Chapter 23: The End of the Angry Tides of Liang Zhu

  The torrential rain stopped for a while in the late afternoon, and when the lights were lit everywhere, it started pouring again. The outermost earth buildings of Majiabao all hung high lanterns. This kind of lantern is much more expensive than ordinary lanterns, from Mo Workshop.

  Outside the lantern, the character "deng" of Mohist school was written, barely making the light form a path in the fog, shining out 20-30 meters away from the building, somewhat like a searchlight of later generations.

  Today is Wei Daoer, the master of Majiabao Xiantianzong, on duty.

  Weidao'er was once a lone thief, but after being seriously injured and drifting to Majiabao, he was taken in by the old master of the Ma family and devoted himself to them with unwavering loyalty.

  Wei Daoer was nearly two meters tall, with leopard-like eyes, a prominent nose and a wide mouth, resembling the fierce Zhang Fei of old. He wielded a broadsword, his swordsmanship bold and powerful. Although there were no battles to be fought at present, Wei Daoer gave it his all, his eyes fixed intently on the lanterns as the light enveloped him completely.

  He didn't notice that the rainwater had a slightly acidic taste, and as it pattered against the earthen wall, subtle changes were taking place.

  Four Seas Inn, Liangshan tosses and turns on his bed, unable to sleep.

  Dark clouds covered the city, heavy rain poured down, and Liangshan felt an extra pressure.

  If it were just theft, even if all of them were caught and the gold was returned to its rightful owners one by one, they would withdraw their lawsuits. This world operates on the principle of "no accusation, no settlement", so this matter would be settled. However, Ma Wencai is now targeting Zhu Qingyun, even if other victims withdrew their lawsuits, the Ma family would not, making this matter difficult to resolve.

  Liáng Shān thought and thought, but still couldn't come up with a good solution. Alas, he was just too weak after all.

  Just then, Liangshan heard the sound of someone coming upstairs. A tall and slender figure with light footsteps appeared in his mind. Before long, someone knocked gently on the door and asked, "Is Mr. Liang in?"

  "Who?"

  "Mr. Xiao is here, with something important to tell you."

  Liángziqiang left, and then came a man with the surname Xiao. This made Ma Wencai not let his guard down for a moment. Liangshan felt that since he arrived at Majiabao, all of his actions were being monitored by Ma Wencai.

  With a "ya" sound, Liangshan opened the door, but it was a middle-aged scholar, who looked thin and had small eyes that shone like a mouse's.

  Mr. Xiao stepped into the house, closed the door behind him and bowed his hands saying: "I've met Mr. Liang."

  "Mr. Xiao." Liangshan returned the courtesy.

  Mr. Xiao spoke slowly and looked around cautiously.

  "Mr. Xiao, what advice do you have?"

  Mr. Xiao sneered and said, "Young Master Ma is very angry."

  "So late at night, is Mr. Xiao just going to tell me this?"

  "How vigorous and spirited! Truly vigorous and spirited!" With that, Mr. Xiao pulled out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Liangshan.

  Liáng Shān opened it and took a look, still a divorce letter, sneered: "Take it away!"

  "Doesn't this handwriting look familiar?" Mr. Xiao was secretly pleased with himself, as he had a unique skill - he was good at imitating others' handwriting. He had brought over the examination papers from Liangshanbo's school days and after trying a few times, he could immediately produce a fake that looked like the real thing. His plan was to use this fake to force Liangshanbo to write a genuine letter of resignation. With the power of the Ma family behind him, one fake letter would be enough, for now it was just a matter of ensuring that nothing went wrong.

  "So what?"

  Mr. Xiao burst out laughing and said "Haha", while Liangshan Bo pretended to be foolish and asked: "Isn't this your handwriting?"

  Liáng Shān's pupils constricted, was he really imitating his handwriting?

  Liáng Shān Bó didn't know what his original handwriting was like anymore.

  Seeing Liangshan being stunned, Mr. Xiao's heart became more and more pleased, saying: "As the saying goes, those who know the current situation are heroes, Mr. Liang, the previous conditions still count."

  "Get out!" Liang Shan shouted.

  Mr. Xiao's face turned pale, and he pointed at Liangshan Road: "I'm here to save you, don't be mistaken!"

  "Get out!"

  Mr. Xiao was confident that his plan would succeed.

  Observing Liang Shanbo's behavior, this person values profit over righteousness. He refused his second uncle merely to raise the price. Mr. Xiao thought to himself, with his skillful fake as real trick, it would be a fatal threat to him. Whether you write or not, the divorce letter is already there. Liang Shanbo has no choice but to agree.

  He never thought it would end like this, his whole body trembling with rage as he slammed the door and left.

