Chapter 91

Chapter 91

The land was blanketed in frost, with snowflakes swirling in the air.

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the heart of winter, the frost had sealed the land, making it an inauspicious day for a wedding. However, time was pressing, and they could wait no longer. On this day, Duke Mu's household sent off the Second and Third Young Ladies to be married.

The two ladies of the Liang family were married on the same day.

The wedding of the Liang family's daughters was naturally a grand affair, with red silk carpets laid out, adding a vibrant touch to the icy white cityscape.

Before dawn, the household was already bustling with activity. Ying Shi and Xiao Qiongyu rose early to add to the dowry of the two young ladies.

When they arrived, the two ladies were already dressed in their wedding attire, attended by their maids.

Their lips were painted with rouge, their eyebrows drawn with kohl, and they wore golden crowns and jade hairpins, adorned in rare gold and jade. Their high buns made them appear a decade older.

"Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, you're here?" The two ladies were about to greet them, but Ying Shi and Xiao Qiongyu quickly stepped forward to stop them.

"Today is your wedding day, sit still and don't mess up your hair and makeup," said Xiao Qiongyu.

Ying Shi and Xiao Qiongyu had come to add to the dowry, presenting each with a set of gold headpieces. Ying Shi also gave each a pair of jade Ruyi scepters, while Xiao Qiongyu presented each with a pair of emerald jade bracelets.

"Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law," the two ladies replied, though their spirits were low.

Perhaps they all knew that after leaving home, it would be many years before they could return, if ever. Youth is fleeting, and when they return, everything might be different. Thinking of this, they couldn't help but tear up, their eyes reddening.

"My mother has only me as her child. After I leave, her life will be difficult," said the Second Young Lady, whose mother had passed away a few years ago. The Third Young Lady's mother was still alive, and today Lady Xiao had specially permitted her to oversee her daughter's wedding.

However, the ladies of the Liang family were cherished, having independent courtyards early on, with wet nurses and nannies, so they didn't have much time to spend with their mothers.

Previously, the Third Young Lady didn't like her mother, thinking her shortsighted and lacking in grace. But now, on the verge of leaving, she suddenly realized the truth.

Yet, with Lady Xiao overseeing everything, the Third Young Lady couldn't embrace her mother and cry.

Ying Shi sat in the boudoir, gazing at the bright red decorations and the auspicious patterns on the silk, feeling a sense of melancholy. Regardless of her own future, she decided to accept things as they came, to ensure the Third Young Lady could leave with peace of mind.

In her past life, she had been absorbed in her own world, only nodding acquaintances with these ladies. But in this life, having distanced herself from many things, she had grown familiar with the ladies of the Liang family.

It was because of this familiarity that she felt sorrow at their parting.

The four of them talked for a long time, and unexpectedly, the two ladies were most worried about Ying Shi.

If their third brother had died, Third Sister-in-law would have remained so for life. But now, their third brother had come back to life.

Not only Third Sister-in-law, but even Rong Er could easily become the subject of gossip.

What would happen to Third Sister-in-law and Rong Er in the future?

Even if they remained the third wife and the eldest son, with someone like their aunt around, how could they live comfortably?

The two ladies exchanged glances, their eyes filled with worry.

Ying Shi, with a sense of certainty, said to the two brides, "Don't worry, I will be fine, and better. You must be too."

In weddings, it's usually the groom's family that hosts a grand feast, while the bride's family is left in quiet solitude.

On this day, many guests came to the front courtyard, mostly close relatives and friends who came to add to the dowry.

The men of the household were drinking in the front courtyard.

Xiao Qiongyu and Ying Shi watched the two brides board the sedan chairs together, then they went to the backyard to inform the old madam and the other ladies of their safe departure.

Xiao Qiongyu sighed along the way, "The old madam has been holding on just to see the two girls get married. This time... she can finally rest in peace."

Indeed, it was time for her to find peace.

Not only had she seen her granddaughters married, but she had also witnessed Liang Ji's miraculous resurrection.

