Chapter 109 (Bonus Chapter with Nutrient Solution) "Why..."
The shout startled Shanhe, and she struggled to push Liang Shao away, but he only held her tighter, showing no intention of letting go. He closed his eyes, intently sucking on Shanhe's lips and caressing her hair, wishing he could pull her into his arms, completely ignoring Liang Ye.
Liang Ye had already tossed aside the food box, and the few newly picked pink peach blossoms were also thrown to the ground, quickly trampled under his feet. He rushed to the bedside and reached out to grab Liang Shao's shoulder. But Liang Shao seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, suddenly releasing Shan He, turning around and parrying his brother's wrist, bringing a gust of cool wind.
He shielded Shanhe behind him, his expression calm, his tone even: "Brother is back."
Seeing this, Liang Ye became even angrier, his face turning ashen. He threw a punch straight at Liang Shao's face.
Liang Shao easily caught the punch, his eyes darkening: "An elder brother is like a father. Besides my grandfather, you are the person I respect most in the world. Why did you steal my wife?"
Liang Ye, unable to contain himself any longer, shouted: "I've already made it clear to you, you two are already divorced and can no longer be considered husband and wife. Shan Shan and I are deeply in love, so this is not stealing a wife. Now get out of here!"
Liang Shao frowned deeply: "Impossible!" He grabbed Liang Ye's wrist, and the two brothers instantly began to wrestle. They had practiced martial arts together since childhood and were familiar with each other's techniques, but now they fought without any strategy, like brutes from the marketplace, their fists and feet exchanging blows fueled by long-suppressed resentment and jealousy. The tables and chairs clattered loudly, and Liu Liu, frightened, scurried under the bed.
"Stop fighting!" Shanhe hurriedly got up from the couch, trying to break up the fight, but Liang Shao pushed her away and stood behind her.
"Shanshan, get out of here. I'm going to teach Liang Ye a lesson today!"
"Liang Shao! Do you even respect me as your elder brother anymore!" Liang Ye gasped for breath, his fist grazing Liang Shao's cheekbone.
"Brother?" Liang Shaoge pushed his arm away, sneering, "When you were with Shanshan, did you ever think about me, your younger brother!"
Liang Shao was already a master of martial arts, and after his training in Beichuan, he was no match for Liang Ye. After thirty or forty rounds, Liang Ye began to show signs of defeat. He took a solid punch to the face, and blood immediately appeared at the corner of his lips. He licked the blood from his mouth, his eyes growing increasingly fierce, and his attacks became even more ferocious.
Looking at the chaotic scene before her, Shanhe felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen. She gripped the bedpost, her body shivering, and finally managed to cry out, "No... my stomach hurts..."
This sound was like a thunderclap, instantly snapping the two who were blinded by rage back to reality.
Liang Shao and Liang Ye stopped simultaneously, staring in astonishment at Shan He. Her face was deathly pale, her forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and she was swaying precariously.
"Shanshan!" Liang Shao immediately stood up from Liang Ye and rushed over to support her.
Shanhe, clutching her stomach, slid to the floor, her back pressed against the bedpost. Liang Shao, his voice trembling with anxiety, asked her what was wrong while carefully lifting Shanhe and placing her gently on the bed.
Liang Ye stood up from the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared fiercely at the two people on the bed. He glanced around and saw a bronze dagger inlaid with gold leaf and cloud patterns on a narrow, black lacquered table inlaid with mother-of-pearl under the window—the prize he and Shanhe had won at the Wuyou Garden poetry gathering. He heard Liang Shao's increasingly concerned words, and even Liu Liu was barking incessantly by the bedside, seemingly anxious. At that moment, Liang Ye suddenly felt like an outsider; the two people and the dog by the bed were the real family. They were family! He gripped the dagger as if possessed, and walked step by step closer to Liang Shao.
"Liang Shao!" Shanhe witnessed Liang Ye's bloodshot eyes and the gleaming dagger.
