Chapter 157: Leaving Them Hanging

Early the next morning, when Xu Ruojin woke up, Liang Xiao had already left the Liang residence.

Looking at the empty, wrinkled side of the bed, Xu Ruojin turned over, feeling soreness and weakness throughout her entire body.

That hateful man, that bad man!

She had been thinking to herself about brewing wine and preparing medicine for him, yet he...

Xu Ruojin touched her burning face, tilted her head back, and sighed mournfully: "My whole body aches and sours, this is pure torture!"

Chuncao walked in from outside just in time to catch Xu Ruojin's words.

"The Fourth Master said before leaving that he had prepared bathing water for you. Shall we use it now? This servant has already asked Xiao Ke to prepare the hot water."

"Humph!"

Xu Ruojin could not find the right words to scold that wicked man, so she could only wear a resentful little pout and let Chuncao support her to the washroom.

After bathing, Xu Ruojin hurriedly ate breakfast, dressed neatly, and rushed over to the Fuyao Courtyard.

Although her mother-in-law had said yesterday that she did not need to come and pay her respects before returning to her maiden home for a visit, since she had displeased her mother-in-law, she still had to make an appearance today.

Xu Ruojin arrived at the entrance with Chuncao, but Hongxing was nowhere to be seen.

Chuncao was also bewildered. Hongxing had been right here just a moment ago; how did she vanish into thin air?

"Shall this servant go look for her?" Chuncao looked at Xu Ruojin, who shook her head. "Wait a moment. If she still doesn't come, we'll go in first."

Just as Chuncao was about to nod in agreement, she saw Hongxing jogging back from behind the main house.

She looked furious, as if she had just had an argument with someone.

Seeing that both Xu Ruojin and Chuncao were there, Hongxing could not help but complain, "Let me speak first, Your Ladyship. I didn't start a fight; I just endured it."

"What happened?" Chuncao asked first.

Hongxing glanced at Xu Ruojin, bit her lip, and looked completely aggrieved.

"It was my turn to keep watch last night. Early this morning, the Fourth Master got up early, and Fengying wasn't around, so I handed the Fourth Master his washing water and served his breakfast. Just now, Fengying dragged me to the back courtyard and scolded me for being a vixen... trying... trying to seduce the Fourth Master."

Hongxing's eyes welled up with tears. "If I ever had such thoughts, let me be struck by lightning!"

"Alright, let's head to the Fuyao Courtyard first, and we can sort everything out when we get back."

Xu Ruojin collected her thoughts and led them forward.

Just as they reached the entrance, Fengying happened to be returning.

After curtsying to Xu Ruojin, she passed right by Hongxing, casting a cold, upward glare at her.

Hongxing was so angry her head was spinning, but she kept her mouth shut and followed silently behind Xu Ruojin.

Even though they had woken up early and did not need to rush all the way to the Fuyao Courtyard, by the time she reached this point, Xu Ruojin was breathing heavily and her legs felt weak.

Without needing to guess, it was all because of what that fellow had done last night...

Xu Ruojin had no time to mentally rail against Liang Xiao because she already saw a maid coming out to greet them.

"Greetings, Fourth Young Madam. This servant is Baizhi, and I serve tea by the Madam's side."

Baizhi lifted the curtain. "Please enter, Fourth Young Madam."

Xu Ruojin smiled, nodded, and rewarded her with an embroidered pouch.

"Thank you for the reward, Fourth Young Madam." Baizhi did not refuse, curtsied with a smile, and accepted the pouch.

Madam Liang had not yet shown herself, so Xu Ruojin sat in the room to wait.

Baizhi brewed a cup of tea and set it aside. Xu Ruojin asked her softly, "Has Mother woken up yet?"

"This servant doesn't know about matters inside the inner chambers; Mother Fang handles all of that."

Xu Ruojin nodded slightly and did not ask further.

Madam Liang came from a prominent family, and every single action of hers was governed by strict etiquette.

Even in a small place like Zhonglin County, although there were fewer servants than in the capital, the duties of the maids and older women were still divided with absolute clarity...

However, after the time it took to brew two cups of tea, Madam Liang still made no move.

The clepsydra in the corner of the room dripped slowly. By now, the hour of Mao had long passed its end. Was she going to be left out in the cold again today?

Xu Ruojin's expression remained calm, but she pondered with inner astonishment.

