Chapter Twenty-Five: Believing Only One Side

Only when Pei Yanzhou said that even the Imperial Household’s records had been preserved did Liang Shannu cast him a startled glance.

There was nothing surprising about his appearing in Yangzhou; what she had not expected was that the Third Prince could go this far.

He was merely using these words to frighten the Marquis of Changle. She did not believe for a moment that her aunt would report the matter to the old Duchess. Everyone said that family scandals should not be spread abroad. This was hardly anything to be proud of. If she became a pitiful, unwanted girl, how would others look at her in the future? Her aunt was thoughtful and meticulous in all she did; she would never put her in such a predicament.

But since he had spoken, the records must truly exist.

Liang Shannu withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes.

The Third Prince had probably gone to Noble Consort Xu and asked for the Imperial Household records. He had merely done her an enormous favor, so that she would be eternally grateful and remember it for the rest of her life.

At last, the Marquis of Changle understood where the hostility in their earlier arrival had come from.

Pei Yanzhou might look gentle and refined, but some people were born noble and destined to command awe without ever raising their voices. That oppressive presence was something he could wield or withdraw at will.

After the Marquis remained silent for a long while, Pei Yanzhou and Madam Liang exchanged another glance and said nothing.

Madam Liang lightly tapped the armrest. “Enough. Since matters have come to this, hand over the household accounts of the marquisate. We’ll settle them one by one. Whatever is owed to Chuchu, you and your wife must produce as soon as possible.

“And there is also Sister-in-law’s dowry. I advise you to be honest and not entertain any crooked ideas. At present, we are merely preserving one another’s dignity. The Duke of Wei’s residence still has a copy of Sister-in-law’s dowry inventory. As for whether I have one in my possession, or not, you and your wife may guess.

“Then there are the estates and shops that formed part of Sister-in-law’s dowry. Every one of them must be returned in full, and their account books must be handed over as well. I’ll send people to inspect them before we discuss what comes next.”

Inspect them? What else could there be to inspect?

Handing over Madam Liu’s dowry would not be difficult. After being threatened to this extent, he would not be foolish enough to invite trouble. But the accounts for the estates and shops could not withstand scrutiny.

Back then, fearing that someone might investigate in the future, they had deliberately made every account show losses or insolvency. Not one of the more than twenty shops in Madam Liu’s dowry appeared profitable on paper. In reality, all their yearly earnings had been converted into Madam Zhou’s private property, after which the money was spent on the household.

Now even one Liang Shannu would be difficult to deceive, to say nothing of Madam Liang.

The Marquis of Changle was like a mute swallowing bitter medicine, suffering in silence, yet unable to bring himself to lower his pride and plead for mercy.

Just as the stalemate seemed impossible to break, Liang Baoqi helped Madam Zhou into the room at an unhurried pace. Madam Zhou looked genuinely ill; her acting was certainly convincing.

A mocking curve touched the corners of Liang Shannu’s lips. Madam Liang smiled as well. “I heard from Chuchu that you’ve been ill for many days, so ill that you couldn’t rise from your bed or receive visitors. It must have been terribly difficult for you to worry about me. The moment you heard I had returned, you dragged yourself here to see me.”

To make herself look the part, Madam Zhou had applied a thick layer of powder before coming out. Her face had already been so pale as to be bloodless; at these words, she swayed and gave a bitter smile.

“Madam Liu is your sister-in-law. Am I not your sister-in-law as well? You haven’t returned to Yangzhou in years, and this is the first time we’ve met since the children grew so much. Yet the moment you come back, you act as though we share some blood feud. Anyone who didn’t know better would think we were mortal enemies.”

Madam Liang had no intention of indulging her performance. She ignored the remark entirely and said, “You arrived at a fortunate moment. You probably heard what we were discussing just now. After all, you are the marquis’s wife and have managed the inner household of the Marquis of Changle’s residence yourself. Give me a time frame. How long will it take you to prepare everything?”