Liang Shao asked, "What's wrong, Shanshan?"
"Go and fetch a doctor! Go quickly, go quickly!" Shanhe, enduring the abdominal pain, pushed Liang Shao's arm, tears streaming down her face, "Go quickly!"
Liang Ye, who was standing behind Liang Shao, was suddenly awakened by Shan He's shout. He looked down at his hand holding the dagger and was immediately terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat. He quickly dropped the dagger far away.
This was his younger brother, his own brother! The closest, dearest person he had ever known! They had grown up together, and he valued Liang Shao more than anyone else or anything else in the world. Before their parents died, they had told him to take good care of his brother. His grandfather had also told him to be tolerant of his brother and to help him if he made a mistake. This was his brother! His only family! Liang Ye slumped to the ground, his hands, which had been clean, now seemed to be soaked in blood, stained with sin and filth. Every person he had killed, every life he had taken, seemed like countless withered, skeletal hands that had seized all his reason in that instant. He had become a demon fallen to earth, a demon who even wanted to kill his own family. He felt utterly ashamed of his momentary murderous intent. How could he have wanted to kill Liang Shao! That was Liang Shao! Liang Ye hugged his knees against the wall and began to sob.
Liang Shao also saw the dagger. He was stunned at first, then his eyes reddened. He turned around and choked out to Shan He, "I'll take you away."
Shanhe shook her head with tears in her eyes.
"I'll take you away!" Liang Shao cried out, "How could you stay with someone like that!"
Shanhe looked at him with tears in her eyes, then suddenly smiled and said, "Go by yourself... I love him, I can go with him..."
Upon hearing this, Liang Ye burst into tears.
Liang Shao swayed, like a leaf falling in the wind. He wiped away his tears and said in a muffled voice, "...I'll go get a doctor. Don't move around."
After Liang Shao left, Shanhe leaned back and rested for a moment before slowly walking towards Liang Ye. Holding her pregnant belly, she sat down beside him, reached out, and put her arm around his shoulder, whispering softly, "A-Ye..."
“Shanshan…” he choked, burying his head in Shanhe’s arms, “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to kill him, I… I just…”
Shanhe remained silent, her gaze coldly fixed on the dagger, her tone flat: "Aye, have you... killed someone before?"
After a long silence, Liang Yefang nodded.
Shanhe gave a mocking smile: "It's okay, it's all in the past."
Liang Ye remained silent.
The doctor arrived quickly. After taking the pulse, he said that the patient's anger had affected his heart, causing the fetus to become unstable. He advised the patient to rest and calm his mind, and to absolutely avoid further anger. He prescribed a formula to stabilize the pregnancy and gave some dietary instructions before leaving with his medicine box.
After the doctor left, the room fell into a deathly silence. Liang Shao sat by the couch, silently wiping the sweat from Shan He's forehead with a handkerchief. Liang Ye stood a few steps away, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. After a long while, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Ah Shao, come out."
Liang Shao didn't even look at him, but carefully smoothed Shanhe's hair: "There's no need. Say what you have to say here."
Liang Ye said slowly, "I just discussed with Shan Shan that we will set off for the hot spring estate in the west of the city tomorrow, which will be convenient for her to take care of her pregnancy."
Liang Shao stopped and looked at Shan He.
Shanhe smiled at him: "It was originally my idea. With the current political turmoil, you are bound to be busy serving the Third Prince. I will go to the estate with Aye to find some peace and quiet."
Liang Shao said decisively, "I'll go with you."
"Zhuangzi is dozens of miles from the capital, and you still have to go to court..."
“It’s not far,” Liang Shao continued. “I’ll go to court this morning, and I’ll ride here as soon as I’m done.” He turned to Liang Ye, “Liang Ye will stay with you during the day, and I’ll stay with you at night. It’s perfectly fair, isn’t it? Since we’re brothers, it’s only right that we each take turns being with you day and night. Isn’t that right?”
Liang Ye clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying, "Liang Shao..."
