The wails were heart-rending, capable of stirring emotion in anyone who heard them.
Yes, she could have more children, but never again with Liang Pan.
How could she bear it?
Alas, two fists are no match for four hands, especially when those hands belonged to well-prepared servants.
They forced her mouth open and poured the entire dose down her throat. Fearing she might try to spit it out, they held her down until the medicine was fully swallowed and its effects began to take hold. Only then did they rush her to the bed.
After hours of torment, Wei Lanxuan miscarried.
It was a child that had already begun to form, a child who should have entered this world healthy and whole. Instead, due to the deceit and treachery of adults, its life was cut short, severing its bond with Wei Lanxuan.
As she felt the moment the child left her body, tears streamed from Wei Lanxuan's eyes.
She had lost the ability to cry out loud. The pain in her heart made her wish only to fall into an eternal slumber.
But alas, some people cannot even die when they wish to.
Old Madam Wei summoned a physician to attend to her and even assigned two wet nurses and two maids from her own courtyard to care for her, never leaving her side for fear she might attempt suicide.
As for the child that was forcibly aborted, it was naturally sent to the mass grave.
Before stepping out, Xu Mingyue could never have imagined she would see Liang Luo in such a pathetic state today.
She had just exited Zhenbao Zhai when she saw Liang Luo being dragged through the streets.
Clearly, her frail body could not bear the weight of the shackles, and she was almost bent double, being dragged along unceremoniously by the soldiers in front.
Everyone around her pointed and whispered. In the past, she would have surely jumped up and shouted.
Xu Mingyue was stunned. She had not known about the Liang siblings being exiled.
Though she had long suspected that the Liang family would meet a grim end, seeing the once radiant Liang Luo reduced to such a state was still quite shocking.
At the same time, Liang Luo also spotted Xu Mingyue among the onlookers.
She was still looking down at her from her lofty position, as refined and sharp as her name suggested.
This time, instead of harboring hostility as she had in the past, she desperately wanted to run towards her.
Screaming with all her might, "Save me, save me!"
Her eyes were filled with pleading. If kneeling before Xu Mingyue now meant a new life, she would not hesitate for a moment.
But alas, the soldiers would not give her such an opportunity. She was to be sent to the exile camp immediately, and the next morning, she would be dispatched to the northwest along with her brother.
The mountains were high and the waters were far. Given her current condition, it was uncertain whether she would even survive the journey to the northwest.
Though Xu Mingyue was unwilling to admit it, seeing Liang Luo's plight stirred a flicker of compassion in her heart.
Once, they could have potentially become family, but now they had parted ways and ended up like this.
Liang Quanbin's actions would naturally lead to his punishment.
However, Liang Luo was, after all, merely an arrogant and overbearing young lady from a noble family. To suffer such a fate was truly excessive.
Yet, even though she felt pity for Liang Luo, there was nothing she could do.
She held no official position and could not intervene or express her stance.
Otherwise, given her past engagement and subsequent broken engagement with the Liang family, it would undoubtedly lead to endless gossip.
Now that she and Feng Jinlin had a betrothal letter, they were to be family in the future, and she had to consider the Feng family and Feng Jinlin.
Xu Mingyue's softening heart was keenly observed by Feng Jinlin, who was watching from the shadows.
She was precisely this kind of woman: outwardly strong, yet possessing the softest heart.
Liang Luo had spoken harshly to her more than once, but Xu Mingyue had not kicked her while she was down. Instead, she felt a pang of sympathy. This Xu Mingyue made Feng Jinlin even more certain that he had not misjudged her.
Su Cheng, standing beside him, clicked his tongue.
"I say, how fortunate are you two siblings to have met Miss Xu and His Highness to spend your lives with. It truly makes me envious."
"Envious? How about I find one for you? Just recently, the matchmakers who've been flocking to my door haven't been able to get to me. Shall I have them turn their attention to you?"
Su Cheng put on a pained expression.
"Forget it. My reputation in Dongdu City is far too notorious. Even now, as a high-ranking official, I doubt many young ladies would be eager to pursue me."
Feng Jinlin chuckled and shook his head. "You know yourself quite well."
As they spoke, they looked at Liang Luo's receding figure and began to secretly plot something.
The Liang family's affairs became the biggest topic of conversation before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Meanwhile, as the moon was full and families reunited, households were gathered together, joyfully celebrating the festival.
The Feng family was no exception.
Even though Feng Jinxu was "absent," life had to go on.
Madam Wen was still staying there with her two children. Though the Feng family provided generously for their food and clothing, she still longed to return home.
However, with the current unstable situation outside, even if she wanted to return to Shuzhou, the journey might not be safe.
Thus, she had no choice but to remain in Dongdu City.
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion. It is truly a pity that Ah Xu cannot be with us to celebrate this festival. But life must continue. Three days from now is an auspicious day, and Madam and I will formally go to the Xu family to present the betrothal gifts. I hope this joyous occasion will bring some good fortune to our Feng family."
Madam Wen lowered her head, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief from time to time.
Though she knew her husband was safe, she had to maintain appearances.
The entire household consisted of trusted individuals, so there was no risk of leaks. However, it would be problematic if she accidentally let her guard down in front of outsiders.
Now, her greatest hope was that he would quickly finish his task and return for their family reunion.
Their young daughter, Feng Yunluo, was now over two months old. Her features had developed significantly since birth.
The more one looked at her, the more she resembled Feng Jinyao. If outsiders were unaware of the truth, they might even assume she was Feng Jinyao's child.
Feng Jinyao sat beside Madam Wen, playing with her niece in her arms, which somewhat eased Madam Wen's worries.
Feng Jinlin, adhering to the rules, had not seen Xu Mingyue for many days.
However, the thought of going to the Xu family to present the betrothal gifts in a few days made him feel that this reunion night was passing exceptionally slowly.
In the imperial palace, the once lively Hanzhang Hall was now as cold as an ice cellar.
It was another Mid-Autumn Festival. Recalling this time last year, she had been the Emperor's beloved concubine, cherished in his eyes and heart, dazzling everyone at the palace banquet.
Now, she could only drink osmanthus wine alone, facing the high-hanging full moon.
The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted in from afar, only intensifying her loneliness.
Two lines of clear tears traced paths down her cheeks. Though she was the same as before, she felt as though she had already become a faded beauty of yesterday.