Chapter 81: Endurance

Liu Chu glanced at Song Ling, who had slipped quietly out the door, then looked at Liu Hanmo before her. One after another, they had all been won over by Xue Ao. Indeed, Xue Ao was formidable—so much so that she had no way to handle him, and couldn’t help feeling indignant.

She secretly glared at Xue Ao, but he seemed unconcerned, his bearing noble and carefree. Just looking at him—handsome and elegant—it was easy to understand how admiration and respect could rise from the depths of one’s heart. Today he wore a robe in shades of blue and white, standing tall and straight, one hand behind his back, exuding an air of dignity.

At twenty, he was in the prime of life, full of vigor, possessing a grandeur and charm distinct from Zhou Fuyun. If only his temper were better, he would surely be the object of many a young lady’s affection. As she thought this, her heart involuntarily began to flutter, as if she had truly been bewitched by him—she pursed her lips.

Xue Ao saw her look of unwillingness, and his smile nearly reached his ears, making Liu Chu want to punch him—twice. But she’d learned her lesson and wouldn’t quarrel with someone skilled in martial arts; after all, hurting her own hand would only invite ridicule and was hardly worth it.

Once everyone was seated, Xue Ao grew serious and recounted how he’d caught Liu Hanmo spying outside the Han residence that morning. Upon learning that the person who harmed him years ago bore a leaf-shaped scar, he immediately recalled the scar he’d glimpsed on Li Xiaoren’s ankle during a fight with Liu Guanju just the day before.

The Li family was deeply entwined with the Liu family, having always coveted their status and wealth. Considering their relationship—and the less-than-upright character of Li Guangdong and his son Li Xiaoren—Xue Ao thought it likely that Li Xiaoren would target Liu Hanmo, the legitimate heir of the Liu family. But the most pressing matter was confirming whether Liu Hanmo’s attacker was indeed Li Xiaoren.

So Xue Ao devised a plan: he had Zhou Fuyun provoke Li Xiaoren, leading to a fight so Liu Hanmo could verify whether the scar matched. Li Xiaoren, unlike his father, was dull-witted, proud, and hot-tempered—Zhou Fuyun easily lured him into the trap.

When things escalated, Liu Hanmo struck him a few times, ripping his trouser leg for a clear look at the scar. Upon seeing it, hatred surged like a tide—unable to restrain himself, he beat Li Xiaoren mercilessly.

Li Xiaoren, already wounded, was no match for Liu Hanmo and could only beg for mercy. Yet, faced with his enemy, Liu Hanmo showed no leniency; pleas were useless, and his eyes grew red with rage. This man had nearly cost him his life. Liu Hanmo was fortunate to survive, but the days that followed were harsh—servitude, begging, scorn, and neglect. Even now, scars from those beatings remained on his back, marks that would likely never fade.

Liu Guanju’s feud with Li Xiaoren and Liu Xiaomao’s beating of him wouldn’t arouse suspicion, so Zhou Fuyun did not intervene; instead, he helped his future cousin kick Li Xiaoren a few times.

Even when the Li family arrived, they could do nothing. Because of their close ties with the Duke of Faith’s household, the Li family dared not provoke him or utter a word against him. The Duke of Faith was a favorite of the emperor, even more so than the mighty eunuch. Should they offend the emperor’s confidant, not even the highest authorities could protect them, for the emperor cared for people, not for reason. Thus, Li Xiaoren had to accept the loss of an arm and hope Zhou Fuyun wouldn’t be the first to complain.

Xue Ao knew that someone as clever as Liu Chu would grasp Zhou Fuyun’s intentions. Still, fearing she might worry, he explained everything thoroughly, wishing to reassure her that he was the support she and her brother could rely on, so there was no need for fear.

Liu Chu nodded, indicating her understanding. Though offending Li Guangdong and his family might mean future trouble, in that moment, she had wished Liu Hanmo would beat him to death.

When her “brother” perished in the fire, Liu Chu had suspected the Li family father and son, but that day they had accompanied her father on an inspection, and were nowhere near the scene.

Her grandmother, upon hearing of her grandson’s death, fainted and passed away a few days later. On her deathbed, she gripped the tortoiseshell ruyi handle her grandson had once played with, calling out for him again and again, hoping to see him one last time—but it was never to be.

As for herself, failing to save her “brother” led to her mother’s long-standing reproach. Not long after, her mother too died of grief. Liu Chu often recalled that scene, blaming herself for her own helplessness.

Her mother and grandmother, ever wary, had instilled in her a distrust of others, especially the Li family. Before they passed, they would admonish her father daily. After their deaths, it fell to Liu Chu to remind her father, but whenever she urged him to beware, he accused her of being too scheming for her age.

At the time, she resented her father’s poor judgment, thinking his inability to discern character had brought ruin. Yet half a year after her mother’s death, he fell gravely ill; despite her efforts to summon every renowned physician in Hangzhou, nothing could save him.

Her father’s death seemed suspicious to her even then. But at seven years old, she was no match for those with ill intentions—she nearly lost the family estate. Only thanks to Lady Han’s swift intervention was the Liu family’s foundation preserved. But as a lone girl, she could not remain in Hangzhou and had to follow her great-aunt to Jinling. Most of the property and shops had to be sold, leaving only the ancestral home and a few easily managed fields and jade shops, entrusted to a distant relative. She returned twice a year to check the accounts, coinciding with her parents’ memorial days.

