Chapter Ninety-Six: Intimate Touch

The spread of the rumor was faster than anyone had imagined.

The ladies of the various mansions had barely returned home when, within the space of an hour, they had all heard the tale.

Remembering Madam Yang’s brazen arrogance at the county magistrate’s residence, everyone was simply waiting to enjoy the spectacle.

Only, the families involved were not merely the Xu household and Xu Ruojin; the Liang family had been drawn in as well.

Few dared scheme too openly when the Liang family was mentioned, but curiosity was still curiosity.

People sent others to keep quiet watch, waiting to see how the Liang family would respond.

Those relishing others’ misfortune waited eagerly to see how the Zhang family would strike back. A little drama always pleased the crowd, especially with the New Year approaching.

Before the year turned, what harm was there in staging such a grand performance? It would only add a bit of color and excitement to life.

The instigator was Zhang Zhongheng, so the Zhang family naturally made no immediate move.

Yet after a long night, rumors had been fed by rumor until rumor turned into slander. By then, even Liang Xiao’s rescue of Xu Ruojin from the water had been dragged back into the light.

To save someone, there had surely been bodily contact.

It was impossible that merely clasping a hand could drag a person ashore.

With all that embracing and holding, what became of propriety?

From dawn onward, tea houses and wine shops had been filled with speculation and reenactment, each retelling making the affair grow more and more vivid. People could not help sighing that the Zhang family’s engagement to the Xu family had been a disastrous loss.

Some doubted whether the matter was true.

Then others stepped forward and asked: if it were false, then why had Madam Xu managed to drive Miss Mo mad yesterday? Or frighten her into illness?

Even now, Miss Mo was still lying in bed, unable to rise.

Could that be done by intimidation alone? Miss Mo was not made of paper.

Half belief had become proof. Madam Yang had long been known among the people as a sharp-tongued, calculating, mean-spirited woman, and nobody found it hard to believe she would do such a thing.

The wind of public opinion began to turn overwhelmingly against her.

Young Master Liang had wronged the Zhang family, and if the Xu family’s daughter was already in such a state, yet still had to marry into the Zhang family as a bride, then it was truly the Zhang family who had been wronged. It was simply not right.

So what if the engagement had been set?

Had they not even shared the wedding chamber yet?

At this very moment, Madam Yang listened to the reports brought back by the servants, sitting there in a daze, not knowing what to do.

Last night, after the master received word, he had immediately sent people to investigate and tried every means to suppress the matter.

But once rumors began to spread, suppressing one side only allowed the other to race outward unchecked. After a whole night of this, Madam Yang had been left in a stupor.

How had it happened that in just one night of closing and opening her eyes, she had become a villain of ten thousand crimes?

Not only was she accused of cursing Mo Rong, threatening and terrifying her until she fell ill, but stories had also begun to circulate about how she mistreated Xu Ruojin and the servants.

If not for the presence of Concubine Liu Cui, perhaps even her jealousy and intolerance would have been dragged out into the open.

Then would not the only proper course have been for Master Xu to divorce her?

Madam Yang wanted to seek out Master Xu and demand a clear explanation. Yet the moment she opened her mouth and uttered even a single word, she was met with a furious scolding from Master Xu.

He even made it plain that she was not to interfere in this matter in the slightest.

Madam Yang had never before been so harshly reprimanded by Xu Yaohui. Her eyes cried themselves red and swollen, yet no one came to comfort her.

As for Xu Ruojin, she was pointed at by outsiders and criticized for being unfit to enter the Zhang family as a legitimate wife, all because she had been pulled from the water by another man.

There was no point feeling aggrieved.

Listening to the rumors Xinghong reported one after another, Xu Ruojin only gave a cold smile, showing neither surprise nor indignation.

She had long since expected Zhang Zhongheng to use this matter as an excuse to disgust her and suppress the Xu family. What was there to be shocked about?

That man was the sort who would sink to any vile deed. He had always been a twisted, treacherous coward.

The only question was when he would reveal his true purpose.

