Chapter 2 No One is Young Again

Madam Xu went on to chatter away, roughly explaining the whole story.  

It was actually quite simple. On one hand, the Xiao family couldn’t bear the criticism anymore, and on the other, the Duke of Zheng’s household had developed a rift with the Xiao family because Second Miss Chang had attempted suicide by hanging herself. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Xiao family finally couldn’t hold out any longer. In a belated effort to salvage their reputation, they bowed their heads to Madam Xu.  

Xu Rong was stunned speechless by her mother’s miraculous negotiation skills: “…That’s it?”  

Madam Xu looked puzzled. “What else? Rong’er, I don’t quite understand what you mean. By the way, why don’t you seem happy?”  

Happy? She might as well have seen a ghost.  

The sweet soup Xu Rong had just eaten now sat heavily in her chest. She held her head, struggling to organize her words. “Mother, Xiao Lun harmed me like this. Shouldn’t you have discussed compensation with him? And now you still want me to marry him—so their family suffers no consequences at all?”  

Madam Xu first exclaimed in surprise, “Rong’er, why are you calling the Xiao heir by his full name?”  

But she let the question pass without dwelling on it and quickly continued, “We did talk! Madam Xiao made him come out to apologize. I scolded him several times, and he listened. He even promised that once you’re married, he’ll treat you well and never make you sad again.”  

Xu Rong waited. And waited. When no further explanation came, she realized this was the extent of Madam Xu’s negotiation results—there was nothing else.  

This naive and clueless Madam Xu had somehow managed to live safely all these years after her husband’s death without being devoured like a fat sheep by others. It was nothing short of a miracle.  

Unable to suppress it, Xu Rong let out a deep sigh. “Mother, Xiao Lun doesn’t care for me at all. He likes Second Miss Chang. Even if you force him now and he agrees verbally, who knows what he’ll think in his heart or how he’ll act later? How can you control that?”  

Perhaps because Madam Xu was so unguarded, Xu Rong felt no psychological barrier in calling her “Mother” repeatedly. Honestly, it felt almost like playing pretend.  

Madam Xu blinked—though she hadn’t cried today, her eyes were still slightly swollen from days of weeping. Other than that, time had left few marks on her delicate face, proving that a carefree life had its benefits.  

“If he goes back on his word later, I’ll stand up for you,” Madam Xu said after a pause, trying to reassure her. “And your brother—he’ll support you too.”  

Xu Rong privately doubted the “support” of this brother who had been absent from home for days under the pretense of searching for a miracle doctor. But since she wasn’t familiar with him, she set that aside for now. As for Madam Xu’s idea of “standing up” for her—given the current outcome, Xu Rong would rather pass.  

“Mother, so Xiao Lun gets off scot-free after harming me?”  

Madam Xu said, “It wasn’t exactly harm—he swore to the heavens he didn’t push you. Rong’er, don’t you also not remember clearly?”  

Xu Rong: “…”  

In her heart, she upgraded Madam Xu’s level of cluelessness by another notch.  

There was no point getting angry with someone this oblivious. Xu Rong smiled. “Mother, of course he wouldn’t admit it. Would he really say, ‘Not only did I want to break off the engagement, but I also tried to kill my fiancée to get my way’?”  

Madam Xu still cared for her daughter. Hearing this, she tensed. “Rong’er, have you remembered? Did the Xiao heir really push you?”

Xu Rong shook her head: “No.” She had no intention of falsely accusing others and continued, “But that doesn’t mean Xiao Lun didn’t push me, and even Second Miss Chang might be involved. Whatever they say, Mother should just listen without taking it seriously.”

This Schrödinger-like state of affairs was beyond Madam Xu’s ability to comprehend or handle. After staring blankly for a while, she finally found another target to blame: “It’s all the fault of those two little hussies, Zhi Tao and Zi Yan! They sneaked out with you but couldn’t protect you—their legs were too slow, and with four eyes between them, they still couldn’t see how you fell!”

Xu Rong knew these two “little hussies” were also maidservants who had accompanied the original host that day. When the original host saw Xiao Lun and Second Miss Chang strolling hand in hand, she flew into a rage and dashed forward. The two maids failed to react in time, and by the time they stumbled after her, the original host had already tumbled down the slope.

This resulted in a lack of witnesses from their side.

Due to this series of grave mistakes, Zhi Tao and Zi Yan were still locked in the woodshed. Bai Fu had cautiously hinted that Madam Xu only allowed them one meal a day and forbade anyone from visiting them.

In Xu Rong’s opinion, while the two maids had been negligent, the punishment had gone far enough. Seizing the opportunity as Madam Xu brought it up, she said, “Mother, they only went out because I told them to. They never expected such a thing to happen. After being locked up for so many days, they’ve learned their lesson. Let them out.”

