Though Crown Princess wished day and night for her romantic rival’s misfortune, even she hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. As for Shaoshang, she cared even less—she had only met Qu Lingjun once in total, so what connection could they have? She was merely hesitating whether to inform Second Prince’s consort.

Crown Princess’s face flushed with excitement, like a widow encountering a second spring. She completely forgot how Shaoshang had just scolded her into disgrace and had no time to settle accounts with her, only anxiously wanting to discuss with her confidants how to respond.

Leaving the Eastern Palace, Shaoshang saw it was getting late, so she reported to Changqiu Palace and then ambled home. Before leaving, the Empress even teased her: “It seems Crown Princess didn’t eat you up—mm, your hands and feet are all still there.” Shaoshang said proudly: “With Crown Princess’s dental condition, she should stick to softer foods. I’m too tough to chew.”

On the way home, Ling Buyi chatted and laughed with her, surprisingly not mentioning the Liang family murder case at all—whether he hadn’t heard about it or, like Shaoshang, simply didn’t care about it.

However, if he didn’t care, plenty of others did.

Early the next morning, seeing the fine, clear, crisp cold weather, Ling Buyi urged Shaoshang to request a day off from the Empress so they could go out and enjoy themselves. But Shaoshang yawned and refused, saying she was suffering from winter drowsiness and wanted to curl up in the warm Changqiu Palace and doze.

Ling Buyi watched the girl lazily yawning like a little kitten, pursing his lips in concentration, about to try persuading her again. But just as he stepped into the inner hall, he saw Second Prince and Crown Princess had already impatiently informed the Empress of Liang Shang’s death.

Crown Prince sat silently to one side, utterly dispirited.

Second Prince was like a child whose parents occasionally weren’t around—suddenly encountering a major event, he was so excited he didn’t know what to do—

“…Mother Empress, listen to me—yesterday the Liang household was in complete uproar! I’ve inquired into everything clearly! When Liang Shang’s body was first discovered, Liang Wuji wanted to cover it up—that old ‘family scandals shouldn’t be made public’ routine. But that old matron Liang is a shrew! Would she obediently listen? She secretly had her attendants inform all the relatives and old friends throughout the capital, then cried and wailed, threatening death, begging relatives and friends to seek justice! This immediately alarmed the authorities. The Capital Magistrate played deaf and dumb and refused to come forward, but how could old man Ji from the Court of Judicial Review let it go? He immediately sent people to arrest Qu Lingjun, but Liang Wuji led his household troops to block the family gate, declaring that if Marquis Yang, Ji Zun, insisted on taking someone, the Liang family could only spill their blood at the Court of Judicial Review! The two argued endlessly—one saying it was a family matter, the other demanding to uphold national law. Yesterday before the South Palace locked its gates, the two brought their lawsuit before Father Emperor!”

Such a long passage—Second Prince spoke it flowing smoothly without a single stutter. Shaoshang couldn’t help but admire: “Second Highness remembers so clearly! Orderly and well-articulated—Second Highness is quite capable.”

Ling Buyi glanced at the suddenly energetic girl—she wasn’t sleepy at all anymore.

Second Prince resembled an old crow stuffed with aged wine, cawing proudly twice, unable to hide his self-satisfaction. Just as he was about to continue, Ling Buyi said leisurely: “Second Highness naturally remembers clearly—because when Governor Liang and Lord Ji argued before His Majesty yesterday, Second Highness was present.”

Shaoshang asked doubtfully: “How do you know this?”

“Because I was also present.”

“You didn’t say anything last night!”

“You didn’t ask.”

Shaoshang forcefully punched his shoulder.

The Empress tensed and straightened her upper body, pointing at Second Prince: “What did you do wrong now? Your wife has only been gone one day and you’ve already caused trouble?”

Second Prince felt both embarrassed and indignant: “Mother Empress, what are you saying? This time it wasn’t… Father Emperor heard my uncle was ill and specifically had me inquire, even bestowing food and medicine… Aiya, Mother Empress, really!”

