Xiao Xin was gone for about half an hour.
Xu Rong was almost asleep when Xiao Xin returned. It was afternoon, the time for her to rest. Thinking that she hadn't finished saying the important things, she yawned and forced herself to stay awake until Xiao Xin finally came back.
"Second Young Master, I—"
"I have something to tell you," Xiao Xin said at the same time as her.
Xu Rong paused for a moment, then said, "Then you go first."
She was also curious about why Lord Xiao had summoned him.
Xiao Xin didn't speak immediately. His brows furrowed slightly, as if he didn't know where to begin, or whether he should tell her at all.
Xu Rong suddenly had a premonition and whispered, "Did the Marquis tell you about the eldest daughter's background?"
Xiao Xin's eyes revealed shock: "—You know?"
“I know a little, but I’m not sure. Most of it is just guessing.” Xu Rong gestured for him to sit down. “This is exactly what I wanted to tell you earlier.”
She leaned closer and relayed what her brother Zhitao had said to him.
She certainly didn't voice her suspicions about the Wei family, but Xiao Xin was perceptive. His expression gradually calmed, and he narrowed his eyes slightly: "So, you've been watching me all this time."
"Ahem, Second Young Master, it's all in the past, it's not important." Xu Rong brushed it off with a few words, then quickly asked him, "What did the Marquis say to you?"
Since she knew that she came before him, Xiao Xin had nothing to hide and said directly, "Father said that he only took Shan'er in because someone asked him to. The relationship is very important and it is not convenient to talk about it now. Shan'er's background cannot be made public. We should just treat her as our family's daughter and send her away."
Xu Rong nodded slowly.
Lord Xiao's last sentence was quite interesting, revealing his true attitude towards Xiao Shan.
Send them away.
That's fine.
"The Marquis is very protective of the eldest daughter. Whenever the eldest daughter angers the madam, the Marquis will always stand on the eldest daughter's side and stop the madam from punishing the eldest daughter. No matter whether the eldest daughter is right or wrong, he never says a word against her."
I used to think it was affection, but in reality—
Xu Rong recalled, and said, "He neither taught the eldest daughter nor allowed others to teach her."
Although there is still Aunt Ruan, from the moment she became a concubine, she was destined to lack a large part of the right to raise her. Not to mention the distant past, for many years she was suppressed by Madam Xiao and could not even leave the mansion. When Xiao Shan was in danger, she could only come to Xiao Xin, with whom she did not have a good relationship. With such limited knowledge, how could she effectively teach Xiao Shan, who was determined to become the mistress of a high-ranking family?
Judging from Xiao Shan's current temper, it's clear that her teaching has not been successful.
"The Marquis knows that the eldest daughter is grown up and should go out to meet people and socialize. He even dragged the eldest mistress into it once. But to this day, the eldest daughter still has little knowledge. She gets lost as soon as she goes out, and she has no sense of self-preservation. She is gullible and easily deceived."
Was this outcome a result of Madam Xiao's resentment at the favoritism shown to her illegitimate daughter, or did it also align with Lord Xiao's true interests?
“The Marquis probably doesn’t want the eldest daughter to go out and meet too many people, lest she cause trouble.” Xu Rong’s eyes gradually cleared, and she understood more and more as she thought about it. “The Marquis only cares about raising the eldest daughter and choosing a decent family for her. As for how she will live in the family, whether she will be liked by her husband, whether she will encounter a mother-in-law like a lady, and what she will do without his protection, he doesn’t want to care about any of that.”
In many families, once a girl leaves home, she's considered like water spilled from a cup; the father doesn't care, and nobody can say anything about it.
Xiao Xin nodded: "Mm."
He heard Lord Xiao's words with his own ears and could tell that this was exactly what he meant.
“Father said that very few people know about this matter, but Madam couldn’t hold back. After suddenly finding out, she detained Shan’er for questioning. There may be some rumors circulating in the mansion in the next couple of days. He told me the truth and told me not to believe those rumors. If I see anyone spreading them, I should help suppress them.” He added in a deep voice.
Xu Rong nodded. She wasn't too surprised. Xiao Xin had grown up and was quite promising. It was only right for Lord Xiao to share some family affairs with him at this time. Otherwise, what was the point of raising a son?
"Where did you learn about this, Madam? Was it from the eldest mistress?" Xu Rong asked, addressing her concerns.
