Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

"I'll be your father, but what am I supposed to do? Anyone who doesn't listen to me can get out. I don't keep idle people around."

The story of the Liu family's old house had been circulating in the village for a few days. Liu Siyue and the others laughed when they heard it. "They're so poor, yet they're still so lazy. What a strange family. Their laziness is ingrained in their bones."

Liu Dawang was also very angry. Such good paddy fields, not only did he not cultivate them, but he also wanted to cheat his third son. The old family was really hopelessly lazy.

When Liu Siyue returned from the county town, she kept an eye on everything happening in the town while working in the fields. Three days passed, and she neither saw Qingye return nor heard any news from her. This meant that Qingye had entered the town, or perhaps the city gates were closed and she couldn't get out.

After waiting for two more days without any news, Liu Siyue asked Qingwu to go and see what had happened. She took out a jar of honey and said, "Qingwu, here are two jars of honey. You can give them to Doctor Li or Manager Wang at Huichuntang. If they ask where the honey came from, just say that we have been wandering in the mountains these past few days and only found these two jars."

"Yes, Master."

I will find out what happened and come back, so please don't worry, Master.

When Qingwu arrived in the county town, the city gates were just like usual, with people coming and going without any restrictions. She drove the carriage into the town and went straight to Huichuntang. "Du Wei, I'm looking for Doctor Li."

"Miss Qingwu, you've arrived. Manager Wang and Doctor Li have been looking forward to it every day. Doctor Li is busy right now, so I'll take you to see the manager."

Qingwu saw Manager Wang and said, "Manager Wang, the master sent me to deliver honey syrup."

She placed the two jars of honey on the table. Manager Wang opened them, smelled them, and smiled broadly. "You've really gone to a lot of trouble. Where did you find this honey? It's not easy to find it at this time of year."

"After returning from the county town, my master and I went into the mountains every day. My master said that he had promised the shopkeeper, so he had to do his best. We wandered around the mountains for several days in a row, and finally found this little place."

"My master was worried it wouldn't be enough and wanted to search other hills, but he accidentally slipped down a slope and twisted his ankle, so he had to give up and told me to bring these over quickly so as not to delay your business."

Shopkeeper Wang was somewhat touched. Lady Liu was truly a kind person; she had even injured herself while searching for honey for him. He felt bad about it. "How's your master's business? Why didn't you bring him to the county town to see?"

"The master said it's nothing serious, and the village doctor also examined it. He said it's just a sprain and it will get better with some rest."

"Okay, I'll have Dr. Li prescribe some medicine to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. Take it with you when you get back, and also get some ointment to apply. That way, you'll recover faster."

"No need to get the medicine, just some ointment will do."

"Yes, yes."

Manager Wang took out 16 taels of silver and handed it to Qingwu, saying, "This is the money for selling honey syrup. Take it."

A moment later, Doctor Li came in, and Manager Wang quickly said, "Old Li, Madam Liu has brought the honey. She was injured because of it. Please prescribe some medicine and have Qingwu take it back."

Doctor Li glanced at the two jars on the table. "I'm truly sorry that Lady Liu was injured because of these two jars of honey. I'll go get the medicine right away."

Doctor Li prescribed three days' worth of herbal medicine and gave Qingwu a small porcelain bottle, saying, "Go back and decoct the medicine. Drink it twice a day, morning and evening. You can apply the ointment several times a day."

Please give my regards to Madam Liu on my behalf. I am truly sorry that she has been troubled and injured.

Qingwu originally just wanted to say how hard her master worked and how much she cared about their affairs, so that they would remember her kindness and do their best to help her when needed. Now, however, she felt embarrassed.

"Dr. Li, you don't need to blame yourself, the master is really alright."

How much do these medicines cost?

"Forget about the money, take it back and give it to your mistress. She's already helped us a lot, what's a little medicine!"

"If you don't want money, I dare not take the medicine. My master will scold me when I get back. Manager Wang just gave me money for the honey."

Doctor Li casually asked for one tael of silver. Qingwu paid and left. She had to explain to her master when she got back, otherwise it would be bad if she was exposed next time.

When she returned to the Yun residence, Qingye was very happy to see her. "Sister Qingwu, you're back! I have some good news for you. I think my kung fu has improved recently. Let's spar sometime, and you can give me some pointers."

"Okay, has anything happened in the county town lately?"

"No.

Oh, by the way, those martial arts practitioners at the Wu residence suddenly disappeared. I've checked several times but haven't found anything.

There's something else: I heard that scumbag is sick and has taken leave to go back to his village to recuperate.

"That jerk?"

"That scumbag Lu Yunzhou, who abandoned his master in Baini Bay."

"Oh, is that so? You're getting better. It's all because she bullied Master. If Master hadn't stopped her, I would have gone and beaten her up."

"Qingye, how are your two apprentices doing?"

"Sister Qingwu, I think those two sisters are born to practice martial arts. They are hardworking and have high comprehension. If they continue to practice, they will surpass me, their master."

"That's great, take me to see it."

"Madam Yun has changed their names. The older sister is now called Yun An, and the younger sister is called Yun Ning."

"Yun An, Yun Ning, come and greet Sister Qing Wu."

"Yun An, Yun Ning, greet Sister Qing Wu."

"Get up, all of you. Qingye said you guys are doing well. Show me a few moves."

"Yes."

The Yun An and Yun Ning sisters practiced, and after they finished, Qing Wu clapped her hands and said, "You did well. Keep it up and try to surpass your master."

You guys keep practicing, I'm going out for a bit.

Qingwu first went to the teahouse to inquire, but found nothing. In the evening, she disguised herself and went to Chunmeng Tower. She asked the madam to call out all the girls in the tower so she could choose one by one.

The madam didn't move, her hands rubbing together incessantly. Qingwu took out a 100-tael silver note and slammed it on the table. The madam beamed with joy and called from the first floor to the second floor, "Girls, come down quickly, we have important guests."

Qingwu looked at the row of girls standing there and shook her head. "These are all the girls in your building. Aunt Chang didn't hold back, did she?"

"Please rest assured, young master. Our Spring Dream Pavilion is an open business, we would never hold back. These are the best girls in the pavilion."

"Why do I feel like a few are missing?"

"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Have you been here before?"

"I came here a few months ago, but Aunt Chang probably didn't notice."

"Young master has a good memory and keen eyesight. There have been three girls missing from the brothel recently, who have been redeemed by other men."

"Oh, who could possibly take a fancy to three girls at once and then buy their freedom?"

"That's not convenient to say. Young master, feel free to choose whichever one you like; I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Forget it, I'm not interested in any of that."

She tucked the silver notes into her bosom and was about to leave when two burly men immediately blocked her way. The madam approached with a beaming smile, "Young master, you've been watching our girl for so long, you should at least give her something. You can't just look at her for free!"

Qingwu took out one tael of silver and placed it on the table. "Is this alright? I only glanced at it a few times, and didn't even touch it. I've lost out big time."

The madam accepted the money. "Young master, please don't be angry. The girls in our brothel have it tough. These cosmetics and face powders are so cheap. We hope you'll come often in the future. If we find any more good girls, we'll save them for you."

She waved her hand lightly, "I'm not worthy of such a treat," and strode away.

Under the cover of night, Qingwu climbed over the wall to enter the Wu residence. She went to investigate and see what the Wu family was up to. When she arrived at a courtyard, she saw a light on in a house and two shadows reflected in the window. Qingwu quietly hid beside them and listened to their conversation.