Feixian County.

The home of County Magistrate Qu Yi.

Although a seventh-rank county magistrate was nothing in the eyes of the nobility in the capital, in a county town like Feixian that was far from the capital, he was still a prominent official.

The Qu family was also a major household in the local area. Not only had their ancestors accumulated vast wealth, but each generation had produced talented individuals. Although looking back three generations, the highest official was only a fourth-rank assistant prefect, in the local area this was considered quite respectable.

Qu Yi himself was extremely handsome with refined features and elegant bearing. Now in his early twenties, he had gained the mature charm of a grown man, drawing even more frequent glances from unmarried girls and young wives. The number of women wanting to become his concubines was countless.

Liang Zhen had been married to him for seven years and had given birth to one daughter with no other children since. However, Qu Yi’s concubines had produced a large brood of children—four sons and four daughters. Including the legitimate daughter, there were already nine children in total.

“Mother, are you reading Uncle’s letter?”

A six-year-old little girl spoke sweetly to Liang Zhen. It was because her mother’s absolutely beautiful face had revealed a smile that Qu Linglong asked this question.

Mother rarely smiled normally, but every time Uncle sent a letter, Mother would smile—so gentle and happy.

Liang Zhen handed the letter to Qu Linglong and gently stroked her head, smiling tenderly: “Yes, Uncle’s letter.”

Qu Linglong was naturally intelligent. Though only six years old, under Liang Zhen’s guidance she already recognized many characters. She read it carefully, and after finishing, looked up at her mother and smiled: “Mother, Uncle says he will come visit Mother in a few days. Mother, you’ve waited seven years and can finally see Uncle.”

Liang Zhen’s tears fell unexpectedly at her daughter’s tender voice.

Yes, they hadn’t seen each other for seven years!

Actually, it was more than seven years!

Nine years!

Nine years ago, her younger brother was only ten years old and had already nearly died several times at the hands of that poisonous woman.

With no one left in the capital who could protect the siblings, her brother had traveled thousands of miles alone to the Northwest to seek refuge with their maternal grandfather.

The journey was so long that she couldn’t be certain whether her brother would safely reach the Northwest. But there was no other choice—that woman who appeared so beautiful actually possessed such vicious thoughts and methods.

They couldn’t wait any longer. After the siblings discussed it, Liang Zhen provided cover while her brother followed the few guards their grandfather had left by his side onto the Northwestern road.

Fortunately, he arrived safely in the Northwest.

However, at that time Liang Zhen was in the General’s manor and couldn’t receive any information about her brother. Moreover, because of her brother’s departure, that woman vented all her anger on her.

Needles, kneeling in the ancestral hall, refusing to give her food…

That woman used every method she could think of, yet outsiders couldn’t tell.

It wasn’t until a year later that Liang Zhen received news of her brother. She was comforted—even if she died, as long as her brother was safe, that would be enough.

Unexpectedly, two years later, that woman arranged such a scene that completely ruined her reputation.

At that time, Liang Zhen wanted to kill herself—living was endless torment. But this was only a momentary thought. She was the legitimate daughter of the noble General’s manor, she had her pride, she had to live, she couldn’t admit defeat to that woman.

However, she was soon diagnosed as pregnant and had no choice but to marry Qu Yi.

Since Qu Yi could be used by that woman, he wasn’t a good person from the start. Therefore, after marrying Qu Yi, she never again allowed him to come near her.

Qu Yi initially used various methods—after all, being able to marry a wife of such noble status was something few men in all of Da Zhou could achieve. Moreover, Liang Zhen was originally very beautiful, with outstanding temperament, graceful figure, and fair skin. Qu Yi had no restraint regarding beauty, so how could he not want to sleep with her more often?

However, Liang Zhen threatened to die, and Qu Yi finally gave up reluctantly. Madam Liang had specifically instructed that Liang Zhen must not be killed.

For these seven years in Feixian County, Liang Zhen lived like a walking corpse. As the head wife, she didn’t manage the household but instead lived in seclusion.

Fortunately, her daughter gradually grew up—not only clever and quick-witted, but also magnanimous in her conduct, quite possessing the bearing of a noble family’s daughter.

Additionally, the Qu family ultimately feared her noble status, and with Liang Zhe gradually making his mark over the years, although the Qu family detested Liang Zhen’s “putting on airs,” they didn’t dare go too far. Therefore, her daily expenses weren’t lacking.

Moreover, Qu Linglong was after all of noble family bloodline—whether speaking or acting, she was more than a head above those daughters born to concubines. Old Madam Qu was very fond of this granddaughter, so mother and daughter’s life in the Qu family wasn’t too difficult.

However, no one could know the bitterness in Liang Zhen’s heart.

How much, how much she wanted to see her brother again!

She didn’t want to stay in this Feixian County for even a moment longer!

But she had a daughter, and her daughter belonged to the Qu family after all.

A few days later, learning that the brother-in-law was coming, the Qu family members were overjoyed. The brother-in-law was now an Imperial Guard—what kind of status was that? Only those trusted by the Emperor could obtain such a position!

Fortunately, they hadn’t mistreated Liang Zhen too much over the years, otherwise now that Liang Zhe had made something of himself, how could he spare them?

Although Madam Liang had guaranteed that Liang Zhe wouldn’t dare do anything to the Qu family, Liang Zhe was rumored to be a crude military man who killed without blinking. If he killed the Qu family members, even if Madam Liang killed Liang Zhe afterward, what use would that be once people were dead?

The Qu family members were essentially petty citizens—cunning and crafty, avoiding harm and seeking benefit was their nature.

Feixian County was far from the capital relative to ordinary people. Liang Zhe had good horses, manpower, and the convenience of relay stations. Combined with his good health, traveling day and night, he arrived in just five days.

The moment she saw her brother, Liang Zhen burst into tears.

Both heartbroken and comforted.

Her brother had finally grown up and could protect himself.

Seeing his sister’s current haggard appearance, Liang Zhe was so choked up he couldn’t speak. The siblings embraced and wept bitterly, completely ignoring the shocked and astonished expressions of the Qu family members.

Staying in Feixian County for two days, Liang Zhe didn’t interact much with the Qu family but had endless things to say with his legitimate sister. Although the Qu family members repeatedly tried to show themselves before Liang Zhe, when Liang Zhe’s eyes turned cold, the Qu family members became so frightened their legs trembled, not daring to mention it again.

The Demon King Liang’s reputation was truly well-deserved!

Two days later, Liang Zhe set off to return to the capital.

No one knew what Liang Zhe had said to Liang Zhen, but her spirit was much better than before. Although she still lived in her own courtyard like an invisible person, the maids and servants all felt that their mistress now had vitality.

Learning this news, Qin Shuying also breathed a sigh of relief. This Miss Liang Zhen’s situation was no better than Qin Yaoyao’s had been.

Whatever Liang Zhe planned to do next, she would help him achieve his wishes.

He was her benefactor across two lifetimes.