Later, the Duke of England summoned Xu Rong and Xiao Xin again to inquire about Xiao Shan's biological father.
Xu Rong had anticipated this, and after considering it, he chose to answer that he did not know, and asked the Duke of England to inquire with Madam Xiao.
This matter is of utmost importance. It's not that she doesn't want to tell the Duke of England, but precisely because it's so important, she can't speak out lightly—firstly, she has no evidence, and what she knows is merely a pieced-together guess; secondly, she has already confronted Marquis Xiao enough, and it's not appropriate to go any further.
The British government should know this secret, but it cannot come from her.
That would mean she was single-handedly drawing the ire of Lord Xiao. Even if she could withstand it, why bother?
Some should also be shared with others.
Mrs. Xiao, who already knows the truth, is a good candidate.
As for Madam Xiao, if she chooses to side with Marquis Xiao and keeps quiet about it, that's not Xu Rong's business for the time being.
She was very busy and was more concerned about two other things: first, of course, Xiao Xin's recognition of his ancestry, and second, her dowry.
It's best to handle these two matters at the same time, so as to avoid having to confront the Marquis of Changxing's mansion later.
Xu Rong went to sound out Madam Zhang about this, and Madam Zhang made no attempt to stop her, telling her firmly, "How could we not give it to you? We're not some impoverished family, how could we possibly covet our daughter-in-law's dowry?"
That would mean losing face, and even the substance would be ruined.
"However, Rong'er, I heard from the Duke that the son-in-law has softened his stance, but how can we make it look good on the surface and avoid any problems? Do you have any ideas?"
Xu Rong didn't think it was a problem and smiled: "Madam, I don't need to come up with any ideas. There are ready-made examples."
Examples include Aunt Ruan and Xiao Shan.
Since Lord Xiao knew that Consort Ruan was pregnant with another man's child before he took her as a concubine, why couldn't he have known about Consort Wei's?
The same procedure should be followed for grafting.
After listening, Madam Zhang seemed to understand something.
The next day, Madam Xiao was summoned back by the Duke of England. Upon learning that he wanted to inquire about Xiao Shan's background, Madam Xiao hesitated and changed the subject, saying, "Father, it's a small matter, not worth your concern. Just find someone to send her away as soon as possible and that will be the end of it."
To be honest, she didn't intend to keep it from the Duke of Ying. It was just that before she came, Lord Xiao had anticipated that the Duke of Ying would definitely ask about this matter, and had instructed her in advance: "My father-in-law is an upright man, and I'm afraid it might cause some trouble. It's best not to tell him."
Madam Xiao retorted, "Father wouldn't harm me, so what if he said it?"
Lord Xiao was already in a bad mood, so his face darkened.
Madam Xiao pondered his thoughts and chuckled, "Now you're worried about losing face, but why did you let that slut bewitch you so badly back then?"
Whether it was because he was in the wrong or something else, Lord Xiao was speechless for a long while before saying, "You know it was something that happened back then, so why bring it up again?"
"Is it really just back then?" Madam Xiao's words were tinged with bitterness again. "I think the Marquis also puts the same effort into Yi-ge'er, finding him a tutor and urging him to study hard. He is a very loving father."
“He is the youngest son. What good will it do if he doesn’t earn his future through education?” Lord Xiao frowned. “He has no share in the title. If he doesn’t amount to anything in the future, he’ll only cause trouble for Lun’er.”
Madam Xiao was taken aback. She had never heard Marquis Xiao say such a thing before. It seemed that Xiao Lun, as the eldest son, had an unshakable position and was valued by Marquis Xiao.
For the first time in many years, she felt at ease facing Lord Xiao, and her reaction of returning to her parents' home was merely a perfunctory gesture towards the Duke of Ying.
The Duke of England stared at her intently for a moment, and Madam Xiao felt uneasy, her gaze drifting downwards.
