As a tragic young woman who was jilted and disfigured, Xu Rong remained content with her persona and rarely even left the courtyard.
The Marquis of Ji'an's residence was like a harbor for her; she took a temporary rest there, letting her heart become weary and drifting along.
She was a little curious about the world beyond the four walls, but opening it meant encountering many things and many people, which was exhausting, so it was better to ignore it.
Sending someone to keep an eye on Master Luo was a subconscious, lingering habit she had left behind. As for whether the surveillance would be fruitless or useful, she didn't really care.
It would be best if the matter were resolved by Madam Xu, allowing her to focus on recovering from her injuries—whether she recovers well or not is not a major concern.
Xu Rong felt that he had no desires or wants, and that he was about to cultivate a Buddha-like aura above his head.
Unfortunately, the harbor of the Marquis of Ji'an was not as she wished, and began to sway violently.
In just three days, Mrs. Xu went from being self-righteous to whimpering.
Her arguments against the British government failed, and Xu Huazhang was indeed imprisoned. The guards were very well-connected and bribed by the British government, so she couldn't even see him.
Xu Rong had no choice but to ask, "What exactly does the Zhang family want? According to the charge of assault, they should either apologize and pay compensation, or be brought to court and punished. There should be some procedure, right?"
“That won’t do! Your brother has never had a scratch since he was little, how can he take that beating?” Madam Xu retorted hurriedly while crying.
Xu Rong remained silent.
She admired Madam Xu's ability to grasp the essentials.
Madam Xu, sobbing, said, "Zhang Weiling broke his arm. The Zhang family hired a doctor to treat him, saying that if he wanted to take the imperial examinations in the future, he must be cured to the point that he is exactly the same as before. The imperial physicians could not guarantee that, they only dared to say that they would do their best, and whether it would work or not, they would have to wait and see. The Duchess of Yingguo then told me that Zhang'er's case also had to wait and see, and could not be judged hastily."
Xu Rong understood.
The Zhang family is deliberately dragging things out.
Xu Huazhang was wrong to injure someone, but there were reasons for it. Moreover, he was only fifteen years old. Regardless of the time or place, according to the law, he should not be sentenced to a heavy sentence. The Zhang family knew this, which is why they used the tactic of stalling.
As long as there is no definite answer regarding Zhang Weiling's injuries, Xu Huazhang will have to be detained and suffer imprisonment for another day.
The mansion was in turmoil for the past three days, with rumors spreading everywhere. As a result, Xu Rong learned more about the situation in the capital: for example, the families of the Duke of Yingguo, the Duke of Zhengguo, the Marquis of Changxing, the Marquis of Ji'an, and so on, on the surface, all belonged to the same noble family and often intermarried with each other. They were all very prestigious and had great families, but in reality, they were also divided into different classes.
Simply put, the Duke of Ying's mansion belongs to the first tier. The Duke of Ying's family is stationed abroad for many years and commands a large army. Many of his family members have also become officials. On the other hand, the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion has fallen to the lowest tier because of its small population and the early death of Xu's father, which prevented the family from having a strong enough workforce to keep up.
Given the vast disparity in strength, and the British Duchess's cunning, it's no wonder that she managed to leave Madam Xu with nothing but whining at home.
“Mother,” Xu Rong said, “the most urgent thing is either to expedite the trial of the case, or to have the county government release Zhang Ge’er home first. We can decide on the punishment after Zhang Xiaoye’s injuries have healed. Otherwise, if he’s in treatment for a month, Zhang Ge’er will be in jail for a month. If he’s in treatment for two months, will Zhang Ge’er be in jail for two months? I’m afraid Zhang Ge’er can’t bear that suffering.”
Madam Xu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: "Who says otherwise! Rong'er, you know how to care for your younger brother. It's no wonder he suffered this disaster for you."
Xu Rong didn't think Xu Huazhang was doing this for her sake. The main reason for the trouble was that he had entered the world of brothels at such a young age. He Nian's words when he delivered the message were clearly biased and used a lot of classical Chinese grammar.
However, she couldn't discuss this with Madam Xu, so she didn't say much. She only said, "The Duchess of Yingguo is in a bad mood right now. It's unlikely that my mother's attempt to discuss this will be effective. I wonder if we can find a capable mediator to mediate and persuade her?"
