Han Yuling smiled, shook her head, and said candidly, "I don't know how to do what you're asking." Liu Ye'er thought to herself, stop playing dumb, I know very well that you are an expert, much more capable than my father. Although she knew Han Yuling's strength, she couldn't expose it. Liu Ye'er stepped forward, grabbed Han Yuling's arm, shook it, and pleaded, "Just look at how pathetic my little aunt and I are. We do all the chores in the house, aching all over every day from exhaustion. Not only that, but we also face constant scoldings and physical abuse. My biological mother got sick and died simply because the family refused to spend money on her treatment. I also fell gravely ill a couple of days ago and almost died. It was my little aunt who secretly bought medicine, asked someone to brew it, and sneaked it to me, or I would have been dead long ago." At this point, a wave of bitterness washed over Liu Ye'er, and tears slipped down her face.
Hearing this, Han Yuling felt a sharp pang in her heart. Over the past few days, she had gained a deep understanding of this family.Liu Cunzhong, the Eldest Uncle, carried an air of lofty arrogance, while Liu Cunyi, the Second Uncle, idled away his days and made a living through gambling. Liu Cunren, the third brother, was the pillar of the household, and every tael of silver they had came from his hard-earned labor. Yet, he was too honest and upright; every bit of silver he earned was handed over to the family, leaving him unable to care for his own wife and child—a situation that only changed after his first wife passed away. Liu Cunxiao, the youngest uncle, had a decent character but lacked decisiveness. Since Liu Cunren's character was acceptable, marrying him would allow her to look after this wretched family along the way. It would serve as both a repayment to Liu Cunren and a place to finally settle down.
Han Yuling scooped Liu Ye'er up into her arms. "Whatever you want to learn, your stepmother will teach you. Don't call me stepmother from now on, just call me Mother, alright? Are you willing?" Overjoyed by this unexpected surprise, Liu Ye'er broke into a smile through her tears. "Mother, I'm willing. Will you teach me all your skills?" "No problem," Han Yuling replied with a smile.
Han Yuling turned to Liu Cunxiu with an earnest suggestion: "You should learn some martial arts. I can teach you." However, Liu Cunxiu shook her head gently and replied calmly, "I have no interest in that, and I don't have the time."
A trace of disappointment flickered across Liu Ye'er's face, though her eyes remained filled with expectation for Liu Cunxiu. She pleaded earnestly, "Little Aunt, you have to learn martial arts. That way, you can protect me when someone bullies me. Can you really just stand by and watch me get bullied?"
Standing to the side, Han Yuling observed everything in silence, her heart heavy with helplessness. She knew Liu Cunxiu's temperament all too well—detached from fame and fortune, averse to conflict, and yearning only for a quiet life. Yet the world was rarely tranquil, and sometimes people needed to protect themselves and possess the ability to survive on their own.
Liu Cunxiu looked at the expressions of Han Yuling and Liu Ye'er and understood what was on their minds. She also knew in her heart that while martial arts might not completely protect a person, at least it would keep her from becoming a burden to those around her. Hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "I agree to learn martial arts. Will that do?"
At these words, expressions of joy lit up the faces of both Han Yuling and Liu Ye'er. They knew this was a concession made by Liu Cunxiu, and the beginning of what they had been hoping for.
After lunch, Madam Yu came to Han Yuling's room, sent Liu Cunxiu and the others away, and looked at Han Yuling with a beaming smile. Feeling entirely ill at ease, Han Yuling asked, "Grandmother, if you have something to say, please just spit it out." Madam Yu took her hand and said, "You chopped the vegetables and the meat, didn't you?" Han Yuling replied indroitly, "Yes, I did." Madam Yu smiled warmly and said, "You really are skillful with your hands. You aren't married yet, are you?" Han Yuling nodded. "Not yet."
