Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Weeping Rain, Sorrowful Clouds

What would it be?

Would Wang Tingyue die, or would she?

Lu Xiu looked at the silent woman. "Chancellor Cao’s methods this time were different from his usual approach. This gentle persuasion tactic... if I’m not mistaken, that was your idea, wasn’t it?"

Liang Wan lowered her gaze.

Lu Xiu’s voice remained indifferent. "Such a roundabout method... while it has some merit, it can’t hide the fact that you were only trying to find a way for Wang Tingyue to survive.

Cao Jun personally brought him out of the dungeon, not only saving him but also bearing witness that he had nothing to do with this case. He even helped you escape in the matter of obtaining the secret seal, an act of choosing righteousness over family."

He tilted his head in thought, a faint smile playing on his lips. "When you saw Wang Su, you knew his life was no longer in danger, so you started acting. Those words that seemed to be for me were actually for him, just to make him give up all hope.

Of course, it was also a show for me. You were afraid of letting me know you still had a weakness I could exploit."

His long, slender fingers, with their well-defined knuckles, brushed across her face with extreme gentleness. Yet, that gentleness held none of the warmth it should have.

’Yes, I was acting, and he knew I was acting. Because this was what he wanted to see—to see if I could truly abandon everything to achieve my goals, if I was willing to become a merciless blade for the sake of revenge.’

’Unfortunately, my performance wasn’t convincing.’

’What’s more unfortunate is that he stopped me before the outcome was clear.’

He was the one who forced her to choose, and he was also the one who called a halt to it midway.

Liang Wan kept her eyes downcast. "Since you wanted to know the answer, My Lord, why did you stop me?"

The gentleness vanished from his fingertips. He coldly flung her hand away and stood up again. Just as he was about to step through the door, he paused and let out a barely-there laugh. "I don’t want to watch anymore."

It was impossible to tell who his words were meant for.

Kneeling on the floor, Liang Wan slowly raised her head to look at the purple-robed figure at the door. He always appeared so immaculate, as if untouched by a speck of dust—even the edges of his shoes were pristine. Not like her, who was always as wretched as could be.

After speaking, Lu Xiu stepped through the door without a hint of hesitation.

Down the dim and gloomy prison corridor, he walked slowly, each step deliberate and steady. ’Didn’t I defy that person’s wishes just to verify this final outcome?’

’So why, when the moment came, did I no longer want to watch?’

’Was it because her laughter sounded too desperate...?’

Liang Wan picked herself up from the floor. After her tears had dried, her face felt tight. She closed her eyes. ’No matter what, they’re both alive. That’s enough.’

Exiting the Dali Temple Prison, Liang Wan climbed back into the long-eaved carriage.

She returned to the private villa. As expected, she would be staying here until the matter of Wang Su’s counterfeiting was completely resolved.

For several days, the rain didn’t stop. Liang Wan spent her days indoors, reading, writing, and doodling.

’Now that I know Wang Tingyue’s life is safe, my anxious heart can finally rest. It doesn’t matter if I have to keep living here. I can use this quiet time to think carefully about the path I must take next.’

As for Lu Xiu, he had not appeared again since leaving the Dali Temple Prison that day.

"My Lady, everything is packed."

Liang Wan turned to see several bundles on the daybed and couldn’t help but chuckle. ’I’ve only lived here for half a month, yet I’ve accumulated so many ’possessions’. When I arrived, I clearly came with nothing but myself.’

Last night, Lu Xiu had sent someone to inform her that she would be sent back to the Liang Mansion today.

Liang Wan walked to the daybed and gave the bundles a quick look. They contained the ink and brushes she had used, the books she had read, the calligraphy templates she had practiced on, and a few articles of clothing. There was nothing of value, so she didn’t refuse them.

Outside, a fine mist of rain was falling. The flowers and trees in the courtyard were slick with moisture, making the greens seem greener and the pinks redder.

Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Zhou Yun waiting at the gate, holding an umbrella. He was staring blankly at the double-flowered crabapple tree in the rain, looking more serious and less carefree than usual.