Xiao Xin shook his head: "Father only said this much. He said he would tell me more details after I take the imperial examination next year. He said that telling me too much now might confuse me."
Just as Xu Rong was about to sigh in disappointment, Xiao Xin added, "When I left, I saw the wet nurses and nannies who were taking care of my eldest son standing outside with a lot of things in their arms. From their words, it seemed that they wanted to move my eldest son to my sister-in-law's place."
Xu Rong's eyes lit up. There was no escaping it!
Chang Shuyin essentially used Xiao Shan as a bargaining chip to get her eldest son back. This wasn't a good thing for her eldest son, but he should be safe in the short term. If something happened to him right after leaving Madam Xiao, Chang Shuyin couldn't bear the consequences of offending her mother-in-law to the point of death.
"How did she find out?" Xu Rong pondered this question intently. "Did Xiao Lun tell her?"
This is the most likely possibility, but why would Xiao Lun tell her?
Xiao Lun and Marquis Xiao, father and son, had kept it a secret even from Madam Xiao, so there was really no reason for them to tell Chang Shuyin. It would be strange to talk about it out of the blue. — Let me tell you a secret, my sister is not my sister. Does she have the same blood flowing in her veins as me?
—Or did you hear him talking in his sleep?
But according to the timeline, Xiao Lun was most annoyed by her diverting trouble when he hadn't returned to the manor much yet. He spent most of his time resting in the East City. That's why Zhi Tao heard him talking in his sleep. It's impossible for him to talk in his sleep every day and everywhere he goes. If he did, this little secret would have spread far and wide long ago and wouldn't be known today.
“Father sent someone to call my elder brother home,” Xiao Xin said from the other side. “I suppose we should ask him about it.”
Xu Rong snapped out of his daze and nodded: "Then let's wait and see."
She witnessed a major argument between Xiao Lun and Chang Shuyin, the successive illnesses of Xiao Shan and Aunt Ruan, and the rumors that began to circulate in the mansion.
Rumors start from nowhere, but it can only be said that there are no secrets in the world. When Chang Shuyin pushed open a crack in this wall for her own selfish interests, the secrets locked inside could no longer be kept in peace.
"I heard the eldest daughter seems to be..."
"Shh, you're going to die. If you dare say something like that, your wife will really beat you to death."
"I didn't tell anyone else, just the two of us talking about it privately. Tell me, is it true or false? Young lady—it can't be, right?"
"I think it's fake. The Marquis is still very concerned about the eldest daughter. She's been ill, and the doctors and medicines have been constantly being provided. If it weren't for... well, if it were just the eldest daughter, it would be perfect to let her go now, wouldn't that make things much easier?"
“You’re right. But why did Madam lock up and interrogate the eldest daughter that day? Fourth Sister in Madam’s courtyard said that the eldest daughter cried out, ‘I am Father’s flesh and blood’… and then we couldn’t hear anything else, as if her mouth had been gagged. After all, she’s the eldest daughter; even if Madam doesn’t like her, she shouldn’t be treated like that. Don’t you think so—”
“I dare not say, but you’re talking about Si’er. Just because of this one sentence, Madam found out that she was the one who leaked it. She’s still locked up in the woodshed to reflect on her mistakes. This is only because she’s young and doesn’t know any better, and her words don’t count. If it were someone like you or me, we would have broken two of the boards.”
"Don't try to scare me. If I really don't believe you, why have you been talking to me for so long..."
Rumors circulated that Xiao Shan's condition was worsening.
Her health was actually not bad, but she was weak-willed and prone to overthinking. As an illegitimate child, she couldn't help but suspect that others looked down on her. After being tormented by Madam Xiao, she couldn't withstand it and her illness seemed to collapse like a landslide.
Since they lived in the same mansion, it was only proper and reasonable for Xu Rong to bring some tonics and visit her.
The guards at Luomei Residence became extremely tight. Even Xu Rong was stopped when she tried to enter. The old woman at the door said she had to ask Madam Xiao for permission. Xu Rong thought that Madam Xiao would most likely not give her that kind of face, so she decided to leave her things behind. Suddenly, Aunt Ruan's pale face appeared at the door. Supported by her maid, she coldly said to the outside, "I'm just a prisoner in jail. Am I not even allowed to have people visit me?!"
