FID – Chapter 972

Chapter 972: The Nanling King’s consort?

Gently patting the woman’s back to help her catch her breath, Feng Qingbai looked at Liu Zhixia. “Don’t you think he’s asking for a beating?”

“Definitely,” Liu Zhixia nodded. “I’m a scholar: I use my words, not my fists. Teaching that idiot a lesson still needs you.”

Liu Zhiqiu quickly grabbed a few buns and steamed rolls from the table and stuffed them into his arms, then pulled Liu Muqiu along. “Wife, we shouldn’t stay here long. Let me take you for a little walk.”

“Wait.” Liu Muqiu wriggled a bit, then quickly filled an empty teapot with rice porridge, neat and tidy. “Eating just buns and rolls is too dry. I’ll bring some porridge for you, so you can drink if your mouth feels dry.”

The couple boldly slipped away, leaving the others in silence, a vein of exasperation clearly forming on their foreheads.

Liu Tiao didn’t leave the hall until after Liu Zhiqiu and his wife had departed.

From the information he had just overheard, he became even more certain that the new master was indeed from the Liu family of Xinghua Village.

Although his grandfather and parents still maintained a cautious attitude toward the new master, he was sure that the new master could never be like the former household—pretentious and hypocritical.

No airs, no pretense, and although his manners were relaxed and unconstrained, they were entirely sincere.

Being able to follow such a family would be a blessing for them.

After breakfast, Liu Yusheng told her elder brother goodbye and went with Feng Qingbai to the back courtyard.

Since she had promised Liu Ya, she would naturally keep her word.

She also noticed that the family seemed to avoid appearing around them unless necessary.

Subtlety meant avoiding contact whenever possible.

If they didn’t come to her, then she would have to go to them.

In the small courtyard at the back where the servants lived, the gate was half-open. Stepping inside, she saw Liu Gen, Liu Zhi, and their family sitting in the little hall. Aside from Uncle Liu who was stationed at the gate, everyone else was present.

When the people in the hall saw Liu Yusheng and Feng Qingbai appear in the courtyard, their surprise quickly turned to flustered panic.

Liu Gen and Liu Zhi, along with their children, came forward to greet them. “Master and Madam, is there something you wish to instruct us to do? We will attend to it at once!”

Liu Gen spoke without daring to raise his head to look at them. If Liu Zhiqiu really was from the Liu family of Xinghua Village, then these two before them could very well be the Prince and Princess of Nanling!

“It’s nothing. We’re just taking a walk and happened to see someone in this small courtyard, so we came in to take a look,” Liu Yusheng replied with a smile, glancing at Liu Ya, who was standing behind her parents, unable to suppress a smile.

The young girl, like a startled little rabbit, had cheeks flushed with excitement. Her moist eyes shone with a mixture of joy, shyness, and anticipation as she peeked out from behind her mother, revealing her pure, unguarded innocence.

Liu Gen and Liu Zhi were at a loss, unsure how to respond. It was just the servants’ humble quarters. What could possibly be interesting? Perhaps Madam had used it as an excuse to check whether they had been slacking off?

At that moment, Liu Tiao stepped forward a couple of paces and bowed. “The servants’ courtyard is rather simple and modest; it may seem shabby to Master and Madam… but if you don’t mind, would you like to come inside and sit for a while?”

Feng Qingbai glanced at him and took Liu Yusheng’s hand towards the inside. “Let’s go in.”

As they walked, Liu Yusheng naturally chatted with them. “From your manner of speaking, you’re quite polite. Have you ever learned to read or write?”

“Madam, my ancestors once served as scribes. Through observation and practice, we’ve learned to recognize some characters,” Liu Gen replied respectfully.

Liu Yusheng nodded. “I see.” No wonder their manners and bearing seemed different from ordinary servants in small villages.

Once they were seated in the small hall, she looked at the few people standing stiffly, unsure where to place their hands or feet, and teased lightly, “Does our sudden visit make you uncomfortable?”

“Madam, you flatter us. We only fear that our humble courtyard has inconvenienced you, Masters.”

“Actually, I came specifically to see you. This morning, Liu Ya came to me and asked me to look at your old injuries,” Liu Yusheng said.

“…!” Liu Gen and Liu Zhi suddenly lifted their heads, utterly shocked. Liu Zhi then turned and grasped Liu Ya’s arm, her voice trembling, “Ya’er… you-you spoke?”

Liu Ya buried her head low, fingers tightly entwined, offering no reply. Only the corner of her slightly visible face showed redness.

Her behavior was already an acknowledgment.

Liu Gen, Liu Zhi, and the others exchanged glances, their eyes welling with tears.

Since that terrible incident, their youngest daughter hadn’t spoken a word and had been extremely fearful of interacting with strangers. They never expected that she would summon Madam to check their injuries. How much courage must that have taken for her to do this?

Immediately, the family realized something else: their daughter had asked Madam to come see their old injuries, and Madam had really come… That meant!

“Does Madam know medicine?” Liu Gen looked at Liu Yusheng, struggling to contain his excitement. “I—dare to ask, Madam, are you the young healer of the Liu family from Xinghua Village? Are you the Princess Consort of Nanling?”

“Yes, I am Liu Yusheng. This is my husband, Feng Qingbai, the King of Nanling,” Liu Yusheng replied with a smile. She then added, “I’ve heard a little from my second brother about your situation. He said you all carry old injuries. Could you tell me where the injuries are so I can examine and treat you?”

The family’s breathing quickened, still overwhelmed by the woman’s own admission that she was from the Liu family of Xinghua Village. Finally, pushed lightly by his son, Liu Gen managed to recover enough to ask in astonishment, “Master knows what happened to our family?”

“Yes. Your former lord intended to sell you into servitude after injuring you. My second brother used some connections to buy you back. While staying here, you can do some simple chores and have a safe place to stay. No one will bully you again.”

Her words brought silence to the small hall.

Then Liu Gen and Liu Zhi knelt with their three children. “Our family will never forget Master’s kindness!”

They had not known this hidden truth, which had kept them wary and guarded against the new Master. Now, thinking back, they felt deeply ashamed.

“Everyone, stand up. There’s no need to kneel all the time. We don’t insist on formalities in our household,” Liu Yusheng smiled. She had revealed this truth because she had sensed the family’s instinct to avoid attention whenever possible.

Though that caution stemmed from fear of further harm, there was no need for it at the Liu courtyard.

Moreover, if they could not work in harmony with their Master, then in the future, when her second brother is not at the estate, they might not fully commit to managing daily tasks. At most, they would simply do the minimum required.

This family had some education; if they genuinely helped her second brother, it could save him a lot of trouble.

“Madam, your kindness and virtue are beyond words. Our family is deeply grateful,” Liu Tiao said, looking at his parents and two younger sisters. Compared to their uncontainable excitement, he was calmer. “Let me explain. When our family ran into trouble, we went to plead with our former master, but instead of mercy, we were brutally beaten. My grandfather’s leg was broken from the beating, and my father’s arm was crushed with a wooden stick. His bones shattered, and his right arm can no longer exert force; he can’t even lift simple loads. In my mother’s attempt to protect my two younger sisters, she was also severely injured; even after recovery, her health is far from what it once was. I was injured in my back and shoulder blades, leaving me unable to carry heavy loads…”