"Song Wanchu has been back at her natal home for several days. Have any of you seen Lord Liang the Second go to fetch her? But someone did see him go to the Yu Family several times!"
"What's so strange about that? Back when the two got married, Lord Liang the Second could even abandon Song Wanchu to bid farewell to Yu Huiyan. He never really cared about her in the first place."
"It's a foregone conclusion that Song Wanchu will be cast aside as a discarded wife. That day at the Princess Chang's Mansion, it was clearly Yu Huiyan who framed Song Wanchu, yet Lord Liang the Second still favored Yu Huiyan. This is blatant preference!"
Wen's complexion grew increasingly unsightly. She grabbed Song Wanchu's arm and was about to leave.
"Wanchu, let's go somewhere else. Such a nice view has been ruined!"
"Aunt, there's no need to go through so much trouble. Just let them talk. If we get all worked up, it'll seem like we really care."
Song Wanchu smiled indifferently. Her charming face showed a look of relief.
Liang Yuzhou was a prominent figure in the capital. Every move of his was under people's scrutiny and discussion.
If they changed places, they would only hear even more unpleasant things.
In the past, hearing such words would be harsh, like being cut by a dull knife. But now that she had finally let go of Liang Yuzhou, those words were like light floating clouds and smoke, no longer able to cause her the slightest bit of harm.
Wen picked up her teacup and pretended to drink tea, but from time to time, she would secretly observe Song Wanchu's expression.
Song Wanchu sent a relaxed and happy look over. Caught off guard, Wen quickly covered her face with the tea lid.
This woman, who had assumed the role of her mother since she was eight years old, always cared about her emotions.
To relieve this little awkwardness, Song Wanchu looked at the riverbank about a mile away. There was a whole row of shops there, mostly selling snacks and fresh fruits.
"Aunt, I'm craving cherries."
"You've just recovered. Sit still. I'll go buy them."
Actually, such a thing could be left to the maid. But Wen doted on her so much that she had to handle any food bought outside herself before she could rest assured to feed Song Wanchu.
Not long after Wen left with the maid, a figure in aqua blue flashed before her eyes.
She looked up and met a pair of amorous and handsome peach blossom eyes.
Du Yong was as playful as ever. "Miss Song, it's only been a few days since you divorced Liang Yuzhou, and your complexion has improved so much?"
He was the legitimate son of the Marquis of Yongning. If Song Wanchu still regarded herself as Liang Yuzhou's wife, she wouldn't have to bow to him. But from now on, Song Wanchu wanted to be the "Miss Song" in his mouth.
Song Wanchu gracefully rose from the stone bench and took three steps back, keeping a proper distance between a man and a woman.
"Is Young Master Du also here to escape the heat and enjoy the scenery?"
As was her habit, she greeted him with a polite smile.
Du Yong looked at that beautiful face, which was charming even without makeup. He felt that all the colorful flowers and charming women around had lost their luster.
Six years ago, that fleeting glance at the drill ground, Song Wanchu had stunned his entire youth.
He had long forgotten which of his good-for-nothing friends had said that a pretty girl had come to the drill ground. While her father was training the soldiers, she would also follow suit seriously. Dressed in men's clothing morning and evening, riding a small white horse galloping around, she had become the most beautiful scenery on the drill ground.
She would deliberately lower her voice when speaking and smear her face black. Actually, all those noble sons had seen through her disguise as a man. To tease her, they pretended not to know.
Du Yong was also one of those who pretended to be stupid. Once, when his robe got wet, he deliberately changed in front of the little girl. Just as he bared half of his arm, the little girl covered her face and screamed, then kicked him into the river.
The river water in early spring was freezing cold. How could his precious body endure such suffering? But when Du Yong climbed out of the river, he wasn't angry at all.
Instead, he rubbed his sore abdomen and thought, if he could be kicked like this every day in the future, how happy he would be.
But as Song Wanchu was carried into the Duke's Mansion in a grand sedan chair, his fantasy came to an abrupt end.
These days, rumors had been spreading that Liang Yuzhou was going to divorce Song Wanchu and marry Yu Huiyan instead. The unfulfilled dream from his youth began to stir again.
"The scenery here is not as beautiful as the person."
Du Yong's gaze on Song Wanchu was burning. Although Song Wanchu was keeping a safe distance from him, she still felt a bit uncomfortable.
The beauty blushed, like a flower about to bloom on the branch. Du Yong swallowed hard and resisted the urge to pick it.
"Miss Song, Liang Yuzhou is fickle and blind. Why are you still entangled with him? Just divorce him, and I'll marry you."
Song Wanchu was stunned, but that usually cynical face showed an unprecedented seriousness.
Du Yong liked to crack jokes, but he had always been serious about marrying Song Wanchu.
His mother had already agreed to go to the Song Family to propose marriage for him. But after attending a banquet at the Princess Chang's Mansion, she changed her mind. No matter how he pleaded, she refused to mention it again.
He got anxious and took the initiative to go to the Song Family to send the betrothal gifts. On the way, he was intercepted by the steward and his men and escorted back to the Marquis's Mansion.
His mother slapped him and shouted at him sharply, "How many heads do you have to dare to compete with the Crown Prince for a woman?"
It turned out that his mother had accidentally heard the conversation between the Princess Chang and the Crown Prince and learned that the Crown Prince had proposed marriage to the Song Family.
But there had been no follow-up later.
Of course, Du Yong didn't dare to compete with the Crown Prince for a woman. But if Song Wanchu divorced Liang Yuzhou, she would be a woman marrying for the second time.
The Crown Prince was the future emperor. Song Wanchu, a woman marrying for the second time, was destined not to be able to marry into the royal family.
Wasn't his chance coming?
Actually, he had always been puzzled. Back then, there were so many noble sons who admired Song Wanchu. Why did she choose Liang Yuzhou, who was as cold as an iceberg and as heartless as could be?
Although Song Wanchu no longer cared about her reputation, if Du Yong's bold and reckless words were heard by others, it would surely cause a great stir.
"Young Master Du deserves a better woman. Stop joking about me."
"I'm not joking. I'm serious!"
Although Du Yong had a reputation for being a playboy, he had always remained untouched by the flowers around him. He really didn't know how to express his feelings to the woman he liked. In his eagerness, he reached out to swear to the sky.
Just as he raised his arm, he was grabbed by the old steward of the Marquis's Mansion who had rushed over. "My young master, you haven't even drunk, so why are you talking nonsense?"
"I'm sorry, Lady Liang the Second. My young master has offended you."
Song Wanchu didn't even want to wait for her aunt to come back. She just wanted to escape quickly.
"Think it over carefully. I'll wait for you to dump Liang Yuzhou!"
Du Yong shouted at Song Wanchu's back.
Song Wanchu quickened her pace.
The old steward was scared out of his wits. He quickly covered Du Yong's mouth. "Young master, have you forgotten that Lord Liang the Second broke three of your ribs last time? How dare you still say that you like Lady Liang the Second! Do you think you can afford to provoke Lord Liang the Second?"
Song Wanchu had only walked a short distance when a tall and straight figure suddenly came into her sight.
The sun in midsummer was scorching hot, and there was a fire burning in Liang Yuzhou's eyes.