Xue Huichun's face had turned pale, and her voice trembled slightly: "They...why would they do this? What good would it do them?"
Zhang Ruowan sighed softly and shook her head. "If people's hearts are evil, why would they care about these things? They only think about their own interests, so why would they care about the lives of others?"
Xue Huichun bit her lip tightly, unable to comprehend such cruel behavior. The Liang family now had only one heir, Liang Fushan. His success in the imperial examination and his ability to marry the daughter of a prominent family would undoubtedly be a boon for the Liang family, guaranteeing both the Zhangs a comfortable and affluent life. Why was this so?
"For them, making the Liang family's only heir suffer can make up for their years of resentment and jealousy," Zhang Ruowan said with a hint of bitterness.
Zhang Ruowan continued, "My two aunts married Old Master Liang and then Master Liang as concubines, a move that was unavoidable for the then-impoverished Ning'an Earl Zhang family. Initially, they might have considered caring for their husbands and raising their children, and coexisting harmoniously with the Liang family. However, as time went on, when they discovered they were unable to have children and could only care for the children born to their first wives, a sense of dissatisfaction and resentment gradually grew in their hearts."
"This hatred didn't just form overnight. Although they were elders in the Liang family, they could never escape the shadow of the original wife. Whenever they saw Liang Fushan, they would be reminded of the fact that they could not continue the Liang family's bloodline. This sense of frustration and jealousy eventually led them to embark on a path of no return, disrupting the peace of the Liang family."
Xue Huichun finally understood: "So, they forced Liang Fushan to marry a woman with insanity?"
Zhang Ruowan nodded silently and gave an affirmative answer.
Xue Huichun was even more confused: "But how could Liang Fushan give in? I remember that my father came to propose marriage in person. If he didn't agree, my father would definitely stand up for him." She clearly remembered that her father Xue Yonghuai had a handwritten letter from Liang Qiyuan, the master of the Liang family, entrusting him to take care of Liang Fushan.
Zhang Ruowan looked at Xue Huichun, a trace of sympathy flashing in her eyes. "It's easy to dodge an open attack, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. People often say that swords on the battlefield are blind, but within this deep courtyard, there are also invisible blades hidden."
She continued, "I later learned that Da Zhang had threatened Liang Fushan with the feng shui of the Liang family's ancestral tomb, claiming that if he didn't agree to the marriage, she would accuse his mother and grandmother of having bad feng shui positions that would be detrimental to the family home, and even threatened to move them out of the ancestral tomb!"
Hearing this, Xue Huichun stood up angrily, her voice filled with rage: "Despicable! Shameless!"
Then she was silent for a long time before she slowly spoke: "Then...how is Madam Liang now?"
Zhang Ruowan sighed. "Ever since she fell ill that day, my cousin's condition has been fluctuating. Although Liang Fushan has been seeking medical advice, he has been unable to cure her. Now, she can only be locked up in the backyard, living a secluded life."
Hearing this, Xue Huichun couldn't help but shed tears of sympathy. She couldn't imagine that the gentle and virtuous Mrs. Liang would suffer such a cruel fate.
"Young Madam, I'm not telling you this today to prejudice you against the Liang family," Zhang Ruowan said softly. "I just hope you can understand that not everything in this world is as simple as it seems. Some people, for their own benefit, are willing to sacrifice the happiness of others."
Xue Huichun nodded solemnly. She took a deep breath and tried her best to calm her fluctuating emotions.
"Madam Qi, I am indeed curious about Madam Liang's affairs, but I don't understand why you revealed all this to me in such detail."
Zhang Ruowan gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice slightly choked.
"I, with my limited power, cannot bear to watch my cousin become a tool for the Zhangs to torture Liang Fushan. Even if her illness is incurable, she shouldn't be imprisoned like this, deprived of her freedom and dignity."
"In those years, my aunt had planned to take my cousin back to her hometown in the south. The people there are simple and honest, and there are no red tape like in the capital. Perhaps she could recuperate in a more relaxed environment. However, the development of things was beyond our expectations." Zhang Ruowan's tone revealed deep helplessness.
"My uncle still regrets this matter. At the beginning, he valued Liang Fushan's talent, and was deceived by the Zhangs, so he agreed to this marriage. Now it seems that this marriage not only failed to make my cousin live a happy life, but instead plunged her into the abyss of pain. At the same time, I am sorry for Liang Fushan, for making him marry a wife who cannot be told to outsiders." Zhang Ruowan's words were full of regret and sorrow.
Zhang Ruowan's voice gradually deepened, filled with endless sorrow. "Young Madam, I have a favor to ask of you. I know that the Xue family holds a pivotal position in the capital, and you are intelligent and insightful. I...I would like to ask for your help in getting Liang Fushan and my cousin to divorce."
"What do you want me to do?" Xue Huichun's voice trembled slightly.
Zhang Ruowan held Xue Huichun's hand tightly, as if she had seen the last straw of life.
"Young Madam, I know this is difficult for you, but I really have no other choice. I hope you can use the power of the Xue family to negotiate with the Zhang family and get them to agree to divorce my cousin. Only then can my uncle and aunt take her back to the south to recuperate and keep her away from this painful place."
Xue Huichun took a deep breath, her mind already made up. She looked at Zhang Ruowan, her eyes gleaming with determination: "Okay, I promise you. I'll do my best."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ruowan burst into tears and thanked Xue Huichun in tears.
While there has been no progress on this matter, the Ministry of Personnel has announced the latest list of official appointments.
Because of his outstanding political achievements in the past, Liang Fushan was promoted to the fourth-rank cabinet scholar. He was a young talent with unlimited future.
After learning about the Liang family affairs, the current emperor Li Longze expressed his deep admiration for Liang Fushan's filial piety and specially granted the title of Fifth Rank Anren to the Zhang family, and at the same time granted the title of Sixth Rank Shuren to Liang Fushan's wife to show the emperor's great grace.
Everyone in the capital envied them. Although not biologically born, the two Zhangs enjoyed immense blessings and honor. Everyone admired them. Even as concubines, they had managed to secure their place at the top of the Liang family through their wisdom and cunning. Now, bestowed with the title of Fifth Rank Anren by His Majesty, their glory shone brightly.
Meanwhile, Liang Fushan's reputation was soaring. His distinguished political achievements and brilliant talent earned him the emperor's high regard. His appointment as a fourth-rank Imperial Scholar further cemented his position as a rising star within the court. Everyone spoke of this son as a true pride for the Liang family, boasting a promising future.
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