Gu Liyue's body trembled slightly, and her face seemed to turn even paler. Tears welled up in her eyes. Without further argument, she picked up the basket and continued walking forward.
Liu Qinting thought to herself that she was indeed as weak as dough. No wonder in her previous life, even after becoming an official's wife, she couldn't hold her own. She was looked down upon by her mother - in - law and couldn't win her husband's heart.
The neighbors around them shook their heads. Although Liu Qinting's words were about Yunniang just now, they seemed more applicable to Gu Liyue. Poor Gu Liyue...
After this day, Gu Liyue went out more often. Although she only did some simple and easy tasks, the neighbors loved to gossip. The story of poor Gu Liyue spread from one to ten and from ten to a hundred, almost reaching every corner of the town.
In the past few days, Miao was extremely worried. Zheng Hui would be back in a few days, and the fourth uncle - lord, the head of the Liu family, would also come. The fourth uncle - lord's son was a teacher in the prefectural academy, which was quite remarkable. If they could get in touch with him and get Zheng Hui into the prefectural academy, it would be wonderful.
However, the money for bribes and the money for hospitality were needed everywhere. Could their family afford that much? Not to mention the money for bribes, they didn't even have enough money to buy meat and vegetables to entertain the fourth uncle - lord in a few days.
Miao looked up and just saw Gu Liyue going out with a vegetable basket. She felt annoyed. If they hadn't spent money on hiring a doctor and buying medicine for Gu Liyue, they wouldn't be short of money.
Just then, Liu Qinting pushed the door open. She saw Miao counting the money in her hand. It was just a few copper coins, which Miao counted over and over again.
Liu Qinting felt impatient. She thought that when Feng became an official, she would be an official's wife. By then, she would have countless silk and satin, and plenty of money. Why should she care about these few copper coins?
She lowered her voice and asked, "Mother, have you told Gu Liyue? Tell her to break off the engagement quickly."
Miao was unhappy and said with a scowl, "What's there to fight for about a family as poor as the Fengs?"
"Mother!" Liu Qinting didn't dare to tell her about her rebirth, so she changed her words. "Mother, I've told you before. Brother Feng is a man of great achievements. He will surely pass the imperial examinations in the future."
Miao had heard her daughter say that she had a dream in which Feng Lanqing became a high - ranking official. But she didn't quite believe it. "Well, Liyue said that if the Feng family is willing to break off the engagement, she will agree."
"That won't do! Brother Feng is going to take the imperial examinations. How can he be the one to break off the engagement?"
Miao was worrying about money. Seeing her daughter keep calling Brother Feng, she got extremely annoyed. She slapped the table and said, "Qinting, is this how I've taught you on weekdays? A young girl who isn't even engaged yet, always pining for a man. Aren't you ashamed enough? If you go out to find Feng Lanqing again, don't blame your father for getting angry and breaking your legs."
She put the money away and stuffed it into her purse. She thought that all these troubles were caused by Gu Liyue, which also made Qinting restless. She went out to look for Gu Liyue and just saw her sitting on a stone under the eaves, chatting with a few women.
Miao was furious. Good for you, Gu Liyue. You said you were going out to pick vegetables, but here you are, being lazy.
She stepped forward and started scolding, "Gu Liyue, what are you doing?"
Gu Liyue was startled and quickly stood up, stammering, "Aunt, I... I..."
Seeing her like this, Miao thought she was being even lazier. She reached out and snatched the vegetable basket. "The house is in such a mess, and you're still being lazy here? When I ask you to embroider, you say you can't, but you're quite active in chatting!"
Miao was strong, and Gu Liyue was weak and sick. After having the basket snatched away like this, her feet went soft, and she almost fell to the side. Fortunately, Aunt Cao was quick - witted and caught her.
The neighbors weren't happy about this.
"Sister - in - law Liu, look at what you're saying. How is Liyue being lazy? She's a sick girl and should be taking care of herself. Speaking of which, your Qinting is half a year older than her and is full of energy, wandering around every day. Why haven't you said she's being lazy? What, just because she's not your own daughter, you can bully her at will?"
Miao's face flushed red, and her look at Gu Liyue was as if it was poisoned.
Gu Liyue shivered and quickly took the basket. "Aunt, I'll go right away, right away..."
Miao grabbed the basket and sneered sarcastically. "With so many people backing you up, if I really let you go, I'll be eaten alive. Gu Liyue, you've become quite something."
Gu Liyue was so scared that she was about to cry. She waved her hands repeatedly. "No, Aunt, really not. Just now..."
Aunt Cao couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted, "Just now Liyue was going to pick vegetables. She was not feeling well and almost fainted, so she sat here to rest."
Miao's anger had reached its peak. She stared at Gu Liyue fiercely. "Get back home."
Gu Liyue pulled Aunt Cao, who was about to speak up for her, and obediently followed Miao back home. She lowered her head, and a glint flashed in her eyes. After a few days of preparation, it could be said that her efforts had paid off. At least all the neighbors knew how harshly the Liu family treated her.
In this way, she would have a reason to leave the house with Yunniang.
However, she was still missing an opportunity, an opportunity to leave openly and justifiably. She couldn't be impatient. She had to wait slowly.
When they got home, Miao threw two embroidery hoops. "Embroidery these two today. Hurry up. You must finish them..." She originally wanted to say that if she didn't finish, she couldn't eat, but then she thought that after all, she had just recovered from a serious illness, so she couldn't be too harsh.
Thinking of this, Miao was extremely angry. She had been so considerate of Gu Liyue, but still got accused of being harsh by others. It was so infuriating.
Yunniang came back after finishing the washing. She just heard this and quickly came over to take the embroidery hoops, gesturing incoherently.
Miao rolled her eyes. "Yunniang, don't you know your own embroidery skills? Your hands are so rough. Don't scratch the cloth. Give it to Liyue. Only the things she embroiders can be sold at a good price."
Gu Liyue quickly took the embroidery hoops back, looked at Yunniang reassuringly, and motioned for her not to worry.
However, embroidering two purses in a day would be okay on normal days, but now that she was sick, she didn't have the strength and didn't want to work so hard.
After lunch, Yunniang quickly cleaned up. She still had to go to a squire's house to work in the afternoon, but she was really worried about Gu Liyue.
She went back to the room and saw Gu Liyue sitting by the window embroidering. She was so small and looked extremely thin, coughing from time to time.
Yunniang stood there silently. Originally, she was still a bit worried about Gu Liyue's plan, but now she thought that if they left here, with her around, she would never let Gu Liyue be so tired.
Gu Liyue looked up, smiled at Yunniang, waved for her to come over, held her hand, and whispered something in her ear.
Yunniang's eyes widened a bit, and there was more worry in her eyes.