PMM - 33

Lian Sihuan was almost strangled to death by Liang Zhen. After he loosened his grip, her throat still burned with sharp pain, and she coughed desperately.

“Secret? What secret? Tell me.”

Lian Sihuan didn’t dare to oppose him at all. This man killed without mercy. She dared not haggle, and once her throat felt a bit better, she quickly said, “It’s about my brother.”

Liang Zhen seemed to be thinking, his lips curving upward: “Lian Qi?”

He, like the strategist of Shaji, Fu Yi, looked down on the city lord of Yingdong but would never underestimate his son, Lian Qi. Lian Qi was a young genius, well-versed in both literature and martial arts. This person was shrewd and capable. If it weren’t for Lian Qi, the entire Yingdong wouldn’t have lasted so long. It would have been overtaken by the Western Qiang people long ago.

To be Lian Qi’s enemy, he was a tough opponent. To be his ally, he was also a rare support. Liang Zhen had interacted with him when inspecting Yingdong. This man was not to be underestimated. Lian Qi was famous from a young age, gentle and elegant, with nearly no bad reputation. Liang Zhen was curious about what kind of secret Lian Sihuan could reveal about him.

“Lian Sheng... she... she has no shame, seducing her own brother!” A flash of hatred appeared in Lian Sihuan’s eyes as she continued, “Lian Sheng lost her mother when she was young. After her mother died, she was entrusted to my brother’s care. My brother treated her very well, but she developed improper feelings for him and seduced her own brother. My brother was deceived and has... such feelings for Lian Sheng.”

Liang Zhen’s gaze darkened. He looked at Lian Sihuan, his voice deep: “You’re saying that Lian Qi likes his own sister?”

Lian Sihuan nodded, “Yes, I’m sure.” Fearing Liang Zhen wouldn’t believe her, she decided to tell him another matter. “I saw it with my own eyes, about a year ago in the autumn. Lian Sheng fell asleep while practicing calligraphy, and my elder brother went to deliver a cloak to her. I happened to bump into them. I saw—”

Seeing Liang Zhen’s sharp gaze, she quickly told him the truth. “My brother stared at Lian Sheng’s lips for a long time, and finally, a kiss landed on her hair. That wasn’t the look of a brother looking at his sister! No brother would kiss his sister after she reaches the age of marriage.”

After hearing this, Liang Zhen remained emotionless, but he already believed Lian Sihuan’s words. Suddenly, he recalled over a year ago when he was sent to inspect Yingdong. At first glance, he was captivated by the beauty of the girl picking lotus flowers. He inquired and learned that she was the eldest daughter of the city lord, Lian Sheng.

At that time, Liang Zhen had no formal consort. When he took an interest, he started a conversation with the beautiful girl, asking which family she came from. The girl’s eyes were bright, and she blinked, saying, “I’m the daughter of the steward’s wife, urgently needing to attend to my master. Please, sir, spare me and don’t make things difficult.” After saying that, she hurriedly ran away.

Lian Sheng was clever and immediately realized that this man was interested in her. Since there were many stewardesses in the mansion, he couldn’t have asked about the names of their daughters one by one. Although she didn’t know who he was, judging by his clothes, she could tell he was either rich or noble. Lian Sheng didn’t like his lustful gaze and just wanted to avoid the situation.

But Liang Zhen had already found out who the girl was. He thought she was interesting and beautiful. He was used to seeing beauties, and when he looked at her, he could immediately tell how enchanting her figure was. Her lively nature also pleased him. Liang Zhen made up his mind to bring her back to the capital when he returned.

The variable in all of this was Lian Qi, the eldest son of the Lian family.

At that time, the old emperor was testing the character and ability of each prince to select the crown prince. Liang Zhen dared not act out of line. After all, he was in someone else’s territory and could only create opportunities to “accidentally” meet Lian Sheng. But for some unknown reason, every plan he made was disrupted at a critical moment.

The more he couldn’t get Lian Sheng, the more restless he became. The feeling of wanting something he couldn’t have was like a thousand claws scratching his heart, yet he could barely even meet her.

Later, the eldest son of the Lian family invited him to tea and subtly analyzed the political situation for him. The more Liang Zhen listened, the heavier his heart became. At that time, the old emperor’s health was declining. If the emperor suddenly died, he wouldn’t be able to handle things in far-off Yingdong. Moreover, he had no military power, an elder brother who was the emperor, and a fifth prince who had the support of the officials.

If he didn’t think of a countermeasure before the emperor passed away, he would never be able to ascend to the throne, no matter how well he performed in Yingdong. His achievements would be wiped out.

