How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

In the evening, Madam Guo personally came to apply medicine to Guo Zixing.

She was an old-fashioned woman with bound feet, walking with a swaying gait. Though only forty years old, she already wore a headband and wide-sleeved robes, either dark purple or indigo, exuding an air of premature old age.

Fortunately, Marshal Guo respected his wife and always gave her face, and Old Madam Guo also approved of her as her daughter-in-law.

Madam Guo was Guo Zixing's biological mother. She had a son and a daughter. Guo Zixing also had an older sister who was already married.

"When are you going to change your stubborn temper? You know your father doesn't like it when you brothers fight in the hall."

While applying the ointment, Guo Zixing said without changing his expression, "I acted on impulse, who knew Father would come."

Madam Guo carefully removed Guo Zixing's inner garment, revealing rows of pinkish-purple wounds glistening with blood, which made Madam Guo's eyes burn with envy.

She rubbed her eyes with a handkerchief and choked out, "I know your younger brothers are a handful. You should at least put up with them. Once your father arranges a job for you, you can move to another house and have less contact with them. I think this house is getting more and more chaotic."

Hearing this, Guo Zixing became worried. "What's wrong? Did they upset you? Mother, don't hide it from me."

Madam Guo sighed and said, "How could they possibly make me suffer? Your father respects me, and the old lady values ​​me too. They wouldn't dare to be presumptuous."

He then changed the subject, saying, "I'm worried about your marriage. If someone could keep you in check, you wouldn't get so easily angered and fall into their trap."

Guo Zixing was exasperated. This had been going on since he was fifteen, and the topic would be brought up every time they met.

"Mother, don't worry about that. You should worry about my sister first. Isn't she about to give birth? Please take good care of her."

"There's no need to use your sister to block me. You're almost twenty this year, from the same family as us. You've already had your child, but you still don't have a place to settle down. Your mother is very worried about you."

"I see."

Guo Zixing replied evasively that he had made up his mind and would not marry and have children until he had achieved something significant.

These are things that shouldn't be said to Madam Guo, and she wouldn't understand Guo Zixing's pursuit anyway, so why bother her?

It's strange how General Guo, despite wielding great power, never cared about his children's careers. Other prominent families sent their children abroad, to university, or to military academies, or arranged for them to take over the family business early on.

Only his family remained stuck in this awkward situation; Guo Zixing could mobilize all the departments under Commander Guo's jurisdiction, yet he had no official position.

Everyone only calls him "Young Master" because of his father's reputation, but in reality, he's nothing special. He's just a commoner, not even as good as a policeman in the police station.

To say he'd go out and make his own way in the world was a joke, not to mention his father's obstruction. Just consider whether anyone in this city would dare take the young master of the Guo family to work for them.

What a joke! Is General Guo unable to afford to support his son? He needs to find work outside.

Guo Zixing was also very frustrated. It was not easy for Commander Guo to entrust him with a task, and Guo Zixing was determined to do it well and show his ability.

Seeing her son like this, Mrs. Guo was also very worried. At his age, Commander Guo had already made achievements in the military.

Now that her son was worried about his future, she couldn't help him much, so she might as well support his decision. Having made up her mind, she stopped trying to persuade him.

"I know you know what I'm doing, so I won't say anything more."

After watching Guo Zixing apply the medicine and lie down, Madam Guo closed the window and turned off the light before closing the door and leaving.

Guo Zixing was also quite helpless, as Madam Guo always treated him like a child, doing everything for him personally.

He always had to be mindful that his mother was left with only her son to rely on in the backyard, so he had to be patient and coax her, leaving him feeling constrained both at home and outside.

Hearing that there was no sound outside, Guo Zixing got up and took out a dozen photos that Zhang Xun had given him.

The first picture is a graduation photo. About twenty or thirty people are standing in four rows, and their names are written on the back.

Turn the page and find the three characters "吕清如", then look at the corresponding portrait.

The girl named Lü Qingru stood in the second row, smiling radiantly. Wearing the same "new civilized clothes," she looked exceptionally smart, standing out from the crowd with her heroic and charming demeanor.

He picked up another photograph, which appeared to be a family portrait. Mr. Lü was sitting, dressed in a neatly ironed long gown, wearing gold-rimmed glasses; he was lean, capable, and refined.

Qingru stood on the left, with her hair in a high ponytail, wearing a crisp shirt and overalls, looking fresh and stylish. The shorter one on the right was probably her younger sister, named "Lü Yanru," delicate and beautiful, wearing a long dress.

Guo Zixing couldn't help but smile knowingly. These two sisters, one charming and the other innocent, were both stunning beauties. Even if they had no property, he figured General Guo would be willing to send people to find them.

Zhang Xun brought many photos, showing that this family loves to document their lives. They always have several family photos every year. Although they are not wealthy, the happiness on their faces is undeniable.

He flipped through the pages again and again, and before he knew it, it was past midnight. Guo Zixing had developed a strong interest in the "Cui'er" in the other courtyard.

I wonder what they'll look like once they've taken off their disguise?

Yan Ru spent the day without incident. Although the little thing would still make sarcastic remarks when bringing her food and water, Yan Ru had already learned to ignore her. What was the point? Arguing with her might feel good, but it wouldn't do her any good. It would only make the Song family think she was being nosy. It was better to ignore her sarcasm and just pretend that she was made of clay.

After dinner, I waited anxiously for a long time, but there was no sign of Master Song coming.

