Xu Rong didn't have time to think it through.
The very next day, Madam Xiao from the Marquis of Changxing's residence arrived with her new fiancé, Xiao Xin, whom she had been prepared for. A message came from the main courtyard asking her to come and meet him.
Bai Fu panicked and paced around the room: "Miss, what should we do? How could Madam really listen to the Xiao family's manipulation? If this really happens—how will Miss live her life from now on!"
The absurdity and awkwardness inside were indescribable; Bai Fu couldn't even stand up for herself after just a moment's thought. She had still harbored a faint doubt about Xu Rong, but now she had cast it all aside. With the master in distress and the subject disgraced, her master was going to have no good days, so where could she, as a servant, find a foothold?
Xu Rong reassured her, "It's nothing, it's just a meeting."
This matter cannot be bypassed by the Xiao family, so meeting with them would make it easier for her to make a judgment.
Granny Qian, who came to deliver the message, had been closely watching her expression. Seeing this, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly arranged for Bai Fu to do her makeup.
Granny Qian was Madam Xu's trusted maid, and although Bai Fu was unwilling, she had no choice but to turn back and obey orders.
This was a routine she was used to. In no time, she had styled Xu Rong's hair, inserted a pair of pearl hairpins, applied ink, and tinted her lips. Finally, she changed her into new clothes: a pale yellow shirt with chrysanthemum embroidery trim, and twelve panels of silk skirt spread out on the embroidered shoes.
After Bai Fu finished her work, she stepped aside. Xu Rong turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her gold beaded earring swayed on her cheek, and she smiled with great satisfaction.
Her makeup has reached a new level of beauty.
Granny Qian urged cautiously, "Miss, shouldn't we be heading out now?"
Let's go.
Xu Rong was in a good mood. She winked at herself in the mirror, lifted her skirt, and went out to meet her guests.
The guest is an unwelcome guest; his intentions are not good.
But Xu Rong wasn't really a pitiful girl who was to be pushed out by her mother to fill the hole. She stepped over the threshold and glanced up at the ground with a gentle and charming air.
The two people at the head of the table were Madam Xu, who hurriedly put on a smile when she saw Xu Rong, and the other woman, who was about forty years old, with a plump and serene face and a half-smile in her eyes, exuding an air of superiority.
Madam Bixu is more like the mistress of this mansion.
This elegant and noblewoman is none other than Madam Xiao.
Xu Rong didn't look at her for long; instead, she glanced at Madam Xiao's side and behind.
There stood a boy.
The boy was thin and tall, wearing a dark blue straight-cut robe of fine material. His small hat was adorned with a small piece of white jade, its texture like solidified cream, also a fine piece of jade. A gourd-shaped jade pendant of similar quality and a purse hung from his waist. His black boots were spotless. In short, like Xu Rong, he had obviously dressed up before making his appearance.
But only external things can be disguised.
The boy's head drooped low, revealing only a section of his pale neck, making it difficult to discern his features. His shoulders and back were straight, suggesting he wasn't hunchbacked, yet his toes were slightly splayed, giving him an air of dejection.
He had an awkward air about him, like a troubled teenager.
Xu Rong raised his eyebrows and went inside.
She stepped forward to pay her respects. Madam Xu was very considerate of her in these trivial matters and immediately stood up to help her, saying, "Alright, you're only just feeling better, don't overexert yourself."
She is clearly a loving mother who dotes on her daughter.
Madam Xiao, sitting on the right, watched this scene and gave a cryptic laugh. She then turned and instructed, "Second Brother, you should also greet the eldest young lady."
The troubled boy didn't move his feet or his head, maintaining that lazy posture, only raising his hand to bow to Xu Rong and saying, "Greetings, sister-in-law."
...
Madam Xiao's expression changed.
Madam Xu's face turned even paler and paler.
In the frozen atmosphere of the room, Xu Rong smiled and returned his greeting: "Hello to you too."
After speaking, she glanced at Madam Xiao with a smile—how dare she bring out such a troublemaker?
Even the biggest deals can fall through.
Although Madam Xiao's expression changed, she still managed to hold her tongue and said in a low voice, "Second Brother, it's fine at home, but when you're out in the world, don't you try to change your mischievous ways?"
The boy remained silent, simply letting his hands hang back at his sides, seemingly yielding, yet not quite.
