Generally, after a girl reaches the age of ten, she must begin to learn women's duties.

As for these so-called women's duties, the nobility and the imperial family might have more systematic content, but among the common people, it mostly refers to weaving. If born into a slightly more refined family, reading and writing would also be included.

Liu Shu was already eleven years old this year. Well-developed, she already had the figure of a young maiden. The sight of her sitting there with her head lowered, quietly weaving, was like a picturesque scene.

Madam Yu truly doted on this daughter, pouring no less effort into her than she did her son. Liu Shu did not disappoint her, not only displaying an intelligence in her studies that was not inferior to her brother's, but her temperament and bearing were also not outdone by others.

Madam Yu thought, in another two years, if she could arrange a good marriage for her, then things would be complete.

"Ah Shu."

Madam Yu walked in carrying a plate, a loving smile on her face. "Come and try the honey cakes Mother just made."

After all, she was still young. Even though Liu Shu managed to maintain her graceful bearing, her eyes, which lit up in an instant, had already betrayed her.

Madam Yu's skill was clearly much better than Madam Zhang's. The things she made were loved not just by her children, but even by Liu Xin and Madam Lou.

Just then, Liu Shu picked up a honey cake and took a bite, her mouth instantly filling with a crisp, sweet fragrance.

"These honey cakes are so delicious!" Liu Shu snuggled up to Madam Yu, revealing the charming innocence of a little girl.

"Then eat some more." Madam Yu stroked her hair. "Although a girl must learn her duties, you don't need to sit here all day long. When you have time, go play with your friends. Didn't Ah Lin from next door come looking for you today?"

"She did, but I turned her down." Liu Shu seemed to suddenly remember something and said hesitantly, "...Mother, I heard that Aunt and her family have gone to hide in the mountains?"

Madam Yu's expression changed, and her tone soured. "Who did you hear this from?"

Liu Shu was a little scared, and her voice involuntarily grew much quieter. "It was Ah Lin who said it..."

Madam Yu humphed. "And here I thought the Lin family's daughter was a good girl. I didn't expect her to be such a gossip at such a young age. In the future, it would be best for you to keep your distance from people like her!"

Liu Shu didn't expect her mother to react so strongly and couldn't help but say, "Ah Lin didn't say much, and many people already know about this. Ah Lin also heard it from others. Mother, it's true, isn't it?"

Madam Yu said, "So what if it's true? This matter is none of your concern. You just focus on living your own life."

Liu Shu said, "Mother, Uncle is Father's own brother, after all. Now that Uncle has fled alone, leaving Aunt behind with the children, their days must be difficult. If it's within our means, why not help them out a little..."

Madam Yu interrupted her, "Your uncle's family has come to this end entirely because your uncle brought it upon himself! If he hadn't become a Prison Warden back then, this disaster wouldn't have happened, and your aunt and the others wouldn't have been implicated by him! Besides, his family are fugitives now. Our family was fortunate to be spared because your grandfather and father hold official posts. It is a great blessing to be able to protect ourselves; how could we have any spare energy to care for them!"

She said all this in one breath, feeling more and more justified as she spoke: "There was once a position as an Outpost Attendant's subordinate. Your grandfather wanted to recommend your uncle for it, but your uncle was too ambitious. Not only did he look down on it, he even listened to those good-for-nothing friends of his and ran off to be some Constable. If not for the evil seeds sown that day, how could there be this bitter fruit today? Who knew he still wouldn't repent and would run off to join the rebels in an uprising. By doing this, it's as if he thinks we aren't dying fast enough; he's dragging us down the road to ruin!"

Listening to her mother's resentful expression and tone, Liu Shu also began to waver. "But, didn't Father say the County Magistrate wouldn't hold the Liu family accountable for the time being?"

Madam Yu sneered. She had heard a lot from her husband, more than enough to persuade her daughter. "That's the County Magistrate being lenient. If he wanted to press the matter, it would only take a single word. Right now, it's just that the situation is unclear, so the County Magistrate is also just waiting and seeing. The crime of rebellion involves the execution of the nine relations. Do you think we can escape that?"

Liu Shu was indeed frightened, her face turning deathly pale.

Seeing this, Madam Yu felt a pang of heartache and quickly pulled her daughter into her arms. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. This isn't the time when the First Emperor was on the throne. The County Magistrate is on good terms with your father, nothing will happen!"

As she spoke, she recalled her husband's words from the previous night: the better Liu Yuan did, the safer they would be. If worst came to worst and Liu Yuan died, that would be the end of it, and they wouldn't be implicated. The worst-case scenario was if the rebels failed and Liu Yuan fell into the hands of the imperial court—then their entire family would only have death awaiting them.

Did she really have to hope that loathsome concubine's son would do well? Madam Yu was filled with resentment.

"Ah Yu! Ah Yu!" From afar, Madam Lou's voice came from outside.

Madam Yu and Liu Shu hurriedly rose and went to the door to greet her.

Although her steps were hurried, Madam Lou's expression was not good.

Seeing this, Madam Yu's heart skipped a beat. She thought, Is this a case of what one fears most coming to pass? Has Liu Yuan been captured alive by the Qin army?

"Quick, come to the front!" Madam Lou said to them.

