The Prodigal Son

"father!"

Luo Qingyuan caught Luo Jianshan's swaying body, tears streaming down her face like broken beads. "Don't be angry! We still have hope. The Luo family... won't fall!"

However, even she herself didn't believe it when she said it.

Even if they demolish their houses and sell their land to pay off all their debts, there's still the Qin family behind them!

That beast Qin Yu will never let the Luo family go!

Qin Yu intends to drive them to their deaths step by step!

"There's no hope, absolutely no hope..."

Luo Jianshan closed his eyes in anguish, his face filled with despair. "I have failed the ancestors of the Luo family, I... *pfft*..."

Before he could finish speaking, Luo Jianshan spat out another mouthful of blood, his head lolled to the side, and he fainted.

"father!"

Luo Qingyuan and her brother cried out, their eyes filled with tears.

Is the Luo family really going to be destroyed like this?

Luo Qingyuan was filled with grief and indignation, her heart filled with resentment.

After a moment of panic, the brother and sister had someone help the unconscious Luo Jianshan into the room, and then quickly ordered someone to fetch a doctor.

Just as the brother and sister were anxiously waiting for the doctor to arrive, a group of servants from the mansion came looking for them.

Luo Yushu was already in a bad mood, and seeing these lowly servants daring to enter the master's courtyard, she immediately shouted angrily, "Why aren't you busy with your own affairs? What are you doing here? Is this a place for you to come in?"

These servants were of lowly status and dared not even breathe loudly in front of the Luo family.

Suddenly shouted at by Luo Yushu, everyone lowered their heads guiltily, instinctively about to kneel down and beg for mercy.

But soon, one of the slightly bolder male servants realized what was happening.

"Don't be afraid!"

The male servant stopped the crowd, mustered his courage, and looked up at Luo Yushu: "Young Master, we want to quit!"

Resign?

Luo Qingyuan's expression suddenly changed, and she glared at the servants with eyes blazing with anger: "What, my Luo family isn't even gone yet, and you're already scattering like monkeys when the tree falls? Quitting, huh? Get out, get out of here right now!"

These despicable creatures!

Heartless and ungrateful!

Even before the Luo family was destroyed, they couldn't wait to sever all ties with them!

Hearing Luo Qingyuan's angry roar, everyone felt guilty again.

However, this time they were somewhat mentally prepared, and it was much better than before.

"We can leave, but we need to get paid this month!"

It was that servant who mustered up the courage to speak.

"Yes, pay us our monthly wages!"

"Pay us our monthly wages, and we're getting out of here!"

"Exactly, we don't want to stay here!"

Others chimed in, some loudly, some softly.

Although they were still somewhat apprehensive, seeing so many of them, while the Luo family only had Luo Yushu and his sister, gradually gave them more confidence.

"dream!"

Luo Qingyuan roared furiously, "Monthly wages are paid on the tenth of each month! If you want your monthly wages, wait until the tenth of next month! Those who get out now, I won't give you a single penny!"

The servant, enraged, exclaimed, "Young Miss, do you think we're fools? By the tenth of next month, you'll probably be penniless!"

"that is!"

The others followed suit.

They know better than anyone else what the Luo family's current situation is.

Why not take advantage of the little money the Luo family still has and settle their monthly wages quickly, instead of waiting until the tenth of next month?

By then, they probably won't get a single penny.

Seeing that the crowd was still pressing the issue, Luo Qingyuan became even angrier: "Get out of here, all of you! Otherwise..."

"Or what?"

The servant suddenly stepped forward, glaring at Luo Qingyuan, "If you don't pay your monthly wages today, don't blame us for being impolite!"

"Yes!" Another person stepped forward.

"Young Miss, please don't force us!"

"Let's settle our monthly wages and part ways amicably!"

"Trying to steal our hard-earned money? No way!"

"It's one thing for them to yell at us all the time, but now they're trying to act tough with us?"

The group encouraged each other and stepped forward one after another.

In an instant, a group of people surrounded them, determined not to give up until they received their monthly wages.

Are you rebelling?

