In Liang family's courtyard, within Liang Luo's chambers.
Snowball, covered in scratches, lay on a chaise lounge, whimpering. Its fur around the wounds had been shaved off, medicine applied, and now it was bandaged like a zongzi, completely devoid of its former splendor.
"Damn it, damn it, all of them deserve to die!"
As the words fell, Liang Luo smashed a set of celadon porcelain teacups on the table, shattering them into pieces.
The maids beside her remained utterly silent, afraid that any slight movement would anger their mistress and incur punishment.
Liang Luo's bloodshot eyes fixed on Snowball, the fire within her heart burning countless times, searing her very insides.
"Xu Mingyue, Feng Jinyao, and Bai Siruo, all of you just wait! If I don't grind you to dust, I'll write the character 'Liang' backward!!"
Liang Pan, just returning from outside, heard the maid Jinxiu report that his young lady was throwing a tantrum in the courtyard.
Frowning, he asked curiously, "Wasn't she going to Fahua Temple with Lan'er to offer incense? Why is she back so soon?"
She usually went for half the day, and today she had returned before lunchtime, which was truly strange.
So, Jinxiu recounted everything that happened at Fahua Temple, adding embellishments and tears as she spoke, "Young Master, you didn't see Miss Xu's demeanor. She looked as if she wanted to devour us. Her words, she even insulted the late Madam. It's pitiful that our young lady only clashed with them because of this."
Liang Pan narrowed his eyes, looking at the maid, not entirely believing her words.
Although he had broken off his engagement with Miss Xu, he had met Xu Mingyue several times. How could such a clear and peerless woman utter such words?
After a moment's thought, he asked, "What did my sister do to provoke such great anger?"
Jinxiu was surprised that her young master wasn't siding with his own family but was instead favoring outsiders. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
"Tell me the truth. If I find out you're spreading rumors, I'll have you beaten to death and dumped in a mass grave."
These words terrified the maid, who immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to act presumptuously.
She then recounted the entire sequence of events truthfully, without fabricating any more lies.
After listening to her account, Liang Pan sighed deeply. Although he still went out for drinks with his friends as he used to, he could clearly feel an increased level of flattery from them.
This marriage with the Wei family was his wish, and it was something he and Wei Lanxuan had both sought.
Father was happy, and his sister was also happy, but only he felt he had wronged the Xu family.
Therefore, regarding matters concerning the Xu family, he would avoid them if possible and would never be as arrogant as his sister.
It was no wonder Miss Xu had said such things. His sister had been too pampered for too long, forgetting her own status and the Liang family's position.
"Let's go, I'll go take a look."
When the two arrived at the small courtyard, Liang Luo was still cursing loudly. The shattering of a porcelain vase had startled a young maid who had recently arrived. The girl burst into tears.
As a result, Liang Luo stepped forward and slapped her twice, causing the girl's face to swell up.
Even then, she didn't let go, tightly gripping the maid's chin and saying fiercely, "Even you dare to humiliate me? You're seeking death! Bring the whip, I'll whip this girl to death today to vent my anger!"
Seeing her like a madwoman, Liang Pan strode forward and reprimanded her.
"Sister, what are you doing!"
Liang Luo, seeing her elder brother arrive, slightly restrained her temper and released the maid's chin, looking at her with the disdain one would reserve for a stray dog.
"Brother, why are you here?"
"If I didn't come, I'm afraid all the maids in this courtyard would be scared to death by you. If this matter gets out and you earn a reputation for mistreating your servants, I wonder which family would still dare to marry you?"
Liang Pan and Liang Luo's birth mother had passed away early. Their father, for the sake of the Marquis of Changyi's influence, had not remarried, though he had two favored concubines in the back courtyard. However, over the years, they had not produced any children.
With no mistress in the household and her being doted upon since childhood, she had developed such an intolerant temper.
After her coming-of-age ceremony some days ago, Liang Pan and his father had taken on the responsibility of arranging a marriage for her. Unfortunately, after much deliberation, none were suitable. By chance, they had connected with the Duke of Wei's household. With his support, she was sure to marry into a prominent family.
Who would have thought that because of Liang Pan and Wei Lanxuan's marriage, the Duke of Wei now harbored some resentment towards their father and son? It would be difficult for Liang Luo to find a good match in the short term.
"Hmph, I don't fancy those young masters."
"Then who do you fancy? Royalty?"
Upon hearing Liang Pan's words, Liang Luo's anger subsided, and a hint of girlish shyness appeared on her face.
Seeing her like this, Liang Pan inwardly felt a sense of foreboding, but outwardly he remained calm. He instructed the maids to leave, and Jinxiu even carried Snowball away.
"Tell me, who do you fancy?" Liang Pan asked in a low voice, seeing that they were alone.
Liang Luo was quite forthright. "The Ninth Prince. Brother, I've liked the Ninth Prince for a long time."
Liang Pan was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. He quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth, his eyes filled with panic.
"Are you tired of living? You know the relationship between the Wei family and the Ninth Prince. Our engagement, Lan'er's and mine, had already angered the Ninth Prince. Fortunately, he didn't blame us, otherwise, your brother's life might be in danger now. At this critical juncture, you're still going to stir up trouble?"
Liang Luo pulled away Liang Pan's hand covering her mouth, her brows furrowed in displeasure.
"You're allowed to have a secret affair with Sister-in-law, and I'm not allowed to secretly like the Ninth Prince?"
"You..." Liang Pan raised his hand as if to slap her. Liang Luo directly offered her face, "Hit me, go on, hit me. Don't you remember how Mother entrusted me to you before she died?"
As she spoke, her eyes welled up, and she looked at Liang Pan with stubbornness.
Liang Pan sighed. How could he still strike her? He could only console her.
"Sister, my marriage with Lan'er was entirely a matter of circumstance. If not for this, your sister-in-law would have been Miss Xu, and Lan'er would have been the Ninth Prince's consort. Setting aside whether the Ninth Prince would even look at you, do you think, given our Liang family's status, he would marry you as his main consort? Would His Majesty and Noble Consort agree? Would the Wei family agree?"
His words were heartfelt. How could Liang Luo not understand? She slumped onto a stool, tears streaming down her face.
"You can't be a secondary consort, or a concubine, can you? Are you really willing? Even if you are, would the future Ninth Prince's main consort tolerate you? Have you ever considered these things?"
Though Liang Pan felt pained, he had to speak the truth, fearing that his sister would make a wrong step and end up with a tragic fate. Then he would truly have failed his mother's trust.
"But Brother, you're about to marry Sister Wei. Father's career will also advance then. You'll help me, right! Maybe, maybe I can even win the favor of Noble Consort Wei, and then status won't matter."
Liang Luo said this with a clinging tone. In that state, she was nothing like her usual arrogant self.