Chapter 65: Strolling in the Garden

At this moment, Xiao Yao was thinking about another matter. Yu Xianrong had also come today. She might use this opportunity to do something. Since she wasn’t welcome here anyway, she might as well wander outside. Avoiding the prince was necessary, but encountering Miss Yu might be interesting.

The Yu family was indeed peculiar. Logically, after a marriage proposal was rejected, they shouldn’t have shown up on an occasion like this, especially not Miss Yu.

Xiao Yao thought that if it were her, she would never have come. She couldn’t fathom what Master Yu and Madam Yu were thinking.

Master Yu had no choice, as he was famously henpecked in the capital. He had no voice in the household, having to obey both his wife and daughter. Before today, he had tactfully suggested that it might be better for his daughter not to come to the Xiao family, but Yu Xianrong threw a tantrum, threatened hunger strikes, and even suicide, turning the house upside down.

Madam Yu was also deeply frustrated. Watching her daughter torment herself, she felt helpless and out of options. When she finally agreed to let her daughter attend, she made Yu Xianrong promise it would be the last time. Otherwise, she threatened to marry her off far away.

Yu Xianrong agreed swiftly. As long as today went smoothly, her mother’s threats were empty words.

Qin Shi and her three daughters-in-law warmly entertained the female guests, treating everyone equally without fawning or neglecting anyone. They were especially careful not to give the Yu family any sense of closeness.

The ladies present, all seasoned veterans of the inner court, quickly understood the Xiao family’s stance. It was clear they had no intention of allowing Miss Yu to marry into their family.

Yu Xianrong didn’t care about the meaningful looks from others directed at her and her mother. The banquet was already halfway through, and the right opportunity hadn’t presented itself. After today, it would be even harder to find a legitimate excuse to enter the Xiao family. Xiao Jingyan could afford to wait, but she couldn’t.

Realizing that a “coincidental” encounter with Xiao Jingyan was unlikely, Yu Xianrong decided to change her strategy. She needed to find a way to stay in the Xiao residence, perhaps by falling into the water or feigning an injury. To marry Xiao Jingyan, she was willing to use every trick in the book.

“Mother, I need to use the restroom,” Yu Xianrong whispered into Madam Yu’s ear. If she used another excuse, her mother would surely object. But a natural biological need was something everyone had to address.

Madam Yu scrutinized her daughter, trying to determine if she genuinely needed to use the restroom or was up to something else. Despite her suspicions, she couldn’t find a reason to refuse. Even as a mother, she couldn’t deny such a basic need.

“Behave yourself, or I’ll accompany you.” She felt more at ease following her daughter, at least to keep things under control.

“There’s no need for that. It’s not appropriate for mother and daughter to go together for such matters. Don’t worry; I’ll be back soon,” Yu Xianrong quickly refused.

Madam Yu reluctantly agreed but sent Xiangcao and a trusted servant to follow closely, making it clear with her gaze that they would be held responsible if anything happened to her daughter.

This daughter of hers lacked strategy, always coming up with crude ideas. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have failed to win over a man after all this time. Madam Yu could only hope she wouldn’t embarrass the family today.

Tong Mingyu, who was chatting with Madam Sun, the wife of the imperial physician, also noticed Yu Xianrong’s actions. The two families had grown close in recent years due to their daughters’ friendship, frequently visiting one another. Madam Sun never missed an event at the Xiao family, and Tong Mingyu was always present at Sun family banquets.

Tong Mingyu thought to herself, “This Miss Yu truly is restless. Thankfully, my mother reminded me to make preparations early. Otherwise, if she caused a scene, it would ruin the atmosphere.”

Yu Xianrong left the banquet hall and first went to the restroom. Regardless of her true intentions, she needed to act convincingly.

“I’ve heard the Xiao family’s exotic flowers and rare trees are worth seeing. I want to take a stroll and have a look,” she said, not as a request but a statement. She never cared much for Madam Yu’s servants.

“Miss, Madam is waiting for you. Let’s go back,” one of the servants immediately tried to stop her. Internally, she lamented her misfortune at being assigned to serve this troublesome mistress.

She thought to herself, “No wonder Master Xiao runs away faster than a rabbit whenever he hears Miss Yu’s name. If it were me, I wouldn’t marry her either. Only someone who’s bored with peace would willingly invite such trouble.”

“If you want to go back, go ahead. But don’t you dare badmouth me to my mother, or you know the consequences,” Yu Xianrong threatened.

Her servant Xiangcao, accustomed to such threats, silently followed, praying that her mistress really only intended to take a stroll.

Yu Xianrong wandered briefly near the garden where young ladies were being entertained but found its layout unimpressive. She curled her lip in disdain and moved on.

Beyond the garden was a large pond. As she approached, four sturdy maids suddenly appeared and respectfully greeted her. “Miss, please don’t get too close to the pond. The weather is turning cold, and it wouldn’t be good to wet your shoes and socks.”

The servants following Yu Xianrong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Xiao family had anticipated trouble, ensuring no accidents would occur.

“I just want to take a look at the koi fish and will leave afterward,” Yu Xianrong insisted.

“Qiao San, Qiao Si, come over here and guard the pond. If any young lady accidentally falls in, be ready to rescue her,” one of the maids called out.

“Yes!” came two loud, simple-minded replies. Two burly men in their forties appeared. Their dark complexions and yellowed teeth marked them as lowly servants.

Yu Xianrong was so startled by their appearance that she stumbled back a step. She had never seen such unattractive servants before.

Xiangcao stepped forward to shield her mistress, scolding, “What kind of rule is this, allowing male servants into the inner courtyard? What if they offend my mistress? Can you bear the consequences?”

Yu Xianrong praised her maid silently, resolving to reward her later.

The maid replied, “These two are simpletons who’ve always worked in the backyard. They’re treated like children. Gender distinctions don’t apply to them. Out of pity, our Madam even reminded them last night to be extra careful today. If they save a young maid from the pond, she might just become their wife.”

Yu Xianrong and her servant exchanged horrified glances. Falling into the pond was no longer an option. Being rescued by these men would be worse than death.

Hidden behind a cluster of chrysanthemums, Xiao Yao stifled her laughter. Her mother had truly outdone herself this time. Judging by Yu Xianrong’s reaction, she wondered if the girl would dream of these “handsome men” tonight.

If it were her, she would have let Yu Xianrong fall in before sending out the Qiao brothers. Then she could have asked if Yu Xianrong wanted to climb out on her own or needed help. What a scene that would have been! Too bad her mother had preemptively thwarted the show.

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