Chapter 229: Treat Her as If She Doesn’t Exist

Chapter 229: Treat Her as If She Doesn't Exist

Madam Liu’s eyes blazed with fury and shame, and she looked like she was about to collapse from the humiliation. However, without a word, Old Mao roughly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and shoved it into Madam Liu’s mouth.

Madam Liu looked ready to faint.

Grandfather Liu’s face twisted with disgust.

"Take her away," he ordered.

Old Mao dragged Madam Liu away, her arms still bound.

Moments ago, Xiao Langqing had been ready to scold his wife for causing trouble, but now, seeing Grandfather Liu’s ruthless actions, he trembled in fear.

It wasn’t just him; Madam Xiao was also shaking uncontrollably, on the verge of fainting.

As soon as Grandfather Liu’s gaze fell on Xiao Langqing, he shuddered and immediately knelt to beg for mercy. "Please, University Scholar, forgive my wife’s stupidity."

Grandfather Liu looked at the couple coldly.

Madam Xiao sobbed uncontrollably, clearly terrified. "University Scholar, please be merciful. I was blinded by greed, and I swear I’ll never do it again!"

The Xiaos kowtowed repeatedly.

"You should both behave yourselves in the future," Grandfather Liu said coldly.

Xiao Langqing almost collapsed in relief. "Thank you, University Scholar! Thank you!"

He knew they had narrowly escaped disaster—for now.

Madam Xiao, also feeling as if she’d been given a second chance, kept promising, "...University Scholar, rest assured, I will never dare again!"

Grandfather Liu’s face remained cold. "...Is Fifth Miss Liu still at your residence?"

Madam Xiao nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, Fifth Miss Liu is resting in the back courtyard."

"What about that brute?" Grandfather Liu’s question seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

Madam Xiao shuddered, knowing exactly who he was referring to. "...He... he left long ago..."

Grandfather Liu’s face darkened, and after a long pause, he said, "Prepare a carriage to take Fifth Miss back to the Liu family villa."

Madam Xiao nodded frantically, agreeing to everything.

After handling these matters, Grandfather Liu turned to Ah Wu. "...Ah Wu, do you see? When someone tries to bully you, you must stand up for yourself. You are the granddaughter of Liu Fengzhi and not some helpless creature that anyone can push around—from now on, if anyone dares to bully you, just slap them!"

Ah Wu understood that Grandfather was teaching her.

She nodded obediently and said seriously, "Don’t worry, Grandfather. I won’t let anyone bully me again."

Grandfather Liu took a deep breath. "Let’s go, let’s head home."

Grandfather Liu took Ah Wu and Xingxing back to the Liu family villa.

With her hands tied and a handkerchief still in her mouth, Madam Liu was taken back in a carriage borrowed from the Xiao family by Old Mao.

The Liu family’s retinue followed closely behind.

The people of Mapo County were confused, only knowing that the Xiao family had offended Grand Scholar Liu, and he had come to confront them!

Before long, Liu Xiangxiang was also properly sent back by the Xiao family.

Liu Xiangxiang was too weak to walk, so Aunt Xia arranged for a sedan chair, and the servants carried her back to her own room.

As soon as Liu Xiangxiang entered the room, she asked the maid serving her, “Where’s my mother? Why didn’t I see my mother?”

She had already asked the Xiao family in the carriage, but they had avoided answering her.

When she entered the house, she knew Aunt Xia was loyal to that fool, so she didn’t want to talk to her. Now that she was back in her own space, she could finally ask someone directly.

The maid serving her was close to tears as she replied, “M-Miss, Madam, Madam has been sent back to the capital!”

Liu Xiangxiang couldn’t believe it. “What?! How could my mother have been sent back to the capital?”

The maid knelt on the ground, frightened. “I, I saw several people go to Madam’s courtyard and hastily pack a trunk. When I asked, they said they were sending Madam back to the capital… I don’t know anything else, I swear.”

Liu Xiangxiang couldn’t sit still.

How could Grandfather send my mother back to the capital so abruptly?

What am I supposed to do now?!

Liu Xiangxiang’s nails dug into her palm. “Send someone to bring the sedan chair here. I need to see Grandfather!”

Ignoring her pain, Liu Xiangxiang made her way to Grandfather Liu’s courtyard.

Grandfather Liu was having a box of jewels prepared to give to Xingxing.

He knew that if it weren’t for Xingxing, something terrible could have happened to Ah Wu.

Grandfather Liu didn’t want to dwell on what could have happened and only instructed those packing the jewels, “Pick those suitable for a child to wear, only the best quality!”

Just as he was speaking, Liu Xiangxiang arrived.

She couldn’t get off the sedan chair, so it was brought directly into the room.

Grandfather Liu frowned but couldn’t hide his concern. “Why aren’t you resting? What are you doing here?”

Liu Xiangxiang, with red eyes, said, “Grandfather! Where’s my mother? Why did you send my mother back to the capital?”

Grandfather Liu had a pretty good idea of why Liu Xiangxiang had come.

Looking at her, he asked, “Do you know that your mother was planning to harm Ah Wu?”

Liu Xiangxiang avoided the question, her eyes reddening even more as she glanced at Ah Wu. Her eyes flashed with hatred. “She’s fine, isn’t she?!”

Grandfather Liu stood there, speechless for a moment.

He had thought Liu Xiangxiang had suffered an unjust fate, but now he realized she had brought this upon herself.

Grandfather Liu took a deep breath. “Xiangxiang,” he tried to calm himself, “I’ll write to your father and ask him to formally divorce your mother.”

Liu Xiangxiang's eyes blazed with fury. "On what grounds?!"

Grandfather Liu's voice also took on a chill. "You know exactly why, don't you?"

In an instant, Liu Xiangxiang was overwhelmed with shame, embarrassment, and hatred. Her voice cracked with rage as she screamed, "On what grounds! I am the one who was wronged, not that fool! Why should my father divorce my mother just because of her?!"

Grandfather Liu closed his eyes and gave Liu Xiangxiang one final choice. "...Will you go back with your mother, or stay here so I can arrange a good marriage for you?"

Without a second thought, Liu Xiangxiang rejected the idea of staying.

"There’s no way I’m staying here!"

"I want to go back to the capital with my mother!"

Grandfather Liu opened his eyes, his voice suddenly aged. "Very well, then you shall return to the capital with your mother. Remember, this is your choice. Don’t come crying to me later."

Liu Xiangxiang couldn't hear Grandfather Liu's words. She couldn’t wait to be taken to her mother.

She didn’t realize that Grandfather Liu hadn’t agreed to let her mother go at all.

Before leaving, Liu Xiangxiang even turned her head and glared fiercely at Ah Wu. "You’ll pay for this!"

Grandfather Liu felt nothing but disappointment for Liu Xiangxiang.

From that moment on, Grandfather Liu acted as if she were no longer his granddaughter.