The next morning, Xu Rong got up and wanted to ask Hong Liu to go out and tell her brother to ask Doctor Yu to come for a follow-up visit.
This matter should have been done earlier, but because she mistakenly thought that Xiao Xinfu had failed the examination, it was delayed for nearly ten days. Now that she has remembered it, she is not going to delay any longer.
But this day was much busier than the day the results were announced. People from all sides arrived in an endless stream, as if by prior arrangement. Early in the morning, Lord Xiao sent someone to summon Xiao Xin. He probably suddenly realized that Xiao Xin was even more promising than he had thought. So, after his failed display of fatherly love two months ago, he once again picked up his long-lost fatherly love and wanted to have a chat with Xiao Xin.
Xu Rong didn't know the specifics of the conversation, but he noticed that Xu Rong's expression was somewhat complicated after he returned. Instead of immediately going back to the east side room, Xu Rong stood in the corridor for a while.
“I don’t actually need it anymore,” Xiao Xin said, seemingly to himself, yet also as if addressing her, “but—”
But his heart was not made of iron.
No matter how scummy Lord Xiao was, he was still his father. His repeated attempts to talk to him left him speechless, embarrassed, and unsure of how to interact with Lord Xiao. He thought it would be better to continue being ignored, but beyond all these emotions, he couldn't shake off a feeling that was hard to describe.
Xu Rong thought for a while but couldn't come up with anything—family affection was her weakness. Well, thinking about it this way, she really had many weaknesses. She wasn't good at family affection, and she wasn't good at romantic love either.
All I could offer was a generic, useless consolation: "Second Young Master, don't overthink it, just do as you please."
Xiao Xin looked thoughtful, then, as if inspired, looked at her and said, "Hmm."
Xu Rong: "..."
He didn't know why he could understand this simple word. He stared at her intently as she responded, and it seemed that he understood where his heart lay.
Xu Rong realized she needed to correct herself; she wasn't that clueless about love.
Then she felt she needed a doctor named Xu.
It's getting cold; we should keep our distance.
"Second Young Master, I'll have Brother Hongliu go and invite Doctor Xu over—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Hongliu suddenly ran in and said in a clear voice, "Second Young Master, Second Madam, someone from the Duke of Ying's Mansion has come and is outside requesting an audience."
Xu Rong was taken aback and looked at Xiao Xin, who was also clearly surprised. After a moment, he said, "Please come in."
Given the relationship between the Duke of England's mansion and the Xiao family, the people from that side didn't need to wait outside the mansion gate. They arrived directly outside the North Courtyard and came in as soon as they were summoned.
It was a nanny with two maids, who were carrying a lot of things in their hands. There were seven or eight gift boxes in total, all tied with red ribbons, which looked exquisite and festive.
The old nanny came in and curtsied: "This old servant greets the Second Young Master and the Second Mistress."
In this way, the people around the elders are all very respectable. Xu Rong stepped aside and only accepted half a bow from her before inviting her into the house to sit and have tea.
Two maids entered together and, following the nanny's signal, placed the gift boxes on the table, piling them up to cover most of the surface. Then the nanny slowly explained that she had been ordered by Old Madam Zhang to come and congratulate Xiao Xin on passing the imperial examination with top honors.
"When our old lady heard the good news, she was so happy that she talked about it for most of the day. She even ordered people to rummage through the chests and cabinets and find all the good writing materials she had collected over the years. She said that the boys in the family only know how to fight with knives and sticks, and these things are being wasted on them. It would be better to send them all to the second young master."
Xiao Xin stood up and said, "Thank you, maternal grandmother."
The old woman smiled and said, "Second Young Master, please don't be so polite. The old lady also said that if you encounter any difficulties in the future, don't gossip. Just tell the old lady. If you get tired of studying, you might as well visit the Duke's Mansion more often to relax."
Xiao Xin verbally agreed to all of them. The old woman then smiled at Xu Rong and said, "Second Madam, please come along too. Our old lady has been saying that it's been a long time since we last saw Second Madam."
Last time was before the Qingming Festival, when the Duke of England won a battle.
Xu Rong smiled and bowed: "Yes, but I was afraid of disturbing the old lady. Since the old lady has given the order, then this junior will respectfully obey."
"The old lady is getting old, and she's really reluctant to see most people outside, but the second young master and second mistress are family, and they're both capable and sensible, so why would she be afraid of noise?"
The old woman smiled and said a few more words before getting up to take her leave. Xu Rong saw her out, and just then, a maid walked quickly in from outside. Xu Rong recognized her; she was from the main courtyard.
