"Huh?" Xu Rong responded tentatively.
Xiao Xin smiled enigmatically: "You actually dared to agree."
What's there to be afraid of?
He called first, and it sounded quite nice.
Xu Rong felt that his voice was deep and had an indescribable quality, like a string on a musical instrument being gently plucked, vibrating with a clear and resonant sound.
But even though she thought this, she didn't say it aloud. She felt that something was off about the atmosphere—she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Maybe it was the way Xiao Xin looked at her; his eyes were too dark and too deep, contradictory yet shining, as if some secret was hidden deep within the light, waiting for her to discover it.
Perhaps it was Xiao Xin's posture that was wrong. He leaned back in the chair, still holding her wrist, without using too much force. But because she had been too careless and provoked him first, she was controlled in a half-leaning position. Strangely, she was standing and he was sitting. Even though she was looking down at him, she couldn't find any sense of superiority or suppression.
Another possibility is that his smile was inappropriate, as if it were a warning, a mockery, or neither—
She didn't know what it was.
Xu Rong couldn't receive this signal; all these things that were wrong ultimately boiled down to two words: danger.
She felt that Xiao Xin was somewhat dangerous.
Like a fledgling animal just beginning to develop its horns, it flaunts itself to her and then lures her in.
—Oops, the last two words were used incorrectly, cross them out.
Thinking of Xiao Xin like that is incredibly disrespectful. If he knew, he'd probably be furious again.
That one "sister" sounded like she was going to bring up last night's grievances and settle them together with today's ear-pinching.
Xu Rong thought for a moment and decided to cut her losses decisively. She waved her wrist at him and said, "Second Young Master, I was being presumptuous."
Xiao Xin didn't act immediately. He glanced at her again, as if he wasn't quite satisfied with her surrender and pleading, before slowly letting go.
Xu Rong quickly pulled back, and unconsciously touched the spot where his hand had been holding her for a while. She didn't know if it was her imagination or if his body temperature had indeed been transferred to her, but she felt that the skin around her was a little warmer.
Xiao Xin had already started to look away, but seeing her movement, he paused and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Xu Rong shook her head: "No."
She thought Xiao Xin's future wife was very lucky to have a readily available constant-temperature stove, but to avoid any complications, she didn't say it aloud, only feeling a slight envy in her heart.
"Second Young Master, it's getting late, you should go and rest early." She gently invited him to the warm pavilion.
Xiao Xin stood up.
Xu Rong made way for him and handed him the book she had left on the table, but added, "Don't read it. It's fine to rest for the night."
Xiao Xin didn't leave, but suddenly said, "I shouldn't have asked you that before."
Xu Rong was stunned for a moment before realizing that he was referring to the awkward situation they had been having before. She had almost forgotten about it if he hadn't brought it up, but his mention of it had rekindled her already limited curiosity.
"It's nothing, but Second Young Master, what exactly did I—um, offend you?"
"No."
Xiao Xin denied it without hesitation, but his gaze deepened again. This time, the depth was different; it was not bright, but like the night outside the window, so thick it was impossible to see through. His voice also became quiet: "It was my fault."
It was his delusions, his greed, and his lack of self-control that led him to indulge in these desires.
He was like this when he was unaware of it, and he remained like this even after he became aware of it.
Perhaps because there is no clear dividing line between these two states, just like the natural alternation between day and night, he naturally stepped through it.
Xu Rong hesitated. She was still a little soft-hearted. When she apologized to Xiao Xin, it was very casual, purely out of a sense of pragmatism. But now Xiao Xin was apologizing to her very seriously, as if he had really done something to wrong her—but it didn't have to be that serious.
Asking her if she only cares about "profit" is not a wrong question.
The total amount of genuine affection she received and gave in both her lives—though both were short—was a very complex lesson for her; talking about profit was the simplest.
“Second Young Master, you haven’t done anything wrong,” she comforted him. “There’s no need to be so serious.”
Xiao Xin finally took the book from her hands.
He didn't say anything more, but he knew he was wrong.
What's even more wrong is that he never intended to change.
**
The night passed peacefully, and nothing much happened in the following days.
As Xu Rong had predicted, Chang Shuyin's pregnancy topped the Changxing Marquis's news list, and Xiao Xin's county case was suppressed. The only follow-up to this matter was that Xiao Xin later discovered the inkstone sent by the eldest branch of the family. He didn't know what temper he was throwing again, but he refused to keep it and wanted to throw it away. Xu Rong was impressed by his noble temperament—this highlighted the difference between him and her, who came from a commoner background. She was dirt poor, yet she could still squander money.
She wanted to come over and tell him that it could also be used as a gift, since it wasn't convenient to send it back to Chang Shuyin's family. It was always acceptable to use it when giving gifts to other families.
Xiao Xincai reluctantly replied, "Mm."
But he wanted to go back, refusing to leave it with her, saying, "Tell me when you need it."
Xu Rong had no idea what he was doing going on and on, but she patiently complied with him.
Behind Bai Fu's back, he complained, "I think the Second Young Master really doesn't have enough homework. He has time to come up with so many tricks with just a broken inkstone."
Bai Fu smiled in accompaniment.
The scene seemed vaguely familiar. Xu Rong turned around and saw Xiao Xin peeking at her through the curtain.
Xu Rong coughed lightly and said, "Second Young Master, is there something you need from me?"
