Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Pandemonium

Liang Cheng looked astonished, while Zhou Yun frowned in confusion.

Liang Wan bowed formally. "I hope Young Master Zhou will put in a good word for my uncle when you report back later."

Zhou Yun looked at Liang Wan, then glanced at the dumbfounded Liang Cheng. Though hesitant, he gave a slight nod.

"Rest assured, my lady, I will pass on the message."

Without another word, Zhou Yun turned, boarded his carriage, and departed.

Hearing of Liang Wan’s return, Mrs. Zhang and Liang Jiao rushed over, completely disregarding their poise. Liang Zhang also followed out of curiosity.

"My lady!"

Upon seeing Liang Wan, Qiuxi immediately threw herself forward, her eyes brimming with tears.

Liang Wan calmly swept her gaze over the group and patted the maid’s hand. "I’m back now, aren’t I?"

Liang Cheng’s previous smiling face vanished, replaced by a dark expression. "Everyone, go inside!"

Unexpectedly, just as Liang Wan took a step forward, Liang Jiao charged straight at her. Qiuxi immediately spread her arms to block the girl.

"How dare you come back! You clearly framed me on purpose—"

Liang Jiao screamed at the top of her lungs, shedding all her usual gentle and sweet demeanor. Reaching out to strike Liang Wan, she cursed wildly, flailing her arms like a madwoman.

Afraid that she would hurt Qiuxi, Liang Wan broke free and forcefully shoved Liang Jiao to the ground. Liang Jiao fell, getting covered in muddy water, and Mrs. Zhang along with a few others hurried to help her up.

Fearing Liang Jiao would charge again, Qiuxi stepped protectively in front of Liang Wan.

Liang Wan pulled Qiuxi behind her and looked coldly at Liang Jiao. "Was I the one who took you to that side room? Was I the one who took off your clothes? Was I the one who drugged that tea?

"Ajiao, didn’t you do all of that willingly? Why don’t you explain to everyone exactly how I framed you? Otherwise, we can take this to court and let the government office conduct a thorough investigation."

These words struck like a clap of thunder, silencing everyone present. They stealthily glanced at Liang Jiao’s face. The Fourth Lady was usually so well-mannered and proper; how could she behave like this in secret?

Whether within the family or outside, they had always pinned the blame on her. Previously, for the sake of the Wang Su incident, she could tolerate it, but now there was absolutely no need.

"You... you’re making malicious slanders!"

Liang Jiao had been holding in a stomach full of resentment. Upon seeing Liang Wan, she had only focused on venting her anger, completely forgetting that Liang Wan might expose the truth of that day in front of everyone. Seeing the strange looks the crowd was now giving her, her face turned a purplish-red from a mix of shame, anger, and panic.

Observing Liang Wan’s confident demeanor, Mrs. Zhang could only suppress her fury. She held Liang Jiao back, her face showing grievance while her eyes harbored a sinister viciousness.

"Awan, a person must have a conscience. For all this time, how have your uncle and I treated you? And what about you? Afraid that our Ajiao would ruin your plans, you framed her like that. Your own reputation is ruined, and now you want to slander her. Haven’t you harmed her enough? To think your uncle and I treated you as our own—how could you bite the hand that feeds you!"

With that said, she held Liang Jiao’s hand and began to choke with sobs.

Seeing his mother and sister being wronged, Liang Zhang rolled up his sleeves. Eyes blazing, he raised his fist and was about to charge forward. "You bitch, you actually have the nerve to come back? See if I don’t skin you alive today!"

The shouting and cursing drew passersby to stop and watch. When had the Liang Mansion ever caused such a huge commotion?

"All of you, go back inside!" Liang Cheng roared, startling everyone into a shudder.

Liang Wan cast him a cold glance and was the first to enter the gates with Qiuxi. Behind them, Mrs. Zhang gave Liang Jiao’s hand a squeeze and didn’t forget to secretly signal Liang Zhang with her eyes.

Even after entering the courtyard, Liang Zhang’s face was red and his neck veins bulged with anger.

Liang Wan felt no fear. Now that Wang Su was gone, Liang Cheng could hardly protect himself. Did he still have the ability to shield Liang Zhang?

"Get back to your own courtyard! You do nothing proper all day; haven’t you caused enough trouble already?"

Sure enough, Liang Cheng’s reprimand rang out from behind.

Being scolded in front of all the servants of the household left Liang Zhang feeling utterly humiliated.

"Father, instead of scolding this bitch, you scold me? Have you gone senile?"

"Shut up!" Mrs. Zhang thoroughly understood Liang Cheng’s intentions. She grabbed Liang Zhang, subtly pinching him hard. "Show disrespect to your father again and you’ll face the family discipline! Hurry up and apologize!"

