Chapter 19 "I want to divorce Ah Shao, please..."

The moonlight was as clear as water.

The Shuyu Pavilion was very quiet; all the maids were asleep, and Shanhe was also dreaming.

Wearing a thin coat, Liang Shao climbed out of the ancestral hall and walked in a daze to the main room of Shuyu Pavilion.

Only one oil lamp was lit in the room, its flickering light casting a dim glow. He lifted the lampshade, trimmed the wick, and then carried the lamp toward the canopy bed. The room was small, but Liang Shao walked slowly and deliberately. He looked around at the furnishings, remembering that Shanhe had been married into the room for two years and had long since become part of the Shuyu Pavilion.

The mahogany eight-immortal table is where Shanhe paints. She refuses to go to the study, fearing that she will "mess up his study."

The Luohan couch is where Shanhe often sits to do needlework. His short, tight-fitting outfit with pink peach blossoms must have been embroidered here.

Oh, and the foot pedal, the hard foot pedal that Shanhe slept on for two years.

Liang Shao hurriedly bit his hand, but tears still fell. He slowly walked over, put down the lamp, lifted the bed curtain, and sat on the edge of the bed. Shanhe was sleeping peacefully, her delicate eyebrows tightly furrowed, and her forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Liang Shao sat there, motionless, watching Shanhe, watching her murmur in her sleep, watching her frightened and terrified by the nightmare. He reached out and gently wiped away the tears on Shanhe's cheek with his fingertips. He remembered that the last time he had secretly watched Shanhe's sleeping face like this was two years ago. On their wedding night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It was the first time he had ever slept with a strange woman lying next to him—even if the woman was sleeping on the footstool. He quietly got up, quietly crouched by the bedside, and quietly watched Shanhe curled up on the couch. She had also fallen asleep with her brows furrowed, quiet, timid, and thin.

Two years have passed, and she seems unchanged. She is still quiet, timid, and thin, like a flower about to wither.

Liang Shao tilted his head back, blinking desperately, trying to force back the tears, but they flowed uncontrollably, smearing his cheeks. He thought wistfully of the past two years, wistfully regretting his actions during those two years. She was sleeping right before him, yet she seemed to be growing ever more distant. Perhaps, she had never truly been close. Liang Shao let out a long sigh, took a handkerchief, and wiped away all the tears clinging to the corners of Shan He's eyes.

He said softly, "I'm sorry, Shanshan."

I'm sorry, he almost killed a flower.

In her dream, Shanhe seemed to sense something and unconsciously rubbed her hand against Liang Shao's, her tears and sweat also rubbing against it.

When Shanhe woke up from her nightmare, a few fresh tears clung to the corners of her eyes. She was covered in sweat, even her nightgown was soaked. The terrifying scene from her dream seemed to still be vivid in her mind. It took Shanhe a while to calm down before her fear and trepidation gradually dissipated into the tranquil night.

She propped herself up and noticed that the bed curtains were slightly ajar, swaying gently in the night breeze. Looking out from inside the curtains, she saw that the candlestick, which had been in the outer room, was now on the dressing table, its wick looking as if it had just been trimmed, the flame burning brightly. She assumed that Sui Ming had been there, so she didn't think much of it, but instead put on her clothes, got up, and poured herself a cup of tea to moisten her mouth.

Perhaps because she had slept too long in the afternoon, Shanhe couldn't fall back asleep after waking up. She lay on the bed, staring blankly at the mandarin ducks entwined on the ceiling. In the Shuyu Pavilion at midnight, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone was asleep, except for her.

According to Sui Ming, Liang Shao was punished by family law and is currently being held in the ancestral hall by Liang Ye to reflect on his actions. She also heard that Liang Shao has several welts on his back from the caning, with blood gushing out, which is quite gruesome.

Shanhe muttered bitterly in the darkness, "Serves you right, you bastard."

She reached for the handkerchief beside her pillow to wipe her sweat, only to find it neatly folded and damp. It was clearly someone had just used it to wipe away tears. Shanhe knew it must be Suiming's doing. Her heart softened, and she couldn't help but think of Qingyue. Only a day had passed, yet it felt like an eternity. Qingyue was gone, and she and Liang Shao had completely broken off their relationship. The future was uncertain, and she was utterly alone. The Liang mansion was not her home; perhaps there was no place for Xue Shanhe in this world anymore. Shanhe felt a chill run through her body.

She turned over and lay on her side on the couch, staring blankly at the road ahead and her thoughts, until dawn broke.

As dawn broke, Suiming and Suiwen tiptoed in through the curtain, hesitating whether to wake Shanhe.

"I'm awake." Shanhe slowly sat up, looking listless.

Sui Ming and Sui Wen rushed to greet her, one carrying toiletries and the other helping her with her hair and clothes. Shan He held a mirror, but placed it on her lap, not paying attention to her reflection. She had thought about it all night, still unsure how to smoothly divorce Liang Shao. She had thought she would part amicably with Liang Shao, but it had turned out like this, which was truly embarrassing.

Thinking of this, Shanhe felt even more sorrowful.