These past few days, Madam Xiao has been keeping a close eye on Chang Shuyin, paying attention to her daily life, reminding Xiao Lun of some precautions, and receiving the Lady of the Duke of Zheng, who came to visit after hearing the good news. She has been so busy that she has excused herself from paying respects to everyone in the mansion. Xu Rong is happy to resume her routine since she first arrived, sleeping until she naturally wakes up every day. As a result, the time she spends sitting and lying down with Xiao Xin is even more different. Xiao Xin reads his books, and the two of them live peacefully during the day, without disturbing each other.
Xiao Xin didn't hold her accountable, but instead said, "Your wife and Zhang Ge'er are here."
Xu Rong was taken aback: "Huh?"
She quickly stood up and instinctively asked, "Did Brother Zhang get into trouble?"
Since her marriage, this was the first time that Madam Xu and Xu Huazhang had stepped into the gates of the Marquis of Changxing's residence together, without any prior notice, so it was no wonder that she would think the worst.
Xiao Xin shook his head: "I don't know."
He was just writing his essay by the window when the little maid came running in. He heard the noise, looked up, and asked a question.
Xu Rong walked out with questions in his mind.
Xiao Xin followed beside her, and the two went out to greet them. Soon they saw the Xu family mother and son. According to etiquette, Madam Xu should first go to see Madam Xiao, the head of the family. However, Madam Xiao was busy and did not want to see Madam Xu, who was a crybaby. She made an excuse and had someone lead them to the North Courtyard.
That was just right. When Xu Rong saw that Madam Xu's eyes were not red and she was not crying, she felt reassured.
It's nothing serious.
"Why did Mother suddenly come?" she asked as she approached.
"It's nothing, Mother missed you and came to see you," Madam Xu said with a smile. Her eyes were indeed loving, but it also seemed that something was going on, not just "nothing" as she said.
It wasn't convenient to talk outside, so Xu Rong didn't ask. She didn't have time to ask either. Xu Huazhang, who was standing next to her, couldn't wait to say, "Sister, your brother-in-law passed the imperial examination with top honors, but you didn't even send someone home to tell him. I only found out from Zhang Weiling. I didn't even come to celebrate."
Xu Rong hadn't really thought of it. She was quite familiar with her young playboy brother Xu Huazhang, but she still didn't feel much of a sense of belonging to the Xu family. However, this was easy to explain. She smiled and said, "The second young master is humble and doesn't like to show off. It's not too late to congratulate him when he passes the imperial examination next year."
Xu Huazhang nodded, accepting the reason. He was talkative and started chatting with Xiao Xin again, turning to him and saying, "Brother-in-law, it turns out my sister wasn't exaggerating when she said you were right. You really are that amazing, passing the exam on your first try."
Xiao Xin lowered his gaze slightly, his expression relaxed, and he said, "No, it was just luck. My teacher said I still need to work harder."
“Brother-in-law, don’t be modest. How come others didn’t get lucky?” Xu Huazhang said shrewdly, with a hint of pride. “When I go out, people ask me about it and ask how I suddenly became so amazing.”
Since he started studying, Xiao Xin rarely indulged in entertainment. Others couldn't get any information from him, so they went around in circles and eventually asked Xu Huazhang—after all, in families like theirs, which one didn't have a few sons who had studied but hadn't really absorbed much knowledge?
Xiao Xin's top ranking in the county examination might not be anything special among scholarly families, but among the nobility, he stood out like a crane among chickens.
Xiao Xin simply listened, while Xu Rong asked him with a smile, "Oh? So what did you say?"
“That’s because my brother-in-law is hardworking,” Xu Huazhang replied methodically. Xu Rong was about to nod when he added, “And my sister is a lucky charm for her husband.”
Xu Rong: "..."
If Xiao Xin hadn't pulled her up in time, she would have almost twisted her ankle.
—What a bizarre and superstitious claim!
While it's not unreasonable to sometimes seek good fortune, these two words just felt strange when applied to her and Xiao Xin.
“What nonsense,” she scolded him. “Don’t talk to people like that next time. Your achievements and skills are all earned by the Second Young Master himself. What’s so special about being prosperous or not?”
Xu Huazhang was not happy. He was unwilling to refute Xu Rong and turned to Xiao Xin for support: "Brother-in-law, did I say something wrong?"
Xiao Xin raised the corner of his mouth and said, "That's right."
Xu Rong said helplessly, "Second Young Master, why are you taking his bait?"
He's seen how lazy she is every day. The only thing she's done for him is time, and then she just lies back down. On the list of achievements, she occupies at most a tiny corner.
Xiao Xin said, "I am telling the truth."
Xu Huazhang was delighted and quickly chimed in, "That's right, the truth!"
Xu Rong was speechless.
Okay, the two of them are getting really into it together.
They weren't this friendly when they used to fight on the ground.
Xiao Xin glanced at her, his gaze deepening slightly.
He knew she didn't take it seriously, even though he meant every word he said.
He already has a clear direction for his future. He may go far in the future, but the first step he took was pulled by her. Without her, he doesn't know how long he would have been groping in the dark, or when he would have been able to take this step. Perhaps he would never have taken it and his life would have been wasted.
so--
If it's wrong, then it's wrong.
He accepted his own baseness, and from that moment on, he was no good person.
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