeing this, Liu Li’s mother couldn’t help but curse, "Such a troubleso lot, already quite advanced in age, halfway into the grave, yet still dare to ruin a fresh young girl."
"Mother."
Liu Li looked up at her mother, "Stop talking, I already feel so embarrassed."
"What do you have to feel embarrassed about?" Liu Li’s mother, naturally fiery in nature, slapped her chopsticks on the table, "The one who should be embarrassed is that shaless old man. With Madam and Young Master being such kind-hearted people, why are there these disgraceful relatives?"
"If it weren’t for Madam, I’d have taken a knife and perished together with that shaless old man." Liu Li gritted her teeth as she spoke of these things, "There’s no pushing others around like this."
"Don’t do that, we’re living well, there’s no need to think this way."
Liu Li’s mother was startled, quickly urging Liu Li, "Isn’t Qingping helping you plead with Madam? Maybe Madam will pity you and let you leave this ss. You’ve always been clever and good at accounting, perhaps Madam will let you help out at the shop. If that’s the case, it would be great. You could learn the ropes too, and if you pick up another skill, we’d have nothing to worry about."
Liu Li sighed, "I’m just afraid Madam is angry with . What if Madam thinks I’m that kind of woman who clings to others? What would I do then?"
As she was speaking, she heard Qingping calling her from outside, "Is Liu Li here?"
Liu Li quickly answered and went to open the door.
Qingping was dressed in a lake-green gown, draped in a cloak as she ca in, and imdiately grabbed Liu Li, "Madam is here and wants to see you."
Liu Li was startled, "Why is Madam here?"
"I don’t know." Qingping shook her head, pulling Liu Li out.
Upon reaching the mouth of the alley, Liu Li saw the carriage Anning usually rode in, and quickly went over to pay respects.
Anning lifted the curtain to look at Liu Li, smiled at her, "Follow along."
Without a word, Liu Li followed by the side of the carriage, which drove to the gate of the large mansion. Anning and Hui got off together, followed by a sedan chair, from which erged a very elderly woman.
Liu Li hurriedly went over to help, "Be careful."
Anning’s eyes revealed a hint of amusent.
Indeed, Liu Li was perceptive.
"I know about your situation."
Anning whispered to Liu Li, "Don’t worry, I will support you."
Her words eased Liu Li’s worries.
Anning led the way in, followed by Hui and Liu Li, into the courtyard.
In the courtyard, several rough old won were working, and upon seeing Anning, they quickly ca to pay respects.
Anning smiled, "Where are Old Master and Old Madam?"
The old won replied, "In the main courtyard. These days Old Master hasn’t eaten much and seems a bit uncomfortable."
Anning sneered, "Perhaps he’s embarrassed."
With those words, she strode toward the main courtyard.
The old won were montarily stunned.
They had thought Madam ca specially to check on Old Master’s discomfort, but now it seed different, as if she ca to stir trouble.
The old won thought Madam was indeed bold. However, this concerned the master’s own parents. If Madam truly caused a scene, wasn’t she afraid the master would beco estranged?
Of course, these thoughts remained just that, as they were uninvolved and couldn’t interfere with Madam’s actions.
Anning led the group into the main courtyard.
As she entered, she heard singing coming from inside.
Anning’s face grew darker, without announcing her arrival, she walked straight into the room.
Entering the room, she saw Old Master reclining on the couch, while a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl was standing and singing. Old Master was completely captivated.
Anning’s eyes narrowed slightly, "Alright, stop singing, go out for now."
Suddenly, Old Master sat up.
He showed so anger, "Third son’s wife, what do you an by this? Coming in without announcing, and wanting to send away my person?"
Anning laughed, "What do you an by your person? All the servants here are mine; I bought them. Their contracts are with ."
"Nonsense."
Out of nowhere, Old Madam erged from inside, trying to spit at Anning.
Anning quickly pulled Hui aside to dodge, Liu Li and Nanny Zhou did the sa.
"What do you an by your people? You’re just our son’s wife. If we as parents-in-law find you unpleasant, we can easily divorce you."
Old Madam scolded Anning.
Anning laughed behind her hand, "Who are you threatening? Perhaps you could say that to elder sister-in-law, but it’s impossible to say it to or Mr. Four’s wife. If you don’t believe, ask Third Young Master and Mr. Four to divorce us, I’d like to see if your good sons listen to you or their wives."
Old Madam pointed and cursed at Anning, who remained unfazed.
On the contrary, Anning’s words angered Old Madam to the point of fainting. "What grave sin did I commit in my past life to bear such ungrateful wolves, who forget their mothers for their wives."
Anning slowly sat down, Hui seated herself beside her.
Anning smiled, "Don’t call them ungrateful wolves, Old Madam, those are not words to be thrown around carelessly. First, Third Young Master and Mr. Four aren’t ungrateful wolves, and second, are they truly your sons? Don’t joke with us."
Old Master’s suspicion grew with her words, "What do you an by this?"
Anning said, "What do I an? I an exactly as I say, that Third Young Master and Mr. Four are not your sons."
Anning glanced at Nanny Zhou, "Nanny Zhou, you explain."
Nanny Zhou took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and stepped forward, "Yes, Old Master and Old Madam, you’ve kept this a secret all your lives, but the old servant knows. Third Young Master and Mr. Four are from the elder branch, not born to you. When the elder branch Madam died in childbirth, the Young Master also fell ill. You claid Third Young Master and Mr. Four as your own to inherit the title. Over the years, the old ones either left or passed away, and the newcors know nothing. Only this old servant kept quiet but always knew."
Nanny Zhou’s words made Old Master and Old Madam tremble with rage.
"You filthy servant, how dare you spout lies."
Old Madam pointed at Nanny Zhou and cursed.
Nanny Zhou was utterly fearless, "The old servant has evidence."
She untied the bundle from her body, opening it gradually for Anning to see.
Anning looked, and there was a handwritten note from the young master, identity papers left by Old Duke, and so keepsakes. There was also correspondence from the announcent of Xiao Yuan’s birth.
Anning examined them, then handed them to Hui.
As Hui looked, tears fell, "So it was true all along. No wonder our Mr. Four was never favored. Turns out he wasn’t born to you. Old Madam, you murdered my mother-in-law, driving my father-in-law to illness. How can you still torture Mr. Four? Don’t you feel guilty at all?"
Old Master’s face flushed with rage, "Lies, lies, it’s all lies, these are fake."
Anning handed Old Duke’s correspondence to Old Master, "Fake? This was penned by your father, how could it be fake?"
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