Mrs. Zhang smiled faintly, taking a Pouch from her sleeve and placing it on the desk before her.
"I brought this back for you."
The graphite-blue Pouch was embroidered with a Pine Stone Pattern using silver-threaded silk. Under the candlelight, it shimmered with a soft luster. Unfortunately, the embroidery was only half-finished.
This was the one Liang Wan had made herself. Liang Jiao had snatched it away during the day, and before she could ask for it back, the people from the Ministry of Justice had arrived. After everyone left, she had completely forgotten about it.
Liang Wan set down the hairpin she was using to trim the lamp wick, not touching the Pouch.
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhang gently stroked the embroidered pattern, clicking her tongue in admiration. "Outsiders only know that the Third Lady of the Liang Mansion outshines all others in beauty and possesses unparalleled dancing skills, but no one could have imagined that her needlework is also top-notch!"
"Being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you enjoy it," Liang Wan replied.
Liang Wan stared at the half-finished pine and stone, slightly lost in thought. Back then, to perfect her needlework, she had stayed up late practicing countless times. There was even a period when her hands were so cramped from holding needles that she couldn't even grip chopsticks.
Mrs. Zhang nodded with a smile. "But sometimes, the things you do enjoy are the very things you cannot achieve."
Liang Wan returned to her senses. "You are right, Aunt."
"I can't do anything about the things you like, but as for the things you dislike, I might be able to help you—avoid them."
Liang Wan's eyes widened. "Do you mean you can help me avoid going to the Sikong Mansion, Aunt?"
Mrs. Zhang was around the same age as her mother. Perhaps due to her slight plumpness, her skin was radiant, and she gave off a prosperous, serene aura. She actually looked much younger and more amiable than her mother.
Mrs. Zhang placed the Pouch back on the table, her tone gentle. "You know Wang Su did a great favor for the Liang family, so your uncle has no choice but to repay this debt of gratitude. If Wang Su had taken a liking to Ajiao, I would have accepted it, but as fate would have it, he set his sights on you. Awan, please don't blame me."
Liang Wan shook her head gently. "How could I? In this household, you treat me even better than my own mother does, Aunt!"
"I am different from your mother," Mrs. Zhang continued. "She cares about your reputations and chastity, but I do not. Sometimes, it is perfectly fine to take necessary measures. After all, what I care about most is the future and happiness of my children."
The Mrs. Zhang sitting before her had the same mild features as usual, yet to Liang Wan, she seemed like a complete stranger. If she had been wearing a hypocritical mask before, she had now torn it off, revealing her naked shrewdness and calculation.
"What do you want me to do, Aunt?"
"Help Ajiao get to know Lu Xiu."
Liang Wan twitched the corners of her mouth, unsure of what expression to wear to make herself look less stiff.
That morning, Mrs. Zhang had clearly wanted to tell her something but was interrupted halfway. Liang Wan had been secretly guessing what it was since she returned, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine it would be to play matchmaker for Lu Xiu and Liang Jiao.
Mrs. Zhang took in Liang Wan's surprised and reluctant reaction before clarifying her intentions. "Rather than just getting to know him, it would be more accurate to say marrying him. Of course, the Lu Family is full of powerful nobles, so it's impossible for Ajiao to become his primary wife. But even being a concubine there is better than marrying into an ordinary family."
Liang Wan couldn't help but find it ridiculous. "Do you think I would willingly hand over the man I love on a silver platter, Aunt? Besides, if I truly had the ability to make him marry Ajiao, why wouldn't I just make him marry me?"
Mrs. Zhang shook her head. "At first, just like your uncle, I thought he was interested in you. But ever since that night, not only has he not come to ask about you, but even when your uncle visited him personally, he remained completely indifferent.
"I even heard that the Grandmaster petitioned the Empress Dowager to choose a good match for Lu Xiu!
"Awan, at the end of the day, you simply don't understand the men of this world. In their eyes, power and status are far more important than women. Would Lu Xiu make an enemy of Wang Su over a woman?
