Chapter 428: Liu's Father Loses His Temper

The next day, before dawn broke, Liu's father and mother rose.

Liu Chuxue heard the commotion, glanced at the sky outside the window, and thought that surely someone from the Fu family would be sent today.

She did not lie down again; changing into an old set of work clothes she wore daily, she opened the door.

Liu's mother had just come out of the kitchen and, seeing her outfit, asked, "Xue, why are you dressed like this?"

Liu Chuxue replied while walking toward the storage room, "The Fu family won't arrive until past ten at the earliest. Since I rarely return, I'll go up the mountain for a stroll and be back before nine."

Liu's mother had intended to stop her, but thinking her daughter spoke sense—she was engaged and would return to the city for work, with no knowing when she might return next—she held back.

Recalling that her daughter had often entered the mountains before and that her great strength made safety no concern, she said, "Then return early; do not go into the deep mountains."

Liu Chuxue agreed and went out the door.

Chunxiao chased after her, "Second Sister, I want to go too."

Liu Chuxue did not stop her steps, "Next time. Today the schedule is too tight; taking you would be inconvenient."

Rejected, Chunxiao stamped her feet in anger.

Yet for some reason, Liu Chuxue could not quite like this younger sister, Chunxiao; she felt the girl's heart was somewhat crooked. The only reason she still paid attention to her was the plot of the book: Chunxiao had indeed suffered due to the original owner's reputation, was ultimately schemed against by the eldest branch, and beaten to death by a domestic-abuser husband.

Thinking of that domestic-abuser husband, though it was merely the book's plot, Liu Chuxue made a decision in her heart: upon returning, she would make a visit, at least to vent the bitterness in her chest.

After she began working in the city, the family's meals would surely be worse than before. Thinking of bringing back several more wild pheasants and hares today, aside from those needed for the banquet, she could leave some for Liu's father and mother to nourish their bodies.

Earlier, when treating Liu's father's legs in the city, she had even helped them take their pulses; that old Physician had said both of them were severely depleted, though they had no other ailments.

Once their bodies were replenished in the future, given their current age, having another child should be no problem.

Though they would not give birth, she would ensure they were cared for in their old age; yet a son had always been their knot in the heart. Since she occupied their daughter's body, she would strive to fulfill their wish. The only thing she could do was quickly replenish their depleted bodies.

Not long after Liu Chuxue left, Liu's father returned with a mule cart borrowed from the keeper, "Limei, bring out an old mattress from before; I'll spread it on the board cart so Xia Qiu won't be uncomfortable."

Liu's mother answered, rose, and went inside; within moments she came out carrying it, "Are you leaving now?"

Liu's father glanced at the sky, which was turning fish-belly white, "Yes, leaving now, so we don't take wrong turns."

Hearing her father was going to fetch her eldest sister, Chunxiao said, "Father, I'll go with you."

Liu's father placed the mattress on the cart, "You need not go. In a moment, help your mother pick and wash vegetables from the private plot; today we cannot be careless."

Hearing this was not a flat refusal, Chunxiao grew even angrier, "You truly bully people. Second Sister went up the mountain, and you must go fetch Eldest Sister. Why must I stay behind to help with work?"

Her words left Liu's husband and wife stunned; only then did they realize their youngest daughter's temper was becoming increasingly unruly.

Liu's father's face darkened; even he, with his good temper, lost his temper this time, "Ever since the split of the household, your Second Sister has never returned empty-handed from the mountain. What day is today, and why she went up the mountain—don't you know?"

If you are not convinced, you go.

And your Eldest Sister—don't you understand her situation now? When you marry in the future, do you want your natal family to treat you like water spilled on the ground, expecting nothing from you?"