While combing her hair, Sui Ming secretly glanced at Shan He's expression and carefully said, "The ancestral hall was open just now, and the eldest master sent the second master to Zhi Rui Lou. Second Madam should take good care of herself these few days."

Shanhe gave a muffled reply, then suddenly a flash of insight struck her—why not ask Liang Ye for help? Yesterday, Liang Ye first used family discipline, then punished Liang Shao by making him reflect on his actions in the ancestral hall, and today he even banished him to the Zhirui Tower. This showed that Liang Ye wasn't entirely on Liang Shao's side this time. But this speculation alone wasn't enough. Liang Ye was calm and composed, and valued the family's reputation highly. Perhaps he was just using this as a facade, firstly to show his attitude of cleaning up the family, and secondly to soften Shanhe's heart and make her forgive Liang Shao. Shanhe lowered her head, thinking that she needed to tear a bloody hole, and this hole had to reach Liang Ye's core interests before she could leave the Liang family smoothly.

Shanhe suddenly looked up—the official careers of Liang Ye and Liang Shao!

Liang Shao no longer cares much about his official career, but Liang Ye is different. He has studied diligently for ten years in order to enter officialdom, and now he is only one step away from success.

But Shanhe's background is a hindrance. When Old Master Liang saved Shanhe, the officials in Jinling and Mizhou who handled the matter turned a blind eye. After all, it was the face of the former Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and besides, Shanhe was only fifteen years old at the time, a timid girl who naturally couldn't cause any trouble. The adults were happy to do her a favor. Even now, Shanhe just stays quietly in the Liang family, being a dutiful wife. This matter can be considered a big deal or a small one. On the one hand, it's considered protecting a rebel; on the other hand, it's just that the old man felt sorry for his orphaned student and bought her to be a slave, but unexpectedly, they formed a good match. The old man is kind-hearted and fulfilled the feelings between the two children, which is only human nature.

However, while this background might be mere gossip for others, it required extreme caution for Liang Ye, who was just beginning his official career in the capital and preparing to make great strides. If someone were to impeach the Liang family for having ties to the Third Prince, then besides Shan He, the Liang brothers would be the ones arrested and awaiting trial.

With this in mind, Shanhe slowly felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining brightly before her. She only needed to focus on her unbearable past, meticulously analyze the pros and cons, and then her chances of divorcing Liang Shao would be much greater.

Shanhe carefully crafted her words in her mind, chewing them over several times, before lifting her skirt and heading towards Lantai Pavilion, where Liang Ye resided.

The Lantai Pavilion was ancient, secluded, and elegant, with a clump of lush green bamboo in front of the screen wall. Turning past the screen wall, one entered a courtyard that framed the blue sky, where a ginkgo tree had sprouted new leaves, verdant and vibrant. Just as Shanhe turned past the screen wall, two soft, delicate laughs drifted into her ears: Fanniang and Heniang were sitting on the railing under the courtyard veranda, doing needlework, each holding an embroidery hoop with lotus blossoms drawn on it.

Fan Niang, with her sharp eyes, spotted Shan He first and couldn't help but look at her. She felt that Shan He's face was familiar, like an old friend. Then, looking down, she saw her younger sister sitting beside her. With a round face, almond eyes, and full lips similar to Shan He's, Fan Niang exclaimed, "You two look like sisters!"

He Niang also timidly raised her head, looking at Shan He across the distance.

Shanhe frowned slightly. Judging from their attire, they must be maids serving at Lantai Pavilion, but she had never seen them before, so they must be new recruits. Shanhe asked, "Is the master here?"

Fan Niang shook her head: "I just went to Zhi Rui Lou."

Shanhe's lips moved as she was about to say something when Chengmin's voice suddenly rang out behind her: "Second Madam, what brings you here?"

Liang Ye was walking behind Cheng Min and was about to turn around the screen wall when he heard Cheng Min's words. He stopped in his tracks and froze behind the screen wall. Shan He was a rule-abiding citizen and never went to Lantai Pavilion without a reason. In the past, when Old Master Liang was alive, she would only come to Lantai Pavilion when he ordered her to prepare an extra portion of soup and food for Liang Ye.

Shanhe turned around, twisting her fingers and hesitatingly said, "Chengmin, I... want to see your master."

Liang Ye straightened his clothes without showing any emotion, lowered his eyes, and stepped out from behind the screen wall: "What is it?"

Shanhe's heart pounded like a rabbit's. She didn't want to talk about divorce in front of so many people, so she pursed her lips and said, "I have something I want to discuss with you, sir. It's related to Ah Shao."

Liang Ye gazed intently at Shan He, then spoke, "Come with me." With that, Liang Ye strode towards the study.

Shanhe hurriedly followed, lifting her skirt.

Fan Niang and He Niang wanted to go inside to serve, but Cheng Min stopped them with one arm: "When the master is talking, it is most taboo for others to disturb him." The two women looked at each other, nodded, and withdrew to continue their embroidery.

