Although the invitation process encountered some unexpected twists and turns, things returned to normal afterward. Xiao Xin silently entered the warm pavilion, and as the night passed, he quietly got up before dawn. By the time Xu Rong woke up, he was already reading aloud.
After Xu Rong finished getting ready, he came out from the east side room and went with her to the main courtyard to pay their respects.
On the way, Xu Rong learned that he didn't need to go to Mr. Su's place today. Based on his situation—his innate good memory and self-discipline—Mr. Su had arranged for him to go every two days to learn from Mr. Su for one day. On this day, Mr. Su would not stop to give him time to study on his own; he would only teach. After returning, he would have to digest and complete his homework on his own for one day before going to receive Mr. Su's test on the old knowledge and instruction on the new knowledge.
Xu Rong listened attentively and thought it was quite scientific.
This shows how important it is to have a renowned teacher.
In a way, we also have to thank Lord Xiao.
As soon as they entered the main courtyard, they saw Lord Xiao.
Xu Rong thought he had already received the news, and his heart tightened. The battle preparations were about to begin. But when he got closer, he took a closer look at his face and found that he was not angry. He was just standing in the middle of the main room, as if waiting for something.
Before Xu Rong and Xiao Xin could go in to pay their respects, a maidservant rushed in from behind them, carrying a belt in her hand. She knelt down in front of Lord Xiao and tied it for him.
Xu Rong was stunned when he saw this scene, but then he understood: Lord Xiao must have been resting in the main courtyard last night, but his belt had been left somewhere else.
This is quite rare; since Xu Rong entered the family, this is the first time he has been seen sleeping with Madam Xiao.
Judging from the timeline, it's possible that after he publicly criticized Madam Xiao, he calmed down and realized his mistake, so he came to make amends.
It may have worked. Madam Xiao learned yesterday evening that Xiao Xin had successfully become an apprentice, but she did not immediately tell Lord Xiao, otherwise he would not have acted as usual after seeing Xiao Xin today.
This "usual" means simply ignoring it as before.
After Xiao Xin finished fastening his belt, he bowed to him indifferently and greeted him. Lord Xiao nodded and said, "Hmm."
He didn't say a word to the second son; the two acted like perfect strangers.
Xu Rong bowed in greeting, and after finishing, he kept his eyes downcast and remained silent.
To everyone's surprise, Lord Xiao's gaze shifted and he looked at her: "Second son's wife, you should prioritize chastity and virtue."
Xu Rong was immediately taken aback: "May I ask, my lord, in what way have I been unchaste?"
Lord Xiao: "..."
He was even more astonished. He was the father-in-law, and when he reprimanded his daughter-in-law, she was expected to obey. Why was she questioning him?
For a moment, he couldn't find the words to rebuke her. In a respectable family, it's not customary for a father-in-law and daughter-in-law to argue.
"Does Your Excellency suspect that my family has not raised me well?" He was speechless, but Xu Rongyou suddenly rose to a higher level and asked him for advice, "Since I married into this family, I have been paying my respects to you morning and evening without fail. I would like Your Excellency to tell me where I have done wrong. If you think I am too diligent, I will learn from the eldest daughter in the future. However, I would like Your Excellency to explain to the lady of the house, so that she will not think that I am deliberately neglecting her and thus not coming for a long time."
Xiao Shan has indeed not arrived today.
Actually, it's not too late yet. Even the day before yesterday wasn't too late, and there was a reason for it. But since Lord Xiao was coming to cause her trouble, Xu Rong didn't care about that anymore.
If anyone dares to pull her, she dares to pull Xiao Shan back.
She was likely criticized because of Xiao Shan. Logically, Lord Xiao should not know about Mr. Su's affairs, and she had not offended Lord Xiao in any way.
Lord Xiao was enraged: "You—"
"What's all the noise about so early in the morning?"
Madam Xiao came out from the inner room, her brows furrowed, and said to Xu Rong in a very impatient tone, "Second son's wife, you have such a bad temper. Even if it's the truth, it's not right to contradict your elders. Go back and copy the 'Admonitions for Women' for me."
"..." Xu Rong did not answer immediately.
Madam Xiao was surprised and displeased: "You don't want to copy it?"
It was only once, just over two thousand words!
It's the same as not being punished at all.
