Chapter 92 The Death of Cheng Min
Whether it was the sugar taro seedlings that softened Miao'er's attitude or the Bodhisattva's divination that persuaded Miao'er's heart, after returning from Jiming Temple, Miao'er no longer uttered any words of obstruction or opposition.
Given Shanhe and Liang Shao's current status, even if they remarried, it wouldn't be appropriate to go through official channels for fear of alarming Liang Ye in the capital. Therefore, Liang Shao wrote a marriage certificate himself. The wedding was very simple, taking place in Shanhe's courtyard, with no other guests except for Shan Qingyue, Miao'er, and Liu Liu, a dog.
On their wedding night, Liang Shao had no guests to entertain. After bowing to heaven and earth, the two entered the bridal chamber. Shan He sat on the edge of the canopy bed, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, wearing a gold and jade floral crown, and her powdered face was covered by a red veil embroidered with intertwined mandarin ducks. Liang Shao held the wedding scales, gazing at Shan He who sat quietly waiting before him, his heart pounding.
Three years ago, it was the same scene. She sat on the edge of the bed, her head covered by a red veil, waiting gently for him to lift it. But back then, he was filled with anger—anger at his grandfather's arrangement, anger at his inability to control his own destiny, and anger at Xue Shanhe's submissive attitude, treating marriage as a negotiable transaction.
Three years later, he clutched the scales, and the person before him was still Xue Shanhe, but his state of mind had changed completely, and his wrist trembled.
Shanhe looked down at her hands resting on her knees, feeling someone sit down beside her, pressing the blankets inward. Soon, a long scale appeared before her, a sliver of candlelight filtering in, finally revealing everything hidden behind the red veil. Liang Shao smiled, gazing at her with deep affection.
He was also dressed in red and green, and his dark hair was tied up high with a red ribbon.
Shanhe felt embarrassed by his gaze and lowered her head shyly. Liang Shao reached out and gently placed his hand on the back of her clasped hands. His palm was warm, calloused, and caressed her delicate skin, as if confirming the reality of what was before him.
“Shanshan,” he whispered, “I never imagined we’d be like this today.”
Shanhe looked up and met his deep eyes. Those eyes, once filled with untamed spirit, now held only her wedding dress. Shanhe smiled, rose, and fetched the nuptial wine. Two gourd-shaped cups, tied together with red thread, swayed gently, gradually reflecting their images. Their gazes met, the wine rippled slightly. As Shanhe finished drinking, she set down the gourd cup, and Liang Shao immediately supported her under his arms, lifting her onto his lap.
"Shanshan..." he said hoarsely, "I will make up for everything I owed you before. Every morning from now on, I will draw your eyebrows; every evening from now on, I will dine with you. We will be together for all eternity." He took out a pair of pearl-inlaid gold bracelets from his pocket and put them on Shanhe's wrist.
Shanhe looked down and was suddenly startled. Back then, Liang Ye had also given her a pair of gold bracelets, which became shackles that bound her in a cage.
Liang Shao noticed the subtle emotions in Shanhe's eyes. He took Shanhe's hand, kissing it from her fingertips as he asked, "What's wrong?"
"No," Shanhe forced a smile.
He smiled and said, “Shanshan, if you don’t like it, I’ll take you to get a new pair after the holiday when the gold shops reopen.” He kissed Shanhe’s palm. “If you don’t like gold, jade or emerald are fine too. Just choose whichever you like.”
"No, I like what you gave me. Ouch—" Shanhe frowned slightly, "Why did you bite my finger?"
Liang Shao smiled smugly: "Shanshan, it's been half a year since we last met. You have no idea how much I've missed you. Back then, I was bedridden and bored all day. I kept thinking about you and dreaming about you."
His face flushed slightly as he spoke, peeling off Shanhe's wedding dress: "Shanshan, did my bite hurt you? It hurt me more. After you left that day, I woke up with a terrible pain in my chest. Only biting on something lessened the pain slightly. So now, I want to leave my mark on you, and I want you to leave your mark on me." Soon, Shanhe's undergarment was revealed, and Liang Shao lowered his head to kiss her bare shoulder. His hands, however, didn't stop, patiently removing the elaborate wedding dress piece by piece.
