Chapter 108: I Heed My Own Counsel

Chapter 108: I Heed My Own Counsel

Lady Liang, the Second Lady, was no fool. She understood that while her sisters-in-law's words were pretty, their true intent was to prevent her from seeking separation and returning home. A divorced daughter in the family would impact the marriage prospects of all the girls in the clan.

But they were only considering their daughters. Why did they not spare a thought for her? Chunrong County was such a backwater; how could she possibly live there?

Moreover, she had no sons and a strained relationship with her mother-in-law. Alone in that place without the support of her family, it wouldn't take long for someone to harm her.

Therefore, she had to divorce Liang Jian'an and stay in the capital. She loved her daughter, but in Rong County, with their grandmother's protection, her presence or absence made no difference.

"I must get divorced; I won't go back to live with my family after the divorce," the second Mrs. Liang had already planned her escape, saying, "After the divorce, I'll live on my own with my dowry."

She came with a considerable dowry, and with careful management, she could live the rest of her life in wealth and comfort.

However, upon hearing her words, the expressions of Lady Meng and the second Mrs. Meng changed. Both looked to their husbands, urging them to speak. The Meng family was tied to Liang Jian'an and the Second Prince; now that Liang Jian'an was to be executed, their prestige in the capital had significantly diminished. If the second Mrs. Liang divorced, it would further affect their daughters' marital prospects.

Both Meng brothers wore troubled looks; after all, she was their dear sister, and the thought of her living in such a remote place was unbearable. Yet, her divorce would indeed have a major impact on the family.

After a long struggle, the elder Meng brother spoke first: "Xiuzhen, I think you should reconsider the divorce. Let's not even mention its impact on my nieces or our family's women. Just think about yourself—can you withstand the idle gossip?"

The second Mrs. Liang was named Meng Xiuzhen.

"I agree with our elder brother," said the second Meng brother. "You've always been strong-willed, but you surely cannot tolerate the wagging tongues."

Tears began to fill Meng Xiuzhen's eyes, the second Mrs. Liang. She had not expected her own brothers to be so selfish, only considering their welfare, giving no thought to her difficulties.

Wiping her tears, she looked at the patriarch, Meng Hansheng, and said, "Grandfather, I have been unfilial, but I must divorce. I don't care about others' gazes or their gossip. A wife follows her husband; upon his death, she should follow her son. Without a son and with Liang Jian'an dead, I will follow my own will."

After speaking, she stood up resolutely and left. Seeing this, her mother quickly followed, grabbing her and pleading, "What are you doing? Do you wish to sever ties with the family? Once divorced, without the support of your father and brothers, how will you survive in the capital?"

Mrs. Meng cried inconsolably, and Xiuzhen was also in tears. "Mother, if I go with the Liang family to that forsaken Chunrong County, I won't survive either. The noble consort believes the Liang's feud with the Marquis of Yongning's estate started because of me. She might even think that I caused Liang Jian'an's death. Consider, if I went with the Liang family, could I even stay alive?"

"How... how could this be?" Mrs. Meng had not anticipated the situation to be so complex. She thought that if her daughter left the capital with the Liang family, supported by the noble consort and the Second Prince, she wouldn't be bullied in such a small place and would live comfortably. She just needed to raise her two children well; even without a son, life wouldn't be too bad.

But she hadn't considered that the noble consort would vent her anger on her daughter.

"Mother," sobbed Xiuzhen, "life in the capital might be harder after the divorce, but at least I would be alive. If I go with the Liang family, I will surely die. Mother, what choice do I have?"

Mrs. Meng was at a loss, turning back to look at Mr. Meng and the patriarch, who were frowning in silent indecision. They too were unsure whether to abandon the Second Prince's ship. Finally, the patriarch spoke, "Go back for now, we will discuss the divorce further."

This was a concession. Xiuzhen, in tears, kowtowed to the patriarch and left. The two Mrs. Mengs looked on anxiously.

Seeing this, Meng Hansheng spoke coldly: "When Xiuzhen married into the Liang family, you all benefited from their glory. Now that she's in trouble, you want to abandon her—what kind of morality did you learn?"

At being so addressed, the faces of Madam Meng and Madam Meng the Second flushed red. They hurriedly admitted their faults, but what they truly thought remained known only to themselves.

………

Meng Xiuzhen returned to the Liang household and entered the inner chambers. Dismissing all the maids and old women, she sat alone on the couch, lost in thought.

When faced with significant events, some people panic, some remain calm, and others grow. Meng Xiuzhen was the type to grow. She was originally impulsive and easily angered, unable to keep things to herself. But now, she understood that she must stay composed; otherwise, she would be risking her life.

Her recent words at the Meng residence, where she blamed Empress Liang for attributing Liang Jian'an's death sentence to her, were not the result of careful deliberation but a sudden epiphany driven by a sense of crisis.

But the more she thought about it, the more she believed she was right. Hadn't Empress Liang already implied during her summons to the palace that without her, the Liang family wouldn't have such a deep feud with the Marquis of Yongning?

Now, she didn't dwell on whether the feud between the Liang family and the Marquis of Yongning was her doing. Instead, she focused on how to save her life and how to live in Shangjing as before after the divorce.

Rising to her feet, she paced back and forth in the room, muttering to herself after a while, "I mustn't let everyone in the Liang family know about my intention to divorce, including my two daughters."

Taking a deep breath, she continued pacing, then whispered, "I should visit Liang Jian'an in prison. He should still have some regard for our years of marriage, enough to sign the divorce papers. Once Liang Jian'an signs them, even the Empress can't interfere. Yes, that's what I'll do."

Resolute, she tidied herself up and headed to the courtyard of Liang's mother, needing to inform her mother-in-law before going to the prison to see Liang Jian'an.

This was her first time plotting so stealthily on her own. In the past, whatever she wanted to do, she would do it brazenly and arrogantly. Thinking back, she realized how foolish she had been.

Arriving at the entrance of Liang's mother's courtyard, she composed herself. Once inside, she tearfully told Liang's mother, "Jian'an and I may have bickered often, but after all these years of marriage, how could I not be concerned? I wish to visit him in prison."

Liang's mother lay in bed, lifeless, as if already dead. With her only son sentenced to death, she had lost all will to live. Hearing Meng Xiuzhen's words, she waved her hand indifferently, leaving the decision to her.