Chapter 88 A Clever Use of a Self-Inflicted Injury Scheme
Liang Shao smiled at her, his voice trembling.
Shanhe blinked, forcing back her tears. As she draped a cloak over Liang Shao, she sighed, "Why did you do this to yourself..."
Liang Shao took her hand and said, "Nonsense. I never felt bitter." He pulled his cloak tighter around himself and couldn't help but sneeze again.
Shanhe ignored him, looked around, and felt even more that the house was too cold and uninhabitable. However, of the four rooms on the second floor, apart from the one used as a bathhouse, the remaining three were all occupied. Qingyue and Miao'er were sleeping in her room, their own room and their own bed, and Shanhe really felt embarrassed to bring Liang Shao over.
Just as they were hesitating, a hazy figure appeared under the window. Qingyue, wearing a cotton-padded coat, said softly, "My lady, Miao'er is a restless sleeper, and I was afraid of disturbing your sweet dreams. I've already taken her back to her room to sleep." She paused, "My lady, you should rest early. If you need anything, just wake me up."
Shanhe slowly lowered her eyes, only to meet Liang Shao's bright, smiling eyes.
With a hand warmer in his pocket, Liang Shao followed Shan He up to the second floor.
The room was tidy, with several scrolls of paintings on the table. The quilt was folded neatly, and an incense burner stood beside the canopy bed. Shanhe closed the door, turned around, and said to Liang Shao, who was looking around, "Take off your clothes."
"Huh?" Liang Shao nearly choked, his voice hoarse, but his hands deftly began to unbutton the quilt. When Shan He finished tidying the quilt and turned around, the man was already shirtless, waiting there with a smile.
What caught her eye was an old scar about an inch long on his chest, the scabs all gone, leaving only a slightly raised patch of pink new flesh. Above the scar was a necklace, adorned with four or five red musk beads, which made his skin appear even paler. Shanhe took the damp nightgown, lowered her gaze, and stopped looking at him, her voice very soft: "Go to bed quickly."
Liang Shao quickly burrowed into the covers, covering himself completely except for his slightly pale face. He looked at Shanhe expectantly, "Shanshan, will you stay here with me?"
Shanhe shook her head. She spread Liang Shao's nightgown on the incense burner, letting it slowly evaporate the moisture. Pointing to the nightgown, she said, "Once the clothes are dry, if you're awake, take them down quickly to avoid burning them." Shanhe then opened the window a crack about three fingers wide and instructed, "If you feel stuffy, remember to open the window wider to let in some air." Finally, Shanhe placed the double-layered copper kettle on the bedside table, took a celadon teacup, poured half a cup of hot water, and handed it to him: "This hot water was just boiled last night. Remember to drink plenty if you wake up in the middle of the night."
Liang Shao agreed to all of them and drank them down in one gulp.
Seeing how obedient he was, Shanhe said, "Then you should rest well."
"And what about you?" Liang Shao asked anxiously.
Shanhe smiled faintly, "I'm tired, I'll go back and rest first." She looked at Liang Shao's face and said slowly, "Shao, I hope you get better soon."
Liang Shao immediately followed up, saying, "The sooner I get better, the sooner I can leave, right?"
Shanhe was taken aback, then lowered her head and softly replied with an "Mm".
The joy he had just felt vanished instantly. Liang Shao buried his face in the brocade quilt and mumbled, "Oh. You should rest early too."
Shanhe glanced at him again, then turned and went to Qingyue's room.
The next day, Liang Shao lay on the couch, his cheeks flushed with fever. Miao'er, seeing him like this on Shan He's bed, was furious. She paced back and forth in the corridor, her footsteps pounding on the floor, refusing to let Liang Shao rest. At noon, Shan He brought him lunch. He grasped Shan He's hand, his eyes red from the fever, his cheeks flushed, looking utterly pitiful: "Miss Miao'er has a fiery temper. I was rude when we first met, it was truly my fault. She remembers those words, and I deserve it. Shan Shan, take some of my eight taels of silver and give it to Miss Miao'er; it will make amends for my mistake. Please don't let her wander around outside; she's giving me a headache."
Shanhe scooped out a spoonful of rice, then used her chopsticks to place some freshly stir-fried vegetables on top. "Don't worry about her, I'll talk to her later." She held it to Liang Shao's lips. "Are you really unable to lift your chopsticks?"
Liang Shao frowned and sighed, "I'm too weak to hold the spoon properly. I don't want to spill the food and waste it."
Upon hearing this, Shanhe reached out and touched his forehead: "It's still so hot. I'll go and fetch a doctor later to prescribe some medicine for you. That's the proper thing to do."
