“…” Wu Qing hesitated. It was love, but there was also a tinge of possessiveness. Both emotions coexisted. Because he loved her madly, he couldn't wait to control her, making her a caged bird who would be inseparable from him at all times.
“You can leave. I don't want to see you again! From now on, we're done for good!” His hesitation left her heartbroken.
“No!” Wu Qing panicked. He grabbed her hand tightly and said, “I love you. I truly love you and will only love you for all eternity.”
Liu Yushu stared into his eyes and said word by word, “Then I want you to promise me that from now on, you're not allowed to come near me again.”
“Okay, I'll do as you say.”
Liu Yushu was shocked. She never expected Wu Qing to agree so readily.
“Help me up.” After getting up, Liu Yushu was supported by Wu Qing to a dilapidated wood - shed at the very back of the Liu Mansion. It was in a remote and secluded location. Not only was the mansion sparsely populated now, but even in the busier days, few people would come here.
The wood - shed had no windows, only a narrow door. It wasn't very big inside, but it could accommodate five or six people and they could still move around freely. The ground was covered with straw, and the surroundings were full of dust.
“I want you to tidy up this wood - shed. Nail wooden boards wrapped with iron sheets outside, leaving not a single crack. Then nail quilts on the inner walls.” She said seriously.
Wu Qing was confused by her words. But since it was her request, he wouldn't ask any questions and would surely complete it for her.
“Okay.”
“After you're done, I also want you to install three iron locks on the outside of the door, the kind that no one can open.”
“Okay.”
Although he didn't understand the reason, Wu Qing started the work the next day.
Grandma and her younger brother were both ill. Liu Yushu wanted to go out to find a doctor, but was stopped by the soldiers guarding the door. The soldiers said coldly, “Without the Emperor's order, no one is allowed to leave. You'd better go back quickly, or if you get hurt, it's none of our business!”
Liu Yushu didn't know that her father, Liu Daqiang, had been secretly executed at this time. The Liu family was completely helpless. Although the old lady was related to the Empress, the Empress had distanced herself long ago to protect herself.
Liu Yushu had no other choice. She could only kneel on the ground and keep pleading with the two soldiers, “Please be lenient. I just want to go out to find a doctor. I'll come back right away as soon as I find one. I won't delay.”
“Who knows if you'll come back after you go out? If we lose sight of you, we'll be in big trouble!” The soldiers were unmoved. After saying that, they ignored Liu Yushu.
Seeing that the soldiers were unyielding, she got up and went to the yard, planning to climb over the wall to get out. She failed several times. Finally, having no other way out, she went to the remote wood - shed at the back of the mansion.
Wu Qing was busy renovating the wood - shed according to her instructions. When he saw her coming, he stopped his work and walked over. Seeing that she looked preoccupied, he asked worriedly, “What's wrong with you? You look so pale!”
“Wu Qing, I beg you. Please find a doctor for me!” Liu Yushu cried and grabbed Wu Qing's sleeve. He had done such excessive things to her, and she originally didn't want to be too involved with him anymore. But now he was the only one she could rely on.
“Okay.” He agreed readily. “You don't need to beg me.” He raised his hand to wipe her tears, but she dodged. After their fierce argument last time when he almost killed her, she was scared.
They were husband and wife and had even had a child. Their relationship was inseparable, and their affection couldn't be easily severed!
Just as Wu Qing was about to leave, he heard Mu Chan's voice approaching. “Miss? Are you here?”
Liu Yushu hurriedly told Wu Qing to hide. Wu Qing reluctantly hid in the wood - shed. Since they were already husband and wife and had confessed their feelings to each other, why did she still have to be so secretive? Did he make her feel so ashamed to be seen?
Liu Yushu walked quickly to greet Mu Chan. “What's going on?”
Mu Chan said sadly, “Miss, please go and have a look. The old lady... the old lady is dying...”
!!!
Liu Yushu's body trembled violently. Then she ran like crazy towards the Shanhui Hall. She tripped at the door, and Mu Chan helped her up. When she entered the room, she saw Nanny Xie kneeling in front of the couch, sobbing uncontrollably. When Nanny Xie turned around and saw her, she was almost out of breath from crying. “Miss, the old lady... just passed away...”
Besides being shocked, Liu Yushu swayed and fell to the ground again. The sudden grief was like thousands of sharp blades piercing her heart. Her face was deathly pale. She crawled weakly onto the couch and tightly grabbed the old lady's still - warm hand, wailing, “Grandma!!”
She didn't want her grandma to die! She didn't want the kindest person in the world to leave her, separated by life and death!
“Miss, the old lady has passed away. Now that there's no one to support the family, you can't fall apart. You have to arrange the old lady's funeral and let her have a decent burial.” Nanny Xie comforted Liu Yushu.
Liu Yushu nodded, but the tears just wouldn't stop. She told Nanny Xie to find clothes for the old lady and fetch water.
Her eyes were swollen from crying. Looking at the old lady's body on the couch, she felt dizzy.
Mu Chan ran in. “Miss, the soldiers at the door said we're not allowed to go out. I pleaded with them for a long time, but it was no use!”
“How could they do this!” Liu Yushu was extremely angry. Not allowing the body to be properly put in a coffin and carried out when someone in the family had died was simply too much!
Liu Yushu clenched her fists and went out to argue with the soldiers at the door. She was willing to risk her life today to ensure that the old lady could rest in peace.
“The Emperor has given an order...”
“The Emperor only said to confine my family. He didn't say we're not allowed to hold a funeral. Are we supposed to keep the coffin in the house forever when someone in the family passes away?! I believe the Emperor won't be so heartless. I must bury my grandma today!” Liu Yushu said firmly.
The two soldiers simply ignored her. When they saw her trying to rush out, they pushed her hard. She fell to the ground, got up, and continued to force her way out.
This wouldn't work, and that wouldn't work either. Being at a loss made her almost go crazy!
Just when she was at her wits' end, she saw the two soldiers suddenly put down their swords and kneel on the ground respectfully. A young man in a dark - red python - robe walked in arrogantly. He wore a black round hat. Only eunuchs in the palace would wear such hats.