The Duke of England sighed, "Very well, since you consider yourself a member of the Xiao family, then you'd better behave yourself from now on."
After saying that, he waved his hand and told Madam Xiao to go to the backyard to see Old Madam Zhang.
After hearing the Duke of Yingguo's words, Madam Xiao was somewhat dazed. When she heard Old Madam Zhang relay Xu Rong's demands and ideas, she felt uncomfortable but couldn't muster the energy to refute them. She could only say unhappily, "I know! She's thought of everything so thoroughly, she doesn't want to suffer any loss."
Madam Zhang shook her head: "You were the one who misjudged and rejected such a considerate daughter-in-law. Why are you criticizing her now? Besides, this is the best solution for both of you. Otherwise, come up with a way to save face for your Marquis."
Unable to come up with an answer, Madam Xiao had no rebuttal. After sitting there for a while, she reluctantly went back.
**
In early February, as spring flowers began to bloom, if we were to ask who was the most prominent figure in the capital at that time, it would undoubtedly be the newly appointed Marquis of Yongjing, Lin Ding.
Not only did he rise to the top and be granted a marquisate, thus accumulating a century-old foundation for his family, but he also recognized a long-established nobleman like the Duke of England as his godfather. The family reunion banquet had only been held for a few days, and before the joy had even dissipated, another major new article emerged!
This newly appointed marquis, who had remained single until his late thirties and nearing forty, had already become a coveted prize in the eyes of many families. During the family reunion banquet, some people tried to sound him out – now that he had established himself, shouldn't he get married? They wanted to give him a double celebration.
Although they were rejected at the time, it was too busy to discuss it in detail. Afterwards, some people still came to visit, either to act as matchmakers or to recommend themselves, eager to try.
Little did they know, before they could even get serious, it all came to light first. It turned out that this Marquis of Yongjing already had a wife and children, but they had been separated for twenty years because of poverty in his youth and his military service!
"Was Marquis Changxing really so benevolent? Knowing that Lady Lin was pregnant with Marquis Lin's child, he was afraid that she would be persecuted by her family, who were fond of the rich and disliked the poor. He also respected her chastity and still took her into his family and allowed her to give birth to the child."
"Not only that, but he has also raised his son exceptionally well. He just passed the provincial examination at the beginning of the year and will soon be taking the metropolitan examination. Who knows, he might even become the top scholar!"
"It's truly a blessing from heaven; what a coincidence! Marquis Changxing is the son-in-law of the Duke of Yingguo. At the family reunion banquet, he heard Marquis Lin reject several marriage proposals, saying he already had a wife, but they had been separated by her family. Marquis Changxing found the name familiar and started talking to him about it. Who knew that the more they talked, the more coincidentally they came up with the exact same thing—"
"So what's going on now?" This was the question asked curiously by a passerby who wasn't very well-informed.
"With the Duke as witness, naturally Madam Lin and Young Master Lin will be returned to Marquis Lin!" The idler spoke with great enthusiasm. "Marquis Lin is extremely grateful. It's rare to find someone so affectionate who hasn't remarried all these years. Otherwise, even if Madam Lin were to return, things would be difficult."
“What’s so difficult about it? Such a loyal and devoted woman, and the first wife, should naturally be made the principal wife,” another person chimed in with reason and evidence. “Then the later ones can just be concubines.”
"Wow, doesn't that mean Young Master Lin has suddenly become a prince? Does he still need to take the exam?"
"That's true. If it were me, with wealth and status that I've had for generations, I definitely wouldn't go."
"That's you. You know what they're thinking. Maybe they'd be willing to go."
...
Rumors are like flying flowers, seven parts true and three parts false, they fly all over the city.
Amidst the commotion, Xu Rong and Xiao Xin, accompanied by Master Zhang, returned to the Changxing Marquis's residence.
He bid farewell to Lord Xiao and Lady Xiao, and accepted her dowry.