Shaoshang watched the fuming Second Prince still glaring at the Empress while Crown Prince wanted to ask but didn’t dare. She turned to Ling Buyi: “So how did His Majesty decide afterward?”

Ling Buyi said concisely: “A compromise. Lady Qu remains at the Liang residence but is guarded by people sent from the Court of Judicial Review.”

The Empress frowned: “This… at the foot of the Son of Heaven’s throne, a murder case has occurred—is this arrangement proper?”

Ling Buyi turned toward the Empress: “Governor Liang said that a Liang family woman killing a Liang family son—either way it’s the Liang family’s scandal. Who knows how many people outside are waiting to laugh at their Hedong Liang clan? If Lady Qu truly murdered her husband, the Liang family definitely won’t shield her. But right now, barely half a day has passed and the situation is unclear—if his daughter-in-law is locked up at the Court of Judicial Review for several days or subjected to torture, the Liang family will have no face to see anyone afterward. Moreover, the Qu family is rushing here. He begged His Majesty to at least delay matters.”

The Empress slowly nodded: “Governor Liang’s words also make sense. This matter involves both national law and family affairs.”

Actually, when people of this era encountered such internal family secrets, most would have the two related families jointly discuss and decide how to handle it privately. The common people’s favorite tools included pig cages and hemp ropes. Only in extremely rare cases where agreement couldn’t be reached would the matter be brought to the authorities. However, in this era, few people liked going to court—sometimes even if two families couldn’t reach agreement and resorted to armed conflict, they would try to avoid making the matter widely known.

Second Prince glared at Ling Buyi in dissatisfaction, feeling that after he’d worked hard to provide the background introduction, Ling Buyi had explained the most exciting part—this was simply taking credit, stealing merit!

“Mother Empress, Mother Empress!” He quickly drew everyone’s attention back to himself. “This murder case has so many suspicious elements! Your son knows Qu Lingjun—she’s not a cruel, ruthless person, nor is her mind confused. So why would she plot to murder her husband? It must be that her marriage was unhappy, her days unbearable as years. Your son plans to have people thoroughly investigate…”

The Empress slapped the table and rebuked: “What nonsense are you spouting? What business is this of yours! Don’t meddle randomly!”

“How is it none of your son’s business? This matter is complex and mysterious. Once your son investigates it thoroughly, it will be a perfect chance to display your son’s abilities. Haha, hahahaha…”

Shaoshang, seeing the Empress’s expression growing increasingly ugly, suddenly spoke: “Second Highness, are you Lady Qu Lingjun’s adulterous lover?”

Crown Prince nearly collapsed forward.

Second Prince’s knees slipped: “You, you, you—how dare you slander this…”

“Just now I saw Second Highness learn of Liang Shang’s murder and become extremely delighted, laughing endlessly. I thought that Lady Qu would fly away with Second Highness as a pair in the future.”

Second Prince nearly choked to death on his own saliva, his eyes almost bursting: “Complete nonsense! I, I, I will kill you!” He lunged forward to strike Shaoshang, but she immediately dodged behind Ling Buyi.

Ling Buyi sat upright and proper, not moving an inch: “I advise Second Highness to remain calm and composed.”

Second Prince touched his shoulder blade that had once cracked and required two months of recovery, then sat back down angrily.

Shaoshang leaned on Ling Buyi’s shoulder, poking her head out: “When Governor Liang and Lord Ji argued before His Majesty, Second Highness was also present. If His Majesty intended, he would naturally appoint Your Highness to handle this case. Did His Majesty instruct Second Highness? If there’s no official business, then it must be private friendship. But what relationship do the Liang and Qu families have with Your Highness? Whether Qu Lingjun murdered her husband or committed adultery—there are proper people to handle it. ‘Not being in that position, one shouldn’t seek that governance’—don’t you know this?! Second Highness has nothing to do yet insists on interfering—are you afraid people won’t remember Qu Lingjun’s connection to the Eastern Palace? Second Highness, let me ask you—what are your intentions?”