Madam Xu was reluctant: “Wouldn’t that be letting those two little hussies off too easily? I haven’t had the time to deal with them properly because I’ve been so worried about you. Once I’m free, I’ll call a slave trader to sell them off.”

At these words, Bai Fu paled instantly. The two young maids standing by the window huddled together as if seeking warmth, their faces filled with terror.

For servants of lowly status, a place like the Marquis of Ji’an Manor was the pinnacle of security. Even being sold to the imperial palace wouldn’t compare to the safety of the marquis’s household. The high walls sealed their fates, and if they died one day, not a sound would escape.

And being sold to those filthy places? They might as well dash their heads against a wall and die.

Xu Rong sighed softly at the sight and said, “If Mother blames them, just reassign them to other duties. Why mention selling them? Are we so short of a few taels of silver?”

Her tone was leisurely, but the words were something the original young Xu Rong might have said. Madam Xu noticed nothing amiss and, after frowning for a moment, relented: “Fine. Since you’ve recovered, I’ll spare them this time.”

Xu Rong glanced at Bai Fu, who jolted to attention and exclaimed, “This servant will go deliver Madam’s orders at once!” She hurried out, nearly tripping over the curtain in her haste.

The two maidservants were hardly on Madam Xu’s mind. She had more pressing concerns and soon began fretting again: “Rong’er, what should we do about the Xiao family?”

Xu Rong raised a hand to her forehead—covering her indifference—and replied, “Aren’t they asking to break off the engagement? Let them.”

Madam Xu couldn’t accept this: “But what will become of you then?”

Xu Rong couldn’t understand these words. Madam Xu looked at her puzzled face and was overcome with sorrow. Covering her face with a handkerchief, she began to sob: “My poor child, do you think your mother doesn’t know you’ve been wronged? But what else can be done now? If you don’t marry Young Master Xiao, what then? You’re already this age, and with your face scarred… Your brother said he’d find a good doctor for you, but after running around for days, he couldn’t find even a shadow of one. It’s clearly hopeless now. Wuwu, my ill-fated child…”

Xu Rong felt two black lines of exasperation slide down her temples at this crying.

How was she already “this age”? And how exactly was her face “scarred”?

Since waking up, her only entertainment had been looking in the mirror. After several days of this, she’d developed quite a favorable opinion of herself. She absolutely couldn’t agree with Madam Xu’s lamentations.

But she didn’t get angry either, continuing slowly: “Mother, why worry? Even if I never marry and stay home to accompany you and my brother, it would still be better than marrying someone who might want to kill me.”

“Nonsense! What grown girl doesn’t marry?” Madam Xu stopped crying immediately to retort. Only then did she finally show some puzzlement: “Rong’er, your temper seems to have changed somewhat?”

The two little maids who often embroidered handkerchiets by the window loved to chatter. From their gossip, Xu Rong had pieced together the original owner’s personality: spoiled since childhood, somewhat willful, occasionally unreasonable—in short, a typical seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

Xu Rong’s personality was completely different. She neither intended nor was able to pretend otherwise.

Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns.

Her appearance had reverted to that of a young girl, but her mindset couldn’t go back. A soul can’t be rewritten to regain its springtime.

She smiled: “Perhaps. Having died and come back to life, I feel many things aren’t important anymore. Just being alive and able to see you and brother again is the best outcome.”

This explanation might not fool others, but it was enough for Madam Xu, who believed it easily and was deeply moved. Sniffling, she wiped her tears again: “That blind Xiao Lun! To not recognize my wonderful child’s worth—he must be blind!”

She then proceeded to curse the “little hussy” from the Chang family as shameless and devoid of virtue. Having nothing better to do, Xu Rong listened patiently without interruption until Madam Xu tired herself out and stopped. Only then did she instruct: “Qing Zao, pour some tea for Mother.”

One of the little maids hurried to obey. As Madam Xu accepted the tea, she felt both pleased by her daughter’s newfound filial obedience and critical of the maid: “These two are like abacus beads—they only move when poked. Rong’er, having such clumsy girls temporarily serve you for a few days is one thing, but keeping them long-term would be beneath you. When I have time, I’ll pick two better ones for you.”

Both Qing Zao and the other maid named Hong Liu paled again.

Xu Rong shook her head: “Mother, I actually think Qing Zao and Hong Liu are quite good. Though a bit simple, they’ve been diligent these past few days, and I’ve grown accustomed to them. Bringing in unfamiliar faces would make this room feel like a revolving lantern—it would give me a headache.”

Hearing mention of headaches, Madam Xu didn’t dare argue further and quickly said: “Then we’ll do as you wish.”

