Chapter 247: Little Quail
Liancheng nodded repeatedly, and Liang Chaosu’s gaze deepened.
She noticed, and her head went from a small movement to none at all.
It was as if a chirping, hungry little quail, scared by a predator, had feigned death with its feet in the air.
The deputy couldn’t stand it and patted Liang Chaosu, “Husband and wife, husband and wife, there’s a husband and a wife. When problems arise, you discuss them together, not you being the sole leader dictating to them. You should reflect on this.”
They stood in the center, surrounded by a dense crowd, with all sorts of gazes subtly focused on them, yearning to understand this scene because they couldn’t hear clearly.
Liang Chaosu remained silent.
Liancheng knew very well that the deputy and his wife were figures in officialdom; they valued propriety and righteousness. Their sense of justice wasn’t about interfering in a couple’s private matters in public. As long as Liang Chaosu passively accepted the lecture, the deputy and his wife would stop at the right point. If they disliked it, they could find a private occasion later.
She put on a facade of being knowledgeable and sensible, yet truly unable to bear her melancholy. “It’s better to have a brother; brothers spoil me and agree to everything.”
Liang Chaosu froze. The bustling figures around him merged with the light. For a moment, Liancheng could barely see him clearly; it was hazy, misty, his features obscured, leaving only a rigid contour.
“Do you really like the phoenix crown and robe?”
Liancheng hadn’t expected him to respond. Realizing this, she immediately broke into a happy smile.
“I really do. With beaded veils and embroidered curtains like auspicious smoke, and a wedding vow sealed for a hundred years, a Western wedding dress doesn’t have this much festive auspiciousness.”
Liang Chaosu was relieved at this moment, not relaxed. He was poised between deep understanding and self-deception, his reason and indulgence tangled together, as if they had been struggling for a long time, and his rationality had been released.
But in reality, only a few breaths passed before he said, “Then it’s the phoenix crown and robe.”
The deputy and his wife were delighted. At their age, when one knows the mandate of heaven, they most enjoy seeing young people heeding advice, returning from their mistakes, and being loving in their youth.
Liancheng brought up preparing for the wedding by going down the mountain again, and the deputy’s wife readily agreed.
“Did you get an idea from the provincial museum’s exhibits? A Chinese wedding isn’t simpler than a Western one; there are many details to consider with the three matchmakers and six rituals. I’ll introduce you to the director in charge of the ancient wedding exhibits at the museum. For the finer points, we’ll consult him. We’ll resolve problems as they arise.”
After the banquet, the deputy’s wife also agreed to take her down the mountain that night to prepare for the wedding. She specially waited for Liancheng to return to her small courtyard to change out of her dress and pack her things.
Liancheng didn’t want to go back. At the banquet, Liang Chaosu had clearly noticed something. She wasn’t sure if he thought she was avoiding spending time with him or if he had other thoughts.
At a time like this, every moment of solitude meant a moment of danger.
As for his apology, Liancheng hadn’t taken it to heart before she provoked him about the phoenix crown and robe.
The deputy’s wife simply thought she was being petulant and kindly advised her, “There’s a certain art to a couple’s interaction. Chaosu agreed to change the wedding to a Chinese style, taking a step back. You should take a step forward and give him a sweet treat to make up for it, since it’s what you wanted. If he feels this step back was sweet, he’ll be more willing to take another step next time, and it will be easier than this one.”
Liancheng’s smile became stiff.
Seeing this, the deputy’s wife’s thoughts drifted, “Did he scold you?”
Liancheng became even more stiff.
The deputy’s wife, however, shook her head first, “I can see the affection in his eyes for you. Is there some misunderstanding between you two? If it’s just about the dress, since he’s changed the wedding, why don’t you two talk openly?”
Liancheng couldn’t refuse any longer. She was asking for a favor, and repeatedly declining would offend them and dampen their enthusiasm.
The deputy’s wife was also very perceptive and had already noticed something unusual about her state. Liancheng had a bit of cleverness, but she also had a good understanding of herself. People who had navigated the complexities of officialdom could easily pick up on her slightest mistake, and then they would analyze it piece by piece, getting to the truth.
She had no choice but to force herself to return to the small courtyard.