"Are you still thinking of killing me?" Liang Shao's lips curled into a sneer. "I only realized tonight that there is no one in this world worthy of my trust. Not even my own brother, whom I grew up with, is an exception."
"Liang Shao!"
Liang Shao's expression grew increasingly calm, showing none of his former carefree and joyful demeanor: "Don't worry. Although your dagger didn't fall, you might still have tried to kill me. Sharing your surname and the same Liang family blood truly disgusts me! You knew I loved Shan Shan, you knew I'd been searching for her, yet you hid her, you wanted to marry her, you preferred to deceive me! You even tried to kill me! Liang Ye, I've always troubled you, making you clean up my messes and protect me, tarnishing your noble reputation with the stain of your troublesome younger brother. I always felt I had wronged you, brother. Back in Beichuan, I thought that if I died on the battlefield, leaving behind a reputation for loyalty, it might even benefit your career. I was just worried about Shan Shan, afraid she'd suffer outside, so I forced myself to come back. Turns out you two were already together. I gave you my heart, and you treated me like a block of wood!"
"Now that's settled, consider this my way of repaying the kindness you showed me before."
“Ah Shao, between brothers like us, how can we talk about things like gratitude…”
"Then what do you want!" Liang Shao gritted his teeth and said, "I'll personally carve a piece of flesh for you, and you give Shanshan back to me, okay?"
Liang Shao stood up, walked to Liang Ye, and looked down at him: "Shanshan said she chose you, and I won't force her. She wants to go with you to that so-called hot spring resort, fine, I agree. As long as Shanshan can focus on her pregnancy and be safe, I ask for nothing else. But you," his cold eyes flashed, "don't forget. Today the imperial decree came from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I am now a second-rank Shence Army General, a third-rank Earl. In the future, when you see me outside, don't forget to kneel down and kowtow to me." With that, he walked straight out.
Liang Shao walked to the corridor, his gaze sweeping over the maids Cai Xiang and Cai Ping in the courtyard. He stood with his hands behind his back, a cold smile on his face: "Come in, all of you!"
Outside the gate of Cuiwei Pavilion, four maids and four servants filed in. Liang Shao pointed to the two maids at the front: "From today onwards, you two will be responsible for serving Lady Xue personally."
Cai Xiang stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Second Master, Cai Ping and I have served Madam for a long time and are used to being ordered around by her."
"Alright," Liang Shao said with a smile. "Then you two can assist them."
Caiping's face immediately darkened. The maids Liang Shao had brought were all strangers, none of them having served in the Liang household before. Making them work for these maids was practically forcing her and Caixiang into menial positions. She was about to speak when Caixiang gave her a meaningful look. Seeing Caiping fall silent, Caixiang curtsied again: "This servant understands."
Liang Shao dismissed all the maids who had been in the courtyard and assigned them to work in the kitchen and water room. The maids looked at each other, still in a daze. Liang Shao smiled and said, "Don't worry, each of you can go to the accounting office and collect ten taels of silver. You won't be shortchanged. Now I'm in charge of the Liang family—" He deliberately raised his voice, "Serve well, behave yourselves, and don't have any improper thoughts. You'll have your own benefits."
Inside the room, Liang Ye clenched his fists. He looked up and saw Shan He frowning as she looked over. He forced a smile, sat on the edge of the bed, and tucked the blanket around her: "Just rest and recover. Don't pay any attention to him."
The following day, Liang Ye took leave from official business and, after court, led Shanhe to the hot spring estate. For the next several weeks, Liang Shao indeed traveled day and night between the hot spring estate and the capital. He handled Shence Army affairs during the day and lingered in Shanhe's room at night. However, military affairs were numerous and complex; he could only sit for less than two hours before urgent reports arrived. Each time Liang Shao left, Liang Ye would have a faint smile on his lips and casually say, "Ah Shao, be careful on the road." Shanhe felt that perhaps there weren't so many problems in the army, and someone was deliberately causing trouble. But she dared not ask.