The maid hurriedly called out to her, "Second Madam," and then turned to the nanny, saying, "Madam heard that Nanny Wu has arrived and invites you to come and sit down."
The old woman nodded and let her go. Xu Rong returned, looking thoughtful.
It seems that this old woman went straight to the north courtyard as soon as she entered the door, without first going to see Madam Xiao.
This was certainly not her own decision; it must have been instructed by Madam Zhang.
She stepped into the main room, where Bai Fu was already leading Xin Cheng to sort the gift boxes. Xu Rong stepped forward and took a look. Indeed, most of them were stationery items, clearly intended for Xiao Xin.
None of it went through Madam Xiao's hands, and she wasn't even informed in advance.
Clearly, Madam Zhang knew her daughter very well and knew that she could not expect her to give Xiao Xin any favors, nor could she even entrust her daughter with doing favors for her, as it might backfire. Therefore, she simply sent it over directly.
Even though the gift was given in the name of the maternal grandmother, it inevitably contained a bit of a compromise on behalf of Madam Xiao, which was a well-intentioned effort.
"Second Young Master, shall we go to the Duke of Ying's mansion today or tomorrow?" Xu Rong asked, tilting his head.
This gift is very generous. Regardless of Madam Zhang's purpose, it is only right and proper for them, as the younger generation, to personally visit and express their gratitude.
Before Xiao Xin could answer, Hong Liu came running in again, this time carrying a box: "Second Young Master, Second Madam, this is what my brother got from the gatekeeper. He said it was a congratulatory gift for the Second Young Master, but the person who delivered it left as soon as he arrived. We don't know who he is."
Xiao Xin took it, and Xu Rong curiously went to look at it as well. The box was slender and made of ebony, and it didn't look particularly conspicuous, unlike the valuable ones that Old Madam Zhang had sent.
The box itself had some mechanisms. Xiao Xin fiddled with it for a bit before opening it, and inside was a pair of purple-haired brushes.
The pen was in good condition, but there was nothing else. There wasn't even a note indicating his identity or offering congratulations. Xu Rong searched again and finally found a small vermilion seal on the upper left corner inside the box lid.
While Xu Rong was still identifying it, Xiao Xin whispered, "It's the Crown Prince's seal."
Xu Rong was startled.
So it turns out the Crown Prince sent it.
He kept his word, saying he would pay attention to the results of the prefectural examination, and he really did.
Therefore, there's no need to consider it further. We can postpone our visit to the Duke of England's residence until tomorrow, but we must personally pay our respects to the Crown Prince as soon as possible to express our gratitude—even if the Crown Prince is unlikely to see us.
It would be quite an achievement if someone could remember a casual remark and send a congratulatory gift.
The matter concerning Dr. Yu can only be postponed; compared to that, it is not an urgent matter.
Xiao Xin changed his clothes and left in a hurry. After he left, Xu Rong was not idle either, because the Ji'an Marquis's Mansion sent a lot of gifts, which were personally delivered by Xu Huazhang. He wanted to talk to Xiao Xin, but when he learned that he was not there, he was a little disappointed. He also told Xu Rong that Madam Xu also wanted to talk to her and asked her to come back to her parents' home when she had time.
Xu Rong, unaware of what Madam Xu had to do, was asking Xu Huazhang when a report came from outside that Xiao Shan had arrived, bringing gifts as well.
Xu Rong became a little wary—Madam Zhang and the Crown Prince had already sent their gifts, and Xiao Shan was staying at the mansion. If he really wanted to offer his congratulations, he shouldn't be slower than those from outside.
She didn't bother to figure out her true intentions and simply called out to Xu Huazhang, "Let's go."
Xu Huazhang was overjoyed to hear this, but when he saw Xiao Shan, he showed no reaction whatsoever. Several months passed, and he had almost forgotten what Xiao Shan looked like.
Xu Rong nodded to Xiao Shan: "Thank you, Miss. My mother has something to discuss with me, so I won't keep you here."
"Sister, let's go quickly," Xu Huazhang urged her.
Both of them seemed to be in a hurry to leave. Xiao Shan looked a little embarrassed, but since no one was there to comfort her, she had no choice but to go.
Xu Rong returned to the Marquis of Ji'an's residence with Xu Huazhang. As soon as Madam Xu saw her, she asked eagerly, "Has the prescription been effective?"
"..." This is truly in line with Madam Xu's style of "something has come up".
Xu Rong said speechlessly, "No."
Madam Xu was very disappointed: "How could that be? Mother spent a lot of money to beg for it and even asked someone for help. Ordinary people can't get it."
