Chapter 27: Looking on Coldly
Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Looking on Coldly
In an instant, all eyes converged on her.
"What are you standing there gawking for!"
Liang Cheng had sidled up to her at some point. Though a smile was plastered on his face, the words he squeezed through his teeth were vicious.
Liang Wan felt the blood in her veins run cold, like the Si River on a winter night, flowing backward through every inch of her body. Yet the hatred that surged from her chest ignited a raging fire within her frozen core.
Liang Wan clenched her jaw and slowly lowered her head, hiding the emotion in her eyes. She raised her hands to her brow and performed a respectful bow.
Wang Su snorted coldly and looked away with extreme disdain, only joking with the people surrounding him. "It seems I need to replace the gatekeepers at my Sikong Mansion. Otherwise, how can just anyone get in?"
He spoke so bluntly, he might as well have named her.
"Today is your auspicious day, my lord. Well-wishers are flocking to your door, so there are bound to be a few who want to sneak in and share in the good fortune. You can’t blame the servants for missing one or two."
The man beside them was bowing and scraping, his small eyes gleaming with cunning. He was clearly tall and slender, but hunched over as he was, he actually looked shorter than Wang Su.
It was Wang Su’s confidant, Zhao Heng. Liang Wan lowered her eyes. He was the one who had his men drag her into a corner with her head covered—
After Zhao Heng finished speaking, the crowd of fawning followers echoed their agreement, and every gaze that turned their way was filled with the thrill of watching a good show.
The entire front hall, while not containing every official in the court, held at least three-quarters of them. Liang Cheng had never been so openly ridiculed, not even before the Emperor himself. He felt utterly humiliated, and his shame and anger curdled into resentment. He grabbed Liang Wan, who was still holding her formal pose, and hissed a threat,
"You listen to me. If you can’t appease Wang Sikong today, then when we get back, what happens to you and your mother—" His eyes revealed his undisguised malice. "You should know, I have already been more than benevolent to you two!"
’More than benevolent?’
Liang Wan sneered inwardly. ’In their eyes, I’m just a somewhat useful pawn. The moment I lose my value or refuse to be manipulated, they’ll cast me aside without a second thought.’
Liang Wan tried to break free from his grip, but he held her fast.
Wang Su had already taken a seat with his entourage. Liang Zhang had taken the opportunity to disappear somewhere in the chaos. Only Liang Cheng remained, dragging Liang Wan along, standing awkwardly to the side, unable to advance or retreat.
Ignoring the contemptuous gazes of the crowd, Liang Cheng dragged Liang Wan toward the head seats.
Wang Su’s slightly drooping eyelids lifted a fraction. He scoffed, "Vice Minister Liang, what is the meaning of this?"
Liang Cheng bowed low, a smile plastered back on his face. "On this auspicious day for you, my lord, this humble official has naturally come to present a token of my sincerity."
As he spoke, servants filed in carrying gifts: pearls, agates, mutton-fat jade, ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms, cordyceps flowers—all treasures Liang Cheng had spent years collecting.
Liang Wan watched with cold eyes. If the situation hadn’t become so dire, he would never have been willing to part with any of it.
Unfortunately, Wang Su only gave the gifts a casual glance, not nearly as interested as one might have expected.
He said slowly, "In my life, I have never been one to covet another’s treasures. However, the one thing I desire is unique."
Here, he paused, shook his head slightly, and looked up at his guests, half-joking, half-serious. "It seems these things took some effort to acquire. But Vice Minister Liang has always understood the art of hoarding rare goods. For him to suddenly present them now—I fear it’s because these ’treasures’ have become difficult to sell, no?"
PFFT—
Someone let out a laugh, and it was quite distinct amidst the whispers and murmurs. Comments about him trying to curry favor with the Lu Family while also stringing along Wang Sikong were endless.
Liang Cheng was put in an impossible position. His face paled and flushed by turns as he secretly wiped the sweat from his brow.
