Chapter 35: Worry Less

The anger of Lady Liang dissipated, and Liang Shanru ordered the servants to clean up the mess. She coaxed her aunt, saying, "It is actually for the best that you were so angry, as it brought us back from the Xu family. We shall have lunch at home today.

However, you must foot the bill! I will have someone order a feast from Yang Mansion, along with some perilla juice and snowflake wine; you know their preparation of these two is unparalleled. For now, I shall escort you back to your quarters to freshen up and change your clothes. It is still early, so you can take a small nap. Once the feast is prepared, I will come to attend to you. How does that sound?"

She smiled so charmingly that Lady Liang could hardly refuse, letting her arrange everything as she pleased.

Liang Shanru held her arm and escorted her out. The Pei brothers, Yan Zhou and Jing Xing, stepped aside to clear the path, true to their word, and did not follow.

Once the footsteps of the aunt and niece faded away from the long corridor, Pei Jingxing turned to Pei Yan-zhou: "What about the Li family? Are we just going to let it go like this?"

Pei Yanzhou’s face was as cold as frost. He pondered for a moment and shook his head: "It depends on what our third aunt and cousin have to say. If we go to the Li family now to demand an explanation, they are the kind of people who would just bicker and quibble with you. Do you really want to deal with that?"

Pei Jingxing felt his scalp tingle at the thought; he certainly could not handle dealing with such people. The mistress of the Li family had dared to humiliate his cousin right in front of his mother, even knowing the Duke’s mansion was involved. Such brazenness showed they were unreasonable people who looked down on everyone. They truly believed that under the Emperor, they were supreme. He could not master such rogue-like behavior, so how could he cope? Still, the thought made him furious.

"I think Cousin is truly broad-minded," Pei Jingxing remarked with a curl of his lip. "If you say she is gentle and soft-hearted, she showed no mercy to the Liang family. But if you call her a girl who holds a grudge, I feel like she really didn't take today's matter to heart."

Pei Yanzhou glanced toward the door and said faintly, "She has always been broad-minded and cheerful, the kind of girl who warms others. It is they who are dark and sordid; she has never had anything to do with them."

"Elder Brother?" Pei Jingxing looked at him with suspicion.

Pei Yanzhou did not speak further. With his hands behind his back, he turned and walked out the door. The covered walkway stretched out to the end, and the figures were long gone. Pei Yanzhou’s lips curled into a faint smile, and after withdrawing his gaze, he pondered something for a moment before slowly departing.

***

After Liang Shanru escorted Lady Liang back to her courtyard and offered a few more words of comfort to the servants, she withdrew with Nongyun.

Once the mistress and maid had rounded the moon gate and walked about a bowshot away, Liang Shanru suddenly stopped. She whispered, "Take some silver and give it to Uncle Hu. Have him find some beggars in the city to spread the word about the Li family’s absurd behavior. Since they have no sense of shame, I shall fulfill their wish for them."

Nongyun hesitated for a moment and asked, "Shouldn't you tell your aunt, Miss?"

Liang Shanru shook her head. "No need to tell my cousins either. This is my own affair. Now that I have told you, go and get it done quickly."

Her tone was indifferent, devoid of emotional fluctuation. Having served her for a long time, Nongyun did not dare to ask more and hurried off to carry out the task.

In truth, the Li family was of no importance to Liang Shanru. When the Marquis of Changle and his wife had schemed to involve the Li family years ago, she was certain the Li family had hoped to profit from it, but in the end, they had not caused her any real harm. By the time she reached the capital, the only news she heard of the Li family concerned the disgraceful conduct of the Li mistress’s own kin. As for how the Li family fared later, she never knew.

But the Li family should not have caused a scene at the General's Mansion. This was the home her father had left her, and no one was allowed to desecrate it. Her aunt loved her so dearly, and the Li mistress had spewed such filth that she had enraged her aunt; naturally, she could not let this slide!

As for the matter she had Nongyun arrange with the beggars—Liang Shanru took a deep breath and let out a disdainful snort through her nose. A family of wretched, filth-hiding people, daring to come to someone else's home to cause trouble.

She stepped forward to leave, but as she turned, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. After standing still, she furrowed her delicate brows and, with great reluctance, called out, "Cousin Yanzhou."

The greeting was low, almost muffled.

Pei Yanzhou approached slowly. "Cousin, you didn't have this kind of spirit when you were giving orders to Nongyun just now." He was the very picture of gentleness, his eyes filled with warmth. "Why, when you see me, are you so wilted and downcast? And you say you don't dislike me?"

But Liang Shanru knew this was all a disguise. He had been like this even when she saw him at the Duke of Xin’s mansion as a child—he loved to smile, rarely showed a cold face, and treated everyone with such grace. In her previous life, after she arrived in the capital, she had lived in the Duke’s mansion for a long time and had much contact with him. She had believed from the bottom of her heart that he was a gentleman as warm as jade, worthy of trust, and easy to feel close to. It was not until she was murdered that she understood how terrifying and vile these people who lived behind masks truly were.

Liang Shanru gritted her teeth and reined in her emotions. "You have asked this question before, and I have answered it earnestly. Since you do not believe my words, why do you keep asking?"

Pei Yanzhou saw that she was somewhat angry, took a deep breath, and softened his stance. "It is my fault. I should not have hounded you with questions; I only overheard it by chance just now."

He hurried to explain, "My third aunt was so angry that after I returned, I was worried and thought I should come to check on her, and I happened to bump into you. Third Brother wanted to come too, but I thought it best to prepare some dishes the Third Aunt enjoys; if she eats well, she will soon forget the morning's troubles. Since I don't know the specifics of those, I had to let Third Brother go and prepare them."

Whether he was sincere or not did not matter; Liang Shanru did not care at all. However, not just for now, but for a long time to come, she would have to accompany them in playing this charade. For the sake of survival.

Liang Shanru pursed her lips, and when she looked up, she wiped all trace of disdain from her eyes. "Then Cousin Yanzhou is indeed thoughtful. I had thought that a few words of comfort would have settled matters with my aunt."

Pei Yanzhou very much wanted to tease her, but her attitude was truly distant, completely different from when they were children. The banter that came to his lips could not be spoken, so Pei Yanzhou abruptly changed the subject: "Cousin, you were raised in the inner chambers, how did you come to know of the Li family’s sordid affairs?"

Liang Shanru did not expect him to ask this and was stunned for a moment. "I naturally have my own ways." She clearly did not intend to say more.

Unaccountably, Pei Yanzhou thought of Xu Yunxuan. He lowered his eyelids and said with a smile, "I observe that the young Master Xu is a man of gentlemanly conduct, yet it seems he would help you investigate the secrets of other families. It has truly opened my eyes."

No matter what, Liang Shanru absolutely loathed his constant probing. She gritted her teeth and retorted, "It has nothing to do with young Master Xu, and, of course, it has nothing to do with Cousin Yanzhou."

She bowed slightly and said, "Go and see my aunt, Cousin Yanzhou. You can actually worry a little less about my affairs!"