Because of her pregnancy, Shanhe spent her days admiring flowers and scenery, but gradually grew bored. She decided to paint a picture, trace it onto silk, and then meticulously embroider it, intending to make a hanging screen. That night, Shanhe had just finished bathing and was sitting under the lamp with her hair down, continuing to embroider the painting on the screen. Liang Ye sat beside her, and in the dim light, he slowly gazed at Shanhe's gentle and elegant face, her thick eyebrows and porcelain-white skin. Perhaps it was because of her pregnancy, but Liang Ye felt she possessed a new charm that made it difficult for him to look away. Whenever he saw Shanhe, he couldn't help but keep looking at her.
Shanhe felt a lazy gaze clinging to her back, fixed on her intently. She slowly inserted the embroidery needle into the silk, and said softly, "What are you staring at so intently?"
Like a feather gently landing on his heart, Liang Ye felt a sense of peace and smiled, "Let's go back to Mizhou next month."
Shanhe knew that he was trying to avoid Liang Shao.
She smiled and said, "Great! It'll be perfect timing to go back and pay respects to my grandfather."
Seeing her smile, Liang Ye smiled too, stroking his chin: "The book Mr. Cui wrote for you will be published at the end of the month. I've already sent people to Mizhou to prepare for it. When we get back, shall we get married?"
The embroidery needle missed a spot. Shanhe pursed her lips: "What about Liang Shao?"
"Why bother with him?" Liang Ye raised his hand and stroked Shan He's back, the spine slightly protruding under his palm. "Don't worry, I have my own plans."
As they were talking, Liang Shao strode in and sat down in the armchair next to Shanhe. He noticed Liang Ye's hand on Shanhe's back. His eyes narrowed, and he noticed a plate of red dates and longans on the table, meant to replenish Shanhe's blood and energy. He casually picked up a date and flicked it onto Liang Ye's wrist. After the hand fell, he leaned closer to examine the embroidery frame. Having just arrived from the capital, he was slightly out of breath: "This purple thread isn't good; it's too heavy. I'll have someone buy some smoky purple silk thread and send it over tomorrow; it'll match the mood of your painting."
Shanhe smiled faintly: "Then I'll have to tear down the front and start over."
"What are you afraid of?" Liang Shao's gaze subtly shifted to Liang Ye on the other side. Through Shan He, the two brothers looked at each other, silently competing. Liang Shao continued, "What's bad should be discarded. As long as you're willing, I'll be with you even if we start over."
Liang Ye curled the corners of his mouth: "Purple is the color of silk, blue and red. Smoky purple is like water mixed in; it is light and elegant, but not stingy."
Shanhe lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then pursed her lips and said, "Whether it's the current purple or the smoky purple, using only one color seems a bit thin. Why not use both together to create a blended and gradual effect? That would be more interesting."
"Why should both of them be together?" the two brothers asked in unison.
Shanhe was speechless, unsure how to explain.
The young maid stood under the eaves and called out, "General, someone from the capital has come to invite you back."
Liang Shao's face suddenly turned cold, and he replied, "Tell them to go back. I told the army today that we'll report back tomorrow if anything comes up."
The maidservant continued, "It was His Highness the Third Prince who sent someone to invite us."
Liang Shao was taken aback, and could only stand up and pat Shanhe's shoulder: "Wait for me to come back." Just as he was about to walk out, he said, "I told His Highness about your father's matter today, and the decree will be issued in the next few days. Shanshan, just wait for the good news."
Liang Ye sat in his armchair, his cold gaze fixed on Liang Shao's retreating figure. Since the Third Prince Li Zhun's successful usurpation of the throne, former high-ranking officials had gradually fallen out of favor. In the five or six days he had been at this manor, only Zhang Fengliang had sent a letter on schedule to report on matters concerning the imperial palace. It was Liang Shao, so unfamiliar with political maneuvering, who was summoned daily. Liang Ye smiled coldly, poured himself a cup of tea, and slowly sipped it.