Madam Zhou had always known that Madam Liang was difficult to deal with. Perhaps she had been bullied too harshly as a child, for she had never shown anyone a pleasant expression after growing up.

Especially after Liang Ji had joined the army at nineteen and distinguished himself repeatedly by the age of twenty-three, and after he had later taken Madam Liu as his wife, Madam Liang gained Liang Ji and Madam Liu as her support. From then on, she became even more reckless.

Grinding her back teeth, Madam Zhou said, “You and Chuchu are blood relatives, and so are you and the marquis. Must you really go this far?

“She suddenly became like a different person overnight simply because we were arranging a marriage for Chuchu. Surely you can’t believe every word she says without question.

“Your elder brother may not be in His Majesty’s favor, and the Marquis of Changle’s residence may indeed be declining day by day, but if you bully the two of us without even hearing us out, will your family’s reputation benefit from it once word gets out?”

She did not dare offend Madam Liang. Even in her accusations, she held herself back, making it sound more like a grievous complaint from someone who had suffered an unbearable injustice.

Madam Zhou spoke through a sob. Liang Baoqi had evidently received some instruction from her mother as well. She now released Madam Zhou, gathered up her skirt, and hurried toward Madam Liang.

“Aunt, I’m your blood relative too! Liang Shannu drew a blade against us at home, then schemed to frame me at the Xu residence. How can you say that we were the ones bullying her?”

Her eyes reddened, and she looked on the verge of tears. “Aunt, if you don’t believe me, summon the servants and question them. Then you’ll know what she’s done all these days. Don’t let her deceive you!”

Madam Liang found the mother and daughter utterly shameless.

She needed no one to tell her what sort of people they were. She knew them all too well.

With a wave of her hand, she brushed Liang Baoqi aside. “You know perfectly well that you are both my blood relatives. Naturally, I will not listen to one side alone. Nor would I favor Chuchu while distancing myself from you. You rushed over here to cry your grievances—what are you afraid of?

“Whatever conflicts exist between your family and Chuchu have nothing to do with me. I came back this time only to recover what belongs to Chuchu. I am not here to judge your domestic quarrels.”

She quickly added, “Though they can no longer be called domestic quarrels. Chuchu will not be a Liang family daughter in the future, after all, and will have nothing to do with your family.

“If she truly is as wicked as you claim, have your father report her to the Yangzhou authorities. Since her cousins and I are still here, we can accompany her to court. That will also spare you the shame of having outsiders say that your family bullied a helpless young girl with no one to rely on. Such rumors would do nothing for your reputation.”

Madam Liang lowered her head and looked at Liang Baoqi expressionlessly. “You say Chuchu schemed to frame you at the Xu residence. How, exactly, did she do it? Why don’t you tell me now?”

The strength seemed to drain from Liang Baoqi’s entire body. She collapsed onto the floor and stared at Madam Liang in disbelief. There was unmistakable hatred in her eyes.

Madam Liang saw it clearly and did not take her seriously. “You learned nothing good from your mother. You have the narrow-minded manner of a petty household. If you have done something, learn to bear the consequences yourself. Stop trying to shift the blame onto others.

“Not everyone in the world is a fool. Who cannot see through the little schemes and calculations of you and your mother? And you still dare bring them before me.”

She rose, then casually took Liang Shannu by the hand. Shielding the girl at her side, she headed for the door, leaving only a cold glance for the Marquis and his wife.

“I want to see all these things within three days. When the time comes, you and your wife will bring every account book to the general’s residence and explain yourselves to me.”

Liang Shannu followed swiftly. Pei Jingxing walked at the rear, so that mother and son moved one before and one behind, completely guarding her between them.

Even Pei Yanzhou had made his position unmistakably clear.

The Marquis of Changle drew in a sharp breath. This time he truly collapsed backward, rigid as a board. Behind him rose a tumult of voices crying for the marquis.