Chapter 78: Chapter 78: New Love and Old Flame

’If I’m not mistaken, that gentle and graceful woman must be Cao Luyun, and the one glaring at me defensively is Cao Danqing.’

’Though I knew meeting was inevitable, I didn’t expect it to be so soon.’

Liang Wan smiled faintly and looked at Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun was about to speak, but someone else beat him to it.

"What, you don’t even recognize the First Beauty of Jinye?" Liang Zhang snickered maliciously.

"What?! You—you’re that Liang Wan!"

Cao Danqing’s eyes went wide as she pointed at Liang Wan, while Cao Luyun was also stunned into silence.

Liang Wan secretly shot Liang Zhang a glare. ’He really just wants to watch the world burn.’

Zhou Yun silently regretted being so engrossed in conversation that he’d forgotten about this chaotic scene of a new love meeting an old one. He glanced anxiously into the distance, but there was no sign of that person.

Liang Wan had no choice but to brace herself, smile, and offer a greeting. "My brother was just joking. My apologies for the scene."

Cao Luyun was the first to recover, and she returned the courtesy with a polite smile.

"Sister, why are you being so polite to her? Don’t you know how she seduced the Grand Commandant in public?" Cao Danqing said angrily, yanking Cao Luyun back and glaring fiercely at Liang Wan.

Zhou Yun frowned. "Cao Danqing, that’s incredibly rude! Apologize to Third Lady Liang!"

"Zhou Yun! How could you speak up for her? You actually want me to apologize to this shameless person?!"

Zhou Yun’s words only made things worse; Cao Danqing flew into a rage.

"Sister Qing—"

Perhaps because he rarely saw Zhou Yun look so stern, the young man stepped forward and shot Cao Danqing a meaningful look.

Cao Luyun pushed Cao Danqing’s hand away, her beautiful eyes filled with apology. "Third Lady Liang, it is our fault for spoiling her. Please forgive us."

As she spoke, she gave a deep bow. Her speech was gentle and her demeanor graceful.

Cao Danqing stomped her foot in anger, her cheeks flushed. "Sister, she’s the one who should be apologizing!"

Cao Luyun’s voice turned cold. "Be quiet. Have you forgotten what Father taught us? How can a lady of the Cao Family bring shame upon our name?"

Liang Wan lowered her eyes and gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. ’Well said.’

"Young Master Zhou, Third Lady Cao, we’ll take our leave first."

She glanced at the stunned Qiuxi and said simply, "Let’s go."

Liang Zhang, enjoying the drama, followed them with a cold sneer, shaking his head.

"Stop right there!"

Liang Wan froze. Someone had grabbed her clothes from behind with a grip nearly as strong as her own, and she couldn’t break free.

Cao Danqing’s voice was vicious. "My sister and the Grand Commandant are about to be engaged! What are you doing here? Did you come to cause trouble? You’re not welcome here. Get out right now!"

"Young Master!" she added, shouting at the young man. "This is your house! Order your people to throw her out! Hurry!"

The young man looked at Cao Danqing, then at Zhou Yun, his expression troubled.

’Logically, the Liang Family wasn’t on the guest list,’ he thought. ’But for some reason, they’re here!’

"Cao Danqing, have you caused enough trouble?"

Zhou Yun’s face darkened.

Cao Luyun hurried forward, apologizing to Liang Wan while quietly scolding Cao Danqing.

Qiuxi wanted to step forward to help but was stopped by a look from Liang Wan. Liang Zhang, meanwhile, stood to the side with his arms crossed, gloating.

Liang Wan turned around. Despite Cao Luyun’s quiet scolding, Cao Danqing still clung to her clothes, refusing to let go. A quick glance around revealed that they were drawing a crowd.

Liang Wan shoved Cao Luyun aside, grabbed Cao Danqing’s wrist, and squeezed hard, causing her to yelp in pain and immediately let go.

Caught off guard, Cao Luyun stumbled from Liang Wan’s sudden push and nearly fell, but someone caught her.

"You—you dare to pinch me?!"

Puffing her cheeks, Cao Danqing was about to lunge forward but was held back by the young man, who grabbed her around the waist.

"You’re finally here!"

