The Crown Princess had indeed been hoping day and night for her romantic rival's misfortune, but this sudden turn of events still caught her off guard. As for Shao Shang, she was indifferent—she had only met Qu Lingjun once and had no real connection with her. She merely hesitated over whether to inform the Second Prince Consort.
The Crown Princess's face flushed with excitement, like a widow experiencing a second spring, completely forgetting her earlier humiliation at Shao Shang's words. She was too preoccupied with discussing countermeasures with her confidants to settle scores with Shao Shang.
After leaving the Eastern Palace, Shao Shang noticed the late hour. She reported to the Everlasting Autumn Palace before strolling home. Before she left, the Empress teased her, "It seems the Crown Princess didn't devour you after all. Hmm, your hands and feet are still intact." Shao Shang replied smugly, "With teeth like hers, she'd better stick to softer fare. I'm too tough to chew."
On the way home, Ling Buyi chatted and laughed with her but never mentioned the Liang family murder case—whether because he hadn't heard of it or, like Shao Shang, didn't consider it worth mentioning.
But while he might not care, others certainly did.
Early the next morning, Ling Buyi, seeing the clear, crisp weather, urged Shao Shang to request a day off from the Empress so they could go out together. But Shao Shang yawned and refused, claiming winter drowsiness and preferring to nap in the warm Everlasting Autumn Palace.
Ling Buyi watched the lazy, kitten-like girl with pursed lips and narrowed eyes, about to persuade her further, when they entered the inner hall and found the Second Prince and the Crown Princess eagerly informing the Empress about Liang Shang's death.
The Crown Prince sat silently nearby, utterly despondent.
The Second Prince, like a child whose parents had briefly left, was so exhilarated by the major event that he didn't know what to do with himself—
"...Listen, Mother! Yesterday, the Liang household was in complete chaos—I've got all the details! When Liang Shang's body was first discovered, Liang Wuji tried to cover it up, citing family shame. But that Old Woman Liang is a shrew—would she obey quietly? She secretly had her attendants notify all their relatives and friends in the Capital City, then wailed and threatened suicide, begging them for justice! This immediately alerted the authorities. The Metropolitan Governor pretended not to hear, but Old Ji from the Court of Justice wouldn't let it go. He sent men to arrest Qu Lingjun, but Liang Wuji blocked the entrance with his household troops, declaring that if Marquis Yang Ji Zun insisted on taking her, the Liang family would shed blood in the Court of Justice! The two argued endlessly—one calling it a family matter, the other demanding justice under the law. Yesterday, they rushed to bring their dispute before Father before the Southern Palace gates were locked!"
The Second Prince delivered this long account smoothly, without a single stumble, earning Shao Shang's admiration: "Your Highness remembers everything so clearly—well-organized and eloquently spoken. You're quite talented."
Ling Buyi glanced at the suddenly wide-awake girl.
The Second Prince, like a crow drunk on aged wine, cawed proudly, unable to hide his smugness. Just as he was about to continue, Ling Buyi remarked leisurely, "Naturally, Your Highness remembers clearly—because you were present yesterday when the Governor of Liangzhou and Lord Ji brought their dispute before His Majesty."
Shao Shang frowned. "How do you know that?"
"Because I was there too."
"You didn't say anything about it last night!"
"You didn't ask."
Shao Shang punched his shoulder hard.
The Empress straightened anxiously, pointing at the Second Prince. "What did you do wrong this time? Your new bride has only been gone a day, and you're already causing trouble again?"The Second Prince was both embarrassed and indignant. "Mother, what are you saying? This time it's not... Father heard my uncle was ill and specifically asked me to inquire, even bestowing dietary medicine... Ah, Mother, really!"
Shao Shang saw the fuming Second Prince still glaring at the Empress while the Crown Prince looked as though he wanted to ask but didn't dare. She turned to Ling Buyi and asked, "So how did His Majesty ultimately decide?"
Ling Buyi replied succinctly, "A compromise. Madam Qu remains at Liang Manor but under the supervision of the Court of Justice."
The Empress frowned. "This... A capital case involving a life, is this really appropriate?"
Ling Buyi turned slightly toward the Empress. "The Governor of Liangzhou said that if a Liang wife killed a Liang son, it would be a scandal for the Liang family no matter what. Many outsiders are waiting to mock the Hedong Liang Clan. If Madam Qu truly murdered her husband, the Liang family would never shield her. But since it's only been half a day and the facts are unclear, locking their first wife in the Court of Justice for days or subjecting her to torture would disgrace the Liang family forever. Moreover, the Qu family is on their way. He begged His Majesty to at least delay the matter."
