Chapter 12: Raising Her for a Lifetime

When He Xuandu was six years old, his birth mother passed away.

Three months later, Chancellor He couldn’t wait to install Chen Shi as his official wife.

Suddenly motherless, with a father who never paid him any attention, He Xuandu was fortunate to receive his grandmother’s pity and was raised under her care.

His grandmother was advanced in years and inevitably lacked energy. With no one to guide him properly, his temperament gradually grew wild.

During that time, he did indeed keep a rabbit.

But he was at the age for studying and learning. Chancellor, He despised such things the most, calling them distractions that weakened one’s resolve. Afraid of being scolded by his father, He Xuandu secretly kept it in the courtyard.

Unfortunately, the rabbit stayed with him for less than a year before his father discovered it and had it thrown out.

Not many people knew about this incident. Unless she had witnessed it herself, Liu Shunhua shouldn’t have known about it.

Liu Shunhua spoke unhurriedly: “I found Little White by accident and secretly kept it in the backyard. But later, my father discovered it. He didn’t like me keeping it and wanted to have Little White thrown away. I refused and ran out holding Little White. I ran for a long time until I reached a high wall. I accidentally stumbled, and Little White jumped down. When I climbed up from the foot of the wall, I saw a young master picking up Little White.”

She stole a glance at The Xuandu and saw him slightly tilting his head back, gazing at the sky as if reminiscing about something.

She continued: “That young master petted Little White with the gentlest movements. It was clear he really liked Little White, and Little White seemed to like him too. So, I thought, since Little White wouldn’t last long with me, it would be better off with him. Moreover, I could see his family lived in a grand mansion, so Little White would surely live well. That’s why I felt reassured to leave.”

When Xuandu heard this, he suddenly let out a long sigh.

Seizing the moment, Liu Shunhua said: “He Xuandu, I know it was you. In my heart, I’ve always been grateful to you for raising Little White for me.”

He Xuandu’s figure stiffened slightly. When he looked at Liu Shunhua again, his expression had softened considerably.

Liu Shunhua’s heart leaped with joy as it had worked.

In her previous life, He Xuandu had always been aloof and reserved, speaking very little.

She had learned all these things about He Xuandu from the old madam.

That day, while accompanying the old madam for a meal, a servant brought out a bowl of Rabbit Meat Soup. Seeing this, the old madam immediately ordered it removed and warned that since the second young master had returned to the residence, rabbit meat must not appear on the table in the future.

Curious, she asked the reason and only then learned about this past incident.

Xuandu closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his face was full of sorrow.

He asked: “That rabbit was yours?”

Liu Shunhua nodded instinctively.

That rabbit naturally wasn’t hers. She had merely fabricated the story to gain He Xuandu’s trust.

When faced with similar circumstances and experiences, He Xuandu always felt compassion.

It had been this way in her previous life, and this lifetime shouldn’t be much different.

The corners of Xuandu’s mouth lifted with a hint of mockery: “You shouldn’t thank me. I failed you. I didn’t protect your Little White.”

Liu Shunhua was stunned. Was He Xuandu blaming himself?

“That rabbit… I went looking for it later. At the kitchen entrance, I found the red string that had been tied around the little rabbit’s leg. The string was covered in bloodstains…”

Xuandu’s face was like frost, his voice cold.

Liu Shunhua hadn’t known it would be like this. Had she known earlier, she would never have brought up this past event.

It felt as if a thousand-pound boulder were pressing on her heart, as if that rabbit had truly been hers.

She could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.

She felt sorry for six-year-old He Xuandu, imagining how helpless the young boy must have been when he saw the red rope.

She also felt sorry for that rabbit.

He Xuandu had always been blunt and straightforward, never understanding tact. Every woman he’d ever encountered had smiled at him; no one had ever cried in front of him before.

Watching Liu Shunhua weeping like a pear blossom bathed in rain, he immediately panicked, flustered and anxious but unable to do anything.

He leaned closer, tilting his head. “Don’t cry, that was so long ago. How about this I’ll give you another one someday, alright?”

Liu Shunhua continued crying. She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t stop.

He Xuandu grew impatient. “Ten, then! Ten rabbits. If that’s not enough, twenty! Fifty! A hundred that should satisfy you!”

