Liu Chang didnt dodge or yield, and after being slapped hard, he said in a low voice: "Mother, have you vented enough? If youve had enough, then Ill leave first." His arm hurt badly where it was stabbed, that woman really used a lot of force, truly vicious.

  Madam Qi was choked with rage, her eyebrows immediately rising high: "Tell me clearly! What do you want to make a fuss about? I told you this morning that no matter what, I dont want that woman to enter our home! Youd better give up on that idea! She can only enter if she steps over my dead body!"

  Liu Chang inserted his hand into his sleeve to press the wound, his eyes gazing solemnly at Peonys door. He said lightly: "Did I say she could enter? It was just a game, why take it seriously? As for what to do next, I have my own judgment. Tonight was just an accident, it wont happen again."

  "Madam Qi said coldly, I wont allow such things to happen again today! Remember this, you can be as reckless as you want, but you absolutely cannot let that person enter our home and die in our home or fall ill in our home! The He family will come knocking soon, so think carefully about how youll explain it! If theres another problem, Ill make sure to die right before your eyes!"

  Liu Chang nodded: "Alright, Ill take good care of her from now on."

  Madam Qi looked at him with suspicion, almost thinking she had misheard. This was the first time he had given her a serious response. Before she could ask any questions, Liu Chuan had already turned and walked away. He didnt believe that He Mudan could turn his palm upside down! The more people presented things to him with both hands, the more he despised them; the tighter they hid something, the more reluctant they were to bring it out, the more he wanted it! He Mudan, lets wait and see!

  Im telling you to look at your pale face! Im telling you to flirt with wild men! Im telling you to pour water on me! Im telling you to stab me with scissors! Im telling you to hit me with a teapot! Im telling you to secretly plot against me! Im telling you to look down on me!

  Liu Chuan kicked the tree by the side of the road with all his might, but unexpectedly kicked his own toe instead. The pain made him take a deep breath in. Standing there thinking for a moment, he bent down to touch the spot on the back of his knee where Peony had pinched him earlier, and suddenly felt a tingling sensation all over his body. Why hadnt he kicked her at that time? Was it because he was afraid her slender waist couldnt withstand the kick? Or was it because he was afraid her snow-white skin would turn purple from the impact? Or was it because of the disdain and contempt in her eyes? Or was it because he was afraid she would next time use even more force to stab him with a knife?

  He didnt know. All he knew was that in his entire life, no one had ever looked down on him like this before, and no one had ever treated him as if he were nothing. He couldnt swallow this insult. One day, he would make her think of only him, with all her heart and eyes.

  Liu Chang walked absent-mindedly for a while, and ran into Gui Gui, who was sneaking out to gather information and trying his luck with Bi Yu. Seeing Bi Yus smiling face, Liu Chang felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance: "What are you doing here!"

  Bi Yu adjusted her hair and picked up the red lacquer food box in her hand, smiling sweetly: "I heard you got drunk, I personally cooked a hangover soup for you, just about to send it over." Seeing Liu Cheng only wearing his undergarments, looking disheveled, she couldnt help but exclaim: "Master, whats wrong with you?"

  Liu Chuan glared at her fiercely: "Scram!"

  Bi Yu humbly stood for a while, then quickly followed up with a flattering smile: "Master, would you like me to play the pipa for you to relax? Ive recently learned a new piece that you havent heard before." She was most skilled at playing the pipa, and whenever Liu Chengs mood wasnt good, listening to her play a tune on the pipa would always lift his spirits.

  Liu Chang didnt say a word, turned his head and stared at her coldly. Bi Yu was so frightened that her face turned pale, swaying unsteadily, forcing a smile: "The concubine is impolite. Please forgive me, young master."

  When she lifted her head again, Liu Chang had already gone far. Tears gushed down Biyus eyes, what was wrong with her? She hadnt done anything wrong. It was all because of He Mudan that the young master was unhappy, and she was unlucky to follow him.

  A soft, silvery laugh echoed through the air, and a slender figure emerged from the shadows. She was dressed in a moon-white gauze cloak, her movements gentle as she swayed towards them. With a slight bow, she smiled and said, "Oh! I wondered who it could be, but its actually Elder Sister Biyu! Tsk, tsk, look at you, with your beauty shining like a pear blossom in the rain. It pains me to see you so lovely, little sister!"

  Shameless fox spirit! Youre dressing up like this to seduce people, arent you? Go ahead, go ahead, its just right for a meal of bitter vinegar! Biyu wiped away her tears, straightened her waist and pretended not to see Xian Su, calling out to the maids beside her as she walked away.

  Jian Biwu fled without a fight, and Xian Su smiled triumphantly as she quickly chased after Liu Cheng. This group of women, old and pregnant, unlikable and unromantic, who could compare to her?

  And without mentioning how Liu Chang was humiliated, the group of beauties in his backyard were thinking differently, competing with each other for favor and attention. After the commotion subsided, the Peony Room finally quieted down, Li Mama and Lan Zhi went to sleep separately, while Lin Mama, Yu He, Kuan Er, and Shu Er gathered around Peony, their faces filled with worry and concern.

