She was also someone who had been through things, and was no longer as naive as before.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world; it was merely a matter of mutual exploitation.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Be a concubine."
Su Cheng did not hide anything, but Liang Luo was somewhat surprised.
"You would want me?"
"Naturally, it's not me. Once you've recovered from your injuries, arrangements will be made. As for whether you have the ability to obtain what I desire, that's your problem."
"What happens after it's done?"
"I can arrange for you to leave Dongdu City. As for where you go and how you live, that's your business. You won't be shortchanged, and I can guarantee your safety for life."
Su Cheng was quite frank, but Liang Luo fell into deep thought.
This matter must not be easy, otherwise, they wouldn't have approached her.
What she didn't know was that Su Cheng and Feng Jinlin actually had many candidates. The reason they gave Liang Luo this opportunity was entirely due to Xu Mingyue's moment of compassion.
Originally, rescuing her, or rather, sending her away from Dongdu City, was not a difficult task.
However, Su Cheng believed in the same principle that Liang Luo had just realized: life was like this, gain came with loss.
Since she wanted to gain freedom and a new life, she should pay the corresponding price beforehand.
He was not worried at all that Liang Luo would refuse, because in her despair, she had no other path to take.
That's how people are; after being tormented for too long, their spirit changes. How could they possibly let go of a lifeline they finally managed to grasp?
As he had expected, after experiencing so much, Liang Luo no longer even had the will to die.
To live on ignobly, it would have been impossible before.
But now, it became the only reason for her to sell herself.
"Alright, it's a deal! If you dare to deceive me, I won't let you rest even as a ghost."
Her eyes glared fiercely at Su Cheng, unleashing all her ferocity.
Unfortunately, it was not enough to impress Su Cheng.
"Deceive you? Do you think you're that important?"
Liang Luo was speechless. Only after Su Cheng and Feng Jinlin left did she break down in tears.
For herself, for her family, for her future, for her past.
Feng Jinlin felt no pity for Liang Luo, so her crying was of no use to the two of them.
"Has the Luo family been dealt with?"
"Don't worry. Since they dared to instigate Linlang to set fire to our home and try to burn Yunhe to death, they should know they have to bear our revenge!"
When Feng Jinlin mentioned the Luo family, his contempt was undisguised.
Did they think they could point fingers at the Feng family just by climbing onto a high branch?
Even plotting to harm the legitimate son, it was simply a pipe dream!
Therefore, Feng Jinlin had prepared a grand gift for them, which Feng Jinxu had also arranged before leaving the capital.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most bustling event in Dongdu City would likely be the engagement between the Feng family and the Xu family.
This matter was personally sought from the Emperor by Prime Minister Bai, who went to the palace to request the marriage. With Feng family's eldest son gone, there naturally had to be a son to manage the family affairs.
Feng Jinlin was the obvious choice.
But if he remained unmarried indefinitely, how could he support the Feng family?
Therefore, Prime Minister Bai, with tears in his eyes, recounted the situation, with Feng Hai's withered and lifeless appearance beside him to emphasize the point.
Considering the merits of the Feng and Bai families, Emperor Qi finally relented.
It was barely after Feng Jinxu's death, and proposing marriage at this time was somewhat inappropriate. However, with the Emperor's decree of arranged marriage,
some rejoiced while others worried.
Those who rejoiced were naturally the Feng and Xu families, who could now be together legitimately.
Those who worried were naturally those who regretted not making their move earlier, missing out on such a good marriage.
The betrothal gifts had been prepared long ago, and with his current status as a new dignitary, the palace had also bestowed some gifts as auspicious tokens.
Therefore, the betrothal gifts were dazzling to behold.
The Liang family had also spared no expense in the past, but their betrothal gifts were less than half of the Feng family's.
However, it was understandable. The Liang family had only struggled in Dongdu City for a few decades, while the Feng family was a prestigious clan of hundreds of years from the northwest.
Moreover, the second branch of the family had extraordinary earning capabilities, coupled with the various gifts from the Bai family and the Xu family (Old Madam Bai), the betrothal gifts naturally became the focus of the capital.
Elder Xu looked at these items, and a hint of sourness lingered in his heart.
"Hmph, look at the things this young man sent, all gold and jade, so vulgar. Should Mingyue reconsider?"
These words were spoken by Elder Xu privately to Xu Mingyue, but she immediately retorted, "I just like gold and jade," leaving him speechless.
Enraged, Elder Xu exclaimed that a daughter grown up could not be kept.
Xu Mingyue covered her mouth and giggled. Her grandfather was truly a child at heart!
After the engagement, Feng Jinlin's visits to the Xu family to see Xu Mingyue became much more open.
Originally, Xu Mingyue was supposed to leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but Bai Siruo's wedding was less than a month away.
She insisted that Xu Mingyue not leave, even invoking their more than ten years of maiden friendship. Xu Mingyue, feeling obligated, could not bear to leave.
She had no choice but to send a letter to the dean of Wenjin Academy in Jinling City.
Fortunately, the dean was very understanding and told her that she could return after handling her affairs in the capital.
Therefore, Xu Mingyue stayed with peace of mind.
On weekdays, she would either accompany Feng Jinyao in accompanying Bai Siruo in learning etiquette and whispering secrets in the backyard, or she would collect information in the academy, compiling interesting anecdotes and stories from the common folk, intending to put them into a book.
Her days were fulfilling and free, exceptionally comfortable.
Meanwhile, Wei Lanxuan, who had miscarried long ago, had not yet recovered and was even somewhat deranged.
Every day, she would hug a pillow, insisting it was her child, and never let it go. If anyone dared to take the pillow away for even a moment, she would cause a huge scene.
Old Madam Wei looked at her granddaughter's transformation from heaven to hell and was both anxious and angry.
"What will become of her if this continues? If she goes mad, won't we have harmed her for life!"
As she spoke, she wiped away tears.
Duke Wei stood outside the courtyard, looking at his granddaughter inside the room in such a state, his heart was also heavy.
When he decided to abandon Liang Quanbin, he had already anticipated the outcome.
But he never expected Wei Lanxuan to be so fragile. Was it just a divorce? Was it just losing a child? How could she become so deranged?
"Find another doctor. No matter what medicine it takes, make sure Lan'er is cured!"
Although he hated Wei Lanxuan for her stubbornness in marrying into the Liang family, she was, after all, his granddaughter.
He couldn't just let her remain mad, so she had to be treated!
After leaving the courtyard, he blamed Liang Pan for everything again, feeling that exile was too lenient for him.
At that time, he should have been more resolute and sent him to his death. His granddaughter would have cried for a while, and then she would have been fine.