That evening, the incident of Nanny Ye being sent by Madam to deliver maids to First Madam but failing to accomplish her mission and instead receiving two slaps spread throughout the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion.
What also spread was the conversation between Qin Shuying and Nanny Ye.
Especially Qin Shuying’s question to Nanny Ye about why Liang Zhe hadn’t requested ennoblement as heir despite reaching manhood—this spread throughout the entire mansion like it had grown wings.
That evening, Nanny Ye had already conveyed Qin Shuying’s words to Luo Meixiang, whose nose was crooked with anger.
While having her hair dressed before bed, Luo Meixiang looked at the woman in the mirror who was still stunningly beautiful as fire despite being over thirty, smiled coldly, and felt her heart ache. Her illness had recovered today, and she was going to meet with Qin Shuying.
At Ning Garden.
Before Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying even entered, they heard Luo Meixiang speaking: “…Old Madam, look how adorable these children are. They really resemble His Lordship…”
Qin Shuying walked in and saw a pair of exquisitely beautiful children standing before Old Madam Liang. They had apparently already paid their respects and were standing hand in hand on the ground.
At six years old, they were at their most adorable age. They stared with bright, round eyes, curiously examining the people and furnishings in the room, showing no fear at all.
That Madam Yue was nowhere to be seen.
Liang Yunshan laughed “hehe,” occasionally glancing at Luo Meixiang, not daring to say much.
Today he hadn’t gone to court, having requested leave.
A flash of disgust passed through Old Madam Liang’s eyes, but her face showed some affection as she had Jinxiu bring out a pair of jade bracelets and gave them to the twins.
Liang Yunshan instructed the twins: “Ayuan, Aning, quickly thank Grandmother.”
Ayuan was the boy, and Aning was the girl.
The siblings said in unison: “Thank you, Grandmother!”
Old Madam Liang smiled lovingly: “What well-behaved children! Your Lordship, Ayuan should be arranged to enter school for his studies, shouldn’t he?”
Liang Yunshan nodded: “Mother is still the most thoughtful. I’ll arrange it first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Mm. And Aning, she’s already six years old and should have her own courtyard. Let her live in Tan Garden.”
Liang Yunshan was very pleased and somewhat excited: “Thank you for troubling yourself, Mother.”
Though Old Madam Liang’s expression was bland, her tone seemed relatively warm, showing the consideration expected of an old marquis’s wife: “What trouble is this? Their concubine mother can be arranged to stay in Tinglan Pavilion.”
Liang Yunshan agreed to everything.
Qin Shuying listened with her ears but instantly had many thoughts in her heart.
Ginger was indeed spiciest when old.
On the surface, Old Madam Liang had accepted the twins, but in reality, she had cleverly separated them from Liang Yunshan and Madam Yue’s supervision.
Since Madam Yue had entered the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion, she could no longer be called Madam Yue—she was just a concubine, Concubine Yue.
The twins were already six years old, so Old Madam Liang’s arrangements couldn’t be more proper.
However, Old Madam Liang hadn’t given Concubine Yue and the twins even a day to adapt.
As soon as they entered the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion, they faced the situation of the mother and two children being separated in three different places.
Moreover, the climate between the border city and the capital differed greatly, as did eating habits and other things. Without suitable people to care for them, and with Luo Meixiang watching like a tiger, whether this pair of twins could even survive was questionable.
After everyone chatted and laughed for a while, Liang Yunshan had the twins’ wet nurse bring the siblings to meet everyone and pay their respects, then the family sat together to eat.
The twins were seated according to gender separation—at the men’s table and women’s table respectively.
Ayuan was fine, but Aning, seeing that her father wasn’t sitting at the same table, couldn’t help frequently looking around.
But she was already sensible, and Concubine Yue had probably instructed her, so she didn’t say anything. She just looked around without any improper behavior.
Qin Shuying stood as usual to serve Old Madam Liang during the meal, and Liang Zhe still didn’t touch his chopsticks.
After Liang Yunshan ate a few bites and saw that Liang Zhe wasn’t touching his chopsticks, he asked: “Why aren’t you eating?”
Liang Zhe said calmly: “Father, Shuying is serving Old Madam. Speaking of which, serving Old Madam is something we husband and wife should do together. I’m waiting for her.”
Liang Yunshan’s expression became somewhat ugly: “What family has such rules?”
Qin Shuying heard the dissatisfaction and anger in Liang Yunshan’s tone, and her heart jumped. She knew that Liang Zhe had been enduring repeatedly these past days because of her.
Given Liang Zhe’s temperament, if she hadn’t advised him otherwise, he would have confronted Liang Yunshan long ago.
These past few days he had worked hard to perform well in front of Liang Yunshan. If all his efforts were ruined because of this meal, wouldn’t all previous work be wasted?
Old Madam Liang seemed not to hear the tension on this side and continued eating unhurriedly like nothing was happening, her manner elegant and expression calm.
But Luo Meixiang wasn’t idle: “Ziyu, which family has such rules? You’re the eldest son of the marquis mansion—you should set an example for your younger brothers and sisters. Rules can’t start becoming chaotic from you. It was fine before, but now that your father has returned, you should restrain yourself somewhat and not let the capital’s nobility laugh at us. I know my words aren’t pleasant to hear, but they’re all for your own good. Honest advice may be unpleasant but beneficial—even if you’re angry with me, I must speak.”
Liang Yunshan’s expression became even uglier. Remembering what Luo Meixiang had mentioned in her letters about Liang Zhe’s behavior after returning to the capital, he slammed his chopsticks on the table with a “crack.”
Everyone in the room immediately fell silent as cicadas.
His Lordship was about to lose his temper…
But Liang Zhe acted as if he couldn’t understand Liang Yunshan’s anger at all. Without even glancing at Luo Meixiang, he said calmly: “Father, don’t worry. Even if I eat a little less, you still won’t be able to beat me later. Back then, during the Battle of Yao City, I went three days and nights without a drop of water or a moment’s sleep, and I still beat them until they were utterly defeated, abandoning their helmets and armor!”
The Battle of Yao City…
Liang Yunshan was stunned, his expression changing, the dark look becoming even more serious.
Everyone nervously watched Liang Yunshan.
For a moment, Liang Yunshan made no sound.
Just when everyone was wondering about Liang Yunshan’s reaction, suddenly, a burst of hearty “hahahaha” laughter came from Liang Yunshan’s mouth: “You brat, aren’t you afraid of bursting from bragging!”
Liang Zhe said: “Minister Qin was hospitably entertaining, so this son was fed tea and pastries all afternoon by him today.”
The meaning was that he was already full.
Was this explaining to him why he wasn’t eating?
Liang Yunshan’s expression looked much better.
However, he still glanced at Qin Shuying with some dissatisfaction.
Princess Yongjia had threatened him with the concubine, and now that the concubine had entered the mansion, wasn’t Meixiang also not making a fuss? He had said that someone as understanding and virtuous as Meixiang couldn’t possibly make trouble.
He had actually been fooled by Princess Yongjia.
In the future, as a father-in-law, he needn’t be too considerate—he should still give his daughter-in-law the cold shoulder when necessary.
Meixiang was right—the most important thing for noble families was rules, and rules couldn’t be abandoned.
However, his eldest daughter-in-law also seemed to be someone who followed rules. She never slacked in serving Old Madam daily, serving during meals, and reportedly even specially attending to Old Madam’s bedtime.
Given their good performance these past days, he wouldn’t bring up past matters today.
The Battle of Yao City…
Liang Yunshan laughed heartily: “Mother, we’re all family—let’s not worry about such rules. Let Shuying sit down and eat together.”