  They didnt know the truth, and Peony had no intention of explaining it to them. She repeatedly assured them that she was fine and told them to go to sleep quickly.

  It goes without saying that Yuhe didnt need to be told, and Kuanger and Shuer just shook their heads. Lin Mama had no choice but to instruct: "You two are still young, tomorrow youll have to get up early to do chores, go rest now, its enough for me and Yuhe to take care of Young Mistress, tomorrow you can take our place."

  Kuaner and Shuer left as soon as they finished speaking. Lin Mama then instructed Yuhe: "You go watch the door, I have something to say to Young Madam."

  Lins mother saw todays situation and would no longer force herself to get along with Liu Zhuang. Its been a long time, right? She should take this opportunity to win Lins mother over. As long as she is willing to speak up, He Lao Ye and He Furen will definitely believe her words and agree with her decision. Either way, its all for the daughters good. What kind of parents would watch their daughter die without doing anything? Peony quickly sat up, looking at Lins mother expectantly.

  Lins mother sat down on the edge of the bed with a worried and bitter face, gently stroking Peonys hair, and sighed: "My poor Dan Niang. Why are you so unlucky to have such a master?"

  "Peonys mouth twitched, and she threw herself into Lin Mamas arms, burying her head in her shoulder. Choking back sobs, she said: Mama, you see this kind of life, I really cant live like this anymore! Not even for one more day! Id rather die than live such a humiliating life! Think about when I was at home, my parents never dared to lay a finger on me. But they treat me like what? If you werent here protecting me, wouldnt he have taken my life? Dont even mention him, just talking about this situation, that princess will definitely take my life too."

  The charm that was meant to protect his life had turned into a curse. Lins mother let out a deep sigh and silently stroked Peonys back, hesitating for a long time before speaking in a low voice: "Good child, if Master and Mistress come, Ill talk to them... We should leave this house." She hesitated again, but finally said firmly: "We should leave. Youre still young, like a flower, and theres still a long life ahead of you."

  "Peony was overjoyed and looked up at Lins mother in a low voice: Mother, are you telling the truth? Are you really willing to help me?"

  Lins mother smiled bitterly: "You were raised by your mother, you are your mothers heart and soul, how can your mother bear to see you being treated like this?" If things go on like this, even if you manage to survive by relying on them, there will come a day when youll die at their hands. Rather than living in misery every day, its better to go back home and spend a few comfortable days.

  "Peony was so excited that she couldnt help but roll around on the bed, laughing and saying: Mom, after hearing what you just said, my head doesnt hurt as much as before, and my body doesnt ache as much either."

  Lins mother burst into tears and laughed: "Really?"

  "Only here, where he pinched me, it hurts so much, Mommy, rub it for me, blow on it..."

  "Okay..." Lins mother drew out her voice. She opened up the peony-embroidered jacket to take a look, and saw that on the snow-white shoulder, there were several dark blue fingerprints that caught her eye, making her feel both heartache and hatred, and she couldnt help but curse Liu Chuan dozens of times in her heart.

  Yu He listened from outside and smiled, "Its getting late, should the young mistress retire? If you want to talk to Lin Mama, Ill go get the bedding and spread it on that beautiful couch?"

  Lins mother was about to agree when Peony shook her head: "Mom has been tired all day and should have a good rest. This beautiful couch is not as comfortable as the bed."

  Yu Hehui smiled and said: "Then tonight Ill have the servant girls keep watch. You go to sleep first, Mother."

  Lins mother wanted to decline, but Peony said seriously: "Mom, if Im bedridden and cant get out of bed, Ill have to rely on you to take care of everything. If youre not feeling well, who will take care of me?"

  Lins mother thought for a moment and then repeatedly instructed Yuhe to rest before returning to her own room to sleep, without mentioning it again.

  "Rain Lotus, get rid of that bathtub for me tomorrow and burn it!" The thought of using the same bathtub as a scumbag is disgusting.

  Yu He Dao: "Its a pity to burn it away, why not drill some holes and make a big flower pot?"

  "Peony rolled her eyes and said, Im afraid the flowers I planted will be smoked to death."

  Rain pattered against the window, and a burst of laughter escaped. She bent down to retrieve a golden incense burner from under the peony-patterned bed, using silver chopsticks to stir the ashes inside. After adding a small piece of fully ignited charcoal, she covered it with ash and carefully poked several holes in it with the chopsticks to ensure the charcoal wouldnt go out. Only then did she place a silver leaf-shaped fire screen on top of the ash. From a small, intricately carved cabinet, she took out an ivory incense holder and gingerly placed a piece of agarwood cake, about the size of a copper coin, into the incense burner. Once it was secure, she put it in the bed curtains, drew them shut, and covered the screen with a smile: "You dont have to get up to greet anyone, milady. Ill make sure no one disturbs you tomorrow either. Just sleep well, and everything will be fine when you wake up."

  The future looks bright, feeling happy, smelling the fragrance, high bed soft pillow, peony comfortably let out a sigh, fell fast asleep.