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墨書 Inktalez
Liu Residence There are quite a few vacant courtyards. However, some of them are regularly cleaned, so they do not appear dilapidated.
But the courtyard where the Third Branch People used to live has been completely abandoned since they moved out, and no one has taken care of it. Over the years, weeds have grown rampant. The most rundown part is the woodshed next to the kitchen in the courtyard. Originally a place for storing miscellaneous items, it has now been neglected, and even the Door has become somewhat loose. When strong winds blow, the already Door rattles incessantly.
In recent days, the wind has not been strong, yet the sound of that Door continues without end, sounding somewhat jarring and unsettling.
The maids and servants in the residence have been driven to headaches by that noise. Since this area is somewhat remote, they do not come here often; they only pass by occasionally. So they choose to walk around this place without looking at it too closely.
When Mama Huang saw that no one was passing by, she slipped over to the entrance of the courtyard. After looking around and confirming that no one was there, she walked into the courtyard.
Reaching the woodshed, she took a key from her pocket and opened the door. Looking at the woman on the ground with her hands tied behind her back, who was preparing to kick again, she couldn't help but sneer and said, "Go ahead and kick. If you kick too much and exhaust your strength, you'll be closer to meeting your end."
The woman on the ground appeared to be about the same age as Mama Huang, but while Mama Huang had a rosy complexion and looked healthy, the woman looked gaunt with sunken eyes and dark circles. Her cheeks were hollowed out, and her skin was a dull yellow with spots. Light streamed through the door. She cowered in Mama Huang's shadow, her eyes flickering with anger as she glanced sideways, mostly showing the whites of her eyes. At first glance, she seemed ghostly; upon closer inspection, it was clear she was human.
At this moment, her mouth was stuffed with a rag, preventing her from speaking; all she could produce were low whimpering sounds.
Seeing her like this, Mama Huang suppressed her anger and coldly remarked, "Do you want to threaten me? You think you’re worthy! If you’re willing to cooperate, that’s fine. If not, I’ll let you be. I want to see how long you can last without food."
That night, when Liu Mama saw Liu Fangyi and He Family, she was so frightened that she nearly lost her mind. Her eyes widened in terror as she struggled to escape. However, with her hands and feet bound, she failed to succeed.
But her reaction was enough to prove that she had something to hide. After Sister Lan left that night, she had quietly run away without a sound. Her state of panic was clearly related to something.
Liu Fangyi was furious and directly threw her into this woodshed, locking her inside.
For these two days, Mama Huang had been coming here to "watch over" Liu Mama. There was no need for torture; every day they provided her with neither food nor water, simply keeping her mouth tightly stuffed with that rag to see when she would finally speak.
At this point, Liu Mama's lips were already cracked and her strength for kicking at the door had diminished significantly; it seemed she could not hold out much longer.
As Mama Huang turned to leave, she leaned against the door frame and disdainfully glanced back, saying, "Our young lady's health is precious. The future Empress values this sister immensely. Your life is worth far less than what we would lose for hers. In a few days when we find your son or daughter or grandchildren, we will settle this account properly."
Mama Huang's statement that "this sister is greatly valued" is not an empty phrase, but rather something that she and Liu Fangyi truly feel.
Wen Qingyue is unaware of Liu Mama's situation. However, just a short time after informing Qing Wu, Liu Mama was bound and thrown into the Liu Family. Moreover, this was done so discreetly that not a single piece of information leaked out.
One must ask, how many people could accomplish such a feat?
Considering that Qing Wu has never left the palace, it is clear whom she sought help from.
This matter, aside from Liu Fangyi and the He Family, is known only to Mama Huang.
The thought that her daughter sought help from the most powerful person for Sister Lan fills Mama Huang with mixed feelings.
Liu Mama appeared when the third master, Liu Fangshi, encountered trouble. So, who was protecting Liu Mama before that allowed her to remain hidden for so many years?
It must be closely related to the third master.
To be precise, although the Fifth Young Lady was raised in the Liu Residence, she spent only a little over seven years there.
In contrast, her father and those from the Third Branch, along with the Matriarch, have shared decades of bonds.
Seven years is insignificant compared to decades of connection, yet it feels deeper and more profound...
Recalling when Sister Lan was first born, cradled in her arms. How adorable and well-behaved she was!
Since her birth, she often helped hold and soothe her. Watching her grow from such a tiny bundle into someone who could smile, talk, walk, and run.
What a lovely child!
Unfortunately, at such a young age, she was gone...
The past vividly replayed in her mind, and even someone as good-natured as Mama Huang couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
During those two days when the lady was alone, she would dig out the clothes that Sister Lan had worn and hold them close, in pain.
How could she not grieve for the daughter she had carried for ten months?
First, it was the old lady's words that delayed treatment. Just when things seemed to improve, the condition worsened overnight, and then she was gone.
