Xu Rong didn't immediately consider making a move against Chang Shuyin.
She needs to resolve Cui Ting's problem first.
It's satisfying to chase people away, but once you're done, you still have to get past Madam Xiao.
Xu Rong always got up a little later than Xiao Xin. He would read for half an hour in the morning before she slowly got up. Sometimes they ate breakfast together, and sometimes he would eat first if he was hungry. However, they always went to pay their respects together.
Xiao Xin didn't wait for her today.
As soon as she got out of bed, Bai Fu told her that Xiao Xin had already gone to the main courtyard.
What they're going to do is obvious without asking.
As Xu Rong hurriedly dressed, she said, "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"The second young master will not allow it."
"You just listened to him?"
"If you don't listen, the Second Young Master will punish you—"
Xu Rong said, "To tell the truth."
Bai Fu paused in her hand as she was tying her hair up, and then became honest: "Last night, the Second Young Master didn't give Madam any face at all and chased Cui Ting away overnight. Madam will definitely be angry today."
If you get angry, you have to punish people.
She wasn't afraid of being punished by Xiao Xin, but rather afraid that Xu Rong would also be punished by Madam Xiao.
Xu Rong sighed helplessly and amusedly, realizing that her maid was still on her side. She looked in the mirror and said, "Alright, that's enough. Let's go."
Stopping Bai Fu from adding two more flower hairpins to her head, Xu Rong stood up and hurriedly walked out.
Xiao Xin, with his cold and hard temper, would never speak kindly to Madam Xiao. If he were to clash with both sides, he would definitely be the one to suffer.
Even though he had grown up a bit, his status as the legal mother still weighed heavily on him, making him unable to move.
She was right. As soon as she arrived at the main courtyard, before she even went inside, she saw Xiao Xin standing with his hands hanging down and his head lowered, yet he exuded an arrogant aura from the back of his neck and his entire posture.
Given Madam Xiao's character, even if Xiao Xin were her own son, she probably wouldn't tolerate him being so unruly.
Standing in the main hall, Madam Xiao's face was indeed ashen, but her voice was full of anger: "You've grown up and your wings have hardened. I can't even order you around anymore. The people I sent to serve you, you just dismissed them like that. Are you dismissing her or me? Today I'm not in your eyes, but tomorrow I'm afraid even the Marquis won't be in your eyes!"
"Guards, take him to the ancestral hall—"
"My lord," Xu Rong said in a clear, bright voice, "your wife greets you."
Lord Xiao, who had just reached the door, was speechless.
He was startled by Xu Rong's loud voice, but he didn't want to say anything to her—it's never wrong for a junior to greet others loudly—so he could only frown, nod, and walk into the courtyard.
Xu Rong followed behind him.
Inside, Madam Xiao paused for a moment, then greeted Marquis Xiao with a cold laugh, "Your Excellency has come at the perfect time. Look at Erlang—"
"My lord, my lady, there is something I forgot to tell you." Xu Rong suddenly interrupted.
Madam Xiao glared at her, raising an eyebrow: "Second son's wife, don't think I don't know what you're up to. This isn't the time for you to plead for me. You should think about yourself first!"
This was a warning that she herself was in danger.
After punishing Xiao Xin, she might be next.
Xu Rong remained unmoved and smiled, "It is indeed a very important matter. As you know, Madam, I had the honor of meeting His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday."
Upon hearing this, Lord Xiao's gaze turned towards them before Madam Xiao's.
Madam Xiao also showed a hint of surprise, then said, "So what? Does His Highness the Crown Prince expect you to do anything?"
Xu Rong laughed and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, of course he wouldn't bother with a nobody like me in a courtyard—"
Madam Xiao revealed a look of "I knew it," and gave a mocking laugh.
Xu Rong said, "However, I happened to meet the Crown Princess's younger sister, Miss Luo. For some reason, Miss Luo and I hit it off and she invited me to go on a spring outing together during the Qingming Festival. I told her that I would get her permission from my elders before giving her a reply."
Madam Xiao's gaze froze.
