"Who told you to prepare so much? Haven't I repeatedly warned you against extravagance and waste? Wasn't breakfast usually simple?"
"Yes, yes, this old servant acted on their own initiative, thinking that Your Ladyship's status was noble, so they prepared a more lavish meal."
Manager Liu heard that his master was angry about this matter, and realized he had misjudged the situation.
Even Her Ladyship looked displeased. He had forgotten that when she was a young lady, she had opposed extravagance and waste.
Manager Liu, with a dejected face, awaited punishment. His master's reprimands were not easily concluded, lasting from an hour at the longest to the time it took an incense stick to burn at the shortest. This was unavoidable.
As Manager Liu was lamenting his fate, Madam Liu, who was holding Liu Liu's hand tightly, spoke with a smile.
"Master, please don't be angry. Manager Liu's loyalty is commendable; he naturally did this for Her Ladyship. Her Ladyship, please try some. Home-cooked meals are always more comforting. Later, give the servants some leftovers. The estate rarely indulges in such extravagance. Today, let everyone have a taste."
After Madam Liu finished speaking, Prime Minister Liu said nothing more. Since his wife had spoken, what else could he say? Besides, she was not wrong. Although these servants were in the Prime Minister's estate, they usually lived very frugally. He nodded.
"Alright, you may go. Later, instruct someone to clear away the breakfast, and distribute some to the servants."
"Thank you, Master." Manager Liu heard this and felt that he had narrowly escaped disaster. He deeply admired the character of his master and mistress; they were both kind-hearted. Manager Liu thanked his master and retreated.
Prime Minister Liu and Madam Liu accompanied Liu Liu for breakfast.
In the middle of the meal, Prime Minister Liu discussed the flood situation in Jingzhou. Upon hearing Liu Liu's ideas, he exclaimed in admiration, never expecting his daughter to be so intelligent.
If she had been born a son, she would have been a pillar of the state. But perhaps it was even better that she was born a daughter. After finishing breakfast, Prime Minister Liu began preparing for court matters. Since his wife's condition had improved, it was time for him to attend to his duties.
Seeing that her mother looked a little tired, Liu Liu knew it was because she had not slept well. She quickly called for the lady's personal maid, Dong Mei, and asked her to help her mother to the back courtyard to rest.
Cui'er, seeing that her master and mistress had left, dared to walk in cautiously. Her eyes were still red, and she looked at Liu Liu with a wronged expression: "Your Ladyship, I didn't do it on purpose."
"Mmm, I know. Don't worry about it. Madam was just too anxious, which is why she blamed you." Liu Liu waved her hand dismissively and turned, her embroidered cloud skirt fluttering like a flawless white cloud in the sky.
"Where are you going, Miss?"
"I'm going to see my elder brother. Bring me the wound-healing ointment I kept in Tingfeng Tower." Liu Liu called out as she walked away. Cui'er hurried out, running towards Tingfeng Tower.
The sky was clear and high, with sparse clouds drifting lazily. Sunlight broke through the clouds, casting myriad rays of light. The glazed tiles on the rooftops reflected the light, creating a dazzling spectacle.
Under the long corridors and beyond the railings, flowers and trees flourished, interspersed with rockeries and flowing water. The trees were lush and green. In the distance, the riverbanks were gentle, lined with graceful willows and drifting catkins.
Liu Liu walked on, sighing. So much of her joy was left here, yet it all felt so distant now.
Servants of the Liu estate walked past, greeting her respectfully. Many still couldn't help but call her "Second Miss." Compared to the esteemed "Your Ladyship," being called "Second Miss" felt more intimate.
She truly didn't wish to be a princess in a cold palace; she would rather be the beloved young lady of the Liu estate.
Unknowingly, she arrived at her brother's courtyard. Hundreds of green bamboos were planted here, their verdant growth swaying in the wind and rain, making them even more vibrant, upright, and handsome. Her brother had a particular fondness for bamboo.
Servants in the courtyard saw the gently walking "Your Ladyship" and were about to call out, but Liu Liu shushed them to stop.
She was still as mischievous as she was as a child, often hiding under her brother's window and saying softly, "Why is our Liu'er still so mischievous like in the past?"
Liu Liu heard this, realizing her brother knew she had arrived. She pouted playfully, "Brother."
"Come in," Liu Ting's gentle voice, like warm jade, came through the window screen. How could he not know she was here? As soon as she approached him, he could sense where she was standing and what strange actions she was doing.
Liu Liu slipped inside. Her brother was lying on the bed. Servants were clearing away the breakfast beside him. Liu Liu saw that almost nothing had been touched and walked over with concern, "Brother, does it hurt too much to eat?"
Seeing her tearful little face, Liu Ting shook his head. "It doesn't hurt that much. I just don't have much appetite when I'm not moving. Don't worry too much."
Liu Liu knew her brother was trying to comfort her. Since he didn't want her to worry, she couldn't let him be uneasy. She sat beside him and said with a charming smile.
"Brother, do you know? Mother is worried you won't get married. A handsome man like you is the object of all women's desire. Mother is truly amusing, worrying that you won't marry."
"Brother, if you marry a beautiful sister-in-law, won't you not dote on me anymore?"
She deliberately furrowed her brow and pouted, though in reality, she wasn't worried at all. Just as her mother had said, she would win over her sister-in-law's heart, and have one more person to dote on her.
Liu Ting's eyes became hazy for a moment. Sister-in-law? How could he dote on another woman more than Liu'er? Such a woman would never exist. The moment he saw the tender infant, he had vowed to protect and care for her. Later, as he grew up, he realized she was his sister, and he was her brother, destined to only watch over her silently from behind. A bitter smile touched his lips.
Even loving her as a brother was enough for him. Perhaps this was what his mother worried about.
"Alright, don't worry about my matters." He smiled, his tone tinged with a touch of arrogance, as if any woman he desired would be his. Liu Liu couldn't help but laugh.
Cui'er walked in from outside, holding a small box of wound-healing ointment.
Liu Liu took the ointment and handed it to her brother's bedside. She put it down. If it were anywhere else, she would have pestered her brother to apply the medicine for him, but in such an embarrassing area, Liu Liu's face blushed.
"Brother, this is the best wound-healing medicine. I got it last time, and I heard it's very effective. Have someone apply it for you."
"Alright, thank you, Liu'er." Liu Ting nodded with a smile, knowing the little girl was a bit shy, and didn't dwell on the topic.
Cui'er glanced at "Your Ladyship" sitting by the bedside and said softly, "Your Ladyship, someone is looking for you outside."
Liu Liu was taken aback. Who wanted to see her? But seeing that Cui'er was unwilling to speak, she stood up. "Brother, you rest. Liu'er is going out."
"Mmm, go ahead." Liu Ting waved his hand. After his sister left, he picked up the wound-healing ointment from the bedside and held it tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Liu Liu looked at the mysterious Cui'er and asked curiously, "Who is it?"
"Daimei has come to see Your Ladyship, just outside the mansion gate." Cui'er glanced around, as Daimei was a madam from a brothel, and many people recognized her.
If she were recognized by people from the Prime Minister's estate, it would be troublesome. Liu Liu raised an eyebrow slightly. Daimei was always very astute; she must have come with an urgent matter. She quickly and quietly instructed Cui'er.
"Lead her in through the side gate. Don't let anyone else see her."
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Cui'er nodded and walked out quickly. She met Manager Lin leading Xiao Anzi. Xiao Anzi bowed respectfully and said, "Master, we should return to the palace."