Chapter 84: Substituting the Plum for the Peach
Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Substituting the Plum for the Peach
All traces of her earlier unease and embarrassment had vanished.
Liang Wan collected her thoughts and asked, puzzled, "Sir, is there some misunderstanding?"
Lu Xiu sneered. "Cut the act. It’s less about you helping the Empress and more about you wanting to use this as a chance to get close to His Majesty."
Liang Wan sighed. ’I can never hide my true intentions from him.’
She glanced around out of the corner of her eye. She hadn’t forgotten how Lu Xiu had been avoiding her ever since she arrived at the Duke Mansion. And when she thought of Cao Danqing and Cao Luyun, she really had no interest in playing their games of romantic rivalry.
Lu Xiu had only taken off his outer robe a moment ago to hide her from Gao Qian.
But talking with him like this, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be seen. If they were, no amount of explaining would clear her name.
Liang Wan ventured, "Aren’t you afraid of being seen talking to me like this, Sir?"
"You’re getting bold."
She was only trying to be considerate, but his face turned cold.
Not daring to truly offend him, Liang Wan respectfully held the outer robe out to him. "Perhaps you should put this on before we continue, Sir."
Lu Xiu gave her a cool glance. With the slightest shift of those cold, bright eyes, it was impossible to know what new scheme she was plotting.
He lowered his gaze, his mind inexplicably drifting to the image of her standing by the lotus pond, arms outstretched, looking as if she would fearlessly topple over. The crowd had all said she was mad, but no one knew what had driven her to madness.
Lu Xiu took the robe from her hands. His gaze went over her head to the distance, and his voice was impassive. "As long as I’m here, you won’t be able to kill him."
A tremor ran through Liang Wan’s heart. It felt as though he had said nothing at all, yet at the same time, he had said everything.
If Lu Xiu hadn’t caught her in the act of poisoning someone just moments ago, she would have tried to argue her case. But now, defending herself was out of the question...
Liang Wan sighed. ’Lu Xiu is my nemesis.’
"Sir—" After a moment of hesitation, Liang Wan hurried after him.
Lu Xiu’s brow twitched. "You already got physical. Why so timid now?"
The words caught in Liang Wan’s throat. She knew he was referring to how she had pushed Cao Luyun and pinched Cao Danqing.
She froze. When she looked up again, Lu Xiu’s back was already several steps away.
’Wasn’t he just grilling me a moment ago? What does he mean by saying this now?’
Liang Wan chased after him, fuming.
Before she reached the Flower Garden, she saw Qiuxi glancing about. Her maid’s wandering eyes suddenly locked onto her, and she came running over.
Qiuxi then noticed Lu Xiu walking on ahead, and a flicker of suspicion crossed her face.
Before Qiuxi could ask anything, a panicked, flustered maidservant rushed past them. Qiuxi was confused, but Liang Wan knew exactly what had happened. ’They must have discovered that Lou Xu Ru is dead,’ she thought.
Liang Wan decided to head to the East Wing anyway to check on the Empress.
"By the way, My Lady, I went to deliver the medicine as you instructed, but did you give me the wrong one? The vial was completely empty!"
Liang Wan smiled sheepishly. "It was my mistake. I was careless."
Qiuxi waved it off. "It’s alright. Young Master Zhou said the Empress has been cured of the poison, so it’s good for you to go see."
’First, she deliberately provoked Cao Danqing, then she stumbled upon Gao Qian’s private affair...’
’Going to see the Empress is a good idea.’
「East Wing.」
A crowd had gathered in front of the residence where the Empress was staying.
The crowd was surprised to see Liang Wan walk in from the courtyard, perfectly fine. When they had left, she had been limp on the ground, her condition unknown.
Just as Liang Wan approached, Zhou Yun was coming out and they nearly ran into each other.
He didn’t look well. He drew near and whispered, "Where have you been? That Liang Zhang is in trouble."
Liang Wan’s pupils constricted. "What kind of trouble?" she asked urgently.
Zhou Yun hesitated, unable to bring himself to say it. His expression was very strange.
Liang Wan had a rough idea of what it might be, so she didn’t press the issue and simply followed him.
