Madam Xiao rushed over after receiving intelligence that the Duke of England had arrived in Beijing.

Originally, Lord Xiao was also going to come along, but considering that the Duke of Yingguo had just returned home and his residence must be in a lot of commotion, it wouldn't be appropriate for him, as the son-in-law, to visit on such a day. So he was a little late and planned to come tomorrow.

Therefore, he had no idea that the Duke of England had sent him a huge "surprise" that included his entire family.

The only one who knew first was Madam Xiao, who was so shocked she almost lost her mind: "—What?!"

Madam Zhang spoke briefly with her and then ordered Xu Rong to come.

To be honest, although Madam Xiao is her daughter, she has become more and more stubborn as she grows up. It is very difficult for her, as her mother, to communicate with her. At her age, she doesn't want to hold onto her anger anymore. It would be better to call someone who knows how to talk to her so that all parties can explain things to each other face to face.

"Madam." Xu Rong entered and bowed gracefully.

Madam Xiao was speechless for a while, looking her up and down. Although it had only been a little over three months since she last saw her, Xu Rong hadn't changed much in appearance. The curve of her lips was almost the same as before. But it was precisely because she hadn't changed that Madam Xiao couldn't understand—how could she be so fearless and show no shame whatsoever?!

"Look what you've done! How dare you even show your face to me!" Madam Xiao snapped out of her daze and berated her.

"What did I do? I was just following Madam's orders." Xu Rong smiled. "Madam told me to break off my engagement with the Heir Apparent, so I did. She told me to marry the Second Young Master, so I did. Wasn't everything Madam wanted?"

She was talking about the old news, but the old news was also the truth, and Madam Xiao couldn't deny it. Despite her anger, she was also speechless: Yes, if it weren't for her manipulation, Xu Rong wouldn't have had to get involved in this escape at all.

"That's all in the past, there's no need to bring it up again," Madam Xiao said stiffly. "Now that you're a member of the Xiao family, you should be thinking about the family's reputation. Why didn't you immediately report the scandal to me when you found out about it? Instead, you ran away with me."

"If we don't escape, are we just waiting to disappear along with 'Wei Daxiong'?" Xu Rong's smile remained unchanged.

Madam Xiao's expression changed slightly—Xu Rong knew immediately that her test was correct; Wei Daxiong was indeed no longer alive.

This was hardly an unexpected event. For a scoundrel like Wei Daxiong, who had lost both his parents and his wife, the Marquis's mansion could simply make him disappear without any future trouble.

"Yingyu," Madam Zhang couldn't stand it anymore, "what did you just promise me? Speak properly. What's the use of just getting angry now that things have come to this?"

"How can I talk to you properly, Mother?" Madam Xiao was furious, pointing her finger at Xu Rong. "They are so audacious, not only did they commit such a disgraceful act, but they also dared to run away, and then they swaggered back. They clearly don't respect me at all—by the way, where is that bitch Wei? Didn't she come back too? Why didn't she come to see me?"

“It’s my fault for not calling her over,” Old Madam Zhang said sternly. “She’s no longer your concubine. She’s going to be someone’s proper wife. From now on, she’ll still be part of our family. If you continue to humiliate her, you’re humiliating me and your father. If you want to see her, wait until you’ve thought it through.”

“Who’s related to that adulterous slut!” Madam Xiao blurted out, her voice filled with arrogance.

Madam Zhang's face turned cold: "You say it's not, then it really isn't. After all, you've already married into the Xiao family, you're one of their people."

Madam Xiao: "..."

She was stunned.

After a long while, she said in disbelief and hurt, "Mother!"

“I’ve made myself perfectly clear to you, but you just won’t listen,” Old Madam Zhang said sternly. “It’s fine if you treat me like this, but if you’re still like this when you see your father, let’s see if he’ll forgive you!”

Madam Xiao was so angry she felt dizzy: "I am my father's eldest daughter. Is that so-called adopted son closer to me than his own daughter?!"

"Since you know you are a daughter of the Zhang family, why are you so determined to stand up for the Xiao family?" Old Madam Zhang retorted. "You still really consider yourself a daughter of the Zhang family? Fine, this is precisely the time for your father and me to use you. Are you willing?"

