"Sister." Feng Zirui's small hand grasped hers and shook it. "What's wrong?"
Feng Yu Huan came back to her senses, reached out and rubbed Zi Rui's head: "It's okay, let's go." Then she asked Sun Shunv: "How much farther is it to Liu Yuan?"
"Go through the moon gate, cross a corridor, circle around a small pond, pass through a small garden, and walk about 300 steps behind the garden."
Feng Yu Heng couldn't help but laugh, the Feng family's dislike for them had already reached this point. Not to mention that they were arranged to live in a place so far away, originally it was supposed to be accompanied by servants, but when they came out of the Peony Courtyard, not one servant followed. Fortunately, Granny Sun recognized the way, otherwise they would have wasted more words asking for directions again.
The reason why it's called Liu Garden is not because of the weeping willows planted there, but according to Yao: "This Liu Garden has been around for some time. When Feng Zi-hao was 13 years old, he had a favorite maid named Liu'er. At that time, Feng Zi-hao was still a concubine's son, and Liu'er at most could only be considered a personal servant, without the qualifications to have a garden in the mansion. However, Feng Zi-hao doted on Liu'er and asked Shen Shi to plead with your father, who eventually agreed, allowing Shen Shi to use her own money to convert a remote horse stable into a courtyard for Liu'er to live in. Unfortunately, Liu'er had a short life and drowned in the water before she could move in."
"It's said that Liu'er died under suspicious circumstances." Old Lady Sun recalled the events of that year, "I remember that year Master Rong wanted to set up a small courtyard for her to live in, and Liu'er was overjoyed. She went to help out at the willow garden every day, working from dawn till dusk. Master Rong and Miss Lin were close siblings, and one evening when Master Rong returned late from a banquet, it was Miss Lin who personally brought dinner to Liu'er. After eating, Liu'er worked for a while longer, and on her way back that night, she was running a bit late. As she passed by the pond, she slipped and fell in, drowning to death."
Feng Zi Rui was frightened and her small fist clenched tightly in Feng Yu Huang's palm.
"Are you afraid?" she asked Feng Zirui.
The child looked up at her with a gaze that was clearly filled with fear, yet still shook his head stubbornly and said, "I'm not afraid."
"Alright." She patted the child's hand, "Zirui, you remember, you are a child of the Feng manor. Your growth is destined to be more bumpy than other children. Sister can't protect you for a lifetime, nor can she stick by your side all the time. But don't be afraid, having bumps doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. To live safely in this treacherous place, you must have the ability to withstand wind and rain."
She didn't comfort him, but instead told Feng Zirou in the most direct way that his future path would be very difficult.
For a six-year-old child, although he may not fully understand the words, at least she should establish an inner defense line and crisis awareness for the child, so that he will not be caught off guard when the enemy comes.
Feng Zirui has been listening to his sister's words since he was a child. When Feng Yuhuang said something, he listened carefully and remembered every single word in his heart.
Yao looked at the two children, and her mood also began to change. Her Ah Huang seemed to have changed into a different person since he went missing in the mountains for one night. He was colder than before, and more sharp-tongued than before, although not to the point of being sarcastic or bitter, but also absolutely no longer had the intention of continuing to endure as before.
She was a little worried, but looking at the hands of her siblings tightly holding together and their heads held high, she also began to yearn for a brand new life. The hard days in Xiping Village were all over, they had eaten clay, mice had slept in the same bed with them, what else was there to fear?
Liu Garden is a very small place, with only one courtyard, three main rooms, four side rooms, two ear rooms, and a very small kitchen. Because no one has lived there for too long, the few trees in the yard have also died, and the tables and chairs that were originally placed in the yard have been blown by the wind and rain for many years, and are now broken and cannot be used again.
The eaves were covered with spider webs, and the window paper was more than half damaged, but the house structure was not damaged. It can be seen that when Fengzi Hao had this yard repaired for Liu Er, he was careful.
Feng Yu Huan recalled what Sun Shang Shang had said about past events, regarding Liu Er's death she always felt that it was not as simple as an accident, but since many years have passed, and she is just a lowly maid, there is no point in investigating further.
There were several servants standing in the courtyard, obviously waiting here ahead of time. One wet nurse, two maidservants, only these three people.
When Madam Yao and her entourage returned, the nanny led the way forward. Her originally expressionless face instantly broke into a professional smile as she bowed slightly and said: "I've paid my respects to Lady Yao, does milady still remember this old servant?"
Yao looked at her and softly called out: "Li Niangniang."