  Good grief! It's outrageous! Liang Shan slapped the table and scratched his head, no way, can't do it this way.

  However, on the second day, before Liangshan could make any move, Zhu Family's master Zhe Xian directly killed him at his door, not allowing Liangshan to retort, and scolded him severely, roughly "forgetting kindness and betraying righteousness".

  The old man's voice was about to blow off the roof, and soon, the good news spread far and wide that "Liangshan Bo wrote a divorce letter".

  So fast!

  Wu Tu rushed over upon hearing the news, and Liangshan whispered something in his ear. Wu Tu hastily left the door.

  Qingyu Building, Ma Wencai had just finished lunch when Mr. Xiao came in, smiling and saying: "The idle rascals and shrews from the city walls have all gone to the Four Seas Inn, and they're cursing with all sorts of foul language."

  Ma Wenzai smiled silently, cocked his ear to listen, and indeed there were curses like a tide. Zhu Yingtai had the skills of an immortal family, so he naturally heard it even more clearly.

  "This is truly 'declining a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty cup'." Mr. Xiao observed the expressions and thought that Master Ma was indeed fond of Zhu Yingtai, if it were another woman, they would have directly gotten together, why go through so many twists and turns.

  "Come on, let's go take a look at Zhu Niang!" Ma Wencai stood up straight, his face filled with excitement.

  Mr. Xiao nodded and put away the letter of resignation, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.

  The inn of Four Seas is currently surrounded by water that can't be drained, while Liangshan has locked himself in his room.

  He waited, enduring. Outside was a surge of curses and shouts of condemnation, as if to drown him out. Liangshan believed that as soon as he stepped out the door, countless rotten eggs would be thrown at him.

  This era lacks entertainment, and the red lanterns and green wine at night only belong to the upper class of Majiabao. For ordinary people, there is nothing that can make them fall into collective frenzy like "thousand men pointing"!

  From the beginning, Liangshan was portrayed as a petty man clinging to the aristocracy. However, Liangshan managed to regain some ground with his ancient poem. Now, Ma Wencai has again exerted his influence, and Zhu Xian's scolding at the Four Seas Inn has made this petty man arbitrarily dismiss the famous filial daughter Zhu Yingtai, who is renowned for hundreds of miles. In the eyes of kind-hearted and simple people, this is undoubtedly an act that will provoke heavenly wrath.

  Now, Liangshan has to rely on his own strength to fight against Ma's family and public opinion.

  He can still sit tight now. If it were the old Liangshanbo, he would have been scared to death, but who is he? He is Liangshan! Even in the 21st century on Earth, among six billion people, Liangshan is also a top talent, and has seen many grand scenes.

  Playing elegantly, a melody of "Liang Zhu" makes the listener's soul upside down. Playing roughly and coarsely, Liangshan was once a rascal among eighteen alleys.

  In front of Liangshan was an ancient zither, which Wu Du had hastily borrowed from Xunfang Tower. Liangshan sat cross-legged, his entire being immersed in a deep sorrow.

  This is called emotional fermentation, and he has to do this work before each performance.

  Ma Wenzai quickened his pace after entering the last floor door.

  Two maids were whispering outside the side hall.

  "I heard that Liang Shanbo has written a letter of divorce."

  "Ah!"

  "It's true!"

  "This Liang Shanbo is too wicked, he previously harmed our family's young lady and now he comes to harm Zhu Yingtai."

  "That's okay."

  "Yes, I think Miss Zhuang is a good match for our young master."

  Ma Wenzai's face broke into a smile.

  The maids saw Ma Wenci and smiled coquettishly, their faces showing a flattering expression.

  Ma Wenzai waved his hand and the maid bowed and bid farewell.

  Ma Wenzai arrived at the door, his heart racing with excitement. After many days of planning, he had finally mustered up the courage to come here. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and gently knocked on the door. "Zhu Niang," he called out, "may I come in?"

  "Please come in."

  The door opened and Ma Wencai saw Zhu Qingyun sitting on the bed with a smile: "I came to congratulate you, miss."

  "What's so happy about?"

  "You are free." Ma Wencai hastily gave Mr. Xiao a signal, and Mr. Xiao quickly walked over, took out the carefully forged divorce paper that was flawless, and handed it over.

  The letter from her husband? Zhi Qingyun's expression froze for a moment, she opened it, scanned it quickly, and her hands began to tremble immediately.

  The husband's divorce letter, how is this possible?! Xiāng Yún's heart suddenly had a thread of pain, and the noise outside, the faint sound of people's voices entering her ears, could it be true?!

  "It's also good this way." Ma Wencai sighed.

