Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Lost at Sunrise

"Right? I was shocked, too."

Seeing Liang Wan’s reaction, Song Tan raised his eyebrows and smiled.

Ever since Princess Lanling was arrested and imprisoned, everyone from the Tangyi Marquis Mansion had been captured. Cui Hao pleaded with Gao Qian to spare Feng Qingyue’s life, asking that his own contributions be weighed against her crimes. Outsiders all said it was a display of deep affection and loyalty.

Although Feng Qingyue could no longer be the official wife, she at least kept her life.

"I just don’t get it. Why would she buy an abortion-inducing drug when she’s perfectly healthy and finally pregnant?" Song Tan clicked his tongue, baffled. "Back at the Marquis Mansion, she was always taking nourishing supplements because nothing was happening. Now that she’s finally conceived, why would she—"

Liang Wan just watched him in silence. Song Tan’s eyes lit up as realization dawned.

Song Tan gasped. "Don’t tell me she bought it for that maid of yours? Their positions are reversed now. This is probably some inner-courtyard strife."

Liang Wan picked up her teacup and took a small sip, a faint smile playing on her lips.

’I shouldn’t be so surprised. I know their personalities. Wasn’t this the whole point of putting them together in the first place?’

’Nothing wears a person down more than open rivalry and covert schemes.’

’They’ll frame each other, torment each other, and in the end, both will be ruined without me having to lift a finger. What’s not to like?’

’When the time is right, I can even help out a bit—add some fuel to the fire. It wouldn’t be a problem at all.’ At the thought, Liang Wan’s mood suddenly brightened.

Song Tan shook his head slightly. "It’s strange, though. That Cui Hao isn’t exactly a man who takes responsibility. The fact that he had the courage to ask the Monarch to spare Feng Qingyue’s life this time shows there must still be some affection between them as husband and wife. I really misjudged him on that."

Liang Wan lowered her long lashes, laughing silently to herself. ’Of course Cui Hao wouldn’t have dared.’

The day it happened, she received the news and sent someone to tip off Cui Hao. To avoid looking ungrateful and heartless, she advised him that while he was performing his great act of justice against his own family, he should ask Gao Qian for a favor.

This favor couldn’t be for gold, silks, or jewels, nor for a high title or a rich stipend. It could only be for an old attachment.

Gao Qian is highly suspicious. He himself is cold-blooded and ruthless, but he doesn’t want the people he employs to be utterly heartless.

After a moment of reflection, Song Tan asked again, "Speaking of which, I never had the chance to ask you—why did you want me to say that to Cui Hao? It made it sound like you can’t forget him and still have lingering feelings. Aren’t you afraid your Grand Commandant will find out—"

Liang Wan raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing him. "Maybe I really can’t forget him."

Song Tan sucked in a sharp breath. "My dear lady, are you tired of living?! Is there anyone who doesn’t know what kind of temper your Grand Commandant has?!"

Liang Wan put down her cup and smiled. "Don’t worry. He knows all about my plans."

Only then did Song Tan let out a sigh of relief.

After a moment, Liang Wan felt a tightness in her chest. She lowered her head and idly spun the cup in her hands.

Song Tan studied her for a moment, then smiled. "Seeing you two get along so well, I can rest easy!"

Liang Wan glanced up at him disdainfully. ’He’s not even as old as I am, yet he talks like an elder.’

As Song Tan smiled, he was suddenly overcome with melancholy.

After a moment of thought, he spoke softly, "Wang Tingyue is back."

Liang Wan’s hand, which had been spinning the cup, froze. Her eyes remained fixed on the cup.

Song Tan paused, then continued, "I only just got the news myself. I hear he’s been made a Capital Water Officer. It’s nothing compared to his former status, but for someone who was a disgraced convict, it’s truly remarkable."

Liang Wan nodded slightly. ’How could I not know that?’

"He’s always been one to push himself to the limit."

After speaking, she went back to spinning her cup.

Song Tan looked at Liang Wan and just sighed. He had known them for a long time; how could he not know what kind of person Wang Tingyue was?