Earlier, upon learning that Liang Wan had caught Lu Xiu’s eye, he had acted impulsively and rashly gone to the Grandmaster’s Mansion. Not only had he waited for days to no avail, but he’d also fallen for Liang Wan’s trick, causing his plan for Liang Jiao to latch onto the Lu Family to fail, and completely offending Wang Sikong in the process.
His lips twitched as he bowed his head and offered an apologetic smile. "A while ago, this girl fell ill. Your Lordship even sent someone to our manor to check on her. We wanted her to come and thank you in person, but we were afraid she hadn’t fully recovered and might bring sickness to your household. So, you see, we had the physician check her repeatedly to ensure she was completely healed before daring to bring her here to thank you and wish you a long life—"
After speaking, he stared at the nonchalant Wang Su, the meaning in his eyes self-evident.
"It’s all because her late grandfather doted on her too much, making her a bit delicate. If she hadn’t fully recovered, how would this humble official dare to come pay his respects?"
As Liang Cheng spoke, he shoved her forward, all the while dropping hints. He might as well have told Wang Sikong outright that she was still a virgin and that he shouldn’t believe the rumors.
Liang Wan fought the urge to vomit and lowered her eyes.
Only when Liang Cheng mentioned Awen did Wang Su give him a cool glance and wave his hand dismissively.
As soon as he lowered his hand, a maidservant, unable to hide her sneer, came forward, tasked with showing them to their seats.
Just as Liang Cheng was about to grab Liang Wan and follow, he was interrupted by a laugh.
"My lord, I heard that at the Peach Blossom Banquet, both Princess Lanling and the Grand Commandant wished to witness Third Lady Liang’s dancing skills, but alas, the lady declined on account of being unwell. Today, since Vice Minister Liang claims the lady has recovered, why not have her perform a dance to liven things up for Your Lordship, and allow the rest of us to feast our eyes, thanks to your good grace?"
Liang Wan lifted her eyes and looked straight ahead. It was Zhao Heng.
He sat beside Wang Su, his tone utterly sycophantic, but his sharp eyes were slimily fixed on her.
That gaze was all too familiar. It was as if she were being forced into a corner by him again, her limbs pinned down as he peeled off her clothes layer by layer, pinching and biting, committing all manner of obscene acts.
Shame reddened the rims of Liang Wan’s eyes. She forcibly swallowed the surging hatred, lowered her head, clenched her fists, and bit down hard. ’To lash out now would be like an egg smashing against a rock. I don’t stand a chance. I’ve been reborn; I can’t do something so foolish. I have to endure!’
’One day, I will repay today’s humiliation tenfold!’
Before Wang Su could even speak, Liang Cheng heard the suggestion and, as if granted a golden opportunity, shamelessly chimed in with a fawning smile, "Lord Zhao is absolutely right. This humble official came prepared."
The hall erupted in an uproar of discussion. The voices weren’t loud, but they created a constant, buzzing drone.
Many of those present today to offer their congratulations had also been at the Peach Blossom Banquet. They knew perfectly well what had happened that day.
Although Princess Lanling and Lu Xiu had not come in person, there was no shortage of members from the Lu Family and the Imperial Family among the guests.
This was a clear declaration that no one’s prestige was greater than Wang Sikong’s!
Wang Su smiled so broadly that wrinkles creased his face, thoroughly pleased with Zhao Heng’s timely flattery.
"Since you all like the idea, then let her dance."
His tone was light and airy, as if he didn’t see Liang Wan as a young lady of the Liang Mansion at all. The way he gave the order was as if he were addressing one of his own dancing girls or singers—completely without courtesy.
Liang Cheng bowed and scraped in agreement. He didn’t forget to give Liang Wan a shove, his eyes full of menace as he urged her in a low voice, "What are you waiting for! Go!"
Liang Wan took a deep breath, treating herself as a puppet. She walked slowly past the crowd. Some were from the Lu Family, others from the Marquis Wen Mansion... some she knew, and some she did not.
But there was never any difference between them. They all watched with cold indifference, just as they had in her past life.
"Well, well. It seems I’ve arrived late!"
Liang Wan lifted her gaze and met a familiar, smiling face.