Chapter 559: Total Loser
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Madam Zhang having guests wasn’t anything unusual. As the wife of a high-ranking official in the imperial court and the leading figure among civil officials, she often had officials’ wives visiting, exchanging pleasantries, and engaging in business discussions.
But…
It seemed there was a man’s voice in Madam Zhang’s courtyard?
Liu Fuyun raised her head, listened for a moment, and said, “It’s Madam Zhang’s maternal family who has come. Anhe is in the courtyard entertaining the guests.”
Liu Shimei realized, “So, that’s why Father chose to rest at home today?”
He specifically took a day off to come home and entertain the guests from Madam Zhang’s maternal family?
She was only guessing, but she had indeed hit the mark regarding Liu Fuyun’s actions. His expression stiffened, and he said, “What are you saying? They are guests too! They are elders. If you have any sense of propriety, you should go and pay your respects!”
Liu Shimei sneered, “When Grandfather and Uncle came, weren’t they also elders? I didn’t see Liu Yan’er and the other siblings coming to pay their respects. Why is it that now, when it’s a guest from your new wife’s maternal family, you want your legitimate daughter, the one born of a proper marriage, to pay respects? Father, if your heart is so biased, you should seek treatment early!”
Liu Fuyun felt a lump in his throat.
He had given up arguing with this daughter; she always managed to gain the upper hand. He wouldn’t gain anything by continuing this battle of words. Rather than letting her anger him to death, he should save his energy and plan for the future of the Liu family!
Liu Shimei noticed that her biological father seemed to have become more cunning. She wasn’t disappointed; she mocked him with a sarcastic smile and stepped over the threshold as she left.
She didn’t want to go to the Western Courtyard, but the Leihua Courtyard was also on the west side, and she would pa.s.s by it anyway.
When she reached the entrance of the Western Courtyard, Liu Shimei glanced inside and saw a young man sitting in the pavilion in the courtyard, facing someone across a chessboard. It was Liu Anhe.
Liu Anhe happened to look up and, upon seeing Liu Shimei pa.s.sing by, he stood up and greeted her, “Elder Sister, you’re back.”
The young man with him also came out, smiling, and said, “Cousin Shimei, it’s been a long time.”
Liu Shimei frowned slightly and replied, “Indeed, it has been a while. But I have no relationship with Master Zhang. Whether we meet or not doesn’t matter.”
Don’t blame her for being sharp-tongued; it was mainly because Madam Zhang’s nephew, Zhang Qingxi, was not a good person!
He might look like an honest man on the surface, but he was far more disgusting than Miao Fengyu.
At least Miao Fengyu, despite being vulgar, had some talent. Zhang Qingxi was just a total loser!
She had no interest in talking to him and turned to Liu Anhe, saying, “I have something to attend to; I’ll take my leave.”
But Zhang Qingxi didn’t intend to let her go so easily, “Cousin Shimei, it’s not very nice to be so cold, is it? My father has been serving outside the capital for the past few years. Now he’s finally been transferred back to the Imperial Capital. We’ll be seeing each other often in the future. We’re cousins, after all, not strangers, right?”
“Who’s your cousin?” Liu Shimei recalled the extended Zhang family from her memories.
The Zhang family was a low-ranking official’s household; otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent their daughter to become a concubine in the Grand Chancellr’s Residence. But their daughter was spirited; she gave birth to a daughter and two sons.
Moreover, after the main wife pa.s.sed away, she successfully rose to power, convincing Liu Fuyun to let her walk the unconventional path and granting her the t.i.tle of n.o.ble Consort through an imperial decree.
Her son from the side chamber became the chosen heir after the eldest son, Liu Quan, pa.s.sed away, making Liu Anhe the first choice as the successor!
Thus, the Zhang family’s status soared.
In ancient times, government officials were just like those in modern times. If they wanted to promote someone, they would first a.s.sign them to a lower position, ostensibly to understand the sentiments of the people.
By achieving some accomplishments, they could later find an appropriate opportunity to return to the court, completing their gilded promotion.
Madam Zhang’s elder brother, Zhang Qian, was one such person!
Curiously, Liu Shimei asked, “So, Master Zhang has been promoted.. May I ask how many ranks he has ascended?”