tallest building

Chapter 194 Sudden Difficulty

Liu Huanchun, who had long been unable to contain himself, said sarcastically, "This eldest mistress is really something. Even if she's heartbroken, can she be more heartbroken than the madam? As a junior, she's so arrogant. She really has good upbringing!"

Liu Cuiyi's mother was also present at this time. After hearing this, she felt extremely ashamed and said, "I was just saying that! It shouldn't have been like that, it's so rude."

Then he called to the old woman who was with him: "Go and call the girl out. How can she not show her face when so many guests have come to pay their respects?"

The old woman hurriedly went to Liu Cuiyi's room and said, "Miss, Madam invites you out! The Lady of Liu Family County has arrived, along with other female relatives. If you don't show yourself, it would be quite impolite."

Upon hearing this, Liu Cuiyi exchanged a glance with Wen Mingqian and said, "It really is her."

"Are you going out?" Wen Mingqian asked.

"Aunt Zhao, bring me my outer clothes," Liu Cuiyi said. "Aunt Shi, you can go out now! Tell Mother I'll be there soon."

Then he said to Wen Mingqian, "You know, none of my family members are sensible. I'm too weak because they've controlled me too much, which is why I've lived such a miserable life. Now that the woman from the Liu family has come to our door, she's obviously here to cause trouble. I can hide for a while, but if I don't let her think I'm guilty, she'll never be able to get away with it."

“You have a point. Since I’m here too, let’s go out together and meet this Lady Liu,” Wen Mingqian said. “Let’s try to finish this in one fell swoop.”

Liu Cuiyi changed her clothes, dressed in white mourning clothes, with her hair tied up and a white flower adorning her temple.

Her belly was already slightly protruding, and her mourning clothes made her look even more beautiful.

Wen Mingqian took out rouge and carefully applied it to her eyelids and nose: "Now you look like you've just finished crying."

The two appeared hand in hand before the guests, and Liu Cuiyi reverted to her timid and honest demeanor in public. In people's minds, she had always been a cowardly and bullied person.

"Greetings to everyone, thank you for coming, and please forgive my rudeness." Liu Cuiyi gave a deep bow to everyone present.

No one else said anything, but Liu Huanchun spoke with a slight sneer: "Grandma Zhou, you look perfectly fine. It's not like you have to stay in bed and be unable to see anyone."

“Your Highness, you may not know this, but my health has actually been poor for years. I even had a miscarriage before this pregnancy. Although I’m feeling better this time, the passing of my husband has left me deeply grieving. I haven’t been feeling well, and the doctor advised me to rest in bed. My mother-in-law is also insisting that I take care of myself…” Liu Cuiyi explained.

Most people present believed Liu Cuiyi's story, but Liu Huanchun naturally didn't, and continued to press, "Your young master was in the prime of his life, how could he suddenly pass away? Could there be some hidden reason?"

"What does the county princess mean by that? I don't understand at all," Liu Cuiyi said, looking surprised.

The guests present all looked on with suspicion, wondering what Liu Huanchun meant by those words.

Liu Huanchun didn't answer Liu Cuiyi, but instead turned her gaze to Wen Mingqian: "Madam Wen, you really are resourceful! I know you and Madam Zhou are close friends, and you've really gone to great lengths to help her! What about that pretty young maid beside you? Her surname is Sang, isn't it? Is she related to the owner of Sang's Silk Shop?" "Thank you for asking, but everyone is here to offer condolences today, and I shouldn't overstep my bounds. Besides, Cuiyi is indeed unwell, so I'll help her back to her room to rest," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

Liu Huanchun was by nature extremely short-tempered, and Wen Mingqian was a thorn in her side. She was especially furious that Wen Mingqian had dared to disrespect her in public.

Then he shouted, "Wen Mingqian, stop being a coward! How dare you come to the Zhou family? Aren't you afraid the ghost of the Zhou family's eldest son will haunt you?!"

“Princess, I know you hold a grudge against me, but the dead should be respected. Why disturb the spirit of Master Zhou?” Wen Mingqian’s expression became solemn.

"I'm going to make a scene, so what? I can tell you're obviously feeling guilty!" Liu Huanchun stood up abruptly and took a few steps forward. "Today, I'm going to expose your true colors in front of everyone and let them see what kind of black-hearted and twisted people you really are!"

“Princess, I have been so polite to you because I respect that guests are guests. I have no grudges against you in the past or present. My husband has just passed away, and I am heartbroken and devastated. Yet you continue to harass me with harsh words. This is going too far,” Liu Cuiyi said in a trembling voice.

"Stop acting! I'm asking you, whose child is in your belly? Is it Uncle Zhou's? Don't think I don't know, that Wen Mingqian went so far as to pimp for you and find you a lover just to get you a foothold in the Zhou family. Everyone knows that Uncle Zhou is in poor health, how could he possibly let you get pregnant with such a healthy child?" Liu Huanchun stared directly at her, "Do you dare swear to heaven that you're carrying the Zhou family's child?"

At this moment, everyone was stunned by her words, looking at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what to do.

"This is truly an undeserved disaster!" Liu Cuiyi cried, tears streaming down her face. "If the child in my belly isn't my husband's, whose is it? You want me to swear? I can swear. But if what you say is false, what kind of retribution will you suffer?!"

"Fine, I, Liu Huanchun, swear to heaven that if what I say is not true, I am willing to leave my body in the wilderness and let wild dogs devour it!" Liu Huanchun shouted. "Your affair with Sang Sanyang, the owner of Sangji Silk Shop, and your pregnancy were all thanks to your good friend, Madam Wen!"

“Princess Liu, my daughter has been raised to be obedient and virtuous since childhood. She would never do such a disgraceful thing,” Liu Cuiyi’s mother said tremblingly. “Where did you hear such rumors? Isn’t this trying to wrong my daughter to death?”

"I wronged her?" Liu Huanchun pointed at Liu Cuiyi and sneered, "Think about it yourself, wasn't what I said earlier reasonable? Her scandal had just been discovered when the Zhou family patriarch died. Is there such a coincidence in the world?"

For a moment, Liu's mother couldn't find a word to refute, and could only keep saying that it was impossible, impossible.

Liu Cuiyi knelt down in front of Madam Zhou, crying, and said, "Mother-in-law, I can't live anymore! Even if I cut out my heart today, I'm afraid I still can't clear this unfounded stain."

"Why not just take a knife and let me die in front of everyone! Let me go with my deceased husband, and explain everything before the King of Hell!"

Everyone turned their attention to Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou gritted her teeth and said to Liu Cuiyi, "My child, get up quickly. Don't I know your character well?"

Several old women beside her stepped forward and helped Liu Cuiyi up.

Liu Huanchun was incredulous and said to Madam Zhou, "Madam Zhou, have you lost your mind from crying? She is the murderer who ruined the Zhou family bloodline and killed your son! How can you tolerate her?!"