Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Adding Frost to Snow

At the Battle of Lin Fen, Lu Huai’s forces suffered catastrophic casualties and were nearly annihilated. The battle felt as if it were designed specifically to demonstrate how the Zhou Army could annihilate the forces of Qi. The Zhou Army not only recaptured their lost territory with ease but also forced the Qi army to abandon their cities and fall back for dozens of miles along the entire front.

If not for Lu Xiu fighting desperately at Yu Lan, covered in blood, and single-handedly holding the line, the Zhou Army’s banners would likely already be flying over Jinye City.

The situation was even more precarious and grim than before the war began.

Battle reports trickled in from time to time, but they brought no miraculous news. Discussions among the common folk were endless, and rumors in the court were incessant. The voices of doom and gloom grew louder, and some had even begun to suggest how they might surrender to Beizhou.

With the court so pessimistic and the army’s provisions and supplies repeatedly failing to arrive, it was a miracle they had held out this long.

And yet, some still complained that the soldiers on the front lines were cowards, clinging to life, and even speculated that they had secretly surrendered.

All sorts of rumors were flying around.

It had been half a month since Lu Xiu’s last letter arrived. It contained only a few short sentences, just to say he was safe. His handwriting was even neater than usual, without a hint of haste.

Liang Wan sighed. ’He must be truly beset by troubles both internal and external, his energy stretched thin. Otherwise, how could he forget that the neater the script, the more obvious the effort, making it seem deliberate?’

From Gu Yu’s expression, she could also guess that Lu Xiu’s current situation was dire.

Due to the recent spate of unfavorable rumors at court, Liang Wan had no choice but to enter the palace several times to subtly remind Gao Qian not to fall for Beizhou’s treacherous plot to sow discord between the ruler and his subjects.

She knew very well that at a time like this, it was best not to say too much. She could only secretly try to fathom Gao Qian’s thoughts and pass them along to Lu Xiu for his reference.

’In my past life, the war between Qi and Zhou was led by the Lou Family, with the Wang family acting as a counterbalance. But in this life, because of my influence, everything is different...’

This was why she had felt so uneasy before Lu Xiu left for the expedition.

"Liang Ji, you haven’t said a word since we left the palace," Gu Yu ventured, glancing at her cautiously.

’It’s true that Liang Ji cares for His Lordship, but her concern always seems so... fleeting.’

Gu Yu didn’t dare to be careless.

Liang Wan didn’t blame Gu Yu for being meddlesome.

During these last two visits to the palace, Gao Qian had become suspicious of her as well. ’Perhaps I shouldn’t see him again until this matter is settled. Waiting and watching would show more confidence.’

Liang Wan shook her head and stepped over the threshold.

Before she even set foot in the inner courtyard, someone hurried to greet her. Despite feigning composure, a faint trembling betrayed their inner panic.

"Liang Ji, the Grandmaster is ill."

Bai Lu’s curtsy was a muddled affair.

With just a single glance, Liang Wan’s heart leaped into her throat. She couldn’t help but quicken her pace. "What did the household doctor say?"

Bai Lu’s brows were knitted tightly. "The household doctor didn’t say much to us servants. He just told everyone to wait outside. Even Lady Cao is at the entrance to Beixuan, forbidden from entering."

Liang Wan’s heart sank deeper.

’This can’t be good.’

If something were to happen to the Grandmaster now, Lu Xiu’s situation would only become worse.

Steeling herself, Liang Wan headed for Beixuan.

Before she reached the entrance, she saw a crowd of people gathered both inside and outside the courtyard.

Liang Wan stopped, not rushing inside. She swept a cool gaze over them. "What are you all doing gathered here? Go back to your duties."

Her voice wasn’t loud, but her tone was stern. The previous whispers instantly fell silent.

Liang Wan’s gaze fell upon Cao Luyun’s face, but her words were directed at the crowd. "I’ve said it before—everyone in the Master’s Mansion can be busy with their hands and feet, but you absolutely cannot be busy with your mouths. It’s clear some of you failed to heed my words and have been led astray by malicious gossip."