She was unaware of this matter—no matter how well she had connections in the Duke of England's mansion, it would be difficult for her to find out every single word. When Miss Luo Er extended the invitation, the noble ladies had just been intimidated by Xu Huazhang and had all gone far away, so they didn't hear it and the news didn't spread.
Why didn't you say so yesterday?
“Yesterday, Madam was angry and forbade us from going out for a while, so I didn’t dare to say anything,” Xu Rong said naturally. “But after thinking about it, I still had to inform her. Miss Luo sincerely invited me, and even if I don’t go, I should at least give her a suitable reason to decline, so that if Madam runs into an elder of the Luo family one day and the conversation doesn’t go well, it won’t be appropriate.”
"You've thought this through quite thoroughly," Madam Xiao said sternly. "Since that's the case—"
Lord Xiao looked at her at this moment: "Why are you always unhappy? It's always about confining this person or that person. What's wrong with letting the children go out for a walk during such a beautiful time as Qingming Festival?"
Madam Xiao was taken aback by his interruption and immediately began to accuse him, angrily saying, "What do you mean I'm unhappy? They're the ones who cause trouble as soon as they step out the door—"
"It's all in the past, why bring it up again?" Lord Xiao interrupted. "There are still half a month until Qingming Festival. Let them stay home and recuperate during this time."
Xu Rong asked urgently, "My lord, what about the second young master—?"
Lord Xiao frowned again: "What's wrong with Erlang now? I just overheard it was about serving someone?"
Xu Rong blinked: "It was the madam who gave the second young master a maid. The maid barged in while the second young master was taking a bath. The second young master was frightened and, in a fit of anger, chased her away."
Lord Xiao then glanced at Xiao Xin in the courtyard. How could a man be frightened by a girl trying to climb the social ladder? At most, she just didn't like him. Or more likely, Xu Rong didn't like him.
Then it becomes clear why Xu Rong would step in and cause trouble here.
Lord Xiao understood and didn't want to argue any further. The matter of a maid was utterly insignificant to him. He simply said, "If you've dismissed her, then dismiss her. Who punishes their master in the ancestral hall and disturbs the ancestors over a maid? Alright, didn't you want to study? Go on. You've finally started to look somewhat serious; don't go back to your half-hearted approach and wasting your teacher's time!"
His last sentence was addressed to Xiao Xin, who did not look up, but bowed and retreated.
Xu Rong followed suit.
Madam Xiao was furious: "My lord, Second Son has been so rude, and you're just telling them to leave?!"
She was about to order the man to be brought back when Lord Xiao stopped her, saying, "I was just about to tell you—"
**
Xiao Xin walked along the roadside with his hands behind his back. He finally raised his head, facing the morning breeze. His brows were relaxed, and although he didn't have a clear expression, it was clear that he was in a good mood.
Xu Rong was about to say something to him, but after glancing at him, she decided not to say anything—he was a bit stunned, but he was so determined to stand in front of her. In this treacherous situation, how could she not feel at ease having such a companion?
I feel at ease.
She chuckled, feeling quite cheerful today.
Xiao Xin turned to look at her: "What are you laughing at?"
Xu Rong omitted the word "stunned" and said, "I am moved by the Second Young Master's sincerity towards me."
Xiao Xin paused for a moment. Xu Rong didn't look at him intentionally, but her height just happened to catch him when the corners of his mouth turned up, then down, and he turned his face back before saying, "It's nothing."
The voice sounded faint.
Xu Rong suppressed a laugh and said, "Oh." He then changed the subject, "Second Young Master, are you familiar with the situation of the Marquis of Cheng'an's family?"
She was busy yesterday and hadn't had a chance to ask. This family was unfamiliar to her; they didn't seem to be a part of her social circle.
Xiao Xin nodded and then shook his head: "I don't know much."
There were neither too many nor too few noble families in the capital. Apart from the Duke of Yingguo's family, which were among the founding meritorious families, their descendants were also granted titles one after another. The Marquis of Cheng'an's family was granted a title in this dynasty. The reason for the title was very simple: it was not for literary fame or military achievements, but because a Crown Princess had been born into the family.
