Chapter 59: Father Liu Visits
After the holiday ended, classes resumed. Compared to before, she was more familiar and intimate with the other companion readers.
Except for Yang Luo.
Although Yang Luo had not been enthusiastic in talking with others before, she would still have simple exchanges, but in class, she completely stopped all communication.
No one spoke to her. When their gazes occasionally met, the other person would immediately look away, avoiding her like the plague.
Jiang Rui did not come to quarrel with her, Yang Luo did not go to apologize, and the others did not mention what happened that day either. However, during the break, some young ladies deliberately mentioned Zhu Yunxiao.
“This must be personally embroidered by Fourth Miss Zhu, right? I saw her rushing to work on it even when she went out to play.”
“Madam of Duke Yongwu asked my mother last time which temple could pray for safety, saying she wanted to take you there.”
“Madam of Duke Yongwu rarely goes out; even the Heir of Duke Yongwu seldom sees her.”
In short, their words indicated that Duke Yongwu’s family treated Jiang Rui differently, making certain people know their place.
Yang Luo found it amusing but no longer bothered to explain anything.
In this life, she would no longer have any involvement with Zhu Yunxiao. Jiang Rui’s fate was also none of her concern.
Princess Pingcheng showed no unusual expression, but Yang Hui, who entered with the princess, returned to her seat and loudly said to the companions on both sides, “The princess told me I don’t need to give her notes every class. After four days of classes end, I can compile them and give them to her all at once, so I can also focus on listening to the lessons.”
As she spoke, she looked at Yang Luo.
Yang Luo understood that this was the princess cutting off her excuse to get close by sending notes.
This also meant that Princess Pingcheng had a bad impression of her. She could provoke Yang Hui, but she could not truly anger Princess Pingcheng—at least not give the princess a chance to reprimand her.
Yang Luo did not argue with Yang Hui. She quietly listened to the lessons, and during breaks, she ate and drank alone. Yang Hui provoked her two or three times but got no response, so she did not feel happy and instead harbored a belly full of anger.
“She’s just cunning, pretending to be honest, not giving the princess a chance to punish her.”
“If she dared to be arrogant in front of the princess today, the princess would definitely reprimand her and drive her away.”
After returning home, Yang Hui grew angrier the more she thought about it, complaining to the servant women and maidservants while washing up.
The servant women were already very familiar with Liu Chan’s name and hurriedly comforted Yang Hui: “Pretending won’t last long. The princess is young and not good at speaking up. Once the Empress knows, she certainly won’t let this kind of person stay by the princess’s side.”
Yang Hui’s eyes lit up: “Right, exactly. Have Mother and Father go speak to the Empress.”
Previously, when quarreling with her, they were waving the flag of her irregular selection, which wasn’t convenient for the Empress to intervene. But now Liu Chan had bullied Jiang Rui and was coveting the Heir of Duke Yongwu. For a woman with such improper conduct, it was perfectly reasonable for the Empress to step in and reprimand her, and it would also protect Miss Jiang.
“Quickly go find Mother and Father.”
Yang Hui hurriedly finished bathing and changed clothes without putting on hairpins or jewelry, rushing toward Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s courtyard. Just as she was about to enter the door, a little maidservant suddenly rushed out, nearly knocking her over.
Yang Hui kicked the little maidservant: “What are you running around for!”
The little maidservant knelt down in panic: “Bad news, Young Lady! Someone is making a scene at the doorway, saying our family took his daughter. The Duke told Madam to hurry over.”
Yang Hui blinked: “Did my brother forcibly take a common girl?”
At that moment, Duke Ding’an’s Wife hurriedly came out from the inner room and almost twisted her ankle upon hearing this.
“What nonsense are you spouting!” she scolded, looking at her daughter. “It’s people from the Liu Family who have come!”
Yang Hui was puzzled: “Which Liu Family?”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife said irritably: “Which else? It’s that Liu Family from Fuzhou!”
Yang Hui’s eyes widened. Liu Chan’s family had come?
“They still dare to make a scene?!” she shouted. “This is truly outrageous!”
……
……
Dusk fell, but the street where Duke Ding’an’s Mansion was located was even livelier than during the day, with more and more people gathering and pointing at the area in front of Duke Ding’an’s Mansion’s main gate.
In front of the ancient and heavy main gate stood many servants surrounding two men wearing green robes.
