"What's wrong with the Duke's Mansion?" Song Wanchu frowned.
Zhou Yan stole a cautious glance at Liang Yuzhou, who remained expressionless.
"Madam, not long after you left, the old lady fell into a depression and went to the Jingchan Temple on Nanshan to chant Buddhist scriptures and eat vegetarian food. She said she would only return after the Second Young Master won the championship in the martial examination.
The martial examination is less than a month away. Heroes from all over are flocking to the capital. The old duke is busy leading troops to defend the city and has no time to return to the mansion.
As for the madam..."
When it came to Princess Jiahe, Zhou Yan couldn't go on.
He really wanted to curse. How shameless can a person be!
Taking advantage of the absence of the old lady and the old duke, Princess Jiahe had privately decided to bring Yu Huiyan to the Duke's Mansion to recuperate!
Given the dirty things Yu Huiyan had done, if the old lady found out, she would never allow Yu to soil the grounds of the Duke's Mansion!
The Second Young Master hadn't stopped Yu Huiyan from entering the mansion. Zhou Yan understood that the Second Young Master had his own considerations.
But it would be better if the madam didn't have to face someone like Yu Huiyan.
It would only spoil her mood.
Zhou Yan stopped halfway through his story, but Song Wanchu had already guessed from his expression and tone.
She had already received the release letter and was no longer part of the Duke's Mansion.
With her current status, it would be inappropriate for her to enter the mansion.
The position of the mistress of the Duke's Mansion would surely be reserved for Yu Huiyan by Liang Yuzhou.
She, the "cuckoo" that had occupied another's nest, should have been driven out long ago.
So what was she to Liang Yuzhou now?
She probably didn't even count as a concubine on the side.
Song Wanchu gave a self - deprecating smile, her expression calm.
"I'll leave it all to the Second Young Master's arrangement."
Her completely nonchalant attitude made Liang Yuzhou frown deeply.
Zhou Yan sensed the cold and tense atmosphere between them and quickly explained, "Madam, the Second Young Master doesn't mean to stop you from returning to the Duke's Mansion. You're just staying here temporarily. After the martial examination is over and the turmoil outside has subsided, the Second Young Master will bring you back to the mansion in grand style!"
Song Wanchu's expression remained as calm as water.
Seeing the displeasure flash across Liang Yuzhou's face, Zhou Yan regretted his words.
The madam didn't even bother to talk to the Second Young Master now. How could she care about the status in the Duke's Mansion!
The small courtyard was decorated warmly and elegantly. Although it wasn't large, peonies were planted in front of and behind the yard, a blaze of red, gorgeous and brilliant.
The pot of peonies that Liang Yuzhou had once given her, which she had cherished like a treasure, was placed in front of the window, clearly visible at a glance.
The furnishings in the house were almost the same as those in the Shuiyun Residence.
Song Wanchu's face darkened slightly.
This small courtyard had been carefully decorated according to her preferences. It was obvious that Liang Yuzhou hadn't decided to place her here on a whim.
He had known long ago that she would leave with the release letter and had prepared this place in advance.
This was a well - designed cage for her.
From now on, she would be Liang Yuzhou's underground lover, even more unworthy of being seen in public than a concubine, while Yu Huiyan would shine brightly as the mistress of the Duke's Mansion.
"Do you like it?"
Liang Yuzhou took her hand and led her in front of the peony bushes. He picked a flower and held it under her nose.
Song Wanchu gave it a cold look. "I don't like it now."
Liang Yuzhou remained calm. "It doesn't matter. You don't like it now, but one day you will like it again."
"Where are Nanzhi and Suyue?"
Facing a group of strange maids and old women, Song Wanchu felt extremely uncomfortable.
With so many pairs of eyes staring at her, she felt very self - conscious.
Yaoguang stepped forward. "Madam, Nanzhi and Suyue have returned to the Qi family with the young master. These days, this servant will serve you. When we return to the Duke's Mansion, we'll bring Nanzhi and Suyue back."
Song Wanchu's heart tightened suddenly. She stared at Liang Yuzhou in disbelief. "Are you going to detain me?"
She had already promised not to leave, but Liang Yuzhou still didn't trust her!
"It's not detention, madam. You've misunderstood..." Even the usually quiet Yaoguang had to speak up quickly.
How deep was the madam's misunderstanding of the Second Young Master that she would mistake his protection for detention?
Song Wanchu looked into Liang Yuzhou's deep eyes. "What do you take me for? Are you even going to restrict my freedom?"
