Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Repaying Hatred with Kindness

"A good thing?" Chun’er gave a bitter smile and began to choke up again.

A faint smile touched Liang Wan’s lips. ’I never thought Mrs. Zhang’s medicine would have such a bizarre side effect. No wonder she went to such lengths to make Liang Jiao use it on Lu Xiu.’

As these thoughts crossed Liang Wan’s mind, she heard Chun’er say:

"You may not know, my lady, but after Cui Hao and I returned that day, his mother absolutely refused to let me in. She blamed me for ruining his marriage prospects and his future. Cui Hao couldn’t bear to see me injured and wandering the streets, so he found a place for me to stay. He said he would go back and try to persuade his mother."

’Persuade?’

Liang Wan glanced up at her, a cold sneer forming in her heart. ’This is just the two of them, mother and son, putting on a show! One always plays the villain, the other the hero!’

"To be honest, I’ve always known his words were just meant to comfort me. Besides, I’m well aware of my own station!" she said, wiping her tears. "You know as well, my lady, that he’s single-mindedly focused on securing an official post, but his humble background means he has no one to recommend him. Lady Feng is willing to help him, and I can’t be the one to stop him."

She sniffled and added, "I couldn’t find any work by myself, so I had no choice but to sell sundries on the streets. Then, the day before yesterday, I fainted, and that’s when I learned I was pregnant. I won’t hide it from you, my lady, I never dreamed I could be his wife, but this child... this child can’t be born without a name or a legitimate status—"

As she spoke, she cradled her belly, tears streaming down her face. She was a truly pitiful sight.

Liang Wan simply watched with an expressionless face, holding her teacup without taking a single sip.

Chun’er had been bottling up her grievances for so long. Now that she finally had someone willing to listen, she was so focused on pouring her heart out that she completely forgot her confidante had once had romantic feelings for Cui Hao. The sudden memory made her feel awkward.

But when she peeked at Liang Wan’s expression again, she saw not a trace of jealousy. Then it occurred to her, ’A lady of her background and beauty is utterly unattainable. Aren’t she and Cui Hao worlds apart?’

’I still remember that day at the Little Bamboo Pavilion, the look in her eyes when she saw us. It was pure contempt, as if looking at us for a second longer would soil her sight. Even Lady Feng seems to shrink in her presence. How could Cui Hao ever dare? And how could I?’

’Besides, I recently heard from Cui Hao that not only has my lady earned the Empress’s favor, but she’s also on very close terms with Young Master Zhou. The Grand Commandant, the Crown Prince’s Tutor... aren’t they all the most exceptional men alive?’

Chun’er hung her head in despair.

"So, have you told Cui Hao that you’re pregnant?" Qiuxi couldn’t help but ask, her heart aching for her.

Chun’er looked up at her and nodded. "I went out of my way to find him yesterday and told him. But he said his mother’s old ailment has flared up again and she can’t take any shocks right now. He said he’ll tell her after some time has passed. Also... it seems like there’s been some progress on his recommendation. If word of my pregnancy gets out now and Lady Feng finds out, I’m afraid things will turn ugly for me."

Qiuxi was shocked. "You can wait, but can the baby? Even if you can’t be his legal wife, being a concubine would be something! A son born to a concubine is still far better than a bastard, isn’t he?"

At this, Chun’er broke down and started to sob uncontrollably again.

Seeing her like this, Qiuxi dropped to her knees. "I beg you, my lady, please help Chun’er."

Liang Wan was not surprised by Qiuxi’s action. The once bright and beautiful Chun’er was now sallow and gaunt; even someone with a heart of stone would feel pity upon seeing her, let alone the naturally soft-hearted Qiuxi.

Besides, in Qiuxi’s eyes, this was simply a case of a secret love affair.

Chun’er covered her face, her sobs growing more heartbroken. It was impossible to tell if she was crying for her own fate or for the guilt in her heart.

Liang Wan remained unmoved. She only looked at Qiuxi, her voice as light as a feather. "From what I recall, didn’t Chun’er bully you quite often in the past?"

