Chapter 26: Into the Tiger’s Den
Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Into the Tiger’s Den
The twenty-eighth of March was Wang Su’s fiftieth birthday.
At the crack of dawn, Liang Wan was dragged from her bed by the maids Liang Cheng had sent. They had her wash, change her clothes, and apply cosmetics.
She was like a doll, silently watching as they did their utmost to adorn her: a madder-red, crossover-collared blouse with a plum blossom print; a verdant green sash at her waist; a skirt of fine, multi-hued gauze. They styled her hair in an intricate topknot and applied the ’falling plum blossom’ makeup, complete with dabs of pale yellow and slanting red crescents at her temples...
’This is to make sure everyone knows I’m a gift, carefully prepared by Liang Cheng for the Sikong Mansion.’
Liang Wan sat before the mirror. The woman within stared back at her coldly, looking just as she had when she was sent to curry favor with the tyrant.
Out of sight, out of mind. In the end, she simply closed her eyes.
"My Lady—"
As she was leaving, Liang Cheng forbade her from bringing anyone along. Qiuxi could only stand at the door, her brow furrowed. Seeing Liang Wan about to board the calf-drawn carriage, her eyes grew moist, and her voice became thick with emotion.
Liang Wan turned back. Qiuxi didn’t speak aloud, only mouthing the words. ’I’ll be waiting for you to come back.’
Liang Wan smiled and nodded at her.
She took one last glance at the others. Mrs. Zhang had pulled Liang Cheng aside and was whispering instructions to him incessantly. Liang Jiao held a long-handled fan, her mysterious smile hidden behind it as she watched her. Liang Zhang stood off to the side, shoulders slumped, growing impatient and urging them to hurry up every so often.
Looking around, she saw that in the entire, vast Liang Mansion, only Qiuxi was worried about her.
Liang Wan turned and boarded the calf-drawn carriage.
The curtain fell, sealing her off from the outside world. As the carriage swayed along, she somehow found herself recalling the day she had entered the palace on New Year’s Eve, never to leave again.
’And today?’ Liang Wan sighed.
For this birthday celebration, Liang Cheng had brought a great many gifts. If one didn’t know it was Wang Su’s birthday, they might have thought he was sending her off to be married.
If she wasn’t mistaken, Liang Cheng was making a gamble.
As expected, Lu Xiu would also be at the Sikong Mansion.
If she appeared at Wang Su’s birthday banquet dressed so extravagantly, and Lu Xiu cared, he would surely make his position clear. On the other hand, if Lu Xiu remained indifferent, then it would be perfectly logical to leave her at the Sikong Mansion.
Liang Jiao’s contribution to Liang Cheng’s scheme was undeniable. After all, she had a clear eye for matters between men and women.
Liang Wan closed her eyes, and in a half-dreaming state, the swaying carriage arrived at the Sikong Mansion before she knew it.
Wang Su’s birthday had stirred nearly all of Jinye City. The area in front of the mansion was bustling with activity, a constant stream of well-wishers arriving at the gate. The entire Sikong Mansion was decked out in lanterns and colorful banners. Even the two stone lions at the entrance wore red silk flowers, radiating festivity from every corner.
Liang Cheng, his face wreathed in a broad smile, walked up the steps and personally handed an invitation card to the gatekeeper. Tucked beneath the card was a pouch of coins.
’He’s a fourth-rank official, for heaven’s sake, yet he’s groveling even to the Sikong Mansion’s gatekeeper.’ Liang Wan turned her face away in disgust.
Unexpectedly, Liang Zhang, who was beside her, suddenly leaned in. Smacking his lips, he looked her up and down and said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "When you’re about to start fawning and currying favor, you’d better give me a heads-up. I’ll need to step out to avoid puking all over the banquet!"
With that, he shot her a contemptuous look and went on ahead.
Liang Wan followed with a composed gait, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. She had heard words far more vicious and cruel; Liang Zhang’s taunts were truly nothing.
Though she shielded her face with a fan, from the moment she appeared, strange glances were cast her way, often accompanied by hushed whispers.