Madam Xiao's face grew even colder. Suddenly, Madam Xu had an idea and quickly turned to interject, "Madam Xiao, since your family hasn't reached an agreement either, why don't we just drop this matter?"
This can be considered as doing Xu Rong a favor.
Madam Xiao shifted her gaze and said calmly, "Madam Xu is joking. Is it really appropriate to make such a fuss about marriage? Erlang is young and doesn't know any better. Madam Xu shouldn't take it to heart."
She was ostensibly reprimanding Xiao Xin, but in reality, she was also reprimanding Madam Xu. Madam Xu was skilled at persuading people with tears, and her sharp tongue fell silent, so she was immediately shut down.
Madam Xiao was very decisive and then said, "Alright, what we adults say may not be what you children like to hear. Why don't you go out for a walk and clear your mind?"
He gestured to Madam Xu with his eyes.
Madam Xu reluctantly said, "...Rong'er, the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. It's Xiao Erlang's first time visiting our home. Why don't you show him some hospitality and take him for a stroll?"
She lacked the commanding presence of Madam Xiao, and because she felt guilty, her voice trailed off with a tentative question. Xu Rong didn't mind and nodded, "Okay."
Mrs. Xu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Xiao didn't look at her much. She raised her slightly relaxed eyelids, stared at the young Xiao Xin, and said, "Go well. Don't forget what Madam Wei taught you."
This sounded like a routine instruction, after all, Xiao Xin had just uttered a shocking statement that left everyone speechless. But when Xu Rong turned to look at him, he saw him suddenly raise his head, his jaw clenched, his jawline sharp, and his eyes fierce and piercing—
Xu Rong finally saw his face clearly.
It suited his posture perfectly; it wasn't a gentle face, but rather a fierce intent like dark clouds, layered between his brows, his gloomy aura making him appear less handsome than he actually was.
As she was scrutinizing him, Xiao Xin slowly loosened his jaw, his expression calming down, and coldly replied—or rather, uttered a single word: "Yes."
Go out for a stroll in the garden.
Madam Xu was wrong. In late autumn, what flowers are "blooming at their best"? Many osmanthus blossoms have fallen, and the chrysanthemums by the roadside are also listless and showing signs of decay because of Xu Huazhang's affair. Madam Xu has no time for housework, and the servants in charge of the garden have been lazy and neglected.
If Xu Rong were truly the head of the family, she would feel humiliated at this moment. Fortunately, she was neither, nor did she really come to stroll around the garden. Seeing a hexagonal pavilion in the garden with a stone table and benches inside, she casually walked in.
There's really nothing to see in this garden. Why don't we order some tea and snacks, sit down and rest a bit?
Xu Rong then instructed Bai Fu.
Bai Fu was taken aback: "Miss, shall I go now?"
Xu Rong doesn't usually travel with many people when she's out at home. She's the only one who's with her. Once she leaves, the young lady and Xiao Erlang will be all alone.
Xu Rong didn't think anything was wrong: "What's wrong? Is it not mealtime yet? There's something ready in the kitchen, just grab whatever you want."
Bai Fu was captivated by her composure. The girl now was different from before; she had her own ideas, and they were the kind that Bai Fu couldn't even imagine. Unconsciously, Bai Fu was firmly suppressed and didn't feel that she could raise any objections. Hesitating for a moment, she finally went anyway.
There was no one else in the garden, only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. Although the scenery was not beautiful, it was still quite peaceful.
Xiao Xin stood outside the pavilion without going in. He lowered his head again and, looking at his shoes from a distance of several steps, spoke: "Miss Xu."
The voice was very cold and distant, but the way he addressed people was perfectly normal.
It seems that the hostility wasn't just indiscriminate shooting.
Xu Rong responded amiably, "Young Master Xiao, please speak."
"This won't work out, you don't need to think about it."
When Xiao Xin said the words "this matter," he made no attempt to hide his disgust and aversion.
Xu Rong wasn't surprised, but found it somewhat interesting: "Oh? Young Master Xiao has an idea?"
Xiao Xin replied without hesitation: "It's none of your business."
Clearly, there was no intention to engage in further communication.
Xu Rong glanced at him, saw the resolute aura around him, understood, and smiled: "You're running away from home?"
Xiao Xin's brow twitched, and he suddenly looked up, his icy gaze shooting straight at him.
Given the relationship between the two families, he had certainly met Xu Rong before, but very rarely, and his impression of her was very shallow. In his memory, Xu Rong was simply described as a woman.