The entire courtyard buzzed with joy and festivity.

But how many could truly understand her own struggles? Now that the two girls were married, Ying Shi knew she could no longer wait.

She watched as the sedan chairs disappeared into the distance. Xiao Qiongyu went to the front courtyard to oversee the banquet, while Ying Shi took a small path towards the inner courtyard. Along the way, her fingers, gripping her skirt, turned white with tension.

She could no longer afford to wait. No one knew if the old madam would pass away sooner this time. She was confident Liang Yun could help her escape unscathed, but she truly wanted the old madam's approval to secure her rightful place.

Ying Shi walked quickly, and the usually long journey seemed to fly by today.

Nanny Chen, stationed at the entrance of Rongshou Hall, saw Third Madam from afar and her eyelids twitched. She had already guessed why Third Madam had come.

"Madam, the old madam has just fallen asleep..."

Ying Shi looked at the maids waiting under the corridor, among them were Madame Wei's people. It seemed Madame Wei was inside at the moment.

That was just as well.

She insisted on not leaving, "I'll wait here. Just call me in when the old madam wakes up."

The corridor was a wind-swept passage, and the gusts of wind blew relentlessly against her face. In no time, her hands and feet grew numb from the cold, as if the weather itself was trying to stop her.

But the biting wind only strengthened her resolve.

Seeing her like this, Nanny Chen didn't dare to speak and re-entered the inner chamber.

Soon, a clamor arose inside.

Ying Shi couldn't wait any longer and stood up, lifting her skirt to step into the inner chamber.

The room's warmth was soporific, yet it carried an unpleasant, stale odor. Yet, the ladies attending to the old madam dared not show any disgust.

The old madam was indeed not asleep, with a group of attendants by her bedside.

The princess, Madame Wei, and Lady Xiao all turned their gaze upon her. Madame Wei's lips tightened, as if sensing Ying Shi had something crucial to say.

Ying Shi, however, strode directly to the old madam's bedside and abruptly knelt, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Grandmother..."

The old madam slowly opened her eyes. Her health had been failing for two days, but today, perhaps due to the joyous occasion of her granddaughters' weddings, her withered face bore a faint, rosy glow.

Though the old madam's gaze rested on her, Ying Shi wondered if those vacant eyes could truly see.

"Have the girls left?"

Ying Shi replied, "I saw them off myself."

The old madam then asked her, "It's cold outside. You've just given birth to Rong Er not long ago. Why are you standing in the snow and wind?"

Ying Shi was silent for a moment, then suddenly covered her face and sobbed, her voice filled with unbridled resentment, "Now that Third Master has returned, Rong Er and I are always the subject of gossip in the house. I can't bear it anymore... I really can't go on..."

The old lady dismissed the servants beside her. Before leaving, Madame Wei kept glancing back, clearly eager to know what Ying Shi wanted to say to the old lady.

After everyone left, the old lady sighed to Ying Shi, "This is my fault. I should have stood up for you, but... my two grandsons..."

But she knew that both of her grandsons wanted her.

It’s absurd. It’s not like there are no other women in the world. Why should brothers turn against each other like this?

One almost threatened with death, the other...

They’re both scoundrels.

Ji'er grew up with A Ruan, and their bond over a decade was something he couldn’t let go of. It was only natural that he couldn’t abandon A Ruan. But why did Yun Er act this way?

Yun Er used to be the type who, upon his brother’s return, would silently withdraw all his feelings. He used to dote on his brother so much, giving him whatever he wanted and always yielding to him when they were young.

But now, just days after Ji'er’s return, they’re almost at each other’s throats, making a spectacle for everyone to see.

And this was while she was still alive, watching over them. What would happen to these brothers after she was gone...

"You’ve cared for Ji'er for so many years. I doubt you can just let him go. He still cares for you, and your feelings for him run even deeper. A Ruan... he has just returned, barely surviving a near-death experience. He... is a good boy..."

He just returned, and now he’s being told to give his wife back? That would be too harsh on him.

