FID – Chapter 381

 Chapter 381: It’s Those Two Psychos Again

  They slapped and kicked, until she was a mess, before Li Junhua spoke.

  ”Forget it. It’s just a handkerchief, and you can step on it. We can’t hurt our sisterly feelings over such a small worthless object. Take it back, personally wash it, and send it to me.”

  ”I understand, Elder Sister.”

  The clutter of footsteps around Li Junyue gradually faded away, and bursts of laughter occasionally echoed from afar.

  Li Junyue scrambled up and picked up the soiled handkerchief with a hand. She looked back at the backs of those departing figures, and finally fixed her eyes in the direction of the hall for a moment.

  She just walked out of the doorway of the living room nearby, yet the people inside weren’t disturbed by the noise here.

  There wasn’t a word of reprimand to stop the abuse.

  The countless humiliations she suffered were all due to the indulgence of the people inside.

  That was why those people dared to beat her without fear.

  If she was of use, she was Li Junyue, but when she wasn’t, she was worse than a dog.

  Clutching the handkerchief, Li Junyue endured the pain all over her body and walked step by step back to the courtyard where the third house was located.

  All the way, she met numerous people, all of whom bowed their heads and avoided her. They shut their eyes to her sorry figure, or perhaps seeing her in such a state was commonplace.

  As soon as people of the third house saw her enter, they immediately gathered around her.

  ”Yue’er, ah, did they bully you again?” Third Mrs. Li’s voice trembled, and tears dripped down her eyes.

  ”Yue’er, ah, we’re all family. J-just put up with it. A family in harmony will prosper in everything.” Li Sanlang looked at her, but then he could not bear to look any longer and turned his head. He walked to the side and sat down.

  Li Junyue raised her lips and smiled: “I will endure it, Father, Mother.”

  They never would stand up for her. One would only tell her to put up with it, while the other would only weep and sniffle, her parents.

  ”Sister, is it someone from the eldest house? I’ll go find them!” Only the twelve-year-old boy, standing beside the adults, had red eyes with rage, itching to rush outside.

  Mrs. Li stopped him with all speed and cried, “Yao’er, you can’t go. If they turn on you later, what are your parents going to do? You are Mother’s lifeblood!”

  ”Mother!”

  Li Junyue lowered her head, smiled, and quietly retreated.

  The tugging and crying behind her was like a farce.

  She could only listen to it but had no part in it.

  ”Fifth Miss, the matriarch has called for you.”

  Before Li Junyue could escape the farce, the voice of an old granny sounded outside.

  The crying at the back of the room immediately stopped. Third Mrs. Li wiped her tears and respectfully answered the person outside, “Zhang-momo((momo-wet nurse)), why is Mother looking for Yue’er?”

  ”It’s a good thing. Fifth Miss, please go there right away. Don’t keep Old Madam waiting.”

  ”Yes, yes, Yue’er will go right away!” Li Sanlang instantly stood up and addressed Li Junyue who was standing some distance away without making a sound, “Yue’er, did you hear it? Your grandmother is calling you over. It’s a good thing! Go wash your face and change your clothes. Hurry up!”

  ”Got it, Father,” Li Junyue replied. The sound of departing footsteps already sounded outside, without even waiting for her.

  She had just left, but was immediately called over again. What thing was so good that made her grandmother so anxious?

  Looking at the dirty handkerchief in her hand, Li Junyue returned to her wing and primped up from her dishevelment, slowly and methodically, without a trace of anxiety.

  It was a quarter of an hour later when she went to the hall again.

  The faces of those waiting inside were already stamped with displeasure.

  ”Yue’er is late. Please forgive me, Grandma. When I was going back just now, I accidentally fell, so I changed my clothes before daring to come here, lest I’d be unsightly to Grandma.”

  At these words, the old matriarch’s face eased slightly: “Did you fall? Are you injured anywhere? You are so big, but why are you still walking so carelessly? You’re just like a toddler.”

  Li Junyue smiled lightly and didn’t answer, instead she said, “Grandma, is there something important that you called me here urgently?”

  ”Look at me, an old woman. I usually forget things as I age.” The old matriarch patted her forehead: “Shortly after you left, a servant came to send a report from the Yamen. Miss Kang gave you a message to prepare. She’ll be picking you up for the banquet in the city tomorrow.”

  ”The banquet in the city?” Li Junyue was stunned.

  ”Exactly. I didn’t expect that Miss Kang would remember you in everything. Befriending her for so many years hasn’t been in vain. You should prepare well tonight. Tomorrow, when you go to the banquet in the city, you should remember your status as a daughter of the Li family. Don’t be rude to others.”

  ”I’ll keep it in mind, Grandma.”

  ”Zhang-momo, are there any new clothes in the house recently? Pick a good set for Yue’er, so that she can use it for the banquet tomorrow. Also, go to the treasury and pick a set of jewelry, so she won’t disgrace our Li family.”

  ”I’ll carry it out right away.”

  After Granny Zhang retreated, the old matriarch also took a box of ointment from her sleeves and handed it to Li Junyue: “Look at you, a fall has broken the skin of the corner of your mouth. You must not be rude tomorrow. Take this box of ointment, apply it at night, and the swelling will ebb tomorrow. A young girl must take good care of her face. From now on, you can’t be so careless and let me worry about you.”

  ”Thank you, Grandma.”

  Li Junyue didn’t refuse anything that was given to her, and accepted them all.

  The more obedient she was, the more the old lady was satisfied, so she gave her a couple more instructions before letting her go.

  ”Old Madam, do you think Fifth Miss can be used?” After Li Junyue left, the old granny asked in a whisper.

  The third house and the first house were all full of good-for-nothing. Fifth Miss was only able to get into the Old Madam’s eyes, thanks to Kang Ziyu. In addition, her beauty was the most brilliant among the younger women in the family. Otherwise, how could she receive a lot of favor?

  The Old Madam looked outside and replied indifferently, “We still can’t determine now whether she can be used or not. If she has such good fortune, I won’t have to take care of her myself. If she’s unlucky, she has to listen to the family’s arrangements. She must be of use to the family. Otherwise, wouldn’t raising her to such an age be all for nothing?”

  The Li family didn’t raise worthless goods.

  Early the next morning, the Liu family set off for the county seat after breakfast.

  Due to their number, Qian Wanjin arranged for people to come pick them up the night before, and the shopkeeper in the town sent two carriages.

  It was still very early when they arrived in the county. The banquet was scheduled for noon, so Qian Wanjin took the large family for a stroll around the county.

  When it was almost time for the banquet, he took them back.

  For the noon banquet, the elegant seats on the second floor of the restaurant were all vacated. It was not for customers, but only for VIPs who had received invitations.

  The shopkeeper was insightful, and without Qian Wanjin’s instructions, he set aside two tables with the best view on the second floor for the Liu family to be seated.

  The tables were by the window, and looking down from above, they could see the bustle of the whole street and the view of the city.

  Before the official opening time of the banquet, many carriages stopped at the entrance of the restaurant one after another, and in the carriages were all the distinguished guests, dressed in fine clothes and rich finery.

  Among them was a familiar face to Grandma and Grandpa Liu, Kang Shiming.

  He was even the first to arrive.

  By doing so, he was giving Qian Wanjin due respect.

  Following him down at the same time was a dignified lady and two young girls.

  Liu Zhiqiu was sitting near the window seat and saw those two at a glance. Immediately, the corners of his mouth pursed.

  It was those two psychos again.