In eloquence, even one hundred twenty Second Princes strung together couldn’t match one Cheng Shaoshang. He was immediately stumped, looking anxiously at his mother and elder brother.

“Before Second Prince’s consort left, she said Second Highness had matured and become steady—even if she left home, Your Highness could handle matters properly. But now it seems… tsk tsk tsk.” Shaoshang shook her head vigorously, looking regretful. “I must write to Second Prince’s consort and tell her about Your Highness’s conduct today!”

Ling Buyi smiled: “When you finish writing the letter, I’ll use fast horses to deliver it to Pingyang Commandery for you.”

“You’re not allowed to tell her!” Second Prince’s roar shook the building.

“I’m going to tell her!”

“You dare?!”

“Your Highness, watch whether I dare! Someone, prepare brush and ink! I want the finest brush, first-grade ink!”

“You…”

Second Prince lunged forward to strangle this little wretch. Ling Buyi feinted with one palm to block him, and Second Prince fell flat on his face to the ground. Shaoshang very obsequiously massaged Ling Buyi’s shoulders to show her admiration. Ling Buyi smiled and glanced at her sideways.

“—Enough!” The Empress slapped the table, stopping this farce between ages three, five, and ten.

She pressed her temples and stared at her second son, saying word by word: “You go back now and stay obediently at your princely residence. You’re not permitted to interfere in this case. If you disobey… think of your Fifth Sister.”

The benefit of severely punishing one child was that the remaining children would never again treat your words as idle chatter.

Second Prince, seeing the Empress’s grave expression, immediately felt his neck turn cold. He didn’t want to return after his wife came back only to find all his estates and titles gone, so he could only reluctantly take his leave.

Before stepping out the hall door, seeing Cheng Shaoshang swagger out from behind Ling Buyi, he bit his teeth unwillingly: “Mother Empress, aren’t you going to punish this little Lady Cheng…”

“Get lost now!” The Empress shouted loudly. Second Prince fled in a flash.

Crown Princess had been maintaining a reserved smile all along. Only after watching Second Prince depart did she sigh lightly and begin her performance—

“Mother Empress, don’t worry—your daughter-in-law fully knows the elder’s inner distress. Alas, thinking back to those years, Sister Qu was graceful and beautiful, dignified and unparalleled, excelling in both calligraphy and painting. All the sisters in the capital admired her. Who could have imagined that with changing times, she would commit such a shocking act? It truly makes us all sigh. As they say, time reveals a person’s heart. It seems Sister Qu has harbored resentment for a long time, and today it’s led to this tragic human disaster. She can end it all with death, but her poor two children—how can they face the world in the future…”

“Crown Princess has a fine voice.” Shaoshang coldly interrupted. “Even the exorcism plays on the tenth month festival weren’t as well-performed as yours.”

Crown Princess, having her emotion interrupted, said angrily: “You’re too ignorant of hierarchy and seniority. Relying on Mother Empress’s favor, you don’t regard me at all. My kind intentions were purely from pity for Sister Qu…”

“Frank people don’t speak in riddles, and no one is a fool. Do you think everyone truly believes you’re pitying Lady Qu? Your performance just now can be summed up in four words—’gloating over misfortune’! And another four words—’kicking someone when they’re down’!” You’re the nail and I’m the hammer—Cheng Shaoshang specializes in curing Crown Princess’s various refusals to submit.

Crown Princess felt venomous inside but acted pitiful on the surface. She let out a cry and threw herself at Crown Prince, weeping: “Your Highness, will you just watch this little wretch bully me?!”

Crown Prince pushed her away with one motion, stood up straight, and said coldly: “Lingjun has met with disaster, and you’re this happy? Initially I thought you were gentle and pure, which is why I married you. You should look in a mirror—your expression just now was utterly ugly and vicious!”

