Chapter 22 A little sugar makes the bitterness less painful.
The dishes on the table remained untouched.
Liang Ye pushed his wine cup away, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he coldly said, "If I hadn't happened to be here today, would you all have been sleeping here all night?"
Liang Shao rubbed the back of his head and frowned, saying, "I was hit on the head. I don't know why, but I felt like everything went black before my eyes, and then I fell asleep."
"What about Shanhe?"
“She’s drunk.” Liang Shao picked up Shanhe and gently placed her on the couch.
Seeing that Liang Shao did not suspect anything, Liang Ye hid the lie he had prepared and simply went along with Liang Shao's words: "With the two of you looking like this, this meal is going to be wasted."
Liang Shao grinned, "That's alright, there's plenty of time. Bring Shan Shan next time." He suddenly remembered Shan He's words when she was drunk, and his face slowly fell. He sat down next to Shan He, lowered his head and gazed intently at Shan He's face, a wave of melancholy washing over him.
Liang Ye kept a few steps' distance from the young couple. He coldly observed Liang Shao's appearance, his eyes filled with a gentle tenderness he had never seen before, completely different from the unruly, often-beaten and scolded troublemaker he remembered. Liang Ye couldn't help but narrow his eyes: "Shao, your injuries haven't healed yet, drink less alcohol."
“I understand, brother.” Liang Shao didn’t even look up, simply reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair that had fallen beside Shanhe’s face behind her ear. In her dream, Shanhe seemed to sense the tenderness beside her ear; her blushing cheeks unconsciously pressed against the back of Liang Shao’s hand, and she murmured softly, “Home…”
Liang Shao didn't hear clearly, so he immediately bent down, put his hand on his waist, and whispered to Shan He's lips, "What?"
Shanhe repeated it again, still a soft moan, but her lips were almost touching Liang Shao's earlobe.
Liang Ye sat not far away, taking in the entire scene, including Liang Shao's ears quickly turning red. His hand, hidden in his sleeve, slowly clenched into a fist, his jaw tightening: "Ah Shao—"
Liang Shao spoke first, easily drowning out his voice, and said casually, "Brother, let's go home. Shan Shan isn't feeling well."
“…Okay.” Liang Ye forced a smile.
"Brother, did you have something to say to me just now?"
Liang Ye straightened his robe and stood up, glancing at the two people sitting on the couch. One walked towards the lattice door, while the other said in a deep voice, "I have already decided to set off in five days. Manager Jin of the Jinxi Boat on the Fei River is an old friend of mine. He has invited me to his family's pleasure boat for a farewell banquet. I think we can board the boat together tomorrow, so that we can be reunited before I leave."
Judging from Liang Ye's tone, he was already prepared, and Liang Shao readily agreed, telling him there was no need to worry. As they spoke, he scooped Shanhe up in his arms. Although Shanhe had sobered up from the effects of the sleeping potion, she was still groggy. Nestled in Liang Shao's arms, she felt hot and numb all over, her mind a jumble of thoughts, one moment in Mizhou, the next drifting to Jinling. Shanhe mumbled incoherently, and Liang Shao carefully discerned her words, finally realizing that when Shanhe said "home," she meant her Xue family in Jinling, not her Liang family. She missed her parents. Liang Shao's heart softened, and his nose tingled with emotion.
The next morning, when Shanhe woke up, she found herself sleeping in the carved canopy bed in Shuyu Pavilion, and she had been changed into a set of clean undergarments.
She slowly sat up, her head still throbbing. As she sat upright, her vision went black for a few moments before she slowly regained her senses. Qingyue quietly entered, carrying a bronze basin with a double fish design. Seeing Shanhe sitting, she quickly asked softly, "Awake?" As she spoke, she wrung out a towel and handed it to Shanhe.
Shanhe took the towel and wiped her face. Her eyes fell on Liang Shao, who was sleeping on the daybed, and she asked in a low voice, "What time did you come back last night?"
Qingyue sat down on the edge of the bed: "I came back without even eating. Second Madam was really drunk last night and didn't go to bed until after midnight."
"Ah!" Shanhe exclaimed in surprise, and quickly asked, "What did I do last night?"
"It's nothing, I just cried. I just lay there and tears started falling, I couldn't stop," Qingyue sighed.
Shanhe frowned and said, "He just cries and doesn't say anything?"
"He said so." At this point, Qingyue glanced at Liang Shao discreetly, "He said he missed home."
The mere mention of "homesickness" immediately stirred up Shanhe's sorrow. In the past two years, she had rarely spoken of the Xue family, not because she didn't want to, but because she dared not. She feared that speaking too much would implicate the Liang family, and also that once she started, it would go on and on, causing her unbearable heartache. She slowly put down the towel and sighed deeply, "Second Master isn't angry, is he?"
