Chapter Nineteen: Birds of a Feather

Liang Shanru had quite a few belongings—three or four boxes of varying sizes. When she left, she saw Liang Baoqi chasing after her at the mansion gate but was pulled back by one of Madam Zhou’s maids. The Marquis and Marchioness of Changle did not appear again from beginning to end.

The attendants were responsible for delivering the boxes to the General’s residence. Liang Shanru decided to have Nong Yun accompany her, instructing her to settle everything properly and then go directly to the merchant house to purchase servants.

Zhou Shen noticed how orderly she managed everything and only after the carriage had driven some distance did he ask, “What exactly happened with that woman from the Liang family?”

He had overheard her using the Xu family as leverage and was curious.

“It’s a matter inside the household. She was unruly, so the Old Madam Hu punished her.” Since it involved Xu Yunxuan, even when speaking to Zhou Shen, she was reluctant to elaborate, not wanting to sully Xu Yunxuan’s reputation without cause. She spoke vaguely, “Originally, Old Madam Hu ordered the Liang family to send her out of the city for six months, whether to the Liang family estate or the ancestral temple. Yesterday, she was indeed sent away, but now she’s been brought back.”

Zhou Shen thought that explained it.

Her earlier sigh was merely envy that, despite Liang Baoqi’s mischief and shame, he still had parental protection, with every effort made to spare the child hardship.

As for her reluctance to elaborate, Zhou Shen could guess some of the truth and did not press further. He only offered a few words of comfort: “I see you packed so many things. I suppose these were prepared by your mother. Each item is exquisite. She must have put great care into them.”

Mentioning her mother, Liang Shanru’s smile grew warm. “Yes, Mother always worried I wouldn’t take good care of things. Many were replaced several times before she let me keep them. After she passed, Father would add good things to my quarters whenever he obtained something.”

She never mentioned the Marquis and Marchioness of Changle. Zhou Shen recalled that in the past three or four years, the things Liang Zheng and Madam Zhou had given her could be counted on one hand. If they had no shame, they wouldn’t have given her anything at all, but rather withheld countless things.

However, her mood was good, no longer as low as when entering the Marquis’s residence. Zhou Shen felt somewhat relieved. “What do you plan to do next?”

The word “wait” was on the tip of her tongue, but she changed it to a question, “Uncle Zhou, when will you return? You are the Military Commissioner of Huainan. It wouldn’t do to be away from your post too long, right?”

Zhou Shen laughed heartily. “No matter. My trip to Yangzhou is official business. I said I would inspect the garrison, so I can take a little time in the next couple of days to visit the troops. Even if I stay for ten or fifteen days, it won’t be a problem.”

Besides, the Third Prince had his backing.

Moreover, he had held office for many years and was well-liked; no one would secretly set traps or file baseless accusations against him.

He understood what Liang Shanru worried about and reassured her: “You don’t need to concern yourself with those things. Just say what you plan to do. The Marquis of Changle threatened several times to report me, but do you think I fear him?”

The court was short on capable military generals. When Liang Ji was still alive, things were better. After his downfall, the ruler likely harbored doubts. Those who had followed Liang Ji as much as possible had laid low. Now, the only people to rely on were those like Zhou Shen.

Plus, he had served as Military Commissioner of Huainan for six or seven years and had confidence in his position.

Only then did Liang Shanru relax. “Then I will wait.”

Zhou Shen raised an eyebrow. “Wait for your aunt to arrive in Yangzhou?”

She smiled with eyes curved like the moon. “Yes. You will be busy with military affairs these days. If my aunt finds anything she can’t handle, she will still rely on you.”

Once the Liang family returned to Yangzhou, they probably wouldn’t need him anymore.

Having married into the Duke of Xin’s residence for so many years, favored by the elderly duke and duchess for bearing three sons and two daughters, she was respected in the capital. What could the Marquis and Marchioness of Changle dare do to her? She was no longer the little girl bullied by her eldest brother.

So he simply said, “Very well,” and said no more.

·

The Liang family arrived in Yangzhou at dusk the next day.