  Qingyun's eyebrows rose as she looked at the handwriting, and the corners of her mouth immediately curled up. Her hand shook, and the entire letter turned to dust.

  Mr. Xiao instinctively jumped back, his eyes wide with fear, this guy was too scary, such a delicate little girl actually...

  "Shameless!"

  "This Liangshan Bo is indeed shameless." Ma Wencai's heart had already begun to look forward, with Zhu Family Village master Zhu Xian taking charge, everything would be settled.

  Qingyun sneered twice and said: "I'm talking about you, Ma Wencai!"

  Ma Wencai was taken aback for a moment, his handsome face flushing red as he said: "Zhu Niang, even now, you still defend him?"

  Qingyun's beautiful eyes stared at Ma Wencai, thinking of her husband's favorite phrase: People can't be so shameless!

  "This is not my husband's handwriting."

  Qingyun has seen Liangshan write "The Righteousness Song", this is absolutely not his handwriting.

  Ma Wenzai immediately turned his head and looked at Mr. Xiao.

  Mr. Xiao's body shook, his eyes widened in shock, and he nodded and shook his head so quickly that he didn't know what to say. He was clearly imitating Liang Shanbo's handwriting! How could he have known that the current Liang Shanbo was not the same as before?!

  Outside the Four Seas Inn, a rough man jumped up and shouted loudly: "Liangshan Bo, come out!" This was one of the loyal servants of the Ma family.

  "Get out!" Many people echoed immediately.

  The inn was once again bustling with people outside, and the shopkeeper was so anxious that he was turning around in circles inside, but didn't dare to go out.

  Liáng Shān couldn't hear anything anymore, raised his hand, and with a light pluck of the strings on the guqin, a clear sound rang out, and a rendition of "The Butterfly Lovers" in ancient zither style began to play.

  Liang Shan had never played this tune since he came into this world, and his heart was surprisingly stirred.

  The crowd was stunned for a moment, and then they started scolding again loudly.

  This guy is too arrogant, he thinks he's Zhuge Kongming, playing a tune to scare away Sima Yi's 100,000 elite soldiers?

  But before long, the jeers stopped and people began to listen quietly.

  Is there such a wonderful melody in this world?

  Too unbelievable.

  Everyone's heart has the most beautiful and romantic entanglements, with all sorts of scenarios swirling in their minds, each person's face revealing a dazed and drunken expression.

  After a long time, the music came to an end. A Confucian scholar stroked his beard and sighed deeply, saying: "This is heavenly music!" Many more people had tears streaming down their faces. Just then, a sigh was heard from inside, striking heavily at everyone's heart.

  "With a cry of 'Ah', the window was pushed open, and Liang Shan stood at the edge of the wind, his eyes filled with tears. He said: "This song is called 'Liang Zhu', it can express my heart. The world knows that Ma's family has talent, but they don't know that he is warm on the surface and has a wolf's heart inside. Seeing my wife is beautiful, he first accused me of stealing his name, then lured me to the brothel, and now he even forged a divorce letter in my name! Does the world not know that Ma's family has many talented people who can imitate others' handwriting with ease?! Fellow villagers, honest and righteous gentlemen, under the clear sky, bear witness for me. I, Liang Shan, am not talented, but I will go to Qing Yu Lou to see whose hand actually wrote this divorce letter?!"

  If it weren't for the ancient famous melody "The Butterfly Lovers", Liang Shan's words would have been drowned out by the crowd and ended in tragedy. But with the melody, whether refined scholars or rough men, all were intoxicated by it, a true masterpiece that extinguished the raging fire in their chests. At this moment, when they heard Liang Shan's words filled with grievances, the crowd suddenly erupted into an uproar.

  "Yes, someone who can recite lines like 'If the two of us are meant to be together for a long time, why must we be apart morning and night?' is no ordinary person." Someone whispered in discussion.

  "That tune just now made my soul fly away, someone who can play such a good tune, I don't think is a bad person." A robust woman with an apron and holding a wooden spoon, apparently from the kitchen, said.

  Hua Mei's sister was already in tears, standing far away from the crowd, feeling guilty for her previous collaboration with Ma Wenci to lure Liang Shan. Seeing Liang Shan's sorrowful and desperate words, she trembled with rage, wishing she could clench her fists and shout: "Liang Gongzi is innocent!"

  Liáng Shān bowed his hands, crying out in shock and surprise as he rushed down the stairs. With a loud "clang", he pushed open the large gate and emerged from the Four Seas Inn. The crowd automatically parted to make way for him. Liáng Shān held his head high and strode forward, heading straight for the Qìng Yú Lóu.

  The crowd was taken aback for a moment, and then followed like a tidal wave.

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