This was the first time he had seen Xu Rong today, and it was also almost the first time he had actually seen this unfortunate former sister-in-law.
She had a very delicate appearance, with fair skin and elegant features. There was a slight blemish on her forehead, but it did not affect her beauty. On the contrary, it made her eyes sparkle. Her pale yellow dress gave her a delicate and slender look.
Xiao Xin looked away.
I didn't feel anything special; it just felt very unfamiliar. Most young ladies from wealthy and powerful families in the capital looked like this.
Xu Rongxin stepped out of the pavilion and said with a smile, "It seems I was right."
Xiao Xin neither admitted nor denied it; he reverted to his usual indifference and simply asked, "Why do you say that?"
Xu Rong smiled and replied, "Because that's what I think too."
Xiao Xin was taken aback. He was clearly surprised, but quickly realized what was going on.
Compared to him, Xu Rong's situation was certainly more difficult. She was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ji'an and had always been so noble. But in one day, she suffered a misfortune, was jilted, and disfigured. Not to mention how she would face the future, she couldn't even hide at home for now. She was forced to spend her life avenging her brother's misfortune.
If his injustice was five parts, she should have ten parts.
But he couldn't see any difficulty on Xu Rong's face. She was always smiling, her smile full of joy: "Young Master Xiao, we are on the same page. You shouldn't mind if I ask one more question: how do you plan to make this trip?"
Xiao Xin frowned slightly: "What?"
Just go, don't worry about how or how it doesn't matter.
They're so young.
Xu Rong sighed, looking at the boy's face—a face that, despite its gloomy temperament and fiery temper, couldn't hide its youthful innocence—and smiled, "Are you traveling alone? Where are you planning to go? How will you settle down in this new place? At your age, are you still studying? Or practicing martial arts? How will you continue your career—"
Xiao Xin couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted her with a stern face: "Miss Xu, this is not a problem."
This is never going to end!
Why all this talk? And what does it have to do with her?
Xu Rong smiled and nodded in agreement: "Yes. However, Young Master Xiao, every question I ask is very important. If I'm not mistaken, it seems you don't have a complete plan for these matters yet?"
Xiao Xin parted his thin lips slightly, then closed them again after a moment, his eyelashes half-drooping as he swept his gaze over her.
It was like a patiently rolling of the eyes.
Xu Rong: "..."
After being rejected repeatedly and even given the cold shoulder, she should be angry, but she found it hard to be angry.
This young body houses a truly young soul, even its indifference is vibrant, unlike hers.
This made her naturally tolerant.
"Young Master Xiao, please don't misunderstand. I mean no harm. It's just that we are both victims, so perhaps we can form an alliance and think of another way," Xu Rong patiently explained. "Even if we have to leave, we can't just impulsively go. We need to make arrangements for our future. You're young, and you may not understand the saying, 'It's always better to stay at home, but everything is difficult when you're away from home.'"
As Xiao Xin listened to this clearly unfamiliar girl rambling on and on, his gaze gradually turned impatient and sarcastic.
“I don’t understand?” he interrupted her. “Miss Xu, I think it’s you who doesn’t understand.”
"Do you think my wife really asked me to come out with you to see the flowers? You're wrong. She's sending me to take advantage of you so that if you don't marry me, you'll never be able to marry anyone else."
The word "gloomy" could no longer describe Xiao Xin's expression after he said those words. He looked as if a huge dark cloud was hanging over his head, and his voice became low and hoarse—it was the result of resentment, anger, and resistance after being suppressed to an extreme degree. "I'm young? Sister-in-law, you are the one who is too naive."
Xu Rong: "..."
Well.
That's awkward.
She really didn't expect that Madam Xiao, who looked like a glamorous and noble lady, much more respectable than her mother, would have such a low moral character and would resort to such underhanded tricks.
The awkwardness lasted for three seconds before Xu Rong made a decisive decision—the conversation had to continue. Madam Xiao had revealed her character, and Xiao Xin had also shown his. He was an exceptionally proud young man, his head held high. He felt humiliated even receiving such an order, let alone actually doing it.
Given the limited conditions of being unfamiliar with the place and the people, she couldn't let go of such a rare potential ally; how to cooperate could be discussed later.
To ease the tension, Xu Rong, after regaining her composure, tried to sound relaxed and said, "Oh, that's exciting?"
Xiao Xin: "..."
Xiao Xin: "...?"
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