Xu Rong got up a little late that day.
I felt a little dizzy when I got up.
She held her head, subconsciously searching for memories of the banquet's end last night, and then: "..."
The old saying, "People speak the truth when they're drunk," is really true.
The idea of Xiao Xin calling her "sister" had been a vague thought she had always had—not to the point of obsession. However, in her heart, given the age difference between them, Xiao Xin should naturally call her "sister."
She never said it aloud when she was sober, because she knew it was a sensitive topic for Xiao Xin, but she was drunk—
Just like how humans know cats can scratch, but still can't resist teasing them.
The result of teasing was similar; sure enough, I got scratched.
Xu Rong rubbed her cheeks, lifted the covers, and got out of bed.
After leaving the bedroom, she realized that Xiao Xin was no longer in the mansion. In the blink of an eye, she saw a box on the table in the main room. It was carved from sandalwood with a rooster and cockscomb flowers. It looked unfamiliar and didn't seem to be an item from her place. She reached out and fiddled with it. Bai Fu explained from the side, "The eldest mistress sent someone to deliver this early this morning. She said it was a congratulatory gift for the second young master."
Xu Rong opened it and saw an inkstone inside. The inkstone was intricately crafted and must be quite valuable. She glanced at it, then casually closed it: "Put it away."
Bai Fu asked, "Where should I put it?"
"What's meant for the Second Young Master, we'll naturally put there for him." Xu Rong chuckled, noticing Bai Fu's embarrassment and reluctance. "Don't overthink it. Living in the same household, it's inevitable to exchange gifts. Just follow the proper etiquette."
Bai Fu agreed and helped her with washing and other chores, then whispered, "I was thinking about that night..."
Xiao Lun's appearance is not quite normal.
Since there were no further developments for the time being, and Xiao Xin had to take his exams, Bai Fu refrained from mentioning it. However, she couldn't forget that now, seeing the connection from that side, her unease returned, and she couldn't help but speak up.
“I’m worried he might have bad intentions towards the girl,” Bai Fu said, biting her lip, unconsciously calling Xu Rong by his old nickname again.
He did have bad intentions, but they weren't the kind Bai Fu was thinking.
Xu Rong didn't think Xiao Lun had any romantic feelings for her. The two were locked in a life-or-death struggle for interests. Even if she wasn't love-struck, she wouldn't even consider anything romantic under these circumstances.
Bai Fu didn't know many things inside, and Xu Rong didn't go into details. She simply tossed the towel she had used to wipe her face back into the basin, chuckled, and said, "Don't be afraid. If he dares to come again, I'll give him plenty of slaps."
Bai Fu wasn't as carefree as her and still had concerns: "But if the Second Young Master knew, he might overthink it."
Which man wouldn't mind, especially since the cause of this marriage was originally awkward?
Xu Rong was even more certain about the question: "No way."
Her relationship with Xiao Xin was pure and innocent, and she would never have any connection with Tao or Fei.
Since she was so resolute, Bai Fu couldn't say anything more. After getting ready, they went to the main courtyard to report for duty.
It was late today, but Xu Rong didn't care. At worst, she would be scolded by Madam Xiao. She wasn't Xiao Shan, and she wouldn't take such a thing to heart.
But she was really lucky; she arrived late, but there were others who arrived even later.
It wasn't Xiao Shan, it was Chang Shuyin. She had been standing inside for a while, but Chang Shuyin still hadn't arrived.
Intrigued by this rare phenomenon, Xiao Shan whispered to her, "Second sister-in-law, is eldest sister-in-law sick again?"
Xu Rong shook her head slightly.
Probably not. She just received the gift from Chang Shuyin. If she were sick, she wouldn't have had time to deliver it so promptly.
Madam Xiao sat at the head of the table, her expression gradually darkening. It was one thing for the eldest daughter-in-law to have something to do, but it was too lazy of her not to send someone to inform her of her absence.
"Go and ask what happened to Grandma."
A maidservant went to answer the call and returned after a while. Madam Xiao was getting even more impatient and was about to scold her when the maidservant, beaming with joy, curtsied and said, "Congratulations, Madam! The eldest mistress is pregnant."
Madam Xiao was taken aback and quickly said, "—What? Tell me in detail!"
The maid then explained that Chang Shuyin had suddenly felt nauseous and wanted to vomit while having breakfast early in the morning. Since her period had been late, the nanny serving her knew what was going on and secretly sent someone to fetch a doctor. When the maid went to inquire about the situation, the doctor was taking Chang Shuyin's pulse, so the maid waited for a while. Only after the pregnancy pulse was confirmed did the maid hurriedly return.
Madam Xiao listened to every word, both pleased and worried: "Where did they find the doctor? Is his medical skill good?"
Maid: "This—this servant does not know."
"You're still young, and you're always so impulsive," Madam Xiao scolded, then added firmly, "Take our household's invitation and invite Physician Zhao over. He's an expert in gynecology, and only he can accurately diagnose your pulse."
The girl hurriedly ran out again.
Madam Xiao glanced at Xu Rong, Xiao Shan, and the others, but didn't have time to pay them any more attention. With a wave of her hand, she sent them all away.
Xu Rong was still a bit hungover, so she went back and took another nap. When she woke up, she heard that, after being certified by a reliable imperial physician, Chang Shuyin was indeed pregnant.
It's still early in the month, only two months old.
Xu Rong nodded: "Hmm, not bad."
