Chapter 18 "If you want to divorce Shanhe,..."
Meanwhile, inside the Shuyu Pavilion, after Liang Shao said that Shanhe was "the head prostitute of the Shuyu Pavilion," Shanhe was stunned for a moment, and then she went berserk, pounding her fists on Liang Shao's chest like rain, kicking her legs wildly, and cursing Liang Shao without restraint, calling him "shameless," "bastard," and many other unpleasant words.
Liang Shao, unable to bear being insulted like this, immediately grabbed Shanhe, pinning her kicking legs down with his knee, gripping her bound wrists with one hand, and reaching for her clothes with the other, laughing angrily, "Yes, yes, yes! I am indeed the number one scoundrel in Mizhou, otherwise I wouldn't even look at Xue Fentou! You owe my family such a great favor, so repay it!" His hand had barely reached her collar, before it even touched her clothing, when Shanhe lowered her head and suddenly bit Liang Shao's tiger's mouth, the taste of blood immediately filling his nostrils. Liang Shao groaned, and the strength in his grip loosened by a third.
Shanhe was filled with shame and anger, biting Liang Shao fiercely and refusing to let go. She frowned and closed her eyes, suddenly remembering that year in the brothel by the Qinhuai River, when she had been bound hand and foot, forced to lie like livestock in a corner, waiting for a patron to buy her flesh! She had come so far, thinking she had finally overcome all hardship, only to end up as nothing more than a prostitute! In an instant, all her emotions swirled together, those old memories, rotting in her heart, surged up, almost drowning her. Large tears streamed down her face like a broken string. Shanhe suddenly felt a sense of desolation, like a "broken oar, a extinguished lamp on a desolate shore," as if she were a lonely boat adrift on the water, rootless and surrounded by endless horizons.
Liang Shao had already released his grip, staring blankly at Shanhe. Her bound hands remained suspended in mid-air, her face pale, her body stiff, all traces of her earlier struggle gone. Only the tears streaming down her face and her increasingly clenched teeth revealed the last vestige of life in Shanhe. Liang Shao saw blood slowly seeping from Shanhe's teeth, mingling with her tears and disappearing into the intricate patterns of the embroidered pillow. The pain in his hand suddenly vanished; he only saw Shanhe's tears and pain, like silver needles piercing his heart. His hand, hanging limply at his side, reached out, his fingertips slowly but firmly wiping away the blood and tears. His voice was hoarse: "Shanshan..."
"I'm sorry." He suddenly felt a heart-wrenching pain.
Shanhe opened her eyes and saw that Liang Shao was also crying, but she no longer cared. Before, because of Old Master Liang, and out of a sense of gratitude, she had tried so hard to treat Liang Shao well and to understand him. She had never dared to hope that her "flattery" would make Liang Shao change his mind and abandon the idea of divorce; she only hoped that she could live with her conscience. But now, Liang Shao had truly abandoned the idea of divorce, yet he treated her like a prostitute, toying with her. She could no longer, for the sake of some debt of gratitude, debase her self-respect and pretend that nothing had happened.
They remained silent, only the resolute hatred in Shanhe's eyes was clearly visible. Liang Shao, as if his soul had been ripped out, slumped to one side. The red musk bracelet on his wrist had already broken its string during the movement, and now, with Liang Shao's movement, it clattered to the wooden edge of the couch, then rolled to the ground with a clatter, like a heart shattered into pieces.
Shanhe spat out blood and said with a wistful smile, "Ah Shao, we can't go back."
"There's no going back!" she suddenly shouted.
Having said that, Shanhe struggled to her feet, and taking advantage of Liang Shao's momentary daze, quickly passed him, slipped on her shoes, and rushed towards the door. She didn't know what to do; she just wanted to run, to run to a place where no one was around, and scream at the open sky and the earth to vent all her pent-up anger. But because her hands were bound, Shanhe stumbled and staggered as she ran. When she reached the door, she trembled as she unlatched it, and sunlight suddenly streamed into the room, blinding Shanhe. She only focused on running outside and crashed straight into the brocade robe with silver thread.
Liang Ye staggered back half a step, catching Shanhe's arms firmly with both hands. His pupils trembled, and his voice quivered slightly: "Shanshan...He?"
The overwhelming grievances finally found a sliver of outlet. Besides the old master, Liang Ye was the second kindest person to her in the Liang family, and also the only one who could discipline Liang Shao. Shanhe's nose stung with tears. As if seeing the old master, a thousand words choked in her throat. Shanhe raised her arm to wipe away her tears, sobbing, "Big brother..."