Shanhe felt a fine, tingling itch all over her body and unconsciously tilted her head back. She felt Liang Shao holding her waist, forcing her closer and closer to him. She felt his cold fingertips slipping inside her clothes, sending shivers down her spine. She also felt a hot, hard erection beneath her, slowly supporting her.
Liang Shao embraced her tightly, skin to skin, flesh to flesh. He untied the red silk binding her hair and blindfolded Shanhe. Shanhe lay on the bed amidst a bed of intertwined mandarin ducks and twin lotus blossoms, unable to see anything. She was like a drifting duckweed on a pond, only the hand intertwined with hers for support, preventing her from losing her way. But after a while, that hand left her.
After a while, the hand didn't come again, and Liang Shao remained silent. Shanhe grew anxious: "Shao, Shao?"
"Hmm?" he answered lazily.
“You…” she said, biting her lip.
What's wrong with me?
"You're gone?"
He smiled gently: "I didn't leave. Shanshan, I've been watching you." He looked at her fair, snow-white body, at the touch of red on her Jungfrau. This was his bride.
Shanhe reached out to untie the red silk ribbon, but Liang Shao pressed her down, saying, "Shanshan, you can't untie it." Liang Shao touched the belt he had just untied and loosely bound Shanhe's hands together. Liang Shao laughed, "Shanshan, in traditional weddings, five pieces of gold are customary. I just gave you a pair of bracelets; don't you want anything else?"
Shanhe frowned: "What are you going to do?"
"I want to play a game with you." Liang Shao smiled and said, "Guess where I'm going to kiss down there. If you guess right, I'll give you a gold coin."
"What if you guessed wrong?"
He chuckled, "Then keep guessing."
Shanhe felt a surge of heat throughout her body. She bit her lip and said, "Okay."
"Then Shanshan, you guess first."
Shanhe's chest heaved as she hesitated, "Hands?"
“No, it’s not here.” Liang Shao said with a hint of regret. “It’s here.” With that, he bent down.
Shanhe gasped in surprise, her instep tensing instantly, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Amidst the rising and falling tremors, Liang Shao slipped a gold ring onto Shanhe's ring finger.
He raised his head, licked his lips, and said in a hoarse voice with a smile, "Guess again."
After the afterglow subsided, Shanhe gasped, "My neck?"
"Ah." Liang Shao curled his lips. "Shan Shan wants the necklace, doesn't she?" He tossed the necklace in front of Shan He's chest. The snow-white skin paired with the golden necklace, with a touch of peach pink in the middle, made her feel the gold chain. He grabbed Shan He's hand and touched it. "It's a Ruyi lock style. Shan Shan, feel it for yourself. Do you like it?"
He gently guided Shanhe, trying to make Shanhe more comfortable and at ease.
Shanhe let out a soft "Mmm": "I like it."
“But Shan Shan guessed wrong just now.” Liang Shao said with a smile.
Where is that?
He lowered his head again: "Still here."
"Liang Shao!" Shanhe kicked him in the chest. "You scoundrel!"
Liang Shao wasn't angry at being kicked by her; he just laughed and played around with Shan He. After a while, when Shan He was completely exhausted, Liang Shao picked her up, who was as soft as mud, and chuckled, "Who said you're exhausted?" Then he kissed Shan He's lips.
The candlelight flickered, and the bed curtains swayed gently. Shanhe let him lead her, occasionally glancing up to see overlapping figures reflected on the bed curtains, which for a moment overlapped with the desolate bridal chamber three years ago, yet were completely different.
“Ah Shao, Ah Shao…” she suddenly called out to him, “This time, we are truly in love, aren’t we?”
He paused, looking deeply into Shanhe's eyes: "Shanshan, we have always been sincere with each other, but I was too foolish before and did not understand my own heart."