After realizing the key point, Liang Zhen couldn’t stay in Yingdong anymore. He quickly bid farewell to the Lian family and returned to the capital to discuss plans with Imperial Consort Mi. Lian Sheng could only remain a lingering thought in his heart. He couldn’t have her, but he never forgot her.

Looking back now, Liang Zhen wondered if Lian Qi was truly concerned about him. It seemed like he was just afraid someone might covet his sister, so he came up with a plan to send him away.

Liang Zhen sneered. He didn’t know whether to hate or thank Lian Qi. If it weren’t for him, Lian Sheng would have long been brought back to the capital by him, and she would never have married Yi Qiancheng. But it was also because of Lian Qi’s analysis that he and his mother had made plans early, gaining the support of Ling Jiuyao, and eventually ascending the throne.

It turns out that the seemingly innocent eldest son of the Lian family actually harbors such filthy thoughts towards his own sister? Unfortunately, despite all his scheming, the one who benefits in the end is still Yi Qiancheng!

Suppressing the jealousy and anger from being manipulated, Liang Zhen asked Lian Sitan, “You say Lian Qi likes Lian Sheng, then why not tell your good father about his thoughts?”

Lian Sitan was taken aback. She was afraid... afraid that her elder brother would kill her. After she bullied Lian Sheng, she would never forget the cold and cruel look in Lian Qi’s eyes, as if looking at a dead person. If her father hadn’t initially believed her and given Lian Qi time to react, the one who betrayed would never have had a good ending.

Moreover, Lian Sitan was actually glad about the situation. If Lian Qi could really be with Lian Sheng, they would be condemned by the world and never hold their heads high. If they couldn’t be together, it would still be a pleasure to watch her capable elder brother heartbroken.

But the real reason she wouldn’t tell Liang Zhen was, “Lian Qi, he... he is still my brother. I can’t ruin him.”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“Your Majesty, my brother is very capable. Since he likes Lian Sheng, he won’t let her stay by Yi Qiancheng’s side. He will definitely find a way to take her back! You... You only need to use his weakness, and you won’t have to deal with Yi Qiancheng directly. My brother will help you take over Shaji. Then, both Yingdong and Shaji will belong to you.”

Liang Zhen’s gaze shifted slightly. With Lian Qi’s intelligence, it was indeed possible. Perhaps he could make a deal with Lian Qi—he would help Lian Qi take back his sister, and in return, Lian Qi would help him conquer Shaji. Shaji, a tough nut to crack, was just the right place for Lian Qi to strike. Once Shaji was taken, he could figure out a way to kill Lian Qi, and Lian Sheng would still be his.

The only pity was that a beauty like Lian Sheng had to remain by Yi Qiancheng’s side for now.

With his frustration boiling inside, Liang Zhen glanced at Lian Sitan, who was trembling on the ground, and lifted her chin to examine her. She was indeed beautiful, but she couldn’t compare to Lian Sheng. The second daughter of the Lian family looked nothing like the eldest daughter.

“I’ll spare your life for now, but if your brother Lian Qi doesn’t fulfill my wishes...” His tone was cold, and he didn’t need to say the rest. Lian Sitan shivered, already understanding his meaning. He added, “Take off your clothes and lie on the bed.”

This was the most humiliating night of Lian Sitan’s life. The long-awaited husband turned out to be a wolf, and their wedding night was nothing but humiliation and pain. Liang Zhen showed her no mercy, doing whatever he pleased with her.

At his most passionate, the name he called out was Lian Sheng’s. He twisted her body into painful bruises, but when he was clear-headed, he called her a “slut.”

“You’re clearly sisters, but how come you look nothing alike?”

Liang Zhen put on his clothes, his tone regretful yet mocking. “As expected, not the real deal, it’s tasteless.” Lian Sitan lay on the bed, her hands gripping the quilt tightly. All of this was because of Lian Sheng!

Originally, it was she who was betrothed to Yi Qiancheng. It was Lian Sheng who stole her marriage and caused her to end up like this! She hated her! She wished she could skin Lian Sheng alive!

...

Lian Sheng finished writing the letter. Two days later, the cloaks were also completed. She packed the clothes herself and placed the letter inside the package.

Lv’er, unable to hold back, covered her lips and laughed. “Young Miss is so sincere. The General will surely be overjoyed when he sees it.”

Because of this cloak, Lian Sheng was teased several times. She wasn’t angry and smiled at Lv’er, “If you keep talking, I’ll find someone to marry you off.”

Lv’er stuck out her tongue and mumbled, “Young Miss is so cruel.”

