FID – Chapter 603

Chapter 603: Such a Blessed Life

The three women gathered around them, and the sudden attention made the two girls feel like they were being pricked by needles, uncomfortable and unsettling.

While they were here crying about their poverty and misfortune, they were wearing fine silks and satin that commoners could never afford. Even their heads were adorned with silver hairpins that only wealthy families would wear.

Their whole outfit cost a considerable amount of money.

This left them tongue-tied for a moment.

The truth was, they had come to Xinghua Village with a purpose. Their family, in hopes of increasing their chances of success, had specially bought them these expensive outfits.

They never expected to be pointed out by the other party, leaving them unable to retort.

Now, even if they claimed they were just here as guests at the Liu family and didn’t want to appear too shabby, it wouldn’t hold up.

How could they afford such clothing and accessories when they had just said they couldn’t even afford a meal at home?

The two girls were now in an awkward situation, but Liu Yusheng didn’t step in to rescue them.

From a hidden angle, she secretly gave Liu Muqiu an appreciative look.

It was perfectly said.

When Liu Muqiu had spoken, her expression had been curious and innocent, showing no sign of intentionality.

Liu Yusheng silently gave Liu Muqiu a thumbs-up in her heart. Now, that was the true pinnacle of being a white lotus.

She managed to hide it without leaving a trace.

As they continued on the journey, Yang Shuqing and Yang Shuyu no longer dared to mention the situation at home, and instead, they became interested in Shi Xianrou.

“Miss Shi, you’re Young Master Qian’s fiancée, right? I heard your family is also from the capital. Is the capital very prosperous and lively?”

“It’s okay, just that there are more wealthy people.”

“We also heard from Aunt that Young Master Qian’s fiancée is from a general’s family. So, Miss Shi, are you a young lady from a general’s household? Such a noble status, yet you don’t act like you’re above others. It’s really rare.”

“That’s because you didn’t see me when I was acting arrogant,” Shi Xianrou replied lightly. 

She wasn’t interested in dealing with the two of them. Instead, she turned to look at the one they had been intentionally or unintentionally ignoring, Liu Muqiu. “Are you tired? Would you like me to carry you up?”

Liu Muqiu shook her head, pressing her somewhat tight chest and taking a breath. “We’re almost there. I can make it. I just need to walk slowly.”

If she hadn’t come on this trip, she wouldn’t have known how weak her body was. After walking just a short distance, she was already feeling exhausted.

Seeing that her lips had turned pale, Liu Yusheng and Shi Xianrou each took one of her arms, supporting her as they walked slowly. “If you’re tired, just say so. We can sit down and rest for a bit. We’re not in a hurry, and anyway, my second brother and the others are up ahead. They’ll be busy until the sun sets.”

“Okay.” Liu Muqiu bit her lip and smiled apologetically at the two of them.

She had asked them to accompany her up the mountain, but now she was really making them help her.

Zhiqiu was right. If she had come alone, he would have to carry her back halfway.

“We haven’t walked far, and yet Miss Liu is already this tired? The body of a rural girl shouldn’t be so weak. How can she work if just walking a bit makes her out of breath?” Yang Shuyu furrowed her brows with concern, but there was a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Yang Shuyu didn’t say anything more, but her gaze toward Liu Muqiu was a little dark.

Earlier in the hall, she had heard the two elders of the Liu family mention that this Liu Muqiu had already been registered in their family’s household registry, meaning she was officially part of the Liu family now.

From now on, her status would be the same as Liu Yusheng’s—treated as a daughter of the Liu family and raised like a young lady.

What a lucky life.

Liu Yusheng pressed a few acupoints on Liu Muqiu’s body, helping her catch her breath before turning to Yang Shuqing with a faint smile. “Although we’re from a rural family, all the girls of the Liu family are raised delicately. There’s no need for us to work the fields like common folks. Miss Yang is overthinking.”

Yang Shuqing gave an awkward smile. “Being spoiled at home is fine, of course. But when a girl reaches a certain age, she must eventually marry. A girl like Miss Muqiu will likely face rejection when she marries into her husband’s family. I mean no harm, I’m just concerned about her.”

“Then she should find a husband who is willing to pamper her, just like the Liu family does. With the Liu family’s current background and status, we need not worry about finding a suitable match. There’s no way the daughters of the Liu family will suffer,” Shi Xianrou replied, neither soft or hard, before lifting Liu Muqiu onto her back and starting to walk up Xinghua Ridge.

Her steps were steady and sure, showing no sign of exertion.

“Xianrou, I can walk by myself.” Liu Muqiu blushed deeply, slightly struggling.

She had asked Nannan and Xianrou to accompany her up the mountain to give herself courage, but she hadn’t expected to trouble them like this.

Shi Xianrou slapped her lightly on the backside. “Stop moving around, you might fall off. Honestly, I don’t know how you eat. You weigh nothing. Even a ten-year-old child weighs more than you.”

Liu Muqiu’s face was almost purple from embarrassment.

How could Xianrou slap her on the backside!

There were people watching from behind—how mortifying!

Seeing that the woman carrying her moved effortlessly for a while, Liu Muqiu gave up struggling and quietly stayed on her back, letting her carry her up the mountain.

Liu Yusheng who was walking beside them couldn’t stop laughing as she looked at Shi Xianrou’s superhuman display. “The other day, when Xiao Jinzi came to question me, I thought he was joking. Now it seems like he wasn’t. Xianrou, your charm really works on both men and women! To anyone you’ve taken care of—do you think they’ll ever find a husband who measures up to you?”

“How about I take care of you and see if I can make you feel like I outshine Feng Qingbao?”

“I’d love that, but I’m afraid Xiao Jinzi wouldn’t approve.”

The three of them laughed as they continued on, while the Yang sisters exchanged a glance behind them, biting their lips and quickly following.

They knew that their previous words had likely upset someone, so they dared not probe further with their words.

At this moment on Xinghua Ridge, Liu Zhiqiu, Qian Wanjin, and Xue Qinglian had just finished a task and were sitting down to rest.

Previously, during the flood, although the orchards on Xinghua Ridge weren’t submerged, the excessive water had damaged the loquat trees’ roots.

The medicinal field they had planted earlier was also ruined—none of the herbs could be used anymore.

Liu Zhiqiu had come up with the three men because Xue Qinglian had developed a new medicine, claiming it could repair the damaged tree roots and help the loquat trees recover more quickly.

The medicine had already been applied, and Liu Zhiqiu was still holding onto two of them, helping to turn over half of the medicinal field.

It was July, the height of summer, and the weather was scorching hot. After working for a while, sweat soaked their clothes.

The three of them were all men, so Liu Zhiqiu simply removed his drenched coat and hung it on a tree branch to dry.

By the time they descended the mountain, their clothes would be dry.

“Aiya, I’m exhausted,” Qian Wanjin exclaimed as he took down the water pouch hanging from the tree trunk and took a few big gulps. “I need a few drinks of water to feel like I’m alive again.”