Contrary to what outsiders had heard, the whole process was very quiet. The servants of the Marquis of Changxing's mansion did not dare to utter a sound, but instead hid in various corners to watch.
Others may not know what kind of life Lady Wei and Xiao Xin lived in the mansion, but do they not know their own family?
Whether Lord Xiao had the magnanimity to raise someone else's son was something his servants knew perfectly well.
Not to mention how suspicious Xu Rong, Xiao Xin, and Lady Wei's disappearance from the manor was back then, and their return this time is even more suspicious than their departure...
In short, there are too many problems.
Lord Xiao made a brief appearance when Xiao Xin kowtowed to him to say goodbye.
He then left the main hall, citing feeling unwell.
The servants could all see how grim and restrained his expression was. Of course, that didn't matter; when word got out, it would be said that he was unable to bear the pain of parting.
In this marquis's mansion, the mud covered by a brocade quilt is not an isolated incident, and it seems that it will not be the only one in the future.
Madam Xiao didn't show up much either, but she was a little better off than Marquis Xiao in that she asked Chang Shuyin to accompany Xu Rong to pack up the things they used when they lived in the mansion.
Aside from some books by Xiao Xin, this was Xu Rong's dowry. The Wei family, who didn't come, hadn't saved up much, just those two or three things, so it was better to leave them behind.
Before they arrived, Mr. Wei himself had told them that he did not want to.
Xu Rong and his group went directly to the North Courtyard.
There was an iron lock on the door, and Chang Shuyin's maid took the key.
The door opened, revealing the interior at a glance—both strange and familiar. Familiar because they had lived there for so long, yet strange because almost four months had passed since they left, and the courtyard had become somewhat desolate without anyone tending to it.
Upon entering the house, it was discovered that the furniture was in disarray and had been rummaged through.
Without a doubt, it must have been Lord Xiao or Lady Xiao who searched for it, either to find evidence of Xiao Xin's background or to find clues about their whereabouts.
However, the overturned table in the main room should not be it; this scene can only suggest that Lord Xiao was furious at the time.
"Grandma, it's very dusty inside, please don't go in," Chang Shuyin's maid advised her.
"Grandma, we'll go inside and get ready. You can wait outside," Bai Fu said.
Xu Rong came to collect her dowry, and of course she wouldn't come alone. She went back to the Marquis of Ji'an's residence to retrieve her dowry, and the Duke of Ying's residence also sent some people to assist her.
Xu Rong nodded: "Mm."
Master Zhang said to Xiao Xin, "You used to live here? Your brother-in-law has really mistreated you."
Chang Shuyin then walked to Xu Rong's side.
They didn't say a word the whole way there.
Xu Rong didn't say much to her. She could tell that Chang Shuyin's energy seemed to have dropped again, but she didn't care much.
"Do you know?" Chang Shuyin suddenly spoke, her face pale, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be living such a miserable life."
That's turning the tables on them.
Xu Rong chuckled and turned her head: "Grandma, are you crying 'stop thief'?"
Chang Shuyin shook her head: "I took this grandmother from you, but you've never called me sister-in-law. I used to think it was because you were unwilling to accept it."
Xu Rong was taken aback; she hadn't expected Chang Shuyin to notice this.
"Now I realize that you've never taken me seriously."
Xu Rong didn't move, but shook his head inwardly.
Neither.
She simply felt that since she was inhabiting the original owner's body, if she used her body to call Chang Shuyin "sister-in-law," the girl would be very unhappy if she knew this in the afterlife.
As for herself, she didn't care. She would still call Madam Xu "Mother" as usual, so why would she mind Chang Shuyin?
Chang Shuyin assumed she was tacitly agreeing and chuckled lightly, her smile bitter: "Aren't you afraid of Madam and the Marquis? They are the heavens above me, but they can never make things difficult for you."
Xu Rong modestly replied, "--Not at all, I also suffered some of my wife's temper."