"Mother, what has happened?" Madam Yu asked, apprehensive and cautious.

"It's that concubine's son!" Madam Lou said resentfully.

Madam Yu's heart beat even faster, and her face instantly became even paler than Madam Lou's. "What has he done? Has... has the County Magistrate sent people to arrest us?"

Madam Lou: "No, the County Magistrate came himself with his men. Your father told us we have to go over as well..."

Before she could finish, Madam Yu's legs had gone so soft she couldn't walk, and she swayed and fell to the side.

"Mother!" Liu Shu screamed, rushing to support her with both hands, but her small frame was no match for an adult, and she was pulled down to the ground along with her.

Madam Lou was also greatly startled. "What's wrong!"

Tears streamed down Madam Yu's face. "Are we... are we really going to be implicated and executed?"

Madam Lou was baffled. "What nonsense are you talking!"

Madam Yu wailed loudly, "That calamitous son, Liu Yuan, has ruined our entire family..."

Her voice came to an abrupt stop, her mouth covered by Madam Lou.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Madam Lou's face darkened. "Since when were we going to be executed! I refuse to believe that after becoming the Governor of Yingchuan Commandery, that concubine's son would go so far as to disown his own ancestors!"

Madam Yu's eyes widened.

Liu Shu also looked at her grandmother in astonishment.

But Madam Lou had already released her impatiently. "Get up, quickly! Is the County Magistrate someone we can afford to slight?"

Madam Yu could no longer be bothered with crying and scrambled up from the ground. "Mother, please tell me in more detail. Where did this talk of Liu Yuan becoming the Governor of Yingchuan Commandery come from?"

Madam Lou: "The County Magistrate said it. I'm not very clear on the details myself, which is why I told you to hurry to the front with me, so we can hear everything clearly!"

Never mind the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law's dawdling. In the Liu family's main hall, the County Magistrate of Changshe County was asking the Liu father and son, "Governor Liu's family—do you know where they are now?"

Liu Xin and Liu Chi looked at each other in dismay. Liu Chi asked, "Dare I ask Your Honor the meaning of these words?"

The County Magistrate asked back, perplexed, "The Governor is returning to his hometown. Is he not here for his family? Although he did not say so explicitly, these are things we should have anticipated. If Governor Liu cannot see his family when he enters the city, it would be difficult to justify. Since County Clerk Liu and the Governor are blood brothers, you must know where the Governor's family is. That way, I can send people to welcome them."

Of course, it wasn't that he truly didn't know where Liu Yuan's wife and children were. Although they were hiding in the mountains, the hunter's cabin wasn't hard to find. If he sent soldiers, it wouldn't take long to locate them. However, the County Magistrate had to feign complete ignorance. Who would have known that Liu Yuan would actually succeed! This way, when Liu Yuan asked, the County Magistrate could shirk responsibility with the excuse, "I never knew where your wife and children were hiding, so I couldn't help settle or look after them. Even if they are not doing well now, you can't blame me."

Who knew that upon hearing his question, the Liu father and son would both show awkward expressions and become restless in their seats.

The County Magistrate was, on the contrary, a bit surprised. "What? Don't even you know where they are?"

Liu Chi hemmed and hawed, "Ever since my second younger brother left home, his family also vanished without a trace. They haven't had any contact with us. We only heard that they seem to be hiding in the mountains behind here..."

This County Magistrate hadn't been in office long and was permanently stationed in Changshe County, so he had never been to Xiang Town and naturally didn't know about the relationship between the Liu brothers. But seeing the situation now, how could he not understand? Without betraying any emotion, he continued to smile and said, "Since we have a general direction, it will be much easier. I will send men to invite them now. However, the Governor will probably arrive soon. I must ask Elder San and the County Clerk to first accompany me out of the city to greet him."

The County Magistrate understood clearly that back when Liu Yuan had to flee, although Xiao Qi was fanning the flames, in the end, his own "contribution" was indispensable. If Liu Yuan wanted to hold him accountable, there would be no escape. For the sake of his life and future, he naturally had to put in more effort.

——————

The city wall was the same wall, the people were the same people, but what was different was the state of mind.

Liu Yuan still remembered how panicked and terrified he had been the last time he left this place. His future was uncertain; the world was vast, yet he didn't know where to go. It was as if Qin soldiers were everywhere, and there was no escaping the Qin dynasty's inescapable net. How desperate, how powerless!

A little over a year had passed, yet it felt like many years had gone by. Even the familiar scenery before his eyes now seemed unfamiliar.

Today's Governor of Yingchuan Commandery was no longer the son of the Liu family who had been framed and forced to flee alone. Liu Yuan wore armor and rode a horse, followed by a hundred or so soldiers. In the eyes of the unworldly people of Xiang Town, he was utterly majestic, inspiring awe and fear.

Along the way, many people did not recognize him as the "Liu the Useless" they were familiar with. Intimidated by the spectacle, they either lowered their heads, not daring to look directly, or the timid ones even knelt down on the spot.

From a distance, Liu Yuan saw a group of people approaching.

"Big Brother, it seems to be the County Magistrate of Changshe," said An Zheng, who was riding beside him, as he moved his horse closer and spoke in a low voice.

And walking behind the County Magistrate of Changshe were, clearly, Liu Yuan's father and older brother.