Liu Ye'er followed behind Liu Cunxiao out of the courtyard and noticed that while most other families lived in humble thatched cottages, her own family possessed a sturdy brick-and-tile house. Their living conditions were already considered quite privileged in the village. However, Liu Ye'er knew in her heart that material abundance alone was not enough to lead a truly good life. Family status was the prerequisite for determining the quality of life.
Because Liu Ye'er was still young and had just recovered from a major illness, she had not walked far before she was panting with exhaustion. Seeing this, Liu Cunxiao scooped her up into his arms with tender concern and strode forward quickly. Warmth surged through Liu Ye'er's heart; her fourth uncle cared for her far more than her own biological father did. In truth, although her fourth uncle was only a fifteen-year-old boy, his maturity and sense of responsibility far surpassed those of his peers.
The two arrived before a lush, verdant hillside. It was summer, and all things were in full bloom. Liu Cunxiao set Liu Ye'er down and began to skillfully climb a tree to pick wild fruit. Watching her fourth uncle's agility, Liu Ye'er jumped up with excitement and followed right behind him, scrambling up the branches. They carefully selected some brightly colored wild fruits, plucked them gently, and tucked them into their bosoms.
After gathering the wild fruit, Liu Cunxiao led Liu Ye'er to a concealed little bird's nest. He gently reached in to retrieve the eggs and tucked them carefully against his chest. Watching her fourth uncle's actions, Liu Ye'er's eyes flashed with curiosity.
The two came to a freshly cleared patch of ground, dug a small pit, placed the bird eggs inside, gently covered them with soil, and layered some grass over the top. Liu Cunxiao lit a fire and began to roast the bird eggs.
Watching her fourth uncle's practiced movements, Liu Ye'er felt a bit anxious. She knew that she was already eight years old yet could do nothing at all. Thus, she made up her mind to learn martial arts as soon as possible; otherwise, she would truly become a good-for-nothing.
After a while, the bird eggs were done. Liu Cunxiao handed one to Liu Ye'er, telling her to taste it first. Taking the egg, Liu Ye'er found it still burning hot to the touch, so she cupped it in the lap of her jacket and waited for it to cool down. When it was no longer so scorching after a moment, she peeled off the shell and popped it into her mouth. The flavor was quite good and very fragrant.
Liu Cunxiao told Liu Ye'er to wait obediently while he went off to chop firewood. After finishing the bird egg, Liu Ye'er began to ponder the matter of learning martial arts again. She knew that only through continuous study and training could she become stronger and more independent.
Liu Ye'er felt it necessary to branch out into a new venture. This dimension was much faster than ordinary spaces, making it very suitable for animal husbandry. Looking around, she realized she needed to find a way to make money. Considering her actual situation, she was unfamiliar with herbs, and chopping wood required strength—neither of which she was capable of handling.
Liu Ye'er's gaze was drawn to the seemingly ordinary wild fruits on the trees. Their appearance was unappealing, even somewhat ugly, but deep down she knew that these humble fruits could be brewed into intoxicating fine wine. This discovery brought her secret delight, for she had already quietly memorized the method of winemaking in her mind.
Her portable dimension could store items, allowing her to keep things hidden without discovery or leaving any flaws. With that, Liu Ye'er began to think. She knew that if she wanted to brew wine, she needed to stay out of people's sight. Therefore, she decided to take things one step at a time and first collect the wild fruits that had fallen around her. She did not dare walk too far; after all, this was an unfamiliar place, and trouble would ensue if anything went wrong. At the same time, she worried that Liu Cunxiao would return and fret at not finding her. Because she could not go far, she only managed to gather a small amount of wild fruit.
After a while, Liu Cunxiao returned. He was carrying two large bundles of firewood on a shoulder pole and looked somewhat tired. Liu Ye'er handed him a few bird eggs and said, "Fourth Uncle, eat these." Liu Cunxiao smiled good-naturedly. "You don't get enough to eat at home, so you eat more." Warmth surged through Liu Ye'er's heart once again, and she felt another wave of helplessness and sorrow regarding her own father. A happy life often depended on one's parents. Her own father was destined to be someone she could never rely on.
