Chapter 24 Guess how many more things the Second Young Master has in his pocket…

Xu Rong led the group out of the mansion in high spirits and happily chose a well-reputed old restaurant. The crowd poured in, occupying four tables split between the upstairs and downstairs areas.

The three tables in the downstairs hall were for the servants, while upstairs seated Xu Rong and Xiao Xin. The sudden influx of customers had the restaurant staff bustling up and down, eager to please and full of cheerful enthusiasm.

Steaming bowls of assorted congee and dim sum were soon served. By this time, Xu Rong was quite hungry and, without standing on ceremony with Xiao Xin, dug in heartily.

Xiao Xin remained silent as well. Sitting across from each other, they watched plate after plate empty. As the meal neared its end, Xiao Xin set down his emptied congee bowl and said, “I know someone here. I’ll go say hello.”

He stood up and left.

Xu Rong watched his retreating figure, a thought flickering in her mind. She considered calling out to him but ultimately stayed silent, merely resting her chin on her hand with a smile, fingers tapping idly on the table.

Before long, Bai Fu hurried upstairs, slightly out of breath, and reported, “Miss, I saw the second young master speaking to the manager—it looked like he was settling the bill. With so many of us… does he have enough money?”

Not only was Xu Rong aware of Xiao Xin’s straitened circumstances, but even her maids had a rough idea.

Xu Rong replied, “If he went to pay, he must have enough for this meal. Let him be.”

Bai Fu fretted, “You told us to order freely, and since they rarely get to go out, they didn’t hold back. I should’ve stopped them earlier.”

Aside from her four personal maids, Xu Rong’s dowry entourage included two cleaning women for the courtyard and several families responsible for external affairs—among them the parents and siblings of Hong Liu and Qing Zao. With so many mouths to feed, one meal could very well bankrupt the young master.

“It’s fine,” Xu Rong reassured her. “There’s a saying: ‘The poorer, the more steadfast.’ A little hardship will only strengthen his resolve to study harder. After all, books hold houses of gold.”

She twisted the poetic phrase with casual irreverence. Bai Fu, unfamiliar with such literary references but instinctively reverent toward scholarly matters, took her word for it and set aside her worries. Instead, she voiced another concern: “Miss, what do we do from now on? We can’t keep eating out like this.”

Xu Rong waved her hand dismissively. “Of course not—that’d be a waste of money. This is just a one-time splurge. It won’t happen again.”

“What do you mean, Miss?”

“Unless Madam Xiao wants the whole city to know the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion can’t put food on the table, this won’t be repeated.”

Xu Rong certainly wasn’t keen on burning through money like this, but Madam Xiao had even more face to lose.

The logic wasn’t hard to grasp, and Bai Fu soon understood. Hesitantly, she asked, “Miss, by making such a scene right after arriving, won’t we offend Madam Xiao too much? She is your mother-in-law now.”

She seemed to hesitate further, and Xu Rong encouraged her, “Go on.”

Bai Fu’s voice dropped uncertainly. “I don’t think this was Madam Xiao’s idea. Even if she wanted to set rules for you, she wouldn’t act so hastily or in such a manner—”

It was beneath her. A noblewoman like Madam Xiao had plenty of ruthless or cunning methods at her disposal. This approach felt off—somehow beneath her station.

Xu Rong smiled. “You’re right. Madam Xiao likely had little to do with this. If I had to guess, I’m probably suffering collateral damage from the second young master—though ‘suffering’ isn’t the right word. Let’s call it sharing his hardships. Whatever treatment he received in the mansion before is now being extended to me.”

Xiao Xin had so readily agreed to come out with her and even rushed to find excuses to pay the bill—there were many reasons behind it, but since he didn’t voice them, she didn’t point them out either.

Bai Fu was shocked: “But that girl still—”

“You think I shouldn’t have escalated things this much, that arguing with the kitchen would’ve been enough?”

Bai Fu wanted to nod but felt too embarrassed.

