Chapter 129 – Meng Liang’s Swashbuckling (Part One)
The humiliation she endured in the Meng Residence’s backyard, the nightmares she faced, the pain of losing a child—each and every one of these would be repaid to the culprit a thousand times over.
Not only that, but she also had to take revenge for her sister.
She understood her sister well; her brother-in-law treated her with utmost regard, unlike the grinding she herself endured in the Meng Residence. So how could fate be so cruel as to make her sister’s time here so short?
“You…”
Liu Zhi sighed gently, feeling entirely exasperated with her late wife’s younger sister.
“Brother-in-law doesn’t have to intentionally make things difficult for Meng Zhan because of me. It’s not that I’m too weak; I just don’t want you to soil your hands over such a person.” The stepmother’s eyes flickered with a sharp gleam. “What virtue or ability does he possess for you to spend your thoughts on him?”
“But if we miss this opportunity, with the Meng Clan’s foundation, it could be hard to shake them.”
The stepmother snorted coldly, casting a sidelong glance at Liu Zhi. “Brother-in-law has always been ruthless, so why are you pretending to be confused now?”
Liu Zhi: “…”
Can he say that being ruthless isn’t a compliment?
Truly sisters; their compliments sound just like insults!
“Though such opportunities are rare, missing this one doesn’t mean there won’t be another. When taking down an enemy, it’s fatal mistakes to let them live! If brother-in-law only lightly touches the Meng Clan this time, it could provoke them even further, drawing disaster to our doorstep. You’ve been managing in Hujun for many years; such a favorable situation is hard-won, and losing it would be a grave mistake. If we strike, it must be a lethal blow.”
The stepmother smiled coldly, having survived those years that felt worse than death. She could wait a few more years!
Liu Zhi looked at her for a long time, finally sighing in relief. “It’s certainly great you can think this way.”
The stepmother shot him a glance, reproaching, “You thought Zhen’er was an ignorant girl in the boudoir?”
“Were you afraid I might stew over it?” Liu Zhi muttered.
Although marrying this person brought her protection, her stubborn personality and strong opinions made it clear that the Meng Clan wouldn’t give up that easily. In her decisiveness against them, she was determined not to seek violent cooperation, completely dismissing the physician’s advice.
She prolonged her own illness, torturing herself, refusing proper treatment—could Liu Zhi really feel good about that?
Now that Gu Zhen was willing to be rational, he felt a great sense of relief.
If she had continued with that stubbornness, he truly wouldn’t have known what to do as her brother-in-law.
With the tension easing from his brow, he said, “As long as you’ve thought it through, take good care of yourself. Just get better quickly; every day, I’ll have the finest delicacies prepared for you.”
“Of course, when have I ever been polite with my brother-in-law?” The stepmother pouted before asking, “But enough about me, have you thought about how to deal with that Meng Liang? He flaunts my son’s name. Just based on his origins, does he even deserve to be treated with such regard?”
Liu Zhi pondered thoughtfully for a moment, remembering Jiang Pengji’s earlier words, revealing a hint of insight.
“Revenge has its origins, and debts must have their owners; why drag innocent children into this mess?” The first part of his statement made the stepmother’s expression darken, but the second instantly brightened her mood. “Moreover, your brother-in-law is now a governor; I shouldn’t stoop to attacking a mere child.”
The stepmother was sharp and perceptive; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been swept off her feet by Meng Zhan back then… After all, the Meng Clan was a prestigious family in Dongqing, and Meng Zhan’s wife must be from a noble background. Though she was later recognized as a legitimate daughter, her standing was still considerably inferior.
Liu Zhi’s words were veiled, but she, as clever as she was, immediately grasped the implication.
Given Liu Zhi’s current status, it was indeed a bit beneath him to strike against a younger generation, but surely nothing would happen if he dealt with a subordinate?
Yet, the Meng Clan’s influence in Dongqing was still deeply entrenched and not easily toppled. If anything were to happen to Meng Liang, it absolutely couldn’t be traced back to the Liu Residence, or they might provoke the Meng Clan’s fierce wrath; now was not the time to scare the snakes in the grass.
In just a few exchanges, Meng Liang’s situation had grown extremely precarious, yet this individual remained utterly unaware of the looming crisis.
“Just as mother said, the Liu Residence is nothing but a heap of muddy water that can’t be propped up! Look, I can see the fire in Liu Zhongqing’s eyes, yet he still has to swallow his anger and refrain from acting against me. What a pathetic man; and father treats him like he’s someone to be feared, treading carefully around him.”
The originally delicate and charming “young lady” sprawled carelessly across a soft bed, her head tilted. Spotting neatly piled clothes beside her, she picked one up with her fingers and disdainfully snorted, as if holding something filthy.
“So shabby! Such threads are fit only for the servants! How dare Liu Zhongqing send these to shame me!”
Accompanying Meng Liang into the residence, a young servant, pretending to be a maidservant, quickly stepped forward to stop her from throwing away the clothes.
Muttering, “My young master, wandering about naturally doesn’t compare to being in the residence. Though the fabric might be poor, it’s still a style that was in vogue three years ago in the capital. Alas, Hejian is a poor place, and I’ve heard some noble families can’t even maintain basic decorum; having clothes to cover oneself is already a blessing. Young master, just bear with it for a bit. Once this situation dies down, the master and lady will come to take you back.”
Meng Liang gritted his teeth in anger but had to admit the young servant had a point; now was truly not the time for foolish complaints.
“If it weren’t for that Meng Hunyun stirring up trouble, I wouldn’t have to endure such humiliation.” Hearing the young servant’s words, Meng Liang’s anger flared. “He’s just a cheap servant of the Meng Clan, how dare he throw a tantrum and make father so furious…”
The young servant chimed in, “Isn’t that right? Meng Hunyun is just like his name—utterly muddled, with no clear understanding. Young master shouldn’t bother getting worked up with him. Once the Meng army wipes out those rebellious scum, Meng Hunyun will end up under your thumb.”
Meng Hunyun—the hotshot who burned down the governor’s residence, a former servant of the Meng Clan, who climbed up the ranks with sheer determination!
“In the early days of the Great Xia, not to mention Meng Hunyun’s wife; even if all his female relatives came to serve him, he wouldn’t dare utter a word. But now? He truly thinks the Meng Clan is defenseless; even a mere underling dares to bully us… infuriating!”
The young servant’s words indeed managed to soothe Meng Liang’s fury, yet the humiliation within him remained unexpressed.
Yesterday, as he sneaked out with the young servant to have some fun, he nearly jumped out of his skin upon spotting the relentless Meng Hunyun lurking in Hejian County.
Had he known Meng Hunyun would haunt him so, he should never have recklessly followed his companions to flirt around here.
How annoying!
Thinking about the charming young lady that should have been in his grasp, and then considering his current situation, it made his chest ache with anger.
However, the young servant reminded him that they both needed to quietly stay at Liu Zhi’s residence for the time being, waiting for circumstances to stabilize before contacting their guards and servants.
Once he had someone to protect him, Meng Liang naturally wouldn’t fear Meng Hunyun; he could easily chop that stray dog to bits.
With that in mind, he felt much lighter, and even the disdainful clothes seemed more agreeable.
