Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Liang Quan: "I didn’t come here by mistake. I meant to come here."

Zhu Fuying’s expression changed: "On purpose?"

Liang Quan: "Yes. Today, and all those times before."

Zhu Fuying instinctively covered her chest: "All those times?" Could it be that Lord Liang had visited more than just those two occasions?

Before Liang Quan could answer, the maidservants and nanny, having regained their senses, snatched up brooms and poles, charging over in a noisy rush.

"Who is this scoundrel? Get out now!"

"If you don’t leave, we’ll report you to the authorities!"

"This is the Zhu residence! Our master is the Rector of the National Academy! Reckless fool—you got a death wish?"

The servants yelled, hoping to intimidate the intruder who dared to break into a private home in broad daylight.

Zhu Fuying’s nanny was the quickest, smacking Liang Quan’s back hard with her broom.

Liang Quan stood steady as the blow landed, then continued answering the earlier question: "Yes. Many, many times. I came specifically to see you."

The nanny, standing right there, turned pale at these words, almost dropping her broom. What was this scoundrel saying? When had he ever come to see the young lady, and so many times at that?

Though bewildered, Zhu Fuying was, after all, a young woman about to be betrothed. In an instant, she understood something, her fair face turning bright red.

For a moment, her mind froze, unsure of what to say, and she forgot to stop her nanny from swinging the broom at Liang Quan again.

Fortunately, Liang Sanqi and the others, who had been trailing behind, finally caught up and jumped into the courtyard.

Seeing the situation, they hurried forward, each grabbing the nanny and her broom, pulling her away. Then the four of them formed a protective circle around him, facing outward.

Zhu Fuying looked up at the towering man before her, taking a long pause before speaking: "Lord Liang, I am already betrothed."

Liang Quan: "I know. That’s why I’m here today—to take you away."

Zhu Fuying gasped: "Lord Liang, you can’t do that!"

Liang Quan’s face darkened. Planting his large hands on the windowsill, he leaned his head into the window, his tone commanding: "Why not? Do you not like me?"

Zhu Fuying flinched as his face suddenly got close, her face burning as she stumbled over her words: "This isn’t about whether I like you—"

Without letting her finish, Liang Quan cut in: "Then you do like me."

Zhu Fuying’s mind was in chaos, leaving her momentarily speechless.

At first, she had only been deeply grateful to Lord Liang for saving her life.

Had he not intervened then, she would have been taken by those river bandits, facing a fate worse than death. Later, he even leaped into the river to rescue her, saving her twice in total.

To her, Lord Liang was like a second parent.

Had he asked for her hand in marriage back then, she wouldn’t have hesitated for a second.

After all, her life was his to claim. No matter who he was, she would have followed him.

Yet, from beginning to end, he had never shown the slightest hint of romantic affection toward her.

During those days on the boat, the food prepared by the ship's cook was truly awful. She personally heard Lord Liang complain to his two attendants that the meals were worse than swill.

So she had her household maids prepare extra food every day and delivered it herself.

Afraid of disturbing Lord Liang's rest, the first time she knocked on the door next to his, intending to hand it over to a man called Thirty-Seven.

But just as Thirty-Seven reached out, Lord Liang's door opened. He stepped out and simply said, "Just give it to me directly from now on," then took the food box and returned to his room without so much as a glance at her.

That day, when she was taken hostage on the small boat, she witnessed Lord Liang's heroic and unmatched skills firsthand—how he fired three arrows, killing three river bandits. Those scenes stayed vivid in her memory.

In her heart, Lord Liang was godlike—aloof and disinterested in women, which seemed only natural.

So it had never crossed her mind that Lord Liang could like women, let alone an ordinary girl like her.

But then, one night, Lord Liang appeared out of the blue by her bedside.

That time, she was scared out of her wits. Later, Lord Liang claimed he had mistaken the room. Though it seemed unlikely, she chose to believe him.

Until that night not long ago, when Lord Liang appeared by her bedside again. Though startled, she immediately recognized him due to having learned from last time—and indeed, it was him.

Even if she were the dullest person, she knew this time he definitely hadn’t come by mistake.

Especially after she found that jar of facial balm under her pillow. She sat alone in the darkness for a long time, and a thought gradually formed in her mind—

Could Lord Liang have feelings for her?

Once this idea took root, her heart raced uncontrollably, and an inexplicable hope arose within her. She thought that if he came to propose, she would agree without hesitation.

She even subtly mentioned to her parents, saying she had dreamed of her savior coming to ask for her hand.

Her parents laughed for a while but didn’t take it seriously. Later, her mother even pulled her aside to warn her never to speak of such dreams again, lest it ruin her reputation.

Naturally, she kept it to herself, but she secretly held onto that hope.

Yet day after day, month after month passed, and not a trace of him appeared.

After much reflection, she concluded she must have been deluding herself. Chiding herself, she let go of the hope.

Later, her parents arranged a match for her—a pairing of equal social standing with Mr. Lin, a man of exemplary conduct and strikingly handsome looks, who had earned his jìnshì degree the previous year.

Her parents doted on her and would never harm her, so she agreed.

But why on earth did Lord Liang suddenly appear today, without warning, to crash the wedding?

What was she to do?

Seeing Zhu Fuying staring at him in silence, Lord Liang’s expression darkened. He leaned in further. "You don’t like me?"

Startled by his expression and fearing he might force his way in, she quickly shook her head. "No! It’s not that I dislike you."

Lord Liang studied her for a moment longer, then grinned. "Good. Then wait for me. I’ll go speak to your parents first. Later today, I’ll come back to propose."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Lord Liang." Zhu Fuying felt this wasn’t right. She called out to stop him but then didn’t know what to say.