Inside the study of Lantai Pavilion, Shanhe had just stepped across the threshold when she saw Liang Ye with his back to her, having already poured two cups of tea. A small tea table sat on either side, flanked by two pearwood armchairs. Liang Ye sat down, smiling gently, and said, "Please sit."

Shanhe gazed at the clear, warm steam rising from the teacup, and her heart felt as if it were being steamed and warmed by this steam, a swollen and aching sensation. Shanhe didn't sit down, but stood before Liang Ye, secretly clenching her fists, and took a long breath, saying, "Brother, I... have a request." Before Liang Ye could answer, Shanhe had already knelt before him, her voice clear and bright, "I wish to divorce A-Shao, please help me, brother."

Liang Ye's gentle smile gradually froze. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. Liang Ye felt his heart pounding faster. He put down his teacup, lowered his head to compose himself, and when he looked up again, he still had his usual upright and gentlemanly demeanor, just like any older brother who dotes on his younger brother. Liang Ye said with concern, "Shanhe, I have already punished A Shao. I think he will not dare to bully you like that again. You really don't need to say such angry words because of what happened yesterday."

His voice trembled at the end, it was hard to tell whether it was from concern or some other emotion.

"Foolish Shao, you didn't know how lucky you were before, and now you've pushed him away. What are you going to do?" Liang Ye thought to himself, his fingertips slowly tracing the rounded corner of the coffee table. After all, he was his own brother, and Liang Ye still wanted to help him. Therefore, he bit his lip, carefully choosing his words: "If Shao has ever wronged you in any way, just tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you." But his good intentions only lasted a few words. Liang Ye paused, staring at the meek Shan He, and continued in a deep voice: "I know you've had a difficult two years at Shuyu Pavilion. Shao is unruly, and it's thanks to your tolerance and generosity that you've tolerated him until now. But now that Grandfather has just passed away, and the old man valued you both so much, I'm afraid that if he knew about this divorce, he would be uneasy in the afterlife."

Mentioning Old Master Liang, Shanhe's heart softened. She couldn't forget all the kindness the old man had shown her, even more than his own granddaughter. Shanhe looked up, smiled sadly, and poured out the whole tirade she had prepared: "It is precisely because of my grandfather's kindness that I dare not refuse the divorce. My brother must know that Ah Shao's merits were stolen by someone else when he returned home for the funeral, and he is very unhappy about it. In fact, Ah Shao has been diligent and conscientious in the government office these past two years, without any slackening. My brother may not know this because he went to the capital for the imperial examinations, but I have seen it all while staying in Shuyu Pavilion every day."

"People outside know that Ah Shao's position as the chief magistrate was bought by my grandfather years ago, and they often gossip, laughing at Ah Shao for selling official positions. Sometimes it might be a joke, but it's like a thorn in his ear. Ah Shao is a cheerful person, but after being gossiped about so much, he inevitably feels resentful. Therefore, whenever there are cases in the prefectural government, he always rushes to the front, not wanting anyone to look down on him. He was like that before, and he is like this time. The case in Yuetuo Village happened to coincide with my grandfather's illness. In order to catch the culprit as soon as possible and return to take care of my grandfather, he lay on the wooden beam of that dilapidated temple all night, his body covered with countless mosquito bites. It took several days of applying medicine for them to heal. He didn't say anything, but he never expected that in the end, all the credit would be taken by someone else. It's all because of me that his career path has become so difficult. If it weren't for my background, it should be Ah Shao who should be going to take up his post in the capital county this time!"

Liang Ye pursed his lips and said, "He has already received five hundred taels of silver from them, so there's no need to mention it again."

Shanhe nodded: "Alright, let's talk about something else. In the past, A Shao treated me coldly, and I always thought it was because my background was not good enough for him. Now I know that he has never cared about my status as a government slave. How can I shamelessly stay here and continue to delay such a good person like him?"

Liang Ye glanced at her with a deep look, his Adam's apple bobbing, and finally he sighed and said, "Last night, I had a late-night talk with A Shao in the ancestral hall, and he knelt in front of me like this, begging me to help him. He said he had angered Shan Shan and didn't know how to coax her... Shan He, think about it again."

He was also full of hesitation.

Shanhe pondered for a moment, but could only recall the humiliation Liang Shao had inflicted on her the previous night. Her voice was firm: "Brother, I have thought it through."

A note from the author:

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Chapter 20 will be available for purchase, my darlings! There will be a long chapter then. I expect to update it on Sunday morning, followed by another chapter on Monday. After that, the update frequency will remain the same, and I will update daily when I have plenty of drafts.

To celebrate the release of my first VIP novel, I'll be holding a giveaway! All readers are welcome to participate! [Dog head with rose in hand][Dog head with rose in hand][Dog head with rose in hand]

Prepayment:

"Wind Lotus" features a princess with a congenital hearing impairment living in the cold palace versus a prince who is obsessed with love.

Searching for Hollandon: An Ancient Version of Dream Journey

"Chen Shimei's Daughter Returns": A Conman Mother and Daughter Team Up to Take Revenge on the Scumbags

(Starting a new project based on my favorites)