Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Don’t be angry, young master. Don’t hurt your body or the mistress will be upset. Even I can’t bear it.”
Meng Liang had a weird temperament and his methods were cruel. Many page boys and maids lost their lives to him. Only that page boy of his had yet to set him off. The other boy was adaptable and acted according to the situation; he was also good at buttering his young master.
Meng Liang’s mood quickly turned for the better by his page boy’s flattery.
Now that they had arrived in the Liu residence and were not being watched by anyone from Meng County, Meng Liang started to feel anxious.
Since he was eleven, he had never spent a day without a woman.
When one was well-fed and not in any danger, they would naturally think of something pleasurable to do. Meng Liang started thinking about the lithe girl’s body from before. It was a pity that he had failed to sneak in.
The page boy could see through Meng Liang and he suggested, “Langjun, I heard that Liu Zhongqing used to be one of the handsomest in Hejian County when he was younger. His wives and concubines are naturally top notch. Even that Gu Zhen madam is such a beauty, is she not?”
Meng Liang was not Gu Zhen’s flesh and blood––that was common knowledge amongst those who served him.
Meng Liang hated his elder brother. That brother of his was talented and capable, and the elders in the family doted on him. They had even decided amongst themselves that he would be the heir. As for Meng Liang, he may be the “son of the first wife,” but his actions were over the top and he accomplished nothing in his studies.
That was why whenever Meng Liang was drunk, he would insult Meng Heng and even reveal his true identity. That was also the reason why most of the maids and servants that served him were dead.
Only his one page boy got Meng Liang’s favor and kept his life.
Meng Liang’s gaze wavered as his page boy’s suggestion opened a new door for him.
Even though Gu Zhen was not his real mother, in name she was. She was also his father’s first wife.
The other boy saw that he wavered, but still acted aloof and decided to give him a push.
“You have no blood relation with that madam. Furthermore, I heard that Liu Zhongqing went to Xu County without any wives or concubines. That lady was left alone for many years. How could she bear the loneliness?
As for her being the master’s first wife... She’s already married to Liu Zhongqing and thus has no relation to the Meng family. Even if she passes away, she would not be added to the Meng ancestral name––the family books will not even mention her. She’s no longer the master’s wife and she’s not related to you... So...”
Meng Liang was persuaded by his page boy. When he thought of how Gu Zhen was once his father’s wife, a sense of excitement came over him.
“If you’re still worried about that madam, I heard that Liu Zhongqing has a few beautiful concubines? If none of them are to your liking, I heard that he also has a daughter? Though she’s born from a concubine and is no match for you...”
“You, slyboot, understand me so well,” Meng Liang lifted a hand to stop his page boy and laughingly scolded him.
The other boy bowed his head and smiled, but inwardly, he was relieved he survived.
Even though he was sorry towards Liu She, if his young master were to still think about that young maiden he missed out on, and left the Lius’ protection to run into the Meng rebels, both him and his young master would lose their lives.
His family was still in Meng County. If he let his young master die, his family would be dead, too.
He did not wish to help commit villainy, but there were lives at stake here. If he served Meng Liang well, his family got to live.
He was hoping the guards quickly found them so that they could leave the Liu residence soon. If they were unlucky and the womenfolk had been played with, he could not do anything.
While he was thinking that, he helped Meng Liang change, then passed the clothes to one of the maids in charge of laundry.
“You! Come here!” The page boy had spent quite some time searching for a cleaning maid.
The maid heard the boy yelling for her and was startled. She timidly went up and gave a small bow in respect.
The boy shoved the clothes at the maid and ordered, “Go wash these clothes for Langjun and make sure they’re clean when you bring them back tomorrow.”
If they were still in Meng County, Meng Liang only wore his clothes once and threw them out at the end of the day. He would not have had them washed, nor would he have worn them a second time.
The page boy knew that the Lius were incomparable to the Mengs, so they would not have that many clothes for Meng Liang to change into whenever he liked.
The maid bowed her head and took the clothes while she shivered. It seemed that the page boy had thoroughly frightened her.
When the other boy noticed her fear, he felt proud of himself. It was as though he was back at the Mengs where he had power to lord over others. “A small place is really different. Even the servants lack backbone here. As long as one raised their voice, they would start shivering like a leaf in the wind,” he belittled.
The maid quickly left the place Meng Liang was staying in. She bypassed the garden and threw the clothes to the floor before stepping on them twice to vent her anger. When she remembered what was said to her, she started shaking and her eyes fell upon Jiang Pengji’s wing.
She bit her lip and picked up the clothes. She changed her direction and did not head for the laundry room.
At that moment, Jiang Pengji’s wing was preparing for bed. A few maids were whispering and watching the doors.
“I have something important that I would need to speak to Langjun about. Please help me notify him.”
“At this time? Langjun is most likely asleep. If it’s not that urgent, you can speak to him tomorrow.”
The maid shook her head. She could still feel the fear in her body.
The maid was originally from the kitchens before she was moved to be in charge of the guest rooms. It was originally a relaxing job, as the the Lius hardly had any guests over, or any who would spend the night. But today, they had one who thought highly of himself and startled her with their loud voice.
“This is very important and I hope you could accommodate me.”
The other maid sighed and said, “I’ll help you pass the message. But if you anger Langjun, you’ll have to deal with it.”
In actual fact, Jiang Pengji had already laid down to rest but was not asleep yet. When she heard the maid on night watch pass the message to her, she got up and pulled on a thick cloak.
“Send her in.”
The doors were pulled open and a simply dressed maid entered. Jiang Pengji instantly recognized her.
“It’s you? It’s already so late... What is it that you have to report?” She walked over towards the other girl.