The Empress nodded slowly. "The Governor of Liangzhou makes a fair point. This matter involves both state law and family affairs."
In truth, when people encountered such private family scandals, they usually resolved them through discussions between the two related families. Common tools favored by the populace included pig cages and hemp ropes. Only in rare cases where negotiations failed would they take the matter to the authorities. In this era, few relished going to court. Even if two families couldn't agree, they might resort to an armed fight rather than let the matter become public knowledge.
The Second Prince glared at Ling Buyi in dissatisfaction, feeling that after his hard work setting up the background, Ling Buyi had stolen the most exciting part—a blatant grab for credit!
"Mother, Mother!" He quickly redirected everyone's attention back to himself. "This murder case is full of twists! I know Qu Lingjun—she isn’t a cruel or foolish person. So why would she murder her husband? It must be an unhappy marriage, unbearable days. I plan to investigate thoroughly..."
The Empress slammed the table and scolded, "Nonsense! This has nothing to do with you! Stay out of it!"
"How is it not my business? This case is shrouded in mystery. Once I uncover the truth, it’ll be a perfect chance to showcase my abilities—ha ha, ha ha ha..."
Seeing the Empress's expression darken further, Shao Shang suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, Second Prince, are you perhaps Madam Qu Lingjun's secret lover?"
The Crown Prince nearly toppled over.
The Second Prince's knees nearly gave way. "Y-you—how dare you slander this prince—"
"Just now, when Your Highness heard Liang Shang was killed, you were overjoyed, laughing endlessly. I thought Madam Qu would soon be flying off with you into the sunset."
The Second Prince nearly choked on his own saliva, his eyes bulging. "Outrageous lies! I—I’ll kill you!" He lunged to strike Shao Shang, but she swiftly hid behind Ling Buyi.
Ling Buyi sat upright, unmoving. "I advise Your Highness to remain calm and composed."
The Second Prince touched his shoulder blade, which had once been fractured and took two months to heal, then sat back down in fury.Shao Shang leaned over Ling Buyi's shoulder and peeked out her head: "When the Governor of Liangzhou and Lord Ji took their dispute before His Majesty, the Second Prince was also present. If His Majesty had intended for him to handle the case, he would have ordered it. Did His Majesty instruct the Second Prince? If not for official duties, then it must be personal ties. But what connection does the Liang and Qu families have with Your Highness? Whether Qu Lingjun murdered her husband or had an affair, there are officials responsible for such matters—those not in position shouldn't interfere, don’t you know that? For the Second Prince to meddle in this for no reason—is he afraid people might forget Qu Lingjun’s ties to the Eastern Palace? Second Prince, this humble one asks you—what are your true intentions?"
In terms of eloquence, a hundred and twenty Second Princes strung together couldn’t match a single Cheng Shaoshang. He was immediately stumped and glanced uneasily at his mother and elder brother.
"Before leaving, the Second Imperial Concubine said that the Second Prince had matured and grown steady, that even in her absence, Your Highness could handle matters properly. But now… tsk tsk." Shao Shang shook her head dramatically, feigning disappointment. "I must write to the Second Imperial Concubine and tell her about Your Highness’s actions today!"
Ling Buyi smiled faintly. "Once your letter is ready, I’ll have a fast horse deliver it to Pingyang Commandery."
"Don’t you dare tell her!" The Second Prince roared, his voice shaking the hall.
"This humble one will tell her!"
"You wouldn’t dare?!"
"Your Highness shall see if I dare or not! Attendants—prepare ink and brush! The finest brush, the highest-grade ink!"
"You—"
The Second Prince lunged to throttle the little troublemaker, but Ling Buyi intercepted him with a feint, sending the prince tumbling face-first to the floor. Shao Shang eagerly patted Ling Buyi’s shoulder in admiration, while he glanced at her sidelong with amusement.
"Enough!" The Empress slammed the table, putting an end to the squabble that sounded like it involved a three-year-old, a five-year-old, and a ten-year-old.
She pressed a hand to her temple and fixed her second son with a stern gaze, enunciating each word: "You will return home now and stay quietly in your residence. You are not to interfere in this case. If you disobey… think of your fifth sister."