"Tsk—to think she still has the nerve to show her face here. Who doesn’t know about her publicly seducing the Grand Commandant? Is she here to offer birthday wishes? She’s clearly here to disgust His Lordship!"
"This shameless, pestering behavior is just typical of the Liang family. If I were her, I’d have killed myself long ago—"
"Shh, keep your voice down! She’s looking this way!"
"Hmph, what’s there to be afraid of? With a face like that, a born temptress, and such a wanton nature, she’s allowed to do it, but we’re not allowed to talk about it? I knew she was trouble when we were children, and wasn’t I right! Just tell me, has anyone decent ever come out of that Liang family—"
"True. And to think she’s supposed to be one of the capital’s noble ladies—"
All along the way, it wasn’t just the guests who had come to offer congratulations; even the servants of the mansion spoke without restraint. One could only imagine how many scornful looks Liang Cheng had endured recently. No wonder he had thrown such a fit and had to bribe the gatekeeper.
Since it was like this, Liang Wan simply lowered her fan, lifted her chin, and gave them a slight smile, generously letting them have their fill of looking.
Meeting Liang Wan’s smiling face, the two maids looked embarrassed. They guiltily averted their eyes and pretended to go back to greeting guests.
Liang Zhang turned his head and saw that Liang Wan was completely unmoved, even smiling. He had heard every single word of their gossip. Anyone else would have been overcome with shame and anger—if not bursting into tears, then at least blushing and breaking into a sweat. But her? Not a trace of shame. She was even beaming like a flower in bloom?
Liang Zhang leaned back, sucking in a sharp breath through his teeth with a frown, utterly incredulous. "Liang Wan, I really underestimated you. No wonder Eldest Aunt kept such a tight rein on you. So you’re just this cheap in your very bones! Truly shameless!"
The words, though spoken by chance, struck a raw nerve. Liang Wan’s smile vanished. She fixed her gaze on him. "Brother, you’re right. If I had any shame, if I weren’t so cheap, would you have the chance to be sitting at this banquet? Wouldn’t you have been eating prison food long ago?"
Last year, after drinking at a tavern with some friends—perhaps emboldened by the wine, or perhaps goaded on by others—Liang Zhang had brutally assaulted a young woman who was passing by.
Afterwards, they had assumed she was from a minor family and that a bit of money would settle the matter. Who would have known that she was the young daughter of the Imperial Censor?
Though the Imperial Censor’s rank wasn’t high, he had the power to directly impeach court officials. Liang Zhang had thought it was a simple case of acting on lust, but he had messed with the wrong person. The scandal threatened Liang Cheng’s official post, a massive blunder. Liang Cheng had personally dragged him to the Censor’s door to offer a humble apology, but the man wouldn’t even see them, vowing not to rest until Liang Cheng was thrown in prison.
Liang Cheng made inquiries everywhere and finally learned that the Imperial Censor had been recommended for his post by Wang Su in the past. So, he went to beg Wang Su for help, and what happened next became clear.
Out of respect for Wang Su, the Imperial Censor had to drop the matter. As a compromise, he relented, agreeing that once his daughter came of age, she would be married into the Liang family.
Calculating now, it was less than a month until Liang Zhang’s wedding.
Liang Wan raised an eyebrow. "So, Brother, you should stop being the pot calling the kettle black!"
Liang Zhang glared at Liang Wan, grinding his teeth in hatred. He was about to lash out when his brow suddenly smoothed. He gave a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. "You’d better hope *your* Grand Commandant arrives soon."
With that, he fixed his gaze on the entrance, his eyes full of malice.
Liang Wan followed his line of sight and saw a man wearing a *juanliang* cap and deep blue robes. With stern eyes, tightly pressed lips, and a commanding air, he entered, surrounded by a crowd.
It was Wang Su.
Sensing a gaze different from the others, Wang Su turned his head.
Their eyes met. Liang Wan’s heart jolted, her pupils shrank, and an uncontrollable chill spread through her body. No matter how she tried to remind herself to be calm, she was still instinctively afraid.
Seeing Wang Su’s gaze turn cold and his expression change, the crowd of fawning well-wishers all turned to look as well.
Liang Wan had nowhere to hide.