Seeing even Mrs. Zhang acting so timidly, Liang Zhang furiously shook off her hand and stormed away.

"That rebellious son!" Liang Cheng held his forehead, his face turning a bruised blue from anger.

Mrs. Zhang glared hatefully at Liang Wan, speaking in a sarcastic tone. "You really are amazing. The moment you return, you turn this place into a complete zoo, robbing the entire household of peace!"

Liang Wan gave her a helpless smile. "If the animals want to run wild, what can I do? Besides, can these beasts even understand human speech?"

"Who are you calling a beast—" Liang Jiao’s eyes widened drastically, looking as if she wanted to pounce and tear her apart right then and there.

Liang Wan blinked, looking incredibly innocent. "Wasn’t I just talking to Mrs. Zhang about beasts?" She then turned her head to Liang Cheng. "Uncle, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my room."

Liang Cheng was harboring a belly full of fire. "Stop right there!"

Liang Wan had no choice but to halt. "What other instructions do you have, Uncle?"

She turned her face to the side. Her long eyelashes curled up slightly, and a faint smile still lingered on her lips. She looked completely relaxed and composed, standing in stark contrast to their aggressive, fighting-cock demeanors.

Liang Cheng grew even angrier.

"Aren’t you going to give me an explanation for causing such a huge mess?"

Liang Wan frowned slightly, her bright eyes glinting. "Didn’t Young Master Zhou already give you an explanation just now?"

"You—" Liang Cheng choked on his fury.

Liang Wan shook her head and deliberately looked at Liang Cheng. "Now that the Liang family has lost its backing, our decline is evident. You must be having a hard time in the royal court, aren’t you, Uncle?

"To tell you the truth, I could have chosen not to come back, but I did. It was only because I was thinking of Awen and Father, and I couldn’t bear to see our Liang Family fall into ruin. But if you find me to be an eyesore, I will simply pack my clothes and leave on my own!"

After finishing her piece, she gave a slight curtsy, turned around, and started to walk away.

"Stop pretending! With your current reputation, where could you possibly go? Don’t even bother packing. If you have the guts, leave right now! Go right now!" Liang Jiao yelled while being forcibly held back by Mrs. Zhang.

Liang Wan cast a glance at her and ignored her.

"Qiuxi, go pack our things. It’s still not too late for us to catch up to Young Master Zhou! Even if we can’t, it doesn’t matter. We can just hire a small carriage at the entrance later. I know the way!"

She spoke as she walked, and Qiuxi, along with a young maid carrying a bundle, hurriedly chased after her.

"Wait—" After they had walked a short distance, Liang Cheng called out from behind.

Liang Wan turned her head. "Is there something else, Uncle?"

Swallowing his resentment, Liang Cheng gritted his teeth. "By leaving the mansion like this now, aren’t you clearly trying to embarrass me? Tell me, since my father and brother passed away, have my wife and I ever deprived you of food or drink? Which maid or servant hasn’t meticulously served you and your mother? If you just leave now, how am I supposed to establish myself in society? After taking care of you for so many years, it will end up looking like I mistreated you and drove you out of the house!"

Liang Wan sneered inwardly, though her facial expression remained placid. "If I truly intended to embarrass you, Uncle, why would I have specially spoken up for you in front of Young Master Zhou?"

Mrs. Zhang was secretly alarmed. She wondered how Liang Wan had managed to get connected with Mrs. Zhou after being missing for just a few days.

Liang Wan sighed. "Uncle, the case regarding Wang Su has already been settled. It was never my intention for you to be implicated. However, since I am the one who caused this trouble, I will definitely do my best to make amends for whatever needs to be compensated!"

Seeing her voluntarily bring up the matter with such a cooperative attitude, Liang Cheng’s heart softened slightly, and his tone also eased. "Then have you been staying at Young Master Zhou’s place all this time?"

For some reason, Liang Wan recalled Lu Xiu mentioning an outside mistress while they were in the prison, and she sneered repeatedly in her heart. To think he could actually say such a thing just to test her!

"There are some things that are better left unknown to you, Uncle!"

Having said her piece, Liang Wan turned and left.

Liang Cheng glared at her retreating back, gnashing his teeth in pure hatred.

Upon returning to her room, Liang Wan collapsed straight onto the bed, while Qiuxi and the young maid organized the items she had brought back.

"Where did you go these past few days, my lady? That night, Sikong... no, the people from the Wang family came. The moment the doors opened, they swarmed in like headless flies and aggressively searched the entire place. I later heard they even searched the entire city for two whole days—"

Liang Wan stared at the bed canopy, absentminded. "Qiuxi, if I leave the Liang Mansion one day, where would you want to go?"

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