Crown Princess looked up in tearful surprise.

“Let me advise Crown Princess—don’t be too happy too soon. Now that Lady Qu’s husband is dead, if she truly is the murderer that’s one thing. But what if she isn’t?” Shaoshang turned back. “Lord Ling, for a woman from an aristocratic family like the Liang clan, is remarriage possible?”

Ling Buyi said: “Naturally it’s possible. She may not be able to be a principal wife, but becoming a good secondary wife wouldn’t be difficult.”

Crown Princess clutched her collar tightly, full of fear. If Qu Lingjun truly entered the Eastern Palace, would she have any good days left?

Crown Prince rebuked in a low voice: “Return to the Eastern Palace now! You’re not permitted to interfere in this matter again!”

Crown Princess knew her husband was truly angry, and the Empress didn’t favor her either. She didn’t dare disobey now and fearfully kowtowed to her mother-in-law and husband before taking her leave, walking out on trembling legs.

“Crown Princess.” Ling Buyi suddenly spoke.

Crown Princess stopped and looked back at everyone.

“His Majesty already knows about the Qu Lingjun husband-murder case. I advise Crown Princess not to think herself clever and interfere from the sidelines.” Ling Buyi said. “Crown Princess may hope Qu Lingjun faces eternal damnation, but if you truly interfere, I guarantee you—the one facing eternal damnation will certainly be you. You know my capabilities.”

Crown Princess, swept by Ling Buyi’s ice-blade gaze, felt all her inner demons exposed with nowhere to hide. Remembering how over these years Ling Buyi had grasped nearly all her weaknesses, she fled in panic.

After she completely disappeared, Shaoshang let out a long breath and turned to ask: “Crown Prince, why exactly did you marry her?” Marrying the wrong wife ruins three generations!

Crown Prince slowly sat down cross-legged, smiling bitterly: “First, Father Emperor had already given his word, and I couldn’t bear to make Father Emperor break his promise for my sake. Second… she and I have been betrothed since childhood—the whole world knows. If I broke the engagement, it would be very difficult for her to marry well afterward. Wouldn’t that harm her whole life? Lingjun was different—she came from a prestigious family, was beautiful and talented. Without me she could still marry a well-matched husband, spending their days together respectfully and harmoniously. Who could have known…”

Shaoshang couldn’t bear seeing good people sighing endlessly and said briskly: “Your Highness, don’t worry. How about this—Lord Ling and I will make a trip to the Liang residence, inquire about the situation, so you won’t be troubled wondering alone.”

Crown Prince was about to smile when Ling Buyi interjected from the side: “If you want to go, you go. I’m not going with you.”

Shaoshang said angrily: “How can you be like this?!”

Crown Prince smiled bitterly repeatedly: “Zicheng is reproaching me for not listening to his advice when I married.”

Shaoshang consoled Crown Prince: “Your Highness, don’t mind him. How old was he when you married? If you’d listened to a ten-year-old child’s words and broken the engagement, that would have been truly laughable!”

“Eleven years old.” Ling Buyi said. “I was eleven years old at that time.”

Shaoshang snorted coldly: “Is there much difference?”

Having said this, she properly knelt before the Empress and bowed, cupping her hands in petition: “Your Majesty, please grant me a handwritten decree so I may visit the Liang residence. I won’t interfere with the Court of Judicial Review’s investigation—I’ll only serve as Your Majesty and Crown Prince’s eyes and ears, returning to report what I’ve seen and heard to relieve Your Majesty and His Highness’s concerns.”

The Empress was tempted but still had reservations: “Would this… be proper?”

Shaoshang smiled: “Your Majesty is the Mother of the Nation—which family’s female affairs can’t you inquire about? Moreover, Lady Qu served by your side in her youth, and just two days ago she came with her husband and children to pay respects to you. Now that disaster has suddenly struck, your having doubts is only natural.”

