You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 167 Tong Shouliang's Hair
Liang Jiang paused for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Does he know that you endure this kind of humiliation here every day?"

The "he" that Liang Jiang was referring to was Gu Xizhi.

Although Consort Xin was confused for a moment and had an affair with him, she ended up in this situation because of him. Can Gu Xizhi really bear to ignore it?

Consort Xin smiled bitterly, but misunderstood what Liang Jiang meant: "The most ruthless family is the imperial family. He won't even give me a chance to explain. How could I expect him to change his mind and forgive me?"

She struggled to her feet, wiping away her tears: "No matter what, I still want to thank you for saving my life today."

I have wronged Prince Pingxi. Although I had my own compelling reasons at the time, I am now reaping the consequences of my actions, which can be considered a form of atonement.

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiang felt that the devoted woman was betrayed by the heartless man. She had been bullied like this every day in the palace, yet she still had to apologize to Gu Xizhi.

What exactly happened between them? Did Consort Xin do something to wrong Gu Xizhi?
Watching Consort Xin leave in a daze, Liang Jiang felt as if something was firmly stuck in her heart.

An inexplicable and unclear barrier arose between Gu Xizhi and him.

The next day, the emperor's reward for Liang Jiang was announced, and it was Eunuch Lin who came in person.

The entire household set up an altar and burned incense at the entrance of the Duke's mansion to respectfully welcome the imperial edict.

In addition to the rewards, there was also an imperial edict of self-reproach from the emperor.

In his edict of self-reproach, the emperor reflected on and examined his own shortcomings in investigating the case of the Duke of Liang's unjust death, and his continued reliance on Tong Shouliang, which led to the Duke of Liang and his wife and daughters being unjustly accused for two years.

This edict of self-reproach caused the surrounding people to shout "Long live the Emperor, the Emperor is wise and sagacious!" Ask any emperor throughout history, no one has been able to so bravely and frankly admit their negligence and mistakes.

Moreover, the emperor was benevolent in his policies and did not punish the Duke's family.

Liang Jiang was also deeply moved and humbly thanked the Emperor for his boundless grace. Lady Liang was even more grateful, tears streaming down her face.

Among the gifts bestowed upon Liang Jiang was a box of exquisitely crafted pastries.

Horseshoe pastry, hibiscus glutinous rice cake, lychee sago cake, imperial concubine red pastry, sweet snow pastry, and two steamers of shumai.

Eunuch Lin said that the emperor personally ordered them, and the imperial kitchen prepared them in the morning to satisfy Liangjiang's craving.

Liang Jiang was very grateful for the guidance she received from Eunuch Lin when she entered the palace yesterday. She knew that as someone who served the emperor, he was never short of gifts from others and had plenty of good things at his disposal.

Seeing that he was occasionally out of breath while speaking, he ordered someone to fetch some of the finest tonics.

Grandpa Lin accepted it gladly.

The entire Duke's mansion, from top to bottom, was filled with joy.

Especially the second bedroom.

Liang Wendong was ordered to take up his post in the Military Selection and Appointment Department of the Ministry of War, effective immediately.

Although it was only a minor official position for the time being, the Military Selection and Appointment Office was in charge of the rank, appointment, promotion, succession, and conferment of military officials, making it a truly lucrative post.

As long as no major mistakes are made, with the backing of the Duke's mansion, he will definitely be able to rise steadily in the future.

Most importantly, the fact that the emperor still remembered Liang Wendong and personally promoted him indicates that his future succession to the title is almost certain.

Inside the second room, everyone was overjoyed and extremely excited.

Liang Wendong also felt triumphant and very proud.

Liang Wenshi happily busied herself, saying, "Wen Dong, your eldest sister deserves a lot of credit for your success today. Why don't you thank your eldest sister?"

Upon hearing Liang Wenshi's words, Liang Wendong bowed deeply to Liang Jiang and said, "Wendong thanks you, elder sister."

