Chapter Twelve: A Thousand Taels of Silver

The next day, Liang Shanru and Zhou Shen rose early.

As the morning mist dissipated, the sky truly cleared.

The heavy clouds parted, revealing the golden sun; the icicles hanging under the eaves showed signs of melting, and the occasional drip of water could be heard.

It took only a quarter of an hour from Zhou Shen’s separate residence to the Marquis of Changle’s manor.

The Marquis of Changle’s residence seemed unusually lively today. The servant on duty at the gate had been bustling since dawn and now, seeing the Zhou family carriage stop outside the gate, folded his hands behind his back and hurried forward to welcome them.

Zhou Shen was the first to step down from the carriage, his gaze sharp and unyielding as he offered his arm to help Liang Shanru alight.

As she stepped down, she noticed the round-faced servant and casually asked, “Has the manor received many guests today?”

The servant nodded, “They’ve been busy since early morning. I heard from inside that fine tea and pastries were brought to the main hall. I’ve never seen Madam so gracious.”

That was exactly the kind of person Madam Zhou was.

The Marquis’s poor relatives were numerous. In the past, whenever they came to visit, Madam Zhou was always impatient, almost wishing she could bar them from the gate altogether because she knew they were only there to mooch money, never showing a kind face.

Hearing this, Zhou Shen gave a noncommittal hum, while Liang Shanru remained calm as ever.

Once they entered the manor and reached the main hall, where all the people were gathered, Liang Shanru clicked her tongue.

Her voice was not low, and everyone in the room heard it clearly. The Marquis of Changle’s face fell; if not for his fear of Zhou Shen, he would have shouted again.

The atmosphere had already turned hostile. Madam Zhou, unwilling to lose face to Liang Shanru, sat silently, sighing as she called out to Shanru, “You say you want to sever ties with the Liang family. The clan elders are all here today. Yesterday, how did you dare to act so arrogantly in front of your eldest uncle and me? Say it again now.”

She seemed to suffer a great grievance. As her words fell, she lowered her head to wipe away tears, her sobs neither too loud nor too soft, but just enough to reach every ear present.

Liang Shanru tilted her head to look at her. “Madam, what grievance do you have? Over the years, under the pretext of raising me, you’ve controlled the dowry left by my mother, withheld the rewards my father earned over the years, and even managed the shops and estates from my mother’s dowry.

I know nothing of the proceeds. You and Liang Baoqi’s mother have been commissioning new clothes and adornments every season — where do you think the money comes from?

After all these years of benefits you’ve enjoyed, how have you become the ones wronged now?”

Madam Zhou’s sobs froze mid-air.

Before she could respond, the white-haired elder sitting to her left spoke sternly, “You have not yet renounced the Liang surname; you are still a Liang by birth. How dare you speak so to your elders? Is this how your parents taught you manners?”

Liang Shanru narrowed her eyes, about to reply, but Zhou Shen silently shielded her from behind with a subtle gesture. “Shanru lost her mother at seven and her father at twelve. She is now sixteen. According to the Marquis and his wife, they have diligently educated her all these years. If Shanru is unruly now, it is certainly not their fault.”

The elder shot him a sharp look. “Commander Zhou, you hold a high and powerful position, but must you meddle in others’ family affairs?

I heard there was a serious fight at the manor yesterday, someone was injured. I always thought this girl was quiet and obedient in recent years, but now I see she has your backing.”

He suddenly stood up, “Perhaps Commander Zhou should give this old man a punch — better to knock me out or kill me outright — only then will my mouth be silenced!”

Usually, scholars fear soldiers because logic cannot prevail, but this time it was the other way around.

Zhou Shen, a military commander, faced this shameless old troublemaker and felt a strong urge to crush him.

Liang Shanru tugged lightly at his sleeve, restraining him. “I did not come here to brawl today.

Call me unruly or say I bully others because of Uncle Zhou’s influence — fine. But I have made my intentions very clear.”

Her gaze swept over the room, resting briefly on the two officials seated in the official hat chairs to the right. The cold sharpness in her eyes softened somewhat. “Two clan uncles, not long ago when the Marquis of Changle wanted to marry me to Li Liulang, you were both opposed. Sitting here today with these people, are you truly of one mind?”

Liang Shanru remembered that in her previous life, when forced to marry into the Li family, only these two stood up for her. Though it was of little use, at least they had goodwill.

Before Zhou Shen took her away, they met her privately and advised that, with the Third Prince’s help in escaping misery, she should never return to Yangzhou after going to Shengjing, to avoid falling back into the Marquis’s hands.

However, their families’ children even attended schools funded by the manor, which was why the Marquis and his wife had leverage over them.

The two men exchanged glances, suddenly feeling ashamed.

Liang Shanru turned toward them and bowed gracefully. “I know your hearts are not ill-intentioned; you are compelled by circumstances. I am grateful for your kindness. My mother taught me to repay even a drop of kindness with a fountain of gratitude. No matter the outcome today, I will send a thousand taels of silver to you as thanks.”

A thousand taels — not a small sum.

“No, no, Shanru… we…” The two hesitated, but the elder, slightly older, was the first to regain composure. “You are still young and pitiable. We have done nothing to help you, so how could you offer such a heavy gift?

Shanru, family matters… if everyone compromised a little, life could go on peacefully.”

He still felt uneasy, but Liang Shanru smiled. “That is my nature. Anyone who bullies me will be met with merciless retaliation, but those who help me will be remembered forever.

You uncles may think you have done little, but to me, it was warmth in a snowstorm. This silver is rightfully yours.”

As he tried to decline again, Liang Shanru turned her gaze to Madam Zhou. Before he could speak, she continued, “So Marquis and Madam, let us get down to business. I have many matters to arrange and cannot waste time.”

The Marquis finally slammed his hand on the table. “Expel you from the clan register! Your father and you are ungrateful. You want to sever ties with the Liang family? Fine!

But don’t get any foolish ideas beyond that.”

Madam Zhou quickly chimed in, “Shanru, do you even know how much a thousand taels of silver is? Making such empty boasts — do you expect Commander Zhou to pay for it? Stop talking nonsense and embarrassing yourself.”

Liang Shanru knew well how much silver she could muster. Over the years, she had controlled everything she could. With only her meager monthly allowance, there was no way she could produce a thousand taels, even three or five hundred was impossible.

“A thousand taels, so what—”

“Uncle Zhou.” Liang Shanru cut him off, “How does Madam know I can’t offer two thousand taels to repay the uncles?

Or is it because you have withheld my monthly stipend and controlled my rightful property, so you know well I can’t produce that much silver?

My father served in the military all his life and taught me to keep my word!

If I say I will repay the uncles with a thousand taels, I will send every last tael to them. You and your wife need not worry about it.”