Chapter 12: Unwilling to Ponder Deeply

Chapter 12: Unwilling to Ponder Deeply

The imperial concubine Liang had entered the palace through selection. Her father was originally a county magistrate of the eighth rank. The Liang family had moved to the capital only after she became favored.

Such a family was often looked down upon by many of the capital's nobility. But with the imperial concubine's favor and having birthed the second prince, every son of the emperor held the potential to ascend the throne. Thus, despite their disdain, the established nobles of the capital afforded the Liang family a measure of respect.

As the full brother of the imperial concubine Liang, the second master held a high status within the Liang family, with even the butler's power residing in the hands of his wife.

The imperial concubine was a woman of stunning beauty, and as her brother, the second master Liang also possessed an impressive appearance. With his phoenix eyes and aquiline nose, he had a tall and noble bearing, truly a picture of graceful charm.

Upon entering the second wife’s courtyard, the second master immediately noticed his two concubines kneeling on the porch. They were new, having been accepted just last month. Yet, he ignored them and lifted the curtain to step inside.

There was no lack of beautiful women, and he certainly wasn't short of two.

After he took his seat, a young maid promptly served him tea. He glanced impatiently at Lady Liang the Second and asked directly, "What is it?"

Lady Liang the Second hadn't seen him for many days and had wanted to share a few intimate words, but seeing his indifferent demeanor, she grew angry and said through clenched teeth, "Can't I summon you without reason?"

Hearing this, Master Liang the Second stood up and headed for the door. Lady Liang the Second quickly said, "There's a letter for you."

Master Liang the Second turned back, took the letter from her hand, and frowned upon seeing the handwriting. Nevertheless, he patiently read through it. After finishing, a smile appeared on his face, "Where did this letter come from?"

Lady Liang the Second recounted how she received the letter and asked, "Do you think what's written here is true or false?"

Master Liang the Second pondered for a moment, "Most likely true. Wasn't there talk about that young Xiao lad being childhood sweethearts with the Li family's girl?"

"Yes, it was said that if the Li family hadn't fallen into misfortune, the two families would have become in-laws." Lady Liang the Second sneered, "Tang Shuyi is also quite the opportunist, isn't she? She just watches from the sidelines when the Li family is in trouble."

Master Liang the Second glanced at her, "Do you know for sure if she's merely an onlooker?"

"If she isn't, all the better. Let her take a hard fall this time." Lady Liang the Second would be pleased as long as it didn't bode well for Tang Shuyi.

"True or not, we'll see soon enough." Master Liang the Second picked up the letter and stood up to leave. Lady Liang the Second also got up, "I'm coming too."

Master Liang the Second stopped and turned back, "What for?"

Lady Liang the Second straightened her clothes and replied with casual ease, "To watch Tang Shuyi's downfall."

"As you wish." Master Liang the Second lifted the curtain and left. Lady Liang the Second, seeing his eagerness to leave, nearly ground her teeth to dust. She vowed to deal with all the vixens in his household someday.

The couple met at the entrance of their mansion, and their carriages headed toward Plum Blossom Lane.

On the way, Lady Liang the Second said to Cai Mammy by her side, "Everyone in the capital used to praise Tang Shuyi for her good fortune. Born into a good family, doted on by her parents and siblings, and adored by her husband after marriage. Even if Xiao Huai spoils her, what good does it do? He's dead now. This time, her son is harboring the daughter of a criminal. I'd like to see how she cries over this."

She laughed again at the thought, "Everyone said Xiao Huai loved her deeply and had no one else by his side. Ha, after Xiao Huai died, how come two concubines were sent over?"

"Her days must be hard now," Cai Mammy knew exactly what Lady Liang the Second liked to hear and naturally fed into her narrative.

She continued, "The man is dead, and the child is no better. Who in the capital doesn't know of the young Master Xiao's nickname? We thought at least her eldest son, though not very talented, was well-behaved and stayed out of trouble. Turns out he's also a troublemaker."

Lady Liang the Second laughed heartily; Tang Shuyi's misfortunes were her delight.

The carriage rumbled into Plum Blossom Lane. Accompanied by a significant entourage, they immediately drew attention. Neither Lady Liang the Second nor Master Liang the Second alighted from their carriage, but the insignia of the Liang family prominently displayed on the carriage proclaimed their status.