Shanhe took in Liang Ye's appearance out of the corner of her eye. She put down her embroidery frame, supported her waist, and went outside.
Where to?
Shanhe turned to him, smiling sweetly, "Liuliu seems to have had an upset stomach these past few days. It's been listless and doesn't seem to have any appetite. I'll go check on it, do you want to come?"
"Come back soon." He looked at her. "Your body is getting heavier, so be careful."
Shanhe nodded.
Liang Ye added, "I'll be going back to the capital tomorrow morning. As for the imperial palace..."
"Okay," Shanhe said with a smile. "I'll wait for you to come back."
Liang Ye leaned back in his chair, feeling as if a spring breeze had soothed his heart.
*
Meanwhile, Liang Shao hurried back to the capital and headed straight for Mingguang Palace. Li Zhun sat upright behind a large sandalwood desk, holding a book in his hands and reading it carefully.
Liang Shao cupped his hands in greeting and said, "This humble general greets Your Highness the Third Prince."
Li Zhun seemed to only then realize he had arrived, and raised his head with a smile: "Minister Liang! Why are you so late?"
Liang Shao lowered his eyes and replied, "I was just at the hot spring resort outside the city."
"Oh?" Li Zhun drawled, "Have you been overwhelmed with official duties lately and are feeling fatigued? If so, I, Li Zhun, would like to take a few days off to relax."
Liang Shao hurriedly replied, "It's family there."
"Ah." Li Zhe seemed to have just remembered, "It's Liang Ye and his wife, isn't it?"
Liang Shao straightened his lips and remained silent.
Li Zhun rose from the table, laughing heartily, "You two brothers have a very close relationship." He walked to Liang Shao's side, "What a pity, I don't have an elder brother like Liang Ye..."
Li Zhun had just killed the son of the virtuous concubine, and now he had imprisoned the deposed crown prince. Liang Shao didn't know how to comfort him, so he could only lower his head even further.
“Liang Shao, you’re always so quiet.” Li Zhun glanced at him sideways. “Compared to others, you seem clumsy with words. But I know you’re as sharp as a mirror. Isn’t that right? I heard you used to be the most eloquent, and you couldn’t find many people in Mizhou who could speak as well as you. Why are you so quiet now?”
Liang Shao cupped his hands and said, "Perhaps it's because I'm getting older that my temperament has become more peaceful."
"Hahahaha." Li Zhun clapped his hands and laughed. "It's not that I'm getting older, it's that I've experienced more. Liang Shao, I summoned you today, firstly about the matter of deposing the Crown Prince. Father wants me to spare his life, what do you think?"
Liang Shao hurriedly knelt on the ground: "This humble general dares not make any presumptuous remarks."
"Why are you kneeling?" Li Zhun helped him up. "But let's talk freely behind closed doors. To tell you the truth, I never intended for the deposed crown prince to live. Three years ago, he successfully seized the throne and became the crown prince, while I was imprisoned in Chonghua Palace. In those three years, he never once considered killing me. So, now that he's a commoner, I'm willing to leave him a complete corpse. The emperor said that he couldn't bear to kill any of his sons. He didn't kill me three years ago, and three years later, he still doesn't want to kill the deposed crown prince; he even wants me not to kill him. But I haven't forgotten. Twenty-six years ago, during the Chengtian Gate coup, my father killed three of my uncles to seize the throne. Now that he's old, he's become so benevolent."
Liang Shao looked down at the ground: "Since Your Highness has already made a decision, why ask this humble general?"
Li Zhun looked up at him slightly: "I'm just a little curious. General Liang, who killed countless enemies in Beichuan, and Liang Bawang, who was known as the Demon King of Mizhou, if it were you, would you kill your own brother?"
Liang Shao looked up in a daze, his lips twitching, but he couldn't utter a word.
Li Zhun laughed, picked up the book on the table, and threw it into Liang Shao's arms: "This book is quite interesting. Tonight you will read it carefully in Mingguang Palace, and I want to hear your insights."