Although she had been told yesterday that she did not need to come, Xu Ruojin still felt she shouldn't skip it...

Yet being ignored was hardly surprising. If the woman looked down on her entirely, why bother coming out to see her?

Still, that was Madam Liang's affair, and she could not simply leave of her own accord; she could not truly stop coming.

Who made her the daughter-in-law, after all?

Xu Ruojin calmed her mind and continued to wait patiently.

After another short while, Liang Fangru finally walked out from the inner rooms.

"Third Sister."

Xu Ruojin curtsied first. Liang Fangru wore an awkward expression and was coming out of Madam Liang's rooms, which clearly meant her mother-in-law did not wish to see her.

"The weather is cold, and Mother is feeling unwell today and hasn't gotten up yet. You don't need to wait," Liang Fangru forced a smile. "Are there matters to attend to in your courtyard? If not, would you care to sit with me for a while?"

Xu Ruojin was quite surprised by Liang Fangru's sudden invitation.

"Since Third Sister has asked, even if there were matters in the courtyard, they would cease to be important. I would love nothing more than to spend more time growing close to Third Sister."

Linking her arm through Liang Fangru's, Xu Ruojin appeared exceptionally eager.

Since she had finally found someone in the Liang family willing to converse with her, how could she pass up the chance to learn more?

Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle; this was her opportunity, and she must not let it slip away easily.

Liang Fangru lived in the east side room of Madam Liang's quarters.

Although it was not a separate courtyard, it was clear that Madam Liang treated her quite well.

The calligraphy, paintings, and decorative ornaments in the room all exuded an elegant scholarly atmosphere, which matched Liang Fangru's personality exceptionally well.

Behind a double-sided embroidered calligraphy and painting screen stood a huanghuali tea table.

Liang Fangru had a young maid prepare the tea set and first offered some pastries for Xu Ruojin to taste.

"Usually when Mother rests, I drink tea and read books here alone. Others might think it elegant, but it can be quite lonely when one is by oneself."

Liang Fangru lit the stove, intending to brew tea herself. "Now that the Fourth Sister-in-law is here, I finally have some company."

After recovering her surprise at Liang Fangru's words, Xu Ruojin nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Aside from Mother, there was only Liang Xiao... only the Fourth Master in the estate. As for his temperament, drinking tea? He's more likely to drink himself into a stupor."

Seeing Xu Ruojin pout slightly, Liang Fangru laughed. "Actually, the Fourth Brother has a cold exterior but a warm heart. Once you've known him longer, you'll understand."

A cold exterior and a warm heart?

Xu Ruojin dared not agree with that for the time being. She only watched the water in the kettle bubbling and boiling.

Liang Fangru looked at her, her expression gradually turning serious:

"Fourth Sister-in-law, please don't blame Mother for being so indifferent. In truth, Mother used to be a kind and gentle person, but the family was suddenly struck by misfortune, suffering blow after blow. One must bear what one can, and grit one's teeth through what one cannot."

"She originally pinned her last shred of hope on the Fourth Brother's marriage, but unfortunately, the Fourth Brother refused. Mother couldn't turn her thoughts around immediately, but given time, she will be fine."

Liang Fangru looked at her. "Fourth Sister-in-law is a magnanimous person; you understand, don't you?"

Xu Ruojin could already sense that Liang Fangru had something to say, and she was not overly surprised.

"What is Third Sister saying? Since I have already crossed the threshold of the Liang family, showing filial piety to Mother is only right. I told him last night as well—toward Mother, I hold the utmost respect."

"That's good, that's good."

Liang Fangru's smile grew warmer. "In my heart, I have always hoped the Liang family could return to those joyful days of the past. It's a pity that's just a dream now, and I don't know when it will ever reappear. I can only hope this small household will become a bit more lively."

Xu Ruojin paused, then summoned her courage and asked:

"Third Sister, please forgive my presumption. I know very little about the affairs of the Liang family. Would you be able to tell me about them?"

"Since I have now entered the Liang family doors, I am considered a daughter-in-law of this household. If I remain completely ignorant, I'm afraid I might speak carelessly, cross some taboo, and displease Mother and the family..."

Xu Ruojin's request made Liang Fangru hesitate for a long moment.

"Actually..."

The smile vanished from Liang Fangru's face, replaced by a solemn expression. "There is nothing unspeakable about this matter, because what happened was a testament to the Liang family's loyalty and righteousness, not a scandal!"