If it weren't for that night, Sister Lan might still be alive!
Mama Huang could no longer hold back. She turned back from where she had stepped out and slammed the door to the wood shed shut.
Liu Mama was no longer a servant of Liu Residence.
The master and mistress could not arbitrarily resort to vigilante justice against a "good citizen" without evidence due to this matter. Otherwise, if any rumors got out, it would likely implicate their daughter.
Their daughter was about to enter the palace as a consort and was being watched closely by those with ulterior motives. Any hint of trouble from her family would surely be exaggerated, which would be very detrimental to her.
Thus, the master and mistress didn't even dare to look at Liu Mama more than once, fearing that in a fit of rage, they might end up killing her with just a few blows.
But she was different!
As a servant who was older and half a foot in the grave, she had lived enough of her life. Even if she were exposed and thrown into prison, as long as she could extract something useful from that old hag's mouth, it would be worth it!
Mama Huang made up her mind, her face showing determination. She stepped forward a few paces, rummaged through the remaining pieces of wood stacked in the corner, pulled out the thickest and hardest one, and swung it fiercely at the person on the ground.
"You're eating from both sides! You're taking the monthly allowance given by the lady and doing inhumane things! Are you serious? I'll deal with you first, then your son, and then your grandson! Once I've wiped out your entire family, I'll send you all to the underworld to serve as slaves for the young lady!"
A person who is usually so composed transformed into a fierce tiger in an instant when faced with extreme sorrow. She focused solely on the wicked person before her, showing no mercy whatsoever.
Liu Mama had served alongside Mama Huang at the He Family for years; how could she not know Mama Huang's temperament? She had previously thought that this family was filled with kind people, which gave her a false sense of security.
Who would have thought that this usually gentle and reasonable woman would turn into a vengeful spirit, coming to take her life!
Liu Mama's hands and feet were bound, unable to dodge. She rolled on the ground but still ended up covered in blood from the beatings.
She was terrified. Crying and wailing, her voice turned into a pitiful whimper stuck in her throat.
Mama Huang completely ignored her. It wasn't until she had broken three sticks and her palms were bloodied that she finally stopped.
Liu Mama collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Looking at Liu Mama's swollen eyelids, which had a cut revealing eyes full of fear, she said, "I'll take that cloth off you. You'd better tell me the truth. Otherwise, I'll hit you again!"
Mama Huang no longer had the strength to act fierce. However, her earlier display had already instilled great fear in Liu Mama.
Liu Mama nodded repeatedly, indicating that she would speak honestly.
Only then did Mama Huang reach out and pull off the rag.
Having exhausted all her strength earlier, she paused for a moment to gather some energy before finally pulling it out.
Liu Mama's mouth had been stuffed with that cloth for quite some time; even the muscles at the base of her jaw were cramping. Once she was finally relieved, it took her a moment to adjust. After opening her mouth wide for a while, the muscles there gradually relaxed enough for her to close it slowly. After a bit more time, when her facial muscles loosened enough to speak smoothly, she gathered all her strength and hurriedly said, "That night, what happened wasn't my fault! It really wasn't my fault! Sister Lan was raised by me; I didn't want anything bad to happen to her!"
Although she could now speak, due to the tension in her facial muscles and urgency in her tone, her words came out somewhat unclear.
But it was enough for Mama Huang to understand.
Mama Huang heard the implications in her words and quickly asked, "Who wants Sister Lan to be in trouble?"
"Third Young Lady!" Liu Mama pouted, feeling a bit wronged as she said, "Third Young Lady... Oh no, that night, Liu Anmeng came over, and the room was filled with the smell of medicine. I thought it would be better to open the window for some fresh air. As a servant, how could I stop my master? So I went to ask Matriarch. Matriarch was just about to sleep and found me annoying, so she said Liu Anmeng wouldn't harm her own sister and let her do as she pleased. With Matriarch's words, Liu Anmeng became even more reckless and had someone open the window. It was left open for over an hour, and I was so tired that I couldn't hold on anymore before I finally closed it."
Although Liu Mama didn't make it clear, Mama Huang understood that Liu Anmeng must have had someone open Sister Lan's bedroom window.
At that time, Sister Lan had just begun to recover from a serious illness; how could she withstand the cold again?
Mama Huang felt a deep sorrow in her heart and angrily said, "Why didn't you ask the lady?"
Liu Mama's gaze flickered as she replied, "The lady... she can't make decisions..."
In that moment, Mama Huang suddenly realized.
Liu Mama had clearly been an informant for Matriarch and the Third Branch long before Sister Lan's incident! That was why she only cared about Matriarch's and the Third Branch people's attitudes.
Mama Huang was filled with hatred; she groped around and grabbed a broken piece of firewood, throwing it fiercely at Liu Mama. "You traitorous thing!" Then she covered her face and couldn't help but cry out loud.
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