Song Wanchu didn't sleep well that night. The continuous rainy days made the wound on her back itch and ache unbearably. Along with the old injury in her heart, it also throbbed with dull pain from time to time.
With great difficulty, she finally fell asleep, only to be haunted by chaotic dreams. At one moment, she was surrounded by Liang Yuzhou's strong and passionate body. On the couch, he seemed like a different person, enthusiastic and eager. His passionate kisses showed his strong possessiveness. Song Wanchu was unable to resist and melted like a pool of spring water in his arms.
But such passion was soon shattered by his cold look. The amorous atmosphere dissipated, and in front of her, there was only Liang Yuzhou's cold laughter. "A noble concubine is just a concubine who uses her beauty to please others. Only Huiyan deserves the bright red color."
Every word was so merciless, as if he was going to torture her to death.
Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Song Wanchu was awakened by a loud shout.
Granny Gao, the attendant beside Princess Jiahe, stood haughtily in the courtyard. "Concubine Song, the mistress wants to eat osmanthus cakes. She asks you to make them quickly and send them over!"
Princess Jiahe looked down on Song Wanchu, and even the well - regarded servants around her didn't take Song Wanchu seriously.
Suyue carried hot water into the bedroom. While serving Song Wanchu to wash up, she complained, "It's only the Spring Equinox now. There are hardly any leaves on the osmanthus trees yet. The mistress actually wants to eat osmanthus cakes. Isn't this clearly making things difficult for you, miss?"
Nanzhi saw things clearly. "Miss Yu showed off the bright red agate bracelet given by the second master in front of you yesterday. The old mistress didn't give her a good look. Miss Yu felt wronged. The mistress doesn't dare to argue with the old mistress, so she comes to make things difficult for you!"
This kind of harassment had happened countless times. In winter, she was asked to make lotus leaf soup, and in summer, to make plum blossom tea boiled with snow water.
Song Wanchu was already familiar with Princess Jiahe's tricks. After washing up calmly, she told Nanzhi, "I still have a lot of osmanthus dried last autumn. Just take it out."
When Song Wanchu carried the osmanthus cakes to Fragrant Snow Pavilion, it started to drizzle spring rain.
They were having breakfast in Fragrant Snow Pavilion. Granny Gao glanced at her disdainfully. "The mistress hasn't summoned you yet, Concubine Song. Just wait in the courtyard."
Suyue held an umbrella for Song Wanchu. Soon, an unruly old woman bumped into her hard.
The oil - paper umbrella fell to the ground, and the old woman stepped on it.
The umbrella ribs broke, and it could no longer be used.
"Oops, this old servant didn't do it on purpose. Concubine Song is so generous and kind - hearted. She won't care about this with an old servant, right?"
Suyue was furious. "You clearly did it on purpose!"
Song Wanchu shook her head at Suyue, reminding her not to get angry.
She had endured such tricks countless times. Once she got angry, it would give Princess Jiahe a reason to make trouble.
Fortunately, she wouldn't have to endure such harassment for much longer.
The old woman rolled her eyes triumphantly and left.
Song Wanchu stood there for a quarter of an hour. The rain got heavier. She had to cover the osmanthus cakes with her sleeve to prevent them from getting wet and affecting the taste.
Suddenly, the rain on her head stopped. Liang Yuzhou didn't know when he had entered the courtyard. He was holding an umbrella, and his dark and deep eyes stared at her intently.
He was wearing a bamboo - green robe embroidered with auspicious clouds today, with a jade belt around his waist. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
He was as elegant and noble as the moon on a clear night, exactly the same as the way he had once made Song Wanchu fall in love with him.
However, her state of mind was no longer the same as before.
"Greetings to the second master," she said in a respectful and indifferent tone.
She was wearing a smoke - pink cross - collared long dress today, with light makeup and a simple appearance, looking charming and graceful.
But her hair was dripping with water, looking a bit embarrassed.
Liang Yuzhou shifted his gaze from her face and stayed on the plate of osmanthus cakes for a moment.
"Mother isn't a giraffe. Her neck can't stretch that long. If you come to deliver something but don't go into the house, how can Mother eat it?"
After saying that, he pulled her towards the corridor.
When the old woman saw this, she forced a smile. "Second master, the mistress hasn't told Concubine Song to enter the house yet."
Liang Yuzhou shouted angrily, "Where did this dog come from, barking so early in the morning? If my wife wants to enter the house, does she still have to look at your face?"
The old woman was so frightened that she quickly shrank her head and waved her hands. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"
Liang Yuzhou was in a bad mood early in the morning and was just looking for someone to vent his anger on.
"Someone, drive this slovenly old woman out!"
Princess Jiahe, who had failed to watch the show, had to come out of the house. "Zhou'er, one should be kind - hearted. Why do you have to make things difficult for an old woman?"
Liang Yuzhou argued plausibly, "Mother hates it the most when the floor is soiled on rainy days, right? Your son saw that this old woman left a trail of muddy footprints and was afraid it would bother you, so he took the initiative to send her away. Did your son do something wrong?"
These words sounded respectful, but actually contained a hidden edge.
The relationship between Princess Jiahe and her son was not very close.
When Liang Yuzhou was a child, Princess Jiahe was busy competing for favor with the concubines and neglected to take care of him.
Once, in order to catch a maid who tried to climb into his father's bed, she forgot one - year - old Liang Yuzhou in the rockery. The young child almost froze to death.
The old mistress knew that Princess Jiahe was unreliable, so she took Liang Yuzhou away to raise him. By the time Princess Jiahe realized her mistake and wanted to get closer to her son, Liang Yuzhou had already grown up.
Princess Jiahe strongly opposed Liang Yuzhou's marriage to Song Wanchu. It was not only to oppose the old mistress but also to regain control of her son.
In short, she didn't like whatever the old mistress liked, and she liked whatever the old mistress disliked.
But Princess Jiahe clearly didn't want to fall out with her son. She had to force a smile. "You're right. Just send her away."
Her gaze fell on Song Wanchu, full of venom and coldness.
Liang Yuzhou subtly shifted his body to block most of her body, with an obvious protective meaning.
In the past, Song Wanchu would have been happy for a long time, thinking that Liang Yuzhou cared about her and was standing up for her.
Until one day, she heard Liang Yuzhou complaining to his friend Wen Congbai, "If I don't go, the old mistress will scold me for not being able to protect my wife. I'm so annoyed by being scolded every day!"
Song Wanchu was stunned to see that his eyes were full of impatience.
It turned out that he wasn't doing it for her but for himself.
There was no longer the slightest ripple in her heart.
The osmanthus cakes were served on the table. Princess Jiahe pulled Liang Yuzhou to sit beside Yu Huiyan but ignored Song Wanchu.
In Princess Jiahe's eyes, she only deserved to stand and serve. She was not qualified to eat at the same table as the masters.
"Mother, Wanchu and I still have to go to pay respects to the old mistress."
Yu Huiyan was just enthusiastically picking up food for Liang Yuzhou. Hearing this, her arm froze in mid - air.
Princess Jiahe was eager to create more opportunities for him and Yu Huiyan to get along. She tried hard to persuade him to stay. "The old mistress gets up late. Why don't you eat first and let Concubine Song go first?"
Liang Yuzhou said calmly, "This is against the rules."
Yu Huiyan watched helplessly as Liang Yuzhou held Song Wanchu's hand and left.
Cousin clearly still cared about Song Wanchu.
She bit her lower lip tightly. The old mistress liked Song Wanchu very much and would definitely not drive her away. If she wanted to marry Liang Yuzhou smoothly, Song Wanchu would have to leave on her own initiative...