Chapter 363: The Disaster of Bloodshed

Chapter 363: The Disaster of Bloodshed

With Madam Zheng overseeing the matter, Liu Qingyuan had no choice but to admit his fault.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and covered part of the financial deficit, but there were still significant gaps. With no more silver at hand, Liu Qingyuan reluctantly handed over the deeds of two thriving shops as compensation.

Madam Zheng was moderately satisfied with this and nodded, then stood up with the support of her maid, Nanyan: "Since that's the case, I’ll head back to the Marquis of Weibei’s estate."

Madam Zheng gave Xingxing a warm, affectionate look: "I know you might be busy recently, but once you’ve finished with this busy time, remember to come visit me at the Marquis of Weibei’s residence."

Xingxing nodded repeatedly and agreed: "Certainly."

Madam Zheng left in a good mood, supported by Nanyan.

However, Liu Qingyuan suddenly spat out blood with a "pfft" sound, slumped into his chair, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Liu Qingyuan thought of the 9,300 taels of silver that had just left his hands, and his heart ached so intensely that it felt like his organs were trembling, a sweet and metallic taste rising in his throat.

Ah Wu offered a half-hearted concern: "Uncle, you should take care of your health. Try to be more open-minded." After saying this, she took Xingxing's hand and left.

This left Liu Qingyuan seething with rage.

Meanwhile, at the Qiuyue Pavilion, Grandfather Liu had a rare good night's sleep.

Xingxing and Ah Wu also slept very well.

But the next day, shortly after dawn, there was a disturbance outside the courtyard, saying that Liu Xiangxiang had returned to her parents' home for a visit and was coming to confront Ah Wu directly.

If it weren't for the fact that some of the servants in the second household of the Liu family had been organized by Bai Ge'er via Huya, Liu Xiangxiang might have actually barged in.

Ah Wu wrinkled her delicate little nose: "How completely irritating."

She got up, washed, and went to see Xingxing, who was already up and sitting in front of the mirror having her hair styled by a maid. Ah Wu asked Xingxing if she wanted to see Liu Xiangxiang.

Xingxing still remembered how Liu Xiangxiang had once tried to frame Ah Wu.

"Do you want to see her, Auntie?"

Ah Wu thought for a moment, her small brow furrowed: "I don't want to... but, oh well, let’s meet her anyway and see what she’s plotting."

Xingxing followed Ah Wu's lead.

While the maid went to prepare breakfast, Xingxing accompanied Ah Wu to meet Liu Xiangxiang in the flower hall.

Liu Xiangxiang and Madam Cui had plotted six years ago to ruin Ah Wu's chastity, but as fate would have it, the misfortune fell upon Liu Xiangxiang herself.

Madam Cui was confined to the Liu family temple, and later Liu Xiangxiang was married off to Cui Chengze as a concubine by Liu Qingyuan's decision.

However, Cui Chengze, who appeared gentle and refined on the surface, was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Liu Xiangxiang's life over the past few years had been a living hell.

When she entered, both Xingxing and Ah Wu instinctively straightened up and gasped softly.

Six years ago, Liu Xiangxiang was a spoiled young lady brought up in a secluded mansion. Although she liked to play the delicate role, she was actually full of vitality, with fair and flawless skin, clearly the product of a wealthy upbringing.

But seeing Liu Xiangxiang again after six years, they almost didn't recognize her—her face had filled out a bit, but her cheeks were severely sunken, with high cheekbones, and her forehead was swollen. Xingxing could tell at a glance that the area had likely suffered several blows, with old bruises overlaid with fresh wounds.

She was adorned with pearls and dressed in fine silk, probably trying to cover up these misfortunes, but it was impossible to hide from others.

However, there was something about Liu Xiangxiang that hadn’t changed—her attitude toward Ah Wu was even worse than it had been six years ago.

Liu Xiangxiang’s eyes blazed with fury: "You fool! Do you want to destroy our whole family to be satisfied?! I’ll take you down!"

With that, Liu Xiangxiang rushed forward to attack Ah Wu.

Huya swiftly stepped in, grabbed Liu Xiangxiang’s arm, and with a quick twist, pinned her down onto a small table, her face pressed against the yellow pear wood, leaving smudges of powder.

Liu Xiangxiang screamed in pain, struggling and cursing: "You jinx! Fool! Not only have you ruined my life, but you also want to destroy our whole family!"

Ah Wu bristled with anger: "You brought this on yourselves! It’s not my fault!"

Xingxing also got angry and directly told Huya: "Huya, just throw her out! Talking to her is pointless!"

Liu Xiangxiang’s expression twisted: "This is my home, how dare you—ah—"

Huya decisively threw Liu Xiangxiang out.

Xingxing then raised her voice and ordered outside: "Drive her out of the second household’s compound, it’s too noisy."

Ah Wu commended: "Well done, Xingxing! Next time I’ll have someone do the same! I can’t tolerate her racket!"

Ah Wu and Xingxing not only retrieved the 9,300 taels from the accounts yesterday but also took back all the properties in Ah Wu’s name. Yujia’s shopkeepers had already gone to the stores to help with the inventory.

Grandfather Liu initially owned numerous shops and estates, but when he retired, he divided the family property. He still retained two shops and one estate in his name, and Ah Wu also took back the deeds given by her grandfather.

The two then headed to Qiuyue Hall to visit Grandfather Liu.

Xingxing took Grandfather Liu’s pulse and, seeing that his health had improved, she felt relieved.

"I’ll tweak Grandfather’s prescription, and some of the medication can be reduced," Xingxing said with a smile.

Ah Wu offered: "I’ll help you prepare the ink!"

Grandfather Liu smiled warmly, watching Ah Wu and Xingxing busily working in the room.

Old Mao suddenly entered from outside, looking somewhat odd: "...Grandfather, the master has been brought back."

Grandfather Liu responded: "Hmm? What happened?"

"I looked into it, and it seems the master let the Young Master abduct a commoner’s daughter. The girl couldn’t endure the shame and took her own life, but the master spent a lot of money to have her brother imprisoned."

Old Mao’s face showed a complex expression, "Now, somehow, the brother has been released..."

Grandfather Liu said: "I wrote a letter yesterday to have him released."

Old Mao was suddenly caught off guard, "Ah?"

Grandfather Liu nodded: "It’s fine, continue. What happened after the brother of the victim was released?"

Old Mao, still confused, continued: "...The Young Master has been sent away, and the brother couldn’t locate him, so he stabbed the master. But it’s said he didn’t strike any vital areas, so there’s no life-threatening injury..."

Grandfather Liu took this in stride: "It’s good he’s not dead. The commoner girl who was bullied by Liu Haiqing lost her life. In a sense, Liu Qingyuan owes her a life. He got off lightly."

Ah Wu suddenly cried out, "Ah!" as she remembered something, turning to Xingxing: "Xingxing, is this the bloodshed you mentioned before?! You’re amazing!"

Xingxing scratched her face: "It’s... it’s no big deal..."

But the matter wasn’t over yet. Soon, people from Shuntian Prefecture came, saying they wanted to reopen the case of the commoner girl’s hanging.