bookpower Chapter 32
Chapter 32
When Shen Meng didn’t want to speak, Liang Jue sensibly didn’t press further. He flipped through the pages again, committing the symbols to memory with his remarkable recall.
After some mental calculations, he pointed to a symbol and asked Shen Meng, “Does this refer to Zuo Yun, the Left Attendant of the Ministry of Works?”
Shen Meng was surprised inwardly but remained composed outwardly. Without confirming or denying, she pointed to another symbol and asked Liang Jue, “And what about this one, who do you think it is?”
Liang Jue’s eyes shimmered, his lips moved, as if about to speak but stopped, ultimately shaking his head, “At present, I can’t guess.”
Observing Liang Jue’s demeanor, Shen Meng relaxed inwardly. It seemed like his guess about the name had an element of coincidence; her secret wasn’t fully exposed to him.
Just as she thought so, Liang Jue quietly pushed the book filled with markings towards her until it reached her.
When Shen Meng looked at him with a puzzled expression, he spoke, his tone serious, “If this involves your life or death, you should keep it safe. Don’t casually leave it lying around on the table.”
Although he eagerly stared while reading, he ended up lecturing her after finishing. Shen Meng found it amusing but also understood that he was concerned about her.
She couldn’t help but ask, “If you knew you shouldn’t look, why did you?”
Liang Jue justified, “As your husband, I can’t separate myself if something happens to you. I’m not just anyone; I’m your legally wedded husband. Whatever belongs to you, I have the right to see, but that’s a different matter.”
Shen Meng conceded, “Yes, so I didn’t show it to you.”
Liang Jue continued, “If you have secrets from me, I won’t force you to tell me. Eventually, you’ll tell me when you’re ready. But if it’s something concerning life and death, don’t hide it from me.”
“That’s natural. What can be said and what cannot be said, I weigh it in my heart. As long as you don’t press me, there’s nothing I won’t share.”
After Shen Meng agreed, she asked him, “Indeed, the name earlier was Zuo Yun. I can agree to what you said, but could you please tell me how you guessed it?”
She believed her symbols were unique, and random guessing wouldn’t reveal the truth. Even if guessed, there had to be a reason.
Liang Jue explained, “It’s simple. Your ‘Yun’ character is in Nan Zhu language. In this language, this symbol represents clouds, and the figure wearing a jade ornament is a woman. Since women are respected, ‘left (Zuo)’ is also respected, combined, it naturally becomes ‘Zuo Yun’.”
When Shen Meng recorded these things, she indeed used a similar thought process and unique symbols.
Shen Meng naturally hadn’t forgotten, “Of course, I remember. The marriage was arranged by our parents, just like any other family.”
While Shen Meng’s affection for Liang Jue was not as deep as his, she wasn’t old-fashioned either, not thinking that a man taking the initiative was shameless.
To ease Liang Jue’s discomfort, she explained, “Besides, I should thank my husband.”
Liang Jue, who was initially embarrassed, quickly seized on his words, “What are you thanking me for?”
“Of course, I’m thanking you because I married such a good husband.”
This person really isn’t serious at all. Liang Jue glanced at her with annoyance, more teasing than angry.
But with that, he relaxed a lot, “In the past, when I was still at home, my mother and elder sister often discussed court matters. Naturally, I knew some courtiers’ names. After some consideration, I realized there were only three ministers with ‘Yun’ in their names, one with three characters, and the other two, only Lady Zuo Yun fits the condition.”
Liang Jue’s tone was casual, but to be able to determine such a person, he first had to know the names of all the courtiers. Apart from that, he also needed to understand the situations of individuals with these names to confidently provide an answer.
Although the current emperor highly respected the empress, women’s status in this dynasty always surpassed men’s, and the harem did not permit political interference. Generally, there weren’t many families intentionally grooming their sons for political careers.
Shen Meng asked with a complex expression, “How did you come to know all this?”
“As I mentioned earlier, my mother and elder sister occasionally discussed these matters at home, and I naturally remembered them after hearing them repeatedly.” Liang Jue answered without much thought. After finishing, he sensed something amiss and cautiously asked Shen Meng, “Is everything alright? Is there a problem?”
It’s incredible how someone could reach this level just by casually listening. One can’t help but wonder what achievements Liang Jue could make if he’s born as a woman..
Shen Meng shook her head, “I was just thinking, it’s a waste for a talent like you to be married to me.”
Shen Meng always valued talent, but unfortunately, Liang Jue was her husband, and even if she wanted to help him showcase his talents, the conditions weren’t there.
Liang Jue chuckled wryly, “For me, being by my wife’s side is the greatest fortune.”
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1. “Liang Jue is not like a tapeworm in her belly” – This phrase is a metaphorical way of saying that Liang Jue is not intimately connected to her thoughts or feelings; he doesn’t know her innermost thoughts or intentions as intimately as if he were physically inside her. It implies that he cannot definitively understand her perspective or intentions.