Liu Shunhua gradually stopped crying, though her voice still trembled. “I don’t want them.”

Xuandu slapped his forehead. “Look at me, I forgot your father doesn’t like you keeping pets either. Fine, tell me what compensation you want. Whatever I can do, I’ll give it to you.”

After speaking, he glanced at Liu Shunhua. “But not calligraphy that day I was just momentarily inspired. I get dizzy whenever I read or write.”

Liu Shunhua turned away to wipe her tears. “I haven’t decided yet. Let me think about it.”

He Xuandu breathed a long sigh of relief she had finally stopped crying.

“Miss! Miss!”

It was Fangcao looking for her.

Afraid she might start crying again, He Xuandu urged hastily, “Your maid is searching for you. You should go back now.”

Liu Shunhua nodded, her eyes still red-rimmed. “He Xuandu, you should believe me now, right?”

He Xuandu nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, I believe you! Please hurry back.”

Green Jade hopped a few times on He Xuandu’s shoulder, mimicking his tone as it called, “Liu Shunhua! Liu Shunhua!”

Hearing Green Jade’s calls, she suddenly froze, remembering how it had called her name earlier.

Hesitating for a moment, she was about to ask when He Xuandu, unable to wait any longer, cupped his hands and said, “Miss Liu, I must take my leave.”

He only wanted to leave quickly. Seeing her cry made him feel utterly helpless, this sensation was too strange.

Liu Shunhua felt an inexplicable heaviness in her chest. Did she seem so frightened? Why did He Xuandu always avoid her?

Just as Fangcao reached the corner of the estate gate, she saw Liu Shunhua approaching with swollen, red eyes.

“Miss, what happened to you?”

Liu Shunhua covered her eyes with her hand. “It’s nothing. The wind blew dust into them.”

When they returned to the rear courtyard, Liu Tanghua had already woken up and was searching for the entire yard for Green Jade.

Seeing she couldn’t hide the truth, Liu Shunhua had to explain that Green Jade had flown out while playing, and despite searching for a long time, she hadn’t found any trace probably wouldn’t be returning.

Upon hearing this, Liu Tanghua hugged the birdcage and cried inconsolably.

Liu Shunhua brought out most of the trinkets she had collected over the years before finally managing to comfort her.

During the rare evening family dinner, Liu Tanghua hung her head low, looking listless.

Before Liu Feng could inquire further, Sun Yiniang spoke up first.

“Zhenzhen, I heard the Prime Minister’s residence sent an invitation for the women of the household to attend the Old Madam’s birthday banquet.”

Liu Shunhua took a bite of rice and nodded.

Then it occurred to her: someone of Sun Yiniang’s status probably wouldn’t be suitable to attend. She was likely asking for Tanghua’s sake.

She added, “Going alone would be dull. Qianqian will accompany me.”

Sun Yiniang smiled. “It might still be lonely with just you two sisters. Why not take Qiqi along as well?”

Liu Shunhua paused and glanced at Sun Yiniang.

Noticing the additional Lantian Jade Hairpin in her hair, she instantly understood Sun Yiniang had accepted her aunt’s bribe and come to act as a persuader.

She said casually, “Manhua wants to go too why didn’t Aunt bring her along to speak for herself, instead of sending you as a messenger?”

Feeling guilty, Sun Yiniang forced a smile. “It just so happened that I dropped by today and mentioned in passing that you were going to attend the banquet at the Prime Minister’s residence. Manhua was so envious when she heard.”

Liu Shunhua remarked, “Isn’t Manhua in marriage talk with the Prefect’s son? Does she still have the leisure to attend a birthday banquet?”

At this, Sun Yiniang sighed. “Don’t bring that up, the match fell through. The Prefect’s son didn’t take a liking to Manhua. When I visited yesterday, her eyes were swollen from crying, pitiful to see.”

Liu Feng shot her a look. “You say Manhua is pitiful, but did you not notice Tanghua’s eyes are swollen too? What a responsible mother you are.”

Only then did Sun Yiniang notice that Liu Tanghua’s eyes were red and puffy, as if she had been crying.

“What have you done, you wretched girl?”

Liu Shunhua felt displeased Sun Yiniang’s tone made it seem as if Tanghua’s crying was a fault.

Still, as Tanghua’s mother, Sun Yiniang deserved to know, so Liu Shunhua explained the matter of Green Jade.