After all, she had been favored for many years, and even now she still maintained her status as a favored concubine. The two old women hesitated for a moment, but still awkwardly made way for her.
Xu Rong then went inside.
Aunt Ruan's expression softened considerably: "Second Madam, it's kind of you to think of me. These days, only you are willing to come and visit without any hesitation."
Xu Rong wasn't being unaware of suspicion; she had questions, but there was no need to say them outright. She simply smiled, put down the tonic, and said, "I see that Auntie is in good spirits, so I came to check on the eldest young lady."
"Shan'er is in that room, Second Madam, come with me."
Xiao Shan had grown up and had originally moved to a different hospital from Aunt Ruan, but she moved back because of her serious illness so that she could receive treatment together with Aunt Ruan—probably also so that they could take care of each other. She lived in the first wing room on the left.
As soon as Xu Rong entered, he smelled a strong medicinal odor.
"Shan'er, Shan'er?" Aunt Ruan called softly as she reached the bedside, but received no response.
"This child, sigh." Aunt Ruan sighed sadly, "He's even starting to resent me."
"If it's inconvenient for you here, young lady, I'll head back now," Xu Rong said. She didn't want to make things difficult for someone who was seriously ill.
“No, Second Madam, please wait,” Aunt Ruan hurriedly said. “Shan’er is awake. Please have a word with her, Second Madam. Perhaps she will be willing to speak.”
She was desperate. Xiao Shan had a high fever that wouldn't go down the night she returned. After two days of medication, the fever subsided, but she became weaker and weaker. She refused to eat and ignored everyone. The flower-like girl had become quite haggard in just a few days.
Xu Rong then approached.
Aunt Ruan directed someone to move a stool to the bedside for her, and then she and her entourage withdrew, probably fearing that Xiao Shan would still refuse to speak with her there.
Xu Rong sat down and looked Xiao Shan on the bed. She looked haggard, and although she was indeed awake, her eyes were half open, making it almost as if she were asleep.
Xu Rong called her gently, "Young lady."
Xiao Shan remained silent, but her eyelids twitched, as if she subconsciously wanted to look at her, but after seeing half of it, she lowered her eyes again.
Xu Rong shook his head: "A few idle words, why make such a fuss?"
Her nonchalant tone infuriated Xiao Shan: "Just gossip? You—cough cough!"
Seeing tea on the table, Xu Rong poured a cup over. Xiao Shan didn't want to drink it, but she was coughing so badly that she had no choice but to drink a couple of sips from Xu Rong's hand. She felt a little better and lay back down softly.
“Isn’t it just gossip?” Xu Rongcai said. “As long as the Marquis acknowledges you, whatever others say, no matter how many, is just gossip. You don’t need to care.”
"You have no idea—" Xiao Shan was furious again, but this time she suddenly realized her mistake halfway through her anger, and her face turned bright red. "You know, you know, that's why you say that, and yet you still say it!"
She opened her eyes wide in anger and glared at Xu Rong hatefully.
Xu Rong didn't take it seriously. Xiao Shan's power was nothing compared to a kitten's paw. She smiled and said, "Young lady, if I don't say it, what else can I say? And if you don't do it, what else can you do?"
She softened her tone: "Here, are you going to let yourself die carrying the rumors of having a bastard child? Even after you die, will you still be burdened by this reputation?"
Xiao Shan: "..."
For a moment, her expression went blank. The words "bastard" were clearly beyond her comprehension. No one had ever said those words to her face before. She felt as if she had been whipped or struck by lightning.
The blow cleared her mind, and she suddenly became lucid.
The pain of not having a father like Lord Xiao was unbearable for her, but if she couldn't escape it even in death, then she dared not die.
While alive, she could deny it and seek revenge; once dead, she was simply defined by what others said about her.
"Young lady, have you figured it out?" Xu Rong said slowly. "Have you figured out what really happened? Maybe things aren't as bad as you think? Since the Marquis knew all along, at least you weren't born behind his back by his concubine."
This effectively calmed Xiao Shan down. She hadn't even had time to understand that she was no longer Marquis Xiao's child, and her world had suddenly changed. Even while she was still in Madam Xiao's hands, her defenses had completely crumbled, and she couldn't think of anything.
“I don’t know,” Xiao Shan murmured, turning her head on the pillow. Suddenly, a cold hand reached out and grabbed her tightly. “But I know how she hurt you, and how she hurt me!”
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