The moonlight outside the window gradually faded, and Jinling City was already silent. When Shanhe fell asleep, exhausted, the wedding candles had burned down to their last inch. Shanhe felt him place a gentle kiss on her forehead, and then, in her hazy state, Liang Shao quietly got up and took a pair of silver scissors. He carefully cut off a lock of Shanhe's hair, then cut off a lock of his own; the two locks intertwined and were carefully placed into an embroidered pouch.
Before Shanhe fell into a deep sleep, she heard Liang Shao's last whisper: "We are husband and wife, bound by love and trust. Shanshan, we will be husband and wife for all eternity."
*
Cheng Min, having been ordered to travel to Jinling, set off on the second day of the first lunar month, riding swiftly day and night. It wasn't until dusk on the fourth day of the first lunar month that he arrived in Kangzhou. As it was getting late, Cheng Min lodged at an official post station, intending to rest for the night before continuing his journey.
It was a dark and windy night. Cheng Min was lying on the couch, about to fall asleep, when she suddenly heard a hissing sound coming from outside the window, which was quite frightening and eerie.
He immediately became alert, quietly got out of bed, and gently pushed open the window to look outside. He saw only darkness, distant mountains shrouded in mist, swaying tree shadows, wind whistling through the forest, and beasts crawling on the ground—nothing suspicious. Cheng Min felt slightly relieved and was about to close the window when he suddenly felt a chill behind him. He turned abruptly and saw a masked man in black standing in the room, a steel knife gleaming coldly in his hand. Before Cheng Min could dodge, a knife wound struck his shoulder and neck, and blood gushed out immediately.
He endured the excruciating pain and grabbed a candlestick to fight back. The man in black sneered, and then two more accomplices dressed in similar short-sleeved clothing emerged from the shadows. The three of them surrounded him, pressing closer step by step. Although Cheng Min fought back with all his might, he was ultimately outnumbered. After only seven or eight rounds, he was kicked in the temple, his vision went black, and he fainted on the spot.
When he slowly awoke, he vaguely found himself in a dark room, his limbs firmly chained. The blood on his face had congealed into hard lumps. The three men in black were sitting not far away; seeing him awake, they immediately rose and approached. The leader stepped on Cheng Min's face, his voice icy: "You're Cheng Min?"
Cheng Min was powerless to resist and could only lie on the ground, panting heavily.
"Liang Ye's dogs?"
Cheng Min suddenly looked up and demanded sharply, "Who exactly are you?"
The man in black smiled coldly: "Cheng Min, an old friend wants to see you."
He had barely finished speaking when he heard light footsteps outside the door. Cheng Min looked up and saw a pair of small sheepskin boots with gold-embroidered cloud patterns slowly enter. Looking up, he saw a lotus-green cloak with crane patterns, which completely covered the woman's figure. The woman stopped in front of Cheng Min, bowed slightly, and smiled: "Cheng Min, how have you been?"
Cheng Min's pupils contracted sharply, and her voice trembled uncontrollably: "You...you weren't already dead?"
The man in black brought over a round-backed chair and said respectfully, "Madam, please have a seat."
"Madam?" Cheng Min murmured repeatedly, her face full of disbelief.
Fan Niang smiled, sitting back in her armchair, stroking her already prominent pregnant belly, her eyes filled with maternal tenderness. She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Yes, I didn't die. I survived. But you..." Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, her gaze like a knife shooting towards Cheng Min, "You won't survive tonight."
It turned out that when Fanniang was thrown into the Fei River by Chengmin, she was already at her wit's end, but fortunately, she was rescued by Huaisong. Huaisong not only gave her silver, but also pointed out that she should settle down in Kangzhou. However, how easy is it for a weak woman to make a living in this world? When Fanniang first arrived in Kangzhou, she washed clothes for others during the day and did needlework at night, barely making ends meet, and revenge was still a distant dream.
