Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Let go.” He held my waist but told me to let go. I wasn’t about to be the first to release him; instead, I hugged him even tighter. “No.”

Cheng Xiu’s voice dropped an octave, though he didn’t exert any real force to push me away. “Where is your sense of propriety? Are you not afraid of being seen?”

“Let them see. I like the Director, so I want the Director to hold me. What’s wrong with a newlywed couple being affectionate?” I pretended not to care, but in my heart, I was certain. One look at this carriage and anyone would know it belonged to the Eastern Depot. People on the street would be lucky if they didn’t run away in terror; who would dare to peek?

Furthermore, his carriage was driven so steadily that there was no chance of the curtains fluttering open.

I’m not a person with grand ideals. I just want to live my life well. No matter the circumstances, I can always find a way to make my life better, bit by bit. Now that I’m married, it’s no different.

No matter what kind of monster or demon my husband is, he has to listen to me. If he’s disobedient, I’ll tame him until he is, and then we’ll live a good life together.

Even if a Great Immortal from the heavens were standing before me, I could melt his heart and make him utterly devoted to me!

Cheng Xiu ultimately didn’t push me away, though he couldn’t resist a cold snort. “In a moment, I shall see what kind of family could raise such a shameless creature like you.”

I lowered my eyes.

You’ll find out soon enough.

The moment I stepped off the carriage, I saw my mother. Looking further in, I saw my father standing inside the gate. He stood at a distance, as if intentionally trying to keep away.

My eldest brother was there too, though my eldest sister-in-law hadn’t come. My two sisters and their husbands were also waiting at the entrance. When they saw me descend with Cheng Xiu, their expressions were quite a sight.

“My Xiao Liu’er!” Ever since my Second Elder Sister died, my mother’s mood had been poor. She was always worried that something would happen to me or my eldest sister. Now that I had married Cheng Xiu, she cried several times a day.

In the days before the wedding, I had tried to comfort her constantly. A woman marries to have a home and food on the table; what did it matter who the man was? I told her she absolutely must not cry in front of Cheng Xiu or lament my ‘ill fate.’ If he heard her, there was no telling how he might hold a grudge.

Unexpectedly, she forgot everything. She pulled me into a hug and burst into tears. “I missed you so much! My Xiao Liu’er! My Liu’er!”

“Mother, I’m fine. The Director treats me very well. I’ve been eating better than I did at home these past few days. Look, my face has even rounded out.”

Liang Yinxue was beautiful, but unfortunately, the heavens hadn’t blessed her with much of a brain. She rushed over as well. “Mother! Don’t cry! If you cry, I’ll want to cry too!”

The two of them held me and wept. I gave my eldest brother a helpless look.

My brother’s body went stiff as he walked toward Cheng Xiu, who was standing aside pretending to be unbothered. The words seemed to scald my brother’s mouth as he spoke hesitantly, “Fourth Brother-in-law, please come in… Father is waiting.”

“There is no need for such formality, Brother,” Cheng Xiu replied. His attitude was much better now, and he answered politely.

My two brothers-in-law also came over to greet him.

Liang Yinsu pulled Liang Yinxue away and hissed at her, “Eldest Sister, you really know how to make a scene. Why are you crying for no reason? Do you want people to think the Director is treating Liu Liu poorly?”

Surrounded by the men, Cheng Xiu entered the manor. My father always liked to put on the airs of a father-in-law, but since Cheng Xiu held a higher rank and had a fearsome reputation, I doubted my father would make things too difficult for him.

After hearing Liang Yinsu’s words, my mother wiped her tears. “Come, come, let’s go pay our respects to your grandmother first.”

Cheng Xiu and I went to greet Grandmother. She was already becoming a bit senile. She looked at Cheng Xiu’s face and suddenly said, “Is this Wangjian? I don’t remember Wangjian being this handsome?”

My mother quickly tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile, “Old Madam, you’re confused. This is Cheng Xiu, Director Cheng. He is Liu’er’s husband now!”

Grandmother struggled to look at me, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Wasn’t Liu’er supposed to marry Zhao Wangjian?”

I stole a glance at Cheng Xiu. His expression hadn’t changed much, but there was a certain sinister glint in his eyes. I quickly threw myself into Grandmother’s arms to act spoiled. “Grandmother, you’ve remembered it wrong. Wangjian and I have always treated each other as brother and sister. I married the highly respected Director Cheng. He treats me wonderfully, so you must treat him well too.”

Grandmother had been muddled for years and only had brief moments of clarity. She didn’t know what kind of figure a ‘Director’ was and likely thought it was his courtesy name. Hearing my explanation, she belatedly realized I had married someone else. She beckoned Cheng Xiu over to her side. Looking at him with kind eyes, she said, “Director, you look like a good child. I feel at ease leaving Liu Liu to you.”

She took Cheng Xiu’s hand and placed mine on top of it. “Since you are wed, you must be of one heart and mind. Whether the road ahead is smooth or filled with hardships, two hearts pressed together will always be warmer than one alone.”

I had heard this speech several times before. She had said it to my eldest brother, my eldest sister, and my third sister. Now, she was saying it to me.

Cheng Xiu softly gave his assent.

Seeing him acting like a dutiful young son-in-law, it occurred to me that he might be this well-behaved in the imperial palace as well. I couldn’t help but smile at him.

He quietly withdrew his hand and avoided my gaze.

