Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Sinister Intentions

’No matter how dark it was in that rockery, how could anyone mistake Liang Zhang for Cui Hao?!’

’What in the world was going on? And where had Cui Hao gone?’

Liang Wan exchanged a look with Qiuxi. Evidently, they were both completely in the dark.

But Liang Wan wasn’t the only one who was shocked.

The groom, who was supposed to be in his wedding chamber, had instead run off to a rockery for a tryst with a maid. Everyone was left gaping in astonishment!

Liang Cheng looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He stood stunned for a long moment, then shakily pointed at the whimpering, struggling figure.

Mrs. Zhang shoved Qiuxi aside and lunged toward Liang Zhang, then roared at the stunned servants, "What are you waiting for? Untie the young master!"

Though inwardly startled, Liang Wan saw her chance.

She very thoughtfully removed the rag from Liang Zhang’s mouth, her brow furrowed in a display of utter heartbreak. "Oh, Brother, how could you be so foolish? Your beautiful bride is waiting for you in the wedding chamber, but you... why did you have to sneak into a rockery with a maid? If you really like her, you could have just asked Aunt to let you take her into your rooms on another day. Wouldn’t that have been the proper way to do things?"

"Shut up!" Liang Zhang roared at her, his eyes red. "I... I was framed!"

Mrs. Zhang shot Liang Wan a venomous glare but couldn’t be bothered to argue, focusing instead on untying Liang Zhang.

The onlookers shook their heads, their faces filled with disgust and contempt. He always looked so respectable, but his actions were anything but!

First, he’d publicly assaulted a lady from a scholarly family, and now he was secretly carrying on with a maid. To cause such a scandal on his own wedding day—and for everyone to find out—made Liang Cheng livid.

"This disgraceful son!"

Liang Cheng lunged, ready to give him a kick.

Liang Jing quickly had someone stop him. ’Originally,’ she thought, ’I assumed that since it had nothing to do with Liang Wan, it was just some unruly servant. We could have just beaten her to death later and that would be the end of it. It would cause a stir, but what family doesn’t have a few wicked servants? But now... it involves the Liang Family’s only legitimate son. We certainly can’t beat *him* to death, but his reputation...’

"Uncle," Liang Jing said, stepping forward to placate him, "if you ask me, someone probably took advantage of Ashang being drunk to set this up. He’s always been impulsive, but he would never cause a scene on such an important day. Or perhaps this maid simply got ambitious and hatched this scheme to ruin her master."

She spoke in a calm, unhurried manner, her demeanor suggesting she thought nothing of the incident.

"Sister’s point is a good one. It must be that Ziyan developed ambitions she shouldn’t have. Not only did she seduce Brother, but after being exposed, she even tried to frame me!"

Liang Wan turned, yanked the cloth from Ziyan’s mouth, and nodded repeatedly, though her eyes were utterly frigid.

Liang Cheng naturally understood Liang Jing’s intention and immediately took the excuse she offered. After all, which young master from a wealthy family didn’t have a few romantic dalliances in his youth? It could all be brushed off later with a simple "young and foolish."

"This scheming, treacherous wretch! Tie her up and take her to the woodshed! I’ll deal with her personally later!"

Suddenly able to speak, Ziyan, who had been whimpering for some time, burst into tears and rushed to defend herself. "No, Second Madam, you know I’m innocent—"

Liang Zhang turned his head and cursed, "Pah! You’re innocent? I’d bet it was you! I only slept with you once, and you latched onto me, desperately trying to make me take you in. And now you dare to pull a stunt like this to force my hand? Let me tell you, a wretched thing like you can just forget about it!"

’The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He used to think this girl was tactful and amusing. Who would’ve thought she’d go rotten after just one night together? When begging him failed, she resorted to playing dirty tricks behind his back?!’

"Second Madam, you have to speak up for me! I only did this for you—"

"Silence!"

Mrs. Zhang’s face instantly drained of color. She glared at Ziyan. "You wretched girl! After I’ve treated you so well all this time, how dare you do something so shameful behind my back!"

