On a new day, Xu Rong got up early and went out.
Having a mother like Madam Xu isn't all bad. It's easy for others to fool her, and it's not difficult for Xu Rong to fool her either. He can just find an excuse, or even if he doesn't have an excuse, Xu Rong can go out whenever he wants.
Lexing Teahouse is quite different from Juminglou, where we set up a trap last time. It's not in the bustling city center; the location is more secluded, but it's still clean and tidy, and usually has private rooms.
Even in these small tasks, Xiao Xinting demonstrated his ability to choose the right place at the right time. She sat down, picked up a cup of hot tea to warm her hands, and greeted the person opposite her: "Second Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Xin arrived earlier than her, and his aura was even more imposing, mirroring the increasingly cold weather outside.
Without touching the tea or snacks, he said, "Miss Xu, I've thought it over. There's no need to drag this out any longer. We had no relationship before, and we won't have one in the future. Let's leave it at that. I'll end this matter here."
After he finished speaking, without waiting for Xu Rong's reaction, he nodded in agreement, got up, and left.
His decision was made quickly and decisively. Xu Rong was both amused and exasperated, and reached out to stop him: "Second Young Master Xiao, there's no need to be in such a hurry. You're right, we really have no relationship anymore. So, you don't need to leave."
Xiao Xin turned around questioningly: "—What do you mean?"
"What a mess Zhang-ge'er has made," Xu Rong sighed. "After all that effort, we're back to square one."
She slowly relayed what Old Madam Zhang had said. Xiao Xin sat back down opposite her, and as she spoke, his expression gradually changed, finally settling on a point that was hard to describe, and could only be described as a mixture of laughter and tears.
"It's fate," he murmured.
Madam Xiao disobeyed her mother's orders and refused to cancel their engagement, insisting on bringing Xiao Lun and Chang Ergu together. Unexpectedly, Xu Huazhang interfered and disrupted her plans. Madam Zhang, having regained her chance, made a painful decision to turn back the clock and put everyone back in their proper places.
Xu Rong spread his hands at him: "Young Master Xiao, congratulations, you're rid of me now."
Xiao Xin felt like coughing, but held it back: "Grandmother is more reasonable than Madam."
Xu Rong smiled but didn't say anything.
Her smile was faint and indifferent, and Xiao Xin felt he could even detect a hint of mockery in it—whether he was seeing things or not, her expression couldn't be described as joyful.
Even if her husband, who was like her elder brother, turned back, he couldn't be considered a good match.
Xiao Xin felt a pang of sympathy—but this sympathy subtly stemmed from his own sense of relief. Although he was freed, the arranged marriage had left him in another awkward situation. He sat there for a while, wanting to say something, but feeling that nothing was appropriate to come out of his mouth. He stared at the wood grain on the table, stood up, and said, "Then I'll be leaving."
Xu Rong nodded: "Okay. I'll sit for a while longer."
Having achieved her goal at the meeting, Xu Rong had nothing else to say for the time being. Since it was inconvenient for her to go in and out with Xiao Xin, it wouldn't hurt to sit here a little longer and have some time to think things over in a different environment.
Xiao Xin pushed open the door and left.
Xu Rong turned his head and opened the window to let in some fresh air.
Her gaze narrowed.
In the main hall below, near the staircase and at the main entrance, stood three or four men who looked like servants of powerful families, looking around and guarding the entrance.
"Young lady, who are they?"
Bai Fu, who had been standing silently behind her, also saw it and leaned over to ask a question nervously.
Xu Rong shook her head: "I don't know."
But she sensed something was wrong.
The ominous premonition soon came true.
The wooden door creaked open and was pushed back in. Xiao Xin, who had been leaving, turned back.
A noblewoman outside the door asked with a smile, "Second Brother, where else would you like to go?"
**
The leftover tea was removed, and a new pot of Lu'an Melon Seed Tea was served.
Madam Xiao never usually drinks tea from places like this, but she was in such a good mood today that she made an exception and took a sip.
Then he looked up at Xu Rong standing opposite him, and then at Xiao Xin beside him, a satisfied smile on his lips: "You two silly kids, if you want to meet, there will be plenty of time next year. Why rush to arrange a secret rendezvous now, is that right?"
When she finished asking her last question, she looked at Xu Rong, who remained silent and turned to look at Xiao Xin.
He's probably about to explode with anger.
Xu Rong thought with a hint of helplessness.
As for herself, it didn't matter; even if Madam Xiao's words were ten times more ambiguous, they wouldn't affect her.
"You've all been keeping quiet? Now you know how to be ashamed?" No one answered her, but Madam Xiao wasn't in a hurry. She continued with a smile, "Let me tell you first, you've all been stubborn and unwilling to comply. Erlang has such a stubborn temper, especially at home where he's making a scene, even climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles. Your father is so troubled by this that he doesn't even want to see you."
This was the first time Xu Rong had heard any direct information related to the male head of the Xiao family—it was almost the same as not hearing anything at all. His son asked him for help, but he chose to avoid meeting him.
What difference does it make whether your father is dead or alive?
Therefore, Xiao Xin decided to leave.
He truly had no reason to stay.
"Erlang," Madam Xiao began to address him directly, "You're not young anymore. As a man, you should have some responsibility. You arranged a secret meeting with Miss Xu, and now you haven't said a word? How is Miss Xu supposed to face this? If your mother-in-law comes to ask me, how am I supposed to answer her?"
What mother-in-law?
Xu Rong was stunned for a moment, and then she was shocked by this advanced new term. She couldn't help but turn to look at Xiao Xin. Xiao Xin's face was as white as ice jade, with a bluish tinge showing through it.
