Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Liu She did not speak during dinner, and he acted as if he did not hear Jiang Pengji and Madam Hu’s conversation. He solemnly finished his food.
Jiiang Pengji had a bigger appetite than Liu Lanting. The cooks were talented; even though they did not have as many seasonings in this era, they still made delicious food. For Jiang Pengji, the food was even better because she usually ate bland pre-packed food.
Liu She secretly observed Jiang Pengji. He noticed that when she ate, her eyes narrowed in satisfaction like a cat. He filed away her preferences and thought about having the kitchen make more of her favorite dishes.
Madam Hu followed Liu She into the main wing. After Jiang Pengji left, she asked, “Cousin, you’re still keeping the two illegitimate ones in the backyard?” Madam Hu lazily draped herself over the table that Liu She often used to practice his writing.
“What ‘illegitimate ones’? Where did you learn such words?” Liu She frowned. A headache that had not been emerged in years suddenly returned when he saw the lady’s posture. “Sit up. What are you doing?”
“Heh, at least I didn’t call them b*stards.” Madam Hu rested her chin in a palm and continued before Liu She lost his temper. “Lanting doesn’t know anything. Those two may be the sons of a concubine, but they and Lanting are still half-related. If sparks flew between them, would you be able to stop it?”
Liu She didn’t seem bothered by Madam Hu’s words. But the lady’s eyes were sharp, and she noticed that his hand holding the brush shook for a moment. If it were anybody else, they would not have noticed anything wrong.
Liu She lifted his gaze and coldly said, “That girl is smart.”
Madam Hu finally sat up. She said agreeably, “That’s true. It’s as if she’s changed into a different person. In the past, she was as meek as a lamb. If she didn’t have help from the east wing, even the servants could have controlled her. Now she’s more like a baby tiger.”
Liu She was silent for a second before he agreed. “Like father, like daughter.”
Madam Hu rolled her eyes ungracefully before she unexpectedly undermined him. “More like she takes after you after you turned 12.”
Liu She: “...”
Madam Hu decided to pull the rug out from beneath his feet by bringing up his history. There was a playful gleam in her eyes.
The elders in Hejian County knew how stupid Liu She was when he was a child. He had been dumb, bratty, and messy.
Liu She was the second son of the formal wife, yet he seemed to bring disaster everywhere he went. Even the servants could not bear to look after him. It was frowned upon to even mention Liu She.
But he had good taste. When he was four or five, he had set his sights on the second daughter from the Gu family of Langye Province, and they grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Both the Lius and Gus were well matched in terms of social status, but that was all they had in common.
As a child, Gu Min was talented and bright. When she was six, she and the first lady took care of the household affairs. Whatever mess she handled always came out perfect and orderly. Liu She, on the other hand, was a different story.
Many people thought that Liu She was not worthy of Gu Min.
But Liu She had brazenly stuck by Gu Min. Had they not been children, there would definitely have been slanderous rumors.
When Gu Min reached a marriageable age, Liu She begged his mother to ask the Gu family for her hand. But he was slapped in the face by reality.
Gu Min could become a queen and a role model for all women... And Liu She, from the second Liu generation, wanted to marry her?
After Liu She’s marriage proposal was rejected, he started working hard. He knelt before the Gu manor and begged Gu Min to put off her betrothal for two years. He had knelt in the storm for a day and night and made a vow through his high fever.
After that, Heijan County lost one brat but gained one more taciturn and ruthless scholar— Liu She.
As Madam Hu and Liu spoke, the old head servant asked to speak to the master. Liu She remembered what he had wanted to do and quickly had Madam Hu sit properly. He then said, “Come in.”
The head servant was there to report on Jiang Pengji’s progress for that day. In the beginning, all was well and Liu She’s expression had little changes. Liu She felt like a proud father. But when the servant mentioned that Jiang Pengji had used her fan to lift Xu Xiaoyu’s chin, Liu She turned solemn.
“Xu Ke? The one branded on the face... Is that Zisang County’s Xu Xiaoyu?” Liu She asked uncertainly.
The old head servant was dumbfounded. He had only mentioned that the boy was called “Xu Ke,” but he had not mentioned his formal name or his history. How did the master know?
“Yes, the second Langjun took him and was even certain that he would try to escape in the middle of the night...”
Liu She scoffed. “He’s treacherous by nature. How could we train such a person? If Lanting said he will escape, then he will... We don’t have many guards on the ranch, so if he tries to escape in the night...”
The head servant was confused. He said, “Then... based on what you think...”
If Xu Xiaoyu really escaped during the night, he would be dragged back and beaten to death.
“In any case, Lanting brought him back. How can we even let him escape?”
Liu She suddenly smiled; it was a smile that brought shivers to everyone who saw it. It was a smile he used when he was planning something.
“Dispatch another team to guard the ranch. If he runs, break a leg. An injury that will take him 100 days to recover should make him better behaved.”
The old servant was stupefied. So they would not beat a runaway servant to death? Since when had his master been so chivalrous?
Just as the old servant was about to leave, Liu She changed his mind and dumbfounded the servant even more. “Forget it, I’ll go visit this Xu Xiaoyu. Let Lanting know.”
“That Xu Xiaoyu. Who is he?” Madam Hu frowned.
Liu She gave her a cold smile. “A dog who would bite and can’t be trained.”
“Can’t be trained? But at least he bites. That’s better than all bark and no bite.”
Her words had an underlying meaning. Liu She understood but did not react.
Madam Hu waited for a moment before giving a cold hmph. She stood up and flung her sleeves before stalking off.
Liu She sighed and mumbled to the empty room. “Spoiled by Gu Min... But her temper is still bad...”