Zhou Yun strode forward as if he had just seen his savior.

Cao Luyun, her face shy, took two steps back to make way. She gave a gentle bow and said, "Thank you, Grand Commandant."

"What are you all doing?" he asked, ignoring her and directing his gaze at Zhou Yun.

"Didn’t you see? She was bullying me and my sister! She not only pinched me, but she almost pushed my sister down!"

As Cao Danqing spoke, she held up her left hand for all to see. On her fair skin, the red pinch mark was exceptionally stark.

Cao Luyun gasped and hurried over to check Cao Danqing’s hand.

Lu Xiu’s gaze fell on Liang Wan’s face. "Did you lay a hand on them?"

Seeing this, Cao Danqing lifted her chin at Liang Wan, looking rather smug.

Cao Luyun pulled Cao Danqing back and hurriedly explained to Lu Xiu, "Grand Commandant, this isn’t Third Lady Liang’s fault. Danqing was the one who spoke rudely first. It’s our fault!"

Zhou Yun chimed in, "This is indeed a misunderstanding—"

Lu Xiu glanced at Zhou Yun, who was standing in his way, and his gaze returned to the person on the fringe of the group. "I’m asking you."

His voice was low and cool, betraying no emotion.

Liang Wan remembered what she had said the day she left—that she would keep her distance from him. ’In that case...’

She lowered her head, bowing respectfully to Cao Danqing and Cao Luyun in apology. "I was reckless just now. I hope that you, Third Lady Cao and Fifth Miss Cao, can be magnanimous and overlook my offense."

After speaking, she bowed to Lu Xiu as well and turned to leave without waiting for their response.

Qiuxi bowed and was about to follow, but the person in front of her suddenly stopped.

Liang Wan turned her head and said to Cao Luyun, "Look at all the noble sons in this capital. Which of them doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? You should know that not everyone is like the General of Cavalry, who was devoted to Princess Shaoyang alone, even in death. If you, Third Lady Cao, lack the tolerance for other women, then you’d best keep a tight leash on your man. Otherwise, I won’t be the only woman in the world you’ll have to guard against!"

When she finished, she lowered her gaze with a small smile and walked away without a backward glance, completely ignoring Cao Danqing’s shrieking behind her.

Liang Zhang, having enjoyed the show, snapped out of his daze and immediately chased after her.

Liang Wan walked at a measured pace. Qiuxi followed beside her, holding the Jade Plate, wanting to offer some comfort but not knowing what to say. She too was filled with disappointment. ’And to think just a few days ago I said the Grand Commandant cared for the Lady!’

Qiuxi felt a knot of frustration in her chest. ’No wonder the Lady said I’d understand once we came to the banquet,’ she thought. ’So this is how it is...’

’There’s no hope with any of them!’

Liang Zhang caught up to them in long strides and sneered, "Aren’t you usually so good at fawning and currying favor? Why aren’t you crawling to him and begging like you did at the Peach Blossom Banquet?"

"That’s enough, Young Master," Qiuxi said. "Outsiders were humiliating the Lady, and you, her own brother, just stood by and watched the show. Aren’t you ashamed?"

Qiuxi stood protectively in front of Liang Wan, completely unafraid.

"Heh, you little slut! How dare you glare at me like that? You’ve got a death wish! Watch me peel your skin off!"

Liang Zhang raised his hand to slap her.

Taking him by surprise, Liang Wan kicked him in the knee.

Liang Zhang cried out in pain. He looked up, his eyes flashing with malice. "Bitch!"

Liang Wan pulled Qiuxi back and said coldly, "Brother, you should take a good look around. This is the Duke Wei Mansion, not our Liang Mansion. If you cause trouble here, who do you think will dare to protect you?"

Liang Zhang, in his fury, was in no mood to listen. The thought that Ajiao was gone and their mother was under house arrest because of her fueled his rage. Just as he was about to lunge again, a sharp, high-pitched voice suddenly rang out.

"The Empress arrives!"

Liang Zhang’s expression changed instantly, and he dropped to his knees.

Liang Wan looked over. On the high Dragon Chariot, Gao Qian was slouched, dressed in a cyan Dragon Robe, his expression dark and severe.

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