Right now, her foremost task was to clean out the courtyard and root out, once and for all, the person who had tampered with her wine.

As for outsiders, so be it. But if even the little nest where she ate, drank, slept, and lived had a thief hidden inside, how could she ever rest easy?

Meanwhile, the Liang family made no outward response at all. Not even half a word was spoken.

But Madam Liang called Liang Xiao into her room, where mother and son spoke in private.

"...I never expected matters to come to this. Alas, yesterday Madam Xu was too impulsive and fell into someone’s trap. Liang Xiao, why not leave this place for a few days? I can write to your maternal uncle. Would it not be better for you to go to the capital?"

Madam Liang’s face was full of desolation. "We still do not know your father’s situation, but it is enough for me to remain here and keep watch. The emperor’s punishment and demotion was for your father alone; there is no need for you to be implicated. Your eldest and second brothers are both stationed on the frontier, are they not? What do you think?"

After arriving in Zhonglin County, General Liang had been taken away. Though it was said he had gone to the frontier to receive punishment, to this day there had been no news of him.

"No need. I do not wish to have any connection with my maternal uncle’s family."

Liang Xiao’s answer made Madam Liang frown. "I know you hold resentment in your heart, but at the time the emperor was enraged. Your maternal uncle did not step forward to speak for your father because he had no choice. Besides, the engagement between you and Yan’er was arranged since childhood; your maternal uncle would not deny it."

"Mother had better not mention that engagement again."

Liang Xiao rose to his feet. "I do not wish to have any connection with my maternal uncle’s family. It is not because he failed to help Father. It is because of that engagement."

Seeing Madam Liang widen her eyes, Liang Xiao continued, "At the beginning it was nothing more than a jest between you and my maternal uncle. It cannot be taken seriously. I will not marry my cousin."

"Xiao’er!"

Madam Liang was startled into anxiety by his words. "Right now your father’s life or death is still unknown, and we have no word at all. Your uncle is willing to help you—would that not be the perfect arrangement? If you and Yan’er were married, you would become the son-in-law of the Marquis of Loyal Valor, and his support would be only natural. Your body can no longer endure martial training anyway..."

"Mother means for me to become a live-in son-in-law to the Marquis of Loyal Valor’s household?"

Liang Xiao’s tone grew heavy. "Impossible. I am a Liang."

"Do you think I want this?"

Tears welled in Madam Liang’s eyes. "But the Liang family... the Liang family has truly fallen. Here in this remote corner, we are all at the mercy of malicious slander and humiliation. What can you do by yourself? Listen to your mother: I will never allow your maternal uncle or Yan’er to slight you, and I will never let you feel inferior."

Liang Xiao looked at her. "If the Liang family wishes to rise again, it will not be through marriage ties, but through my own hands."

"Why must you be so obstinate? You still keep that icy-jade ruyi..."

"I have already ordered it sent back to the capital."

Liang Xiao would not let Madam Liang continue. "I will be leaving home for a few days. Mother need not mention that matter again either."

"Liang Xiao..."

He left as soon as he finished speaking, never once turning back in response to her calls.

Mama Fang, who had remained silent at the side, handed over a handkerchief and wiped away Madam Liang’s tears.

Yet Madam Liang only cried harder. "What sin did I commit in a former life that none of you can understand my heart? What sin..."

By this time, Zhang Zhongheng had finished hearing the servant’s report that Liang Xiao had left the Liang residence. He curled his lips in a sneer.

"What a coward. So he’s even hiding away!"

"And the Xu family? What about that... Xu Ruojin? What is she doing?"

"She’s searching for a leak in her courtyard. They say someone tampered with her wine."

Zhang Zhongheng frowned. "Was it one of our people?"

"No."

"Interesting..." Zhang Zhongheng ordered, "Tell the people by her side to do nothing at all. Just watch and report back."

"Yes, sir."

At this moment, Xu Ruojin sat at the table, sipping tea, with Bai Mei, Xiaoke, and Yang Tao beside her.

Before the three of them sat a jar of wine.

This was the very jar that had been tampered with...