Chapter 155: Chapter 155: An Unreasonable Request

Liang Wan held her pen, aimlessly scribbling on the paper, feeling deeply conflicted.

She could absolutely take advantage of this juncture, reveling in the chaos and adding fuel to the fire. Once the refugees rose up, there would inevitably be continuous civil uprisings everywhere. Coupled with the severe internal strife among the Gate Valves, could Gao Qian still sit securely on his throne? She feared that without even having to lift a finger herself, he would...

"Liang Ji."

Just as she was feeling agitated, someone stepped forward. Raising her eyes, she saw Shuangjiang bow. "The Master has returned. He invites you to go over."

Liang Wan put down her pen. She found it a bit strange but didn’t say much; she simply tidied herself up a little and left the room with Shuangjiang. Unexpectedly, they didn’t go to Lu Xiu’s room, but to the front courtyard. She wondered if they were going to meet an outside guest.

She had just stepped one foot into the reception hall when, out of nowhere, a fan popped out from behind and blocked her path. Startled, she swayed, but a steady arm securely caught her. The culprit stepped forward from behind her. Behind the fan, those Taohua eyes held a familiar smile.

"Long time no see!"

"Young Master Zhou?" Liang Wan was somewhat surprised.

Lu Xiu let go of her and only looked at Zhou Yun. "Walk properly."

Zhou Yun raised his brows and clicked his tongue, unwilling to be outdone. "Show-off!"

Liang Wan couldn’t help but laugh and told Shuangjiang to prepare tea and pastries. Zhou Yun rarely visited the Master’s Mansion; he usually went to the separate villa. Since his marriage, they had met even less frequently. Coming here today, he definitely had business.

Once the tea was served, Liang Wan dismissed the servants, leaving only the three of them.

"I have a matter I need your help with." Zhou Yun withdrew his smile, appearing a bit more serious and earnest than usual.

Liang Wan was surprised. She first looked at Zhou Yun across from her, then at Lu Xiu by her side. It wasn’t rare for Zhou Yun to ask Lu Xiu for help; what was rare was that it involved her too.

Perhaps seeing her confusion, Zhou Yun was straightforward. "Could you let Cao Luyun stay at the Master’s Mansion for a while longer? Please don’t announce the news of the divorce to the public just yet."

Ever since Cao Luyun returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion under the guise of visiting her family, she had never come back. This was a tacit understanding between both parties. It had been some days since Zhou Yun’s grand wedding, and the matter of the divorce no longer needed to be hidden. Recently, the mansion had been sorting out Cao Luyun’s remaining belongings, preparing to have someone send them back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion at an appropriate time.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yun had come knocking. This matter was highly delicate.

Liang Wan only looked at Lu Xiu. If she could make this decision, she wouldn’t have hesitated.

"It’s inconvenient for her to be here," Lu Xiu bluntly refused, holding his celadon cup without even lifting his eyelids. Before Zhou Yun could speak, Lu Xiu raised his eyes slightly and added, "For your sake, it has already been delayed for a long time."

His voice was indifferent, but his tone left no room for negotiation.

Zhou Yun fell silent for a moment, staring only at Liang Wan. "Since the General of Cavalry passed away, the Cao Family is like a man who has lost an arm. Regarding the drought, Chancellor Cao is already physically and mentally exhausted; it can be said that he is now a lone pillar struggling to hold up a falling structure. If news of a change in the marriage alliance with the Lu Family spreads at this time, I’m afraid—"

Lu Xiu’s gaze darkened and he interrupted him. "Zhou Yun, these matters have nothing to do with her. If I had known in advance that you were going to say this, I definitely wouldn’t have let you see her."

Zhou Yun paused, pulling at the corners of his lips. His smile revealed exhaustion and helplessness. "I also know these matters have nothing to do with her. But if news of a change in the Cao Lu marriage spreads at this time, it will undoubtedly make a dire situation even worse." He then lowered his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.

Liang Wan had never seen Zhou Yun with such a solemn expression. In her impression, he was always full of smiles, looking suave, charming, and utterly uninhibited. Based on Liang Wan’s understanding, Zhou Yun must have had no other choice.

