The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

The Fifth Miss was usually very strict and harsh towards people, and even treated them, the servants, like dirt. They had to admit that when they heard the news of the Fifth Miss's divorce, they were more than surprised, but also gloating. In the Great Jin Dynasty, what did it matter if a divorced woman was a noble lady? In the eyes of the world, she would probably be even lower than them, the servants.

Upon seeing the Fifth Miss rush out and hearing the Master's order from inside the hall, someone grabbed a stick without thinking and struck An Xinhe hard on the neck.

An Xinhe was only thinking about returning to the Liu residence when she felt a pain in her back and collapsed to the ground.

Seeing her daughter like this, Yu Fangfei was naturally heartbroken, but... thinking about their current situation, she could only feel sorry for her in silence and swallow her resentment. "Quickly, take Miss back to her room."

Yu Fangfei gave the order. She knew that the master was in a bad mood and might make a decision that was even more detrimental to Xinhe at any time. The most urgent thing for her was to remove Xinhe from under the master's nose so that she wouldn't have to see her and feel uneasy. As for the future... the future... Yu Fangfei still had no idea what to do when she thought about the future, and she even felt a little uneasy.

The guests had all left the Liu residence, which was originally festive, but now exuded a cold and desolate atmosphere.

After the guests left, none of the masters had a smile on their faces, which made the servants even more cautious.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Madam Liu knelt before the Bodhisattva, striking the wooden fish with one hand and fiddling with the prayer beads with the other. This Buddhist hall was usually her place of tranquility, but now, even though she had recited most of the scriptures, her mind still could not find peace.

Although she was reciting scriptures, her mind was filled with the events of the day, and a sense of unease weighed heavily on her.

According to the plan, after marrying An Xinhe and obtaining the embroidery technique, the master would definitely value Zhan'er even more. The master had even promised to entrust more of the business to Zhan'er after her marriage. However... the master had such high hopes for finding the long-lost embroidery technique, but they disappointed him so much... After today, the master is afraid he will have a different opinion about Zhan'er.

With the road ahead uncertain and wolves lurking behind, the thought of Liu Jing... made Madam Liu's anger rise even higher. She bit her lip tightly, and the sound of her wooden fish lost its rhythm.

“Mother…Mother…” Liu Zhan’s voice came from outside the Buddhist hall. Madam Liu frowned slightly. She never liked to be disturbed when she was worshipping Buddha. Zhan’er knew this. Unless it was urgent, Zhan’er would not come to disturb her in such a hurry. Thinking of this, Madam Liu suddenly opened her eyes and stopped striking the wooden fish.

Why is Zhan'er in such a hurry? Could it be that something has happened again?

Without a second thought, Madam Liu put down her prayer beads, immediately stood up, opened the door to the Buddhist hall, and asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Madam Liu tried her best to suppress her unease, but her eyes still betrayed her worry.

Liu Zhan glanced at his mother, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, "She...she has returned to the manor."

She? Which "she"? Madam Liu is always shrewd; she wouldn't be unaware of who Liu Zhan was referring to as "she."

Madam Liu swayed slightly, struggling to steady herself so as not to stumble. However, her even paler complexion revealed the shock of the news. Her husband had acted so quickly!

"She's back? I thought she'd never have a chance to come to this Liu residence. I was too late after all." A fierce glint appeared in Madam Liu's eyes. For so many years, she had been the only wife in the Liu family. Now, another woman had come to compete for her favor. How could she tolerate it? She should have acted sooner!

Hearing that the master had brought the woman back to the manor, she felt as if a knife was slowly tearing her apart, a pain a thousand times greater than when she first discovered the woman's existence.

"Mother...are you alright? I know that Father's actions have saddened you, but, Mother..." Liu Zhan gently supported Madam Liu. It was the first time he had seen such intense sorrow in his mother's eyes.

Madam Liu simply took a deep breath, forced a smile, glanced at Liu Zhan, and said, "It's nothing, what could possibly be wrong with your mother? Zhan'er, come with me to your father's room, let's go see him."

Madam Liu forced a smile, spoke calmly, lifted her skirt slightly, and stepped out of the Buddhist hall.

But Liu Zhan stood still, his brows furrowed even more. After a moment of silence, he softly called out, "Mother, don't go."

Madam Liu paused. "Not going? Why not? Today's events have already sown seeds of resentment in your father's heart. From now on, we, mother and son, must serve him well. I am a dignified and considerate wife, and you are a filial and capable son. Your father has traveled for so long and must be tired. Let me massage his legs. He loves it when his mother massages his legs."

“Mother…” Liu Zhan sighed deeply, her fists clenched tightly as if she were holding back something. “Father went to that woman’s room. Tonight, the three of them… Mother…”

As Liu Zhan finished speaking, he saw Madam Liu lean back. Liu Zhan exclaimed in surprise, rushed over, and caught her in his arms just before she fell to the ground.

Madam Liu felt as if a knife had been suddenly pulled out of her chest. The intense pain was even more intense than when the knife had been inserted. The anger she had been suppressing suddenly choked up in her throat, and the taste of blood filled her mouth. With a "pfft," she spat it out.

"Mother..." Liu Zhan panicked when he saw his mother vomiting blood. "Quick... someone come quickly..."

He knew his mother wouldn't be able to accept this fact, but shouldn't he tell her? If he didn't, his mother would still find out the truth when she went to his father's courtyard and couldn't find him.

Madam Liu suddenly grabbed Liu Zhan's wrist, "No, don't call for help..."

“But…” Liu Zhan looked at Madam Liu’s bright red lips and her pale face, and felt extremely worried.

"No buts. Listen to your mother and help her into the Buddhist hall," Madam Liu coldly ordered, her eyes filled with a chilling coldness.

Upon hearing Madam Liu's words, Liu Zhan picked her up and carried her into the Buddhist hall, placing her on the couch there.

The Buddhist hall was eerily quiet, with wisps of incense smoke drifting through the room from the altar, creating a sense of unsettling stillness.

Madam Liu lay on the couch, her gaze fixed on the Buddha statue. Her eyes revealed nothing of her thoughts. Liu Zhan stood quietly beside her, his face full of worry, unsure of what to do.

"Zhan'er, someone is trying to steal my husband, her son, and your family business. This is... the hardest time for us, mother and son." After a long silence, Madam Liu finally spoke. Her voice sounded calm, but it was cold and sinister, and one could even vaguely sense the ruthlessness within it.