"You mean Madam forced you to marry the Second Young Master?" Chang Shuyin's smile turned even more bitter. "But the Second Young Master treats you so well. He has never even glanced at any other girl. You will never experience what I'm like."
Was Madam Xiao a bad mother-in-law? Actually, no. Many mothers-in-law are like that; otherwise, there would be the saying, "A daughter-in-law eventually becomes a mother-in-law."
Was Lord Xiao a bad eunuch? Not really, he didn't care about domestic affairs.
And—was Shawn a bad husband?
No, that's not it. He was just a mistress of Zhi Tao. Although she accidentally conceived a child, she was willing to have it aborted. When that didn't work, she went to challenge Madam Xiao and insisted on bringing the eldest son over. He didn't say anything about it.
Many of her sisters married men who were not as good as Xiao Lun.
She wouldn't have been so ungrateful.
But people are afraid of comparisons.
Once you start comparing, you feel resentful and tormented.
Xu Rong finally understood what she meant. After a moment of silence, she said, "Grandma, you're overthinking it. You don't know my troubles."
Chang Shuyin smiled—this time, her smile lacked bitterness and became somewhat strange—and said, "You mean this?"
With a flick of her fingertips, she suddenly pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve.
Xu Rong looked at the paper and felt a strange sense of familiarity—but all the paper in the world is pretty much the same, and this one didn't seem special at all; it was just the Xuan paper she used every day. So where did this sense of familiarity come from?
Xu Rong: "—!"
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she remembered!
That was a contract she and Xiao Xin made before their marriage, in duplicate. Her copy was always kept with her most treasured banknotes. When she ran away, she took it all with her. But Xiao Xin's copy was in his own hands. She had no idea where he had put it, and in that life-or-death situation, she didn't even think of it.
Unexpectedly, it ended up in Chang Shuyin's hands.
“When you left, the Marquis and his wife didn’t want to disturb others, so they called me and the young master to come and check.” Chang Shuyin explained, “I found it in the second young master’s book.”
But she didn't hand it over.
She didn't know what her own mindset was.
"So you were all fake all along," Chang Shuyin said, seemingly with a sigh, yet also with a sense of relief.
Xu Rong smiled ingratiatingly: "Yes, it's fake, just give it to me."
She reached out to take it, but Chang Shuyin stepped back and moved to the side of Xiao Xin and Master Zhang.
They were talking among women, and Zhang Erye and Xiao Xin hadn't intended to listen, but when she suddenly approached, they turned to look.
Chang Shuyin reached out and said, "Second Young Master—no, Young Master Lin, the things you left behind."
Xiao Xin lowered his eyes and took it.
The paper was folded, so Xu Rong didn't recognize it at first. Master Zhang curiously peeked into his hand and asked, "What? Why are you getting extra?"
Xiao Xin tucked the item into his sleeve, his expression calm: "It's nothing."
He didn't want to talk about it, so Master Zhang stopped asking.
Xu Rong couldn't help but glance at him cautiously. Did he recognize her or not?
She couldn't tell, and she couldn't keep looking. Actually, lately, when she and Xiao Xin had something to discuss, they would still talk as usual, but when they didn't, there was always a slight distance between them.
She couldn't figure out what was wrong with Xiao Xin, and didn't dare to think about it too much—she herself was still unsettled, so she had no choice but to look away and meet Chang Shuyin's gaze again.
Chang Shuyin smiled at her.
Giving this to Xiao Xin would be far more useful than giving it to Madam Xiao.
She really wanted to see what would happen next.
***
Xu Rong's dowry took most of the day to pack up. Just like when they arrived, it was carried out one load at a time. It wasn't until dusk that it was finally packed up, and they followed the last load out.
Stepping out of the mansion gate, the plaque of the Marquis of Changxing's mansion still shone majestically in the setting sun.
Xiao Xin took one last look, then turned away and strode forward.
From this day forward, he will no longer be Xiao Xin.
Everything from the past is left here.
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