Xu Rong had no choice but to say, "Madam, my handwriting is not good."
“Just copy it. What matters is your sincerity.” Madam Xiao’s tone softened. “You’re not like Erlang, who has formally studied under a teacher. How important is it if you write well or not? Who’s going to test you?”
Xu Rong blinked—she smelled gunpowder, and without further ado, replied, "Yes."
She then stepped back to Xiao Xin's side.
It seems that Lord Xiao has not managed to appease Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao's methodical approach of subtly shifting the blame and raising the topic was far superior to Lord Xiao's nonsensical accusation; it was clearly a pre-planned and rehearsed move.
Lord Xiao finally couldn't hold back any longer. He understood what Madam Xiao meant: "Is this how you discipline your wife? She spoke rudely and just now she bullied and pulled Shan'er. Do you think she was telling the truth?"
Madam Xiao retorted, "Isn't it true? The eldest maid is spoiled by the Marquis; hasn't she arrived yet?"
"The time for paying respects hasn't even arrived yet!"
Madam Xiao sneered: "That second son's wife said she wanted to learn from the eldest maid to scout locations, and there's nothing wrong with that, isn't it just the truth?"
People can't help but say, "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."
As soon as Madam Xiao finished speaking, Xiao Shan entered the courtyard. She was walking at a normal pace, but when she saw everyone in the main room, she became a little nervous and quickened her pace. She came in and explained, "Madam, you sent someone to look for Father's belt. I helped Auntie look for it for a while."
She wasn't sure if she was late, but she explained the reason anyway. With Lord Xiao around, she wasn't afraid.
Xu Rong silently said "Oh" to himself.
Lord Xiao obtained his belt from Consort Ruan.
I understand.
No wonder Madam Xiao still looked so depressed; it was like eating an apple and finding half a worm inside.
I wish I could throw up most of what I ate earlier.
Xiao Shan didn't notice the strange atmosphere in the room. She looked around again and found that Chang Shuyin, who always seemed to be living with Madam Xiao, was not there. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hasn't my sister-in-law arrived yet? Is something wrong?" she asked.
Madam Xiao stared at her and said coldly, "Your sister-in-law has been working hard all this time and has fallen ill. She sent someone to ask for leave a long time ago."
Xiao Shan looked a little embarrassed.
Xu Rongyuan hadn't noticed this until he heard it. Given the intensity of Chang Shuyin's service, it wasn't surprising that she fell ill from exhaustion. Madam Xiao was no easy mother-in-law to serve; following her every day was physically demanding, but more importantly, mentally exhausting.
Madam Xiao then turned to Lord Xiao, a half-smile on her face: "Lord Xiao, is your eldest daughter pulling on people too much? If you think I don't know how to teach my wife, why don't you teach your daughter? I'll learn from you."
Lord Xiao coughed lightly: "Sister Shan meant well—" Realizing he couldn't reason with Madam Xiao, he changed the subject, "You just said that Erlang has paid respects to a teacher? What teacher?"
He wasn't really concerned; he was just changing the subject.
Madam Xiao had been waiting for him to say this for a long time, and her smile deepened: "It's the good teacher that the Marquis found, the one surnamed Su, the one with great learning. He doesn't think much of Yi-ge'er, but he has taken a liking to Er-lang. It can be said that it has met the Marquis's wishes. Is the Marquis happy?"
Lord Xiao: "—!"
He seemed a little stunned: "What?"
Madam Xiao was very happy to tell him in detail, and while she spoke, she admired his expression.
Lord Xiao lived up to her high expectations; his face went from white to red, and then from red to pale.
"You—" He pointed angrily at Madam Xiao, then at Xiao Xin, but ultimately chose to reprimand Xiao Xin first, "Yi-ge'er is only ten years old, what makes you think you can compete with him!"
Xiao Xin calmly replied, "I didn't argue."
Madam Xiao laughed and said, "Second Brother didn't compete, but he just happened to go for a stroll, and that teacher took a liking to him. What can be done about it? Instead of questioning Second Brother here, the Marquis should go back and ask Yi-ge'er how he managed to offend the teacher. Even the Marquis personally leading him there didn't work."
Lord Xiao: "..."
He was furious but speechless, so he turned and left.