"No, Second Master comforted you all night and asked you about your past in Jinling. He didn't go to sleep until late at night," Qingyue said truthfully.
Shanhe looked up at Liang Shao and saw him lying quietly, occasionally snoring softly.
Qingyue put away the towel and continued, "There's one more thing. The master will be setting off for Kyoto in five days."
"Five days?" Shanhe exclaimed softly, "Oh no, the divorce papers haven't been written yet. How can I get him to drink again in just five days?" As she was frowning in thought, she suddenly saw a gray shadow flicker at the door. Shanhe looked closely and saw the new maid from Lantai Pavilion peeking into the room from the door frame.
Qingyue followed Shanhe's gaze and also spotted He Niang. She was taken aback at first, then murmured, "Where did this maid come from?"
Shanhe said, "This is a new arrival from Lantai Pavilion."
Qingyue frowned, feeling that the little maid looked strangely familiar; her appearance, demeanor, and character were quite similar to Shanhe's. She harbored this suspicion, but since the maid belonged to Lantai Pavilion, she couldn't say anything. So Qingyue kept her thoughts to herself, only saying, "I'll go take a look." With that, she picked up the copper basin and walked towards the door. Seeing Qingyue approach, He Niang quickly stepped back and stood on the veranda.
Meanwhile, Shanhe sat on the bed waiting for Qingyue, her gaze unconsciously falling on Liang Shao. He was only wearing a thin undergarment, the faint marks of caning on his back visible, and he was currently lost in sleep, oblivious to everything else. Shanhe desperately tried to recall the events of the previous night, but could only remember the melancholy and desolation she felt at the time. The Ruyi wine had become a way to drown her sorrows; just one sip seemed to make her forget her troubles. She remembered the questions she had asked Liang Shao when she was sober, and then she couldn't remember much else. At that time, she seemed to feel both annoyed and distressed, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
As she lowered her head to recall, Qingyue approached in small steps and whispered in Shanhe's ear, "Master sent that maid to check if Second Mistress and Second Master have woken up. If they have, please invite Second Mistress and Second Master to Lantai Pavilion for a meal. Lantai Pavilion has prepared a hangover remedy soup."
Shanhe's heart stirred slightly, guessing that Liang Ye was urging her to do something, so she quickly got up to change her clothes and do her makeup. Seeing that Liang Shao was still asleep, Shanhe, to make the act complete, specially summoned Suiming and Suiwen and instructed them: "A meal has been prepared in Lantai Pavilion. I dare not disobey the master's orders, but the second master has not yet woken up. You two can stay here and serve him. If the second master wakes up, ask him if he is feeling well. If he is well, please invite him to Lantai Pavilion as well; if he is not feeling well, he should rest and wait for me to bring back some breakfast and hangover soup."
Sui Ming and Sui Wen exchanged a glance. Seeing that Shan He's manner and words were as proper and considerate as before, they were relieved, thinking that Shan He had finally changed her mind and was going to stay in Shu Yu Ge to live a good life. The two of them agreed to take care of Liang Shao and said, "Please rest assured, Second Madam."
After making the arrangements, Shanhe, holding Qingyue's hand, hurried to Lantai Pavilion.
Breakfast was served in the flower room.
When Shanhe arrived, the four maids of Lantai Pavilion arranged the dishes and fruits on the table, which were still steaming hot. Liang Ye, tall and elegant, stood in front of the "Muxi Tu" painting hanging on the white wall, looking up as if admiring the painting.
Since he passed the imperial examination, his residence, Lantaixuan, had become increasingly filled with gifts. One day someone would present a screen for the kang (heated brick bed), the next a painting or calligraphy; all were said to be tokens of old friendship, but Liang Ye knew the real motives. On his way back to Mizhou, he had already mentally ranked these people: who was capable and could be used, who was of good character and suitable for an alliance—he knew it all perfectly well. The imperial examinations valued the Four Books and Five Classics; at first glance, they seemed quite good, but with repeated reading, one gradually began to discern their dross. But he was not Ah Shao; centuries, even millennia, of decadence and corruption had persisted to this day—couldn't they be eradicated by his own words alone? Even if reform was necessary, it had to wait until he had the capacity for it, proceeding gradually. Fortunately, Liang Ye's greatest skill was swallowing the dross, transforming it into exquisite beauty, and then spitting it out. This was a principle he was born with, one that even his grandfather had praised highly. Unfortunately, Ah Shao didn't understand this principle and therefore suffered greatly.
In this respect, Liang Ye felt that he was the same as Shan He, enduring the unbearable and doing what was in accordance with the times. It's just that Shan He had no choice but to do it, while he made the choice voluntarily.
Hearing the commotion inside the hall, Liang Ye smiled and turned around, his previous contemplation now softened into his gentle eyes.
Shanhe stood upright before me.