The benefit of having severely punished one child was that the others would never again treat her words as idle threats.
Seeing the Empress’s grave expression, the Second Prince felt a chill down his spine. He had no desire for his wife to return and find their fief titles revoked, so he could only retreat grudgingly.
As he stepped out of the hall, he caught sight of Cheng Shaoshang swaggering out from behind Ling Buyi. Gnashing his teeth, he couldn’t resist muttering, "Mother Empress, surely you don’t intend to let Lady Cheng’s little—"
"Get out now!" The Empress bellowed, and the Second Prince fled like a streak of smoke.
The Crown Princess had maintained a composed smile throughout, watching the Second Prince depart before sighing softly and beginning her performance—
"Mother Empress, do not worry. This daughter understands the distress in your heart. Ah, in the past, Sister Qu was graceful and peerless in beauty, excelling in both calligraphy and painting. All the sisters in the Capital admired her. Who could have imagined that time would change so much, and she would commit such a shocking act? It truly makes one sigh. As they say, time reveals a person’s heart. It seems Sister Qu had long harbored resentment, and now this tragedy has unfolded. She may die to escape it, but what of her two children? How will they live from now on…?"
"What a fine voice the Crown Princess has," Shao Shang interrupted coldly. "Even the Exorcism Ritual Opera performed at the October Festival wasn’t as melodious as your singing."The Crown Princess was cut off mid-emotion and angrily retorted, "You have no respect for hierarchy or seniority! Relying on the Empress's favor, you don't hold me in any regard at all. My intentions were purely out of pity for Sister Qu..."
"Let's speak plainly—no one here is a fool. Do you really think anyone believes you pitied Madam Qu? Your entire performance just now can be summed up in four words: 'taking joy in others' misfortune!' And another four: 'kicking someone when they're down!'" If you're the nail, I'm the hammer—Cheng Shaoshang specialized in curing the Crown Princess of all her disobedience.
Though venomous resentment filled her heart, the Crown Princess put on a pitiful face. With a wail, she threw herself at the Crown Prince, sobbing, "Your Highness, will you just stand by and watch this little wretch bully me?!"
The Crown Prince shoved her away and stood up, coldly stating, "You're actually happy about Lingjun's misfortune? I married you because I thought you were gentle and kind-hearted. You should look in a mirror—the expression you wore earlier was utterly vile!"
The Crown Princess stared at him in tearful shock.
"Let me advise the Crown Princess not to celebrate too soon," Shao Shang said, turning back. "Now that Madam Qu's husband is dead—if she truly is the murderer, so be it. But what if she isn't? Lord Ling, can a woman from an aristocratic family like the Liangs remarry?"
Ling Buyi replied, "Naturally. If she can't be the principal wife, becoming a Good Consort wouldn't be difficult."
The Crown Princess clutched her robes tightly, her heart filled with dread. If Qu Lingjun really entered the Eastern Palace, would she ever have peace again?
The Crown Prince rebuked her sharply, "Return to the Eastern Palace at once! You are not to interfere in this matter any further!"
Knowing her husband was truly furious and that the Empress disliked her, the Crown Princess dared not disobey. Trembling, she knelt to her mother-in-law and husband before withdrawing, her legs shaking as she walked away.
"Crown Princess," Ling Buyi suddenly called out.
She halted and turned to face the assembly.
"Your Majesty is already aware of Qu Lingjun's case regarding her husband's murder. I advise the Crown Princess not to try any clever schemes or obstruct justice," Ling Buyi said. "Perhaps you hope for Qu Lingjun's eternal ruin, but if you interfere, I guarantee it will be you who faces eternal ruin. You know well what I'm capable of."
Under Ling Buyi's icy gaze, the Crown Princess felt all her sinister thoughts laid bare. Remembering how over the years, Ling Buyi had uncovered nearly all her secrets, she fled in panic.
Once she was completely gone, Shao Shang let out a long sigh and turned to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, why on earth did you marry her in the first place?" Marrying the wrong wife could ruin three generations.
The Crown Prince slowly knelt back down, smiling bitterly. "First, because His Majesty had already given his word, and I couldn't bear to make him break his promise for my sake. Second... our betrothal was arranged in childhood and known to all. If I had broken it, she would have struggled to marry well afterward—wouldn't that have ruined her life? Lingjun was different. She came from a noble family, was beautiful and talented. Even without me, she could have married a suitable husband, living in mutual respect and harmony. Who would have thought..."