Liu Huan’an suddenly asked, “Green Jade is that the parrot?”

Liu Shunhua nodded.

Sun Yiniang scoffed. “And here I thought it was something serious. What’s the point of young ladies keeping such things? They’d be better off learning embroidery and needlework, that’s what really matters.”

Liu Feng set down his bowl and chopsticks. “It’s true that young ladies should learn needlework, but they shouldn’t be overly restricted either. Staying cooped up in the inner courtyard all day is dull. How about tomorrow, you may go out to the market. Buy whatever you like.”

Sun Yiniang glanced at Tanghua. “Don’t spoil her too much, Master. You should think more of Song’er he’s suffering away at his studies and hasn’t returned home in three months. You haven’t even mentioned visiting him.”

Liu Feng frowned. “The path of learning is arduous. If he can’t endure a little hardship, how can he ever establish a family and career?”

Feeling aggrieved, Sun Yiniang turned her frustration on Tanghua, who remained silent and kept eating. “All you do is eat, look at what you’ve become! If you end up unmarried, you’ll have only yourself to blame. Do you expect the Liu family to support you forever?”

Already in low spirits, Tanghua’s eyes welled with tears at the scolding, her expression full of hurt.

Liu Shunhua shot a sidelong glance, recalling Sun Yiniang’s ingratiating demeanor in their past life when Tanghua was named Empress, and comparing it to the undisguised contempt before her now. A wave of disdain washed over her.

Tanghua was truly unlucky to have a mother like this.

Liu Huan’an, unable to stand it any longer, patted Tanghua’s back. “Don’t worry, Yiniang. Even if Tanghua never marries, the Liu family won’t lack a meal for her. She’s my own sister I’ll support her for life.”

At these words, Tanghua could no longer hold back her tears. She buried her face in Liu Huan’an’s shoulder and wept softly.

Not only Tanghua even Liu Shunhua’s eyes reddened.

If she had heard such words from her brother in her past life, perhaps she would have been more resolute and might have escaped the Prime Minister’s household sooner.

Liu Feng frowned and said to Sun Yiniang, “The children are grown now refrain from such remarks in the future.”

His gaze then shifted to Liu Huan’an. “And you what nonsense are you speaking? How can a girl not marry? You’re not young anymore either. Once things settle down, I’ll arrange a matchmaker for you.”

Liu Huan’an quickly replied, “Father, there’s no hurry for that.”

Liu Feng slammed the table with a sharp crack. “Not in a hurry? You’re already twenty-one years old, and you say you’re not in a hurry?”

Liu Tanghua trembled all over in fright, quickly moving away from Liu Huan’an’s shoulder and lowering her head to sit properly aside.

A shrewd glint flashed in Sun Yiniang’s eyes as she smiled and said, “Master, please call your anger. Our eldest young master is handsome and talented and now favored by the emperor. It’s understandable that he’s being selective. If you trust me, I’ll keep an eye out for suitable matches for the eldest young master.”

Only then did Liu Feng appear satisfied. “We’re not some noble family, so we naturally don’t care about social status. There’s just one requirement – she must have good character. Even if her looks are somewhat plain, that’s fine.”

Seeing Liu Huan’an’s dark expression, Liu Shunhua quickly interjected, “Father, we’ll be attending the Prime Minister’s birthday celebration soon. Shouldn’t we prepare the birthday gift in advance?”

Liu Feng nodded. “We should prepare early, but I’m not sure what would be appropriate.”

Liu Shunhua smiled. “That’s the Prime Minister’s residence – they naturally lack nothing. Families like ours needn’t rack our brains over this. However we try, we can’t compare with others anyway. We just need to offer something precious from our household to show our sincerity.”

Liu Huan’an agreed. “Zhenzhen is right. If it’s too extravagant, it might actually be inappropriate.”

Liu Feng said gravely, “This isn’t something you should worry about. Your priority after finishing your current duties is to properly meet some young ladies.”

Upon hearing this, displeasure was already evident on Liu Huan’an’s face.

Liu Feng sighed. “Child, why does arranging a marriage for you seem like I’m trying to harm you?”

Liu Huan’an remained silent.

Liu Shunhua grew somewhat concerned. Seeing her elder brother like this, he most likely already had someone in his heart.

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