Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Give an Inch, Take a Mile

Liang Wan’s hand paused on her sash. For a moment, she didn’t know how to explain.

Seeing her silence, Qiuxi simply took the sash from her hands and helped her tie it. "You don’t know this, my lady, but the day you were in trouble, the Grand Commandant didn’t say a word before taking his men to chase after you. I truly feel he cares about you."

Liang Wan furrowed her brows. Lu Xiu was indeed somewhat different from her previous life. In this lifetime, whether he admitted it or had ulterior motives, he had undoubtedly saved her. Such a thing would have been absolutely impossible in her past life. But to use this as proof that he cared? That was the biggest joke in the world.

Liang Wan sighed. "Don’t say such things again. The Grand Commandant only saved me because I saved the Grandmaster."

Qiuxi looked up, arguing anxiously, "That’s not the same—"

Some things were far too tedious to explain. Besides, knowing too much wasn’t necessarily a good thing; Qiuxi only needed to live her own life well from now on.

Liang Wan lowered her head again to tidy her clothes. "There’s no difference. The Grand Commandant is about to get engaged to the Lady of Chancellor Cao’s family. In two days, I’ll take you to the banquet, and you’ll understand."

"Ah?" Qiuxi was instantly disappointed but still didn’t want to give up. "Then... what about Young Master Zhou?"

Liang Wan shook her head and chuckled. Qiuxi seemed to have a true obsession with women getting married.

As they spoke, the outer room’s door opened. Liang Wan patted Qiuxi and gave her a look, signaling her to put the medicinal ointment away while she went out first. Just as Liang Wan opened the inner door, the visitors had already reached the threshold.

It was Uncle Liang Cheng, followed by the matriarch of the He Family. This was rather unexpected.

"Why hide in your room the moment you get back, with the door shut so tightly?" Liang Cheng said, craning his neck to peek inside.

Seeing this, Liang Wan generously stepped aside, letting him look his fill. "Uncle Cheng, you might not know this, but there are so many Min Ruan on that mountain. At night, it was impossible to defend against them, and I was bitten until I was covered in red, itchy bumps. The nuns have lived there for a long time and are used to it, so they had no good remedies. That’s why, the moment I got back, I had Qiuxi quickly bring out the ointment to apply, lest they leave scars."

Liang Cheng nodded in sudden understanding. "No wonder there’s such a strong smell of medicine."

Liang Wan smiled. "Exactly, it’s quite pungent. Let’s go talk in the outer room!"

With that, she turned and instructed Qiuxi to open the windows for some fresh air and to burn some orchid incense while she was at it. While calling for the young maid outside to serve tea, Liang Wan tilted her head and asked, "Uncle Cheng, Mother, what brings you to see me?"

Liang Cheng glanced at the matriarch of the He Family. "I happened to run into your mother at the door. Perhaps, like me, she wants to ask about your trip to the Purple Cloud Temple to offer Buddha statues on behalf of the Empress."

Liang Wan cast a doubtful glance at them. Looking at their hesitant expressions, she suspected that wasn’t necessarily the case. Putting on an act, she nodded. "Going to the Purple Cloud Temple was indeed sudden, but not exactly unexpected. Our dynasty has always placed great importance on worshipping Buddha. Since the Emperor ascended the throne, who knows how many temples have been built? I’m afraid there are fewer people working in the fields than there are chanting scriptures in the temples."

"Awan! You must not say such things!" the matriarch of the He Family interrupted with a cold face.

Liang Cheng glanced at the matriarch of the He Family. He knew she worshipped Buddha and couldn’t stand hearing such disrespectful words toward Buddha. However, even though he didn’t believe in Buddha, words like these were indeed likely to invite disaster. "Awan, the Empress values you so highly. Asking you to go to the Purple Cloud Temple is a tremendous honor. It brings glory to our Liang Mansion. You absolutely cannot complain!"

Knowing she was in the wrong and admitting it, Liang Wan lowered her head in full cooperation. "Yes."

Seeing her good attitude, Liang Cheng was very satisfied, but he still hesitated over what he had to say next. "There is one more thing. It’s about Ashang."

Liang Zhang?

Liang Wan sneered inwardly but feigned ignorance on her face. "What’s wrong with Brother?"