Liang Shao swallowed his food in a hurry: "Just go to the pharmacy and get some medicine. It's just a minor cold anyway. Calling a doctor would just be an unnecessary expense."
Shanhe chuckled: "So you do know how to be frugal now."
Liang Shao looked into her eyes and said, "Now that we're living together, I have to be careful with money."
Shanhe remained silent, lowering her eyes as she continued feeding him. Liang Shao, unwilling to let this moment of tenderness pass by, immediately struck up a conversation with Shanhe as soon as he swallowed his food. Knowing that Shanhe was unwilling to talk about his own affairs, he recounted the strange and wonderful stories he had encountered in Beichuan, such as how he made his way to Beichuan, how he met those dozen or so heroes, how he endured hardships to join the army, and how he happened to encounter a jealous and envious superior.
Shanhe said, "He's a general, so naturally he has to be superior to you."
“That’s not all,” Liang Shao laughed. “He’s a traitor who colluded with the enemy. I wanted to capture the leader of Chatai, but he refused, letting me release the tiger back into the mountains. In reality, it was because he had already made an agreement with the Chatai people.”
Shanhe took a deep breath: "How can there be such a person? Why would he do this? Is he even a member of our Great Yan? Why is he helping the Chatai people?"
A series of questions were thrown at him. Liang Shao stared intently at Shan He's face, pursed his lips, and smiled without saying a word.
“Tell me,” Shanhe nudged his arm.
Liang Shao then said, "I'm tired today and can't talk anymore. Come and bring me food again tomorrow, and I'll continue telling you the story."
Shanhe suddenly realized he was deliberately keeping her in suspense and stalling for time. Looking down, she saw he had already finished all the food in her bowl; they had been talking for quite some time. Shanhe gripped the rim of the bowl tightly, biting her lip. "Well, you should rest then," she said, and hurried away. In the kitchen, Miao'er was washing dishes at the stove. Seeing Shanhe return so late, Miao'er stamped her foot and said, "Wife, don't be fooled by him. His pretense of illness is just as deceitful as Liang Ye's!"
Shanhe nodded: "I know. Starting tonight, I'll have Qingyue bring him food." She put down her chopsticks and was about to head to the shop when she stopped and said to Miao'er: "Miao'er, I know you don't like him. At least he's sick right now. The sooner he gets better, the sooner he'll leave. Just pretend you don't see him."
Miao'er tilted her head and stood there, pouting as she said "Oh," which was her way of agreeing.
From that day on, Liang Shao's three meals a day were delivered by Qingyue. He no longer complained about being "too weak" or "unable to lift the bowls and chopsticks." He always ate his food clean. When Qingyue went to collect the dishes, Liang Shao couldn't help but ask, "Where is Shanshan?" Qingyue could only make an excuse: "She's busy with things at the end of the year. She said she'll come to see you another day, Second Master."
So the date was "changed" until the 22nd of the twelfth lunar month. Liang Shao's cold was completely cured, but Shan He was still avoiding him. Liang Shao paced around the room twice; the small room ended in just a few steps. Outside the window was the backyard of Shan He's busy shop, and he could vaguely hear her talking to Qing Yue and Miao Er, her voice clear and melodious, but he couldn't make out a single word. He knew that Shan He was determined to avoid him, and if he continued to feign illness or pester her, he was afraid it would only annoy her.
He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went out.
Downstairs, Shanhe was checking the New Year's shopping list with Qingyue when she heard the sound and looked up to see Liang Shao standing neatly dressed at the top of the stairs. Although his face was still a little pale from his illness, he was in much better spirits and his smile was more cheerful. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her gaze, continuing to look at the list in her hand, and simply said, "Are you better now?"
Liang Shao walked down the stairs in a few steps, stood in front of her, and said sincerely, "Okay, thank you and Qingyue for taking care of me these days."
Shanhe hummed in response and said to Qingyue, "In a little while, you and Miao'er go buy some firecrackers. Let's have some fun on the eve of the Lunar New Year."
Qingyue responded, glanced at Liang Shao discreetly, and then went about her business.
Liang Shao didn't feel embarrassed at all. He sat down on a stool to the side and watched Shan He busy himself. Miao'er came out of the kitchen and saw him in the hall. She immediately rolled her eyes and slammed the basin she was holding onto the table with a loud bang.
Shanhe frowned and glanced at Miao'er, who then calmed down a bit.
For a moment, only the sounds of turning pages and writing could be heard. Liang Shao sat quietly, not uttering a sound to disturb them, but his gaze remained fixed on Shan He. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shan He finished tidying up the list, rubbed her temples, and then, as if just noticing he was still there, asked, "When are you leaving?"
