The old Pingxi Marquis had told her that Old General Weiwu was extremely ruthless—there was nothing he wouldn’t do.

At the border, Old General Weiwu’s methods of dealing with enemy troops were almost chilling to witness.

The old Pingxi Marquis was already dead, and Old General Weiwu had always disliked Old Madam Liang, feeling she had been too heartless toward the old Pingxi Marquis. So since he spoke this way, he might not hesitate to act on it.

Under Old General Weiwu’s threats, the two families finally reached an agreement: the Pingxi Marquis Manor would no longer mention what happened to Zhao Wanniang that night, nor would they remove her name from the family records. However, when Liang Yunshan remarried in the future, the Zhao family could have no objections or interference. Liang Zhen and her brother would be raised jointly by the Zhao and Liang families.

While Old General Weiwu was alive, Liang Zhen and her brother grew up peacefully enough.

However, Liang Yunshan seemed possessed by some devil, often scolding the siblings.

Later, Zhao Zhenyuan went to the battlefield, and Old General Weiwu fell ill.

From his sickbed, he had someone send Liang Zhe away.

On his deathbed, not knowing what he thought of, he used all his remaining strength to leave Mu Shi with one sentence: “Must… clear Wanniang’s name.”

After saying this, he passed away peacefully.

…

Recalling to this point, Zhao Zhenyuan said: “Ziyu, your grandfather left these words because he must have thought of something. Unfortunately, though I’ve had many suspicions over the years, I’ve never been able to figure it out. Your mother wasn’t someone who didn’t understand right from wrong. Why was she so agitated that night, so unable to control her emotions? However, over the years, I’ve increasingly suspected this matter can’t be separated from Old Madam Liang. Zhen’er’s situation made it quite clear.”

That is to say, since she could scheme to ruin Liang Zhen’s reputation, it wasn’t impossible that Old Madam Liang had also schemed back then—both Zhao Wanniang and her daughter had been schemed against by Old Madam Liang.

“It’s just that I witnessed the events of that year with my own eyes. Though it would be easy for her to scheme against your mother, how could she scheme against Prince Liang? Unfortunately, nothing can be learned from Prince Liang.”

From beginning to end, Liang Zhe showed no particular expression, as if this matter had little relation to him—he was merely an outsider.

Mu Shi couldn’t help but worry: “Ziyu, are you, are you alright?”

Liang Zhe nodded gently: “Aunt, don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Ziyu, you’re not thinking of going to question Prince Liang, are you? Prince Liang had a stroke a few years ago and can’t even speak anymore. Nothing can be learned from him.”

“Aunt, I know.”

After Prince Liang’s stroke, Emperor Delong still treated the Prince Liang Manor very well. Prince Liang’s heir Zhou Yu was brilliant and talented, gaining Emperor Delong’s favor and holding important positions.

The three continued talking for a while before ending this topic.

Mu Shi had someone invite Qin Shuying and Yuan Niang over.

Qin Shuying was talking with Yuan Niang in her courtyard. Though Yuan Niang was shy, she was very straightforward, pestering Qin Shuying with questions, both curious and delighted.

Though she was the legitimate daughter of a military family, she had the delicate tenderness of a scholarly family’s maiden. She was skilled at brewing and tasting tea.

The two got along very well and returned hand in hand to Zhao Zhenyuan and his wife’s courtyard.

After lunch at the Zhao residence, the Liang couple took their leave.

In the carriage, Liang Zhe told Qin Shuying what Zhao Zhenyuan had said. Qin Shuying listened very carefully, and even after Liang Zhe finished, she was still pondering.

“Shuying, I estimate that now, the only person who could reveal the truth of this matter is her. The Pingxi Marquis probably doesn’t even know what really happened.”

Qin Shuying shook her head gently: “No, there are also those who served Mother back then.”

Liang Zhe looked at her: “Uncle also suspected this, but the two maids who helped Mother change clothes that day—not long after, one died in the lake, the other died of a cold.”

“After Mother came up from the lake, catching cold wouldn’t kill her so quickly. Probably, it was while changing clothes that she ingested something she shouldn’t have.”

“Uncle and Grandfather suspected the same thing.”

Unfortunately, all traces had disappeared completely, and no evidence could ever be found again.

This matter was quite troublesome.

After pondering for a moment, Liang Zhe suddenly smiled: “Without evidence, so what? The Northwest Wolf kills—once he’s decided, he kills!”

There was no cruelty, no excitement, only calm.

Qin Shuying nodded and said with a smile: “Ziyu, don’t worry, I’ll be by your side.”

Having tasted the feeling of being falsely accused, Qin Yaoyao had suffered enough. Qin Shuying would never easily believe the story of Zhao Wanniang having an affair with Prince Liang.

Liang Zhe looked at the young woman before him who only reached his chest, his gaze gentle: “Shuying, thank you.”

Qin Shuying shook her head: “Don’t thank me, this is what I should do.”

As an ally, as someone who had been saved twice by Liang Zhe, Qin Shuying felt it was only natural.

Liang Zhe couldn’t help but grasp her soft hand.

If it were another young woman, with him wanting to deal with Old Madam Liang without asking for reasons or evidence, how frightened would they be? But the young woman before him wasn’t afraid at all, nor would she lecture him about morality.

The next day.

The Liang couple continued to go to Ning Garden to pay their respects.

Luo Meixiang looked displeased but said nothing.

Old Madam Liang remained as indifferent as always.

After breakfast, Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe left the manor together. Liang Zhe had business to attend to, while Qin Shuying went to Princess Yongjia’s manor.

Princess Yongjia seemed rather listless. After Qin Shuying performed her greeting, Princess Yongjia looked her over and lazily leaned against the imperial concubine couch, asking: “Liang Yunshan hasn’t made things difficult for you, has he?”

“My lord hasn’t made things difficult before, and even supported this subject’s wife. However, since that concubine Yue entered the manor, he’s changed somewhat.”

On the wedding day and the day after, Liang Yunshan’s attitude toward her had indeed made Qin Shuying ponder.

Later, when Liang Zhe mentioned that Liang Yunshan had been called to speak with Princess Yongjia after arriving in the capital, she understood somewhat.

Princess Yongjia laughed “pu chi” but didn’t pursue this topic. At the time, she had mentioned concubine Yue’s matter as leverage, though she knew its effectiveness would be limited.

“When will Liang Zhe start his duties?”

“In four more days.”

“Imperial Brother is truly stingy.”

Princess Yongjia spoke without restraint, but Qin Shuying dared not comment, only smiling: “Does Your Highness want to go out and play?”

“You little fox.”

Speaking thus, Princess Yongjia rose, her waist supple, her whole body radiating lazy nobility. Every frown and smile was beautiful as a painting: “This will probably be the last time this year. Once winter comes, where could we go?”

“Your Highness, this subject’s wife can accompany you tomorrow.”

Princess Yongjia glanced at her sideways with indescribable charm: “Can you bear to leave Liang Zhe?”

Qin Shuying shook her head: “Ziyu has business tomorrow, so this subject’s wife has nothing to do.”

“Old Madam Liang isn’t easy to get along with. You dare to go out?”

“This subject’s wife is slow-witted, not as understanding as Princess Fu’an. It’s better not to get in the way.”

Princess Yongjia laughed “pu chi” again: “Seventh Miss Qin, this princess likes your sharp and ruthless spirit. Though this princess wasn’t present for what happened at the traveling palace later, I heard about it. Ai, that Liang Qiong too—she was doing fine, so why did she actively provoke you? She should have thought about it—even this princess couldn’t get the better of you back then, so what did she amount to?”