Chapter 18 Heaven’s Will and Destiny

A new day began, and Xu Rong left home early.  

Having a mother like Madam Xu wasn’t entirely a bad thing. While others found it easy to deceive her, Xu Rong had no trouble doing the same. With just a casual excuse—or even without one—she could step out whenever she pleased.  

Lexing Teahouse was different from the previous venue, Juming Teahouse, where the scheme had been set up. It wasn’t located in a bustling district but in a quieter area, though it was still clean and well-kept, typically offering private rooms.  

Such details revealed competence, and Xu Rong noticed that Xiao Xin had a knack for choosing the right place at the right time. She sat down, cradling a cup of hot tea to warm her hands, and greeted the person across from her: “Second Young Master Xiao.”  

Xiao Xin had arrived earlier than her, and his demeanor seemed even colder than before, mirroring the increasingly frigid weather outside.  

He hadn’t touched the tea or snacks and got straight to the point: “Miss Xu, I’ve thought it over. There’s no need to drag this out any longer. We had no connection in the past, and there won’t be one in the future. Let’s end it here—I’ll take care of it.”  

Without waiting for her reaction, he nodded slightly in farewell and stood to leave.  

His resolve was swift and decisive. Xu Rong found herself torn between amusement and exasperation. She reached out to stop him. “Second Young Master Xiao, there’s no need to rush. You’re right—we truly have no ties now. So, you don’t have to leave.”  

Xiao Xin turned back, puzzled. “—What do you mean?”  

“Brother Zhang’s doing.” Xu Rong sighed. “After all that effort, we’re back where we started.”  

She calmly relayed Old Madam Zhang’s words. Xiao Xin returned to his seat across from her, his expression shifting gradually as she spoke, finally settling into something indescribable—perhaps best summed up as a mix of amusement and exasperation.  

“Fate,” he murmured.  

Madam Xiao had defied her mother’s wishes, refusing to annul their betrothal and insisting on pairing Xiao Lun with Second Miss Chang. Yet Xu Huazhang’s interference had disrupted her plans. Now, Old Madam Zhang, seizing the opportunity, had resolved to set everything right, restoring order to the chaos.  

Xu Rong spread her hands. “Second Young Master Xiao, congratulations—you’re free of me.”  

Xiao Xin seemed on the verge of coughing but held it back. “My grandmother is more reasonable than my mother.”  

Xu Rong smiled faintly but said nothing.  

Her smile was light and fleeting, and Xiao Xin thought he detected a hint of mockery in it—whether real or imagined, her mood was far from joyful.  

A husband like his elder brother, even if he turned back now, could hardly be considered a good match.  

A sliver of sympathy arose in Xiao Xin’s heart—though it was a peculiar sympathy, born from his own sense of relief. While he had escaped his predicament, the previous betrothal discussions had left him in an awkward position. He sat stiffly for a moment, wanting to say something but finding no words suitable to voice. Staring at the wood grain on the table, he stood again. “Then I’ll take my leave.”  

Xu Rong nodded. “Mm. I’ll stay a little longer.”  

With the purpose of this meeting fulfilled, she had nothing more to say for now. It wouldn’t be proper for her to leave with Xiao Xin, so lingering here to reflect in a different setting seemed like a good idea.  

Xiao Xin pushed the door open and left.  

Xu Rong turned to open the window for some fresh air.  

Her gaze sharpened.  

Down in the main hall, near the staircase and the entrance, stood three or four servants dressed in the manner of wealthy households, looking around as if standing guard.  

“Miss, who are they?”  

Bai Fu, who had been silently standing behind her, leaned in nervously.  

Xu Rong shook her head. “I don’t know.”

But she had a bad feeling.

That premonition quickly came true.

The wooden door creaked open again as Xiao Xin, who had just left, stepped back inside.

From outside, a noblewoman’s amused voice asked, “Erlang, where else did you think you were going?”

**

The cold tea was cleared away, replaced with a fresh pot of Lu’an Melon Seed Tea.

Madam Xiao never drank tea from such places ordinarily, but she was in such high spirits today that she made an exception, taking a small sip.

Then she looked up, glancing first at Xu Rong standing across from her, then at Xiao Xin beside her, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. “You silly children, if you want to see each other, there’ll be plenty of time next year. Why the rush to sneak out for a secret meeting now, hmm?”

Her final question was directed at Xu Rong, who remained silent and instead turned to look at Xiao Xin.

He looked like he was about to explode from anger.

Xu Rong thought with some resignation.

As for herself, she couldn’t care less. Even if Madam Xiao’s words had been ten times more suggestive, it wouldn’t have affected her.

“What’s with the silence? Feeling shy now?” When no one answered, Madam Xiao wasn’t bothered. She continued with a smile, “I told you both before, but you were both so stubborn. Especially Erlang with his obstinate temper—he made such a scene at home, even threatening to tear the roof off. Your father was so exasperated he refused to see you.”

This was the first direct information Xu Rong had heard about the male head of the Xiao Family—though it might as well have been nothing. When his son sought his help, his response was to avoid him.

What difference did it make whether this father was alive or dead?

No wonder Xiao Xin was determined to leave.

He truly had no reason to stay.

“Erlang,” Madam Xiao called out, her tone losing some of its earlier amusement. Playing a one-sided game for too long grew dull, and without the satisfaction of victory, she pressed on, “You’re not a child anymore. As a man, you should take responsibility. You were the one who arranged this secret meeting with Miss Xu—do you really have nothing to say now? How do you expect Miss Xu to face this? What should I tell her mother if she comes asking?”

What mother?

Xu Rong froze, then shuddered at this sudden escalation in terminology. She couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Xin again. His face had turned as pale as jade, with a sickly greenish tint beneath.

