Yu Huiyan staggered to her feet from the chair. Staring at Liang Yuzhou with tear - blurred eyes, she seemed to be brimming with endless grievances.
Liang Yuzhou's gaze shifted imperceptibly from her face to her left wrist.
The wrist was wrapped in a white silk ribbon, from which a faint trace of blood seeped through.
"Cousin, don't worry. The bleeding has stopped. The wound is so ugly. Don't look."
From Liang Yuzhou's gaze, Yu Huiyan felt the anger of being deceived, and her scalp went numb.
She had only made a shallow cut on her wrist.
She was afraid of the pain and even more afraid of death if she cut too deep. But if she didn't cut at all, she was afraid Liang Yuzhou wouldn't come.
At the sight of Liang Yuzhou, the restlessness in her heart was rekindled with hope.
With more than a decade of childhood friendship, her cousin couldn't just let go like that. He still cared about her. As soon as he heard she had attempted suicide by cutting her wrist, he came immediately.
Suddenly, she gained the courage to confront Princess Lingyang. Taking a deep breath, she puffed out her chest, and there was a hint of provocation in her eyes when she looked at Princess Lingyang.
Princess Lingyang's irritation reached its peak.
Stamping her feet in a fit of rage, she said, "Second Brother Liang, do you still like this bitch?"
The old woman had hinted to her several times that Liang Yuzhou would make Song Wanchu his legitimate wife after the martial arts imperial examination. Song Wanchu was the real rival in love she needed to guard against and deal with.
At first, she didn't quite believe it. If Liang Yuzhou liked Song Wanchu, he would have made her his legitimate wife long ago. Why wait until now?
Humiliating Yu Huiyan and forcing her to cut her wrist was just to test whether Liang Yuzhou cared more about his childhood cousin or Song Wanchu, the woman who had shared his bed.
Liang Yuzhou really came, and so quickly. As soon as he entered, he was concerned about Yu Huiyan's injury.
Bah! The old woman was just lying to her!
The person Liang Yuzhou cared most about was still Yu Huiyan!
How dare this bitch look so smug in front of her! She would never forgive her!
"Second Brother Liang, tell me! The old woman said you were going to make Song Wanchu your legitimate wife. There's no such thing, right?" Princess Lingyang demanded.
Liang Yuzhou cast a nonchalant glance at Princess Lingyang. "I'm afraid I can't guarantee what others say."
That was a negative.
That was the answer Princess Lingyang came up with.
"Bitch, just you wait. Don't think Second Brother Liang can save you this time and will be able to come in time next time!"
Princess Lingyang never really intended to kill Yu Huiyan. If Liang Yuzhou didn't like Yu Huiyan anymore, why would she bother with a wild hen?
But now, she changed her mind.
Princess Lingyang led a group of followers and left the Starry Pavilion in a bustling crowd.
As a court official, Liang Yuzhou escorted her to the door.
Princess Lingyang stared at Liang Yuzhou's cold and handsome face, so infatuated that she couldn't take her eyes off.
She just loved Liang Yuzhou's proud and noble temperament. He never bowed to anyone, and he wouldn't kowtow to her just because she was a princess.
Unlike Liang Yuchuan, who would always try every means to show off in front of her. That flattering smile on his face was as annoying as a peacock showing off its feathers.
"Second Brother Liang, when you become the top scorer in the martial arts imperial examination, I'll ask Father Emperor to bestow a marriage on us."
Princess Lingyang fantasized blissfully, her bright eyes twinkling. With a shy look on her face like a young girl, she said, "I know you can't bear to part with Song Wanchu because she's charming. After I marry you, I'll still let her be your noble concubine. I promise I won't be jealous, and I'll even allow her to have her own children. Am I being very generous?"
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, few princesses would allow their husbands to take concubines, but Princess Lingyang thought she should act like a proper wife.
Liang Yuzhou's fondness for Song Wanchu was just like his fondness for a beautiful plaything. She wouldn't be jealous of a plaything.
"It's getting dark. Your Highness should return to the palace."
No matter what she asked, Liang Yuzhou would never give a direct answer. He was so mysterious.
This enigmatic man was simply irresistible.
On the way back to the palace, Princess Lingyang determined her next goal.
Marry Liang Yuzhou.
Make the person he really liked disappear from the world completely.
After Princess Lingyang's sedan chair left, Liang Yuzhou didn't even look back. He strode hurriedly in the direction of the Supreme Court.
"Cousin, cousin!"
Yu Huiyan chased after him. Liang Yuzhou had long strides and walked in a hurry. She gasped for breath as she chased.
"The show is over. It's time for this audience to leave."
She tilted her head back and looked at Liang Yuzhou's tall and cold back with some difficulty.
"Cousin, do you hate me so much that you don't even want to look at me?"
Yu Huiyan felt extremely panicked.
When Princess Lingyang mocked her, she said that Song Wanchu might be made the legitimate wife by her cousin and become the mistress of the Duke's Mansion in a glorious way, forever stepping on her.
She had to do something to prove that she still held a place in Liang Yuzhou's heart.
Otherwise, watching Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou live in harmony would be worse than death for her!
Liang Yuzhou turned his head slightly. What came into view was Yu Huiyan's pitiful look on the verge of crying.
"Yu Huiyan, your acting isn't that good. It's not enough to make this audience stay for you."
His words were like ice shards, stabbing sharply into Yu Huiyan's chest and churning her internal organs into a bloody mess.
He actually called her Yu Huiyan!
The last time Liang Yuzhou splashed tea on her and got very angry, he still called her "Huiyan".
But today, he called her by her full name.
He was as cold as if she were a stranger!
Her tricks had long been seen through by Liang Yuzhou. She didn't understand that if he didn't care about her at all, why did he come specially to watch this show?
He hated being tricked and deceived the most.
"Cousin, I didn't mean to—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Liang Yuzhou's figure disappeared into the night.
Listening to the fading footsteps, Yu Huiyan burst into tears. Her eyes were filled with rage, and her face was hideous.
Liang Yuzhou, wouldn't even listen to her finish speaking?
...
Song Wanchu bid farewell to her uncle and walked out of the cell, looking back every few steps.
With a pile of worries in her heart, she felt heavy - hearted.
Suddenly, there came the clanging sound of iron chains in front of her, followed by a cold laugh. "Song Wanchu, long time no see."
Song Wanchu suddenly raised her eyes.
The man in front of her was wearing a dirty prison uniform. With a disheveled head and a dirty face, he grinned sinisterly at her.
It was Yu Rongbai!
The last time she saw him was five years ago. He wanted to buy her uncle's rice shop at a low price by force and brought a group of servants to make trouble.
At that time, Song Wanchu was still a high - spirited young girl. Together with Luo Han, she drew her sword to protect the rice shop.
Yu Rongbai was extremely arrogant. He threatened that if they didn't sell the shop, he would burn it down.
Song Wanchu pointed her sword at his chest and forced him back. Then Yu Rongbai's lust flared up. In front of her uncle and elder brother, he made a lewd remark.
"If you don't want to sell the shop, that's okay. I've taken a fancy to your girl. Use her to pay for the shop, and I'll let you off!"
Because of this lewd remark, her elder brother kicked him and broke three of his ribs.
Yu Jingnian doted on his son and threatened to file a complaint with the Supreme Court.