Chapter 166: The Willing Takes the Bait
Chapter 166: Chapter 166: The Willing Takes the Bait
Liang Wan carefully opened the box and unfolded the papers inside. They were two marriage contracts.
She stared intently at the writing, her heart pounding. A tingling numbness crept up her scalp, and her limbs felt as if they were submerged in ice water.
Liang Wan stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
She had once remarked that Lu Xiu and Gao Qian shared a slight resemblance in their eyes and brows. At the time, she thought it was normal since they were supposed to be uncle and nephew. But after learning the truth of Lu Xiu’s birth, she had forgotten one crucial detail: the two of them shouldn’t have resembled each other at all.
Now, she finally understood.
Why did the Grandmaster adopt him as a son?
Why did Yuan Shaoyu send his only son to the Grandmaster’s Mansion?
Why was the Empress Dowager so tolerant of him? Why did he stop her from killing Gao Qian? Even in her past life, after he had chipped away at the imperial power until nothing was left, he still spared the tyrant’s life.
Liang Wan’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She never would have imagined that Lu Xiu was the Empress Dowager’s son.
’So, did Awen know the truth? Is that why he never publicly announced my engagement to Lu Xiu? Was he afraid of a potential complication?’
’But why would he have expected a complication to arise?’
Liang Wan felt as if a thousand bolts of lightning were striking inside her head, leaving her stunned and unable to recover.
Her eyes stared blankly at the marriage contracts in her hands.
She didn’t know how long she had been frozen like that. It might have been for an eternity, or perhaps only an instant.
...
Footsteps drew near, and someone pushed the door open.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Cao Luyun walked in carrying a Jade Plate. On a green porcelain plate rested plump, white cocoon sugar, looking soft and chewy. It was served with small side dishes of osmanthus and brown sugar sauce.
Cao Luyun said, "Have a taste. This is my specialty."
The moment she set it on the small table, a sweet and fragrant aroma wafted up, utterly enticing.
Liang Wan offered a sincere compliment, "Lady Cao, you have excellent culinary skills. They look delicious just from a glance."
She knew how to make these things herself, but not with such exquisite detail.
Liang Wan remembered that Cao Luyun had once made many pastries for Lu Xiu, and they had likely included this white cocoon sugar.
As she spoke, she poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Cao Luyun. "I brewed another pot while waiting for you. Why don’t you see if it tastes any different from yours?"
Cao Luyun’s hand, which was picking up a piece of white cocoon sugar for her, paused. She looked at Liang Wan’s calm face, hesitating, as if she wanted to say something but held back.
Liang Wan smiled. "It’s like this white cocoon sugar. Even if it’s made by the same person, the taste might not be identical every single time."
Cao Luyun’s expression stiffened for just a moment before returning to normal.
Liang Wan didn’t touch the white cocoon sugar. After a moment of silence, she said, "Lady Cao, if you insist on staying at the Grandmaster’s Mansion, then so be it. I will personally visit Chancellor Cao another day to discuss this matter with him. As for the white cocoon sugar, it is undoubtedly delicious, but unfortunately, I don’t have a sweet tooth, so I must decline."
With that, she stood up.
Cao Luyun was stunned for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Liang Wan, I really can’t figure you out. I used to think you had no interest in him, but—"
"Human relationships are as thin as paper, and the ways of the world are like a new game of chess, ever-changing." Liang Wan shook her head with a faint smile. "I don’t understand myself, either."
After speaking, she turned and walked toward the door.
Outside the East Pavilion, the courtyard looked somewhat desolate in this season.
Liang Wan walked at an unhurried pace.
’Cao Luyun is making it clear that she knows I’ve discovered the secret. If this earth-shattering news were to be exposed now, Lu Xiu would immediately become a disposable pawn for both Beizhou and Qi Country. And morale on the front lines would...’
’So Lu Xiu’s parentage isn’t a secret within the Lu Family.’
’But Cao Luyun found out by accident.’
’But why did Lu Huai keep something that should have been destroyed?’
Liang Wan sighed, feeling the thin papers in her sleeve.
’So be it.’
’I only ever planned to spend the winter here, anyway.’
In the South Garden Residence, she watched as the papers in the brazier burned to ash. They should never have existed in this world.
Just like this unexpected interlude.