For a family feast, it was naturally livelier to sit together. However, there were too many people in the family. Counting my eldest brother’s two children, we split into two tables: one for the men and one for the women.
Liang Yinsu’s husband came from a humble background and was only a minor official, but his character was excellent. My father approved of him highly, saying he would eventually be given great responsibilities. Liang Yinxue, on the other hand, had married the second young master of the Ministry of Rites Minister’s Mansion, a match of equal social standing. That second young master wasn’t much of a scholar, but he was honest and kind-hearted. He held a minor post in the Ministry of Rites, and the two of them lived in perfect harmony. My eldest sister’s mother-in-law favored them and treated them very well.

My mother and the concubine mother no longer had to worry about those two, so they focused all their concern on me. Throughout the meal, they were tirelessly imparting their wisdom on how to survive in the inner courtyard.

It was truly a blessing that the two of them had found each other and my father in this lifetime. Otherwise, with their meager skills in domestic power struggles, they would have been schemed to death within half a month.

However, I maintained a facade of innocent ignorance and listened to them intently.

“Enough!” Liang Yinsu said, losing her appetite. She spoke in a low voice to stop them. “Main Wife, Concubine Mother, look at who the Fourth Brother-in-law is. Is he even capable of taking concubines and fathering children? Talking about all this nonsense-isn’t it just meant to cause unnecessary distress?”

As soon as she finished, my mother and the concubine mother looked at each other and silently lowered their heads.

Third Sister, my dear Third Sister, this family would fall apart without you.

Liang Yinsu glanced at me again. “Be careful. Stay away from him, and for heaven’s sake, don’t talk nonsense or meddle in things that don’t concern you. The more you say, the more mistakes you’ll make; the less you do, the fewer errors you’ll commit.”

I gave a silly grin. “Okay.”

My mother couldn’t help herself and tapped me on the forehead. “Look at that foolish look on your face. Your Third Sister is much smarter than you; you’d better learn from her.”

I nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Before we could enjoy a moment of peace, a personal eunuch from Cheng Xiu’s side approached. He leaned in and whispered, “The Director had a dispute with the Eldest Young Master and has left the estate.”

Good heavens.

I cursed inwardly.

After calming my mother down, I turned and rushed out.

My eldest brother had a blunt personality and was already unpopular at court. It was only because of my father’s title as Great General that he had become the so-called Young General. My two brothers-in-law also provided little support in the imperial court. While Cheng Xiu’s power was currently at its peak, they should have been using his influence to climb the ladder. Once the whole family had risen, I would have a way out even if Cheng Xiu eventually fell.

Unfortunately, they just didn’t understand this logic. Can those stuffy traditional etiquettes save your life?

When I caught up, Cheng Xiu was just boarding his carriage. I’ve always been a fast runner, so I managed to scramble into the carriage right after him. Cheng Xiu was startled and almost called for his guards, but when he saw it was me, his expression instantly turned cold. “Heh! So it is Fourth Miss Liang! This one certainly cannot afford to associate with someone of your high standing!”

Eldest Brother, oh Eldest Brother, look at what you’ve done.

I didn’t rush over to coax him. Instead, I sat up straight and composed. “Tell me, how did he offend you? I’ll get even with him for you.”

His dark eyes gazed at me gloomily, the aura of resentment between his brows refusing to dissipate. He continued in a sarcastic, biting tone, “This one has nothing to say. I am but a foul eunuch, unworthy of Fourth Miss Liang. Since Fourth Miss Liang is so unwilling in her heart, why bother forcing yourself to do these things?”

I didn’t indulge his temper and snapped back directly, “Who said I’m unwilling? Didn’t you hear me say I was willing over and over again in the main hall? Just because you’re angry at someone else, you’re going to take it out on me? For a Director, aren’t you being a bit too petty?”

He turned red with rage and slammed his fist against the carriage wall. “Liang Yinliu! Who gave you the audacity!”

“You!” I didn’t back down an inch, staring straight at him. “The Director gave me this audacity. The Director is my husband and my only reliance. And since I only have one eldest brother, the Director will surely show him some consideration for my sake.”

“If my eldest brother truly hated you, he wouldn’t have even let you through the door. There must be a misunderstanding between you. As the Director, why are you acting like a child throwing a tantrum?”

Ha.

Cheng Xiu laughed out of pure frustration.

She was actually turning the tables on him.

Liang Yinliu was right about one thing: he had spoiled her too much. He had thought that since she was frail, young, and had suddenly faced such a life-altering change that forced her to marry him, it was natural for her to try and curry favor. Even when she overstepped, he could tolerate it.

He hadn’t expected her to become even more audacious, actually daring to call him petty.

It wasn’t that others didn’t know how to use Liang Yinliu’s tactics, but he had never liked them before. Yet, she was beautiful, and when she said those things, she seemed sincere without a trace of disgust, which strangely soothed his heart.

It was like obtaining a beautiful bird; if he wanted to indulge it, then so be it. Who knew this wasn’t a bird at all, but a wild pheasant from the mountains, eager to peck his eyes out.

He had kindly accompanied her for the bride’s return visit, only to have her ‘good’ eldest brother point at his nose and call him a disaster to the nation and a treacherous villain. If he had followed his usual methods, he would have certainly targeted the Liang Family and seen them ruined by nightfall.

But as Cheng Xiu thought it over, the image of Liang Yinliu’s small face smiling at him filled his mind. Her smile was so beautiful, as if there wasn’t a single thing in the world that could trouble her.

He had been left with no choice but to suppress his fury and leave.

And yet, Liang Yinliu had actually chased after him to interrogate him.

This death-defying fool.