The little girl watched as the old woman came into the room to pour water, and seeing Yanru like this, she sneered, "Stop looking, even if you keep looking, the master won't come. Don't you even know what time it is? Yesterday, when people came, you didn't know how to keep them. Today, even if you stretch your neck out into the yard, no one will come. Serves you right for putting on airs."

"You're talking nonsense again. When have I ever been looking forward to Mr. Song coming over?"

That's because I'm afraid he'll come over and then ask me for something, so... that's why I'm conflicted.

I kept it to myself and didn't dare say it out loud, for fear of attracting more ridicule from the little one.

The little thing rolled its eyes, clearly looking down on Yanru. Seeing that the old woman had almost added enough water, it went over and stirred the tub with its hand; the temperature was just right, neither too hot nor too cold.

The bottom of the bathtub was covered with sheet metal and raised about ten inches to allow for the addition of carbon fiber for insulation.

The bath supplies were ready, and the little one wriggled over and called out, "The water's ready. Whether you bathe or not is up to you. Oh, by the way, let's see how many days of good luck you have. Pfft..."

"what?"

For some inexplicable reason, Yan Ru almost couldn't help but roll her eyes.

As the saying goes, "one is influenced by one's company," and spending too much time with the little one almost made me pick up her bad habits.

However, she held back in the end. Yanru didn't want to delve into the meaning behind her words, so she simply sent the person away and went to have some peace and quiet.

After taking a bath, Yan Ru changed into a set of pajamas. The light pink silk robe wrapped around her slender and graceful body as she leaned against the balustrade of the veranda to dry her hair.

The evening breeze gently caressed her half-dry hair, which fluttered against her jade-like and moon-like face.

Her eyes were like water, yet carried a faint sadness. Perhaps she had just soaked in hot water, for her fair, smooth skin had a rosy glow, as if it could be squeezed to release moisture.

Her lips were soft and cherry-red, her slender hands rested casually on the railing, and her eyes stared blankly at the sky, unaware that someone had come to visit.

Song Yuanliang came again. He stared blankly at the person in front of him and suddenly understood what the scene was like: "A beautiful woman with a half-open face, charming and graceful, stands in the courtyard, a jade beauty emerging from her bath with fresh makeup."

"Hey!"

She couldn't help but let out a soft sound, startling Yan Ru.

Seeing that no one was around, Yan Ru's panic subsided somewhat.

"Song Yuanliang, what brings you here again?"

Song Yuanliang snapped out of his reverie and chuckled softly, "Why can't I come?"

As she spoke, she pointed to the courtyard wall, and Yan Ru understood what was going on.

Feelings are like when I was daydreaming, and he turned over again.

“I know, you’ve been a thief again. But this isn’t your house, you should just come in through the front door. Climbing over the wall is always… always a bit strange.”

Song Yuanliang rubbed his nose. "Didn't my servants tell you about my family's rules?"

"No, what rules?"

Yan Ru thought for a moment, "Oh, I did say you can't leave this courtyard or this building. Why? The Qing Dynasty is over, but your family is still raising young ladies in the old ways?"

Song Yuanliang was conflicted. He wanted her to know the purpose of the small building so that she would be wary of his father; but he was also afraid that if he revealed that she had really married his father, it would be a loss.

Or perhaps she found out and left his house in shame and anger, then how could he still have such a close opportunity?

I had no choice but to divert her attention by saying, "I went to school today and learned about some things about your family."

Yan Ruoran immediately disregarded the Song family's rules and asked anxiously, "What? Didn't I say not to let anyone know about me? Why are you still mentioning me to others?"

Seeing her eager expression, and her reproachful slap on the shoulder, Song Yuanliang's heart stirred.

He took the opportunity to pat her hand and comfort her, "Don't worry, I didn't reveal you. I just asked the teacher why I haven't seen you in class these past few days."

"What did the teacher say?"

Looking at her expression, Song Yuanliang paused and then said, "The teacher doesn't know either, so I'll go to your house."

“I also found out that your father went to jail for selling fake antiques, and the family shop has been sealed off.”

If Yan Ru had known about this beforehand, and since her father had already told her to seek refuge at someone else's house, she would have known that this matter could not be resolved peacefully. What did it matter what the crime was? The most important thing was that she had to live.

Seeing that she was heartbroken, with her head down and not saying a word, Song Yuanliang quickly put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find a lawyer. My father knows the bureau chief. We can try to pull some strings and maybe we can get him out.”

Song Yuanliang was sincere, and his intentions were good, but it was all in vain. His family had offended Commander Guo.

She's the local tyrant. If it were that easy to resolve, her family isn't the type to not be able to afford a lawyer.

Not wanting Song Yuanliang to look down on her, she explained, "My father would never sell fake antiques; he must have been wronged."

You know, he was originally a scholar, but he started dealing in antiques out of necessity. He initially sold items passed down in my family, and everyone in the neighborhood knows his character. He's so compassionate and kind-hearted; he would never…”

Song Yuanliang couldn't bear such a pleading look and said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I know, I know, but it's no use knowing. The most important thing is that the police know. Don't be sad. When you frown, my heart aches too."

Yan Ru knew that Song Yuanliang was just a student and probably wouldn't be of much use to the Guo family, so she didn't want to dwell on it anymore. She just asked something else, "Song Yuanliang, then... then have you inquired about my sister? She went to Jiuhuangzhuang to collect rent. Has she come back?"

Song Yuanliang shook his head, "I don't know that, I haven't heard any news about her."

Yan Ru knew she was asking the impossible, and Song Yuanliang was far from being so thoughtful.

Hiding in the backyard of the Song residence, with Song Yuanliang occasionally sharing his observations of the outside world, is better than being completely blind.