But it wasn’t enough for him alone to know certain things. Even if she and Wang Tingyue weren’t fated to be together, there were things she deserved to know.

Whatever the outcome, at least there would be no regrets.

Song Tan glanced at her and said, as if offhandedly, "From what I know, he didn’t marry your sister as you’d wished."

Liang Wan looked up in surprise.

A faint smile touched Song Tan’s lips. "Since Miss Liang Si has already drowned, why would anyone need to take responsibility for her? You should know, the person who returned is Lady Xu. She and Wang Tingyue are merely casual acquaintances."

Liang Wan was stunned.

Song Tan lowered his gaze and sighed. "But, you know what Wang Tingyue is like. Someone traveled thousands of miles to find him and even brought him a Pardon Order. He would naturally feel compelled to repay such a kindness. So, he has taken Lady Xu as his sworn sister."

Liang Wan composed herself and lowered her head again. "Since he doesn’t like Liang Jiao, he can just wait and choose someone he fancies in the future."

Song Tan stared at her for a long time as if she were an idiot, opening his mouth but not knowing what to say.

The thought of Wang Tingyue also frustrated him. His looks, character, temperament—everything about him was good, except for one thing: the man didn’t have a mouth.

He and Liang Wan had known each other for over a decade, true childhood sweethearts. How could he possibly lose out to someone she’d known for only a short time, someone who was always cold and aloof, as if covered in frost?

Song Tan’s brows furrowed tightly. ’If Wang Tingyue had moved as fast as Lu Xiu, his and Liang Wan’s children would be running all over the place by now!’

He sighed with no small amount of regret. But on second thought, maybe this was for the best. He hadn’t told her all this to try and get them back together.

After all, she and Lu Xiu get along so harmoniously. It’s a case of losing in one area but gaining in another.

He glanced at the woman across from him again. By now, it wasn’t just the entire Qi Country; even the neighboring Beizhou had heard the rumors. The Grand Commandant of Qi had a favored concubine he protected like the apple of his eye. She was said to be of unparalleled beauty, and the Monarch of Qi himself had even bestowed upon her the title "Lady Yurui."

At this thought, Song Tan couldn’t help but worry. As the saying goes, the sun begins to set at noon, and the moon begins to wane when full. Too great a reputation was not necessarily a good thing, especially for a woman.

Throughout history, beautiful women have been harbingers of disaster, their lives fated for tragedy.

Right now, only a man like Lu Xiu could protect her. But could such protection last?

’What if...’

Song Tan’s thoughts twisted in knots with worry. Looking at the person across from him, who was still so unaware, he felt even more melancholic.

Each lost in their own troubled thoughts, they both fell silent.

After a long moment.

Liang Wan put down her cup and looked up. "I’ve been out for some time. I should be heading back."

Song Tan swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and simply nodded in agreement.

’It was clear she was in a bad mood and had a lot on her mind today. Some things were better left for another day.’

Song Tan didn’t try to detain her, only walking her to the door.

Liang Wan said a simple goodbye and boarded her carriage.

As the carriage swayed along, she simply closed her eyes to rest.

She had just reached the main gate when she heard the gatekeeper announce that Lu Huai had arrived.

Liang Wan found it strange. ’It’s not a holiday, and there’s no special occasion. Why would he suddenly show up?’

She had just stepped over the threshold when someone grabbed her hand.

Liang Wan turned her head to glare at him.

It was Lu Xiu, who had also just returned. He was dressed in magnificent purple court robes, which made his skin look like white jade and set off his exceptional beauty.

Apparently, he had arrived just a moment after her.

Liang Wan said, "I heard Second Brother is here."

Lu Xiu held her hand, unsurprised. "He said he’s looking for something. He should be in the East Pavilion now."

’The East Pavilion?’

Liang Wan thought for a moment. "Let’s go over there; it’s on our way. Cao Luyun is living there, so it must be somewhat inconvenient for him to just go in like that. Let’s see if we can help."

Lu Xiu gave a slight nod.

In the study of the East Pavilion, Lu Huai was rummaging through everything. He was not a disorganized person, but strangely, the box was gone.

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