Unable to bear the good-hearted prince's lamenting, Shao Shang cut straight to the point: "Your Highness, don't worry. Here's what we'll do—Lord Ling and I will visit Liang Manor to investigate. That way, you won't have to brood over it needlessly."
Just as the Crown Prince was about to brighten, Ling Buyi interjected coolly, "You go if you want. I'm not accompanying you."
Shao Shang flared up. "What's wrong with you?!"
The Crown Prince chuckled ruefully. "Zisheng is blaming me for not heeding his advice before the wedding."Shao Shang comforted the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, pay him no mind. How old was he when you married? If you annulled your engagement based on the words of a ten-year-old child, that would truly be laughable!"
"Eleven," Ling Buyi said. "I was eleven at the time."
Shao Shang snorted coldly, "Is there much difference?"
After speaking, she knelt properly before the Empress, raising her arms in a formal salute as she petitioned, "Your Majesty, please grant this humble servant an edict so I may visit Liang Manor. I will not interfere with the Court of Justice's investigation, only serving as Your Majesty and the Crown Prince's eyes and ears. Upon my return, I shall report all I've seen and heard to ease Your Majesty and His Highness's worries."
The Empress was tempted but still had reservations, "This... is it appropriate?"
Shao Shang smiled, "Your Majesty, as the mother of the realm, is there any household's affairs you cannot inquire about? Moreover, Madam Qu once served by your side in her youth, and just two days ago, she visited you with her son-in-law and children. Now that this sudden incident has occurred, it's only natural for you to have concerns."
The Empress found these words most fitting and felt reassured. She shot a laughing glare at her adopted son, who was pretending to be dead beside her, then summoned a palace maid to prepare brush and ink. She wrote an edict on a silk scroll, stamped it with her seal, and handed it to Shao Shang.
Shao Shang received the edict with both hands, took her leave, and exited the palace. She deliberately declined the company of palace maids and waited quietly by the side of the palace gate.
Before long, Ling Buyi emerged from the Everlasting Autumn Palace gate, one hand behind his back. As he stepped out, his gaze flickered sideways briefly before he continued forward.
Shao Shang cheerfully darted out from the side, grabbing his arm in a hug, "Don't leave so quickly, wait for me, won't you?"
Ling Buyi ignored her, walking straight ahead while casually shaking off her grip.
Head lowered, Shao Shang muttered to herself behind him, "Ah, I was going to tell him that I already requested three days' leave from the Empress yesterday, planning to go to Mount Tu Gao with him next month. But he's so angry, he probably won't pay me any mind. Better not mention it..."
Ling Buyi had already swept back like a gust of wind, grabbing the girl with a mix of anger and amusement, "What did you say? What did you just say?"
Shao Shang played dumb, "What did I say? What did I say? I don't remember any of it..."
Ling Buyi hoisted the girl over his shoulder, head to the left and legs to the right, baring his teeth in a threat, "Will you say it or not? If you don't, I'll drop you right here!"
Ling Buyi was tall, and Shao Shang, curled over his shoulder, looked down at the dark stone pavement below, feeling quite alarmed but stubbornly retorted, "Go ahead, drop me! If you don't kill me, I'll remarry!"
Ling Buyi laughed heartily, his handsome features relaxing like the warm morning sun. He turned his arms, bringing the girl around to his chest before setting her down on her feet. Leaning close to her ear, his breath warm and moist, he whispered, "I couldn't bear to."
Shao Shang's cheeks flushed pink. Though she herself was beaming brightly, she covered Ling Buyi's mouth and whispered, "Don't laugh... don't laugh so loudly. The Crown Prince and Her Majesty are in such gloom. It wouldn't do for us to be so jubilant!"
Ling Buyi pressed her delicate little hand to his lips, kissing her palm lightly. Shao Shang yanked her hand away, pointing at him with a laugh and calling him a 'rake,' then turned and ran off.
The two chased and played their way to the Upper West Gate. Just as Shao Shang was about to bid farewell, she saw the Liang Qiu brothers had prepared a tall carriage wrapped in snow velvet for warmth outside the gate, with a team of agile guards armed with swords and crossbows waiting quietly behind.
She asked in surprise, "Are you leaving the palace today too? Is there nothing for you with His Majesty?"Ling Buyi said, "I'm going to the Liang residence."