Liang Cheng gave an awkward smile. "Your Brother has done quite a few foolish things in the past, but no man is a saint, and who can be without faults? He has grown a lot now. Since you are currently favored by the Empress, see if you can find a suitable opportunity to put in a few good words for him in front of her. After all, he is the only male heir of our Liang Family lineage. Sigh—"

He let out a heavy sigh at the end, his exhausted face revealing his old age. Liang Wan cast a stealthy glance at him, completely unmoved. She acted as if she wanted to speak but stopped herself, appearing somewhat troubled.

The matriarch of the He Family said, "Your Aunt was indeed in the wrong, but Ajiao is gone now. We should learn to forgive and let things go. Besides, your Uncle Cheng and Aunt have taken care of us all these years. Now that our Liang Family is going from bad to worse, just think of a way for the sake of your Awen and Father. No matter what, Ashang is your brother!"

Liang Wan nodded. "Mother is right, but I wonder if you have asked Sister about this?"

The matriarch of the He Family was taken aback. "It’s not like you don’t know. Ajing is having a hard time at the Marquis Wen Mansion. She has to serve her husband’s parents above and manage the household affairs below. The Princely Heir is sick, and Chang Heng is still small. I’d be thanking the heavens if she could just manage to live her own life well right now."

Liang Wan slowly raised her eyes. "Yes, Sister does not have it easy."

"Indeed. Now, you are the only one this household can count on," Liang Cheng sighed and groaned, constantly shaking his head. "Our Liang Family has truly declined."

Liang Wan gave a faint smile and offered Liang Cheng gentle words of comfort. "Don’t say that, Uncle Cheng. I see that Ashang’s wife manages our mansion in perfect order. In a year or two, she will surely be able to bear children and add to our Liang Family’s numbers. How could we possibly decline?"

Seeing that Liang Wan refused to yield, Liang Cheng’s face turned somewhat ugly.

Turning a blind eye, Liang Wan continued, "However, to be honest, when I came back today and took a sudden look, our mansion is indeed quite desolate. I didn’t notice it normally, but you truly don’t know without a comparison. How about this? Why don’t you take in a few more concubines for Brother? It would add some liveliness to our mansion."

Liang Cheng glared at her without a word. He wanted to lash out but could only endure it. Liang Wan wore a faint, almost imperceptible smile, but her lowered dark eyes were filled with icy coldness.

How could the matriarch of the He Family not hear the hidden daggers in her words? Her tone was displeased. "Awan, your Uncle Cheng is talking about his official career, not the inner household."

Liang Wan glanced at Liang Cheng, shaking her head and sighing. "I naturally understand Uncle Cheng’s intentions, but you all know that what happened that night has spread throughout all of Jinye City. The Empress resides deep in the harem and places great importance on these matters—"

"If you don’t want to help, just say it straight! Don’t beat around the bush with me here!" Liang Cheng finally couldn’t hold it back anymore, his face changing completely. "Don’t use reputation as an excuse. You disdain Ashang for having a bad reputation, but was your reputation any better than his back then? Didn’t you rely on the Empress to suppress it for you? Now that it’s about Ashang, you start making all sorts of excuses! Awan, you can’t forget your roots as a person!"

After speaking, he turned his back, panting heavily from anger.

Liang Wan lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. That was true. Speaking of reputation, whose could possibly be worse than hers? Whenever she was recognized, women would immediately come up to spit on and hurl insults at her, while men would surround her and get handsy... She had no dignity, no face left!

Liang Wan took a deep breath, raised her eyes, and gave a faint smile. "I hadn’t even finished speaking. Why must you get so angry, Uncle Cheng?"

Liang Cheng looked highly suspicious. "What do you mean?"

"I meant to say that Brother’s matter caused too much of a stir. Rather than having me put in a good word for him, it would be better for them to meet face-to-face. As long as Brother performs well, wouldn’t that be more effective than anything else?"

"Meet face-to-face?" Liang Cheng’s eyes bulged in utter disbelief.

Liang Wan smiled brightly and nodded gently. "I just hadn’t gotten the chance to say it yet. In two days, the Empress will leave the palace. When that time comes, let Brother go together with me!"

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