The Empress felt these words were quite proper and her mind settled. She smiled and glared at her foster son sitting quietly to one side, then summoned palace maids to prepare brush and ink. On a silk scroll she personally wrote a decree, sealed it with her seal, and handed it to Shaoshang.

Shaoshang received the decree with both hands, took her leave from the palace, and deliberately didn’t have palace maids accompany her when departing. Instead, she hid to one side outside the palace gate to wait quietly.

Before long, Ling Buyi emerged from Changqiu Palace gate with one hand behind his back. As he crossed the palace threshold, his eyes glanced sideways, then he withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward.

Shaoshang smiled and darted out from the side, suddenly embracing his arm: “Don’t walk so fast—wait for me, won’t you?”

Ling Buyi ignored her and walked straight ahead, casually shaking off her arm.

Shaoshang lowered her head, muttering to herself behind him: “Alas, I originally wanted to tell him I requested three days off from the Empress yesterday, planning to go tour Tugao Mountain with him next month. But he’s so angry he definitely won’t want to hear it. Better not say anything…”

Ling Buyi had already swept back like the wind, grabbing the girl and laughing in exasperation: “What did you say? What did you just say?”

Shaoshang played dumb: “What did I say? What did I say? I don’t remember anything…”

Ling Buyi hoisted the girl horizontally over his shoulder with her head on the left and legs on the right, threatening with bared teeth: “Will you tell me or not? If you don’t tell me, I’ll throw you down!”

Ling Buyi’s frame was tall and slender. Shaoshang, curled over his shoulder, looked down at the dark bluish-gray stone pavement below, finding it quite thrilling, yet stubbornly said: “Go ahead and throw me! If you don’t kill me, I’ll remarry!”

Ling Buyi laughed heartily, his clear, handsome brow relaxing like warm morning sun. His arms turned and brought the girl around to his chest, then set her down to stand properly. Leaning close to her ear with warm breath, he said: “I can’t bear to.”

Shaoshang’s cheeks flushed red. She herself smiled brilliantly but went to cover Ling Buyi’s mouth, saying in a low voice: “Don’t laugh, don’t laugh… don’t laugh so loudly. Crown Prince and Her Majesty are gloomy and troubled—it’s not good for us to be so joyful!”

Ling Buyi pressed her tender little hand and lightly kissed her palm. Shaoshang forcefully pulled her hand away, pointing at him and laughing as she scolded “lecher,” then turned and ran.

The two chased and played all the way to the Upper West Gate. Shaoshang was about to take her leave when she saw the Liang-Qiu brothers had already prepared a tall carriage wrapped in cold-resistant snow velvet outside the palace gate, with a team of sword-bearing, crossbow-carrying agile guards waiting quietly behind.

She asked curiously: “Are you also leaving the palace today? Nothing at His Majesty’s side?”

Ling Buyi said: “I’m going to the Liang household.”

Shaoshang stared: “But just now at Changqiu Palace you said you wouldn’t go!”

“I said I wouldn’t go with you, because I’m going myself—yesterday His Majesty instructed me to keep watch.”

Shaoshang sighed weakly: “Because things didn’t go your way this morning for a moment, you had to find an opportunity to bully me?”

Ling Buyi supported her waist as she boarded the carriage, then followed into the cabin himself.

When only the two of them remained in the carriage, he said in a low voice: “It’s my fault—I shouldn’t have bullied you again. How about… you hit me twice? I won’t hit back.” He took Shaoshang’s two small hands and had her pound his chest twice.

Shaoshang laughed: “This kind of hitting would really hurt you to death!”

Ling Buyi went along with it, his body going soft as he buried his head in the girl’s slender, warm, fragrant neck, laughing softly in a muffled voice: “It really hurts too much—rub it for me.”

What excellent acting! Shaoshang laughed through gritted teeth and went to tickle him, but Ling Buyi’s body shifted to the side and her hand actually slipped inside his robe collar, directly touching the soft inner garment. Under her fingertips she could already feel the firm, strong muscles of a young man.