Ah Shao really didn't come.
He had it all planned out.
Last night, he sent Fanniang to Shuyu Pavilion to inquire after Shanhe's health, ostensibly to pay her respects, but in reality to gather information. Shanhe, drunk, alternated between deep sleep and crying, so Liang Shao stayed by her bedside to comfort her. Naturally, he wanted to sleep in the next day. Furthermore, he had already announced his trip to the capital in five days; if Shanhe's mind remained unchanged, she would surely find a way to come alone, making it easier to discuss things with him.
Liang Ye possessed an air of purity and gentleness, openly and honestly expressing his concern without any concealment, making one feel that his love for his brother was sincere and without any other ulterior motives. Liang Ye said, "Where is A-Shao? Is he still not awake? If so, you should continue to rest in Shuyu Pavilion. There's no need for you to come all this way. I'll send someone to bring you breakfast and hangover soup."
Shanhe was taken aback by these words. Liang Ye seemed to have forgotten their previous agreement; his words were full of concern for Liang Shao and her, making him appear like a carefully cultivated elder brother. Before Shanhe could speak, he added, "But since you're here, let's have a meal first. Fanniang, Heniang, go and bring the Second Mistress's hangover soup." He then called on two maids who had previously served at Lantai Pavilion: "You two go to the small kitchen and pick out some fine food to send to the Second Master."
Only Qingyue remained standing behind Shanhe. Liang Ye stroked the patterns on the white jade pendant at his waist, squinting as he said, "Qingyue, why don't you go and take a look too? You should be familiar with A-Shao's tastes."
Qingyue and Shanhe exchanged a glance. Seeing Shanhe nod slightly, Qingyue curtsied and went to the small kitchen.
For a moment, only Liang Ye and Shan He remained in the flower hall.
He took his seat first. In the center of the lacquered octagonal table was a Ding kiln sweet white glaze lotus-patterned covered bowl. Gently lifting the lid, a few tender, bright green water shield leaves steamed out from the rising steam. Liang Ye, holding a spoon, casually ladled two spoonfuls into the bowl in front of him, his eyes smiling as he said, "Why are you standing there blankly? Sit down."
Unsure of Liang Ye's meaning, Shanhe sat down opposite him and nervously twisted her fingers, then hesitated before saying, "Brother."
Liang Ye knew where her hesitation stemmed from. He pushed the bowl towards Shanhe and said gently, "Try this. Tonight you'll be boarding the ship with Ashao, and tomorrow night is the farewell banquet. Shanhe only needs to keep Ashao company, joke with him, and drink with him; you don't need to worry about anything else." He then slowly raised his eyes and said, "The divorce papers, the sleeping potion, your little helper, and a place for you to stay temporarily... I've prepared everything you need to leave."
He spoke as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary and commonplace.
Shanhe paused for a moment, then said in a steady voice, "Thank you for your help, brother."
Liang Ye served himself a bowl, his eyelids lowered, his smile undiminished: "Not only to help you, but also for Shao's good."
As they spoke, Fan Niang entered, carrying a bowl of hangover remedy soup, and gently placed it in front of Shan He. The dark brown soup reflected Shan He's face, obscuring the bottom of the bowl, making it appear almost medicinal. Liang Ye nodded slightly to Shan He: "Drink the hangover remedy soup first."
Shanhe hummed in agreement, picked up the spoon, and put the soup into her mouth. It was so bitter that Shanhe couldn't help but frown.
Liang Ye sat opposite her, smiling as he looked at her. The hangover soup he had specially prepared was not only for sobering up, but also for detoxification. Last night, after questioning the doctor, he learned that for someone like Shanhe who didn't drink often, suddenly drinking such a strong Ruyi wine and then accidentally taking sleeping potion would cause the alcohol and the medicine to clash, which was detrimental to her health. That's why Shanhe cried so incessantly last night, as if she had a nightmare.
He casually made up a pretext: "This is a secret recipe from the Imperial Medical Academy. Is it too bitter?"
Shanhe nodded, intending to force herself to finish the drink, when suddenly she saw a hand outstretched in front of her, with long, slender, fair fingers, the middle finger covered with a small callus from years of holding a pen.
In his palm were two glistening osmanthus candies.
“A little sugar will make it less bitter.” Liang Ye’s smile remained unchanged as he spoke slowly, “Shanhe.”
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Author's note: It's been so hot in Nanjing lately. I'm sweating buckets just from going outside. Everyone, please don't come to Nanjing for your summer vacation! [crying emoji] By the way, the story is set in June or July, but I don't think I've really shown it. It's been two or three months since the old man's funeral.
I saw some people are criticizing the older brother, hahaha, his true nature is that of a hypocritical, despicable man... So, feel free to criticize him, hahaha. Shan Shan definitely won't end up with someone who deprived her of her free will.
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