FID – Chapter 1034

Chapter 1034 – Touch Anyone You Want, But Don’t Touch a Member of the Liu Family!

“You only came out now? You have no sincerity at all.” The young man didn’t even lift his head, just let out another cold snort.

Before he finished the sentence, a hand smacked him on the back of the head. “Talk properly.”

Only then did Liu Zhiqiu lazily speak, “Thanks to you, someone used their ‘close relationship with the Prefect’ to bully Grandma, and even ordered a dog-servant to slap her.”

Liu Zhixia’s gaze instantly turned icy. “Who?”

Just one word—sharp as a blade, as if it could stab straight into someone’s heart.

Liu Zhiqiu shrank his neck. “From the Ding family… that ridiculous ‘matriarch’ ran into Grandma on the street and started cursing like you wouldn’t believe. Hey, Big Brother, are these the people you choose to make friends with? Their manners aren’t even on the level of a three-year-old back in our village. How does someone like that become a patriarch’s wife? Acting all high and mighty, like she’s the Empress Dowager herself.”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Grandma didn’t even bump into her. She stopped her steps in time. But that woman still called her an old hag, a lowborn wretch, and told her to get lost. When I stepped up to protect Grandma, that woman actually summoned dozens of guards, ready to kill both me and Grandma on the spot. She’s truly the most vicious kind of woman! Brother, you’ve got to stand up for us on this one.”

Liu Zhiqiu spared no effort embellishing the story, stirring things up.

He only showed this unrestrained side of himself in front of his elder brother.

“So what happened?” Liu Zhixia leaned casually against the wall. At that angle, Liu Zhiqiu couldn’t read his expression.

He just pursed his lips—he knew nothing could be hidden from his brother. “In the end, they were scared out of their wits by the Empress Dowager. Her guards were suppressed by General Qin’s men, and couldn’t even move. She ended up fainting in the middle of the street.”

The most satisfying part? The old granny was slapping them while scolding them.

But he didn’t tell his brother the details, let him stew over it.

As the Prefect, the fact that someone under his command dared to bully their grandma showed that his brother hadn’t protected the family well enough.

“I understand,” the young man’s calm voice came from behind, perfectly concealing his emotions.

So boring.

Patting his trousers, Liu Zhiqiu strolled slowly back into the courtyard. He’d been at it all day. It’s time to wash up and sleep.

As for what happened next, that was naturally his elder brother’s problem.

First protect the family, then protect the people.

Anyway, this was the rule Liu Zhiqiu had set for the Liu family; even his elder brother had to follow it.

Outside the main courtyard, Liu Zhixia leaned against the wall, gazing at the moon for quite some time. Only when his hair was damp with moisture did he finally turn back inside.

By the time he returned, his grandparents were already preparing for bed.

The two elders had just made a round trip to Yunzhou, and after sitting in a carriage for six hours, even the healthiest body would be exhausted.

Before they went to their rooms, Liu Zhixia went over and hugged his grandmother. “Grandma, I’m sorry you had to suffer.”

The old lady paused for a moment, then smiled. “Did Zhiqiu tell you? Luckily, everything’s been resolved. Your grandfather and I were going to tell you once we got back, but then we thought, it’s already settled. We didn’t suffer any real loss. If anything, it’s the Ding family who’s in trouble now. Things are probably chaotic for them for a while.”

“You are Yunzhou’s prefect. You must act fairly and justly, without favoritism, without bias. Only then will the people respect you, and only then will you be a good official. Even where we cannot see, there are surely many commoners enduring various injustices. If you can become a trustworthy protector for them, that would make your grandfather and me happiest of all.”

Today, if she had been an ordinary commoner, her fate would have been death or injury, and she would have suffered immense injustice. When the people have grievances, to whom can they turn? Only to the magistrate.

If the magistrate does nothing, the people have no hope.

She hoped that their Liu Zhixia would grow up to be a good official who speaks for the people—not only protecting their family but also protecting the welfare of the entire community.

Because he was an official of the court, it was his duty and responsibility.

Grandpa Liu patted his eldest grandson on the shoulder. “It’s late. Go wash up and get some sleep. I know you officials have your own plans. Follow your plans and don’t let anything disrupt your steps.”

After sending off his eldest grandson, the old man’s mood lifted considerably; the resentment he had felt on the way back was gone.

“So, has the knot in your heart untied?”

“Yeah. There’s nothing to worry about. As long as you’re fine, that’s all that matters.” He smiled as he coaxed his wife to sleep, even in his dreams he smiled.

How could he not know his grandson well?

The Ding family would inevitably be in chaos, and that so-called matriarch certainly wouldn’t have a good outcome.

What was there left to worry about?

No one in the Liu family—including Liu Zhiqiu—mentioned the Yunzhou incident to anyone else, not wanting to rile anyone up unnecessarily.

The next morning, Liu Zhixia set off for Yunzhou with his wife and child.

As the prefect, he was the first to request leave during the busy farming season, so his holiday was short. Staying at home for even a single day was already the maximum.

No sooner had he returned to the yamen than news arrived that the Ding family had come.

The visitors were Ding Jiahua, head of the Ding family; Ding Jianian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; and the eldest Miss Ding, Ding Wenxuan, who had married two years prior.

“Miss Ding is back?” Fu Yuzheng was somewhat surprised when she heard that Ding Wenxuan had returned.

The family Ding Wenxuan married into didn’t live close to Yunzhou. To return home required at least half a day by boat. Before the busy farming season, Fu Yuzheng hadn’t heard that she was coming back. Apparently she had returned during the busy season.

“And returned quickly too. They even dragged her along. They’re trying to play the sentiment card.” Liu Zhixia curled his lips in a faint, cold smile.

Fu Yuzheng frowned. “What happened?”

Before summoning the visitor inside, Liu Zhixia briefly explained the situation to her. Fu Yuzheng let out a cold snort, picked up Maodou, and said to the attendant delivering the message, “Go tell Miss Ding that this madam isn’t feeling well and will not see anyone.”

Then she walked toward the inner courtyard, radiating a chill that couldn’t be suppressed.

She had once had good personal relations with Ding Wenxuan because of her open, straightforward nature, but she had her limits. Cross those limits, and no one’s face would matter to her.

Touch anyone you want, but never touch a member of the Liu family!

Liu Zhixia chuckled. “Bring them in.”

The attendant retreated.

At the door, the three members of the Ding family strode briskly inside. Even before entering the main hall, they bowed repeatedly, offering apologies.

Ding Wenxuan, having received the message from the attendant, did not leave and followed them in.

“Patriarch Ding, Lord Ding, Madam Ning, please have a seat.” Liu Zhixia led them to the seats and had the attendant serve tea. “May I ask what urgent matter brings you here so early?”

Ding Jiahua’s face was both awkward and dejected. He knew the Prefect was subtly shaming him. He sighed and said, “Yesterday, my wife offended Elder Madam Liu on the street. I believe Your Excellency is already aware. Today I have specially come to apologize. I beg Your Excellency to show leniency, and I will certainly strictly govern my wife’s behavior in the future.”

The visitor got straight to the point, so Liu Zhixia no longer bothered with pleasantries; his gaze turned icy. “Patriarch Ding, so you were aware your wife’s conduct was lacking? The Ding family is a well-known household in Yunzhou, a prominent merchant family. And yet, your matriarch goes out with her own guards? And speaks to commoners as if they should be killed on the spot? I want to know, besides yesterday’s incident, how many innocent souls have unjustly perished under Madam Ding’s hands without my knowledge?”