If this were an ordinary household, it would merely be a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl. But this was the Master’s Mansion after all. Not only was it not a place where one could come and go freely, but it also involved the interests of the Lu Family. Whether she stayed or left depended entirely on the one surnamed Lu.

Liang Wan pondered for a moment and spoke frankly to Lu Xiu, "Personally, whether Cao Luyun stays here or not doesn’t have much impact on me. Main wife or concubine, it’s just a title. I don’t really care. As for the rest, it’s up to you."

This matter had been dragged out for a long time anyway, and she truly didn’t mind. As for the Lu Family’s interests, they were not within her scope of consideration.

Hearing Liang Wan say so, Zhou Yun’s hope reignited.

Lu Xiu glanced at her and frowned. Liang Wan pursed her lips and maintained eye contact with him for a long time.

Seeing this, Zhou Yun immediately stood up and bowed deeply to them. Liang Wan knew clearly in her heart that what Zhou Yun said and did was all for the Eastern Palace, for the Empress...

"Never mind," Lu Xiu lowered his eyes, his voice light and weary.

He was making a concession. Liang Wan held his hand. Only for Zhou Yun would they act like this. But who knew that some things would not only go against one’s wishes, but also end in irreversible regret.

Cao Luyun moved back into the Master’s Mansion without causing any ripples, as if her time away was truly just for a family visit. After the Grandmaster learned of it, he did not say much. She continued to live in the East Pavilion.

Liang Wan could tell that Cao Luyun was vastly different upon her return this time. Aside from the East Pavilion and Beixuan, she barely went anywhere else, truly treating herself as a guest. She must have made peace with it. Even so, Lu Xiu still assigned Shuangjiang to continue attending to Cao Luyun. For some inexplicable reason, Liang Wan felt that Lu Xiu was actively guarding against her.

Ever since leaving the Tangyi Marquis Mansion, Song Tan had changed his name and identity, becoming the owner of a grain shop and a pharmacy. At first, Liang Wan was highly skeptical, but after observing for a period, she was surprised to find he actually had an eye for business, making her view him in a new light. Liang Wan hadn’t originally opened the shops to make money, but wouldn’t it be even better if they actually turned a profit?

When there was nothing to do in the mansion, she would go find Song Tan. Qiuxi had married Feng Ting, whom Lu Xiu had dispatched. She was now almost a month pregnant and could be considered half an owner of the businesses. Under the circumstances of such a severe drought, their current lives were considered quite comfortable. This was exactly as Liang Wan wished. Whether now or in the future, the less business affairs had to do with her, the better.

As the scenery outside swayed with the long-eaved carriage, Liang Wan leaned against the window, watching with a lack of interest. Many more beggars had appeared on the streets. At the mouth of a small alley, there were a few children with dirty faces and tattered clothes. For no reason, it reminded her of the scene that year when she and Wang Tingyue first met Song Tan and the others.

"Stop the carriage." Looking at those dirty children, Liang Wan spoke softly.

Bai Lu was slightly surprised.

The carriage stopped. Liang Wan emerged from the cabin and halted not far away. The children huddled in the corner, sporting hair like withered grass. They were all skin and bones, their exposed arms and legs pitch black with grime.

At a time like this, not to mention ordinary families lacking rice and grain, even those who used to be well-off were pinching pennies to survive. Let alone these street urchins begging on the sides of the road; even if they wandered through all of Jinye City, it was unlikely anyone would be willing to give them a bite to eat or a sip to drink.

Liang Wan stepped forward and bent down to place the white porcelain saucer in her hand in front of them. The child lying on the ground, clinging to his last breath, suddenly saw the food. His eyes lit up, and as if experiencing a sudden, final burst of vitality, he scrambled up with the others, reaching out for the pastries.

Back then, Song Tan and the others had looked exactly like this. For a moment, she felt as if she had returned to her childhood. freewⅇbnovel.com

"Awan." It sounded like a sigh.

Liang Wan’s body stiffened, and she raised her eyes to look over.

It was that man with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.

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