Xu Rong waited until Madam Xu had drunk most of her tea before speaking again: “Mother, shall we send someone to inform the Xiao family tomorrow that we won’t be proceeding with the marriage?”

At this, Madam Xu hesitated: “…Let me think about it some more.”

People who lack shrewdness and decisiveness often behave this way. Xu Rong didn’t press further, nor did she take it to heart. Madam Xu’s temperament was clear—once she made up her mind, Madam Xu would eventually yield to her.

After Madam Xu left, Xu Rong rubbed her waist.

Lying in bed all day was surprisingly exhausting. After so many days of inactivity, her muscles and bones felt weak. Madam Xu’s visit had disrupted the quiet of her surroundings, and it also made her feel that it was time to get up and look around.

The two little maids, having narrowly escaped punishment, suddenly became attentive. Seeing her rub her waist, Qing Zao hurried over first: “Miss, does your waist ache? Let me massage it for you.”

Hong Liu was a step slower but fetched a tool—a pair of beauty massage hammers. Soon, the two surrounded her, one gently kneading her waist while the other tapped her legs rhythmically with the hammers.

Xu Rong was amused. This wasn’t heavy labor, and she felt no guilt about employing child labor, so she happily indulged in their attentions.

After a while, she felt better and stretched lazily before standing up. “Alright, I’ll take a walk in the courtyard—”

Before she could finish, the sound of beaded curtains rustling announced Bai Fu’s return.

Behind her trailed two disheveled, grimy maids with tear-streaked faces.

The moment they entered, they knelt and wailed, “Miss!”

Xu Rong had adapted quickly to the aristocratic habit of being waited on hand and foot, but she still couldn’t bear to see others kneel before her. Waving her hand, she said, “Get up. Have someone fetch water so you can wash and change first.”

“Wuwu, thank you, Miss…”

“Thank you, Miss…”

Zhi Tao and Zi Yan had once enjoyed the same privileges as Bai Fu, living like young mistresses themselves. But after days of hardship, their spirits were broken, and they lacked the energy to resist. Obediently, they went to bathe and change, ate a full meal, and only then returned to Xu Rong’s presence.

Xu Rong had already strolled around the courtyard. The Marquis of Ji’an Manor had a sparse household, so her courtyard was exceptionally spacious, planted with crabapple and osmanthus trees among other flora. As Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the crabapple blossoms had long faded, but the osmanthus fragrance was at its peak. Four pots of chrysanthemums, their blooms large and vibrant in red and yellow, lined the stone steps like brilliant clouds.

Xu Rong, who had never had much leisure for such things before, now took delight in admiring each one. After some contemplation, she managed only a dry, unadorned thought: *How beautiful.*

Having lain still for too long, her muscles and joints were stiff. After two laps, she grew tired. Bai Fu directed two sturdy servant women to bring out a rosewood recliner and an incense table, on which rested a freshly brewed pot of osmanthus leaf tea.

Xu Rong nestled into the recliner, the mingled scents of tea and osmanthus enveloping her. She gazed lazily at the courtyard, her eyes half-lidded, hovering between sleep and wakefulness.

It was then that Zhi Tao and Zi Yan returned.

Now clean, they revealed themselves to be two delicate maids, with Zhi Tao being the prettier of the two.

Zhi Tao knelt before Xu Rong, tears streaming down her face. “Miss, please beg Madam to let me stay and serve you!”

Zi Yan hesitated, then knelt as well.

Bai Fu grew anxious and stepped forward. “Sister Zhi Tao, I already told you—Madam was furious. She originally wanted to call the slave trader, but Miss pleaded for you and Zi Yan despite her illness. Miss did her best. Why are you still making things difficult for her?”

Zi Yan remained silent, but Zhi Tao lifted her head and shot Bai Fu a resentful glare. “You’re safe and sound, of course you can say such things!”

Xu Rong’s gaze shifted over. She understood Zhi Tao’s resentment and grievances.  

Failing to protect their mistress was true, but suffering for following orders was also true. Originally, her rank had been above Bai Fu’s, yet now she couldn’t even stay in this courtyard anymore.  

With Madam Xu’s temperament, if she had tried her best to persuade her, she probably could have kept them all—but she wouldn’t.  

The reason was simple and cold: she couldn’t afford to keep two maids like Bai Fu, who had served their former mistress intimately and knew her inside out.  

She only needed those like Bai Fu—isolated, unable to form alliances with peers—or young, naive maids like Qing Zao and Hong Liu, who had originally worked menial tasks in the courtyard and were still immature in mind.  

Zhi Tao snapped at Bai Fu, leaving her speechless, then turned back tearfully to beg.  

Xu Rong lifted her lashes and spoke calmly, “Enough. You’re just being reassigned. If you encounter any difficulties, you can still come to me.”  

“Go now.”