Madam Xu paused for a moment, then came to her senses: "Rong'er, you're right."
Unable to sit still any longer, I got up and went off to get busy.
Three or four days passed in a row.
People in the government office are becoming increasingly uneasy.
Xu Rong stayed home as usual and didn't bother with it.
In her spare time, she asked about the situation of Bai Fu's brother's surveillance.
Bai Fu shook her head with difficulty: "My brother said that Second Master Luo seems to be frightened by the Marquis's matter. He hasn't left the house for a while, and there's been nothing unusual about him. Miss, should we still keep an eye on him?"
Xu Rong thought for a moment and said, "Keep an eye on it."
She didn't want to get involved, but due to her distrust of Madam Xu's abilities, she kept the line open. After all, there were people to do it, and keeping an eye on things wouldn't take much of her effort.
Bai Fu agreed: "Yes."
**
Before Bai Fu's brother could get any results, Madam Xu finally achieved something.
Seeing a glimmer of hope amidst the hardship brought Xu Rong comfort. After personally serving tea to Madam Xu, he asked her, "Mother, have you spoken with Madam Zhang? What did she say?"
Madam Xu said, "Hmm—"
As I reached for the tea, my hand suddenly trembled, and most of the warm tea spilled onto the low table, trickling down the floor.
Bai Fu gasped softly and hurried to find a cloth to wipe herself.
Xu Rong remained motionless, his gaze searching towards Madam Xu.
She could see clearly that Madam Xu's mistake was not a normal slip-up, but rather she was enveloped in a state of near-disorientation, which was not in line with her current state.
Madam Xu didn't look at her, but her lips moved slightly: "Tell me... your brother will be born soon."
Upon hearing this, Bai Fu was overjoyed and boldly raised her head to interject, "That's wonderful! Madam and Miss can rest assured now."
Xu Rong remained silent, still gazing at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu: "..."
She should have had something to say next, but under the expectant yet knowing gaze of her "daughter," she couldn't utter a word.
Xu Rong finally urged her, calling out, "Mother?"
But it was as if a switch had been flipped, and Madam Xu's tears fell straight down her cheeks.
Bai Fu was startled: "Madam?"
Everyone in the household knows that the mistress is weak, but it seems rather inexplicable for her to shed tears like this.
"Rong'er, I'm so sorry," Madam Xu cried, her defenses crumbling. "But your brother's life is in their hands, and I have no choice—"
"What conditions did the Xiao family propose?" Xu Rong interrupted her crisply.
Madam Xu: "Ugh... Uh!"
She choked back a sob, glancing at Xu Rong's face out of the corner of her eye, "Rong'er, you, you know—"
Xu Rong had no idea, but Madam Xu's reaction was a self-admission. She said, "Don't we have any other relatives or friends? We can only ask the Xiao family for help?"
Xu Rong asked Madam Xu to find a middleman in an attempt to bring in a third party to bypass the Xiao family, who were likely involved. Unexpectedly, despite Madam Xu's efforts, she still ended up falling into someone else's trap.
Madam Xu hesitated for a moment, then said, "I've asked several places, but they all said I wasn't qualified to be the middleman, and that the Duchess of England had a bad temper and I didn't dare to go and risk getting rejected. In short, none of them were willing to help..." She then hurriedly added, "But I didn't ask Madam Xiao! She sent someone to deliver the message first, and that's when I went."
Xu Rong looked at her, her eyes asking—So you don't think this is wrong? And you even agreed to their conditions?
Madam Xu's confidence instantly plummeted: "Your brother has been detained in the county government for almost ten days. The Duchess of Yingguo refuses to budge no matter what we say. Going to the county government is useless. I've even been to the Shuntian Prefecture. The prefect is trying to curry favor with the Duke of Yingguo's family, and he's still just using the Duchess of Yingguo's words to appease me. I... what else can I do? Waaah!"
Xu Rong remained unmoved, and asked her again, "What conditions did the Xiao family offer?"
"...Madam Xiao said that she wants you to marry Xiao Xin." Madam Xu said softly, her eyes darting around.
Xu Rong didn't hear clearly and asked, "Who?"
“Xiao Xin,” Madam Xu added hesitantly, “is Xiao Lun’s second younger brother.”
