Liang Zhen, Liang Zhe, and Qin Shuying exchanged glances.

No wonder whenever Zhao Wanniang was mentioned, Liang Yunshan became so furious. They had puzzled over the reason without finding it – so this was why!

“You’ve truly rebelled! To cover up Zhao Wanniang’s shameful deeds, you’ve actually fabricated such a story to deceive me! Do you think you’re very clever? You desperately want to know why I look down on Zhao Wanniang, why I get angry at the mere mention of her name, so you’ve tried every means to probe me, even willing to slander Mother’s reputation? Then I’ll tell you – Zhao Wanniang was just that base, just that wanton! I’ve painstakingly covered this up for her all these years. If you’re ungrateful, so be it, but now you want to drag everyone in the room into this, even the Luo family! Truly lawless and unforgivable!”

Silence.

Seeing that the three remained quiet, Luo Meixiang became smug: “Ziyu, your father has known about this for years but has always covered for Sister Wanniang, also to preserve your dignity. Look at yourselves – how can you be so unfilial? Sigh… These were matters we never wanted to speak of, but now everyone knows. What good does this do for Sister Wanniang’s reputation?”

Qin Shuying absolutely didn’t believe what Liang Yunshan was saying.

Wasn’t this exactly how Qin Yaoyao had been framed in her previous life?

That feeling of ironclad evidence, that feeling of having her protests ignored – she understood it all too well.

If it were someone else, she might believe it somewhat, but this was happening in the Liang family. Old Madam Liang’s machinations were certainly involved – she absolutely wouldn’t believe it!

Qin Shuying asked: “Earl, I’m afraid this was also what Old Madam told you – that Mother was already pregnant when she died.”

Liang Yunshan grew increasingly disgusted with Qin Shuying. She was a troublemaker who could stir up storms even without wind: “So what if it was? Though Mother may be somewhat cold and aloof, that precisely shows her noble character! These weren’t her words, but what the imperial physician told her! Let me tell you, Qin Shuying, ever since you married into the Liang family, you’ve constantly stirred up various conflicts and disputes. A woman like you is Ziyu’s bane! If I had been in the capital back then, I would have petitioned His Majesty to rescind the decree no matter what. Whichever family marries a vicious woman like you is doomed to misfortune! Not only will the household be in chaos, but it will bring disaster to future generations!”

These words…

Liang Zhen moved closer to Qin Shuying: “The Earl certainly knows how to throw his weight around!”

Liang Zhe laughed instead of getting angry, laughing “ha ha ha” several times before asking: “Is the Earl flying into a rage from shame!”

Liang Yunshan was completely enraged, raising his hand to slap Liang Zhe across the face.

This time, Liang Zhe didn’t knowingly avoid it when he could have. Instead, he steadily caught Liang Yunshan’s wrist with one hand, looking at Liang Yunshan with mockery. That expression of disdain and ridicule completely infuriated Liang Yunshan.

“Liang Zhe, you are utterly disappointing! Being manipulated by a woman, willing to throw away the entire mansion’s reputation and future! Don’t you understand what kind of creature this woman is? She could scheme to have her own cousin humiliated, scheme to have her own aunt despised, scheme to have her own cousin’s husband lose his position and life. Such a vicious, poisonous woman – not only do you not divorce her, you actually want her to bring disaster to our Liang family? You’re truly stupid, an utter fool!”

But Qin Shuying just smiled: “Why must the Earl fly into such a rage? The Earl also knows that everything requires evidence, motives, and reasons. Earl, where is the evidence that Mother had a fetus in her womb? Old Madam said it was what the imperial physician said – has the Earl asked the imperial physician? The Earl trusts Old Madam’s noble character so much – what does that make of the old Marquis?”

“Shut your mouth! What are you to keep mentioning Old Madam this and that? Father trusted Mother so much that he was willing to give up his super first-rank general’s title to marry Mother, a mere concubine’s daughter! Back then, Father could have married a princess, but Mother was just a concubine’s daughter – the difference in status and position was enormous!”

Qin Shuying still smiled: “Earl, you should wait until you’ve seen Minister Luo’s letter and heard Concubine Zhou’s testimony before making such sworn declarations!”

“Hmph! Minister Luo’s letter – how difficult is it to forge a letter? Border spies can easily create one! What importance does Concubine Zhou’s testimony have? As long as you threaten her with her descendants, of course she’ll say whatever you want!”

Luo Meixiang also became smug – yes, yes, the Earl made perfect sense.

Liang Zhen sighed, shook her head, and said: “Earl, what if Old Madam herself speaks?”

“Absolutely impossible!”

Liang Zhe and Liang Zhen exchanged glances. Liang Zhen said: “Ziyu, since the Earl doesn’t believe it, let’s have Old Madam speak for herself.”

Luo Meixiang was stunned. They had been arguing so fiercely just now, yet Old Madam hadn’t moved at all – how could she speak?

After getting Liang Zhe’s nod, Liang Zhen walked toward Old Madam Liang’s bed.

Liang Yunshan shouted: “What are you doing?!”

Liang Zhen turned back, looking at Liang Yunshan with a pitying expression: “Earl, don’t worry.”

Then she lifted the bedsheet, placed her hand on the bedpost, tapping left three times, right three times, then left once more.

Soon, under everyone’s astonished gazes, they saw a dark opening appear at the front of the bed.

Although she had known about this opening’s existence since last night, Qin Shuying still couldn’t help but frown.

Old Madam Liang was truly the strangest, most stubborn, most formidable woman she had ever encountered. Sleeping on this bed every day, didn’t she have nightmares?

“Earl, please come and take a look.”

Liang Yunshan hesitantly walked over.

Looking from the bedside into the interior, it was pitch black, yet he could hear very faint sounds of flowing water and feel slight breezes.

This was an opening with ventilation.

Liang Zhen picked up a large luminous pearl from the bedside and shone it inside. Liang Yunshan could vaguely make out the scene within.

Going down from here, there were several steps and shadowy objects.

More than that, he couldn’t make out clearly.

Liang Zhen said slowly: “Eight years ago, I accidentally discovered this secret. Earl, aren’t you curious about what’s inside here?”

Eight years ago, Liang Zhen had accidentally discovered something strange. She had clearly seen Old Madam Liang enter the room, but when she followed in, she was shocked to find that Old Madam Liang had vanished into thin air.

Liang Zhen was a very careful and intelligent woman. She instinctively felt there was something strange about Old Madam Liang’s room, but didn’t know where the strangeness lay. Soon after, she had her accident.

A few months ago, when Liang Zhe went to Xianren County to see her, she told him about this matter. From then on, Liang Zhe had Liang Yanjun frequently watch Old Madam Liang’s room.

This time, using the opportunity of Luo Meixiang trying to pin Zao’er’s death on Songtao Residence, they pressed step by step, finally forcing Liang Yunshan to doubt Old Madam, forcing Old Madam Liang to reveal her secret.

Seeing the opening before him, Liang Yunshan was curious, very curious.

The opening was right under the bed – Mother must know about it.

So why had she made such an opening here?

She had lived in Ning Garden for over forty years, living here since the day she married!