On the blue cloth cover, the five characters "Biography of Liang Ye, Junior Minister" are prominently displayed in the official script.
"Brother?" Liang Shao frowned.
Li Zhun leisurely sat down, propped his chin on his hand, and looked at him: "Ah Shao, sit down. Sit down and read slowly." He called over a eunuch, "Hurry up and serve General Liang tea."
"The Biography of Liang Ye, Junior Minister" recounts the life and deeds of Liang Ye, beginning with his passing the imperial examination. It is divided into four volumes: "Passing the Examination," "Seizing His Wife," "Drowning in the Pond," and "Awakening from a Dream." The protagonist, Liang Ye, was from Minzhou during a certain dynasty. His parents died early, and he grew up with his grandfather and elder brother. Liang Ye was a diligent student from a young age, a renowned child prodigy in Minzhou. Due to the decline of his family's fortunes, Liang Ye vowed to pass the imperial examination, make a name for himself, enter officialdom, and revive his family's fortunes. The volume "Passing the Examination" describes how Liang Ye took the examination, how he went to the capital, how he won the title of Tan Hua Lang (third-ranked scholar), and how he received the imperial robe bestowed upon him by the emperor in front of the imperial court, returning home in glory.
After Liang Ye achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination, he did not immediately take up an official post, nor did he accept the offers of many court officials who wished to marry their daughters to him. Instead, he resolutely returned to his hometown of Minzhou. At this time, Liang Ye's elder brother, Liang Shao, was away on campaign and died for his country, leaving his beloved wife, Xue, a widow. Liang Ye had long coveted Xue, and now, seeing Liang Shao's death and his own success as a third-highest rank scholar, he used various forms of coercion and enticement, but Xue refused. Liang Ye then drugged Xue and forced himself on her. Xue resisted and devised a plan to escape Liang Ye, unaware that she had already fallen into a trap set by him. She was left severely injured and ultimately forced to become Liang Ye's concubine.
Therefore, this book is richly illustrated. The first volume, "Passing the Imperial Examination," depicts Liang Ye as a respectable and earnest man, with illustrations that portray him as handsome and dashing. However, the volume "Taking a Wife" is interspersed with dozens of erotic illustrations. It vividly depicts how Liang Ye forces Xue Shi, how they have sex, how he catches her after she escapes, how they meet again in the wild, at Liang Shao's tomb, and how Xue Shi becomes pregnant.
Liang Shao broke out in a cold sweat and his hands trembled as he watched.
Seeing Liang Shao's expression, Li Zhun curled his lips into a cold smile: "This book was published half a month ago. It's quite a coincidence that it originated in the Lingnan area and only recently reached the capital. Because the protagonist of the story is similar to your brother's deeds, and these erotic pictures are inserted in the middle, it has become very popular in the market, which is why it had the opportunity to spread to the capital."
Liang Shao was shocked. He stared blankly at Li Zhun, unsure of what to say.
Li Zhun continued, “Liang Shao, do you know Danxia Painting Studio? It’s a famous painting studio in your Mizhou. This book, ‘The Biography of Liang Ye, the Junior Minister,’ was made by Danxia Painting Studio. I remember last year they made a book called ‘The Newly Compiled Illustrated Palace of Eternal Life,’ which violated palace regulations and was confiscated. Your brother must know about it. By the way, do you know who the author of this ‘Palace of Eternal Life’ is? What’s his name…” He thought for a moment, “Ah! I remember! He Shanxue. What a nice name. Even if you read it backwards, it sounds very nice.”
"Xue Shanhe, is that right, Liang Shao?"
*
Inside the hot spring resort outside the city, Shanhe had just lain down, preparing to go to bed.
After Liang Ye finished bathing, Huai Feng suddenly ran over and said that Lord Chen of the Dali Temple had sent someone to deliver a scroll, asking Liang Ye to take a look. The cover of the scroll was titled "Biography of Liang Ye, Junior Minister".
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