Shao Shang widened her eyes. "But you just said in the Everlasting Autumn Palace that you wouldn't go!"
"I said I wouldn't accompany you—because I was going myself. His Majesty entrusted me to keep an eye on things yesterday."
Shao Shang sighed weakly. "Just because things didn't go your way this morning, you have to find a chance to bully me again?"
Ling Buyi helped her into the carriage by the waist and followed her inside.
When they were alone in the carriage, he whispered, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have bullied you again. Here... hit me twice. I won't fight back." He took her small hands and lightly thumped them against his chest twice.
Shao Shang laughed. "Hitting you like this would really hurt you to death!"
Seizing the opportunity, Ling Buyi pretended to collapse, burying his head in the warm, fragrant crook of her neck with a soft chuckle. "It hurts too much. Rub it for me."
What a masterful act! Gritting her teeth with amusement, Shao Shang tried to tickle him. But Ling Buyi shifted slightly, and her hand slipped inside his robe, directly touching the soft fabric of his underwear. Her fingertips brushed against the firm, youthful muscles beneath.
"What are you doing?!" Shao Shang exclaimed, her face burning red.
Ling Buyi held her retreating hand, his breath uneven as he laughed. "You're the one groping me, yet you ask what I'm doing? Since when is the world so unreasonable?"
Outside the carriage, Liang Qiu Fei, riding alongside, heard the laughter and turned to sigh. "Elder brother, the Young Master has never been this happy before."
Liang Qiuqi murmured, "I hope he can always be this happy from now on. He's suffered too much in the past."
...
After some playful tussling, Shao Shang realized she couldn't win in a fight, couldn't out-argue him, and even lacked the flair for mischief. Resigned, she admitted to "injuring" Ling Buyi and gently rubbed the "wound" on his chest.
"Hey, don't you think the Crown Princess resembles the Empress a little? Especially when silent—her chin and mouth are particularly similar."
Ling Buyi leaned against her, eyes closed. "It's only a superficial resemblance. Beneath the surface, she's shallow and unworthy."
"I know it's just the appearance, but... I think I understand why the Crown Prince chose the Crown Princess over Madam Qu back then." Shao Shang tilted her head, gazing at the carriage roof.
Ling Buyi opened his eyes, intrigued. "Go on."
"Among the imperial princes and princesses, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince spent the most time with the Empress and were most influenced by her. The Empress has always harbored grievances—ones she couldn't voice because, in the eyes of the world, she was already immensely fortunate. When the two princes were young, His Majesty was often away at war, so they must have frequently seen the Empress in her lonely moments."
"The Crown Prince admired the Empress's conduct and learned her kindness, integrity, and adherence to propriety. So when choosing a wife, seeing the Crown Princess's fragile, helpless demeanor reminded him of the Empress. With the betrothal and rites already in place, no matter how much he liked Madam Qu, he didn't act otherwise. The Second Prince was the opposite—he disapproved of the Empress's tendency to endure hardships for the greater good. That's why he prefers bold, resourceful women. Though he also keeps concubines, the Second Imperial Concubine is his true pillar..."
"What are you trying to say?" Ling Buyi's brow furrowed slightly.
Shao Shang patiently explained, "I'm saying that many men's choices in wives are subtly shaped by their mothers.""Hmm, so to say, it's precisely because I'm as loyal, brave, steady, honest, and reliable as Cheng Xiaowei that you ultimately took a liking to me." Ling Buyi derived his own conclusion based on the principle.
Shao Shang sighed helplessly, "First, it was you who took a liking to me, not the other way around."
Ling Buyi turned his head away, pretending not to hear.
"Second, if you were even half as easy to serve as my Father, I'd be burning incense in gratitude every day! The moment my Mother so much as hums, my Father obeys without question. But you? I'd be grateful if you didn't hum at me!"
Ling Buyi gazed at the girl's delicate, pink earlobe and whispered, "Then hum once, and I'll definitely listen to you."
"Ah, stop fooling around. I haven't finished yet."
Shao Shang pushed Ling Buyi away and continued, "I've met Madam Huo several times now. Hmm, actually, I don't approve of her temperament—too extreme, too unyielding, leaving no room for herself or others... Ling Zisheng, you don't agree with her either, do you?"
Ling Buyi fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly.