Madam Hua sat quietly by her bed, looking at the man who had once been the object of her great expectations. Her heart was filled with helplessness and disappointment; this man was all outward show with an empty interior, like a embroidered pillow stuffed with straw.
Two years ago, he had tried to buy an official post with money. In the end, a fortune was spent, the person handling the matter got into trouble himself, and not only did the silver vanish like smoke, but he almost implicated others besides. Thinking of this incident, Madam Hua felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Yet she did not give up because of this; she knew there was still a chance for this man to improve.
Pulling herself together and taking a deep breath, Madam Hua said, "Husband, I have something to tell you." Hearing the stern tone in her voice, Liu Cunzhong realized the seriousness of the matter. He looked at Madam Hua and asked, "What is it?"
Madam Hua pulled a chair over and sat beside him. Looking into his eyes, she asked, "What do you think of that Han Yuling's looks?" Hearing this question, Liu Cunzhong felt a trace of doubt. He replied, "She certainly has some charm."
Madam Hua asked again, "How would it be if we married her off to that distant relative of mine?" Hearing this, Liu Cunzhong felt somewhat displeased. He snorted, "Forget it, who would be willing to marry him?"
Madam Hua spoke in an even tone, "His family has money, after all, and what matchmaker doesn't sweeten her words?" At that moment, her voice was soft and clear like a stream in spring. Hearing this, Liu Cunzhong furrowed his brows slightly, a flicker of worry crossing his bright eyes. "If people are tricked and swindled, how could they not hate you?" His words were direct and powerful, like cold autumn rain.
Madam Hua gave a light chuckle, as if mocking the question. "We won't show our faces directly in this matter, so what can she do to us? Even if she ends up hating us, she'll only be a concubine with no freedom—what can she possibly do?" Her tone was full of indifference, yet it could not mask her pursuit of profit.
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Liu Cunzhong fell silent upon hearing this. It was not that he disagreed with Madam Hua's plan; he simply felt the matter was improper. Yet, caught in this vortex of profit, he chose to remain silent. His gaze was deep and complex, making his inner thoughts impossible to fathom.
After pondering for a moment, Madam Hua decided to push the plan through to the end. "I'm going to go see him tomorrow to talk about this. You have to help me cover for it; I have a feeling Mother wants to arrange her for the fourth brother." Liu Cunzhong was startled. "Wouldn't it be bad to give her to the fourth brother?" Madam Hua gave a light laugh. "Of course it's bad. If we give her to the fourth brother, what do we get out of it? Absolutely nothing. If my relative succeeds, there will be at least forty taels in it for us."
Liu Cunzhong sat in silence, the scale in his heart tipping back and forth between profit and morality. In the end, profit triumphed over morality, and he chose to keep quiet.
Having eavesdropped on their conversation outside, Liu Shanzheng immediately returned to his room to report to his parents. Liu Cunyi told them not to make a fuss yet, stating that the match should still go ahead, but the eldest branch must not be allowed to monopolize the benefits—the fourth brother should get married first. After pondering for a moment, he headed toward the eldest branch's quarters.
Liu Cunzhong stared at Liu Cunyi, suspicion and wariness flashing in his eyes. "Second Brother, is something the matter?" Liu Cunzhong's tone exuded the authority of the eldest brother of the family.
Faced with his eldest brother's interrogation, Liu Cunyi smiled faintly and replied, "Eldest Brother, I thought of something. The fourth brother hasn't married yet, and I think he and Han Yuling make a pretty good match." As his words fell, they were like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, stirring a slight ripple.