Liang Ye glanced down and saw Shan He's disheveled hair, tears streaming down her cheeks, her clothes wrinkled and rumpled, her collar open revealing her collarbone, her hands bound together. Liang Ye felt a rush of blood to his head, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. Looking up again, he saw that scoundrel standing a few steps behind Shan He, his brows furrowed, lips pursed, his robe open, blood dripping from the web of his right hand. Liang Ye glared at him, his hands trembling as he untied the belt binding Shan He's hands, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Cheng Min! Find two proper maids and invite Second Mistress to rest at Zhi Rui Tower!"
Shanhe wept uncontrollably as Liang Ye loosened his belt. She sniffed, suddenly realizing that Liang Ye was Liang Shao's elder brother; no matter what, he would surely help Liang Shao first. In an instant, all hope vanished. Shanhe realized that the lonely boat adrift on the vast ocean seemed destined never to reach shore; she would forever remain an outsider to the Liang family. Shanhe remembered that she had long since lost her home; if she suffered injustice, no one could stand up for her. Shanhe trembled as she regained her freedom, trembling as she watched Cheng Min lead two unfamiliar maids she rarely saw approaching.
A family surnamed Liang built the Zhirui Tower behind the garden, a place that was never inhabited, and there was also a woman who couldn't even protect herself...
Shanhe was suddenly filled with terror. She knew Zhirui Tower, a two-story building with no courtyard. Once the door was locked, the people inside could not get out unless they jumped from the second floor, just like the brothel where Shanhe had been imprisoned before.
Shanhe staggered backward, when suddenly a hand landed on her shoulder. Liang Shao's warm palm gripped her shoulder, his voice hoarse: "Shanshan, I'm sorry..." But Shanhe could no longer hear the guilt and remorse in his words, and she hurriedly broke free from Liang Shao's hand.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Liang brothers, Liang Ye and Liang Shao, stared intently at her. One said, "Shanhe, go to Zhirui Tower to rest." The other said, "Shanshan, forgive me, please stay." Shanhe could no longer discern the emotions in their voices. She glanced at Liang Ye before her, then at Liang Shao behind her. Their faces were similar, even their voices were somewhat alike, both seemingly menacing. More importantly, they were brothers, blood ties thicker than water, and she was the only outsider present.
Shanhe suddenly felt an unbearable headache, as if it were about to explode. She gritted her teeth, clutched her head, curled up and squatted down, tears streaming down her face, and she herself fell to the ground like teardrops.
In an instant, four hands landed on her. Liang Ye grasped her hands and asked her gently, "Shanhe, what's wrong?" Liang Shao put his arms around Shanhe's shoulders and said urgently, "Shanshan!" He shouted, "Someone! Someone! Quickly, get a doctor! Quickly!" After saying that, Liang Shao picked up Shanhe and strode into the house.
Liang Ye remained half-squatting under the eaves, his hands hovering in mid-air, the warmth of Shan He and the faint traces of her tears still lingering in his palms. Liang Ye lowered his gaze, slowly closing his hands. He dusted off his robes and stood up, looking at Liang Shao inside the room, who was carefully placing Shan He on the bed. A sneer suddenly appeared on his lips, and Liang Ye coldly said to Cheng Min, who was standing to the side, "Bring the family law."
After examining Shanhe's pulse, Physician Xu diagnosed her with "excessive worry, fear, and shock," prescribing only a prescription and instructing her to rest and avoid further fright or anger. The medicine was meant to calm the mind, and after much coaxing and persuasion from Suiming and Suiwen, Shanhe drank it and soon fell into a deep sleep. In her hazy dream, she was surrounded by a milky mist. She felt as if she were floating on water, swaying back and forth, unsure of where she was. She was soaking wet, cold, and uncomfortable. Then, a three-story building stood on the bank, and Shanhe suddenly realized—this was Jinling! She tried to turn around, but the building's doors were wide open, and three or five burly men rushed to her, each grabbing one of her limbs and throwing her into the dark doorway. Then countless hands landed on her, touching her face, arms, abdomen, leg bones, and ankles. Countless hands touched her all over, countless hands stripped her naked, and there were many strange and eerie laughs: "What a beautiful face!" "No wonder she is a young lady from a scholarly family!" "You guys are enjoying this very much!" Shanhe heard his own silent cry.
Inside the Liang Clan Ancestral Hall, the eternal lamp before the memorial tablet of Old Master Liang emitted a soft, flickering light. Liang Shao knelt on a prayer mat, his clothes pulled down to his waist. Several welts from the caning were visible on his back, gruesome and bleeding. Liang Shao gritted his teeth and lowered his head, suppressing a muffled groan with each strike of the cane, refusing to let it escape his throat.