It was destined to end...
「On the day she went to the Cao Residence, snowflakes began to fall.」
The war was lasting longer than expected.
The fighting on the front lines wasn’t actually intense. Beizhou alternated between fighting and resting, posturing as if they intended to drag out a long war, seemingly to wear down Qi Country.
In the past, this might not have been a problem. But after the recent disasters and with winter setting in, not only were military supplies failing to keep up, but the people’s morale was also being crushed. There was a real fear that they might surrender without a fight.
In the calf-drawn carriage, Liang Wan’s expression was somber, her mind heavy with thoughts.
Unlike her, Cao Luyun was in high spirits, a faint smile playing on her lips the entire time.
The Grandmaster had been slightly surprised to learn she was going to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Cao Luyun had explained that the Prime Minister was ill and that Liang Wan, being skilled in medicine, was going to take a look at him. The Grandmaster had accepted her explanation without suspicion.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Liang Wan recalled the last time she had come here. It was at night, her hair disheveled and clothes in disarray, pounding on the door like a madwoman.
Liang Wan stood at the entrance and sighed.
It was true that Chancellor Cao was ill.
Inside his chamber, the brazier fire wasn’t burning brightly, providing just enough heat to keep the chill at bay.
He was half-reclined on a couch. His eyes, usually sharp and spirited, were filled with an indescribable dullness and exhaustion.
His loose robes only made him look thinner and more haggard.
Liang Wan requested to treat him alone. Cao Luyun, knowing full well what this implied, cooperated by leading everyone out of the room.
Liang Wan quietly took his pulse.
Without saying anything else, she began to open her acupuncture kit. "A physician’s heart is benevolent. We can treat illnesses, but ultimately, we cannot treat fate. Chancellor Cao, why must you—"
His kindly expression changed in an instant, and he stared intently at Liang Wan.
Liang Wan’s gaze did not waver. She met his eyes for a moment before deftly applying a needle.
She sighed. "Chancellor Cao, you are worried about the disasters, the epidemic, and the war on the front lines, aren’t you?"
Chancellor Cao said, "Young lady, you did not come here merely to give a diagnosis."
Liang Wan smiled. "An ailment of the heart requires a medicine for the heart. A physician must prescribe the right remedy for the illness."
Hearing her say this, Chancellor Cao finally lowered his gaze.
He also understood in his heart that she likely had no ill intentions; she simply saw that he was isolated and powerless and couldn’t bear it.
Chancellor Cao mulled it over for a moment before saying, "If I’m not mistaken, the method for eliminating the locusts last time was your idea, wasn’t it?"
Liang Wan replied, "Who came up with the method isn’t important. What’s important is whether it works."
She remembered clearly that on the day of the currency minting debate, he and Cao Jun had been vehemently opposed to women participating in political discussions.
A glance at what Cao Luyun and Cao Danqing studied and learned revealed a thing or two as well.
Chancellor Cao sighed deeply. "The men do not do a man’s job. What can be done?"
He glanced at Liang Wan again. "It’s a pity you were born a woman."
Liang Wan let out a laugh. "Not at all. For some things, being a woman is more convenient."
She no longer beat around the bush. "Initially, some refugees came to Jinye, hoping for a bit of luck. But now, more and more are flocking here, even ignoring the epidemic. They do so only because they see that those who arrived first have grain to eat and a place to live. If this continues, it will only attract more and more people. This isn’t saving the refugees, it’s harming them, and it will lead to endless trouble in the future."
Chancellor Cao stroked his short beard. "What does the young lady suggest?"
Liang Wan said, "Drive them out and cut off the food supply."
Chancellor Cao sucked in a breath. "That will surely cause unrest, and all our previous efforts will have been in vain."
Liang Wan explained, "For anyone who has recovered from the illness, we will no longer provide grain or shelter. We can use both firm and gentle tactics. When they leave, issue them a voucher. After they return to their hometowns, they can present this voucher to the local government to receive rations of the same amount as they would get in Jinye."
"As for the officials, encourage them to provide aid. Their contributions can be recorded as merits based on the amount they give, and we can petition the ruler to grant them rewards."
...
When she had finished speaking, Liang Wan packed up her acupuncture kit.
"From now on, let Lady Cao remain at the Grandmaster’s Mansion."