Liang Jue’s lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Shen Meng cut to the chase: “Just say it directly.” Regardless of Liang Jue’s choice, she wouldn’t be too affected.

Liang Jue glanced at her, then averted his gaze, looked back at her, then lowered his head and turned away, repeating this process several times before finally speaking, “It’s Du Zhi.”

Upon hearing this long-lost name, Shen Meng was slightly stunned. But in Liang Jue’s eyes, it meant that Shen Meng still couldn’t forget her past relationship with Du Zhi. His tone couldn’t help but carry a hint of sourness: “You made me say it.”

Liang Jue knew Du Zhi. He was the nephew of Shen Meng’s stepfather, Shen Li, and had been fostered in the Shen family for a period of time, just like Wang Shuyue.

Later, Du Zhi’s elder sister settled down in the capital and brought the whole family, including Du Zhi, over. If not for Liang Jue’s intervention, Shen Meng might have been arranged to marry Du Zhi by Shen Li.

Shen Meng had never had someone she liked. Although Du Zhi’s family background was slightly weaker, his personal conditions were compatible with Shen Meng’s, and he was gentle and good-looking. Shen Li would have strongly promoted this marriage. As long as Shen Meng didn’t strongly reject it, there was an eighty percent chance of Du Zhi becoming Shen Meng’s husband.

In Du Zhi’s eyes, Liang Jue had taken away his good marriage opportunity, so it was natural for him to resent him.

“It’s not that it’s not possible, but are you sure it’s really him? What’s his relationship with the Liang family?”

To be able to meddle in the affairs of the Liang family, he must have a close relationship with someone in the Liang mansion. Otherwise, any outsider could easily tamper with the affairs of Liang Jue, the master of the mansion, and the Liang family wouldn’t be able to live in peace.

“I’ve only found that he’s related, but he should just be a pawn.” Liang Jue didn’t have much information on him. The further he investigated, the more resistance he encountered. Besides, in just one or two days, he couldn’t uncover anything significant.

“Oh? So what has he done?” Mentioning this unrelated little cousin still stirred some emotions in Shen Meng. After all, he had always held her in high regard.

Liang Jue glanced at her expression and asked, “Can you tell me, do you like him?”

Although they were newlyweds, Shen Meng wasn’t always by his side. Shen Li had a bone to pick with her after their last encounter and was constantly scheming revenge.

Liang Jue had enough money of his own, and Shen Meng’s estate was separate. Even if Shen Li withheld her dowry, Liang Jue wouldn’t be short of money. While Shen Li couldn’t harm Liang Jue financially, she could certainly make him uncomfortable by constantly reminding him of Shen Meng’s past.

People in love often have strong possessiveness. Although Liang Jue pretended not to care, he couldn’t help but listen and then immerse himself in jealousy, exuding a sourness.

Unfortunately, he didn’t dare ask Shen Meng directly, only sneaking around to investigate. Unable to resist his curiosity, he used this opportunity to voice his concerns.

“He’s just a cousin.” For Shen Meng, men were all the same. As Liang Jue had anticipated, at the age when she should be marrying and bearing children, and with no more suitable options than Du Zhi, she would likely marry this little cousin.

Not everyone could tolerate Shen Li, and if there were particularly suitable suitors, Shen Li would surely ruin their prospects. The marriage between Shen Meng and Liang Jue was only possible because of the influence of the Liang family over the Shen family.

Shen Li had ideas of her own, but she still had to prioritize her husband. She couldn’t risk jeopardizing her own future as the mistress of the household.

“Are you sure he’s just a cousin?” Liang Jue was naturally relieved, but he couldn’t help but confirm again.

Unfortunately, Shen Meng didn’t understand the delicate feelings of men very well. Despite having some insight, her thoughts weren’t as deep as Liang Jue’s, so she impatiently replied, “I’ve already answered your previous question. Now it’s your turn.”

Liang Jue had to abandon his further inquiries and explain the situation: “It’s a coincidence. There’s a servant’s child in our house who’s seriously ill. Given his family’s circumstances, he can’t afford enough medicine. He went to the temple to seek peace charms, and your cousin happened to hear about his situation while he was there praying. I don’t know how he came up with this idea, but he decided to scheme against me. As for the handwriting issue, you should know, your cousin is quite skilled at copying.”

This is also an important reason for Liang Jue’s jealousy and resentment. Shen Meng clearly liked people who wrote well, and Du Zhi possessed many qualities she admired.

Liang Jue didn’t elaborate on the specific process, but he knew there were coincidences here, but more likely, careful calculations. Du Zhi harbored resentment and ambition, but his abilities were quite limited, and he personally couldn’t extend his reach so far.

Recalling the young face that was always gentle and shy in her memory, Shen Meng fell silent for a moment before asking, “Do you have concrete evidence linking him to this matter?”

Liang Jue’s tone was very certain: “Of course.”

Shen Meng continued, “So, what do you plan to do with him?”

Liang Jue’s voice became colder, and his tone sounded somewhat ruthless: “Those who dare to do wrong must be prepared to face retaliation. I won’t do much, just want him to taste this kind of bitterness.”

Du Zhi was not yet married, but as a young man, he was definitely not as favored at home as his elder sister. The idea here was about obeying parental commands and following the matchmaker’s arrangements. Regardless of gender, major marriage matters were usually decided by the elders.

Parents who doted on their children would naturally want them to marry someone they liked, but in Du Zhi’s case, the family would definitely sacrifice him for the future of the main branch. With the status and position of both the Liang and Du families, manipulating Du Zhi’s marriage was an easy task.

Shen Meng sighed and said, “I don’t think you should retaliate against him. Instead, you should protect him.”

Liang Jue suddenly felt very aggrieved: “You said you didn’t care about him, but he did something like this to me. You won’t let me retaliate. If my reputation is really ruined by him, do you want to divorce me and marry him instead, to satisfy your desires?”

Shen Meng explained, “Didn’t you say he’s just a pawn? Since we haven’t found the real mastermind, why rush to deal with this pawn? Even if it’s Wang Shuyue restraining himself now, without her, there could be Zhang Shuyue, or Li Shuyue… I have my moments of negligence. Do you want to live in constant fear and worry?”

She paused, then continued, “Since the other party knows you’re investigating, they might act against Du Zhi prematurely. You should have someone keep a close eye on him and find out which faction the assailant belongs to.”

She wasn’t unable to understand Liang Jue’s thoughts; she just saw things from a broader perspective.

But when her husband was angry, she naturally had to soothe him. Shen Meng hesitated for a moment, then reached out to tuck a loose strand of Liang Jue’s hair and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his waist. Lowering her head, she gave Liang Jue’s slightly pouting lips a kiss.

—

1. “Zhang Shuyue” and “Li Shuyue” are hypothetical names used by Shen Meng to illustrate her point. They represent other potential individuals who could potentially replace Wang Shuyue (王叔越) if she were to be removed from the situation. Essentially, Shen Meng is suggesting that if one person (Wang Shuyue) is eliminated, there may be others who could take her place, so it’s not a permanent solution.