Chapter Eight: I Depart for the Capital

Liang Shanru performed a graceful curtsy and smiled as she addressed him, "Uncle Zhou."

Prefect Wang and the Marquis of Changle turned pale.

Liang Shanru stared at the Marquis of Changle. Judging by his expression, she surmised that the Third Prince had not shared his full plan with him; to the Third Prince, the Marquis was likely not even worth being considered a chess piece.

Zhou Shen’s arrival in Yangzhou seemed to be the result of her plea for help, but in reality, it was likely at the Third Prince’s instruction that he had come to "save" her. After all, in her previous life, it was Zhou Shen who had taken her away from Yangzhou and arranged for his trusted aides to escort her all the way to the capital. Whether Zhou Shen was a knowing accomplice acting on orders or merely a pawn used by the Third Prince, she would know after a single test.

Liang Shanru presented the handwritten note to Zhou Shen. "Uncle Zhou, this is a note from my father."

Zhou Shen’s expression tightened slightly. He took it, examined it carefully, and his face soon turned cold. "Did you come to the prefectural office today to settle this matter?"

She shook her head and fell silent.

The Marquis of Changle, uncertain of Zhou Shen’s true intentions, dared not speak.

Liang Shanru cast a look of disdain toward him and took the lead. "The Marquis of Changle intended to charge me with defiance and drag me before the court. Driven to a corner, I had no choice but to produce my father’s note and ask the Prefect to uphold justice for me. But the Prefect insisted this was a family matter he could not judge, and we reached an impasse. That was when the Marquis brought up the Third Highness... for the past few years, the Third Highness has looked after me out of respect for my father."

She lowered her eyes, appearing utterly aggrieved in Zhou Shen’s sight.

When Zhou Shen let out a cold snort, Prefect Wang was so frightened he felt as if his soul had left his body. He grew increasingly resentful of the Marquis for bringing such a massive trouble to his door, fearing it might lead to his own ruin. Cold sweat broke out on the Prefect’s temples, and he wiped it away repeatedly. "General, this matter is truly..."

"That is enough," Zhou Shen cut him off with a sharp glance. He turned his head to the Marquis. "Does the Marquis intend to resolve this at the prefectural office, or shall I accompany Shanru back to the Marquis’s estate to settle it?"

The Marquis hesitated. He studied Zhou Shen, but the man remained stern. Was he acting? If the Third Prince had sent him, would he really use such an aggressive posture? He looked as if he were determined to pursue the matter relentlessly, as if he intended to tear chunks of flesh off the Marquis. For a moment, the Marquis found himself in a dilemma.

Zhou Shen, a man of decisive action, waved his hand and let it land heavily on Prefect Wang’s shoulder. He pressed down firmly and suddenly smiled. "Since the Marquis cannot make up his mind, I shall decide for you! I will take Shanru back to the estate by carriage; the Marquis may follow. This matter requires a proper explanation!"

Zhou Shen’s attitude was beyond refusal. As an elder, he felt no need to shy away from such things; he took Liang Shanru’s wrist and began to walk out.

"Wait!" the Marquis called out in a hurry. "Even Prefect Wang says this is a family matter. How can a Regional Commander like you interfere in my household affairs? The matter is still unresolved—how can you just take Liang Shanru away in front of Prefect Wang?"

Zhou Shen clicked his tongue. "Once you return to the estate, you will naturally understand by what authority I act."

Liang Shanru’s lips twitched, but she remained silent. The Marquis intended to block them, but Zhou Shen did not grant him a shred of face. He led Liang Shanru straight out of the office, leaving only their retreating figures behind for the Marquis to watch.

The weather suddenly improved. After the snow, clouds gathered in clusters, and although they hid the shy golden disc of the sun, one could still faintly see its brilliance. Liang Shanru looked up at the sky, feeling quite moved. "The sky is clearing up."

A look of elder affection crossed Zhou Shen’s eyes as he patted her lightly. "Now that Uncle Zhou is here, of course it will clear up."

Liang Shanru withdrew her gaze and locked eyes with Zhou Shen. Both laughed in unison.

She climbed into the carriage with Zhou Shen to head toward the Marquis’s estate. The carriage was well-stocked with tea and snacks, and Zhou Shen pushed a plate of osmanthus cakes toward her. "Actually, the Third Highness did send me word. He likely has people in Yangzhou who informed him that your situation was dire, though it was inconvenient for him to come forward personally. I had intended to come anyway, and then, as luck would have it, your letter arrived."

Zhou Shen sighed with emotion. "It seems you have worked hard over the years. Your imitation of your father’s calligraphy is enough to deceive anyone."

Liang Shanru took a small piece of cake, chewed it slowly, and tilted her head to look at him. "But Uncle Zhou, you recognized it, didn't you?"

"You are still young; your brushwork lacks a bit of strength, so you could only achieve the shape. In years past, I lived and ate with your father; I cannot mistake his handwriting. But it is enough to fool others." Zhou Shen laughed heartily. "Why did you not write to the Third Highness?"

She had no intention of bringing up the Third Prince, fearing she might lose her composure. After all, in her previous life, she had been sincerely grateful to him for years. It was a devotion unlike any other; she had truly worshiped him like a deity, deeply believing he was a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and that he cared for her only because of her father.

As it turned out, she was nothing more than a complete joke.

Liang Shanru brushed the sugar powder from her fingertips and looked away. Only after steadying her heart did she ask with a smile, "Then, Uncle Zhou, are you here because of the Third Highness, or because of me?"

Zhou Shen paused, then quickly said, "Naturally, it is for you. Your plea for help reached my residence; how could I, as your uncle, sit by and do nothing?"

Liang Shanru secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though she did not entirely believe him. Even if he were acting under orders, he would never admit it openly.

"Uncle Zhou still cherishes the bond of brotherhood he shared with my father. You watched me grow up; sending such a note to you was the most appropriate choice. Could I have written such a letter to the Third Highness before he went on his campaign?" Liang Shanru took a deep breath, her expression growing firm. "Uncle Zhou, I truly want to leave the Liang family, and not just for the sake of the matter at hand."

Zhou Shen’s thick brows knit together. "And after you leave? You will be all alone—what are your plans?"

This time, it was Liang Shanru’s turn to be stunned. In her previous life, Zhou Shen had arranged for her to leave for the capital almost immediately. That must have been the Third Prince’s prior instruction, yet now, he was asking her about her plans.

Liang Shanru thought for a moment and asked with an air of feigned innocence, "Does the Third Highness... have any arrangements?"

Zhou Shen replied, "The Highness did not say. He only told me to help you resolve the marriage matter with the Li family, and that everything else is up to you."

She did not recall a single word about going to the capital being mentioned in her previous life. Had the Third Prince not yet made up his mind? Did he give Zhou Shen separate instructions only afterward?

Liang Shanru felt suspicious and remained silent for a long time.

Zhou Shen called out to her, "What are you thinking about? If you cannot decide for the moment, you may follow me first until you have made up your mind."

So it was true. As for how she was sent to the capital in her previous life, there must have been some other hidden story. But it did not matter.

Now, she would go to the capital of her own accord.

Liang Shanru’s eyes curved into crescents, and her tone was cheerful and coquettish. "I am going to the capital. Besides sending you a letter, I also sent one to my aunt. I expect she will return soon. Once the matter at the Marquis’s estate is settled, I shall head to the capital with my aunt!"