He gritted his teeth and refused to utter a sound. Xu Rong tried to guess his mood at the moment, but to no avail—he was probably so angry that he was deformed.
At this moment, Xiao Xin finally looked up and glanced at Madam Xiao.
Xu Rong didn't look directly at him, so she couldn't tell what kind of look he was giving her. She only saw Madam Xiao's eyes narrow, and then she sneered without any attempt to hide it: "Second Brother, are you still not convinced by looking at me like that? Marriage should be decided by the parents. I've already tolerated your nonsense for long enough!"
Xiao Xin finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "I won't—"
"It's not up to you," Madam Xiao said decisively. She glanced at Xu Rong before softening her tone. "How can the eldest young lady save face if you act like this in front of her? Alright, you did it yourself. No one forced you, so what are you saying? I've been busy with your elder brother's affairs lately and haven't had time to manage you. Just settle down and stop running around outside."
She paused, her tone carrying a deeper meaning, "Those foolish ideas that shouldn't be had should be abandoned as soon as possible."
Xu Rong suddenly realized—or rather, she had known all along from the moment Madam Xiao appeared.
Xiao Xin is different from her. She has people like Madam Xu and Xu Huazhang by her side, so no one can tell that she has changed her soul. But Xiao Xin has people like Madam Xiao and Xiao Lun by his side. His only teammate is someone like Aunt Wei. His plan to leave could have been leaked from himself or from Aunt Wei.
Therefore, Madam Xiao sent people to keep an eye on his whereabouts, and they witnessed today's incident, which was a pleasant surprise.
Even if Old Madam Zhang intervened again, it would be useless. With this leverage, Madam Xiao could easily shut her mother up. After all, Old Madam Zhang wasn't a member of the Xiao family and couldn't dictate to them without any control.
Xu Rong initially thought he was incredibly unlucky, but after looking at Xiao Xin, he was convinced: Xiao Xin was even worse off.
Falling straight down from the peak of hope, without any buffer, it's quite a testament to one's willpower to not go insane.
The blows from Madam Xiao weren't over yet: "Don't worry, after your eldest brother's wedding is over, it'll be your turn and the eldest daughter's. I don't have time right now, but it just so happens that Madam Wei is always free, so I asked her to come and make the arrangements for you. Things your own mother handles will surely suit your taste."
Xiao Xin suddenly clenched his fist at his side!
Xu Rong reached out and pulled him.
Xiao Xin turned to look at her, his eyes seemed to be burning with fire, yet the light was so dim and cold—like a trapped beast caught in an ambush.
Xu Rong sighed. Given her nature, she was never one to show much affection to others, but Xiao Xin looked so weak that it touched a nerve. Humans always tend to care for the weak among their own kind, just like herself. She had no parents, but an orphanage took her in, and she received continuous student loans to support her studies and help her reach the starting point of her peers, growing into an ordinary person who appears normal in a normal society.
Xiao Xin's family environment fostered an antisocial personality.
“Madam,” she turned to Madam Xiao and began, “I’m going home.”
"Hmm?" Madam Xiao glanced at her briefly, then smiled and said, "I haven't finished speaking yet, why are you in such a hurry, young lady?"
Xu Rong said calmly, "I am a junior and cannot make decisions on such matters. My mother is waiting for me at home. If Madam has anything to say, she may go and talk to my mother."
This was exactly what Madam Xiao wanted. By catching the two lovers having an affair, she forced them to the Xu family's door, leaving no room for reversal and leaving no room for argument for anyone who intervened.
She stood up with a smile and said, "What you say is true, young lady. Let's go then."
Madam Xiao walked at the front, followed by maids, old women, and servants. Xu Rong and Xiao Xin were sandwiched in the middle, tightly surrounded and guarded by layers of servants.
Xu Rong arrived by carriage, which was parked outside the teahouse. The coachman, who had been enjoying a cup of tea and snacks, had bought a bag of them with the copper coins Xu Rong had given him. Suddenly, he saw his young lady come out looking like she had been caught in adultery. He was so shocked that his eyes widened and he choked on a piece of cake, forgetting to swallow it.
The Xiao family's carriages were parked a little further away. Madam Xiao stopped and turned to make arrangements, but Xu Rong spoke first: "Madam, Young Master Xiao, please ride in our carriage. I have a few words I'd like to say to him."
Madam Xiao: "..."
She was shocked by Xu Rong's shamelessness and was speechless for a moment.
Of course, being caught off guard like that, it's understandable that they want to find a chance to discuss countermeasures. But after such an embarrassing experience, to still have the courage to ask to ride together is something that shouldn't be allowed under normal circumstances.
However, Xu Rong seemed a bit fuzzy after hitting her head during their last meeting, and she didn't seem to express any dislike for the mismatched marriage. The only one who reacted strongly was Xiao Xin.
Whatever they want to discuss, with so many people watching, they're not afraid of running away. On the other hand, if they go on the same train again, they'll have even less chance of clearing things up.
After weighing the options, Madam Xiao nodded and smiled, "Since you two can't be separated for even a moment, then so be it."
She stood still, wanting to watch the two get into the car with her own eyes.
Xiao Xin refused to move.
Xu Rong went to pull him away.
In front of everyone, Xiao Xin couldn't engage in any physical contact with her, so he could only passively move to the bottom of the carriage, his face ashen.
"Don't be angry," Xu Rong said, turning his head. "Perhaps this is the true will of Heaven."
This sounded so sarcastic that Xiao Xin couldn't help but glare at her.
Xu Rong smiled at him: "Fate is just not what people want, so it's okay, just don't listen to it."
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