The Crown Princess's father was originally just a centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard—like Master Luo, the father of the Second Master Luo who had been beaten twice, it was an inherited honorary title, only receiving a salary and having no real power. But unlike Master Luo, this centurion had a fine daughter, dignified, generous, and beautiful. After being selected to enter the Eastern Palace, she was not only highly regarded by the Crown Prince, but even the Emperor praised her virtue, first promoting her father to a chiliarch and later bestowing upon him the title of Earl.
The Marquis of Cheng'an suddenly became prominent, but he was also a newly rich man, and his rise to prominence was due to his daughter's influence. He couldn't compare to the established noble families in the capital. For example, Madam Xiao, with her background, didn't think much of his family, nor did she consider the invitation from Miss Luo to be of any importance.
But Lord Xiao was different. To be honest, the level of importance he showed exceeded Xu Rong's expectations.
Although the Marquis of Cheng'an has a formal title, he still lacks real power. In terms of his status in the court, he is not as influential as Marquis Xiao.
Xu Rong asked, "Second Young Master, what was your family's relationship with the Crown Prince like in the past?"
The impression Marquis Xiao gave her was that he really wanted to get involved with the Crown Prince, giving her the green light all the way and not hesitating to suppress Madam Xiao head-on.
Xiao Xin retorted, "Don't you know?"
"..." Xu Rong asked, "Should I know?"
She looked a little cautious, but not panicked—if it were something common sense that a young lady like her should know, she could just use the excuse of having hit her head before to deny it.
Xiao Xin wanted to keep her in suspense, but after glancing at her twice, he couldn't keep it up and said, "Our family is of military rank, so it's not appropriate for us to get too close to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Xu Rong suddenly realized, "So that's how it is!"
Lord Xiao held a military post, and although he did not go out to war like the Duke of Ying, he still had influence and intricate connections within the army in the capital. It was somewhat "eager" for someone like him to approach the Crown Prince when the Emperor was in his prime.
But it wouldn't be good to really become distant from the Crown Prince. It's easy for Chunchen to be in the present, but once the Crown Prince takes the throne, he'll be a step behind—because there will always be people who aren't afraid of death who will place their bets in advance.
Therefore, approaching the younger generation and female relatives is a relatively gentle and clever entry point. Even if you don't do anything, it's good to have the opportunity to become familiar with the Crown Prince.
If we're not close, why would they remember you if something good happens?
"Lord Marquis is truly—" Xu Rong couldn't help but say, "His plans are far-reaching."
It seems that what's awful about him is his character, not his scheming.
Xiao Xin asked her, "And you?"
They didn't know any of this before, so how could they have come up with the idea of bringing out Miss Luo to save him?
Xu Rong coughed lightly: "I just saw the Marquis and it reminded me of the confinement. It's fine if we don't go out, the Marquis won't have time to care. But since the eldest daughter is also trapped, the Marquis should not stand idly by."
With constant changes and being confined to one place at a time, where can one find a good husband?
Moreover, the Qingming Festival is a great opportunity for young men and women throughout the city to go on outings and enjoy the spring scenery.
Her original intention was to use Miss Luo to coerce Xiao Shan and then use that coercion to seduce Lord Xiao, and then use that coercion to counter Lady Xiao. She didn't expect there to be another layer of connection involved. By sheer accident, the effect was immediate, and even Xiao Xin's escape became extremely easy.
"Second Young Master, you're still the most accurate judge," Xu Rong praised him with a smile.
Xiao Xin denied it: "Not necessarily, maybe it's what you think."
Xu Rong didn't think anything of it at first. By this time, they had already entered the courtyard. Xiao Xin was carrying a pile of his homework and was about to leave when Xu Rong suddenly realized something was wrong: he didn't seem to possess such advanced social skills as mutual flattery.
She chased after him and asked him to confirm, "Are you just trying to comfort me?"
Xiao Xin turned around, smiled at her with one corner of his mouth, but neither said yes nor no, and then turned and left.
Xu Rong stood in the spring breeze, couldn't help but smile, and shook her head.
It's not that he can't do it.
They just wouldn't use it on others, preferring to suffer losses instead.
That personality of hers—tsk.
**
Regardless of what Lord Xiao's true intentions were, Xiao Shan naturally appeared among the people traveling during the Qingming Festival.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
