“Even if it’s hard, there’s nothing to be done,” Chu Tang said, withdrawing her hand and feeding Miss Liang a spoonful of medicine. “Holding my hand to avoid taking medicine won’t work either.”
Miss Liang was amused, but even though she smiled, the melancholy between her brows didn’t ease.
“A’Qin, don’t be sad,” Chu Tang noticed and said earnestly. “My father said he absolutely won’t let her off lightly. Even Uncle cannot be unreasonable. She struck someone and committed an offense—she must be punished. I promise you here—if she isn’t punished, I’ll—”
Liang Qin hastily stopped her from making vows: “Good A’Tang, we’ve known each other for so many years—I still don’t know your heart? This matter has nothing to do with you.” Speaking of this, she sighed softly. “My bad mood actually has another reason.”
Chu Tang asked curiously: “A’Qin, you’re talented and beautiful, with good family background too. Can you still have bad moods?”
Liang Qin smiled wryly, but was very satisfied with the envy in Chu Tang’s eyes and the flattery in her words.
“Everyone has disappointments,” she said, then hesitated. “My family has discussed a marriage match for me.”
Chu Tang was surprised, delighted, and envious: “Then it must certainly be a good match of equal social standing.”
Liang Qin nodded: “Yes, the family background is quite good. It’s just…” She bit her lower lip. This matter was shameful and difficult to speak of, but if she didn’t say it, she felt truly stifled. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said in a low voice: “That person refused and ran away.”
Chu Tang nearly laughed out loud, but her expression changed to anger: “Then he’s not worthy of you.” She grasped Liang Qin’s hand. “Heaven has eyes, saving you from marrying the wrong person.”
Liang Qin felt much more comfortable in her heart and explained to her: “It’s truly infuriating. Actually, our family hadn’t even agreed yet. It’s not like I can’t get married.”
Chu Tang didn’t believe these words at all. If they didn’t want to agree, why would they be angry? No wonder that day Liang Qin was listless and distracted, which was why she could be kicked into the water by Chu Zhao—she clearly could have dodged.
These past days keeping watch, seeing her dispirited appearance, she had truly thought the injury was severe. It turned out this injury was because of a man.
She smiled with pursed lips, holding Liang Qin’s hand: “Don’t think about it. Your good marriage match lies ahead.”
Liang Qin nodded, then instructed: “Good sister, you mustn’t tell anyone else.”
Chu Tang nodded: “Of course.” Of course—there were many ways to spread news without having to say it herself.
The two were speaking intimately when a maid outside ran in flustered: “Miss, Miss, that Chu Zhao has come!”
Chu Tang and Liang Qin looked at each other, surprised, delighted, and also apprehensive.
“She returned yesterday,” Chu Tang said hastily. “Father directly confined her to a prison cell to reflect. Now she’s come to apologize and admit her mistakes.”
Liang Qin lay back on the bed and snorted: “I don’t want to see her.”
……
……
Chu Zhao stood outside the Liang estate gate. Two matrons who had come upon hearing the news looked her over with cold faces.
“For Miss Chu to deign to set foot in our estate—truly our honor,” they said coldly.
Chu Zhao nodded: “I think so too.”
The two matrons thought they had heard wrong. What did she say?