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Chapter 361: 166 Evil Fate (Second Update)

The willow branches, like graceful beauties, gently sway in the wind and are reflected in the river, dancing their waist-length manes, reminiscent of a stunningly romantic Jiangnan beauty.

In the distance, blue skies, white clouds, and wisps of smoke coalesce, as the small town basks in the serene and tranquil sunshine, disconnected from the world and enjoying a peaceful time.

At the entrance of the town, there is a stone archway, consisting of five rooms, six pillars, and eleven floors, towering and spectacular. The lifelike reliefs on the archway are rich in feature. The central inscription reads: “Bright Virtue Brings Fragrance, and a Thousand Blessings Fill the Gate.”

The inscriptions on the other two pillars describe the virtues of the Liu Clan: “The glory of a thousand years brings blessings to ten thousand people, and the righteousness of the Liu family spreads its fragrance for a hundred generations.”

This is a merit monument erected in memory of the Liu family’s ancestors. It has a history of over 400 years and has endured the test of time without decline. It has become the symbol of the Liu family, together with the ancestral hall and residences, known as the three unparalleled treasures. Today, it is listed as a national key protected cultural relic site by the government, a last swan song for the waning ancient clan culture.

Under the archway, a group of children were playing and joking around. Seeing a black luxury car approaching from a distance, one of the younger children pointed at it and cried out, “That annoying ghost from the Clan Leader’s family is back.”

His words had an explosive effect, and the others scattered hastily in all directions, disappearing without a trace.

The Clan Leader was well-respected and revered by his people, but his daughter, Liu Muxue, was an extremely arrogant and domineering young lady who loved to bully children. Many children in the clan had suffered under her cruelty, and her name had become synonymous with terror.

While everyone knew the young lady had a bad temper, it was easier to avoid her than confront her.

The car drove into the town before disappearing into the distance.

In the blink of an eye, the children emerged again from all directions, gathering and chattering.

“I heard from my dad that the annoying ghost will have an older brother soon. Let’s see how arrogant she’ll be then. With a new brother, her dad won’t love her as much anymore.”

“I saw on TV that rich people often have secret children outside their marriage, called illegitimate children. Could the Clan Leader have such a child now?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? The Clan Leader is a good person; he would never do such a thing. It’s adoption, understand?”

“What is adoption?”

“Adoption means letting someone else’s child recognize you as their parent, and their original parents are no longer considered their parents.”

“Ah? Why would he agree to that? Anyway, if it were me, I wouldn’t want to leave my real parents.”

“Are you stupid? If you become the Clan Leader’s son, you can walk around with your head held high. The annoying ghost is so arrogant just because she has a father who’s a Clan Leader. Without him, who would be afraid of her?”

“Today, they’re holding a ceremony in the ancestral hall for the new son to recognize his ancestors. Let’s go and watch the excitement. I wonder if we’ll get to see the annoying ghost’s angry face.”

Along both banks of the Liu River, rows of Jiangnan-style houses stand in sequence, characterized by pink walls, black tiles, and intricately carved eaves.

Jiangnan water towns, picturesque scenery,

The car stops in front of the Liu family’s mansion, where four large characters on a plaque symbolize the Clan Leader’s status.

Liu Muxue enters, dressed in a Western-style dress, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses, and carrying a designer handbag, looking out of place among the ancient Jiangnan architecture.

“Miss is back.” Maid Liu excitedly comes out to greet her.

Liu Muxue grunts in response. Suddenly remembering something, Maid Liu hastily pulled her aside, “Miss, your mother asked you to stay at your aunt’s house in Jiangzhou for a few days. Why did you come back? Please, just go. Your mother and I will take care of your father.”

Liu Muxue shakes off her hand, smirks, and says coldly, “If I hadn’t come back, I wouldn’t have known when I’d gained an older brother.”

“Miss.” Maid Liu watches as she walks past the shadow wall and disappears inside the house.

Maid Liu sighs and glares at Uncle Liu, who scratches his nose and says, “You know the young lady’s temper just as well as I do. There’s nothing I could have done to stop her.”

“What a pity.” Maid Liu quickly follows.

The living room is empty, but the sound of crying can be heard from the upper floor.

Liu Muxue’s face turns cold, and she rushes upstairs, only to find a middle-aged beauty sobbing at the head of a bed.

“Mom, why are you crying?”

Upon hearing her voice, the beautiful woman turns her head, first joyful and then shocked. She hurriedly wipes away her tears and says, “Muxue, you’re back. I’m fine, just got some sand in my eye.”

Liu Muxue’s mother, Yang Ruoshui, is a genuine Jiangnan woman, with classical delicate features and a personality as gentle as water, adhering to the philosophy of obedience in marriage. The greatest conflict she had ever had with her husband was likely this current disagreement over adoption.