As soon as she entered, the courtyard and corridor lights were all on. The main hall was wide open but empty, and the attendants had vanished. The window of her room upstairs was open, and Liang Chaosu stood by the window.
He had already changed out of his formal attire and was wearing a dark velvet robe. Under the night sky, it was a deep, rich black. The collar was loose, revealing the shockingly ghastly white gauze on his neck.
Liancheng held her breath and stood still, looking up at him.
“Why did you come back?”
“To pack my clothes.” Liancheng observed his expression. Standing too close to the window, she could only see the glaring gauze and his jaw. “Are you staying in my room tonight?”
He bowed his head, his face once again accumulating shadows. He didn’t make a sound.
Liancheng took a step back.
“You want to leave?”
“No.” Liancheng stopped and looked up again. “You’re standing too high, and I can’t see clearly.”
Liang Chaosu understood she needed to confirm if she was safe. His rash behavior in the afternoon had crossed her boundary, and the intimacy they had slowly built up previously had completely vanished.
Liancheng felt like leaving. “Then you rest. I’ll change my clothes in the provincial capital.”
Liang Chaosu’s tone carried a resolute coldness. “Come up.”
Liancheng wanted to leave even more. “Director Qin is still waiting for me.”
The deputy’s surname was Lü, and the deputy’s wife was named Qin. Unlike ordinary noblewomen, the deputy’s wife had her own career and position. At the banquet, as people greeted her, some flattered her, but the deputy’s wife was largely indifferent.
Liancheng felt a sense of connection and addressed her as Director Qin.
Liancheng had always addressed her as “Madam” before, and had never formally called her by her title. Suddenly saying “Director Qin” made the deputy’s wife’s expression relax.
Liang Chaosu watched from the side, loving her intelligence and spirit, yet also hating it.
First, there was the promise of the rest of his life being at his disposal, then the birthday ring, and now the phoenix crown and robe. Her words were not heartfelt, she didn’t care, and her coaxing wasn’t even sincere.
A set phrase, as hollow as the Phantom of the Opera’s heroine’s final kiss to escape.
A wound still gaped open in his chest. His sutured heart was ringing, churning his insides, clouding his judgment with desire.
“You came back this afternoon, didn’t you want to know what my father’s plans were?”
Liancheng’s footsteps paused. The pillar lights in the courtyard cast a dim yellow glow, and the light and shadow flickered on her face, her expression cautious.
“Come up,” he urged. His chest swelled and then subsided. He finally softened his tone. “You’re abiding by the engagement. What happened this afternoon won’t happen again.”
He made a second promise. Liancheng tentatively took a step forward.
Liang Chaosu watched her, remaining silent.
Liancheng weighed the situation. Director Qin was waiting for her outside, and time was limited. If Liang Chaosu truly intended to act like a beast, he wouldn’t choose a time like this.
Otherwise, with the conflict at the banquet earlier, and her fear of not returning now, eventually, no matter the reason, Director Qin would send people to check on her.
She went upstairs and reached her room door. The door was wide open. The bright ceiling light was off, but the floor lamp was on at its brightest. Liang Chaosu was sitting on the small couch, with documents piled beside him. The incident in Qingxi Valley was resolved, and he had handed over the aftermath to Gu Xingyuan.
Liancheng wasn’t sure what aspect of his work he was so busy with.
“Change your clothes.” His gaze fell on her feet. She was completely tense; she hadn’t changed her shoes when coming upstairs, as if she were fully armed and couldn’t afford to lack any equipment.
In some situations, pointed heels could form a fatal attack on a man’s greatest weakness.
He inexplicably almost chuckled. “You don’t trust me? The bathroom is locked.”
Liancheng blinked, unable to understand why he was laughing.
Then she heard him say, “I don’t have the key.”
Liancheng didn’t quite believe him. “What were his plans?”
As soon as she finished speaking, her phone rang, a text message notification.
Liancheng’s heart leaped. She had a premonition that it was Feng Shien.
Liang Chaosu looked at her, his gaze moving from her face to the handbag where she kept her phone.
Liancheng clutched the strap of her bag, steadying herself, and didn’t move. Her phone rang again.
This time, it was the phone’s ringing tone.
In the silent room, it came with an imposing force.
