Chapter 336: The Tribulation of Lüzhu

After Han Jiuqian reached Foundation Establishment, his status rose significantly, and he became the hope of the next generation of the Han family. Even when he took a woman of ill repute as a concubine and swore never to marry again, the family had no choice but to accept it.

However, his status as a matrilocal son-in-law remained, a stain that could not be shaken off. The Han family said nothing to his face and treated him with great respect, but once he left the mountain, all sorts of rumors and gossip naturally followed.

Han Jiuqian had left Dafeng Mountain half a month ago. Lüzhu, having no cultivation, naturally could not accompany him and was left alone on Dafeng Mountain. A few days after Han Jiuqian left, these rumors began to center on Lüzhu.

At first, Lüzhu endured it. She knew her background and had long been mentally prepared for this, so she let others talk and didn't care.

But five days ago, she began to feel unwell. Upon checking, she discovered she was pregnant.

Originally, this was a good thing, but who would have thought that bad rumors would gradually spread in the Han family village? They said that after Han Jiuqian left, Lüzhu had returned to her old ways, consorting with some wild man, which was how she became pregnant.

Otherwise, why hadn't she become pregnant during the first half-year when Han Jiuqian was there, but became pregnant just as he left?

This kind of rumor was not worth refuting. Anyone who simply calculated the dates could reach the correct conclusion: the child was undoubtedly Han Jiuqian's.

But the viciousness of rumors lies in the fact that they are spread by those willing to believe them to those who do not know the truth, and those who do not know the truth were clearly not in the minority. Thus, the rumor spread wider and wider, becoming more and more bizarre, with vivid details, appearing increasingly like the truth.

In just two or three days, the rumors reached Lüzhu's ears. Lüzhu was so angry she fainted on the spot, and the fetus was nearly lost.

After she regained consciousness, she quickly found out the original source of the rumors: it came from the boudoir of the Han family's direct-line Third Young Lady.

Lüzhu did not dare to provoke this direct-line Third Young Lady, but she had to show her attitude. She immediately took a pair of scissors and waited outside the residence of this direct-line lady, stabbing the one who was closest to the lady and had been spreading the rumors most enthusiastically these days—the concubine-born Sixth Young Lady.

"Originally, this servant wanted to stand up for the Mistress, but the Mistress wouldn't let this servant act. The Mistress said that if this servant acted, the punishment would be too great, and she couldn't protect this servant. If she acted herself, no matter how severe the family's punishment was, they would never do anything to her. This servant was afraid of trouble and acquiesced. The Mistress treated this servant so well, yet this servant was afraid when trouble came; it is truly deserving of death, wuwuwu..."

Liu Xiao stopped her crying and demanded, "What are you crying for? Speak quickly, how is she now?"

The maid choked up and said, "The Sixth Young Lady didn't die, but she was stabbed into a serious condition by the Mistress. The Mistress was seized by several elders of the clan and thrown into the confinement room. She has been locked up for two days now, and her life or death is still unknown. This servant has heard of that confinement room; it is not a place for humans. The Mistress is still pregnant; what is to be done?"

Liu Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Don't panic, what is there to panic about! First, make it clear, what is the background of that Sixth Young Lady?"

The maid wiped away her tears and replied, "She is a concubine-born young lady of the third branch. My master is the fifth in line and belongs to the second branch. Counting it up, she is my master's younger sister, but she and my master have been at odds since they were small."

Liu Xiao asked again, "Does this concubine-born young lady have cultivation?"

The maid said, "She has cultivated; she is at Qi Refinement Stage 2."

Liu Xiao was stunned, feeling it was somewhat inconceivable: "Qi Refinement Stage 2? Stabbed into a serious condition by your Mistress with scissors? As far as I know, your Mistress has never cultivated."

The maid said, "Yes, it was just in the last half-year that the Master taught the Mistress some methods. After the Mistress practiced them, she became a bit stronger and healthier."

No matter how one cultivates, what can one achieve in half a year? I'm afraid not even a single meridian has been cleared. And yet, she was able to stab that Sixth Young Lady who had cultivated to Qi Refinement Stage 2 into a serious condition; it shows just how...

