After a long day, Gu Liyue was utterly exhausted. She wasn't a trouble - maker, but all that had happened today made her realize that there were so many schemes even among kin. As strong as she appeared on the surface, she was actually that scared. It seemed that she had mustered all her courage just to find a way out for herself today.
When she saw Yunniang at this moment, Gu Liyue could no longer hold back her tears, which fell one by one.
Yunniang let out a growl in her throat. She drove out Miao and closed the door. Then she turned around and rushed to the bedside. Seeing Gu Liyue crying, she panicked and quickly gestured to show that there was no need to worry, for taking the medicine would make her better.
Gu Liyue nestled in Yunniang's arms and finished the bitter medicine.
Yunniang took out a preserved fruit from her bosom and popped it into Gu Liyue's mouth. The sour - sweet taste filled Gu Liyue's whole mouth.
They were poor. They couldn't even afford this cheapest kind of preserved fruit. The Liu family would only buy a little during festivals, and that was for Cousin Liu Zhenghui and Cousin Liu Qinting. She never got a share.
When Yunniang saw that Gu Liyue felt a bit better, she was about to put her down. She still had to clear the bowls and chopsticks, and it was almost evening. She had to cook.
Gu Liyue reached out and hugged Yunniang's waist, sobbing again.
Yunniang felt extremely heart - broken. She gestured to show that no matter what, the marriage with the Feng family belonged to Gu Liyue, and she would never let Miao snatch it away.
Gu Liyue shook her head and rubbed against Yunniang's bosom. "Yunniang, I don't want to stay here. I want to... leave."
Yunniang was stunned and her eyes widened a bit. She had never been assertive. In the past, she would follow whoever gave her a bite to eat. After she followed the master and mistress, she finally had a home. Later, when the master and mistress passed away, only Gu Liyue was left. She didn't know what to do. Fortunately, Uncle and Aunt came...
Over the years, Uncle and Aunt had treated Gu Liyue badly, and treated her even worse. But at least they had a home. As long as Gu Liyue had a home, she was willing to endure any hardship.
Now, Gu Liyue said that she didn't want to stay here. Then where could they go?
Gu Liyue sobbed and continued, "Yunniang, the day before yesterday when I fell into the water, it was Feng Lanqing and Liu Qinting who did it. They had already colluded. They just wanted me dead..."
Yunniang stared at Gu Liyue in disbelief. Then she was about to get up, making a hissing sound in her throat.
Gu Liyue shook her head. "I didn't die. Reporting to the official is useless. Yunniang, Uncle works as a constable in the yamen. Do you think he will arrest his own daughter for me?"
Yunniang panicked and gestured again: What shall we do then?
Gu Liyue said dejectedly, "I'm not a member of the Liu family. If I leave here, where can I go? I don't even have a place to live."
This house originally belonged to her parents. But when her parents passed away, she was still a child. Uncle and Aunt had long changed the deeds of the land and the house into their names. Now, except for the main house, the rooms on the east and west sides were occupied by them, while Gu Liyue and Yunniang could only live in the back storage room.
"Moreover, without Uncle, how can we make a living?"
Yunniang gestured again: I can do odd jobs and embroidery to support you.
Gu Liyue looked at Yunniang. Yes, they could.
The Liu family was not well - off. Liu Anping was a constable, and his monthly salary was okay. Logically, the whole family should have no problem with food and clothing. But the Liu family was eager to cultivate a scholar. Cousin Liu Zhenghui studied in the county academy. The tuition fee for a year was quite a lot, and they also had to buy books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones on weekdays. Just these almost cost all of Liu Anping's monthly salary.
What about the rest? The family members had to do odd jobs to make up for it. Miao was not good at many things, but her embroidery skills were quite good. Gu Liyue had learned embroidery from Miao since she was a child. She was clever and the embroidery she made was of high quality and could be sold at a good price.
As for Yunniang, after finishing the housework, she would go out to take some laundry jobs to supplement the family income. In this way, they could manage to get by.
Gu Liyue thought to herself. It was mainly she and Yunniang who supplemented the family income at home, but Miao still always thought that they were good - for - nothings. Liu Qinting was Miao's own daughter. On one hand, Liu Qinting had no talent for embroidery. On the other hand, Miao doted on her daughter and was reluctant to let her suffer. So most of the odd jobs fell on Gu Liyue and Yunniang.
If Gu Liyue left with Yunniang, they could surely survive by embroidery. But the lack of a place to live was a difficult problem.
All things are difficult before they are easy. As long as they left here, there would surely be a way.
Gu Liyue got sick quickly and recovered quickly too. After recuperating for a few days, she was already able to get up and walk around. Seeing Yunniang busy all day long, she felt sorry for her. When the weather got better, she took a basket and went to the vegetable garden on the edge of the town to pick vegetables.
As soon as she went out, she met Aunt Cao next door.
"Liyue, you're not fully recovered yet. Why did you come out? Are you going to pick vegetables?"
Gu Liyue's face was pale as she had just recovered from the illness. Hearing Aunt Cao's words, she was in a daze and it took her a while to react.
"Aunt Cao, yes, I'm going to pick vegetables."
It was a fine day today, and the neighbors all came out to take a walk and enjoy the sun. Hearing their conversation, they all looked over. Seeing Gu Liyue's obviously unwell appearance, they all showed expressions of pity.
Aunt Cao was kind - hearted. "Oh, you're not fully recovered yet, but they still let you work. Your aunt is really..."
Just then, Liu Qinting came out with her friend. Hearing this, she was unhappy and stepped forward with a sneer. "Aunt Cao, what do you mean? My mother didn't ask her to work. If she wants to come out by herself, are we supposed to tie her up?"
Aunt Cao was not an easy - going person. She immediately said, "Oh, it's easy for you to say. You didn't ask her to work, but you do nothing and just wait for her to serve you."
Liu Qinting was furious. Pointing at Gu Liyue, she said, "Liyue, tell me yourself. Did we ask you to serve us?"
It took Gu Liyue a while to shake her head. "Aunt Cao, don't misunderstand. I saw that Yunniang was too busy alone. She has to do the laundry, take embroidery jobs and take care of me. I'm not strong enough to help with those for now, but I can still help with some housework..."
Liu Qinting frowned slightly. Gu Liyue's words were reasonable, but why did they sound so strange?
Aunt Cao snorted coldly. "Oh, so it's Yunniang who does everything."
Liu Qinting was annoyed. "She's just a servant."
Gu Liyue seemed to be about to leave. Hearing this, she turned around and said word by word, "Cousin, Yunniang is not a servant. Your family has never paid her a single cent. She didn't sell herself either. She stayed just to take care of me."
Liu Qinting felt a faint uneasiness in her heart. It seemed that the Gu Liyue in front of her was different from before. She took a closer look. It was clearly the same person, with a gentle, crying and timid nature. There was nothing different. The different one was herself. In this life, she would be the wife of an official and would have servants at her beck and call.
"She eats and lives in our house. Isn't it right for her to do some work?"