“What do you mean, ‘I’m willing to do this’—” Madam Xiao said awkwardly, “This kind of thing happened in the manor I’m in charge of, I’ve lost all face!”

After all that, it all boils down to one thing: face.

Madam Zhang shook her head and sighed. This daughter had suffered because of these two words all her life. She looked glamorous and powerful on the outside, but her life was a complete mess on the inside.

"Then what would you like, Madam?" Xu Rong asked.

Madam Xiao: "..."

She actually had no idea what to do. Originally, when Lord Xiao suggested silencing them, she felt ashamed and acquiesced, letting him do as he pleased. But now things had taken a turn for the better, and Wei and the others had actually become involved with her family. It was clear that silencing them was no longer an option. She hadn't figured out what to do next.

Her attack on Lady Wei was merely a subconscious feeling that it was too easy for her. She had tricked the Marquis's mansion into raising her illegitimate child for twenty years, and now, in the blink of an eye, Lady Wei had become her equal. How could she be willing to accept that?

Xu Rong roughly understood her thoughts and smiled, "Since Madam doesn't harbor such deep hatred for us, why not do her a favor?"

Madam Xiao glared at her, about to blurt out, "Dream on."

Xu Rong spoke a little faster: "Isn't it also saving Madam trouble by having Aunt Ruan and the Second Young Master leave the manor? From now on, Madam only needs to worry about Aunt Ruan, the Eldest Miss, and the Fourth Young Master."

If we're talking about who can truly incur Madam Xiao's hatred, then without a doubt it's Aunt Ruan; her face immediately darkened.

"I've been away for so long, I wonder how the young lady is doing? Is she feeling any better?" Xu Rong asked casually.

Madam Xiao said coldly, "When did you become close to her? Whether she gets better or not is none of your business!"

She didn't answer, and Xu Rong didn't mind. He smiled and said, "What you say is true, Madam. I am naturally no longer related to the eldest young lady. However, since we have lived in the same mansion for three years, I am a little worried. If the eldest young lady is still ill, I'm afraid she can't withstand any new blows."

Madam Xiao was stunned for a moment, then realized what was going on—she was quite shrewd, but when she arrived, Madam Zhang's explanation had left her disoriented and she hadn't expected there to be such an awkward connection!

Lin Ding.

The perfect son-in-law that Lord Xiao had carefully chosen for Xiao Shan has flown away.

Xiao Shan is about to return to her aimless wait to be married.

This is even more devastating than before—because once the New Year is over, she will be a year older.

According to the old rules, if a concubine's daughter remained unmarried at an older age, Madam Xiao, as the legal mother, might not have a good reputation. However, since she had no biological daughter, she was not afraid of being implicated by Xiao Shan. Compared to the loss of face, Madam Xiao thought it was worth it to retaliate against Concubine Ruan and make her suffer day and night.

The situation is different now.

It would be in her and Lord Xiao's common interest to marry off Xiao Shan, this troublemaker, as soon as possible.

But judging from the mother's tone, the entire Duke of England's mansion had already accepted Lin Ding as his adopted son. Given the extent of the relationship, even if the Duke of England were to concede and not adopt Lin Ding as his son, they would inevitably maintain close ties in the future, and the two sides would be inseparable.

This means that although Xiao Shan left the Xiao family, she became connected with her maternal family again.

The consequences could be even worse.

Madam Xiao looked at Xu Rong suspiciously—why did she bring up Xiao Shan at this juncture? Was it unintentional? Or—

Xu Rong feigned ignorance and asked innocently, "What, has the Marquis changed his mind?"

Actually, she was quite curious about how Lord Xiao explained Xiao Shan's background to Madam Xiao. She had run away quickly at the time and hadn't had time to find out, and now that she couldn't reveal that she knew, she still couldn't ask.

Madam Xiao remained silent.

Of course not.

If someone like Lin Ding were easy to find, Xiao Shan wouldn't have dragged it out until now.

Lord Xiao is scheduled to come tomorrow, as he originally intended to discuss this matter with the Duke of Ying.

“The young lady is at the prime of her life, and she is also the daughter of a marquis,” Xu Rong sighed. “Perhaps, the marquis will be pleased with her.”

Madam Xiao's expression changed.

She had never met Lin Ding, but she knew Wei Shi well, having lived in fear under her for so many years. Apart from her face, she was useless. If she couldn't seduce Lord Xiao, how could she possibly seduce Lin Ding?