Liu Xiao simply didn't know how to describe it. Han Jiuqian was a man in his forties, and this Sixth Young Lady had been at odds with him since they were children, so she couldn't be young either. After cultivating for so many years, she was still at Qi Refinement Stage 2...

Since she was still staying in the Han family village, and this maid still called her "Sixth Young Lady," it meant this woman hadn't married. To be that old and not married off, it meant...

After all, having stayed at the Su family in Mount Shenwu for three years and experienced the storms of a cultivation family, in just a brief moment, Liu Xiao judged a pile of problems. The final result all pointed to one point: the target Lüzhu chose was excellent; she was worthy of being a popular girl who came out of the Lüyuan Courtyard.

At once, he comforted her, "Your Mistress is pregnant with Brother Jiuqian's flesh and blood; no one in the Han family dares to do anything to her!"

In all fairness, locking Lüzhu in the confinement room was not inappropriate; if he were in charge of the household, he would do the same, but that would be all. There shouldn't be any further actions. He did not believe the Han family would break with the next pillar of the family who had already reached Foundation Establishment because of a concubine-born young lady. This was obvious; no aristocratic family would do such a thing, not to mention that the concubine-born young lady hadn't died.

But he certainly would not be fair; he would definitely be biased, and his butt would never sit in the middle; it would definitely sit on Lüzhu's side.

Lüzhu was an old-timer in Wuchao Town and also a capable red girl by Sister Qing's side. She had a deep friendship with him. Every time he went to the Lüyuan Courtyard and Sister Qing was too busy to attend to him, it was mostly Lüzhu who accompanied him, so he had to help with this trouble.

"Where did Brother Jiuqian go? When will he return? Did he say anything before he left?"

"My master said he was going to Mount Chicheng to buy some elixirs. Young Master Liu, do you think you can find him back as soon as possible? The Mistress is locked in the confinement room; every day she is locked up, who knows what kind of torment she is suffering! I really... would rather it be this servant who is locked up..."

As she spoke, the maid began to choke up again.

The best way, of course, was to find Han Jiuqian, but rushing over thousands of miles, the possibility of finding him was very small.

He decided to step forward himself. But as an outsider, how he should step forward needed careful consideration; otherwise, not only would it be ineffective, but it would also mess things up.

After pondering for a long time, he asked, "What is your name?"

The maid replied, "This servant is called Xiaocui."

Liu Xiao nodded and said, "Xiaocui, you go back first. Don't panic; I have my own plan later."

After sending the maid back, Liu Xiao hid in the forest outside the village, waiting until evening, when he finally saw someone come out of the village. Judging by the attire, it should be a servant.

Liu Xiao quietly followed behind the servant. After walking a few miles, he put on his bamboo hat and face mask, changed his clothes, rushed to the front to block the path, and called out in a muffled voice, "Countryman, come, let me ask you something!"

The servant was stunned. Clearly, he hadn't expected anyone to dare to rob the road on Dafeng Mountain. He was also a man of courage and was not afraid. Instead, he threatened back, "Do you know what place this is? You thief have quite a lot of guts, but your eyes are blind..."

Liu Xiaolou couldn't be bothered with small talk and pointed a finger, knocking him over: "I'm here to ask about something... Where is your Sixth Young Lady? Could you help me pass a message?"

While asking, he used his methods. How could the servant withstand it? Wailing, he confessed that the Sixth Young Lady was now seriously injured and could not leave the mountain, and even brought out Lüzhu, who had stabbed her, and Lüzhu's maid, Xiaocui, which was roughly the same as what Xiaocui had said.

After listening, Liu Xiao didn't make things difficult for the servant. Sighing and muttering a few words like "the long night is long" and "what to do if the body is injured," he let the person go. Seeing him act this way, the servant seemed convinced of the suspicion that the Sixth Young Lady had an affair with an outsider. He was very curious and even wanted to ask about Liu Xiao's background, but was driven away by Liu Xiao.

After the servant fled in a panic, Liu Xiao changed back into his daytime clothes and returned to the Han family village before the sun had completely set.

This time, he set up the array plate directly in front of the mountain gate. ===== CHAPTER 337 =====