Ying Shi smiled bitterly but spoke firmly, "Grandmother, he has a woman now, and a child. I did all this for him, and now it’s become a joke! I don’t want to be the one who interferes, the one caught in the middle and laughed at. I can’t bear it for even a day. You should grant me this, right?"

"That careless boy thought so carefully, probably considering a lot for you..." From her tone, the old lady, who usually valued rules, seemed to subtly encourage reconciliation.

Ying Shi couldn’t help but respond with sarcasm, "Are you saying I should serve two husbands? Even if I don’t care about my pride, what about Rong Er? What does Rong Er have now? You once said Rong Er is the only child of the third branch, and that everything in the third branch would belong to Rong Er in the future. But now? Who still cares for him?"

"Don’t worry, I always keep my word. Rong Er is my treasure. I wouldn’t let anyone suffer, especially not Rong Er..."

Ying Shi continued, "What’s Shun Gong like? What’s Madame like? Will they really treat Rong Er well? With you protecting him, I’m not afraid, but what about after you’re gone? Grandmother, Rong Er was born out of our selfishness! But now, who still cares for him?"

The old lady closed her eyes, and at that moment, tears fell from the corners of her eyes. She looked so frail and weak, as if she had only one breath left.

Ying Shi’s heart was filled with resentment and anger, but she couldn’t vent it to this dying old woman.

The old lady half-closed her eyes and breathed weakly for a long time before saying, "Go back first. In a few days... I’ll give you an answer..."

Only after hearing this did Ying Shi slowly kneel before the old lady’s bed. Whether the old lady could see or not, she kowtowed to her.

Then she turned and left Rong Shou Hall.

It was late, and the corridors outside were freezing, with water turning to ice.

She wrapped herself in a thick cloak, her strength seemingly drained, and walked back to her courtyard with unsteady steps.

The inner room was warm and cozy. Gui Niang had been waiting for her and stepped forward to help her remove her cloak, whispering, "The Duke came over at noon, holding the young master."

Ying Shi was slightly startled upon hearing this.

At this moment, she couldn’t help but admire the three maids who served her—Xiang Yao, Chun Lan, and Gui Niang. They all seemed to have a strong ability to adapt.

She remembered when Liang Ji first returned, these people were as if in mourning, their faces filled with despair. But in just a few days, they were all full of energy again.

Often, even Ying Shi herself couldn’t accept this shadowy relationship. She would feel afraid, nervous. Because this garden belonged to the third branch, it belonged to Liang Ji.

But the maids around her didn’t seem to be afraid at all.

As Ying Shi's mind raced, she saw the figure sitting at the long table.

Ying Shi hesitated for a moment.

Their relationship wasn’t as carefree as it used to be. Now, with Liang Ji in the picture, even though Liang Ji hadn’t been around much lately, it was still different.

Without fully breaking things off with Liang Ji, Ying Shi felt that being under the same roof with Liang Yun would draw criticism.

She even stepped back a few paces to steady herself.

Liang Yun had just put the child to sleep and was tidying up the collar and cuffs that Rong Er had messed up.

Seeing Ying Shi return, Liang Yun was momentarily startled.

Ying Shi frowned, clearly troubled by his sudden appearance.

But then she saw him go back to rocking the cradle, focusing on Rong Er.

Ying Shi didn’t know what else to say.

"Did you go out to see the wedding?" Liang Yun asked.

Ying Shi had not only watched the spectacle but also had a few drinks. The wine wasn’t strong, but it made her feel light-headed, and her cheeks flushed.

When Liang Yun asked, she couldn’t help but smile, remembering the lively atmosphere and the majestic horses.

It was a grand occasion, one that doesn’t happen often in the capital.

Her voice was unusually sweet, almost sugary: "The two sisters’ weddings were grand, with drums and music, the mansion surrounded by people, and a long procession of guards on horseback. The men carried red-tasseled spears, and the sedan chairs were carried by eight bearers—it was impressive. The grooms were handsome, especially the second one."