“I said I’m Liu Changqing from Zhi Yong Academy in Fuzhou, Liu Chan’s father.” The middle-aged man said with a stern face. “I’m here now, so why doesn’t Duke Ding’an come see me!”
The young scholar standing beside him looked angry: “I’m Liu Chan’s senior brother Cheng Yuan. If you have any issues, come at me, don’t bully my junior sister!”
The originally arrogant steward was now both annoyed and somewhat disheveled.
“I said to invite you inside to see the Duke.” He said, raising his voice then lowering it. “The Duke is waiting to see you.”
Liu Changqing did not move, his face cold: “Didn’t you say you wanted to question me on the Sage’s principles? The Sage’s principles should be debated openly in public. What, does the Duke not dare to question me in front of people?”
Cheng Yuan sneered: “We wouldn’t dare enter your household gates. My junior sister doesn’t know where you’ve taken her. If we go in, will we also be locked up!”
“What nonsense!” Duke Ding’an, who had been listening from under the eaves at the wall corner, could no longer hold back his anger and stepped out.
Although he had never seen Duke Ding’an before, judging from the servants’ reactions and this middle-aged man’s luxurious attire, Liu Changqing recognized him.
Although Liu Changqing held no official position or title, he showed no fear at all and shouted: “You cursed my daughter for lacking manners, being arrogant and rude, and claimed you would teach her a lesson. I’m here now, so quickly release my daughter!”
“Who said I took your daughter!” Duke Ding’an irritably shouted. “What nonsense are you talking!”
Liu Changqing looked at him: “Then where is my daughter?”
Thinking of this, his tense face trembled.
Originally, he had come to the capital full of enthusiasm. One reason was to see his old classmate whom he hadn’t met in years, to discuss the classics late into the night by candlelight. The other was to visit his daughter who had left home for the first time, to convey the joy from home upon receiving the news of her selection as Princess’s companion reader at the National Academy.
Unexpectedly, upon meeting his classmate, he was bluntly rebuked that his daughter had angered Duke Ding’an in the capital, and Duke Ding’an had sent word to local officials in Fuzhou to shut down Zhi Yong Academy.
The academy was the work and pride of his lifetime. If it were really shut down, it would be like taking his life.
No longer in the mood to discuss the classics, Liu Changqing left his classmate’s home with his disciple, both angry and incredulous. He prepared to ask his daughter what exactly had happened. When he arrived at the rented courtyard house, the door was answered by strangers. He hurriedly asked the landlord, who said his daughter had moved out long ago, and he didn’t know where she had gone.
His daughter was also his life.
Liu Changqing had only this one daughter and never minded that she was a girl. He taught her meticulously, wanting her to inherit his mantle in the future. Unexpectedly, just after receiving the good news, his daughter disappeared.
It was late, and the city gate was closed; he couldn’t leave.
Liu Changqing was not at a loss. Thinking that Duke Ding’an threatened to close his academy, his daughter in the capital must be even more threatened. He immediately brought his disciple over to demand his daughter from Duke Ding’an.
While Liu Changqing was recounting this, Yang Hui ignored Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s obstruction and rushed out from the house. Hearing these words, she was both angry and baffled.
“What? Liu Chan was still attending classes today!”
She was still attending classes today? Liu Changqing frowned slightly.
“Then why did my junior sister change her residence?” Cheng Yuan showed no weakness and shouted, “Did you force her to leave!”
Duke Ding’an looked at this stubborn master and disciple pair who couldn’t communicate. He had previously thought Yang Hui was exaggerating, but now it seemed these people from Fuzhou were truly rude and impolite—one family all the same!
“And then?”
Wei Jiao of the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly heard the news as well.
After all, the Embroidered Uniform had been watching Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.
This scene was the first anomaly in quite a while, and it was immediately reported to Wei Jiao.
“Then, Liu Changqing and his disciple didn’t believe it and refused to enter Duke Ding’an’s Mansion. They insisted on staying at their doorway, waiting to go to the National Academy together tomorrow and see Miss Liu before dropping the matter.” The Embroidered Uniform said. “Duke Ding’an declared that tomorrow he would report both father and daughter to the academy supervisor for punishment, then shut the main gate and ignore them.”
That Miss Liu was indeed attending classes, and Miss Liu had indeed caused trouble—Princess Pingcheng had even frowned over it.
However, Wei Jiao lightly tapped the desk. It was somewhat strange that Miss Liu had changed her residence without telling her family.