Luo Yushu roared, "Anyone who dares to cause trouble, I will definitely report them to the authorities and have them..."

"Stop trying to scare us!"

A servant interrupted Luo Yushu with a cold snort, "Go out and ask around now, who in the government will care about you? Luo Yushu, I'm warning you, if you don't pay your monthly wages, we'll...we'll break your legs!"

"Yes, break their legs!"

The crowd joined in aggressively, surrounding the brother and sister.

"Young Miss, I think this hairpin on your head is quite nice, you can use it to offset my monthly salary!"

Even worse, some people reached out and snatched the hairpin from Luo Qingyuan's head.

Seeing their usually timid servant suddenly turn into a vicious wolf, the brother and sister trembled with rage.

However, they are now isolated and helpless, and dare not provoke these increasingly unruly servants.

"Stop it, all of you!"

Luo Qingyuan shoved away the servant who was trying to snatch her hairpin, and roared with grief and indignation, "I'll get married! I'll get married right now!"

Seeing that Luo Qingyuan had given up, everyone stopped.

Luo Qingyuan's eyes were bloodshot as she glared at everyone before rushing into her room.

Soon, Luo Qingyuan emerged from the room with a hidden gold bracelet, angrily tossing it to the servants. "This bracelet is enough for your monthly wages! Get out of here now!"

A group of servants glanced at Luo Qingyuan, confirmed that the bracelet was indeed gold, and then left satisfied with the bracelet.

Watching their retreating figures, Luo Qingyuan trembled with anger once again, tears streaming down her face.

Before long, the doctor arrived at the mansion to treat Luo Jianshan.

Afterwards, the doctor prescribed more medicine and warned the siblings, "Lord Luo's health is very poor. He cannot be subjected to any more major shocks, or his life will be in danger!"

Hearing the doctor's words, the brother and sister felt a sudden tightness in their chests.

With the Luo family reduced to such a state, how could the father not be greatly shocked?

Luo Yushu was in a panic. She told the steward to go with the doctor to get the medicine, and then discussed with Luo Qingyuan what to do next.

After much discussion, the two siblings decided to sell the Luo family's house first, and then sell the few remaining shops, to get through the current difficulties first.

Afterwards, Luo Yushu asked Luo Qingyuan to stay and take care of her father while he went to contact buyers.

Luo Qingyuan returned to the house and looked at her father, who was still unconscious. Thinking of the scene where those lowly servants surrounded her and her brother, Luo Qingyuan felt a deep sorrow.

How glorious the Luo family once was!

She, Luo Qingyuan, should be a figure like an empress!

How come even those lowly servants dare to bully her like this now?

Not reconciled!

She was really unwilling to accept it!

As she pondered, Luo Qingyuan's gaze fell upon the unconscious Luo Jianshan.

Unbeknownst to her, a terrifying thought inexplicably appeared in Luo Qingyuan's mind.

Perhaps this is also an opportunity!

Suddenly, Luo Qingyuan shuddered.

Luo Qingyuan shook her head vigorously and patted her cheeks.

What am I thinking?

How could I have such a thought?

However, once that thought arises, it becomes like a maggot clinging to a bone.

No matter how hard Luo Qingyuan tried, she couldn't shake off that terrible thought.

On the contrary, it's getting stronger and stronger!

"Cough cough..."

Just then, Luo Jianshan, who was lying on the bed, let out a weak cough.

Luo Qingyuan quickly stepped forward and softly called out, "Father, Father..."

But no matter how many times she called out to Luo Jianshan, he did not wake up.

As if possessed, Luo Qingyuan's gaze fell on the pillow beside her again.

"If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be damned by heaven and earth!"

"Isn't this exactly what he taught you?"

"He's bound to suffer another shock anyway, and he'll most likely lose his life!"

"Luo Qingyuan, you have to find a way to escape! Only by escaping the capital will you have any hope of revenge!"

"Do you want to be laughed at for the rest of your life?"

"Do you want to grovel before those who have wronged you like a dog?"

"..."

That devilish voice kept echoing in Luo Qingyuan's mind.

Under the devil's temptation, Luo Qingyuan slowly reached for the pillow...