After waiting a moment without hearing more, Lord Liang stuck his arm through the window and gently touched her head. "Wait for me."

Feeling the touch of his large hand, her heart hammered in her chest, her face flushed hot. Almost without thinking, she nodded.

Liang Quan chuckled, pulled his hand back, and wiped his own face with the same hand that had just touched Zhu Fuying's head before marching off.

Liangsan Shiqi and the others hurried to catch up, whispering suggestions as they walked beside him.

Liangsan Shiqi: "Boss, showing up empty-handed ain’t right."

Liang Quan: "I know, but it’s an emergency. There was no time to prepare."

Liang Jiang: "Should I go back and grab your whole stash?"

Liang Quan: "No rush. When I return, I’ll pick carefully. Some things have shady backgrounds—bad juju, can’t take them."

Liang Feng: "Boss, what if the guy says no?"

Liang Quan clenched his fist: "Let him try!"

Liang Feng swatted his fist, exasperated: "Boss, control that temper of yours! The girl’s actual dad is here. If you fight him, even if she likes you, she’d never be with you. And who says she’s even into you in the first place?"

Liang Quan: "..."

Liang Hai: "I think it’d be better to get the Emperor to hook you up. That’d be more secure."

Liangsan Shiqi: "That’s a great idea. After all, you’re His Majesty’s son—a legit prince—and he’s crazy about you. Getting the Emperor to sign off would be just a snap of your fingers."

Liang Quan stubbornly insisted: "I still want to propose on my own merit."

The four of them slapped their foreheads in unison: "Boss, are you nuts?"

As they spoke, they made their way toward the courtyard where Lord Zhu and his wife resided. Halfway there, they saw Zhu Qian, accompanied by his sons, nephews, and a group of armed servants, charging at them with furious intent.

The two groups stopped abruptly upon seeing each other. Zhu Qian immediately scolded: "Who the hell are these punks? How dare you barge into my Zhu family in broad daylight!"

Liang Quan’s face darkened, but remembering his purpose, he suppressed his temper and clasped his hands in greeting: "I am Liang Quan. Miss Fuying and I are crazy about each other, and I’ve come to propose."

Liangsan Shiqi and the others winced. Their lord had balls—calling it "crazy about each other" when it was probably one-sided.

Zhu Qian’s expression, already grim, turned stormy. He bellowed: "You cocky bastard! How dare you run your mouth and drag my girl’s name through the mud!"

He then glanced awkwardly at the young gentleman standing coldly beside him. "Nephew, don’t misunderstand. My Ying’er has absolutely no connection with this rogue. Rest assured, I’ll have him seized and handed over to the authorities."

Only then did Liangsan Shiqi and the others realize that Lord Zhu didn’t recognize Liang Quan. Liangsan Shiqi quickly stepped forward: "Lord Zhu, a word in private, please."

But Zhu Qian was already seeing red. With a wave of his hand, he ordered: "Seize them!"

Zhu Qian’s two sons, his nephews, and the household guards surged forward, swinging bats and knives.

Liang Quan, his face dark, hiked up his sleeves, ready to fight.

Seeing this, Liangsan Shiqi and the others freaked out inside. The four of them rushed forward, grabbing his arms and pushing his back, forcibly dragging him away.

Only after leaving the Zhu residence and running some distance did Liang Quan finally break free. "Why did you pull me away?"

Liangsan Shiqi sighed: "Boss, didn’t I tell you? That’s the girl’s father and brothers!"

Liang Quan: "...Then what do you suggest?"

Liang Jiang: "Like Liang Hai said earlier, you should return to the palace immediately and get the Emperor to sign off."

Liang Quan thought for a moment and nodded. "Fine. I’ll go back and see His Majesty right now."

He'd barely taken a step when he turned back, frowning and asking, "What about the Zhu family? Will Zhu Qian cause trouble for Miss Zhu?"

Liang Sanqi rolled his eyes. "My lord, now you're worried about Miss Zhu's situation. What were you doing earlier?"

Seeing Liang Quan clench his fists, Liang Jiang, fearing further trouble, quickly patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, my lord. We’ll stay behind and guard Miss Zhu’s courtyard until you return."

Liang Quan: "Then hurry back and make sure she’s protected—not a single hair on her head harmed."

Liang Jiang: "Not a hair, not a single one. Absolutely not."

Only then did Liang Quan nod in satisfaction. He quickly ran to the street corner, swung onto his horse, and galloped back to the palace at full speed.

---

Back at the Zhu residence.

Failing to catch the intruders, Zhu Qian was hopping mad. He cursed in the direction they had fled before forcing a smile and saying to Mr. Lin, "Just a small hiccup, my dear nephew. Pay it no mind. Let’s return and continue our discussion."

The Zhu family’s young men also chimed in with smiles, "Brother Lin, please."

Mr. Lin, however, looked displeased, his eyes filled with doubt. "Uncle Zhu, does Fuying truly not know that brute?"

At this, Zhu Qian stiffened. "What do you mean by that, nephew?"

Mr. Lin hastily cupped his hands. "I don't mean any disrespect. I simply don’t understand—if Fuying truly had never met that ruffian, how could he come here and say such things?"

Zhu Qian caught the insinuation and grew angry himself. With an angry flick of his sleeve, he said coldly, "Mr. Lin, if you don’t believe me, I can summon Fuying here for you to question directly. There’s no need for such veiled accusations."

The moment he finished speaking, Zhu Fuying emerged hurriedly from behind the moon gate, with her maid and nursemaid in tow. In a clear voice, she declared, "Father, I know that man. He's the one who saved me—Lord Liang!"