Mrs. Zhang smiled faintly and pulled a pouch from her sleeve, placing it on the table before her.
"I've brought this back for you."
The graphite-blue pouch was embroidered with a Pine Stone Pattern using silver-threaded silk. Under the candlelight, it shimmered with a soft luster. Unfortunately, the design was only half-finished.
This was the one she had been making. Liang Jiao had snatched it away during the day, and before she could get it back, the men from the Ministry of Justice had arrived. After they left, she had completely forgotten about it.
Liang Wan set down the hairpin she was using to trim the lampwick but didn't touch the pouch.
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhang gently stroked the pattern, clucking her tongue in admiration. "Outsiders all know that the Liang Mansion's Third Lady is a peerless beauty and an exquisite dancer, but no one would have guessed that her needlework is truly first-class!"
"Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you like doing it."
Liang Wan gazed at the half-finished pine and cypress pattern, her mind drifting. To master her needlework, she had spent countless sleepless nights practicing. There was a time when her hands held the needle so much that she couldn't even grip her chopsticks properly.
Mrs. Zhang smiled and nodded. "But sometimes, the things you like are the ones you can't have."
Liang Wan returned to the present. "You're right, Aunt."
"I can't help you with the things you like, but for the things you don't like, perhaps I can help you… avoid them."
Liang Wan's eyes widened. "Aunt, do you mean you can help me avoid going to the Sikong Mansion?"
Mrs. Zhang was about the same age as her mother. Perhaps due to her slightly plump figure, her skin was radiant and she had a prosperous and serene air about her. She looked much younger and far more amicable than her own mother.
Mrs. Zhang placed the pouch back on the table, her tone gentle. "You know that the Liang family is indebted to Wang Su, so your uncle has no choice but to repay this favor. If Wang Su had taken a fancy to Ajiao, I would have accepted it. But alas, he chose you. Aweng, don't blame me."
Liang Wan shook her head gently. "How could I? In this mansion, Aunt, you treat me better than my own mother does!"
Mrs. Zhang continued, "I'm not like your mother. She cares about your reputation and maidenly virtue, but I don't. Sometimes, it's acceptable to take necessary measures. After all, I care more about my children's future and happiness."
The Mrs. Zhang before her had the same gentle eyes and brows as always, yet to Liang Wan, she seemed like a complete stranger. If before she had worn a mask of false kindness, now she had ripped it off, revealing her naked shrewdness and calculation.
"What do you want me to do, Aunt?"
"Help Ajiao get to know Lu Xiu."
Liang Wan's lips twitched. She didn't know what expression to make to keep her face from looking so stiff.
That morning, Mrs. Zhang had clearly wanted to tell her something but was interrupted halfway through. Liang Wan had been guessing what it was ever since, but she never imagined it would be a request to build a bridge between Lu Xiu and Liang Jiao.
Mrs. Zhang took in Liang Wan's surprised and reluctant reaction, then spoke more plainly. "Rather than getting to know him, it would be better to say marry him. Of course, the Lu Family is full of powerful nobles, so it's impossible for Ajiao to be his primary wife. But even as a concubine, it's far better than marrying into an ordinary family."
Liang Wan found it laughable. "Aunt, do you really think I would hand over the man I adore? Besides, if I truly had the ability to make him marry Ajiao, why wouldn't I just make him marry me instead?"
Mrs. Zhang shook her head. "At first, like your uncle, I also thought he had feelings for you. But since that night, not only has he not come to ask about you, he remained indifferent even when your uncle paid him a personal visit."
"I've even heard that the Grandmaster petitioned the Empress Dowager to choose a good match for Lu Xiu!"
"Aweng, in the end, you just don't understand the men of this world. In their eyes, power and status are far more important than women. Would Lu Xiu really make an enemy of Wang Su for a woman?"
"The Lu Family is part of the royal family, but isn't the Wang family as well? Besides, even if he were willing, the Lu Family would never agree. So, Aweng, let me give you a piece of advice: instead of dreaming about the impossible, you should think about what's achievable."
Liang Wan looked up. The expression on Mrs. Zhang's benevolent face was one of absolute certainty.
'Her words were laughable. In the past, I might not have understood men, and I might have truly believed devoted and faithful ones existed. But after living a past life, who could possibly understand them better than me?'
Liang Wan sighed. "It's not that I don't want to help. It's just that even if I pull the strings, it's not guaranteed that Ajiao can capture Lu Xiu's heart!"
Hearing Liang Wan concede, Mrs. Zhang revealed a satisfied, confident smile. "You don't need to worry about that. I have my own ways!"
"Then how will you help me, Aunt?"
Mrs. Zhang said, "Aweng, do you know why your mother insists on you marrying into the Sikong Mansion? You must understand, compared to that down-and-out Cui Xiaolang, the Sikong Mansion can offer you far greater wealth and status!
"The only reason you're resisting is that you find Wang Su a bit too old, isn't it? But what if the person were different? What if it were Wang Su's illegitimate son?"
After speaking, Mrs. Zhang took out a small vial and placed it next to the pouch, smiling as she watched her.
'So, this drug is the 'way' she was just talking about?'
Liang Wan stared at the small vial and nodded slightly. 'Brilliant!' she wanted to shout.
"But my mother has me confined. She won't let me leave the mansion."
Mrs. Zhang smiled, stood up, and left an invitation on the table. She glanced down at the half-finished pouch and patted Liang Wan's shoulder.
"You know Ajiao isn't skilled at needlework. Since you've already started this pouch, you might as well finish it. It would be a shame otherwise. You two are cousins, after all. After you're married, don't forget the bond you shared at home."
Liang Wan picked up the invitation and slowly opened it. Feng Qingyue's name was written in bold characters.
When Qiuxi entered again, she saw Liang Wan staring blankly. Following her gaze, she noticed that besides the medical book from before, there were now other items on the table.
She looked back at Liang Wan, who was wearing only a thin skirt. Her figure was so slender it seemed a strong gust of wind could blow her away. She hadn't even recovered from her cold, and sitting like this, she might get chilled again. The hot water had already been replaced once…
Qiuxi thought for a moment, then said softly, "My Lady, it's time to wash up."
Liang Wan turned her head and smiled at her. "Qiuxi, I've overlooked you in the past."
Qiuxi froze on the spot, her bright, almond-shaped eyes staring unblinkingly at Liang Wan. Although she had served her lady since childhood, she was timid, clumsy with words, and slow-witted, so she wasn't well-liked by her masters.
Liang Wan paid no mind to the surprise, sadness, joy, or whatever other emotions were in her eyes. She simply stood up and walked to her side. "From now on, just stay close to me."
'I never would have thought that the ever-timid Qiuxi would, in a moment of real danger, throw herself in front of me, giving me a chance to escape, only to meet a brutal end herself.'
Thinking of that scene from her past life, Liang Wan's heart ached with sorrow and pain. "I'm sorry."
Qiuxi was confused. "My Lady, what are you talking about?"
Liang Wan just smiled and shook her head.
'People often only notice those who are quick-witted and eloquent, overlooking the quiet ones.'
After washing up, Liang Wan fell back onto the golden silk-nanmu bed, barefoot. She stared thoughtfully at the canopy. "Tomorrow, find that Yunying Liuxian Skirt and send it to the Fourth Lady!"
Qiuxi was shocked. "My Lady, the Family Head had that skirt specially made for you! There isn't another one like it in all of Jinye."
The smile on Liang Wan's lips finally broke free, unrestrained. 'Princess Lanling's Peach Blossom Banquet is certainly going to be lively!'