Truth be told, Huo Junhua had been dealt an excellent hand from the moment she was born.
Before the age of twenty-six, she had a powerful and kind elder brother shielding her, ensuring no one dared slight her. After twenty-six, she had the Emperor watching over her from above, Cui Hou protecting her from below, and a son like Ling Buyi. If she hadn't lost her mind, if she had been willing to compromise just a little with life, her later years would have been blissful beyond measure.
But she chose madness—she was the kind of person who, if she couldn't maintain the beautiful garden in her heart, would rather let it wither into desolation than plant practical crops in its place.
Ling Buyi leaned wearily against Shao Shang and sighed, "Earlier this year, I received some news. Not all of my uncle's private army perished in battle. Some were buried among the dead while unconscious and later woke up and left on their own."
"Why didn't they come looking for you?"
"How could they?" Ling Buyi chuckled bitterly. "I was only five or six at the time. The Huo family was completely wiped out, and even my mother was separated from me. Those who survived were injured, weak, and needed time to recover. By the time they could act, too much had changed..."
He sighed again. "I just hope to find a few of them. Perhaps seeing them would bring my mother back to her senses."
Shao Shang nodded silently.
"By the way, after all that rambling, even dragging my mother into it, what exactly were you trying to say?" Ling Buyi asked.
Shao Shang collected herself and hurriedly replied, "Well, precisely because Madam Huo is like that, you like me. I'm the complete opposite of her—I'm clever, kind, deeply principled, considerate of the bigger picture, gentle and amiable... Stop laughing! What are you laughing at? Stop it!"
Ling Buyi collapsed into laughter, leaning against the carriage wall, his left arm covering his tear-filled eyes as his chest shook uncontrollably.
"So this is what you were getting at! After such a roundabout way, you were just boasting about yourself! 'Deeply principled, considerate of the bigger picture'... Hah, you say that without a shred of guilt..." He couldn't contain his laughter, as if making up for all the mirth he'd missed over the past decade.
Shao Shang, flushed with embarrassment and anger, shouted, "You're still laughing! I'm angry now, hmph! I've hmphed! Did you hear me? Didn't you say you'd listen to me if I hummed?!" She let out another emphatic "Hmph!"
Suppressing his laughter, Ling Buyi sat up and gazed at the girl. "You're right. You're clever, kind, deeply principled, considerate of the bigger picture, gentle and amiable—the very best woman I could ever hope to meet in this lifetime!"
Shao Shang's face turned red—completely, utterly, inside and out, without a single spot left unflushed.
She had only meant to boast a little, but her words had spiraled into a full-blown typhoon, nearly causing a catastrophic storm.
Even as they disembarked, the flush on her face hadn't faded. Ling Buyi instructed his attendants to knock on the door and announce their arrival to Liang Wuji, then turned to tie the strings of Shao Shang's hood.
"Hey, do you think Qu Lingjun really murdered her husband?"
"I find those four words quite inappropriate."
"Huh?" The sudden shift in topic caught her off guard."What do you mean 'real husband'? A husband is a husband, there's no such thing as real or not."
"Is it because... there are also adulterous husbands? Ouch, don't pinch me! Haha, alright alright, I was wrong, I admit I was wrong!"
Then this scene was witnessed by Liang Wuji and Yuan Shen who had come out to greet them.
Liang Wuji: "..."
Yuan Shen: "For f*ck's sake. There's a family tragedy happening inside, and you two are being all lovey-dovey at the front door?!"
Seeing the gate open, Ling Cheng immediately composed themselves and stood properly. Shao Shang smiled at Yuan Shen and greeted: "Young Master Yuan, what a coincidence seeing you here."
Yuan Shen replied stiffly: "My mother's surname is Liang."
Shao Shang blurted out without thinking: "Oh so your mother is a Liang? What an even bigger coincidence, the Governor of Liangzhou is also surnamed Liang."
A cold wind blew withered leaves past Yuan Shen's side.
Ling Buyi smiled cheerfully and gave Liang and Yuan a perfectly proper and joyful bow—even before the Emperor, he'd never bowed with such delight.
While returning the courtesy, Liang Wuji sighed: "Shanjian's mother is my cousin, making her Liang Shang's elder sister by the main wife."
Author's Note: You'll notice some chapters are longer while others are shorter. This isn't laziness—it's to maintain the integrity of the plot.
Thanks for understanding.
OpenNovel