Liang Ye threw down the wooden cane used for punishment, sat down in the armchair, and angrily scolded him: "What are you doing now! I told you before to treat Shanhe well and not to disappoint your grandfather's expectations. Now that your grandfather has just died, you can't hold back anymore? Today you tied everyone up, what about next time?"
Liang Shao turned his head away, his voice deep and strained: "I'm the one who wronged her."
Liang Ye narrowed his eyes, taking in Liang Shao's appearance. He suddenly remembered the divorce agreement tucked inside the land deed, and Shan He's ever-present gentle smile. Liang Ye's Adam's apple bobbed, and his anger subsided slightly, but his voice held a cautious probing tone: "Two years of marriage, a precious bond. Seeing you two become a bitter couple, I can't bear it. It's already turned into this during the mourning period, with doctors even called in. In a few days, half of Mizhou will probably know that our family has a bitter couple who've become like black-eyed chickens, with everyone tied up, abandoning even ancestral precepts and family traditions. Shao, since things can't go on like this, why not just break it off? I'll take care of this for you."
Liang Shao was stunned. He stiffened his neck and said, "Brother, what do you mean by that...?"
“A divorce.” Liang Ye looked away, his expression serious. “Divorce is absolutely impossible. Even my grandfather in heaven wouldn’t want to see you divorce your wife. I’ll write the divorce papers for you. Once Shanhe has recovered, I’ll take her to the government office to complete the paperwork and then send her back—”
"No!" Liang Shao interrupted him hastily, saying firmly, "I will never divorce."
Liang Ye gripped the armrest tightly with his knuckles and gritted his teeth, saying, "It's all turned out like this today."
“I still won’t get a divorce.” Liang Shao looked up at him sadly. “Marrying Shanshan was my grandfather’s wish, but not getting a divorce is my wish. Brother, can you help me? I’ve angered Shanshan and I don’t know how to coax her, but I really don’t want a divorce. I really want to spend my whole life with her.”
Liang Ye glanced down at his spoiled, almost domineering younger brother, and sneered, "What if she becomes disheartened after this?"
Liang Shao hurriedly shook his head: "No! Shanshan wouldn't!" He suddenly remembered Shanhe's words. He hastily denied Liang Ye, and also denied his own guess, muttering, "She said yes, she said she would save money to buy me soft armor, she said we would have a child, she said..."
“Ah Shao.” Liang Ye stood up abruptly. He really didn’t want to hear Liang Shao recount his past with Shan He. “If you truly love her, you should treat her well. Don’t let her go and then regret it. No one is born to wait for you.”
Liang Ye walked out, pausing as he passed Liang Shao, his gaze turning deep as he looked at him: "She's been married to you for two years, holding the empty title of Second Madam Liang. How many days has she truly received the respect and dignity due to Second Madam Liang? If you refuse to divorce because of Grandfather, then there's no need. I think Grandfather, in heaven, wouldn't want to see you two tormenting each other, becoming a miserable couple. If you truly love her, then it's even more inappropriate—"
Liang Ye's voice grew increasingly somber: "Judging from today's situation, your sincerity is nothing more than a cage and shackles to her. Ah Shao, if you truly care about her, you should let go and let her find her own happiness. If she understands and feels the same way you do, she will naturally come back to you." He had originally intended to advise Liang Shao to treat Shan He well and not to let her down, but the words he uttered took on a different meaning. For some reason, he suddenly wished for Shan He to leave Ah Shao. Liang Ye trembled at this sordid thought, and he quickly suppressed his emotions, forcing himself to maintain his position as an elder brother.
Upon hearing this, Liang Shao paused, then slowly lowered his head.
"Tonight, before your parents and grandfather, you should reflect on your mistakes," Liang Ye said solemnly, then turned and walked out of the ancestral hall.
As soon as Liang Ye left, the servant who was in charge of the ancestral hall hurriedly ran in, placed the wound ointment and other items next to Liang Shao, and bowed, saying, "As you have instructed, Master, the Second Master will be reflecting on his mistakes in the ancestral hall tonight. This servant will come to open the ancestral hall for you early tomorrow morning." After saying this, the servant bowed and withdrew, locking the ancestral hall door.
*A broken oar and a extinguished lamp on the distant shore: This is just my own interpretation, not a quote. It roughly means: The oar of the small boat is broken, the lamp on the distant riverbank is extinguished, and a lone boat floats on the water, without direction or power.
A note from the author:
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Well, kind-hearted people can't take things by force; they're more likely to suffer internal strife. Please read the next chapter to see Liang Ergou's internal conflicts, haha.
Brother: So it turns out that even force and robbery require talent TT
Brother: Then I'm so smart!
Updated 6.27:
Chapter 20 is now available for purchase, my darlings!
There will be a long, substantial chapter then. Update frequency will remain the same; I'll update daily as long as 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)
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