Madam Xiao's voice followed him: "Your Excellency wouldn't be planning to cause trouble for Mr. Su, would you? In my opinion, it's not worth it. Who knows what unpleasant things you might find out if you go? Yi-ge'er has a fiery temper, and he's ill again—"
Lord Xiao left in a huff, and Xiao Shan was somewhat distraught. Ignoring the fact that she was in front of Madam Xiao, she asked Xu Rong, "Second sister-in-law, is this what you meant yesterday?"
Xu Rong calmly hummed in agreement.
Xiao Shan looked bewildered: "You...you're clearly robbing me—"
Xu Rong said, "Miss, you flatter me. There are many good things in the world. Does that mean that everyone else is forbidden from touching anything that the Fourth Young Master desires but cannot obtain?"
Unable to argue with her, Xiao Shan turned to Xiao Xin with a wronged expression: "Second Brother, but Yi-ge'er is your younger brother."
Xiao Xin paused for a moment, then said, "It's like a cuckoo taking over a magpie's nest."
Xiao Shan's face suddenly turned deathly pale.
"Second brother, you—this—" she stammered, "Who told you this? Yi-ge'er is still young, he doesn't understand, he didn't mean it."
Xiao Xin said, "I know. Who taught him that?"
Xiao Shan was speechless.
Who would teach such words? You can count them all in the mansion, but you can't find anyone from Aunt Ruan's side.
This second brother was always silent, only giving people the cold shoulder. I never expected that he understood everything, and he brought it up at the right moment, making people feel embarrassed.
Madam Xiao watched with great interest from the side, and then said, "Alright, what are you making a fuss about here? It's just a few idle words, not worth taking to heart. If there's nothing else, everyone can leave."
After Madam Xiao gave the order, the group had no choice but to take their leave.
The troublesome illegitimate children finally left, and the head maid who had been standing in the corner came forward. Seeing that Madam Xiao's expression was not bad, she said softly, "This second mistress has quite a temper, and even the second young master seems to be a bit different."
Madam Xiao chuckled and said, "It's better this way. Madam Wei is the kind of person who doesn't feel pain when a needle pricks her. When she sees the Marquis, she's like a mouse seeing a cat, completely helpless. What a waste of her good looks. It's much more interesting this way..."
**
After leaving the courtyard, Xu Rong and Xiao Xin quickened their pace. Xiao Shan, looking weak and frail, caught up, wanting to say something, but Xiao Xin turned and glared at her. Xiao Shan: "..."
She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she could tell from her second brother's eyes that he thought she was in the way and wanted her to disappear quickly.
She was a little startled, and her steps involuntarily slowed down.
Xiao Xin continued walking forward with Xu Rong.
After walking for a while, he finally spoke: "Don't you have any questions for me?"
Xu Rong knew what he meant by "usurping someone else's place," and she had already guessed what it meant, but she was determined not to reopen old wounds, so she firmly said, "No."
"..." Xiao Xin said, "I want to say..."
Xu Rong was surprised, but quickly recovered: "Please, Second Young Master."
Keeping unpleasant things bottled up inside for too long can get uncomfortable, so you want to vent.
She understands.
Xiao Xin was silent for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, before speaking: "You haven't met Aunt Ruan yet. She is Father's true love. My aunt was brought in because she looks very much like her."
Xu Rong silently replied, "Mm."
She tried to feign surprise, but failed. Xiao Xin wasn't Madam Xiao, and she didn't seem to really want to put on an act in front of him.
Xiao Xin immediately realized it was him, and unexpectedly, it was him who asked, "You know?"
Xu Rong could only nod: "I've heard some of it."
“You—” Xiao Xin said somewhat awkwardly, “Yes, you should have heard of it.”
The Xiao and Xu families were related by marriage in the past, and their relationship was different from that of ordinary families, so it's not surprising that they knew more about it than outsiders.
Xu Rong explained, "I only found out about it not long after my mother told me; she had already forgotten about it."
Xiao Xin nodded, his expression slowly returning to normal, seemingly not taking it to heart.
He also explained, "I didn't say it before because I felt it was inappropriate to say it."
Xu Rong laughed: "And now?"
"Now I'll tell you."
Xu Rong: "..."
Well.
How can you tell her? Isn't it just "it's no big deal to say it"?
What does it mean to limit it to her only?
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