"The Lu Family belongs to the royal family, but isn't the Wang family the same? Furthermore, even if he were willing, the Lu Family wouldn't agree to it. So, Awan, let me give you a piece of advice: rather than dreaming of the impossible, you should focus on what can actually be achieved."
Liang Wan raised her eyes. A resolute expression had settled on Mrs. Zhang's benevolent face.
These words couldn't help but feel laughable. Perhaps in the past, Liang Wan truly didn't understand men and believed in devoted, faithful lovers. But after living through her previous life, who could possibly understand them better than she did?
Liang Wan sighed. "It's not that I don't want to help, but even if I act as a bridge between them, it doesn't guarantee that Ajiao will capture Lu Xiu's heart!"
Hearing Liang Wan relent, Mrs. Zhang revealed a satisfied smile, looking as if victory was already in her grasp. "You don't need to worry about that. I have my ways!"
"Then how will you help me, Aunt?"
Mrs. Zhang said, "Awan, do you know why your mother insists on marrying you into the Sikong Mansion? You must understand that compared to that down-and-out Cui Xiaolang, the Sikong Mansion can offer you far greater wealth and status!
"And the only reason you're resisting is that you think Wang Su is a bit too old, isn't it? But what if we changed the target? What if it were Wang Su's illegitimate son?"
After saying this, Mrs. Zhang pulled out a small bottle, placed it next to the Pouch, and looked at her with a subtle smile.
So, the "ways" she had just mentioned... were they this drug? Liang Wan stared at the small bottle and gave a light nod, desperately wanting to shout out, "Brilliant!"
"But my mother has grounded me. She won't let me leave the mansion."
Mrs. Zhang stood up with a smile and left an invitation on the desk. She lowered her eyes to the half-finished Pouch, patted Liang Wan's shoulder, and said, "You know Ajiao isn't good at needlework. Since you've already started this Pouch, you might as well finish it. It would be a shame otherwise. You two are sisters. Even after you both marry, don't forget the affection you shared at home."
Liang Wan picked up the invitation and slowly opened it. The name Feng Qingyue was starkly visible on the paper.
When Qiuxi came back in, she saw Liang Wan staring blankly into space. Following her mistress's gaze, she noticed that a few more items had appeared on the desk alongside the previous medical books.
Looking back at Liang Wan, she saw her wearing only a thin skirt. Her figure was so slender it looked as though a strong gust of wind could blow her away. She had not yet recovered from her cold, and sitting there like that might cause her to catch a chill again. The hot water had already been changed once.
After a moment's thought, Qiuxi whispered, "Miss, it's time to wash up."
Liang Wan turned her head and smiled at her. "Qiuxi, I've neglected you in the past."
Qiuxi instantly froze in place, her bright almond eyes staring fixedly at Liang Wan. Although she had served her mistress since childhood, she was timid, clumsy with her words, and rather dull, so she was never favored by her masters.
Liang Wan ignored the surprise, sadness, joy, or whatever other emotions swirled in the maid's eyes. She simply stood up, walked over to her, and said, "Stay by my side from now on."
In truth, Liang Wan had never expected that the usually submissive Qiuxi would step forward to shield her in the face of true danger, giving Liang Wan the chance to escape while suffering a tragic death herself.
Thinking of that scene from her previous life, Liang Wan felt a sour ache in her heart. "I'm sorry."
Qiuxi was completely baffled. "Whatever do you mean, Miss?"
Liang Wan smiled and shook her head. People often only noticed those with a clever tongue, overlooking the quiet and reticent ones.
After washing up, Liang Wan fell back barefoot onto the golden-thread nanmu bed. She stared thoughtfully at the bed canopy. "Tomorrow, dig out that Yunying Liuxian Skirt and send it to the Fourth Lady!"
Qiuxi was greatly shocked. "Miss, the Family Head specifically had someone make that skirt for you! You couldn't find a second one in all of Jinye."
The smile on Liang Wan's lips finally overflowed with unbridled amusement. Princess Lanling's Peach Blossom Banquet was bound to be lively!