Every woman remembers such scenes vividly. As she recalled, her eyes lit up. "The second groom had a porcelain-like face, a slender figure, red lips, and white teeth. His smile was faint, but he moved with the grace of a nobleman."

Liang Yun smiled at her childlike description.

Out of all the people, she had singled out one groom, describing his face as porcelain-like.

But he softly explained, "That wasn’t the second groom; that was the princess’s husband."

Ying Shi was startled, then understood, murmuring, "No wonder."

No wonder when Princess Xiayue spoke of her failed pursuit of Liang Yun, there wasn’t much sorrow or anger, but rather a quick shift in affection—it was because the man who pursued her was so handsome.

Ying Shi slowly walked to the cradle, looking down at Rong Er inside.

After just one day, she felt his hair seemed to have grown a bit, his little head covered with a messy tuft of fine, soft fuzz, pitiful and adorable.

She stared intently, seeing the child's chubby cheeks, and finally couldn’t resist reaching out to poke.

Liang Yun quickly caught her snow-white hand.

The girl's soft fingers were enveloped in the man's palm.

His voice was somewhat hushed, as if afraid of waking the child he had just put to sleep: "I just got him to sleep, don’t poke him."

Ying Shi hummed in acknowledgment.

Then he added, "It’s been cold these days. If you want to see him, don’t run back and forth."

Ying Shi looked down, her long lashes casting delicate shadows. She understood what he meant—he had brought her here.

The atmosphere was tense, as their relationship hadn’t changed. Ying Shi couldn’t get past the emotional barrier in her heart. She cleared her throat and changed the subject, asking softly, "Has Rong Er been good these past few days?"

Liang Yun chuckled, "You always say this child is well-behaved, but he’s probably only good when he’s in your arms. Lately, I’ve been looking after him, and he’s been crying and fussing nonstop."

Now, whenever he closed his eyes, all he heard was Rong Er’s cries.

Ying Shi looked up and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. She couldn’t doubt him. She smiled, her eyes crinkling, as she teased, "If he cries, just call the wet nurse to handle it. You still have court duties—why are you personally taking care of him?"

At this, Liang Yun sighed helplessly, "Rong Er recognizes faces now. He cries if I’m not around."

He always felt like he was failing the child.

So he set the little one up in his study, glancing at him while reviewing documents, and glancing at the documents while soothing his son.

People often spoil their grandchildren but are strict with their own kids, not bending a single rule for them.

But Duke Mu was different. At his age, he had only one son, treating him like a precious gem, willing to do anything for him.

Ying Shi could hardly believe her Rong Er could wear down such a gentle and patient man. She smiled and said, "Then I’ll take care of him tonight. Let’s see if he’s really as naughty as you say."

She had visited the old lady’s courtyard once. Although there was no definite answer, the old lady didn’t seem to oppose it, and the stone in her heart gradually loosened.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from outside, as if something had passed by.

The warm atmosphere in the room, where the family of three was, was abruptly interrupted. Ying Shi's body involuntarily tensed up.

She hurriedly looked towards the courtyard, her face pale.

After a while, they heard a wild cat meow outside, quickly darting past the eaves.

Upon closer look, her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Liang Yun seemed to notice something. He suddenly reached out and held her trembling shoulder, asking, "Ying Shi, what are you afraid of?"

Ying Shi's face was pale. It seemed like it took her a while to regain her composure. She forced a smile and said, "I'm afraid of wild cats."

Liang Yun's breath paused for a moment. His eyes were deep, and he didn’t speculate further, simply saying, "Don’t be afraid. No one will enter your courtyard. There are guards inside and outside."

Ying Shi murmured to herself, "Really? No one will break in?"

Liang Yun gazed at her, his eyes fixed on her delicate face so close to him, "Yes, it's as solid as a fortress."

Ying Shi always believed every word he said.

She quietly let out a sigh of relief, her body softening. Liang Yun was very familiar with all her little cat-like, relaxed, and coquettish movements.

Seeing this, he smiled and asked, "There might be more than one wild cat outside. Should I stay tonight to keep you company?"