She did think it was a good idea. Xiao Xin had passed the county exam, but the prefectural exam was two months away. Chang Shuyin was pregnant at this time, which would inevitably attract most of the attention in the mansion, and they would be able to have some peace and quiet for a while.
As for the provincial examination, which determines whether one can obtain the title of Xiucai, it is held twice every three years. There was one last year, but not this year. The next one will be in April next year. The time is relatively less urgent. For Xiao Xin, this is a good opportunity to study harder and also to have room to maneuver if any unexpected situation arises.
Bai Fu, who relayed the message to her, was a little sullen and muttered, "...What's so good about it?"
Xu Rong didn't pay much attention. When Xiao Xin returned in the evening, she told him about the matter and her analysis. She was quite pleased: "That's for the best, Second Young Master. Heaven is also on your side."
Xiao Xin had initially put the "grudges" of the previous night behind him and listened attentively to her story, until he heard this conclusion, he was speechless.
He gave her a look that suggested he wanted to roll his eyes at her but was too lazy to argue with her.
Xu Rong asked, puzzled, "Second Young Master, what's wrong?"
Xiao Xin said, "What does it have to do with me if someone else is pregnant?"
Xu Rong thought for a moment, but couldn't figure out what the problem was, and explained, "Second Young Master, it didn't mean it was related to you; it just happened to be to your advantage."
"Is profit all you care about?"
"..." Xu Rong asked blankly, "Otherwise what?"
Xiao Xin paused for a moment, then said, "It's nothing."
He finished speaking and walked away.
Xu Rong was completely baffled. Xiao Xin hadn't argued with her for a long time. Sometimes, she could even feel his tolerance towards her. So why did he suddenly do this? She couldn't figure it out.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked Bai Fu, who had been watching from the sidelines.
Bai Fu looked at her helplessly: "Second Madam, First Madam is pregnant. You should think about you and Second Young Master. The two of you are getting married around the same time."
As a result, her daughter's actions—however, it wasn't that she didn't consider the second young master, but her considerations were completely off-track. The young couple were sitting opposite each other, and it was the same topic, yet she managed to turn the conversation into this.
Not to mention the Second Young Master, Bai Fu felt she was completely convinced and even felt a little sorry for him.
Ninety-nine percent of Bai Fu's supporters are on her side, and it's rare for her not to. Xu Rong thinks that maybe Bai Fu does have a problem—but the problem is definitely not what Bai Fu said.
She shook her head: "No, you don't understand."
Whether she understood or not, Bai Fu wasn't sure. After all, she was still a young woman and couldn't be an emotional strategist, but she had her concerns and anxieties: "Second Madam, the Second Young Master has finished his exams. Shouldn't we ask him to move in?"
Since Xiao Xin started preparing for the exam, he wouldn't go into the bedroom for ten days or half a month at a time. How could he get pregnant under such circumstances?
So Xu Rong can't be blamed for this.
She successfully turned her heart back on track.
Xu Rong did some quick calculations—she couldn't figure out when it was last time he came to make the occasion, so it had indeed been quite a while. She readily nodded and said, "Yes."
Bai Fu became happy: "I'll go invite them."
He might still be throwing a tantrum.
We might not be able to invite them all.
Xu Rong was lost in thought. She wanted to say that she would go, but Xiao Xin had already been angered by her. If he gave her a hard time, she might not be able to handle it.
Xu Rong touched her face, feeling strange; it hadn't been this thin before.
A figure walked past her.
Xu Rong looked up and was stunned for a moment.
Bai Fu followed behind, happily stopping to urge her, "It's getting late, Second Madam, go inside and rest."
no--
So, we've invited them all?
He's too easy to get.
Xu Rong felt a sudden urge to laugh for no reason, and stood up, saying, "I understand."
After Bai Fu urged her into the bedroom, she discovered that Xiao Xin did not immediately go into the warm pavilion. He was holding a book and sitting at the table reading it.
Xu Rong went over and turned the lamp a little brighter for him.
Xiao Xin didn't move and continued reading.
Xu Rong glanced at his books; she wasn't actually interested in their contents, it was purely a subconscious reaction.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Suspecting I was seeing things, I tried to identify them again.
"..."
She lingered, and Xiao Xin, as if annoyed by her presence, glanced up at her.
Xu Rong met his gaze and smiled, "Second Young Master, you're holding the book upside down, do you know that?"
Xiao Xin: "...!"
"Pfft, hahaha!"
Xu Rong could no longer hold back. Leaning against the table, she laughed and asked him, "Second Young Master, have you made any progress in your studies? You can even read backwards now?"
Xiao Xin kept a stiff face and ignored her.
"Second Young Master, are you still angry? What exactly are you angry about?" Xu Rong wouldn't let him off the hook. She wasn't usually this blunt, but this was too funny, especially since it was done by Xiao Xin. She couldn't stop laughing.
Xiao Xin covered his face with the book.
Xu Rong: "...Hahaha!"
She felt like she'd been tickled; everything he did was funny, and she almost wanted to grab his ear, which was still sticking out of the book.
Xiao Xin's eyes suddenly peeked out from under the book, looking at her with a strange gaze.
Xu Rong: "Uh..."
Oh no, she realized she had lost her composure and actually reached out her hand.
This contact might not mean much to her, but to him it would likely fall under the category of "men and women should not touch each other."
She chuckled awkwardly and tried to pull her hand back, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
The hand he held in hers was long, strong, and warm. With his other hand, he moved the book aside, closed it, and tossed it onto the table. His gaze remained fixed on her face, his expression gradually becoming thoughtful: "—Sister?"
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