Chapter 29: Both Brother and Friend

Liang Shanru’s emotions remained unsettled even after she had boarded the carriage. Her sudden shift in mood was evident to anyone who looked at her. Her aunt, Lady Liang, had been hesitant, but since Liang Shanru insisted on visiting the Xu family, she had eventually relented and allowed her to depart.

Having switched to a more spacious carriage after leaving the General’s Mansion, Liang Shanru sat comfortably alongside the Pei brothers, Pei Yanzhou and Pei Jingxing. The two brothers exchanged glances for a long while. Truly worried about her, Pei Yanzhou asked with concern, "Cousin, you say you are fine, but I can see that you are quite distressed..."

He paused, a shadow crossing his eyes at the thought of Xu Yunxuan. His voice turned cold, and had he not been restraining himself for fear of frightening her, his tone would likely have been chilling enough to freeze anyone nearby. He took a moment to compose himself before continuing, "Is it that you cannot let go of the young master of the Xu family? Were you merely feigning indifference earlier so as not to worry your aunt?"

He was still probing her, step by step. Their scheme had been in motion for years, and despite her years of living with propriety and diligence, they were still testing her. Her situation was already dire, and she had fought so hard just to survive, yet they intended to leave her no path forward.

Liang Shanru offered a silent, cold smile before shaking her head. "Cousin Yanzhou, you are overthinking."

Unwilling to engage further with Pei Yanzhou, she turned her gaze toward Pei Jingxing. "When we return home later, please do not go gossiping to my aunt. There is truly nothing of the sort. Xu Yunxuan and I grew up together, and I have always looked upon him as an elder brother. When our elders spoke of a betrothal, I was too young to understand, and my heart was never in it. He is a man of upright conduct and propriety; in all the years we have known each other, I have never sensed any such intent from him. He treats me no differently than he does Jingyi. My aunt is already quite angry with the Xu family's attitude; if you speak nonsense, she will surely cause a scene at their gates."

Pei Jingxing responded with an "oh" of acknowledgment, though he added, "I know that, but you certainly don't seem like someone who has no feelings for him..."

"It is because of my father," Liang Shanru lied, her expression unflinching. "I may not say it aloud, but I am heartbroken inside. I think of the life I led when my father was alive, and then I look at my life now. In those days, whether in Yangzhou or the capital of Shengjing, there was no nobleman or young lady who did not hold me in high regard. Now, I am treated like a pestilence that everyone avoids."

She gave a bitter laugh. "Such is fate. I feel both lamentation and resentment, and I feel aggrieved on my father's behalf."

How could she not feel aggrieved? A general who had spent his life on the battlefield had ended up in such a pitiable state. Given her father’s merits, he should have been posthumously granted a title of nobility without question.

Pei Yanzhou, sitting nearby, felt that the young woman was hiding something. From the moment the Marquis of Changle had attempted to force a marriage upon her, every step she took had been cautious and flawless. Even without the Third Prince’s intervention to intimidate the Marquis, she would have found a way to emerge unscathed. Such a girl was resilient and firm; this was not the time for her to be wallowing in melancholy. General Liang had been dead for over three years; any grief she felt should have long since been processed.

However, Liang Shanru turned her face away, staring fixedly out the window through the soft curtains. Her entire demeanor was a wall of refusal, clearly indicating she did not wish to discuss it further. After a moment’s thought, Pei Yanzhou held back his questions, not wanting to pressure her. Even when Pei Jingxing intended to speak, he was stopped by a warning look from his brother.

The rest of the journey passed in silence, the air in the carriage so still that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard. Fortunately, the Xu residence was not far from the General’s Mansion. Within a quarter of an hour, the Xu family’s plaque—gold characters on a red background—came into view.

The gatekeeper, seeing Liang Shanru descend from an unfamiliar carriage, was stunned for a moment, but upon spotting Pei Yanzhou following behind her, he hurriedly sent someone to announce their arrival. Shortly after, Xu Yunxuan and his sister walked out to greet them.

Xu Jingyi began to complain the moment she took hold of Liang Shanru’s hand, but she was cut off by Xu Yunxuan’s voice. "Grandmother said she received a letter from the Imperial Concubine a few days ago, informing her you were coming to Yangzhou on her behalf. We prepared everything, though we did not expect you to arrive so suddenly."

Pei Yanzhou observed the man before him with a subtle, scrutinizing gaze. It was a strange situation. In past years, whenever he came to Yangzhou to deliver items for the Third Prince, he would visit the Xu family on behalf of the Imperial Concubine. Over the years, this had happened three or five times, yet he had never once laid eyes on Xu Yunxuan. Either the young man was "ill" and unable to receive guests, or he was away from the city. This was the first time they had met.

Pei Yanzhou suppressed his hostility and dissatisfaction, responding coldly, "Although this trip is technically to visit relatives on behalf of the Concubine, I am accompanying my aunt. She did not wish for a grand arrival, so we told no one when we entered the city."

Xu Yunxuan was sharp; he realized immediately that Lady Liang had returned for the sake of Liang Shanru’s affairs, and that Pei Yanzhou was likely here for the same reason, merely using the Imperial Concubine’s name as a pretext. After all, he was distantly related to Liang Shanru at best; whether Lady Liang had asked him to step in or the Duke’s Mansion had arranged it, using the Concubine's name made the situation more legitimate.

He had been on the verge of asking if Liang Shanru was safe, but Xu Jingyi was faster. "Your aunt returned specifically for you, so everything must be resolved now, right?"

Xu Jingyi knew about the incident where Liang Shanru had been forced to sell her belongings, and she had intended to complain about it earlier. However, hearing that Lady Liang had returned to Yangzhou, her complaints were replaced by worry and concern.

Liang Shanru smiled thinly and remained silent, glancing toward her side. Xu Yunxuan caught the look and understood. He called out, "Sanniang, Shanru is here to visit, and Grandmother is still waiting. Do not stand at the gate pestering her with these questions."

As he spoke, he stepped aside to clear the path. "Come in, Grandmother will be very happy to know you have arrived."

Pei Yanzhou stepped into the mansion, his eyes flickering between Xu Yunxuan and Liang Shanru. He said, out of the blue, "You and Cousin Shanru seem to have a very close friendship."

He meant no specific harm, but his tone was detached. Pei Jingxing looked at him in surprise; he rarely heard his brother speak in such a manner, especially with such a peculiar, off-putting tone. He thought to himself: *My cousin said they grew up together and she views him as a brother, and he likely feels the same—why would he say that now? It sounds... sarcastic. Yes, that's it, sarcastic! My brother is a humble and polite gentleman; when did he learn to talk like this?*

Xu Yunxuan did not answer him, instead subjecting him to a long, probing look, as if trying to uncover a hidden answer.

Liang Shanru followed behind them, holding Xu Jingyi's hand. She had heard Pei Yanzhou’s words clearly. Her delicate brows knit together, and after a long silence from Xu Yunxuan, her frown deepened. Her voice was cold and detached. "We are like siblings and friends; it is natural for us to be close. Cousin Yanzhou, do you find a problem with that?"