Chapter 131: Disgust

Seeing Lady Liang shedding silent tears, Liang Xiao felt a deep sense of unease. Yet, as the legitimate son of the Liang family, he could never agree to his mother’s wish to seek refuge with the Marquis of Zhongyong, even though the Marquis was his uncle. To do so would be like plunging a dagger into his father’s chest—a fate far worse than being falsely accused by treacherous officials and reduced to the status of a common criminal.

The mother and son remained at an impasse, leaving Mother Fang, who stood by, feeling utterly helpless. In truth, the Lady was merely struggling against herself, but in matters like these, unless she could come to an understanding on her own, no amount of persuasion would suffice. Things had reached such a point that they could only pray for her to relent. Mother Fang considered offering a few words, but having once been a tutor to Xu Ruojin, she felt it inappropriate to intervene; it might only incense the Lady further and complicate the situation.

A soft sound of voices drifted from outside the door. Mother Fang stood still to listen; it was a maid asking for an audience for the Third Young Lady. "The Lady and the Fourth Young Master are both inside. Shall I announce you?"

"Go ahead."

The maid hurried inside, and Lady Liang heard the exchange. Before the maid could report, the Lady waved her hand dismissively. "This is no longer the Liang family it once was; what need is there for formalities? Let her in!" This remark was clearly a jab at Liang Xiao.

Liang Xiao remained stoic. He turned his head toward the door to see his third sister, Liang Fangru, entering the room. General Liang had four children in total; Liang Xiao was the youngest, and Liang Fangru was the third. The eldest, Liang Hui, and the second, Liang Hong, were stationed at the border and forbidden from leaving, so only Liang Fangru and Liang Xiao had accompanied the General to Zhonglin County. Although Liang Fangru and Liang Hong were born to a concubine rather than Lady Liang, Liang Fangru had been raised by the Lady’s side since childhood, and their bond was quite close.

"I have come to pay my respects to Mother. Fourth Brother is here as well? You are to be married soon; if there is anything you need my help with, just say the word." Liang Fangru’s nature was gentle and magnanimous. Though she spoke to Liang Xiao, she cast a conciliatory look toward Lady Liang. It was obvious she had come to break the deadlock.

Liang Xiao nodded gratefully to her, but Lady Liang glared at her sharply. "You, the Third Sister, are so good at playing the saint, leaving me to be the villain."

"Mother, how can you say that? I only have your best interests at heart." Liang Fangru walked over coaxingly and took the Lady’s arm. "I have heard that Xu Ruojin has a good character and is a kind girl. Don't you often complain that the house is lonely? With her here, you will have a companion to talk to. Isn't that wonderful?"

"With you here, I need no one else. My heart is already shattered. In this house, there is no longer any room for me to speak." As the Lady spoke, tears welled up and spilled from her eyes, forcing Liang Fangru to bite her lip in frustration as she looked toward Liang Xiao.

"Mother and Third Sister, please continue your conversation." Liang Xiao found an excuse to take his leave. Watching his resolute back exit the room, Lady Liang’s hand trembled violently as she pointed toward the door. "You... look at him..."

"Mother." Liang Fangru’s expression turned despondent. "You cannot blame Fourth Brother for thinking this way. Even my own marriage prospects have fallen through... Fourth Brother is doing this for the sake of the family." She had previously been betrothed to a family serving under General Liang, but after the Liang family fell into imperial disfavor, that family had ceased all mention of the marriage, eager to sever any connection.

Lady Liang looked indignant. "Those poor folk, how could they ever compare to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate?" Liang Fangru dared not speak further, as the Marquis’s estate was her mother’s sore spot, and not a single word of dissent was tolerated.

"Since you are so fond of your brother, you go and meet the Xu family on my behalf in a few days," Lady Liang said, realizing there was no room for reversal. "His marriage shall be left to you, his sister."

"This..." Liang Fangru was startled. Although she was part of the Liang household, she was a daughter of a concubine. For her to handle the Fourth Brother’s marriage—would that not be a blatant slap in the face to the Xu family?

"What? Are you unwilling?" The Lady’s face turned cold. Liang Fangru whispered, "I only fear it will wrong Fourth Brother."

"He has already stepped into the mud himself; what could be more wrong than that? It is settled." Lady Liang wiped her face. "I do not wish to see anyone from the Xu family, including that girl. I especially do not wish to see her!"

At that moment, Xu Ruojin was receiving an unexpected guest: Jiang Mingshuang. When Jiang Mingshuang had visited previously, the two had become fast friends. Xu Ruojin had intended to find time to visit the Jiang estate, but with one crisis after another befalling her home, it was Jiang Mingshuang who had taken the initiative to visit. However, this visit was a farewell, as Jiang Mingshuang was soon to leave Zhonglin County with her father, the Assistant Magistrate. Her father had been promoted to Magistrate in a neighboring county and would be departing in a few days, so Jiang Mingshuang would not be present for Xu Ruojin’s wedding.

"I came early to bring you a wedding gift, so you wouldn't hold a grudge against me later." Jiang Mingshuang teased with a smile, handing over a set of jade hairpins. "Here, these are from my personal collection; you are not allowed to refuse them."

"You are leaving so soon?" Xu Ruojin felt a tinge of reluctance. She had few close friends here, and Jiang Mingshuang was one of them. Now, she too was departing.

"I received the news quite suddenly; my father must have been planning this for some time." Jiang Mingshuang patted her hand. "I am also loath to leave you. Once I go, I do not know when we shall meet again."

"Why worry? When you get married, we shall see each other again. You won't be allowed to hide it from me." Xu Ruojin had Chuncao put the jewelry box away, then sighed with a calm demeanor. "No one expected things to turn out this way. Everything changes by the day; it feels like a dream."

"You are truly brave. If it were me, I would have been scared to death long ago." Jiang Mingshuang thought of Liang Xiao. "He is not a bad person, but it is a pity that the Liang family is in ruins, and you are taking such a great risk."

"That is still better than marrying that beast, Zhang Zhongheng, who once wanted me dead." Xu Ruojin propped her face in her hands. "It is just that I am not reconciled to this."

"Not reconciled to what?" Jiang Mingshuang asked, puzzled.

"Not reconciled to being manipulated like this." Xu Ruojin looked at her. "This entire affair was orchestrated by Liang Xiao from start to finish."

Jiang Mingshuang’s eyes widened. "Him?"

"Yes, he admitted it himself." Xu Ruojin’s words left Jiang Mingshuang stunned for a long moment before she burst into laughter.

Xu Ruojin pouted. "What are you laughing at?"

"I think the two of you are perfectly matched." Jiang Mingshuang’s teasing made Xu Ruojin reach out to tickle her. "You are still making fun of me, you naughty girl!"

"Spare me! I yield, I yield!" Jiang Mingshuang laughed incessantly, then added a warning, "However, there is someone you must not easily overlook."

Xu Ruojin pulled back, her expression turning serious. "You mean Zhang Zhongheng?"

"Yes," Jiang Mingshuang nodded immediately.

"I am also waiting to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve." Xu Ruojin frowned. "He is nothing but a poisonous toad—not only does he bite, but he is utterly repulsive!"