She wasn’t the kind of person who competes for credit, and Pei Zhan didn’t understand why she valued this achievent so much this ti. So words from the conversation she had with Xu Yin flashed through his mind, but just as he was about to speak, he saw Ziyan hurrying down the corridor ahead.
Ziyan stopped from afar to look at the two of them, then hurriedly approached and said, "General, Young Madam, General Liang has arrived! No one knows what it’s about, but he’s rushing and sweating all over, demanding to see you right away!"
"Old Five!"
Just as Ziyan finished speaking, the voice of Liang Zhi ca from not far behind her!
Liang Zhi quickly reached them in three steps. Although he was a dignified general, he was panting, which showed how urgent his visit was!
"Sothing terrible has happened! Sothing terrible has happened!" He grabbed Fu Zhen’s arm, "My aunt and mother have heard about your matter and have returned! They just called my brother and back ho and gave us a scolding for not telling them the truth sooner.
"To extricate himself, my brother revealed the news that Aunt is still alive, and now my sister-in-law is being questioned by Aunt and my mother, demanding she explain everything from beginning to end!
"What should we do?"
After listening, Fu Zhen glanced at Ziyan and sent her away before saying, "Didn’t I tell you all earlier not to talk about this for now?"
Such sensational news couldn’t possibly be hidden from the ears and eyes of the two sisters-in-law.
Fu Zhen had anticipated their eagerness to know the truth, but because the situation at court was still chaotic, she didn’t want to deal with the matter at this critical mont. That’s why she told Liang Chen and the others to bring the two sisters-in-law back in half a month.
What if they returned early and hid the fact that she was still alive?
Now, they’ve caught Su Xinger, and how can she keep anything hidden?
"I didn’t intend to say anything, but in the course of conversation, my brother just blurted it out! Who knew Mother wouldn’t give up and insist on getting to the bottom of it?"
After all, once the conversation leads there, can you avoid digging deeper?
Fu Zhen gave him a side-eye, then said, "In that case, there’s no better ti than now. I’ll go back to the Liang Family with you!"
"Alright, alright!" Liang Zhi felt a weight off his shoulders, helping her out cautiously as if honoring a deity. He turned his head and saw Pei Zhan hadn’t followed, waving his hand, "You too! Why are you standing there? Go see your sister-in-law!"
Pei Zhan looked at Fu Zhen and asked, "How do you plan to explain to them?"
Fu Zhen replied, "I’ll tell them the truth; I can’t deceive them. Furthermore, only by letting the sisters-in-law understand my connection with Mrs. Ning can I possibly gain their understanding."
Pei Zhan took a deep breath, locked eyes with her, and said, "It seems you’ve truly thought through the decision you ntioned earlier."
"Of course!" Fu Zhen smiled, "I’m not afraid to be the daughter of a rchant!"
She then playfully punched his arm, "I’ll leave handling Prince Rong and his son to you, and I’ll treat you to sothing delicious later!"
With that, she called for Liang Zhi to cross the threshold with her.
Pei Zhan looked down at his arm where she had punched him, smiled, then took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat leisurely, sipped so water, and left the garden with the handkerchief in hand.
The morning mist had yet to clear, autumn had arrived, and the morning sunlight felt like a light and gentle silk veil made of gold.
Just then, he encountered Mrs. Pei, clutching several large lotus pods, upon entering the long corridor.
She paused, craned her neck to look past the lone Pei Zhan.
Pei Zhan lazily said, "No one there, don’t bother looking."
"But I clearly heard your wife was here. Where did she go?"
Pei Zhan didn’t answer.
Mrs. Pei then lifted her chin with a pleased look, "Look at these fresh and tender lotus pods I just had your father pick from the lake. I brought them for her to eat."
Pei Zhan pulled one out, casually sat down on the railing, and pried a lotus seed out, "You’re quite the considerate mother-in-law."
At this, Mrs. Pei’s eyes widened, "Do you think I’m like you? Married for so long and still useless, making no progress! Who knows when I’ll finally have a little grandchild!"
Pei Zhan crunched the lotus seed, squinting toward the distant part of the corridor, "I don’t think you’ll be waiting for a grandchild. Why don’t you two just have a third child yourselves?"
"..."
Mrs. Pei was at a loss for words, stared at him like he was a fool for a mont, uttered a "you fool," then shoved the lot of lotus pods into his arms and turned to leave.
...
When Fu Zhen arrived at the Liang Family, Su Xinger had just finished recounting in detail under the pressure of the two elder ladies how Liang Ning’s soul beca Fu Zhen!
The two ladies were deliberating whether to rush to the Heavenly Prison to have Xu Yin executed first or bring Liang Ning back, when Fu Zhen arrived just in ti!
Without a word, she knelt to the ground, calling out "Sister-in-law" and "Second Sister-in-law." Mrs. Feng rose to pull her up but went weak and fell onto Fu Zhen!
As a result, Mrs. Cao, who also had swollen eyes from crying, had no choice but to compose herself promptly and help Fu Zhen support Mrs. Feng.
A reunion expected to be heart-wrenching was thus interrupted, as the Liang Family set about calling for doctors and preparing herbal brews, inadvertently dissipating much of the stifling sorrow.
Mrs. Cao, wiping her tears, observed Fu Zhen’s composed and orderly actions—from her deanor to her way of speaking. Closing her eyes, wasn’t this just like her little sister-in-law!
Even if Su Xing’er’s previous words seed too bizarre, at this mont, she couldn’t help but accept them!
When the doctor arrived, Fu Zhen stepped aside.
Mrs. Cao couldn’t hold back, gripping Fu Zhen’s hands tightly, crying and admonishing, "I always said those scholarly, pale-faced n didn’t have a good heart!
"It’s fine to take advantage if they’re pleasing to the eye, but how could you see them as proper n?
"Was I right or was I right?
"In the entire northwest, you wouldn’t choose any of the honest and upright young n, and chose this pit instead!..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)