Delighted, Madam Yu continued, "My youngest son, Cunxiao, isn't married either. You've seen him; his looks are passable, and he's hardworking—all the firewood in the house is chopped by him. I think you and he make a quite suitable match. Do you have any such intentions?" Han Yuling thought to herself that she already had four children; how could they possibly be a match? She smiled and said, "I already have someone in mind, and he's right here in the Liu Family, but it's not your fourth son—it's the third son, Liu Cunren."
Madam Yu's expression soured instantly. "Cunxiao isn't married yet, so he's the most suitable match for you. The third son has already been married once. If you go over there, you'll just be a stepwife and a stepmother, and since he's away from home year-round, you'll practically be living as a widow. The third son really isn't suitable." Han Yuling thought to herself that Madam Yu's favoritism ran deep; the third son was the pillar of the household, yet none of the good things ever came his way, and her own affairs were certainly not up to Madam Yu to decide. She said firmly, "I understand all the reasoning, but I've set my heart on the third son. Ye'er is very close to me, and I will treat her as my own flesh and blood."
Hearing this, Madam Yu felt deeply displeased. She thought to herself that she was offering her fourth son, yet Han Yuling insisted on the third. Although they were all members of the Liu Family, the third son wasn't born from her own womb, creating a barrier between them. She began plotting in her heart to find an opportunity later on to properly deal with Han Yuling.
After Madam Yu left in a rage, Han Yuling sensed her lingering resentment. She decided not to wait any longer and resolved to leave this place of right and wrong as quickly as possible. Although her injuries had recovered by ninety percent, she had no desire to spend another single day facing Madam Yu's hostility.
Her goal was clear: not only would she leave herself, but she would also take Liu Ye'er, Liu Shande, and Liu Cunxiu with her. She could not let them continue lingering in this place overflowing with misery. She imagined a future of freedom, living carefree alongside Liu Cunren, far away from the chaos of this place.
The only problem was Liu Cunxiu. Being honest and somewhat slow-witted, she would simply have to be taken away by force. Han Yuling called Liu Ye'er to her side and whispered a few words into her ear. A bright spark flashed in Liu Ye'er's eyes when she heard the plan—she could finally leave this detestable place. She immediately went to Liu Shande's room. "Xiao Dezi, Elder Sister is taking you out to play." Being a child at heart, Liu Shande was naturally willing. So, Liu Ye'er led him out of the courtyard.
Han Yuling walked briskly into the kitchen, a brilliant light of excitement gleaming in her gaze. Liu Cunxiu looked at her beloved older sister, her heart full of concern. She said softly, "Sister, you should rest. I can handle the work." But Han Yuling simply shook her head, her expression resolute and decisive. "I have something to discuss with you in private. Come with me." Leaving no room for argument, Han Yuling grabbed Liu Cunxiu's hand, and the two of them bolted out the front door.
A short while later, Madam Yu walked into the empty kitchen. Looking around, her expression turned to one of doubt and anxiety. Not a single soul was in the kitchen; every corner had been tidied up, and Han Yuling and Liu Cunxiu seemed to have vanished into thin air. An ominous feeling welled up from the depths of her heart, as if the twenty taels of silver deposit had instantly evaporated from her mind.
Madam Yu hurried over to Han Yuling's room, where everything appeared quiet except for her mounting anxiety. The room was completely empty, with no trace of human activity. A tide of disappointment washed over her; losing that deposit was undoubtedly a heavy blow to her and her family. Yet Madam Yu refused to give up. She quickly summoned Liu Cunyi, and leading him and the others, set off along the possible paths to hunt down Han Yuling.
Having left the village, Han Yuling rendezvoused with Liu Ye'er and the younger boy, her back straight and her resolve unshakeable. A gleam of excitement flashed in her eyes as she carried Liu Shande in one arm, held Liu Cunxiu's hand with the other, and had Liu Ye'er trailing close behind. Though their pace was hurried, their eyes burned with hope.
They sprinted along the desolate path, the billowing dust leaving the distant village far behind as the four of them pressed forward bravely. Liu Ye'er and Liu Cunxiu were completely out of breath, and only after running a great distance did they finally slow down.
