FID – Chapter 672

Chapter 672: Never Once Protected Him

“Third daughter-in-law, stand down!”

Matriarch Li’s stern command rang through the hall, instantly stopping the woman who had been about to throw herself at Liu Muqiu.

Third Madam Li hesitated, looking around unwillingly before finally retreating in silence.

Liu Muqiu said nothing, but a flash of mockery flickered through her eyes.

If she had been sorely missed, then why did a single reprimand make her mother fall silent? 

From the past to the present, the woman’s nature had never changed.

She even doubted whether, when the news of her supposed death first spread, her mother had shed a single tear for her.

Having dismissed the woman, Matriarch Li’s expression darkened.

Though Liu Zhiqiu hadn’t explicitly said anything, his earlier remark made it clear—he did not acknowledge that Liu Muqiu had ever been part of the Li family.

Who knew what scheme he was playing at for this visit? Or perhaps, had the Li family done something to displease him?

If the Liu family were merely an ordinary merchant household or even a wealthy clan, she might have dared to make a fuss over Li Junyue’s matter.

However, the person standing behind them was the King of Nanling, the regent of the current dynasty.

The Li family couldn’t afford to provoke them. Whether they liked it or not, they had to swallow their grievances!

“Elder Madam has managed the Li family for so many years—sharp and formidable. Even many men can’t compare. I’ve always admired that. But it seems some of the younger generation in your clan have poor eyesight. With such a big person sitting here, how could they mistake her identity?”

“You are right, Young Master Liu. I will be sure to discipline them strictly.”

Liu Zhiqiu took another sip of his tea, placed the cup down and smiled. “That’s your family’s business. As an outsider, I shouldn’t say too much—I wouldn’t want to overstep my bounds.”

After a brief pause, he turned his gaze to the young boy standing quietly beside his parents, head lowered. “That young master over there must be Li Junyao, right? I’ve seen him before—sharp and quick-witted, quite amusing.”

Hearing his name called, Li Junyao’s eyes flickered with surprise. He looked up and saw Liu Zhiqiu beckoning him over. 

“Kiddo, come here. I have a good feeling about you. You were the one who sneaked off to Xinghua Village the other day, weren’t you?”

The entire hall was shocked.

Even Liu Muqiu was startled, while Li Junyao nearly lost his soul from fright.

He had snuck over that day in secret. If his family found out, they would definitely use him to get to his sister. How could this man be so reckless, blurting things out like that?

His mouth was way too loose!

Seeing the young boy’s face turn pale with fear, Liu Zhiqiu smirked slightly before turning to Matriarch Li. “There are too many people here. May I have a private word with you?”

Matriarch Li’s gaze darkened slightly before she waved for the family members to withdraw. Liu Muqiu also stepped outside.

As soon as she left, Li Junyao immediately followed behind her, hesitant in his steps—wanting to get closer but not daring to.

Liu Muqiu turned back to look at him. After a moment of silence, under the watchful eyes of those around, she walked toward him and gently patted his head. “The manor has changed a lot. How about you show me around?”

Li Junyao stared at her, then nodded. And nodded again.

His sister spoke to him. And she did so openly, without avoiding the gazes of their family members—frankly and directly!

Leading her through twists and turns, Li Junyao finally stopped in front of the back garden she used to love. Only then did he gather his courage and cautiously test the waters, “S-Sister.”

“Why did you sneak away that day?”

Her tone was calm, not accusatory, yet Li Junyao’s eyes turned red instantly. Tears welled up, and he quickly wiped them away with his sleeve. “I was afraid you’d be unhappy.”

His sister had severed ties with the Li family. She surely didn’t want any connection with them.

She disliked everyone in the Li family—including him.

Liu Muqiu remained silent. The faint bitterness in her heart, initially subtle, unexpectedly thickened. She took out the small embroidered pouch from her sleeve and stuffed it into his hands. “Keep this for yourself. I don’t need the money.”

“I saved it just for you. You should have it.” Li Junyao shoved the pouch back into her hands, his head lowered, his voice muffled. “I know the Liu family treats you well. But with your personality, if you ever need money, you’d never ask them for it. I—I don’t need it either, so just take it!”

The Liu family was good, but in the end, his sister was only an adopted daughter. No matter how well they treated her, they could never truly regard her as their own flesh and blood.

And with her stubborn nature, she would never ask for help if she could avoid it. Without any personal savings, she’d probably end up secretly embroidering again just to sell her work.

“I told you, I have money.”

The two of them kept pushing the embroidered pouch back and forth. In the struggle, Li Junyao’s sleeve slipped up slightly, revealing a thin wrist covered in bruises—shades of blue, purple, and red stark against his pale skin.

Liu Muqiu’s expression turned ice-cold. “Who hit you?”

“I got into a fight. Just a small injury, nothing serious. Don’t worry about it,” Li Junyao hurriedly pulled his sleeve back down to cover the marks, trying to act like it was nothing.

She stared at him intently, lips pressing into a thin line. Then, she spoke slowly and deliberately. “Was it Li Junhua?”

“No!” Li Junyao denied it instantly.

But under her piercing, icy gaze, his head slowly lowered.

After a moment, unable to withstand the pressure, he quietly confessed.

“She came back after the New Year and convinced Father and Mother to go look for you. Then she pulled me aside and told me to find you and ask for benefits. I refused, so she hit me.”

Li Junyao paused, then pretended to be nonchalant. “But I didn’t let her off easy either. I’m sure her injuries are worse than mine.”

Liu Muqiu’s lips pressed into a tighter line.

He might be able to fool others with those words, but not her.

What kind of person was Li Junhua? If she wanted to deal with someone, she rarely did it herself—she would always manipulate her other sisters into doing her dirty work.

There was no way Li Junyao had been beaten by just one person.

Just like how it used to be for her.

She grabbed Li Junyao’s hand, turned and started walking toward the inner courtyard.

Seeing this, Li Junyao immediately struggled. “Sister, what are you doing? I’m really fine! I’m not a little kid anymore—I’m not that easy to bully!”

This road leads to the small courtyard where Li Junhua lives.

Was she going to cause trouble with Li Junhua? She had finally managed to stay in such a respectable family like the Liu family. If she caused trouble and made the Liu family dislike her, wouldn’t that be a loss?

“Shut up!” Stopping Li Junyao’s struggle, Liu Muqiu’s expression grew colder.

Was she so useless in his eyes? Or perhaps, she had always been a failure as an older sister.

In the past, he always helped her out, but she never protected him once.

In the living room on the other side, only Liu Zhiqiu and Matriarch Li were left, facing each other. Matriarch Li was almost fully on guard, not knowing what he might say.

On the other hand, Liu Zhiqiu remained calm throughout, a gentle smile on his face, giving no hint of any threat.

“Elder Madam, I have a straightforward personality and don’t like to beat around the bush. Since it’s just you and me here, I’ll get straight to the point.” Liu Zhiqiu said, his smile still present. “In the future, when Li Junyao comes to and from Xinghua Village, I hope the Li family won’t interfere. Also, treat him better. He’s a smart and clever boy. With proper training, he might be able to bring honor to the Li family.”