Since the onset of winter, Liang Qin had been unwell. Initially, everyone visited her often, but over time, their visits became less frequent. Other than her birth mother, Sixth Aunt, and her personal servant Ah Xiu, few people came to Liang Qin's chamber, not even the low-ranking maidservants could be bothered, afraid of bad luck.
In the blink of an eye, spring had arrived, and Liang Qin's health started to improve. Seeing the gardenia blossoming beautifully in their mansion, Ah Xiu picked a handful and placed them on her desk. The room instantly filled up with sweet fragrance.
Sitting by her bed, Liang Qin was embroidering sachets for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. She was not even nineteen yet, and her delicate face had become gaunt due to her sickness. Her exquisite jawline appeared sharper, her raven hair cascaded down to her waist, rendering her face even more pale. Despite her frail appearance, it was hard not to feel a wave of sympathy for her.
"Miss, you've been embroidering for a while now, you should rest. You don't want to strain your eyes," Ah Xiu urged gently.
Liang Qin put down the thread, giving a faint smile, softly replied: "In a few days, my elder sister will be back. I heard that Kang and Ping would also return, as their aunt, this is the only gift I can give them to celebrate their joy."
Upon hearing this, Ah Xiu instantly recalled the conversation she overheard in the kitchen this morning and told Liang Qin, "Miss, I heard that when our First Miss returns from her hometown, General Xie will also return with her."
Liang Qin murmured: "The northern part of Jiang and the southern part are thousands of miles apart. General Xie probably does not feel at ease and is accompanying my sister back home."
Ah Xiu nodded with a touch of admiration, "Our first miss is indeed fortunate. Who isn't aware of General Xie's accomplishments? Not only did he unify the north of Jiang, but he also repelled the Russians. Nowadays, who doesn't sing his praises?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ah Xiu instantly regretted. Highlighting the valorous and distinguished husband of Liang Qin's elder sister only made the contrast of Liang Qin's pitiful solitude more pronounced.
Fortunately, Liang Qin appeared oblivious. Upon hearing Ah Xiu praising her sister's husband, Liang Qin's eyes softened. "General Xie is a hero of our time, my sister is his virtuous wife, blessed with children. Indeed, my sister's fortune is great."
Although Liang Qin did not understand the affairs of military and politics, she had heard her biological mother and other aunts talk about General Xie of the north. She knew that Xie Chengdong, the commander of the northern region, was regarded as a brave and resourceful man, the pillar of her elder sister's life, and the protector of their Fu family from southern Jiang.
Ten years ago, Fu Zhentao married his eldest daughter Fu Lianglan to Xie Chengdong, seeking protection from the north. Seven years later, he married his second daughter, Liang Qin, to the rise of the Chuan-Yu region, Liang Jiansheng. Fu Zhentao, who lacked military strength and land in the south, could not resist either the north or the Chuan-Yu region. He tried to maintain peace through marriages, trying not to provoke either side, expecting that whoever eventually won would show him some consideration.
However, his perfect plan backfired, and he ended up offending both sides. Xie Chengdong, despite his wife's younger sister being married off to Liang Jiansheng, treats Fu Lianglan with unwavering respect and love. As for Liang Qin, married into the Chuan-Yu region as the concubine of Liang Jiansheng, she was oppressed by the first wife above and obstructed by others below, leading a life fraught with difficulties.