Xu Rong gave her an understanding smile, then firmly shook her head: “No, it wouldn’t have been enough. At most, I could’ve gone and smashed the kitchen. After that, it might’ve stayed quiet for a while, but then what? The kitchen would’ve gone back to its old ways, and I’d have to smash it a second time, a third time? By then, would justice still be on my side?”

Bai Fu gaped: “Miss could’ve told Madam Xiao—”

She stopped mid-sentence, realizing just how naive she sounded. With a sigh of shame, she murmured, “Miss, it’s so hard for you.”

“Not hard at all. Sooner or later, she was going to put me in my place. Do you know the most effective way to stop that?”

Bai Fu widened her eyes and shook her head.

Xu Rong stood up with a playful grin: “It’s for me to put her in her place first.”

Bai Fu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Miss!”

Xu Rong cheerfully beckoned her: “Let’s go. Second Young Master should’ve finished settling the bill. We should head back early so we don’t delay his studies.”

There was something amusing about Xiao Xin silently rushing to pay the bill. As she turned back at the doorway, Xu Rong mused, “Guess how many copper coins Second Young Master has left in his pocket now?”

Bai Fu didn’t answer, offering only an awkward smile.

Xu Rong, sharp as ever, turned her head—sure enough, Xiao Xin was standing outside the door, glaring at her coldly.

**

On the way back to the estate, aside from sending Bai Fu to buy an extra package of pastries, Xu Rong spent the entire journey walking beside Xiao Xin, apologizing profusely until she finally coaxed his expression back into something more agreeable, enough for him to speak again.

“Once we’re back in the estate, don’t say anything.”

Xu Rong paused—was he annoyed by her chatter?

Xiao Xin continued: “Today’s matter was my idea.”

His words were concise, his meaning crystal clear—he intended to take the blame for sneaking out of the estate himself.

Xu Rong understood, then froze again, unsure how to react. The feeling was strange and unfamiliar—she wasn’t used to someone shielding her like this, especially since Xiao Xin’s shoulders didn’t look particularly broad.

Her eyes curved into crescents as she said, “I doubt Madam will believe that.”

Xiao Xin shot her a skeptical glance.

Xu Rong first pointed at herself: “Second Young Master, look—” Then she swung her arm in a wide arc toward the large entourage behind her. After completing the gesture, she couldn’t help but laugh: “Who’s the mastermind, who’s the accomplice—it’s obvious at a glance.”

The entire group consisted of her people, and among them was likely Madam Xiao’s spy—like the forcibly dragged-out “Sister Cui Ting.”

Xiao Xin: “…”

Speechless, he strode ahead.

Xu Rong kept pace beside him: “Second Young Master, don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”

Xiao Xin said coldly, “I’m not worried about you. I’m more worried about myself.”

“What?”

At first, he ignored her, simply walking while one hand retreated into his sleeve, rummaging around for a long while before finally emerging. His palm opened to reveal four copper coins neatly lined up.

Xu Rong froze, then burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking under her cloak: “Second Young Master, you—”

Xiao Xin’s little trick with the copper coins sent Xu Rong into another fit of laughter. It wasn’t until they approached the gates of Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion that she finally composed herself enough to say coherently, “Second Young Master, you seem to be in good spirits?”

Given Xiao Xin’s temperament, he wouldn’t have played such tricks unless he was truly in high spirits. And precisely because it came from him, it felt exceptionally amusing.

“Average,” Xiao Xin replied.

Though he claimed it was average, the corners of his lips curled upward. Bathed in the morning sunlight, his entire face seemed to soften slightly.

Xu Rong pressed further, “Second Young Master, do you only have four copper coins left now?”

Xiao Xin answered tersely, “Mm.”

This simple response set Xu Rong off again, and she was still chuckling as they entered the mansion gates. The servant at the entrance hesitated momentarily upon seeing her before announcing, “—Madam has ordered that Second Young Master and Second Young Madam report to the main courtyard immediately upon their return. She has questions for you.”

Without turning her head, Xu Rong replied, “Understood.”

She had dismissed most of her dowry servants, keeping only Bai Fu and Xin Cheng in tow. These two maids would need to move about the mansion handling affairs, so it was time they gained some experience and familiarized themselves with the household.