Lian Sheng packed everything and went to find Song Yuan. Lord Song still didn’t treat her kindly, but because the General had instructed him to follow the lady’s orders, he still gave her a formal greeting despite his stern face.

“Lord Song, do you have news of the General?”

“No.” Song Yuan answered truthfully without looking at her.

“Please, Lord Song, give this to the General.” Lian Sheng handed over the package, and Song Yuan finally glanced at her, frowning as he looked at what she was holding, as if he were seeing some dangerous beast.

Lian Sheng explained, “My husband said I could ask Lord Song to deliver a message.”

Upon hearing the General’s name, Song Yuan reluctantly reached out. Just then, a soldier rushed in hurriedly, “Sir! Sir! Something’s happened, you must notify the General.”

Song Yuan scolded, “Behave yourself! What’s the hurry?”

The soldier gasped for breath and said, “Yingdong, something happened in Yingdong. Lord Fang has been killed, and the rest of the brothers are all dead except for the ones who managed to escape and report.”

Song Yuan took a few steps forward and grabbed his collar. “What did you say? Lord Fang is dead?”

Lian Sheng trembled, almost unable to hold onto the package. Lord Fang was dead? The honest, loyal general... and he died in Yingdong?

“The brothers who returned are soldiers under Lord Fang. They said the camp in Yingdong was attacked, and Lord Fang died near the outskirts of the city...”

Song Yuan stepped back in disbelief. He and Lord Fang had been fellow generals, and their years of brotherly friendship made it hard for him to accept this. He suppressed the shock in his heart and called for a soldier. “Go tell the General. Yingdong has changed. Lord Fang... is dead.”

The soldier left, and Lian Sheng clutched the package, stopping the soldier who had brought the news. “Wait, you said Lord Fang died in Yingdong. How did he die? I want to see those who returned with the news.”

“I don’t know, only that the current ruler of Yingdong is Lord Lian.” The soldier replied.

Lian Sheng’s eyes widened. The meaning was clear: Lord Lian had turned back on his word, betrayed his allies, and orchestrated Lord Fang’s death. Song Yuan, overhearing, could no longer suppress his fury. Coldly, he said to Lian Sheng, “Madam, you’d better not cause more trouble. Stay in the manor.”

Lin Sheng’s mind was in turmoil, both shocked and saddened, as she ignored the sharp tone in Song Yuan’s words. She clutched the package and returned to the courtyard, her heart filled with doubts. She knew her father well enough to know that he would never have the guts to harm Fang Mu. Her brother wouldn’t have acted against Fang Mu either. The only possibility was that there were other people involved behind the scenes.

The more Lin Sheng thought about it, the more upset she became. When she was in Yingdong, it was Fang Mu who was ordered to guard her courtyard. That man was loyal and decisive, never transferring his hatred of Yingdong onto her. She remembered how young he was, yet now... he was dead in Yingdong, never to return to his homeland.

Her eyes blurred with tears, and when Nanny Liu returned with some pastries, she saw the distraught look on Lin Sheng’s face and quickly asked, “Miss, what’s wrong? You went out for a while and now you’re crying.”

Lu’er looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself. Lin Sheng wiped away her tears and said to Nanny Liu, “Please prepare paper and pen for me.”

She was going to write a letter to her brother to find out exactly what had happened. Fang Mu could not have died in vain, and Yingdong could not bear the blame of betrayal. Lin Sheng’s hand trembled as she quickly wrote the letter and handed it to Nanny Liu, “Nurse, please find a way to send this letter to my brother.”

Nanny Liu frowned, then hurried out to do so.

Lin Sheng was filled with unease. She actually wanted to go back to Yingdong to see for herself, but with the current chaotic situation and Yi Qiancheng being so far in Fengmu, she couldn’t leave recklessly and cause trouble for him. In times of turmoil, traveling without a guard was dangerous, and she also didn’t want to split the forces of the city lord’s mansion, putting Yi Huan in danger.

For now, she could only wait for her brother’s reply. Looking at the package on the table that hadn’t been sent out, a sense of sorrow unexpectedly surged in her heart.

Nanny Liu soon returned, looking worried as she asked, “Miss, what’s going on? Master Song wouldn’t let me send out the letter and instead told me to bring a message to you, saying that you should remain calm.”

Song Yuan’s actions made it clear that he no longer trusted anyone from Yingdong and was worried about any unfavorable news regarding Shaji reaching Yingdong.

Lin Sheng took the letter from Nanny Liu and clenched her fist. She felt like a trapped beast, confined in this small house, unable to do anything.

What exactly had happened in Yingdong? When Yi Qiancheng finds out, he will be very sad.