Chapter 361: 166 Evil Fate (Second Update)<div>


    Trantor: 549690339


    Liuxian Town is true to its name, with a river called Liu River running through it. On both sides of the river, several willows are nted. Towards the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, cool breezes sweep across the clear river, creating ripples of green waves.


    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.<div>


    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 pirs, and eleven floors, towering and spectacr. 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 pirs describe the virtues of the Liu n: “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 be 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, ast swan song for the waning ancient n culture.


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


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


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


    While everyone knew the youngdy 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.”<div>


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


    “What nonsense are you talking about? The n 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 be the n 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 n 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, ck tiles, and intricately carved eaves.


    Jiangnan water towns, picturesque scenery,


    The car stops in front of the Liu family’s mansion, where fourrge characters on a que symbolize the n Leader’s status.


    Liu Muxue enters, dressed in a Western-style dress, wearing a sun hat and sunsses, and carrying a designer handbag, looking out of ce among the ancient Jiangnan architecture.<div>


    “Miss is back.” Maid Liu excitedlyes 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 youe 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’te 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 res at Uncle Liu, who scratches his nose and says, “You know the youngdy’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 ssical 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.<div>