“What are you doing?!” Shaoshang was shocked, her face flushing past her ears.

Ling Buyi pressed down on her hand as she tried to retreat, laughing with unsteady breath: “You’re groping all over my body, yet you question what I’m doing—is there anyone in the world as unreasonable as you?!”

Outside the carriage, Liang-Qiu Fei, riding alongside, heard the laughing and playing sounds from inside and turned to sigh: “Elder brother, Young Master has never been this happy before.”

Liang-Qiu Qi said in a low voice: “May Young Master always be this happy in the future—he’s suffered too much before.”

…

After pushing and shoving for a while, Shaoshang discovered she couldn’t win at fighting, couldn’t win at scolding, and even lacked style when acting like a rogue. She could only acknowledge that she’d “injured” Ling Buyi and gently rubbed the “wound” on his chest.

“Hey, don’t you think Crown Princess actually resembles the Empress a bit? Especially when not speaking—her chin and mouth are particularly similar.”

Ling Buyi closed his eyes, leaning against the girl: “Only about three parts similar in appearance—internally she’s utterly shallow.”

“I know it’s only appearance, but… I think I somewhat understand why Crown Prince initially gave up Lady Qu and married Crown Princess?” Shaoshang tilted her head to look at the carriage ceiling.

Ling Buyi opened his eyes with interest: “How so?”

“Among all the imperial princes and princesses, Crown Prince and Second Prince spent the longest time by the Empress’s side and were most influenced by her. Her Majesty has actually always felt very aggrieved—and it’s a kind of grievance she can’t speak of, because in the world’s eyes, she’s already had tremendous fortune. When the two princes were young, His Majesty was often away on campaigns. I imagine they must have often seen Her Majesty looking lonely.”

“Crown Prince approved of Her Majesty’s conduct and also learned the same generous uprightness, acting according to propriety. So at marriage, when he saw Crown Princess’s pitiful, helpless appearance, he was reminded of Her Majesty. With the engagement and propriety ahead, no matter how much he liked Lady Qu, he did nothing. Second Prince was exactly the opposite—he didn’t approve of Her Majesty enduring everything for the greater good. So he likes ‘capable,’ fierce women. Though he also took concubines, Second Prince’s consort is his anchor…”

“What are you trying to say?” Ling Buyi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Shaoshang patiently explained: “I’m saying that actually many men’s choice of wives is subtly influenced by their mothers.”

“Mm, so because I’m as loyal, brave, steady, honest, and reliable as Commandant Cheng, that’s why you ultimately took a liking to me.” Ling Buyi independently derived conclusions based on this principle.

Shaoshang said helplessly: “First, you took a liking to me, not the other way around.”

Ling Buyi turned his head, pretending not to hear.

“Second, if you were half as easy to serve as my father, I’d burn incense daily in gratitude! As long as my mother makes a sound, my father never disobeys. But you? It’s good enough if you don’t make sounds at me!”

Ling Buyi stared at the girl’s fine, downy pink earlobe, saying softly: “Then you make a sound, and I’ll definitely obey you.”

“Aiya, stop playing around—I haven’t finished speaking.”

Shaoshang pushed Ling Buyi away and continued: “I’ve also seen Lady Huo several times now. Mm, actually I don’t approve of her temperament—too absolute, too extreme, leaving no room for compromise with others or herself. …Ling Zicheng, you don’t approve either, do you?”

Ling Buyi was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Actually, Huo Junhua had truly been dealt an excellent hand from birth.

Before age twenty-six she had strong, generous elder brothers protecting her—no one dared slight her. After twenty-six, above she had the Emperor shielding her, below Marquis Cui protecting her, plus a son like Ling Buyi. If she hadn’t gone mad, if she’d been willing to compromise with life just a little, the latter half of her life would have been absolutely wonderfully happy.

But she had indeed gone mad—she was that type of person. If she couldn’t maintain the beautiful garden in her heart, she’d rather let it go wild than change to growing vegetables and grain.

