Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Liu Tai chose a day when Liu Chengshan was off duty to hang a white silk noose from a roof beam, intending to end it all.
Chunxiao, being quick-witted, ran through the courtyard shouting at the top of her lungs, “This is bad! This is bad! The Third Young Lady is hanging herself!”
Liu Chengshan was resting in Concubine Yang’s room nearby. Hearing the commotion, he hurriedly threw on his clothes and rushed out, barking, “What are you yelling for? Shut up!”
Naturally, Liu Tai was saved. Liu Chengshan sat in the parlor, with Madame Zhou standing beside him.
Once the reason was explained, Liu Chengshan’s fury boiled over.
“You’re making a scene over this? Marriage has always been decided by the command of parents and the words of matchmakers! You, a daughter of this house, have caused such a ruckus that the whole household is in an uproar. Have you no shame?
“And you!” He turned his glare to Madame Zhou. “The mistress of the house, in charge of the domestic affairs, yet you can’t even keep an eye on your daughter! Not only that, you’re short-sighted! Zhou Tao beat his wife to death, dragging his father’s reputation through the mud. The Zhou family even wants to banish him to the south, yet you’re still eager to crawl toward them! Do you really think my life as an Imperial Censor is too easy, and you need to find some filth to smear on me?”
Censors were the paragons of the civil service; their reputations were everything.
After his tirade, Liu Chengshan added, “From now on, you are not to make decisions regarding the inner chambers on your own. Report everything to Mother before making any plans.”
“As for you.” Liu Chengshan looked at his daughter, who was kneeling on the floor. “Your body and skin are gifts from your parents, yet you act entirely on your own whims. Have you ever considered your father, brothers, or sisters? If you had died here today, how would we ever show our faces again? You unfilial, disloyal creature. From this day forth, go kneel in the Ancestral Hall.”
Even after the scolding and punishment, his anger remained unappeased. He added, “No one is allowed to let her out without my command!”
Madame Zhou had been stripped of her power over the household and had lost all face. When she socialized with the other noble ladies of the capital, she used her servants to spread rumors, painting the fourteen-year-old Liu Tai as a calculating, thousand-year-old demon who had caused her-a kind-hearted mistress in her forties-to suffer a great injustice.
From then on, Liu Tai’s reputation for being deeply conniving spread until everyone in the capital knew of it-everyone except Liu Tai herself.
Because she remained kneeling in that Ancestral Hall for three years.
Over those three years, it was as if Liu Chengshan had forgotten her. Even during the New Year festivals, he refused to let her return to her quarters.
More than once, Liu Tai wondered what she had done so wrong that her own father would hate her so bitterly.
But as she stared at the ancestral tablets, chanting scriptures day and night, she not only failed to find an answer, but the nameless fire in her heart burned hotter and hotter.
Although Liu Yi was the eldest sister, she was less than a year older than Liu Tai and was currently busy preparing for her wedding.
Once bitten, twice shy; Liu Chengshan now personally oversaw all his children’s marriage arrangements.
This also meant that once a match was set, there was no room for negotiation.
On this day, Liu Yi personally brought a food basket to deliver a meal to Liu Tai.
Liu Tai asked, “You’re so busy, yet you found time to come. Is the marriage arrangement not going well?”
Liu Yi nodded. “The man I’m to marry is a young master from a prestigious clan, but he’s famous for being a worthless idler. From what I’ve seen, he might not be a wife-beater, but in every other respect, he’s likely no different from Zhou Tao.”
Liu Tai spat in disgust. “When has he ever cared about our happiness?”
Liu Tai was stubborn; to this day, she refused to call him ‘Father’.
“In front of the ancestors, you should watch your tongue.”
“I want to say it right in front of them.” Liu Tai leaned against her elder sister’s knees, hugging her waist tightly. “Big Sister, I can’t bear to let you go.”
Liu Yi tapped her forehead. “Is it me you can’t bear to lose, or this mouthful of food?”
With her two sisters looking after her, Liu Tai’s life over the past few years hadn’t been too difficult.
“Your second sister’s marriage is also being discussed. Once we’re both married off, who will look after you? Stop being so stubborn. Properly admit your mistakes to Father and let him take pity on you so he can find you a good home.”
“Big Sister, I doubt you even believe those words yourself. You are wise and filial-has he ever shown you any pity?”
“You… seeing through the human heart at such a young age is not a good thing. In life, one often needs to hit a dead end before understanding; that’s how time passes more easily. You must know that those who love too deeply do not live long, and those who are too clever are easily wounded. In all things, it is best to be ‘rarely confused’.”
Liu Yi feared that Liu Tai’s overthinking would shorten her life, but Liu Tai felt that Liu Yi was the one who had seen through everything and was merely forcing herself to keep living.
The two sisters huddled together in the Ancestral Hall. A spring breeze brushed past them-a season that should have been full of life, yet for some reason, it felt desolate.