Liang Wan watched with a cold gaze. ’I know exactly what they’re plotting,’ she thought. ’They can’t be allowed to sweep this under the rug so easily, can they?’

"Ziyan, why did you have to do this? Aunt is usually such a gentle and kind person. If you truly wanted to be with my brother, you could have just pleaded with her, and she might have agreed. But look at you, using such lowly tricks and making her so angry. And after she’s always been so good to you! You’re such a disappointment!"

Ziyan glared at her, her eyes bloodshot. "The one having the affair in the rockery was clearly you! I heard everything! You must have discovered me and, fearing your affair would be exposed, knocked me unconscious! Second Madam, you know I’m innocent! You can’t abandon me..."

This—

Liang Wan was the one having an affair with Liang Zhang? The expressions on the faces of the crowd grew exceedingly strange.

Liang Wan pointed at Ziyan, shaking her head. "Really now. If you’re going to make up a lie, at least make it a decent one. Are you implying that my brother and I... Are those words even fit for a human mouth?"

Mrs. Zhang looked at Ziyan with a complex expression. ’Part of me wants her to talk, but I’m terrified of what she’ll say next. It’s obvious Liang Wan orchestrated this. If this drags on, the situation will spiral out of control. If the truth gets out...’

Ziyan rushed to explain, "No, what I meant was that the Third Lady was having an affair with Cui Hao! It’s true! I really heard it!"

’No matter what the truth is,’ Liang Jing thought, ’the only possible story now is that this maid had sinister intentions.’ She shot Ziyan an icy glare. "You heard it? A wretched maid like you, after committing such a disgusting act, still dares to stand here and relentlessly slander your masters!"

Liang Cheng was growing very impatient. ’In the past, I might have listened to a maid’s words and grown suspicious. But now... I know Liang Wan all too well. Her ability to climb the social ladder is second to none. Why would she ever give Cui Hao the time of day?’

’That fool Cui, on the other hand, doesn’t know what’s good for him. He’s come to pester her several times, but he was always chased off.’

Liang Cheng’s voice deepened. "Drag this wretched maid away! Spouting nonsense here, first framing the young master, then slandering the young lady. If it weren’t improper to see blood on a day like today, I’d have this treacherous servant beaten to death with rods!"

Liang Wan glanced at Mrs. Zhang, a glint of steel in her eyes. "Uncle, for her to cause such trouble in the manor, she might have been incited by someone. Why don’t we report this to the government office and have them investigate thoroughly? We can find out who the real mastermind is—"

She deliberately drew out her last word, her gaze toward Liang Cheng full of hidden meaning.

It wasn’t that Liang Cheng hadn’t considered it. Perhaps with all the recent happy events in his family, someone had grown jealous and wanted to cause trouble. But he also had a nagging feeling that something was off. He was just about to ask Mrs. Zhang when he turned his head and saw her shifty eyes. In that instant, he understood...

"I will investigate this matter personally! That’s final!" Liang Cheng waved his hand dismissively, his tone leaving no room for argument. He then shot a look at Mrs. Zhang. "Aren’t you going to get this disgrace out of here?"

Mrs. Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though she was still fuming inside. She had people help Liang Zhang back to his room.

Only then did Liang Cheng turn around and apologize to the crowd. "For such a ridiculous incident to occur in our home today, I am utterly ashamed. It has also spoiled everyone’s mood for drinking. I will be sure to host a banquet on another day to make it up to you all!"

With that, he gave a deep bow.

They had eaten and drunk their fill, and the drama had been exciting. The guests exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries and began to leave the manor in small groups.

Liang Jing also began to escort a lady from the He Family back to her rooms.

Qiuxi approached, her brow furrowed with worry.

A slow smile spread across Liang Wan’s lips.

"Second Madam, this is terrible! The Fourth Lady has been abducted—"

A maid came stumbling toward them, crying as she ran, her words choked with sobs.

The guests who were about to leave stopped in their tracks.

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