Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Mengyu had taken a dangerous risk this time; she had barely stepped through the door when Madam Liang’s carriage arrived at the house.

Xiaowu was still trembling with lingering fear, but Mengyu remained as calm as a gentle breeze, acting as if she had truly never left the Liang Family estate.

Upon her return, Madam Liang flew into a rage when she saw the ongoing open-air banquet, cursing Mengyu for wasting money.

Mengyu replied unhurriedly, “Please do not be angry, Mother. I did this for Wenxiu’s sake.”

As she spoke, she handed the list Qianfan had prepared to Liang Wenxiu.

On it were the names, ages, reputations, and family backgrounds of eligible bachelors in the township.

Looking at the list, Liang Wenxiu was so moved that her eyes welled with tears; even the two bolts of silk Madam Liang had bought for her suddenly lost their luster.

Mengyu struck while the iron was hot, adding, “I told them that when Wenxiu marries, I will personally provide her dowry.”

Liang Wenxiu was now completely won over by Mengyu, affectionately taking her hand and calling her “Sister-in-law.”

Madam Liang was reduced to a general without an army, no longer able to stir up any trouble.

Several months passed peacefully. After the Autumn Imperial Exams concluded, Liang Baishan returned to Luquan Village, bringing Xinyu with him.

Liang Wenxiu felt the injustice on Mengyu’s behalf, but Madam Liang was overjoyed, praising her son for his capability.

Liang Baishan, however, felt a twinge of guilt. Bringing another woman home less than six months after his wedding was a blatant slap in Mengyu’s face.

Yet Xinyu was so delicate and moving that he could not bring himself to part with her.

Fortunately, Mengyu was virtuous. Not only did she show no anger, but she even suggested that Liang Baishan take Xinyu as a formal concubine.

“I have been frail since childhood. Having someone else to look after my husband is a good thing.”

From then on, however, every time Liang Baishan intended to visit Mengyu’s room, Xinyu would find a way to entice him away.

Madam Liang mocked Mengyu for sleeping in a lonely bed, but Mengyu responded by purchasing expensive medicinal herbs to help nourish Xinyu’s body.

Finally, amidst the crackle of New Year’s Eve firecrackers, Xinyu suffered a bout of severe morning sickness. She was pregnant, and already three months along.

Everyone was delighted by the news, except for Xinyu herself, who kept her head bowed and eyes lowered, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Mengyu took everything in. She knew that people changed.

Now that Liang Baishan had passed the exams, the status of ‘Liang Baishan’s wife’ had become a coveted prize.

Xinyu wanted to be the legitimate wife. What would she do to achieve it?

It didn’t take long for Mengyu to find the answer.

Xiaowu said with reddened eyes, “She… she wants to poison you, My Lady! I’ve heard that she’s been trying to find a way to buy arsenic!”

Xiaowu couldn’t understand it. She had been the one personally responsible for caring for Xinyu during her illness. How could that girl, who had once been so indifferent to life and death and so grateful for kindness, turn into this?

Mengyu patted her shoulder. “Men die for wealth, just as birds die for food. It is only human nature.”

Qianfan asked, “What do you plan to do, My Lady?”

Mengyu said, “Go and bring Xinyu to me.”