Just then, Liang Ye, in order to help Ouyang Tongfu be transferred back to the capital, plotted to frame his rival, Zhao Canjun, embroiling Zhao's young son, Zhao Sanlang, in a murder case. Zhao's career was thus hindered, allowing Ouyang Tongfu to smoothly rise to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Zhao Sanlang, originally sentenced to death in the autumn by the Prefect of Kangzhou, fell from grace overnight, and the Zhao family was no longer what it once was. Huai Song secretly revealed this to Fan Niang, instructing her to give false testimony for Zhao Sanlang, thus clearing him of the murder charge and leaving him only with the charge of assault.
During Zhao Sanlang's imprisonment, his family severed ties with him, except for Fanniang, who visited him daily with meals. Upon his release, he learned that his father, Lord Zhao, had died of grief, and his wife had cried herself blind and followed him in death. The Zhao family was now under the control of his eldest brother. His two brothers, having divided the family fortune among themselves due to their brother's crimes, immediately separated from him after giving him 20% of the inheritance. Zhao Sanlang was plunged into despair; his parents were dead, his marriage was called off, and he was utterly hopeless, nearly committing suicide. It was Fanniang who repeatedly rescued him, patiently guiding him and helping him regain his will to live. Grateful for her kindness, Zhao Sanlang married Fanniang. Now, relying on the inheritance left by Lord Zhao, they have purchased dozens of acres of fertile land and settled in the outskirts of Kangzhou, living as a wealthy couple.
Zhao Sanlang remains unaware that his gentle and virtuous wife has such a deep connection with the enemy who framed him years ago. Fan Niang has also never revealed that Cheng Min, who nearly killed her, was one of the main culprits behind the Zhao family's destruction.
Fan Niang stroked her belly, looked at the disheveled Cheng Min on the ground, and chuckled softly. She raised her foot, the sole of her boot pressing down on Cheng Min's face, slowly kneading it: "Cheng Min, you have two hours to live before dawn. Is there anything you want to say or do?"
Cheng Min gritted her teeth and said, "I... I only regret that I didn't just end you back then, and instead let you live."
Fan Niang sighed, "It wasn't you who saved me, it was someone—" She paused, "who saved me."
"Who?" Cheng Min interrupted her.
“Huai Song,” Fan Niang smiled gently, “was the one who saved me.”
Cheng Min's heart skipped a beat: "No wonder, no wonder you knew I came to Connecticut, it was him..."
Fan Niang kicked Cheng Min's face with her toe, her voice gradually steadying: "Cheng Min, do you know what you look like right now? Like a dog, a limp dog." She laughed loudly, "Why don't you bark like a dog a couple of times, and I'll let you die more quickly, how about that? I know Liang Ye is now the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and he uses hundreds of tortures in interrogation. You must have witnessed a lot of cruel tortures while following him. Do you want to try it on yourself?"
Cheng Min's breathing became increasingly labored, and he bit his lower lip, refusing to speak.
"Hmm? Why aren't you saying anything? Fine, fine, don't blame me for being ruthless later. Cheng Min, I gave you a chance." She slowly stood up.
"Why Huaisong! I have no grudge against him!" Cheng Min finally couldn't hold back her sobs.
Fan Niang's eyes crinkled into a smile, but her voice was fierce: "Because you don't treat us like human beings! We're all servants, so why are there different ranks? When Liang Ye is around, you only recognize Cheng An, Cai Xiang, and Cai Ping, right? When we came later, you treated us like half-masters, enslaving us at will, right?" Her voice rose, "I made a mistake, so why are you punishing me! You want to establish your authority among the servants, so why are you using my life to do so! When have I ever offended you! You rely on being with Liang Ye the longest to be wary of us at every turn. We're all servants, so why don't you treat us like human beings!"
Fan Niang glanced at Cheng Min again, her voice softening: "Don't worry, if you die, Huai Song will take your place by Liang Ye's side." After saying that, Fan Niang protected her belly, turned around resolutely, and whispered to the man in black: "Take good care of him." She threw a bulging brocade pouch full of silver coins on the table and left.
Cheng Min's eyes widened, and she yelled insults at Fan Niang, but the man in black grabbed her chin and pulled out her tongue. In the brazier next to her, a branding iron was burning hot.
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