Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Liu Jiaojiao lay on the ground, her shoulders trembling, but she didn't say another "no".

She originally wanted to say that she was the younger sister of the scholar, but she gave up thinking of her cold-hearted fourth brother.

The bailiffs dragged her away and flogged her. The dull thuds of the paddles hitting her flesh echoed through the air, mixed with Liu Jiaojiao's wailing cries.

Tao'er watched coldly, her eyes unmoved. This person deserved what he got, and she had no reason to sympathize with him.

After the thirty lashes, Liu Jiaojiao had already fainted.

Two bailiffs lifted her onto a cart and, as instructed by Lord Chen, sent her back to the Zhang family.

Tao'er received five taels of silver as compensation, and by the time she left the yamen, the sun was already setting.

Village head Chen and several villagers escorted the burly men away on another route, while Tao'er and Xiao Yi walked side by side on the road back to the village, neither of them saying a word.

Ayan fell asleep on Xiao Yi's back, his drool soaking Xiao Yi's shoulder.

Tao'er reached out to take it, but Xiao Yi shook his head: "It's not heavy."

"You dislocated someone's arm today, why didn't the authorities investigate?"

Tao couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Those people all have criminal records, Lord Chen has checked them. I was just doing my duty as a Good Samaritan."

Tao'er chuckled: "You sure know how to flatter yourself."

Xiao Yi didn't reply, but slowed his pace.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people, one tall and one short, with Ayan's little head hovering above the taller shadow.

Tao'er suddenly felt very at ease, like a pot of water simmering on the kang (heated brick bed) in winter, warm and cozy, emitting white steam without any rush.

A few days later, news came from Butcher Zhang that Liu Jiaojiao had passed away.

The messenger was Zhang the butcher's neighbor, whose sister had just married into Xinghua Village, and it was she who brought the news back.

It is said that no one went to the Liu family's old house on the day Liu Jiaojiao died.

Tao'er once encountered Old Master Liu on the road. He was hunched over, carrying a bundle of firewood on his back, and he was walking forward step by step.

Looking at his back, Tao'er felt that he had aged more than ten years in an instant.

My energy and spirit seemed to have been completely drained.

Liu Laosan and his wife didn't even dare to leave the house.

They were probably afraid of being gossiped about by the villagers!

The Liu family's old house is no longer as glamorous as it once was; others look down on it.

The other younger generation didn't return to the village either; they stayed outside and hid.

As usual, Tao'er arranged embroidery work for Xiuxiu and the others every day, and accompanied her eldest brother, second brother, and Qingge to the mountains to collect herbs and hunt with the little tiger.

Xiao Yi would occasionally go hunting with her in the mountains, and they caught more prey than before.

Every time Xiaobai goes up the mountain, he visits his parents.

Tiger Dad will return it and also give them some game or precious medicinal herbs.

In the county town, Liu Tianbao was studying in his study when he received news of his sister's death.

The messenger stood at the door, and seeing that he hadn't moved for a while, he mustered his courage and called out again, "Young Master?"

Liu Tianbao put down his book, his face calm as still water: "I understand, you may leave."

After the servant left, Liu Tianbao stood by the window for a long time.

The locust tree leaves outside the window were a dark, almost blackish green, and the cicadas chirped incessantly, their calls alternating between long and short.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, his eyes filled with boundless hatred!

He didn't feel sorry for Wang Shi, nor did he feel sorry for Liu Jiaojiao; what he cared about was his own reputation.

His mother and sister had both made him lose face, and he was too embarrassed to go back to the village.

Even his daughter's arranged marriage was called off.

Now he has to endure strange looks from others at the college.

a long time……

Liu Tianbao turned back to his desk and reopened the Analects.

The words on the paper were a little blurry. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was coldness.

He was determined to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Only by passing the imperial examinations and gaining official rank would he have the ability to take revenge.

He wanted Liu Tao'er to experience the pain of losing her family and home.

"Someone come here."

The servant boy poked his head in again: "What are your orders, young master?"