Since Liang Jiang returned from Xiliang, Liang Wenshi's attitude towards her has softened considerably, no longer as harsh and sarcastic as before.

"You can't hit someone who's smiling," Liang Jiang said calmly. "No need to be polite."

Lady Liangwen was very satisfied: "Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things. In the future, the whole family should be united like this. As the elder sister, you should help your younger brother. In the future, your brother will also be your support. How can our Duke's Mansion not prosper and flourish?" Liangjiang did not say anything.

She knew that this temporary peace was just an illusion.

During my time away in Xiliang, my second uncle worked diligently with Manager Zhao to prepare for the reopening of a new pharmacy.

Manager Zhao used his past connections to poach many of the pharmacy's long-time customers. As a result, his pharmacy's business plummeted, getting worse day by day.

Not only that, but his second uncle also took advantage of his absence to rescue Qin Gui from prison, and now Qin Gui works in his pharmacy.

They were putting in all their effort, waiting for an opportunity to strike them head-on.

Liang Su, witnessing Liang Wen's complete change in attitude towards Liang Jiang, was consumed by jealousy and nearly ground her teeth to powder.

She glanced at the snacks the emperor had given to Liang Jiang and gave a sour, sarcastic smile: "Sister, you've done such a great service, and the emperor only rewarded you with a box of snacks? Am I seeing things?"

Liang Jiang said calmly, "I don't lack anything."

A casual remark made Liang Su's teeth clench again, and his heart ached.

Yes, she has already become a second-rank princess, with power and money, and now she even has a good reputation.

The people of the city all praised the princess of the Duke's Mansion for her loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. They lauded her unparalleled wisdom and martial arts skills, and even heard that she had gone to Xiliang for a visit and ended up as the Golden Knife Prince Consort.

How come she's so lucky?
And Prince Pingxi accompanied her through life and death.

The more I thought about it, the worse I felt.

She pursed her lips and said, "You can beg the Emperor to grant you a marriage. Take advantage of your current popularity and marry into a good family. Don't miss this golden opportunity."

Liang Jiang chuckled: "Only someone who wants to get married but can't would think like that, right?"

Liang Su retorted sarcastically, "Isn't my sister the same?"

"You should get married first before you worry about my marriage."

"Hmph, the Duke's mansion is currently riding high, my father has a bright future, and Liangdong is the future Duke. If I wanted to marry, there are plenty of good young men in the capital to choose from. Why am I in such a hurry? On the contrary, you, sister, tsk tsk, in the future you can only rely on us."

To be honest, the emperor's gifts to the second wife did make Liangjiang feel a little uneasy. She didn't understand the emperor's intentions.

Perhaps this is the emperor's art of checks and balances?

She said coldly, "What you yearn for is what I earned through my own abilities. I can bring glory to the Duke's mansion, and I can bring glory to myself. What you have, I can have; on the contrary, what I have, you can never have in your entire life."

Turn around and leave.

Liang Su scoffed behind her back, but Liang Jiang pretended not to hear. Her father's matter was finally settled, and the skilled craftsmen of the Ministry of Works were working hard to complete the tombstone bestowed by the emperor.

I need to hurry up and renovate my father's grave to comfort his spirit in heaven.

When I mentioned it to Madam Liang, she had already had the same idea.

The next day, we found skilled craftsmen, prepared raw materials, and finalized the details.

On the third day, the mother and daughter prepared gold and silver paper money, as well as tribute liquor, and summoned craftsmen. They traveled by car to the cemetery, where they made preliminary arrangements for the repairs and agreed to start work the next day.

After the craftsmen left, the mother and daughter lit incense and candles to offer sacrifices. Liangjiang took out a lock of hair wrapped in a handkerchief from her bosom and then opened it.

Lady Liang asked, "What is this?"

“I cut off a lock of Tong Shouliang’s hair to use as a substitute for my head, as a tribute to my father’s spirit in heaven.”

Madam Liang took the hair with trembling hands, glanced at it, frowned and asked, "Is this really Tong Shouliang's hair?"

(End of this chapter)