The young Li Shiyun understood that her father had been faking it all these years, but she couldn't comprehend why someone would maintain such an act for so long, and be so heartless. Even if he was dissatisfied with her, she was still his blood, how could he drive her out onto the streets at such a young age? Did he not know that a girl forced out by her family would either be kidnapped and sold, or end up as a beggar?
She didn't believe her father, who often traveled for business, wouldn't understand this. That meant there was another possibility: he simply wanted her to disappear from this world. The thought sent a chill down her spine.
As soon as dawn broke, she went to a secluded spot, smeared dirt on her face, and rolled around on the ground a few times. She then deliberately tore her clothes until they were ragged, making herself look filthy and dishevelled before daring to leave with her small bundle.
Fortunately, when her mother was alive, she often took her to the countryside to visit her paternal grandparents. Although those two elders didn't have much affection for her because she carried the Li surname, she could see they were more conscientious than her own father. So, with a glimmer of hope, she avoided people and traveled for a day and a night to reach her grandparents' village.
When they first saw the original host, the Liu family parents didn't recognize her at all. Every time Li Jinyu brought her back to visit them, she was dressed immaculately, clearly the young lady of a prominent family.
Seeing her in such a miserable state for the first time, they were startled. They thought something had happened to their son in the city and quickly pulled her into their home, asking about Liu Baishi's recent condition with worried eyes.
Upon learning that she had been driven out by their own son, they breathed a sigh of relief. Then, their gaze towards her became complex. The couple whispered to each other in the next room for a while before deciding to keep her. They knew this would displease their son, but after all, she was their Liu family's blood. Besides, the Liu family wasn't what it used to be; it was just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks.
And so, she stayed in the countryside. In her daily life, the Liu family members largely ignored her, and she had hired help from the women Liu Baishi had purchased to assist with chores. Thus, she made it a point to go out as little as possible, spending her time at home studying the books left behind by her elder cousins.
Liu Baishi was unwilling to have her stay with the Liu family, but his parents insisted, so he temporarily relented. Later, seeing how docile she was, he gradually let down his guard. Before long, he married a new wife.
Speaking of this new wife, the original host had actually heard her name before, but never had the opportunity to meet her. It was said her name was Ren Jiajia. She had lived in the Li family for a few years before marrying into the neighbouring county and hadn't returned for a long time. She didn't know how they had met. The young original host always felt there was something more to it. Being young and with her mother gone, she had no one to champion her cause, so she could only keep the matter in her heart and let it go.
Gradually, the original host grew up. During this time, she never saw her father again. She only heard that for many years, her father had managed those few shops in the city and lived a fairly comfortable life. Just recently, her father had specifically bought a personal maid to serve her grandmother, who was overjoyed and praised her son's filial piety to everyone.
When the original host reached marriageable age, many people began to inquire about her marriage. In their eyes, even though she bore the surname Li, she was, after all, a child of the Liu family.
They assumed that since Liu Baishi had a new wife, he found his daughter from his first marriage an eyesore and had driven her to the countryside. Regardless, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. If they could form an alliance with the Liu family, they might be able to improve their own lives.
Therefore, there were not a few who set their sights on the original host. Old Mrs. Liu dared not make a decision on her own and quickly sent someone to the city to ask her son's opinion. As expected, Liu Baishi told her not to worry about any marriage proposals, as he had his own arrangements.
Old Mrs. Liu thought that her son, having been in the city for so many years, even if he disliked his daughter, she was still his blood. He would want to find a suitable family for her in the city. She nodded unconsciously, believing this to be the right approach. A daughter wouldn't cost much, and marrying her off could create alliances, bringing further benefit to the Liu family.
Yesterday, Old Mrs. Liu's personal maid informed her that Liu Baishi had sent word for her to come to the city. She had no suspicion whatsoever and happily packed her granddaughter's belongings, telling her to obey her father upon their return and let him arrange a good marriage for her. The original host nodded. She had long since come to terms with the fact that, as a woman with no special skills and no ability to travel independently, she was no match for her father. She could only obediently follow his arrangements, and once she married, she would live a peaceful life and escape his control.
Sitting in the carriage, the original host felt increasingly uneasy. She quickly called to the maid beside her and politely said, "Sister, I remember this road doesn't lead to the city. Where are we going?"
The maid immediately smiled and praised, "Miss has a good memory. You haven't been to the city in so many years, yet you still remember the way. We are indeed not going to the city, but to the dock in the neighbouring town. Master has just received a batch of goods from out of town and will disembark there to join us in the city."
The original host breathed a sigh of relief. She had often heard people say that her father went south periodically to procure fabrics and profit from the price difference. This didn't seem like her father's usual modus operandi. She asked with lingering concern, "Is this arranged by Father?"
The maid's body stiffened for a moment before she nonchalantly replied, "No, it was my own initiative. I know Miss and Master's relationship is a bit strained, so I wanted to help ease it. I thought if we made such a long journey to welcome him, Master would surely feel gratified. Please don't blame me."
The original host desperately wanted to turn back, but she knew that both the maid beside her and the coachman driving the carriage were her father's people. She couldn't act too conspicuously. She could only offer an awkward smile, indicating she didn't mind. She knew that if her expression was off, or if she said anything inappropriate, it would surely reach her father's ears. He hadn't forgotten how he wanted to drive her out of the house when she was little. Now that she was so grown up and about to leave the Liu family, she didn't want any more mishaps. So, she sat silently in the carriage, watching as it made its way towards the dock in the neighbouring town.
No matter how reluctant, as time passed, they eventually reached their destination. As soon as they arrived, the maid urged her to alight from the carriage. She took a deep breath, prepared herself mentally, and then slowly stepped down. Upon reaching the dock, she saw a magnificently decorated ship docked there, with the sound of a zither occasionally drifting from within.
Having rarely ventured out, she had no idea what this ship was used for. She involuntarily approached the ship, stood on her tiptoes, and craned her neck, trying to catch sight of her father's vessel. She had heard people say that her father always flew a large 'Liu' banner on his ships, and she wanted to see if it was as they said. Unexpectedly, a sudden turn of events occurred.