Liang Shao sat up straight and said seriously, "After the New Year."
Shanhe's eyes widened: "You clearly said last time that you would leave once you recovered."
Liang Shao was a little embarrassed: "That was just me talking nonsense when I was delirious. I always planned to leave after the New Year." He stood up: "Shanshan, I've seen it. The three of you live together and take care of each other, so you really don't need me. But the New Year is coming soon, and there will be cleaning, dusting, and moving things. How can the three of you girls manage? So, I'll stay and help you get through the New Year. I can leave with peace of mind after the Lantern Festival."
Shanhe stared in disbelief: "How come it's the Lantern Festival again..."
Liang Shao pretended not to hear, frowned and continued, "Shanshan, there is one more thing I haven't told you yet."
"What?"
Liang Shao looked up and sighed, "I can't go back."
"Why?"
"Do you remember the traitorous superior I told you about last time?"
Shanhe nodded.
"His name is Zhu Xian."
After pondering for a moment, Shanhe said, "I read in the official gazette a while ago that General Zhu Xian of Beichuan died suddenly. Is this the same Zhu Xian?"
Liang Shao nodded: "It was him. Moreover, he didn't die suddenly. He was a traitorous general who deliberately set a trap to kill me in Beichuan. It was only thanks to my brothers that I was able to tell General Pei about his despicable deeds that he was brought to justice."
"He wants to kill you?" Shanhe took a deep breath.
Liang Shao continued, "These injuries are all thanks to him. After His Majesty ordered his execution, he publicly stated that he died suddenly. Do you know why?"
Shanhe shook his head.
Liang Shao said slowly, "The Crown Prince's birth mother, Consort Zhu, who manages the affairs of the six palaces, is also surnamed Zhu."
Shanhe's pupils contracted sharply. Those chaotic, fragmented things slowly began to connect.
Zhu Xian was a traitor. Liang Shao exposed his secrets, leading to his execution. His Majesty ordered Zhu Xian's death, but out of consideration for Consort Zhu and the Crown Prince, publicly declared his sudden death. Liang Shao was granted a title and appointed Commander. His Majesty investigated the Wuji Field, implicating the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was Zhu Xian's nephew. Consort Meng was Liang Shao's cousin. Consort Meng became pregnant and was promoted to Virtuous Consort, only one rank below Consort Zhu. His Majesty promoted Liang Ye to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, granted the Virtuous Consort permission to visit her family, and arranged a marriage for Meng Chiying. Liang Shao returned to the capital at this time.
Seeing Shanhe's panicked expression, Liang Shao sat down beside her and said gently, "If I go back, I will inevitably have to attend the banquet at the palace. It would be embarrassing if I ran into the Crown Prince and the Imperial Concubine."
Shanhe turned her face and said blankly, "What if His Majesty wants to elevate you to check the Crown Prince's position?"
Liang Shao smiled and said, "I didn't expect our Shanshan to have such insight. Don't worry, my not going back this time is to show His Majesty my heart. Besides, with my brother and Consort Xian here, they will handle and resolve those troublesome matters themselves. His Majesty will surely abandon me and focus on cultivating my brother when he sees that I am not sensible."
“Liang Shao,” Shanhe said, biting her lip, “this is an opportunity His Majesty is giving you. If you seize it, you might be able to go even further, surpass your brother, and stand even higher than him.”
Liang Shao raised his head, a bitter smile on his face: "Brother wants to be superior to others, but I won't compete with him. Besides, if we go back this time, I'm afraid I won't be able to get away again."
Liang Shao couldn't help but recall that during his recent trip back to the capital, General Pei had intended to arrange a marriage for him, and Liang Ye had also said he would arrange a prestigious marriage for him. His eyes gradually dimmed.
"Shanshan, I've been wanting to tell you about my experiences in Beichuan these past few days, but you've always avoided me. Since you don't want to hear it, then so be it. But there's something I want to tell you."
He looked down into Shanhe's eyes and said, "Having faced life and death in Beichuan, I suddenly understood the saying, 'Life is full of choices.' Fame and affection are hard to balance. So, I've thought a lot about this these past few days, and I still want to choose you."
Shanhe felt her heart pounding wildly, and her hands, resting on her knees, twisted incessantly.
He slowly smiled and said, "Perhaps some people can balance things well, like my brother. He is now a high-ranking official, serving the emperor, and has a beloved concubine who is a perfect match for him. It's a pity..." Liang Shao sighed, "I heard before I came that he was going to marry that woman. But she was too beautiful and died in a fire."
Shanhe suddenly felt numb all over, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably.
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