Liu Cunzhong was inwardly startled, knowing full well that this proposal was not made without reason. He rapidly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, understanding Liu Cunyi's intention in that instant. Marrying Han Yuling off to Liu Cunxiao would be good for the family, but it brought no benefit to himself—not only would he fail to get any money, but he would even have to shell out some silver, which was not what he wanted. Liu Cunzhong could not help giving a bitter internal laugh; was this guy trying to sabotage his plan?
He furrowed his brows slightly and replied in a serious tone, "This doesn't sound very good. Matters of marriage require mutual consent; we mustn't try to repay a kindness by coercion." His words were filled with helplessness and firmness.
Seeing his eldest brother's reaction, Liu Cunyi sneered inwardly. Knowing he could not push his eldest brother too hard, he changed tactics and adopted a gentle tone. "I didn't say we were forcing a marriage. Isn't it all right just to ask first?" His tone was full of ease and innocence.
Yet Liu Cunzhong could not let it go. Filled with misgivings, he looked doubtfully at Liu Cunyi. He recalled his usual neglect of the fourth brother—why this sudden concern for his marriage today? Madam Hua chimed in, "Cunxiu is even older than the fourth brother, and her marriage is nowhere in sight. How could it ever be the fourth brother's turn?" Liu Cunyi smiled. "Everyone knows what's really going on, so stop playing dumb."
Liu Cunxiu was the absolute workforce and unpaid maid of the house; Madam Yu could never bear to marry her off. If she left, who would do the cooking and laundry chores around the house?
Struck by suspicion, Liu Cunzhong felt that his younger brother Liu Cunyi harbored hidden motives. "Second Brother, what exactly are you plotting?" His tone carried doubt and wariness. Liu Cunyi smiled and said, "As for other people's business, I don't really care. Give me twenty taels of silver, and I'll keep my mouth shut and never bring it up again."
To hand over twenty taels of silver for nothing went against the grain for Liu Cunzhong; he was unwilling to give his brother twenty taels for nothing. "Why on earth should I give you twenty taels?" His tone revealed doubt and reluctance. Liu Cunyi snorted, "Don't think everyone else is a fool."
Madam Hua thought to herself that it might be better to agree to stall him, find a way later to brush him off with an excuse, and see if he dared to rob them in broad daylight. She said, "I can give you twenty taels, but not right now—wait until the matter is done. You must keep your mouth shut."
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Liu Cunyi's face. "Rest assured, Sister-in-law, my lips are sealed." In his heart, he knew he had seized his older brother's weakness, and this secret would be his bargaining chip.
Just as Madam Hua was about to step out of the courtyard, she found Liu Cunren blocking the doorway, barring her exit. Feeling somewhat displeased, Madam Hua asked, "Third Brother, what is the meaning of this?" Liu Cunren stared straight at her without the slightest expression on his face, making Madam Hua feel quite uncomfortable.
"Third Brother, move aside, I'm going out," Madam Hua said. Liu Cunren showed no intention of moving aside; instead, he asked, "Where are you going?" Madam Hua replied with a hint of impatience, "Can't I just go out for a stroll?" Liu Cunren said, "What you want to do is none of my concern, but if you do something wicked and destructive, I cannot ignore it."
Madam Hua was startled inwardly. Could it be that he knew something? Then she thought that she was only acting in secret; as long as she did not show her face openly, what could he possibly do to her? "Third Brother, aren't you overthinking things? What could a weak woman with no power to truss a chicken possibly accomplish?" Liu Cunren said flatly, "I hope so."
After two days of convalescence, Han Yuling had gradually regained her vitality and was able to stand and walk again. She looked at Liu Ye'er, her eyes flashing with a love for life and anticipation. When Liu Ye'er finished helping her drink her medicine, she asked softly, "Godmother, can you tell me a story?"
Liu Ye'er knew that Han Yuling's experiences were extraordinary. Having been through so many parting sorrows and brushes with death, she must have countless stories to tell. She wanted to verify whether this Han Yuling was indeed the person she was searching for, or simply someone else with the exact same name.