Now, though her brother had been found, whenever she thought of Liu Hanmo’s seven years as a slave, three years begging, enduring humiliation, scorn, hunger, and homelessness, her heart ached deeply.

All of this was caused by the Li family father and son. Liu Chu clenched her delicate fists. Someday, they would pay in blood for their crimes!

“Chuchu.” Xue Ao, seeing her flushed cheeks and clenched teeth, grew worried, covering her fist with his hand. “Chuchu, don’t be anxious. Now that Mo’er has been found, no one else must know. If the Li family learns he survived, they will try again to harm him. Even you might be in danger.”

Her brother was found, yet she could not openly acknowledge him. Liu Chu was filled with rage, but for Liu Hanmo’s sake, endurance was her only option.

She did not meet Xue Ao’s worried gaze, instead slowly surveying the room. This was the house the Liu family had arranged for Liu Hanmo—cramped and plain. There was little furniture, just a bed, a table, a few stools, and even the bed’s old mosquito net was worn. Though the general’s mansion had not been unkind—after all, he was only Liu Guanju’s sparring partner in name—it was worlds apart from his childhood comforts. She wanted to care for him herself, watch him grow healthy and successful, but for now, he had to stay here. It was a grievance he had to endure.

Xue Ao feared her indignation might betray them, giving villains an opening, so he continued to comfort her: “Chuchu, I’ve already sent people to Yangzhou to find the human trafficker. Once your family’s jade pendant is recovered and I’ve dealt with Li Guangdong and his family, you and Mo’er can be reunited. Then you may host a grand banquet, even return to Hangzhou to honor your ancestors openly. For now, you must be patient.”

“Patience is a virtue—I understand.” Liu Chu bit her lip and nodded with difficulty.

“That’s good.” Xue Ao was finally relieved, his hand still gently caressing the back of hers, and Liu Chu made no objection.

Liu Hanmo watched their gestures, tilting his head thoughtfully. “Sister, you’re coming of age soon, aren’t you?”

“Yes, on the tenth of November.”

“Today’s already the seventh.” Liu Hanmo furrowed his brow; at present, he had nothing—how could he give her a coming-of-age gift?

“Yes.” Liu Chu understood his worry and smiled. “Mo’er, you don’t need to fret. I want nothing from you but your health and happiness.”

Liu Hanmo nodded, yet still pondered. His sister was coming of age, and they had only just reunited—how could he celebrate her adulthood empty-handed? He resolved to find her a gift, and noticed Xue Ao’s furrowed brow, apparently considering the same dilemma.

Unexpectedly, Xue Ao’s expression shifted; he gently brushed Liu Chu’s hand. “Chuchu, we truly must have fate spanning lifetimes—our birthdays fall on the same day. My mother has begun preparations for my celebration, and the general’s mansion is planning yours. But what should we do?”

It was the first time Liu Chu saw him so troubled; her heart was anxious, yet she couldn’t resist teasing him: “You attend your birthday banquet, I observe my coming-of-age ceremony—we need not interfere with each other. What’s so difficult about it?”

Xue Ao knew she was being playful—she actually wished he could attend her ceremony, since it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. But such celebrations were usually for female relatives, with few men present—only close elders and brothers. Though he and Liu Chu were committed to each other, he was neither a brother nor a cousin; what grounds did he have to attend? Moreover, with festivities underway at home, he couldn’t leave, unless he wished to offend his mother and shamelessly crash the general’s mansion’s event.

Zhou Fuyun watched the pair—one silent, the other annoyed—and thought of his own affair with Han Shujing, which had nearly come to fruition. Meanwhile, Xue Ao was still fretting, and Zhou couldn’t help but feel a touch of schadenfreude.

The group sat quietly, saying nothing, when suddenly rustling noises were heard by the wall beneath the window. Xue Ao dashed over, flung open the window, and pulled the person inside—only to realize it was Liu Guanju, and switched to holding her gently.

“Guanju, you were eavesdropping here?” Liu Chu was startled, seeing her disheveled from being pulled inside, and helped her straighten her collar and hair.

“I…” Liu Guanju confessed her wrongdoing, unable to resist her curiosity. Even if Liu Chu scolded her, she could only accept it.

Liu Hanmo knew she couldn’t help herself, and did not take offense—he simply sighed.

Liu Guanju, hearing his sigh, felt even more guilty. Thinking of Liu Chu’s predicament, she wondered if she could make amends, and cautiously raised her eyes. “Sister Chu, weren’t you planning to acknowledge Little Cat as your brother?”

“For now, it’s not possible,” Liu Chu shook her head, regretfully.

“Sister Chu, I have an idea—you could first recognize Little Cat as your brother. When things settle and the Li family can no longer threaten you, then you could announce that you are truly siblings.”

Liu Chu knew Liu Guanju was clever, full of schemes, but also good ideas; her previously dim eyes brightened instantly, and she seized Liu Guanju’s wrist. “What idea? Tell me quickly.”