His affair with Lin Ding was years ago. Perhaps out of consideration for Wei Shi raising a son for him, Lin Ding might have softened and rekindled his old relationship with her. But if Xiao Shan were to be involved, it's hard to say how things would have turned out.

Men, huh.

A man's conscience? Bah!

If Lin Dingzhen really changed his mind and truly took the trouble from the Xiao family to the Zhang family—

Old Madam Zhang had just mentioned her, saying that she was a daughter of the Zhang family. Madam Xiao herself wasn't disregarding her own family. Her previous tacit agreement with Marquis Xiao's decision to silence him was merely for the sake of her own face. To be honest, she didn't really empathize with the cuckoldry Marquis Xiao was experiencing.

“Since Madam is still angry and unwilling to help others, how about we remain neutral?” Xu Rong took another step back and slowly persuaded, “This way, we can save our lives and also show respect to the old lady and the Duke. Why not do it?”

This was actually their original intention. Madam Xiao and Marquis Xiao had been married for decades. No matter how bad their relationship was, they were still husband and wife and had raised Xiao Lun. It was unlikely that Madam Xiao would turn around and deal with Marquis Xiao on behalf of the Zhang family, which might indirectly harm Xiao Lun's interests.

This result is not bad.

Madam Xiao's expression shifted rapidly, while Old Madam Zhang's expression softened—it was just right to call Xu Rong; it would have saved her so much trouble.

She didn't entirely let Xu Rong take the lead, but chimed in, "Yingyu, do I, as your mother, have no weight in your eyes? Do you expect your mother to beg you?"

These words were too harsh. Madam Xiao couldn't sit still and stood up: "Mother, how can you say that? How can I bear such a thing?"

If I can't accept it, then I have no choice but to agree.

Madam Xiao finally said, "So be it. This mess was made by the Marquis anyway. He keeps taking concubines one after another, and now that things have gone wrong, let him clean it up himself!"

**

Afterwards, Madam Xiao did not attend the Zhang family's banquet. The Lantern Festival is a time for family reunion, and she had to rush back to take care of her own family's feast.

Only the Zhang family and Lin Ding's family were present at the banquet. They sat at several tables, men and women, in a lively atmosphere. Madam Wei was initially hesitant to sit at the table, but Lin Ding pulled her along, so she had no choice but to go. Fortunately, when she arrived, she sat next to Xu Rong, and no one looked at her strangely. Madam Zhang even smiled and asked her for advice on health and beauty. She gradually relaxed, and after the banquet, she returned to the guest courtyard safely.

When we entered the courtyard, all the lanterns hanging there were lit up. They weren't very noticeable during the day, but when they were lit at night, they were dazzling and beautiful.

The group didn't go inside immediately. Instead, they gathered around the lanterns to admire them and chatted about Madam Xiao's visit.

It was nearly evening when Madam Xiao took her leave, and then she went to a banquet. Xu Rong hadn't had a chance to speak yet, but now that he had some free time, he said, "Don't worry, just see how the Marquis reacts when he comes tomorrow."

That was the real tough battle.

Lin Ding stared blankly for a moment, then said, "That's not right."

Xu Rong asked in surprise, "Hmm?"

"How could you say I might be interested in that girl?" Lin Ding questioned her, and then confessed to Wei Shi, "Sister Yu, even if she were a celestial being, I wouldn't be interested. Xiao Yuanhong, let alone want to be my father, I wouldn't even want him as my son!"

"..." The red plum blossom lantern illuminated Madam Wei's face, making her blush like a flower. "What are you saying? Xiao Bao's wife meant well. It's all thanks to her that we were able to persuade Madam."

"That doesn't give you the right to slander me," Lin Ding argued, then turned to Xiao Xin and said, "Xiao Bao, keep an eye on your wife."

Xiao Xin paused for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "I'm going to study now."

He turned and left.

Lin Ding was puzzled by his reaction and asked Wei Shi in a panic, "Have I offended him again?"

Ms. Wei was also puzzled and shook her head.

Xu Rong, the only one who seemed to understand, stood under the lantern and couldn't help but follow the direction with her gaze.

That figure was tall and lonely.

...That's quite pitiful.