She waved to him cheerfully, her steps as light as a fawn running in the forest.
"Cousin, thanks to you for mediating, we managed to rescue brother from that 'King of Hell'. Our whole family is very grateful to you. Father even said he wanted to invite you to dinner."
"No need." Liang Yuzhou's expression was cold. "Don't mention this to anyone in the future."
Seeing Liang Yuzhou's indifferent attitude towards her and knowing that he had just come out of Shuiyunju, Yu Huiyan's jealousy burned fiercely.
But when she spoke, she looked soft and obedient. "I understand, cousin. Last night, Concubine Song fainted from anger. I feel so bad about it. I'll go and apologize to her right away. I'll take whatever scolding or beating she gives me."
For some reason, Liang Yuzhou thought of Song Wanchu's sickly appearance.
Years ago, she was also a bright and lively young girl. Wearing riding clothes, she entered the hunting ground with a pink ribbon fluttering in the wind.
Almost all the young men in the hunting ground were attracted by her figure, including the crown prince.
At the age of seventeen, he first had a concrete concept of a woman's beauty and charm.
Looking back carefully, Song Wanchu had never been as charming and lively as before since she married him.
Su Yue's words suddenly broke into his mind, like a boulder hitting the center of a lake, causing ripples.
"Huiyan."
Liang Yuzhou suddenly called Yu Huiyan. His tone was normal, but there was a hidden pressure.
Yu Huiyan's heart skipped a beat.
"What's wrong, cousin?"
"Have you ever lied to me?"
She didn't know why he suddenly asked this, but Yu Huiyan clearly remembered that three years ago, when her father was demoted, Liang Yuzhou chased him to the outskirts of the capital and interrogated him about the bloody battle at Pingsha Pass. She would never forget Liang Yuzhou's cold and intimidating eyes.
He said he hated lies and betrayal the most.
Her heart began to beat wildly.
She didn't dare to look into Liang Yuzhou's eyes.
"Cousin, why do you suddenly ask this?"
"Huiyan, we've had a sibling relationship for more than a decade. Aunt entrusted you to me before she passed away. Taking care of you is my responsibility, but it doesn't mean I can tolerate deception and betrayal from those around me."
These words sounded familiar and stung her ears.
She remembered that after her father was interrogated by Liang Yuzhou with a sword pointed at him, he was covered in cold sweat. Even long after Liang Yuzhou left, his legs were still weak.
Liang Yuzhou had this ability. When he was gentle, he was intoxicating; when he was ruthless, he was more terrifying than the King of Hell!
Yu Huiyan's legs also began to feel weak.
After a long time, she finally managed to find her voice. Looking at Liang Yuzhou with red eyes like a frightened little rabbit, she said, "Cousin, did Concubine Song say something? Do you suspect that I was the one who caused her injury?"
Before Liang Yuzhou could speak, she already looked extremely aggrieved.
His deep eyes scanned her face with scrutiny, cold and emotionless.
"You don't need to enter Shuiyunju anymore. And don't call her Concubine Song again."
As his tall and straight back walked away, the warm early - summer sun shone, but Yu Huiyan broke out in a cold sweat.
...
The weather was getting warmer. The wound on Song Wanchu's back was healing a bit faster, and the swelling on her ankle had subsided. Finally, she could get out of bed again.
"My dear child, your body has just recovered a bit. Why are you in such a hurry to come and pay respects?"
As soon as Song Wanchu entered Fuan Hall, the old lady quickly told two maids to support her, afraid that she might have an accident.
"It's already okay." Song Wanchu gave a playful smile and took a piece of Chinese yam cake and put it into her mouth. "I'm just craving the snacks in the old lady's room."
"You little girl always knows how to flatter me."
Although the old lady complained, she told Qiao Ying to go to the kitchen and bring a few plates of freshly made cakes. "If you want snacks, it's not difficult. I'll send them to you every day."
"Then I'll eat more. I won't be able to eat such good snacks after I leave the Duke's Mansion."
A look of loss and melancholy quietly crept onto the old lady's face.
She knew very well that Wanchu was responding to her persuasion and retention back then.
Her most beloved granddaughter - in - law was determined to leave.
Her precious grandson had really gone too far this time. At a critical moment, he abandoned his own wife to save Yu Huiyan and even shielded and indulged that "white lotus" to harm Wanchu.
Who could forgive such behavior?
No matter how sincere one's feelings were, they couldn't withstand such trampling.
But the old lady was not willing to let the two of them separate.
"Wanchu, I always feel that there's some misunderstanding between you and Zhou'er."
Misunderstanding? A bitter taste welled up in Song Wanchu's chest. What misunderstanding could there be?
Liang Yuzhou just didn't love her.
The sandalwood Buddha beads rolled in the old lady's hand a few times. After hesitating for a moment, the old lady took Song Wanchu's hand and said, "Wanchu, do you know that back then, it was Zhou'er who—"
"Old lady, the Princess Mansion sent an invitation, inviting you to the Dragon Boat Festival banquet."
Nanny Qiao walked in with an invitation. She saw the old lady looking strange, as if she wanted to say something but held back, and Song Wanchu looking curious.
She regretted coming in at such a bad time.
The old lady didn't continue the previous topic. Instead, she rubbed her temples and showed a bit of impatience.
"I don't have much of a relationship with her. Send a reply and say that the weather is getting hotter and I'm not feeling well. I won't go to join the fun."
The old lady and Princess Jiahe didn't get along well. The princess was on good terms with Princess Jiahe, so her relationship with the old lady was naturally not good.
Three years ago, the old lady almost had a falling - out with the princess in order to beg for the imperial edict for Song Wanchu's marriage.
At that time, the princess had already recommended Yu Huiyan to marry Liang Yuzhou in front of the emperor.
If Yu Jingnian hadn't been accused of corruption, Yu Huiyan would have been the second wife of the Duke's Mansion.
But the princess was still polite enough to know that the most respected person in the Duke's Mansion was the old lady. If she only invited Princess Jiahe, it would surely invite criticism.
Nanny Qiao said, "Old lady, I heard that the crown prince has also been invited. You didn't go to the Spring Banquet last time. If you keep declining, outsiders will inevitably make random guesses and spread rumors."
Maintaining a harmonious relationship was crucial between the royal family and the noble families.
The old lady frowned even more tightly, looking annoyed.
"Old lady, I'm so bored. I'd like to go out for a walk. How about I be so bold as to attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet on your behalf?"
"No need." The old lady refused immediately. She knew too well what kind of people the princess and Princess Jiahe were.
They considered themselves royal nobles, looking down on everyone. Many of them were from declining families, but they still put on airs when going out, looking down on others.
Wanchu's reputation was ruined by them.
If she went, she would only be humiliated for no reason.
The old lady couldn't bear to let that happen.
"Please let me go." Song Wanchu rarely showed her little - girl charm and softly pleaded. "After leaving the capital, I won't have another chance to see such a grand occasion. I'll just be a well - behaved guest. Will anyone deliberately make things difficult for me?"
It was hard to say.
But unable to resist Song Wanchu's repeated requests, the old lady finally gave her the invitation.
Song Wanchu curtsied to express her gratitude.
Finally, she had found an opportunity. She wanted to ask the princess face - to - face why, after she had offered her heart's blood to save Liang Yuzhou's life, Liang Yuzhou thought she was lying.
It was obvious that someone else was lying!