In the years to come, whenever Liang Wan thought of Zhou Yun, she could never forget this scene.

"Third Lady, it’s been a while!"

Hearing the sound, Zhou Yun looked over, his eyes crinkling into a smile as he instantly reverted to his usual witty and dashing self.

Liang Wan curtsied, a little puzzled. "Are you waiting for me, Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Yun winked and smiled. "Isn’t it obvious? I was the one who brought you here, after all. After suddenly disappearing and then reappearing, someone needs to explain the situation to your family, don’t they?"

Zhou Yun was acting out of pure kindness, but he didn’t know that to the Liang family, she was already a useless person—perhaps even worse than useless.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Young Master Zhou."

Liang Wan nodded her thanks. Without further delay, the two of them boarded the carriage together.

The long-eaved carriage set off. The curtains fluttered, revealing a scene of slanting wind and fine rain outside. Pavilions and towers stood amidst the light, misty rain, and Liang Wan’s heart grew just as hazy. ’Lu Xiu is allowing me to return to the Liang Mansion, so the case involving Wang Su must be closed.’

"Stop looking. He’s not coming!"

A teasing laugh suddenly broke the silence in the carriage.

Liang Wan snapped back to her senses to see Zhou Yun looking at her mischievously.

"It’s not—" Liang Wan froze. She was about to explain, but then she remembered the rumors that had been deliberately spread and decided it was pointless.

"Master Lu is ill," Zhou Yun said plainly.

"The Grandmaster is ill?"

"Mhm, he’s been ill on and off since the beginning of spring." Zhou Yun paused and glanced at her. "It’s gotten more serious these past few days."

Liang Wan’s brow furrowed. ’If I remember correctly, Master Lu dies after the Summer Solstice. Then, Lu Xiu becomes active in court politics. After the Cao Family is executed, the Wang family enjoys a period of immense favor. The tyrant also begins to rely on Lu Xiu. The Empress Dowager is displeased but is constrained by the need to counterbalance the Wang family. After that, the tyranny worsens—’

Liang Wan lowered her head. ’That day in the Dali Temple Prison, he asked if he, too, would become my enemy one day.’

’If standing by and watching someone die counts as enmity, then how could he not be? Besides, he enabled the tyrant to kill so many people.’

’I once swore an oath to serve no one but Lu Xiu, but so what? I’ve already died once. What’s an oath worth?’

’For the rest of this life, I will be loyal only to myself!’

Seeing her sullen face and silence, Zhou Yun assumed she was downcast because she hadn’t seen Lu Xiu. After some thought, he decided to offer a few words of comfort.

"Third Lady, no need to be so dejected. It’s true that his personality is a bit cold, his temper is a bit bad, his conduct is a bit tyrannical, and his reputation is a bit poor... other than his handsome face and family background, he really doesn’t have much else to offer... But you’ve taken a fancy to him, haven’t you? And to be perfectly honest—"

Liang Wan frowned at him. "Don’t you have to attend morning lessons with the Crown Prince today, Young Master Zhou?"

"Huh?" Zhou Yun paused, then grinned. "But I have to escort you, don’t I?"

"I’m deeply overwhelmed," Liang Wan said, the corner of her mouth twitching.

"You’re too kind, too kind!" Zhou Yun crossed his legs, twirling a fan as he watched her with a smile. "Hm, where was I? Oh, right. What I meant to say is, I’ve known him for a long time, and plenty of people have tried to curry favor with him. But someone like you, My Lady, who throws herself at him so brazenly... you’re really the first. However, it seems to me that he’s quite into that sort of thing—"

Liang Wan could bear it no longer. She glared at him through gritted teeth, but he just blinked, looking back at her with utmost sincerity. "What’s wrong?"

Their eyes met. Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a halt. Liang Wan nearly slid off her seat, only managing to catch herself by grabbing the window frame. A glance showed Zhou Yun in a similar state.

Zhou Yun turned his head, his voice muffled and annoyed. "What’s going on?"

"Reporting to you, sir, there’s a procession of prisoners being sent into exile up ahead."

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