The Liang estate's steward stood at the courtyard gate, knocking with an air of authority. However, despite a lengthy attempt, there was no response. Approaching Master Liang Er's carriage, he murmured, "Second Master, it appears there's no one inside."

Narrowing his eyes, Liang Er commanded, "Break in. If anyone inquires, say we're pursuing a runaway slave from our estate."

In recent years, the Liang family had grown brazen in their conduct; forcing an entry was a trivial matter for them. Led by the steward, a few servants quickly smashed open the door. They rushed in, only to find the quaint courtyard deserted.

The steward reported back to Master Liang Er, whose brows furrowed in confusion. Could this be someone's idea of a prank?

Madam Liang Er, who had been eagerly anticipating Tang Shuyi's humiliation, also learned of the empty courtyard. Her disappointment was palpable, unable to accept the turn of events, she pushed aside the carriage curtains, stepped down, and swiftly entered the courtyard.

Indeed, it was deserted.

Turning around, she slapped her maid, Cai Mama, across the face, "Find out who delivered that letter. I want to see who dares make a fool of me."

Clutching her cheek, Cai Mama hurriedly nodded and scuttled off to find the steward, from whom she had received the letter. The steward himself was now breaking out in a cold sweat...

At that moment, Changming was crouched behind a tea stall at the entrance to the alley, peering inside. His heart raced. Thankfully, his lady had sent Liu Biqin away the night before; otherwise, a disaster would have ensued.

Once he had a clear grasp of the situation, he hurried over to a carriage parked nearby. Gasping for air, he reported, "Young Master, the Liangs have broken down the door and a bunch of them have gone inside. Later, Madam Liang also entered."

"What?" Xiao Yuchen in the carriage stood up abruptly, bumping his head against the roof in his shock, grimacing in pain.

"Young Master, it's true. I saw it with my own eyes," Changming added in a hushed tone, "Wasn't that close? Had it been a few hours later..."

"Stop, let's return... return home," Xiao Yuchen interrupted, his face pale and hands trembling. It was his first time experiencing such a close call. Had they delayed sending Sister Qin away by even a few hours, everything would've been exposed. And then...

He couldn't bear to think further.

Changfeng hastily instructed the coachman to drive away, equally shaken.

Meanwhile, Wu Jingyun's carriage was also nearby. Her maid, Xinger, relayed the events unfolding in the alley, "...Several people went in, but it seems there was no one inside. Later, Madam Liang also entered but came out looking utterly frustrated."

"Impossible!" Wu Jingyun's voice rose to a sharp pitch.

In her past life, Liu Biqin had been living there all along, up until two months after she and Xiao Yuchen were married. It was her maid who had escorted Liu Biqin from there to the Marquis' estate. She remembered it vividly; how could there be no one inside?

How could this be? How could this be?

Could someone else have been reborn like her?

The thought of such a possibility sent Wu Jingyun into a cold sweat. Leaning weakly against the carriage wall, she uttered, "Quickly, back to the estate."

Her carriage sped towards the Wu estate, while the Liang family's carriage also left Mei Hua Alley. Madame Liang climbed into Second Master Liang's carriage and asked, "What do you think, is the content of the letter true or not?"

Narrowing his eyes in thought for a moment, Second Master Liang said, "True or false, I shall investigate as if it's true. If it happened, there must be traces. All the women of the Liu family were to be sold. If it's true, how did that Xiao kid manage to get them out? Who did he go through?"

"Right, investigate, thoroughly," Madame Liang said through gritted teeth, "Otherwise… whether we find anything or not, we should pin it on Xiao Yuchen."

"Foolish," Second Master Liang looked at her with disdain, "The Duke of Tang is an old fox; he would counterattack at the slightest slip."

Gnashing her teeth in frustration, Madame Liang hissed, "Why is there no one inside?"

How wonderful it would have been if Liu Biqin were there.

Seeing her gritting her teeth, Second Master Liang said with a half-smile, "Xiao Huai is dead, and yet you're still obsessed with him?"

"Don't slander me," Madame Liang flared up in embarrassed anger, to which Second Master Liang chuckled, "Even if you were obsessed with him, I wouldn't care."

Madame Liang's face twisted in hatred, while Second Master Liang appeared nonchalant. The two of them rode on in silence.

Upon arriving at the Liang estate, Second Master Liang summoned his confidant and instructed, "Go to the Ministry of Punishment and look into the situation of the Liu family, especially Liu Biqin."