With Old Madam Liang’s question, Liang Yuan was shocked both in mind and spirit.

Although he had personally witnessed his grandmother constantly scolding Liang Zhe, Liang Yuan didn’t dare be certain about what his grandmother’s true attitude toward Liang Zhe actually was.

After all, both Liang Zhe and himself were Old Madam Liang’s legitimate grandsons.

Therefore, regarding the matter of the brothers wanting to destroy Qin Shuying’s chastity, he naturally didn’t want Old Madam Liang to know, just as he would never tell Liang Yunshan the truth.

After all, whether Liang Zhe or Liang Yuan, both were Old Madam Liang’s legitimate grandsons, and equally both were Liang Yunshan’s sons.

In Old Madam Liang’s and Liang Yunshan’s eyes, Liang Zhe and Liang Yuan should be the same.

Even Old Madam Liang’s usual scolding of Liang Zhe, in Liang Yuan’s view, actually contained a layer of expectation born from disappointment at his failure to meet her standards.

Therefore, Liang Yuan was very hesitant at this moment.

“Speak!”

Old Madam Liang commanded, followed by a heavy slap on the table.

Liang Yuan was startled and instinctively tried to stand, but severe pain shot through his leg and he nearly fell. Fortunately, his reflexes were quick and he managed to steady himself.

“Grandmother, Grandmother, this was an assassin who injured grandson and Third Brother with some unknown weapon. Grandson couldn’t see clearly what it was and still hasn’t figured it out. Grandmother, grandson intended to report to Father after bandaging the wounds so he could conduct a thorough search, but before I could speak, the imperial edict arrived from the palace.”

Old Madam Liang stared at him: “Is this truly so? What were you two brothers doing in the inner courtyard for no reason?”

Liang Yuan broke out in sweat. His grandmother’s gaze was truly no less piercing than that of an old bureaucrat.

They had long since been living in the outer courtyard. Unless going to Ning Garden to pay respects or to see their mother and sister, they generally wouldn’t go to the inner courtyard without cause.

“Grandson wanted to see Mother and tell her about this matter, so she could be on guard.”

This reason was quite believable. Old Madam Liang seemed to believe it, but she quickly asked again: “Then how did Qin Shuying fall into the water? Was she also frightened by the assassins?”

Liang Yuan hesitated: “It should be so.”

Old Madam Liang looked at Liang Yuan meaningfully. Liang Yuan felt cold sweat streaming down his back.

Who would have known that Old Madam Liang would stop her questioning, letting out a cold laugh: “This matter is absolutely connected to her! Since she caused you brothers to be injured, this isn’t over. I’d like to see what that pair of beasts intends to do! Qiong’er, go see if your father has returned. If he has, call him over and tell him the truth. I want to see how he plans to handle this!”

Liang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. The way his grandmother had just looked at him was truly frightening to death.

Luo Meixiang suddenly raised her head and stood up: “Old Madam, I want to go see Jie’er. He…”

Speaking to this point, Luo Meixiang was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Thinking of Liang Jie’s paper-white face, Luo Meixiang’s tears fell like pearls. On one hand was Liang Yunshan’s great joyous occasion, while on the other her precious son’s life hung in the balance.

Yet Old Madam still had the mood to assert her authority here and conduct investigations. Luo Meixiang felt utterly wronged and desolate.

Although she was a blood niece, she was ultimately still a daughter-in-law. How could she be more important than her biological son Liang Yunshan’s joyous occasion?

Old Madam Liang looked at Luo Meixiang with a dark expression: “I’ve already sent out a calling card to invite Imperial Physician Shu. He excels in this field. In another quarter hour, he should arrive.”

Luo Meixiang looked up in surprise at Old Madam Liang’s beautiful countenance, feeling both love and hate, tears flowing uncontrollably.

This Imperial Physician Shu naturally couldn’t be summoned by ordinary people.

With Old Madam Liang’s calling card, he could definitely be invited.

Old Madam Liang frowned, only now remembering that Liang Yunshan was about to have a co-wife, so Luo Meixiang should be quite upset. She had perhaps been a bit too harsh with her just now.

She couldn’t help but soften her tone somewhat: “Qiong’er, accompany your mother to watch over your third brother and console your mother well. I’ll go to Ning Garden to wait for your father. That beast Liang Zhe—I must personally deal with him, otherwise the household will never have peace!”

Liang Qiong felt sad for her mother but also felt better about Old Madam Liang’s attitude. She found Qin Shuying detestable, and if Grandmother could deal with Liang Zhe, let’s see how that annoying wretch could continue causing trouble.

Liang Qiong immediately replied: “Yes, Grandmother.”

“Someone come! Carry Second Young Master back to rest. When Imperial Physician Shu arrives, carefully follow his instructions in caring for Second Young Master and Third Young Master. If anyone shirks their duties, speaks nonsensely, or spreads rumors and causes trouble, they’ll all receive fifty heavy beatings and their entire family will be sold!”

Speaking nonsensely, spreading rumors and causing trouble…

Liang Yuan instinctively glanced at Old Madam Liang, but saw her looking at him meaningfully. Liang Yuan’s heart jumped and he lowered his head.

Two servants immediately came forward and carefully carried Liang Yuan away.

After arranging these matters, Old Madam Liang had Nanny Luo summon people to attend her return to Ning Garden.

The words the masters had just spoken were so confidential that Nanny Luo had wisely sent all the attending servants far away. Only when Old Madam Liang gave the word did she call them in one by one.

Nanny Luo also arranged for someone to wait for Liang Yunshan, then followed Old Madam Liang to Ning Garden.

Liang Yunshan was intercepted and brought to Ning Garden. As soon as he entered, he saw Old Madam Liang’s eyes seeming to breathe fire, all her anger directed at him.

She immediately launched into overwhelming fury: “He should have been drowned at birth to spare our entire family this harm! You kept saying that although he was unruly, children could still be taught, and with proper guidance even a crooked sapling could be straightened! That lowly woman Zhao Wanniang is dead, but he’s still innocent after all—the Liang family hasn’t paid any price, so we might as well let him fend for himself! Now look how he’s repaying you! Princess Qin’an was all part of his design, and you still thought he was kind and innocent? Tell me, how long do you plan to keep protecting him?! Speak!”

Liang Yunshan was initially confused, but after Old Madam Liang scolded a few sentences, he understood she was cursing Liang Zhe.

However, he still didn’t fully comprehend: “Mother, what does Princess Qin’an’s matter have to do with Ziyu?”

“What relation? This entire affair was orchestrated by him from beginning to end!”

Liang Yunshan still couldn’t believe it: “This… he doesn’t have such great capability, does he?”

Princess Qin’an wasn’t some teenage girl—how could Liang Zhe persuade her? Ultimately, what virtue or ability did Liang Zhe possess to convince Prince Huai’an to enter the palace and request this marriage for his daughter?

Old Madam Liang let out a cold laugh: “Didn’t you swear confidently back then that Zhao Wanniang couldn’t possibly treat me that way? Later, what did you hear with your own ears? How did she curse me? If she could curse me like that, can’t her son do such things? Is it strange that Zhao Wanniang’s son resembles her?”

Mentioning this, Liang Yunshan immediately became furious, veins bulging on his forehead.

Old Madam Liang continued: “Nanny Luo, tell him how that beast acted! Let the Marquis see whether I’ve wronged Zhao Wanniang’s son!”

Nanny Luo repeated everything Liang Yuan had said in the hall just now.