"Yes," Qiuxi nodded.

Liang Wan put down her cup and looked at her earnestly. "You don’t hate her?"

Qiuxi thought for a moment and shook her head gently. "Chun’er and I are different. She wasn’t as fortunate as I was. I grew up by your side, my lady, so I know your temperament better than anyone. But Chun’er entered the mansion late, and her life before was full of hardship.

"That’s why she was always so competitive and assertive, afraid that one day someone would take her place in your favor. If I were to hold a grudge against her for that, it would not only add to your troubles, my lady, but also make my own life unhappy."

Seeing Liang Wan remain silent, Qiuxi added, "I know Chun’er was in the wrong, but if you don’t help her now, my lady, she and her child will truly have no hope left."

Liang Wan gazed quietly at the girl before her, at her clear, pure eyes, and her own heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

’Chun’er’s current downfall is exactly what I orchestrated.’

’In my heart, I can never forgive them. In fact, this is far from enough. But how can I bear to refuse the person who risked her own life to save me?’

’Or maybe... for the sake of that light I once saw in my own eyes, I can take this one gamble.’

Liang Wan stood up, looking down at Chun’er, her voice as cool as the autumn wind. "I’ll help you."

Chun’er tilted her head up, staring blankly at Liang Wan. ’She really agreed? Just like that?’

Liang Wan looked down at her, the corners of her lips hinting at a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Is there anything else you have to say to me?"

Chun’er snapped back to reality and immediately prostrated herself. "Thank you for your immense grace, my lady! I will spend my next life repaying this debt."

In the covered carriage, Liang Wan closed her eyes, feigning sleep.

Suddenly, Qiuxi stood and knelt before her with a THUD.

Liang Wan slowly opened her eyes. "Now what?"

"I overstepped my bounds."

Qiuxi blinked her watery eyes, her body swaying slightly with the carriage’s jolts, yet she remained stubbornly upright on her knees.

Liang Wan sighed, pulling her up with a sense of helplessness. ’This one’s a fool, too!’

"You should save this energy for something more useful."

With that, Liang Wan closed her eyes again. ’Not everyone in this world deserves to have their evil repaid with kindness!’

The covered carriage stopped abruptly, and the two of them were thrown forward.

Liang Wan lifted the curtain to see they had collided with another carriage. ’The East Market really is crowded with people and carriages.’

Before Qiuxi could even steady herself, someone in the other carriage started shouting. Their own driver was a spirited man; convinced he wasn’t at fault, he leaped down and began to argue with the other driver.

Liang Wan rubbed her temples, feeling helpless. ’I was hoping to use this outing to find Zhou Yun, but it looks like that’s not happening now.’

More and more people stopped to watch. The two drivers cursed enthusiastically, and the onlookers watched with great interest. The strange thing was that the masters in both carriages showed no reaction.

Qiuxi looked out, wanting to go down and mediate. "Please wait a moment, my lady. I will go and make peace. After all, they are from the Princess Mansion, so they’re not exactly strangers."

’Princess Mansion?’

Liang Wan lowered her hand and asked, surprised, "Which princess?"

"Princess Lanling. It might be Lady Feng. I’ll go take a look."

’Isn’t this the perfect opportunity falling right into my lap?’

Liang Wan smiled. "No need. I’ll go myself."

Qiuxi didn’t object. After all, Lady Feng and her mistress, the Third Lady, had been good friends since childhood. It was just strange that the two hadn’t been in contact lately. Now that they’d run into each other, wasn’t it the perfect chance for them to catch up and joke around?

Holding a hand fan and supported by Qiuxi, Liang Wan slowly alighted from the carriage. The moment she appeared, the clamorous crowd fell silent, their gazes turning to her in curiosity and silent admiration.

Liang Wan was long used to this kind of attention. She walked to the opposite carriage as if no one else was there and knocked lightly on the window.

"Are we leaving yet?" a petulant voice called from inside, laced with impatience.

No sooner had the words been spoken than the curtain was lifted, revealing a face of stunning beauty.

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