It sounded as if she had been greatly startled.
Liang Yuzhou withdrew from his poised state, and the lust in his eyes faded away completely.
Outside the rockery, Yu Huiyan huddled fearfully behind a rock, still in shock. When she saw Liang Yuzhou, her eyes welled up with tears. She looked so pitiful and vulnerable, extremely endearing.
"What's wrong?"
Yu Huiyan burst into tears before she could say a word. When she saw Song Wanchu behind Liang Yuzhou, the tears flowed even more uncontrollably. She bit her lips tightly and remained silent, as if she had been threatened by Song Wanchu.
Liang Yuzhou handed her a silk handkerchief and said softly, "Take your time to tell me. I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Yu Huiyan cried even harder.
Her maid, Caidie, indignantly complained to Liang Yuzhou, "Second Master, just now our young lady met two maids of Concubine Song. That one named Suyue shouted at our young lady, saying that Concubine Song is your legal wife, and even told our young lady to get out of the Duke's Mansion!
I was so angry that I wanted to defend our young lady, but Suyue said she knew kung fu and threatened to push our young lady into the lake and drown her!"
Caidie's words seemed to break Yu Huiyan's last line of self - restraint. She sobbed out in grievance.
"Cousin, don't be angry. I know I've been staying by your side all the time, which has annoyed Concubine Song. That's why her maid said those things..."
Between the lines, it seemed as if Song Wanchu had hinted Suyue to say those words.
Song Wanchu frowned slightly, feeling suspicious.
Although Suyue had a straightforward and fiery temper, she knew her limits well and would never say such things to Yu Huiyan on such an occasion.
Before she could defend herself, two cold glares stabbed at her like sharp blades, bringing a chilling aura.
"Control your maids!"
The merciless scolding shook Song Wanchu's eardrums.
He had easily convicted her just by listening to Caidie's one - sided story.
Although she had long given up on Liang Yuzhou, his words and attitude were like pushing the knife already inserted into her heart deeper.
Her heart still bled, but after getting used to the bloodshed, she no longer felt the pain.
Liang Yuzhou was inherently biased. He could even indulge Yu Huiyan in harming her. What was the point of her further defense?
"Your humble concubine will remember Second Master's instruction."
Song Wanchu curtsied gracefully, looking gentle and obedient, without a single flaw.
She was as calm as a doll without emotions. For a moment when she turned around, Liang Yuzhou read a hint of determination in her eyes.
Song Wanchu walked away quickly, her back looking lonely. Somehow, he had an urge to chase after her.
Just as he took a step, Yu Huiyan grabbed his sleeve and looked at him timidly, "Cousin, can I stay by your side?"
She thought she had shown herself to be pitiful and scared enough.
But her hand was gently brushed away by Liang Yuzhou.
"I'll take you to the Princess Dowager and Mother."
His tone was cold, as if he never had any emotional fluctuations when facing her.
Why was it that only Song Wanchu could stir up his emotions?
If he believed Song Wanchu's words, the carefully - crafted lie from three years ago would be exposed...
A flash of hatred passed through Yu Huiyan's eyes.
The main banquet was over, and the tables in the garden were removed. Noble ladies and young misses gathered under the pavilion to enjoy the lotus flowers and have snacks.
Nanzhi and Suyue were still waiting for Song Wanchu at the same place.
"Did either of you have a conflict with Yu Huiyan just now?"
The two girls shook their heads like rattles.
Nanzhi said, "Miss, we did meet Miss Yu just now. Caidie shouted in front of a group of young misses that the Princess Dowager was matchmaking for Miss Yu, and that Second Master would surely agree to the marriage. She also said that if you were sensible, you should voluntarily step down. A concubine occupying the position of a legal wife was improper and would only invite ridicule.
Suyue was so angry that she asked Caidie if she dared to say that in front of the old lady. Then Miss Yu seemed so aggrieved and kept wiping her tears."
Suyue still looked a bit aggrieved, "Miss, did I say something wrong?"
The two girls whole - heartedly thought about her and always wanted to vindicate her. How could Song Wanchu bear to blame them?
But she still said seriously, "In the future, don't say anything in front of Miss Yu, and don't argue with her maid just for a momentary anger."
"You really need to control your mouth," Nanzhi gently tapped Suyue's forehead. "Our miss is almost out of this difficult situation. Our miss doesn't care about the status of wife or concubine. Let them say whatever they want!"
"Alright, the banquet is over. I'll take you to Fanxing Building to eat braised pork knuckles in crystal sugar."
After all, Suyue was still a young girl. She was originally feeling wronged, but at the mention of braised pork knuckles in crystal sugar, her face immediately beamed with joy.
"Miss is still the best to me."
Nanzhi and Suyue had served Song Wanchu for ten years. They had a deep bond. On the surface, they were master and servants, but in fact, they were like sisters.
A group of noble ladies and young misses were all surrounding the Princess Dowager, flattering and fawning on her. Song Wanchu had offended the Princess Dowager, and now she was like a mold, and no one wanted to get close to her.
Only Shen Yuhe broke away from the crowd and walked towards her.
"Wanchu, are you okay?"
Shen Yuhe's eyes fell on Song Wanchu's slightly red - rimmed eyes, looking worried.
Just now, Liang Yuzhou had taken Song Wanchu away from the banquet. Given his temper, he would most likely scold Song Wanchu.
"I'm fine. I haven't thanked you for standing up for me at the banquet."
Song Wanchu really admired Shen Yuhe. She was like a breath of fresh air among the high - ranking nobles. Although she was a woman, she had the ambition of a man. Her medical skills were even more excellent than those of her elder brothers.
She had a straightforward personality, clearly distinguishing between love and hate. She would take action when she saw something she disliked and hated evil.
When everyone else despised and scorned Song Wanchu, only she had warmed Song Wanchu's gloomy life with her words and actions.
"You and I don't need to say such polite words."
Shen Yuhe regarded Song Wanchu as a bosom friend, but she didn't understand Song Wanchu's feelings for Liang Yuzhou at all.
Unrequited love not only failed to gain any respect or care but also had to endure ridicule. What was the point?
Why not be nicer to herself?
The two of them walked slowly and came to a secluded corner. Only then did Shen Yuhe say, "Wanchu, you've been married into the Duke's Mansion for three years. Your ability to manage the household is obvious to all. If Liang Yuzhou had any conscience, he should have made you the legal wife. But what did he do? He let you hold an embarrassing title, neither here nor there!
If you had come here as the legal wife today, would the Princess Dowager have dared to instruct the steward to humiliate you? It shows that he is a cold - hearted and heartless man!"
Her words were harsh, but unfortunately, they were the truth.
Song Wanchu wasn't angry because only Shen Yuhe was willing to stand up for her.
On the lonely path of her unrequited love, there were too few people who could understand and feel sorry for her.
The corners of her lips curled up slightly, with a bitter smile, "He has emotions and a heart, but not for me."
Just thinking of Yu Huiyan's weak and helpless appearance, Shen Yuhe felt annoyed.
She held Song Wanchu's hand tightly, her eyes full of concern, "Wanchu, I'm going to say something that maybe I shouldn't. The Princess Dowager is matchmaking for Yu Huiyan, and the Princess Jiahe is very happy about it. It's almost certain that Liang Yuzhou will marry Yu Huiyan. You should make plans for yourself earlier. You can't be a concubine in a humble way for Liang Yuzhou all your life. It's not worth it!"