Xu Rong: "Mother, next time you have money that you can't use and want to squander, you might as well give it to me."
"Mom, I want one too, give it to me, give it to me." Xu Huazhang poked his head in from the doorway.
"Go away, I'm talking to your sister, it's not for you to hear." Madam Xu scolded him, but she couldn't do anything about her two children. After sighing for a while, she remembered to ask her, "Your son-in-law is becoming more and more successful. Has your mother-in-law made things difficult for you?"
Xu Rong shook her head: "No."
Madam Xiao was still arguing with Chang Shuyin. When she went out to inform Madam Xiao, she saw that Wu Mama, who had been summoned earlier, had already left, and Chang Shuyin was inside instead. Although she was sitting, she only dared to touch half of the chair, and she had to keep her back straight.
Her complexion was alright, probably because Xiao Lun's refusal to accept the maid had greatly encouraged her, and she was willing to endure the mistreatment.
When Xu Huazhang heard that they had stopped talking about having children, he ran in and started chattering away with them.
Xu Rong listened and found that the young playboy had been quite well-behaved lately. Although Madam Xu couldn't control him, he spent most of his time playing with Zhang Weiling. When Old Madam Zhang made a firm decision to discipline Zhang Weiling, it was as if she was also keeping him under control.
Madam Xu was still worried: "Rong'er, there's still no progress on your brother's marriage. Have you seen any families with suitable girls? Try to think of one for your brother."
Xu Rong shook his head: "It would be best if Brother Zhang himself was willing."
In fact, Xu Huazhang has quite a few romantic opportunities, but even with Luo Yanfeng, she wouldn't say it out loud; she doesn't intend to get too involved in his life.
Let nature take its course.
After spending some time at the Xu family's residence and having lunch, Xu Rong got into the carriage and returned to the Changxing Marquis's residence.
As soon as she entered through the side gate and got out of the car, she saw Hongliu and her brother peeking around.
She sensed something was wrong, went over, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Second Grandmother, my brother has something important to report." Hongliu first reached out her little hand and pulled Xu Rong to a corner, then looked around to make sure no one was around in the afternoon before urging, "Brother, tell Second Grandmother."
Brother Hongliu bowed and said, "Second Grandmother, it's like this, I just finished eating and wanted to find a place to take a nap—"
Unlike the maids in the inner courtyard, the servants who frequented the outer courtyard did not have fixed rooms to rest in. They could only sleep when they returned home at night. If they wanted to be lazy during the day, they could only find a secluded place to hide.
"We arrived near the stables. The place had a smell, and most people wouldn't go there unless it was absolutely necessary. I squatted down on the side of the building, and before long, I saw two people coming over."
Xu Rong knew the next sentence would be the key point, so he focused his mind and heard him say, "It's Cai Die and Brother Yue from Second Madam's courtyard."
Brother Hongliu was a little nervous. After finishing speaking, he quickly added, "Brother Xiaoyue is the young master's servant. He often goes out with him and is very trusted."
Xu Rong nodded slowly.
Moved by her composure, Brother Hongliu spoke fluently again, “They looked like old acquaintances. They stood very close while talking, and—they even held hands and hugged each other.”
Hongliu covered her little face.
Xu Rong didn't speak, but gestured with his eyes for him to continue.
Hongliu's brother shook his head and rubbed his hands awkwardly: "Second Grandma, there's nothing else. They were at the other end of the stable. I didn't dare go out, so I don't know what they were talking about."
That's enough.
Xu Rong lowered his head and casually pulled out a piece of silver from his purse, handing it to Hong Liu and telling her to give it to her brother.
Brother Hongliu gave it a slight push, but then happily accepted it nonetheless.
Xu Rong instructed him, "Don't tell anyone. Just pretend you didn't see anything."
Brother Hongliu nodded hurriedly: "Yes, I know."
Xu Rong took Bai Fu and Hong Liu, who had come out with him, and walked into the mansion.
Bai Fu whispered, "Second Madam, is it about the young master—"
She worried that Xiao Lun still had bad intentions and would try to sabotage her again after going around in circles.
Xu Rong shook her head slightly: "It should have nothing to do with him. You forgot, Cai Die already has a lover, but his family doesn't approve, and they're afraid that if they report it to Madam, Madam won't approve either."
Bai Fu rummaged through her memories, and finally remembered—it was shortly after they entered the Xiao family, and it was she who told Xu Rong about it!
She had completely forgotten about it, but she never expected Xu Rong to still remember.
"Grandma has such a good memory," she couldn't help but admire, then asked, "So what should we do now?"
Xu Rong continued walking: "Let's go back. Tell her to come see me first."
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