Liu Ruyan lowered her eyes, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Mother, after days apart, the first thing you ask about is trivial matters."
Madam Liu, usually gentle-tempered, could no longer maintain decorum. Her eyes reddened as she said, "Do you know that the officials from the Directorate of Astrology have detected ominous celestial signs? Tomorrow, they will submit a report claiming that evil spirits have emerged in the inner palace—and they are pointing fingers at you!"
"Our Liu family has always been loyal to the throne, never colluding with corrupt noble families. We've offended many powerful clans. If this matter of evil spirits isn't handled properly, the entire Liu family will be ruined!"
Throughout history, which witchcraft scandal did not end in rivers of blood?
The Liu family was a lineage of upright scholars, with hundreds of members in the main and branch households. If they were to face extermination because of Liu Ruyan, it would be an unbearable injustice.