The moment Liang Wan finished speaking, everyone in the courtyard lowered their heads and knelt on the ground, not daring to make another sound.

Although she rarely involved herself in the mansion’s daily affairs, the Chief Steward, Bai Lu, and Gu Yu were all deeply respectful towards her. Anyone with eyes could see who was a guest and who was the true master.

Towards a guest, one could be respectful and polite. Towards a master, one had to be completely obedient.

With everyone else kneeling, only Cao Luyun and her dowry maids were left standing awkwardly.

Liang Wan looked at the crowd. "All who were gossiping here, go outside the courtyard and slap your own faces twenty times. If I find out anyone has been wagging their tongue again, they won’t need to keep it."

The servants complied. This was a much lighter punishment than what was previously given to troublemakers, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

After speaking, Liang Wan headed straight for the door. Halfway there, she stopped without turning back. "Lady Cao, if you have nothing else to do, you should return to the East Pavilion and rest. The mansion is very busy lately, and I’m afraid our hospitality might be lacking."

Liang Wan paused, then added, "Also, for the next few days, please do not leave your quarters."

Cao Luyun was stunned and didn’t react for a long moment. "You... what do you mean?"

Liang Wan said, "Shuangjiang, escort Lady Cao back to her room. From this day forward, without my permission, Lady Cao is not to have contact with anyone."

Cao Luyun’s face flushed with anger. "Liang Wan, what do you think you’re doing? Are you putting me under house arrest? You don’t have the authority to command me!"

Liang Wan turned back, a faint smile on her face. "I may not have authority over the daughter of Chancellor Cao, but I have authority within the Master’s Mansion. Since you’re staying here, you’ll have to abide by the host’s rules!"

’I tolerated her before not just to placate her, but to figure out who was backing her. But my indulgence has made her get ahead of herself.’

Liang Wan added, "If the Cao Family has any questions, they can come directly to me!"

Shuangjiang acknowledged the order, and attendants stepped forward, waiting for Cao Luyun.

Cao Luyun refused to give up. "Aren’t you afraid that I’ll—"

"Report me?" Liang Wan finished, laughing coldly. "Rumors are rampant right now, with people saying all sorts of things. What makes you think your accusations will be any more credible than theirs?"

Unwilling to get entangled, Liang Wan didn’t spare her another glance and strode inside.

’The waters are already muddied. This little bit more won’t make a difference...’

In the bedchamber, the Grandmaster lay on the couch, unconscious.

The household doctor was pacing frantically in the middle of the room.

The moment he saw Liang Wan, he rushed over, only to stop himself abruptly.

He waved his hands frantically. "Liang Ji, don’t come any closer!"

Liang Wan froze, feeling as if she had plunged into an ice cellar. The anxiety on her face was impossible to hide, and the answer was already forming in her mind. "Could it be—"

The household doctor hung his head and sighed. "His personal attendant only said the Grandmaster had come down with a sudden fever. Who would have thought that after I took his pulse, I would find his symptoms identical to those of the plague."

Liang Wan closed her eyes. ’Just now, even Bai Lu, who is always so calm, was visibly panicked. And seeing all the servants waiting outside in the courtyard... I had already guessed most of it, but I was still holding onto a sliver of hope.’

Who would have thought he had actually contracted the plague.

’But he’s been perfectly fine, and the Grandmaster hasn’t left the mansion recently. How could he have caught the plague?’

Liang Wan asked in a low voice, "Has anyone else shown unusual symptoms?"

The household doctor frowned, shaking his head with a sigh. "Not yet, but we must be extremely careful now. If this gets out—"

Liang Wan knew exactly what he meant. If word got out that there was a plague outbreak in the Master’s Mansion, everyone inside would likely be arrested. The gates of the Master’s Mansion would then be thrown wide open, and it would be inevitable that some would use the chaos to sneak in. Who knew if another deadly thing like Lu Huai’s box was hidden in some other corner?

’Thinking about it this way, perhaps the Grandmaster contracting the plague was no accident...’

’In the end, it was impossible to guard against everything.’

"Liang Ji, what should we do now?"

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