As twilight approached and the sun set behind the western hills, two inconspicuous carriages entered the city gate and made their way to Zhongyi Square. When no one was paying attention, they stopped in front of the General’s residence.

Liang Shanru had been waiting early by the gatehouse and hurried out to greet them.

Madam Liang was just stepping down from the carriage.

Everything inside the General’s residence was arranged impeccably. Lanterns hung high by the gate, their glow mingling with the sunset to reveal the visitors clearly.

Madam Liang, in her early forties, was well-preserved, a noblewoman who looked both youthful and dignified.

She wore splendid brocade robes and red hairpins that jingled softly. Before she even reached the steps, Liang Shanru lifted her skirts and ran to throw herself into her arms.

Madam Liang’s nose tingled as she opened her arms to embrace her. “So many years have passed, and you’ve grown so much. Your brother and sister-in-law must be very happy.”

“Aunt.” Tears already brimmed on Liang Shanru’s face.

Bound by blood, she still longed for and wanted to rely on family.

Seeing her aunt in person, Liang Shanru realized she could never forget so many grievances.

Madam Liang noticed her shoulders trembling and touched them with her fingertips. Sure enough, they were damp. She pulled her out and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “It’s cold out; the wind will dry out your skin. No more grievances now. Aunt is here. From now on, you won’t suffer anymore.”

In her previous life, when she died at the Dingwu Marquis’s residence, her aunt had followed her uncle to another prefecture for duty. What happened afterwards, she did not know.

But at this moment, Liang Shanru was certain that once her aunt learned of her death, she would have gone to the Marquis’s residence to demand justice!

She cried and laughed at once, her aunt holding her hand and soothing her.

Behind them, a young gentleman stepped forward slowly. When Liang Shanru’s gaze landed on the man to her left, it stiffened suddenly. His face, shrouded in dim light, revealed no joy nor anger—only drooping eyelids that concealed all fury and hatred.

·

“Long time no see, cousin. Yet the moment we meet, you’re already crying, just like when you were little and loved to act spoiled.”

The first to speak was Madam Liang’s second son, Pei Jingxing. At seventeen, he had not yet joined the court but was a handsome and outstanding young man.

Among the three full brothers, he was the most likable in temperament, livelier than his elder brother and steadier than his younger.

Liang Shanru, hearing this, burrowed deeper into her aunt’s embrace, refusing to look up.

Madam Liang thought she was just shy and chided her son, “Young girls have thin skin; don’t tease Chuchu.”

No one had called her by her childhood nickname in many years, and Liang Shanru’s eyes reddened again.

Madam Liang continued, “This is the heir of the Duke of Xin’s residence. A few years ago, he even delivered gifts to you on behalf of the Third Prince in Yangzhou. I don’t know if you’ve met, Chuchu, do you recognize him?”

Liang Shanru clenched her fists tightly.

How could she not recognize him?

Pei Yanzhou, heir to the Duke of Xin’s residence, adopted son of Noble Consort Xu, a twenty-one-year-old official in the Ministry of Personnel—the mere mention of any of these titles was infinitely prestigious.

Yet her deep impression of Pei Yanzhou was because he was the Third Prince’s lackey and henchman.

He and the Third Prince were cut from the same cloth. If someone like Zhou Shen might be an insider unaware of the full picture, Pei Yanzhou was undoubtedly a player himself, perhaps even the mastermind behind some of the Third Prince’s schemes!

She truly despised the Third Prince, and just as fiercely, she hated him.

Such emotions surged violently, making it hard for Liang Shanru to calm herself quickly. She could only bury herself in her aunt’s embrace to avoid detection.

Pei Yanzhou’s gaze never left her, but the young girl refused even to raise her head. His eyes darkened. “I’ve come several times but only met my cousin once. Maybe you don’t remember me.”

Who was his cousin? They were no relation!

Yet for the Third Prince, he was willing to humble himself and claim kinship with her.

Liang Shanru gritted her teeth but remained silent.

Seeing this, Madam Liang patted her back to ease the tension. “You could call him cousin; it wouldn’t be wrong. We’ve just arrived. In a few days, when you get to know each other better, it will be fine. Let’s go home first.”