Liang Yuzhou pursed his lips and said nothing, his face turning extremely dark.
"Second Young Master!" Zhou Sheng rushed over and whispered something in his ear in a low voice.
But Song Wanchu could hear clearly.
"Yu Rongbai's body has been found. The Ministry of Justice has immediately ruled it a robbery and murder. The body has been sent to the Yu family. Yu Jingnian almost fainted from crying. The madam accompanied Miss Yu back home."
Song Wanchu nervously clutched the corner of her clothes.
A hint of darkness flashed across Liang Yuzhou's eyes. "I see."
He pulled Song Wanchu over, regardless of how many people were watching, and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Rest well and don't think about unnecessary things."
When he left, his steps were hurried.
Yu Huiyan must be heart - broken now. The person who had helped her do bad things and was about to be convicted was dead. She would probably cry her eyes out.
Liang Yuzhou had to rush over to comfort her.
Song Wanchu sneered and curled her lips.
In the carriage, Zhou Sheng changed the dressing on Liang Yuzhou's wound.
After removing a pile of blood - stained gauze, Zhou Sheng looked at the gaping wound with exposed flesh, shocked. Even he, who was used to seeing life and death, felt his hands tremble slightly.
The Second Young Master was really risking his life for the madam!
"Have you found out which group sent the people who followed us this morning?"
While bandaging, Zhou Sheng said, "Yes. They were spies sent by the Princess Chang's Mansion. They had been secretly following the madam since she left the capital yesterday. They probably planned to make a move after the madam left the capital's territory."
"Have you taken care of them?"
Those two people had followed all the way and must have seen the process of Shi Luohan killing Yu Rongbai.
Yu Rongbai's death was a great loss to the Princess Chang.
The Princess Chang was vengeful. If she knew that Shi Luohan was the murderer, she would surely take revenge.
She would put this blame on Wanchu.
Zhou Sheng whispered, "Don't worry, Second Young Master. The people have disappeared. No information has leaked out."
The Yu family had already hung white silk and lit white lanterns. The whole mansion was filled with cries.
Yu Huiyan, dressed in white, knelt in front of the mourning hall, crying softly.
When Liang Yuzhou entered the mansion, people in white clothes passed by him constantly. His blue robe stood out.
"Cousin, you're here."
Yu Huiyan raised her misty eyes. Supported by Caidie, she slowly got up. After taking only two steps forward, she weakly leaned towards Liang Yuzhou.
Liang Yuzhou supported her arm, his eyes showing no emotion.
"Please accept my condolences."
Yu Huiyan covered her face with a handkerchief and cried pitifully. "The brother who loved me the most has left. I'll never have anyone to rely on in this life..."
"Who says you don't have anyone?" Princess Jiahe quickly comforted her. "Isn't your cousin here?"
She signaled Liang Yuzhou with her eyes to say a few more words of comfort to Yu Huiyan.
But no matter how obvious her hints were, Liang Yuzhou remained unmoved.
Princess Jiahe was annoyed and secretly scolded her son for being so dull - witted.
"Cousin will get married and have children in the future. I can only keep a respectful distance from him..."
Yu Huiyan sniffled. While wiping her tears, she secretly observed Liang Yuzhou's reaction from the corner of her eye.
Princess Jiahe was anxious and shouted, "Once Zhou'er passes the martial examination and wins the championship, he will surely marry you into the mansion in grand style!"
"Liang Er, is this true?"
Yu Jingnian appeared out of nowhere, his eyes narrowing greedily.
A glint of sharpness flashed across Liang Yuzhou's eyes. Staring into Yu Huiyan's eyes, he said, "Do you really want to be the mistress of the Duke's Mansion that much?"
Yu Huiyan's heart started pounding.
Her brother was dead, her father didn't care about her, and her step - mother regarded her as a thorn in her side. This was the most pitiful moment of her life.
It was also the best opportunity to win Liang Yuzhou's sympathy.
A tear of sadness rolled down her cheek. Shyly, she said, "Cousin, I just want to be with you forever."
Princess Jiahe shook Liang Yuzhou's arm vigorously.
She was shaking the injured arm, and Zhou Sheng felt worried watching from the side.
The crying in the mourning hall stopped at some point. Everyone in the Yu family was staring at Liang Yuzhou, waiting for his answer.
Liang Yuzhou's eyes were cold and aloof, a half - smile on his face. "Then let's wait until the end of the martial examination."