"Go and investigate the background of the man in Liu Tao'er's family in Xinghua Village."

Liu Tianbao's voice was flat, "Investigate thoroughly, leave nothing out."

The servant answered and left.

At this moment, Madam Wei walked up behind him, her eyes dark and red, and she sobbed, "Fourth Brother, what should we do with our Baozhu?"

She's been locking herself in her room for the past few days, refusing to come out for meals, and her eyes are swollen from crying.

"What's the use of crying now that things have come to this?"

If she wants to starve to death, then she shouldn't eat. It's not like it's someone else who's going to starve to death!

Liu Tianbao was feeling irritable, so his tone of voice became harsh.

"Si Lang, Bao Zhu is already in this state, how can you talk like this?"

Isn't this like tearing her heart out?

Hearing this, Wei felt even more distressed. She had originally planned to ask her husband to persuade her daughter to at least eat a few bites.

did not expect……

"Take out her heart?"

What else can she do besides cry?

Look at that girl, Tao, from that older brother's family. She's also a daughter, but she not only lives a very successful life, but she's also made a lot of money.

Now even my second brother's family has bought land and is preparing to build a new house.

Liu Tianbao slammed his fist on the table, venting his anger on Wei Shi.

Why are you getting angry at me?

Not only did you not comfort Baozhu, you also praised that wretched girl Liu Tao'er.

Liu Tianbao, are you sick?!

Wei was so angry that she started cursing.

"Wei, shut your mouth! Go and take a bowl of porridge to Baozhu, then after she falls asleep, change her into a new set of clothes. Someone will come to pick her up tonight."

Liu Tianbao suddenly spoke in a cold and hard tone.

Wei was stunned, her face turned ashen, and she asked sharply, "Liu Tianbao, what do you want to do?"

Where do you intend to take the pearl?

"Go where she should go."

I have already spoken with Lord Wu and arranged for Baozhu to become his concubine.

He was one of the examiners for this provincial examination.

He promised me I would pass the imperial examination this time. He also promised to make me the new magistrate of Peach Blossom County.

The original magistrate, Chen, will be transferred to another prefecture as a prefect.

That's why he got this opportunity.

Wei was shocked. After a long while, she said, "No, how can Baozhu be given away as a concubine?"

I disagree!

"It's no use if you disagree. I've already agreed, and they'll be coming to pick you up tonight."

Moreover, do you think Baozhu, a girl whose engagement was broken off, can still marry into a good family?

Should she marry someone else as a concubine like Jiaojiao, or marry an old widower in his fifties or sixties?

Marrying Lord Wu as a concubine is her best outcome.

Liu Tianbao's words left Wei speechless, and she slumped into her chair in despair.

He murmured, "Is there really no other way?"

Liu Tianbao shook his head. "Madam, I am Baozhu's biological father. How could I harm her?"

Lord Wu is, after all, a fifth-rank official, and will be a great help to my husband in the future.

This will be a strong backing for our Fu Bao's future career in the imperial examinations and officialdom.

Even if you don't care about your husband, you can't ignore your son, Fu Bao!

Liu Tianbao's words completely convinced Madam Wei. Thinking of her twelve-year-old son who was still in school, she nodded, "I'll go cook porridge for Baozhu!"

Liu Tianbao walked over, hugged Madam Wei, and said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam!"

Wei turned and went to the kitchen.

Liu Tianbao watched Wei's departing figure, his eyes turning cold: What did sacrificing a daughter matter for his career?

The people of Xinghua Village all thought he wouldn't pass the exam this time and were waiting to see them make a fool of themselves. But he insisted on showing everyone that in Xinghua Village, the Liu family was still the most powerful!

My brother and his family will always only deserve to be peasants!

This time, in order to secure the position of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), he not only sent his daughter away but also gave Lord Wu a thousand taels of silver.

This cannot fail.

Liu Tiao'er, you just wait!

The provincial examination is in two days, so he let them enjoy themselves for a few days.