Inside the room, the Empress was reclining against a soft cushion. Gao Qian occupied the seat of honor, with Chancellor Cao and the Cao Family next to him. On the other side sat Guanglu Doctor Lou and his wife...
’It looks like everyone from the banquet has been brought here.’
The spacious East Wing suddenly felt crowded.
Liang Wan followed Zhou Yun forward. He guided her to the side but didn’t step away, remaining in front of her.
"Liang Wan, come here," the Empress said, beckoning with her hand.
Liang Wan kept her head down as she stepped forward carefully, but she could feel a persistent gaze following her like a shadow.
She prostrated herself. "I was reckless today and offended Your Highness."
"Hm?" Gao Qian suddenly murmured in confusion. Without his permission, no one dared to look up at him.
The Empress turned to him. "What is it, Your Majesty?"
"I gather," he began, "that the Empress wishes to bestow a marriage upon them?"
Facing Zhou Yun and Liang Wan, Gao Qian raised his eyes, looking from one to the other with great interest.
The Empress was a little surprised. She had thought he was going to punish Liang Wan for her transgressions.
"Your Majesty has guessed correctly," the Empress confirmed.
Gao Qian nodded with a smile. "Then isn’t this perfect? The Grand Commandant and the lady from the Cao Family also appear to be of marriageable age. Why not settle both matters today?"
The Empress was already aware of this, so she was not surprised. In fact, it would be good to have both edicts issued at once.
Cao Danqing had already washed and changed into fresh clothes and jewelry. Cao Luyun stood beside her, head bowed, a blush rising on her cheeks.
Gao Qian sighed with deep emotion. "When you think about it, today is just one happy occasion after another!"
The Empress touched her abdomen, which was not yet showing, and smiled warmly at the perfect couple. Zhou Yun had lost his usual casual air, but Liang Wan’s heart sank.
"Grand Commandant—"
"I am here." Lu Xiu was not particularly surprised to be called upon.
Gao Qian, beaming, turned to the crowd. "A short while ago, I was strolling through the garden to aid my digestion. As I passed the rockery, I heard a noise from within. I peeked inside, and who should I find but our Grand Commandant, a man known for his indifference to women—"
At this, gasps of astonishment filled the room. Everyone secretly glanced his way, wondering who the woman could possibly be.
Liang Wan also turned to look at Lu Xiu’s face. He was completely expressionless, as if Gao Qian were speaking of someone else entirely.
Tears welled up in Cao Luyun’s downcast eyes.
’Others might not know what happened,’ Cao Danqing fumed internally, ’but I do! It must have been that shameless Liang Wan who seduced the Grand Commandant into a daylight tryst!’
Gao Qian tilted his head, studying the crowd before turning to Lu Xiu. "Grand Commandant, you must treat Third Lady Cao well from now on!"
Cao Luyun froze, her head snapping up.
Every eye in the room fell on her. Chancellor Cao and the rest of the Cao Family were mortified; they couldn’t imagine how she could have done such a thing.
Lu Xiu’s expression remained unchanged, showing neither joy nor sorrow. "I accept the imperial decree. My thanks to Your Majesty."
Cao Luyun wanted to explain, but in the end, she only lowered her head. "I thank Your Majesty."
Her eyes stung with unshed tears, and her hands twisted the hem of her clothes. She felt humiliated, mortified, and yet, unwilling to accept it...
Just as Liang Wan was about to look away, her eyes met Lu Xiu’s, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Danqing," Gao Qian called out nonchalantly.
Cao Danqing’s eyes shot wide open.
Gao Qian smiled. "Didn’t you ask me to seek justice for you? How about I make Young Master Zhou your husband? You two shall marry as soon as you come of age."
The Empress stared at Gao Qian in disbelief. "Your Majesty."
Gao Qian rose and walked over to the Empress. He leaned down and said with a warm smile, "I’ve given it much thought. I wouldn’t be at ease entrusting Danqing to anyone else. It’s best she be with Young Master Zhou."
The Empress was speechless.
Gao Qian straightened up and slowly looked back over his shoulder. His narrow eyes were dark and unreadable. "Third Lady Liang, do you plead guilty?"