Chapter 5

“Misses you?”

I laughed coldly.

“She was never so attentive before. But since I became mistress of this house, she suddenly misses you desperately?”

“Use your heads.”

“If she truly loved you, would she choose this moment to estrange you from your new mother? Would she let the entire capital laugh at your father and say he cannot protect his own children, so they must live with their maternal grandparents?”

Liang Jingyu’s expression shifted.

His lips moved, but he said nothing.

“You are the legitimate son and daughter of the Duke of Liang. In your own home, you are masters. At your grandmother’s, however politely they treat you, you are guests. Outsiders.”

“Your father is alive, a duke of the first rank, yet you would live indefinitely with your mother’s family. What will people say?”

“That this household cannot afford to keep you? Or that your father does not love you?”

I spoke plainly.

Their excitement faded, and hesitation slowly took its place.

I told the matrons, “Take the children back to their rooms to continue their written recitation.”

This time they left reluctantly, but without a fierce struggle.

I straightened my sleeves and walked unhurriedly to the front hall.

The marquis’s steward was already growing impatient.

When I entered, he offered only a cursory bow.

“Lady Wen, her ladyship’s carriage has been waiting a long time. Please send the young master and young lady out at once.”

I went directly to the seat of honor without inviting him to sit.

“You have come at an unfortunate time.”

“Jingyu and Yueyi are confined to reflect on their misconduct. I’m afraid they cannot go with you.”

His face darkened.

“Confined? What wrong have they committed?”

“Even if they have erred, their grandmother should be the one to teach them.”

“You are mistaken.” I cut him off.

“Their surname is Liang. They are the duke’s children and have a father and mother to discipline them.”

“Lady Cheng’en is their maternal grandmother. I accept her concern on their behalf. But stepping into our place and interfering in this household’s affairs hardly accords with propriety, does it?”

“How is it interference? Her ladyship acts from kindness…”

“Kindness?” I gave a light laugh and leaned back slightly.

“If she truly wanted the best for them, she would urge them to respect their father and follow the household rules, instead of rushing to collect them while they are being disciplined.”

“Those who understand may call it a grandmother’s love. Those who do not might think the marquis’s family bears a grudge against the duke and is deliberately inciting his children!”

The steward’s expression changed sharply. “Lady Wen! How can you make such accusations?”

“We both know whether they are accusations or the truth.”

I rose, my voice cooling.

“Tell her ladyship that the children are perfectly well here. She need not worry.”

“If she wishes to see them in future, she may send a visiting card in the proper fashion.”

“As for taking them away to stay…”

“As long as I remain mistress of this house, that will never happen!”

I stared at him and enunciated each word.

“Show him out!”

“Anyone who approaches the children again without permission

will be treated as an abductor, beaten, and handed over to the authorities!”

The servants answered in unison. “Yes, my lady!”

The steward’s face turned ashen with rage.

My barrage left him speechless, and he could only depart in humiliation.

After dealing with that disturbance,

I returned to the inner courtyard.

At some point Liang Heng had taken up a position by the window, hands clasped behind his back.

“You certainly act decisively.”

I curtsied.

“You entrusted the household to me, my lord. I dare not give it less than my best.”

“Some rules are better established early than late.”

He turned, his gaze resting on my face.

After a long while, he said, “The marquis’s family will probably not let this rest.”

“I understand.”

I met his gaze, open and unafraid.

“Whatever they attempt, I will meet it. As long as you trust me, my lord, I can protect this household.”

Liang Heng studied me. Deep in his eyes,

something seemed quietly to loosen.