Ling Buyi leaned wearily against Shaoshang and sighed: “Before the new year I obtained some information—not all of Uncle’s troops died in battle back then. Some who were unconscious were buried in piles of corpses and left on their own after regaining consciousness.”

“Why didn’t they come find you?”

“How could they find me?” Ling Buyi smiled bitterly. “I was only five or six years old then. The entire Huo clan was annihilated, even Mother was lost. Even if those people escaped with their lives, they were wounded and weak and needed to recover first. By later on… times had changed, things were different…”

He sighed: “I only hope to find a few of them. If Mother saw them, she might regain clarity.”

Shaoshang nodded silently.

“By the way, after rambling on for so long and even dragging my mother into it, what exactly were you trying to say?” Ling Buyi asked.

Shaoshang steadied herself and quickly said: “Look, precisely because Lady Huo is like this, that’s why you like me! I’m completely opposite to Lady Huo—I’m intelligent and kind, understand righteousness deeply, consider the greater good, gentle and amiable… Don’t laugh! What are you laughing at? Don’t laugh…”

Ling Buyi collapsed laughing in the carriage, his back against the wall, his left arm covering his eyes streaming with tears of laughter, his chest shaking continuously.

“I wondered what you wanted to say—after this huge roundabout, turns out you wanted to boast about yourself! Understanding righteousness deeply, considering the greater good… hehe, you say these things without your conscience bothering you, hehe…” He laughed uncontrollably, as if making up for all his laughter from the previous ten-plus years.

Shaoshang, embarrassed and angry, said loudly: “You’re still laughing, still laughing! I’m angry now, hmph! I made a sound, I already made a sound—did you hear? Didn’t you say once I made a sound, you’d definitely obey me?!” She heavily made another sound.

Ling Buyi forcibly suppressed his laughter, sat up, and gazed at the girl: “You’re absolutely right—you’re intelligent and kind, understand righteousness deeply, consider the greater good, gentle and amiable. You’re the very best woman I could ever meet in this lifetime!”

Shaoshang’s face reddened—thoroughly, completely, inside and out, not an inch left unred.

She’d only wanted to boast a little, but ended up creating a super typhoon, nearly causing a major wind disaster.

Even after exiting the carriage, the red tide hadn’t yet receded from her face. Ling Buyi instructed his attendants to go knock on the gate and announce them to Liang Wuji, then turned back to tie the ribbons on Shaoshang’s hood.

“Hey, do you think this Qu Lingjun actually murdered her husband or not?”

“I think those four characters are quite improper.”

“Huh?” This thought transition.

“What do you mean ‘her husband’? A husband is a husband—why distinguish between close and distant?”

“That’s because… there’s also an adulterous husband? Ouch, don’t pinch me! Hehe, hehe, alright alright, I was wrong, I was wrong—isn’t that enough?!”

This scene was witnessed in full by Liang Wuji and Yuan Shen, who came out to greet them.

Liang Wuji: …

Yuan Shen: Fuck. Your family is experiencing a tragic human disaster, and you two are being this affectionate right at the main gate?!

Seeing the main gate open wide, the Ling and Cheng pair immediately composed themselves and stood properly. Seeing Yuan Shen, Shaoshang smiled and greeted: “Young Master Yuan, you’re also here—what a coincidence!”

Yuan Shen said with a straight face: “My mother’s maiden name is Liang.”

Shaoshang spoke without thinking: “So your honored mother’s maiden name is Liang? Even more coincidental—Governor Liang’s surname is also Liang.”

Cold wind rolled withered leaves past Yuan Shen.

Ling Buyi, all smiles, made an extremely proper and pleasant bow to Liang and Yuan—even before the Emperor, he’d never performed a salute this happily.

Liang Wuji returned the courtesy while sighing: “Shanshan’s mother is my younger cousin sister, which makes her Liang Shang’s legitimate elder sister.”