In the capital, the news that Liang Yuchuan was to be made the heir apparent of the duke's mansion spread far and wide.
Although there was still no official word from the duke's mansion, the streets were already abuzz with discussions.
The princess dowager had people create a stir, constantly sending out informants to spread the news in every nook and cranny of the city.
After the palace banquet, the emperor had a private conversation with the old matriarch of the duke's mansion for two hours.
When the old matriarch came out of the imperial study, new rumors circulated in the streets.
It was said that the old matriarch had agreed to make Liang Yuchuan the heir and that she would convey this decision to the seriously ill old duke.
Since the old duke was known for his filial piety, he was sure to give his consent.
Liang Yuchuan swaggered in and out of the princess dowager's mansion, becoming a distinguished guest. He was at the height of his glory.
Yu Huiyan could no longer sit still.
Over the past year, she had shamelessly stayed in the duke's mansion, claiming to be the future wife of the heir.
However, Liang Yuzhou had never married her formally and had instead become a Taoist priest. Her position was awkward, and no one in the duke's mansion took her seriously.
She couldn't even order around a third - class maid.
She considered herself of noble birth and coveted the exquisite and luxurious Shuiyun Residence. She believed that the mistress of the house should live there.
But the old matriarch had locked up Shuiyun Residence and assigned six old women to guard it day and night. Yu Huiyan couldn't even get close to the gate.
She had to squeeze into the Xiangxue Pavilion with the Princess Jiahe, not even having an independent courtyard of her own.
Since Liang Yuzhou had cut off his ties with the duke's mansion, the Princess Jiahe had been in a daze for a whole year and ignored her completely.
She might as well be a widow.
Even more pathetic was that the duke's mansion refused to recognize her as a widow - to - be.
Her father, Yu Jingnian, was still in prison, and Yu Rongbai was dead. The Yu family had completely fallen, and she had no family to return to.
Once, she had gloated as Song Wanchu was slandered by rumors. Now, she was the biggest laughingstock in the capital.
As the days passed in waiting, she gradually came to accept a sad reality.
Liang Yuzhou had never had any feelings for her. He would rather become a Taoist priest to follow Song Wanchu than stay as the young duke and live in harmony with her.
She knew she would never wait for Liang Yuzhou to come back.
She was only twenty - two years old. How could her youth wither away in this deep mansion?
She couldn't count on the Princess Jiahe.
She had to fight for a way out for herself!
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the princess dowager's mansion held a banquet.
During the banquet, many officials fawned over Liang Yuchuan.
Cheng Yong, the Marquis of Wude, who was always haughty, also came to initiate a conversation.
The marquis title was one rank lower than the duke title. Since Liang Yuchuan thought he would soon become the heir, he put on an air of superiority even though he was the junior in front of Cheng Yong.
Cheng Yong came from a family of military generals, but he was neglectful of martial arts and had grown fat.
When he smiled, his eyes were almost squeezed shut by the fat on his face.
He toasted Liang Yuchuan and said, "Young master, you are so talented and handsome. I really don't know what kind of beauty would be worthy of your looks and character."
Liang Yuchuan was naturally very proud. He casually said modestly, "Your Excellency flatters me."
Cheng Yong poured another glass of wine and clinked glasses with him. Then he started to talk about their family connections, "Our ancestors were old friends. They both fought with Emperor Taizu to establish the country. It's really a pity that our two families haven't had a marriage alliance over the years."
Liang Yuchuan slowly put down his glass, and the smile on his face faded a bit. "Your Excellency, please get to the point."
Liang Yuchuan knew a bit about Cheng Yong's family situation.
Cheng Yong had eight sons but only two daughters.
His eldest legitimate daughter was not with him. She was raised by her maternal grandparents in the south of the Yangtze River. The other daughter was Cheng Siyi, who claimed to be the legitimate daughter.
In fact, her mother was a concubine. Because she was quite favored, Cheng Yong forced his wife to register Cheng Siyi under her name.
Cheng Siyi liked to show off. In various banquets and occasions, she always introduced herself as the legitimate daughter.
Liang Yuchuan looked down on Cheng Siyi's pretentiousness.
She had none of the grace and elegance of a legitimate daughter. Instead, she was coquettish and had picked up the ways of women from brothels.
Such a vulgar woman was not fit to be the wife of the heir of the duke's mansion!
Cheng Yong was really overreaching!
Seeing Liang Yuchuan's bad complexion, Cheng Yong quickly apologized with a smile, "Young master, have you misunderstood? Siyi is still young. Her mother can't bear to part with her. She said it's not too late to discuss marriage in a few years. But my eldest legitimate daughter, Simian, will return to the capital from the south of the Yangtze River soon.
She was sent to the south to recuperate because of poor health and has been away for eight years. Now that she has recovered, she is already a twenty - two - year - old young lady. If you don't mind, young master, I will hold a banquet at home for you to meet her when she comes back."
Cheng Simian?
The talented girl who had made a name for herself in the capital at the age of twelve?
Liang Yuchuan had had the honor of meeting Cheng Simian at a palace banquet eight years ago.
He was still amazed by her beauty.
She had a cold and noble temperament, like a fairy in the moon, only to be admired from afar and not to be desecrated.
Among the noble ladies of the prominent families in the capital, only Song Wanchu could be compared to Cheng Simian.
Liang Yuchuan's heart skipped a beat.
Originally, he had wanted to marry Princess Lingyang.
His previous thought was that by marrying the most favored princess, he could increase his chances of becoming the heir.
As for military power, he didn't care. He could just hand it back after marrying the princess and becoming the heir.
(It was a rule that a son - in - law could not hold military power and could only serve as a civil official.)
But now the situation was different. Since the position of the heir was within his reach, he didn't have to marry that arrogant and vicious princess.
If he could marry a fairy - like figure like Cheng Simian...
Seeing that Liang Yuchuan was tempted, Cheng Yong's smile became even broader. "Young master, it's a deal then!"
The two clinked glasses again.
After the banquet, Liang Yuchuan returned to his mansion.
He saw a graceful figure in his room.
Although he was a bit drunk, his mind was still clear. He squinted his eyes and recognized that it wasn't his concubine.
He pushed open the door, and a strange fragrance wafted towards him.
By the candlelight, Yu Huiyan was only wearing a thin silk dress. She swayed her hips and walked towards him.
Her fair and plump skin dazzled his eyes.
"Why are you here?" His eyes didn't leave Yu Huiyan's chest, but his face was as straight as an upright gentleman.
"I'm the future wife of the heir. Naturally, I'm here to serve the future heir."
Yu Huiyan whispered softly. She wrapped her arms around Liang Yuchuan's neck and exhaled a warm and fragrant breath in his face.
Liang Yuchuan's expression was a bit dazed.
His rational mind told him that having an affair with Yu Huiyan was immoral, but his hands couldn't help but squeeze her soft and plump body.
Yu Huiyan let out a soft moan. Her eyes were full of amorous feelings as she nestled in his arms.
...
The next morning.
Yu Huiyan woke up in Liang Yuchuan's arms.
Although her whole body ached, she was overjoyed.
She had succeeded! Liang Yuchuan was so easy to seduce!
While despising Liang Yuchuan's immoral behavior in her heart, she secretly rejoiced that she would soon become the legitimate wife of the heir, avenge her humiliation, and regain her dignity!
"Do you still remember what you promised me last night, husband?"
Liang Yuchuan opened his eyes. The passion had long since faded, and his face was as cold as ice.
"I didn't expect, cousin, you're quite good at serving men."
There was a sarcastic smile on his lips. "Considering how hard you served me, I'll reward you with the position of a noble concubine when I become the heir."