Chapter 180: Chapter 180: A Mix of Joy and Worry

"The person you speak of is... the Grand Commandant?"

"Yes."

The Empress Dowager watched her with a barely perceptible smile. She still remembered that winter day when the two of them had walked resolutely into the heavy snow, their fingers intertwined. Even from behind, they had looked as if their love was stronger than gold. It turned out to be nothing more than that.

No, or perhaps it was purely one-sided.

The Empress Dowager shook her head, the emotion in her eyes obscure and hard to read. "It’s rare for him to cherish someone so deeply."

Liang Wan smiled. "Deep love never lasts. It would be better for both of us to go our separate ways."

The Empress Dowager looked at her noncommittally.

Under her scrutinizing gaze, Liang Wan decided to speak frankly. "Matters of love are too illusory and ultimately unreliable. The only person a woman can truly trust is herself. If I wish to live well, I must plan for my own future."

The half-truths and half-lies mingled together until even she was a little unsure of what was real.

When the real is taken for false, the false becomes real; when the false is taken for real, the real becomes false.

’I suffered because of love in my last life, so I should let go of what needs to be let go in this one. Otherwise, wouldn’t I have lived this life in vain?’

’Besides, he and Gao Qian are ultimately half-brothers, sharing the same mother.’

’And everything I am doing now is to send Gao Qian to his grave.’

’We are destined to walk different paths.’

The smile vanished from the Empress Dowager’s face. After a moment of quiet contemplation, she waved her hand. "You may return for today."

Joy flickered in Liang Wan’s heart, but her expression remained neutral. She put away the Dragon Pattern Hairpin and bowed respectfully.

Staying in the harem was never an easy feat, and to stay *well* was even harder. But once she had the Empress Dowager’s consent, none of those difficulties mattered anymore.

Liang Wan was exhausted by the time she returned to the Master’s Mansion.

As usual, she ordered someone to prepare water for a bath the moment she stepped through the door.

Bai Lu and Gu Yu never asked why she always had to bathe and change her clothes every time she returned from the Imperial Palace.

She was clearly much later than usual today.

Liang Wan had just reached the inner courtyard when she unexpectedly ran into Cao Luyun again.

She was standing on the path that forked toward the East Pavilion, a beaming smile on her face.

"Liang Ji, you’re back?"

Liang Wan was exhausted and had no desire to play games with her. She merely grunted in acknowledgment, not slowing her pace in the slightest.

Cao Luyun turned her head to watch Liang Wan’s retreating back, a smile playing on her lips. "I heard the battle at Huixiang was a resounding victory. The war is nearing its end, which means the Grand Commandant will be back before long."

Liang Wan stopped in her tracks.

Cao Luyun turned around, smiling faintly. "I heard the news from the Grandmaster today, so it should be accurate. I waited a long time just so I could tell you myself. But you came back so much later than usual. You really kept me waiting."

Liang Wan knew something of the battle at Huixiang. Lu Xiu had mentioned it briefly in his letters to her. He hadn’t said much, but she understood with a single glance.

Liang Wan also understood that he had ultimately chosen to protect Daqi and prevent Beizhou from succeeding.

Although, she didn’t know what price he would have to pay on the Beizhou side of things.

She lowered her lashes gently. She couldn’t deny that she was happy he would be returning safely.

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time. It had been late autumn of last year when he left.

She felt a wave of emotion.

"Liang Ji’s hair seems much looser than usual, too. Were you so busy enjoying yourself that you neglected your appearance? To be so happy you’d forget your home—"

Cao Luyun cried out in alarm, her face paling. "Liang—Liang Wan, what are you doing? Let go!"

The crowd of maids and servants stared, their eyes wide with disbelief. Who knew someone so cold and aloof would actually resort to physical violence?

Liang Wan had reached her limit. She grabbed Cao Luyun’s collar, her face like ice. "Lady Cao, you are currently a guest here. It would be best if you watched your words and actions. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee I won’t send you to the Imperial Prison."

Cao Luyun felt utterly humiliated, her face ashen. "You wouldn’t dare."

Liang Wan lowered her gaze and let out a cold laugh. "You already said I was so happy I’d forgotten my home. What wouldn’t I dare to do? You should know, they wouldn’t mind one more mute with a severed tongue in the Imperial Prison!"

"You—" Cao Luyun’s face grew even paler.

Liang Wan ignored her, her grip tightening. "What about me?"

She shot Cao Luyun a disdainful look and shoved her backward. "You’ve been getting far too audacious these past few days."

With that, she turned and strode toward the South Garden, leaving the stunned group behind.

Bai Lu glanced back once before lowering her head, but Gu Yu kept her chin held high, a look of undisguised delight and satisfaction in her eyes.

’Liang Ji should have fought back against Lady Cao long ago!’

’Otherwise, people will just keep walking all over her.’

’Logically, Liang Ji isn’t a weak or easily bullied person. In the past, she had always been dismissive and indifferent toward Lady Cao, too lazy to bother with her. But for some reason, ever since the master left, Liang Ji has tolerated her time and again.’

’At first, I had assumed Liang Ji’s momentum had weakened because she had no family to back her up. But on second thought, that didn’t seem right. After all, the master had not only left her in charge of the mansion’s affairs, but he had even given her the authority to command the government soldiers. Yet, aside from using a few personal guards, she hasn’t touched any of that power. Lately, she has also been frequently visiting the palace. I have a bad feeling about it, as if Liang Ji is preparing to leave at any moment—’

The color suddenly drained from Gu Yu’s face, all her earlier glee gone. ’I have to report this discovery to the master as soon as possible!’

Liang Wan didn’t notice the expression on the face of the person behind her. She just felt resentful, though she didn’t know where this burst of anger had come from.

’That Cao Luyun is just venting. When he gets back, she’s the one who won’t be in a good position. Does she really think she can use his family background to blackmail Lu Xiu?’

Liang Wan gently shook her head.

In the South Garden Residence, the hot water was ready.

The steaming water enveloped her body, warm and comforting.

Liang Wan’s mind drifted, hazy like the steam.

She leaned over the edge of the tub, drowsy. She was truly exhausted.

"Wanwan."

In a daze, she lifted her eyes and saw him standing at the door in a full suit of armor. Before she could stand up, he strode forward, cupped her head, and kissed her with a deep, lingering passion.

Heedless of the cold, hard metal, she wrapped her arms around his neck, trying her best to return his kiss...

...until a piece of the armor jabbed her skin, causing a sharp pain.

Liang Wan’s eyes fluttered open. There was nothing before her but steam. Her face immediately began to burn. ’Thank goodness Bai Lu isn’t here. If she knew that I had such a... vivid dream...’

She covered her face and ducked under the water. ’I really do have to leave the Master’s Mansion as soon as possible.’

’I can’t get entangled with him any longer!’

The battle at Huixiang had gone almost too smoothly. They had retaken several cities with little to no effort. It was not only a resounding victory, but it also greatly boosted morale. The good news spread quickly through the Imperial Palace, through Jinye City, and throughout all of Daqi.

Everyone said this battle had reversed the Qi Army’s passive and defensive posture.

More importantly, it had rapidly pushed the six-month-long war of attrition toward its conclusion. Perhaps in less than a month, the army would be able to return to court in triumph.

Liang Wan, too, was swept up in the jubilant atmosphere, waiting to welcome them home.

So when the news of the mishap arrived, everyone was stunned. No one could believe it.

Gao Qian was furious.

The imperial court was thrown into a whirlwind of speculation.

A rumor even began to quietly take root and spread: there was a traitor within the Qi Army.

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