Liu Cunxiu could no longer hold back and asked, "Sister, where are we going?" With a steady gaze fixed ahead, Han Yuling replied, "To the town, to find the escort agency, to find your third brother."
"Why are we looking for Third Brother?" Liu Cunxiu asked, bewildered.
"Isn't it obvious?" Liu Ye'er said indignantly. "I was suffocating from misery at home and didn't want to stay there for another second."
They hired a donkey cart and climbed aboard, their hearts filled with a mixture of anticipation and unease as they watched the scenery pass by.
"If we just leave like this, there won't be anyone left to cook at home. What will they eat?" Liu Cunxiu suddenly asked with a hint of worry.
Liu Ye'er retorted angrily, "Little Aunt, are you the only one who knows how to cook? Will they starve to death? Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt—aren't they all able-bodied? Can't they cook a meal themselves? Why should they get to eat for free while we work ourselves to the bone?"
Han Yuling gazed quietly at Liu Cunxiu, a pang of pity stirring in her heart. Liu Cunxiu, this simple and down-to-earth girl, always worked silently for the family; her diligence and resilience made Han Yuling's heart ache for her. At the same time, Han Yuling noted that Liu Ye'er, despite being younger than Liu Cunxiu, possessed a cleverness and maturity that far exceeded her years.
Gently patting Liu Cunxiu's shoulder, Han Yuling looked at her with a gaze that was both firm and tender. "Xiuer, everyone is equal. No one is born to serve others, and no one is born to be served by others." Her words were as clear and warm as morning birdsong.
Liu Cunxiu looked at Han Yuling, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion. Han Yuling smiled faintly and continued, "By taking on all the chores at home, what did you actually gain? Doing this not only harms yourself, but it harms them too. You're turning them into parasites who can't do a single thing. What will they do after you get married? They'll eventually have to learn how to do things themselves; that's inevitable."
A flicker of bewilderment and confusion danced in Liu Cunxiu's eyes, yet she nodded, as if beginning to grasp something. "I... I always thought it was my duty to do these things, but now I understand that it was wrong," she murmured, a light of sudden realization dawning in her eyes.
Han Yuling smiled and stroked Liu Cunxiu's head. "You're a clever child, smart enough to change your mindset. These were things they should have been doing all along, so let's just make it happen a little sooner." Her words served as a beacon, illuminating the path ahead for Liu Cunxiu. Gradually, Liu Cunxiu came to understand that changing oneself was nothing to fear, and that she too could become strong and independent.
When the four of them arrived at the Qinghe Town Escort Agency, Liu Cunxiu recognized one of the guards left behind and briefly explained Han Yuling's situation. Han Yuling inquired about Liu Cunren's whereabouts, only to learn that he had already departed with the escort convoy. Han Yuling decided to pursue the convoy to catch up with Liu Cunren. Using her silver at the carriage rental agency, she traded for a horse-drawn carriage. With everything prepared, the four of them once again set out on the road to catch up with Liu Cunren.
System notifications flashed in Liu Ye'er's mind: the mission to break away from the Liu Family had been completed, rewarding her with the Fluoroscopy Technique, and a new mission was issued—to learn martial arts. Liu Ye'er thought to herself that the Fluoroscopy Technique was a fantastic ability with enormous practical uses, and learning martial arts was precisely what she wanted to do anyway.
On a sunlit afternoon, a horse-drawn carriage bounced cheerfully along the winding country lanes. Liu Ye'er's mood was as bright as the spring sunshine as she set off with her companions, embarking on a journey brimming with novel flavors. The carriage wheels rolled rhythmically over the bluestone road, sounding much like a cheerful melody. They exchanged smiles, their eyes shining with boundless anticipation for the future. Sitting in the carriage, Liu Ye'er danced with the wind and traveled alongside the sun, charging toward a distant shore carrying hope and dreams.