Xin Cheng’s presence proved useful. As they reached the main courtyard, someone happened to be exiting. Xin Cheng’s eyes widened in recognition, and the woman seemed equally startled before quickly averting her gaze and walking away nonchalantly.

“Young Madam,” Xin Cheng whispered urgently, moving closer to Xu Rong, “It’s her!”

Xu Rong: “Hmm?”

“That’s the woman in the crow-green waistcoat who gave me that plate of shrimp cakes,” Xin Cheng declared resentfully, glaring at the retreating figure. “I remember her clearly. I’ve heard people call her Sister Jiang.”

Xu Rong nodded slightly. “I see.”

Satisfied after making her report, Xin Cheng stepped back just as the maid who had gone to announce their arrival returned. Standing by the door, she announced crisply, “Madam says Second Young Master and Second Young Madam may enter now.”

The main courtyard where Madam Xiao resided was situated along the central axis of the marquis’s mansion, constructed according to imperial regulations, making it quite similar in scale to Marquis of Ji’an Manor, though differing in decorative details.

The main hall at the center was typically reserved for important guests or occasions. For daily affairs, Madam Xiao used a side courtyard connected to the east of the main hall. The room was lavishly furnished, with incense wafting gently from a burner in the corner. Madam Xiao sat rigidly on the kang, her expression stern. But when Xu Rong and Xiao Xin entered one after another, a glance from the corner of her eye made her face darken further—

These two, sauntering in without a care, showed not the slightest hint of nervousness or remorse for their mistakes. Instead, they looked as if they’d just returned from some leisurely excursion!

Containing her anger, Madam Xiao slammed her teacup heavily onto the kang table.

While she maintained her silent, imposing stance, Xu Rong had something to say. Taking the package of pastries they had bought along the way from Bai Fu, she placed it beside the teacup and curtsied with a smile. “Madam, these are from Ying Ming Zhai, a renowned old establishment in the capital. They use only the finest ingredients, and their pastries are exceptionally fragrant and delicious. Their rose cakes and sha gao are particularly famous—”

She went on and on with her endless praise, and Madam Xiao quickly grew impatient. Xu Rong, oblivious, continued to fan the flames with her incessant chatter, leaving Madam Xiao no opening to interrupt. Just as Madam Xiao was on the verge of losing her temper, Xu Rong finally wrapped up, “Madam, I’ve just learned about the difficult situation in the household, but don’t worry. This package of pastries is a token of respect from me and the Second Young Master. Please enjoy them without concern.”

Her tone carried a mix of sympathy and a light, almost smug superiority. Her entire demeanor radiated a shallow cheerfulness, practically flaunting it in Madam Xiao’s face.

Madam Xiao: “…”

Her anger faded, replaced by a sense of sheer bewilderment. “What are you talking about? What difficult situation?”

Xu Rong beamed. “Madam, there’s no need to hide it from me. I’m practically family. The entire household is eating leftovers from last night’s banquet—doesn’t that count as hardship? *Sigh*.”

Her sigh was at odds with her expression, dripping with unmistakable schadenfreude. And given the context, her reaction was entirely justified.

Xiao Xin glanced at her profile.

She had been smiling the whole time, but he noticed it wasn’t the same smile she had worn on the road. Her eyes never crinkled—only the corners of her lips curled up, revealing pearly white teeth. There was a sharpness between her lips, a blade hidden in her grin.

Madam Xiao, however, was triggered by the keyword “leftovers” and finally snapped. “What nonsense is this? Who said that? Was it Second Young Master?!”

She turned to Xiao Xin, who withdrew his gaze, his expression turning cold. “I didn’t say anything.”

Xu Rong cheerfully chimed in, “Madam, it wasn’t the Second Young Master. It was Sister Jiang from the kitchen.”

“This morning, my maid went to the kitchen to fetch breakfast, and Sister Jiang gave her a plate of yesterday’s burnt Shrimp Cakes. My maid, being inexperienced, argued with her a little, and that’s what Sister Jiang said.”