He clenched his teeth, still refusing to utter a word. Xu Rong tried to imagine what he might be feeling right now, but gave up—he was probably too furious to even form coherent thoughts.

Finally, Xiao Xin lifted his head to look at Madam Xiao.

Xu Rong couldn’t see his expression directly, but whatever it was, it made Madam Xiao’s eyes narrow briefly before she let out an undisguised sneer. “Erlang, do you still refuse to accept this? Marriage should always follow the parents’ will. I’ve indulged your recklessness long enough!”

Xiao Xin finally spoke, his voice hoarse. “I won’t—”

“That’s not for you to decide,” Madam Xiao cut him off sharply. She glanced at Xu Rong and softened her tone slightly. “Behaving like this in front of Miss Xu—how do you think that makes her feel? Enough. You brought this on yourself—no one forced you. There’s nothing more to say. I’ve been busy with your elder brother’s affairs lately and haven’t had time to keep an eye on you. Rein yourself in and stop running around outside.”

She paused, her tone laced with implication. “And as for those foolish ideas you shouldn’t even be entertaining—put them out of your mind for good.”

Suddenly, Xu Rong understood—or perhaps she had known from the moment Madam Xiao appeared.

Xiao Xin was different from her. By her side were Madam Xu and Xu Huazhang—people who wouldn’t notice even if her soul had been swapped. But around Xiao Xin were Madam Xiao and Xiao Lun—his only ally being someone like Wei Yiniang. Whether his plan to leave was leaked from his own side or through Wei Yiniang, both were equally possible.  

Thus, Madam Xiao had sent people to monitor his movements, leading to today’s unexpected but pleasant surprise.  

Even if Old Madam Zhang stepped forward now, it would be useless. With this leverage, Madam Xiao had enough to silence her mother. After all, Old Madam Zhang wasn’t part of the Xiao Family and couldn’t endlessly dictate their affairs.  

Xu Rong had initially thought herself quite unlucky, but after seeing Xiao Xin’s situation, she conceded—he had it worse.  

Plummeting straight from the peak of hope without even a cushion to soften the fall—it was impressive he hadn’t gone mad from the shock.  

But Madam Xiao wasn’t done yet.  

“Don’t worry,” she said. “Once your elder brother’s wedding is settled, yours and the young lady’s will follow. I’m too busy at the moment, but since Wei Shi has nothing but free time, I’ll have her make the arrangements for you. After all, your own mother’s preparations should suit your tastes perfectly.”  

Xiao Xin’s fists clenched abruptly at his sides.  

Xu Rong tugged at his sleeve.  

He turned to her, his eyes burning with a cold, dim fire—like a trapped beast caught in an ambush.  

Xu Rong sighed. By nature, she wasn’t one for unnecessary sympathy, but Xiao Xin looked so utterly helpless that it struck a chord in her. Humans instinctively shielded the vulnerable among them—just as she, orphaned and parentless, had been taken in by a welfare home, given continuous student loans to push forward, helped to reach the starting line of her peers, and grown into an ordinary person in a normal society.  

But Xiao Xin’s family environment? That was a breeding ground for sociopaths.  

“Madam,” she turned to Madam Xiao and spoke up, “I’m going home.”  

“Hmm?” Madam Xiao glanced at her, amused. “I haven’t finished speaking yet. Why the hurry, young lady?”  

Xu Rong replied coolly, “As a junior, I have no say in such matters. My mother is waiting for me at home. If Madam has anything to say, you may discuss it with her.”  

This suited Madam Xiao perfectly. Catching this pair of secret lovers and forcing the matter directly to the Xu family’s doorstep would leave no room for reversal—no one could argue against it then.  

She smiled and stood. “The young lady speaks wisely. Let’s go, then.”  

Madam Xiao led the way, followed by maids, matrons, and servants, with Xu Rong and Xiao Xin sandwiched in the middle, tightly surrounded by layers of attendants.  

Xu Rong had arrived by carriage, which was parked outside the teahouse. The Xu family’s coachman, happily munching on pastries bought with the coins Xu Rong had given him, nearly choked when he saw his young lady emerge in what looked like a “scandalous capture.”  

The Xiao family’s carriage was parked farther away. As Madam Xiao paused to give instructions, Xu Rong cut in first.  

“Madam, let Second Young Master Xiao ride in my carriage. I still have a few words to say to him.”  

Madam Xiao: “…”  

She was momentarily stunned by Xu Rong’s audacity.

Of course, being caught off guard like this, they must have wanted a chance to discuss countermeasures. But after such an embarrassing ordeal, they still had the audacity to request sharing a carriage—something that shouldn’t have been allowed even under normal circumstances.  

However, the last time they met, Xu Rong had hit her head and seemed a bit slow-witted. She hadn’t shown any particular resentment toward the mismatched marriage—the one who had reacted most strongly had always been Xiao Xin.  

No matter what they wanted to discuss, with so many people watching, there was no fear of them running away. As for them, sharing a carriage again would only make it even harder to explain themselves.  

Madam Xiao finally weighed the situation and nodded with a smile. “Since you can’t bear to be apart for even a moment, then so be it.”  

She stood still, determined to watch the two of them board the carriage herself.  

Xiao Xin refused to move.  

Xu Rong went to pull him.  

In front of so many people, Xiao Xin couldn’t engage in a tug-of-war with her and had no choice but to shuffle reluctantly toward the carriage—though his face was dark with anger.  

“Don’t be angry,” Xu Rong said, turning to him. “This might actually be the true will of heaven.”  

It sounded too much like mockery, and Xiao Xin couldn’t help glaring at her.  

Xu Rong smiled at him. “Heaven’s will is simply that things don’t go as we wish. That’s nothing—you just have to refuse to listen to it.”