Xu Rong paused for a moment, then nodded: "Oh."
She didn't ask any further questions; no matter how bizarre the details were, they were no longer important to her.
Madam Xu hurriedly explained, "I originally said that since Xiao Lun has changed his mind, it's fine if the marriage doesn't happen. As long as Zhang'er is released, the past is forgotten, and I won't speak ill of my family to anyone anymore. Who knew that Madam Xiao would refuse? She said that the rumors outside are still circulating, and there are still suspicions that Xiao Lun is plotting to harm his fiancée. Only if you still marry into the Xiao family can the rumors be dispelled..."
Mrs. Xu's voice gradually lowered. She wasn't so confused as to not know what kind of future she was pushing her daughter into.
But both sides are flesh and blood, and the palm of her hand is about to be ripped out. The situation forces her to make a choice.
That was her choice.
Xu Rong's gaze wandered around the room, but she did not respond.
Bai Fu couldn't hold back any longer: "But Madam, how can you expect our daughter to marry Second Master Xiao? He's the younger brother of the Heir Apparent Xiao, and a son of a concubine at that. This...this—no respectable family in the capital would act like this!"
“Who says otherwise?” Madam Xu didn’t blame her for being rude, and said bitterly, “I also argued with Madam Xiao. If all else fails, we can just let Rong’er marry Xiao Lun again. Wouldn’t that clear his name in the same way? But Madam Xiao said with a forced smile that I was too late. His family wanted to make amends before, but I kept delaying. Now the Chang family has already found a guarantor and made the first statement. Xiao Lun and the second young lady of the Chang family have just been matched by horoscopes and are a perfect match. Rong’er—Rong’er has no choice but to marry Xiao Xin.”
Bai Fu exclaimed in disbelief, "What?!"
Xu Rong wasn't particularly surprised. She only glanced at Madam Xu briefly before returning to examining the various items in the room: the bed, tables and chairs, dressing table, and various ornaments...
Madam Xu clutched her handkerchief, sobbing, "I know Rong'er has been wronged, but Madam Xiao is the only one who's willing to come to the Zhang family's door. The days are getting colder and colder, and I can't even get a quilt into the prison. Zhang'er is all alone inside—just thinking about it makes my heart ache. Rong'er, please feel sorry for your brother too. He's your only brother!"
As Madam Xu spoke, her emotions grew increasingly genuine, but this time she failed to elicit a single glance from Xu Rong, who remained focused on his own observation—
They all look quite valuable. If you just take a few items out, it shouldn't be too difficult to set up a small home, right?
Having inherited someone else's daughter's body, Xu Rong would make do if things were manageable. She could help support the family and take care of her younger brother.
But Madam Xu is one way, and Xu Huazhang is another.
No need for further description, to sum it up in three words: Cannot be carried.
Then there's no need to bother.
Xu Rong plans to flee.
While she was calculating, on the other side of the kang table, Madam Xu was also feeling guilty and uneasy—Xu Rong was too calm, and she couldn't figure out what to do. All she could say was promise: "Rong'er, don't be angry. I hate to let you settle for that illegitimate son, but right now I really have no other choice. Help me, and I will do my best to help you. In addition to the dowry I've prepared, I will give you an extra ten thousand taels of silver and a ten-acre estate of excellent land. With that, you'll have more than enough to live on when you go to the Xiao family. If Madam Xiao dares to mistreat you, your brother will be back then, and I won't have to worry about her. I will naturally stand up for you—"
Xu Rong suddenly came to his senses.
She didn't pay any attention to the last half of what Madam Xu said; her attention was completely drawn to the first part.
In the present day, a small apartment of eighty square meters had already drained her of her resources. When Mrs. Xu spoke, what unit of measurement did she use—"qing"?
Ten thousand taels and ten acres—these were two sums of money that even she, without fully understanding the price situation of this era, could immediately recognize astonishing wealth.
Since she transmigrated, she had been surrounded by noble families, one after another, like cabbages piled up on a vegetable stall. Only now did these powerful and wealthy families show her their power in the simplest and most direct way—they were rich, extremely rich.
Even though the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion was in decline and had lost its power, the wealth accumulated over several generations still remained.
Xu Rong turned his gaze back and said very kindly, "Let me think about it."
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