Chapter 26 The Second Young Master Will Definitely Succeed (Entering V…)

After catching up on sleep, Xu Rong felt refreshed. By mid-afternoon, she had gathered her maids to start organizing her belongings. Most of the dowry was stored in the Back Chamber used as a storeroom, which she left untouched for now. Instead, she focused on sorting her daily essentials like clothing and accessories—a task that proved more time-consuming than expected, quietly consuming half the day.  

At one point, Cai Die and Cui Ting came to pay their respects. Originally from the Xiao Family, this visit was a formal acknowledgment of their new mistress. Xu Rong didn’t dwell on it, merely exchanging a few polite words and giving each a small embroidered pouch before sending them off.  

The maids, however, were more intrigued, unable to resist comparing them. Once the visitors left, Xin Cheng remarked, “They both seemed a bit clumsy, not as composed as Sister Bai Fu.”  

“Exactly.”  

“Nowhere near Sister Bai Fu.”  

Hong Liu and Qing Zao chimed in agreement.  

Seated on the heated brick bed, Xu Rong nodded with a smile. “True.”  

Bai Fu, modest by nature, had grown more capable through experience but still flushed under such praise. “Don’t tease me, miss. Even you’re joining in.”  

“Who’s teasing? We’re just stating facts.”  

Encouraged by Xu Rong’s participation, Xin Cheng grew bolder. “Cai Die was alright, just a bit slow. But that Cui Ting—did you see how her eyes darted around? She kept glancing at the things on the floor and then at you, miss. Her eyes were practically spinning!”  

The floor was strewn with open trunks, their contents dazzlingly opulent.  

“She lacked decorum,” Bai Fu admitted, shaking her head. “Probably never served a proper master before. Staring at the belongings was one thing, but she kept stealing glances at you too. Only because you’re kind, miss, that you didn’t reprimand her.”  

Hong Liu, squatting by the trunks, suddenly piped up, “I think she was just struck by how pretty you are, miss.”  

Xu Rong nodded solemnly. “Unlike your Sister Bai Fu, I’m not shy—so yes, I agree.”  

The room erupted in cheerful laughter.  

The harmonious atmosphere lasted until evening, by which time most of the tidying was done, and it was time for dinner.  

Xiao Xin finally emerged from the eastern chamber, his eyes vacant—not lifeless, but as if still lost in the depths of his studies, indifferent to the world around him. Just like at noon, he ate silently, head down.  

And ate quite a lot.  

Seeing this, Xu Rong stopped worrying—no matter how absorbed he seemed, as long as he had an appetite, he was fine. She even felt a twinge of nostalgia. Wasn’t this how every exam-cramming student behaved? Seizing the moment when Xiao Xin finished his meal and leaned back to sip tea, she asked, “Young Master Xiao, with such dedication, your scholarship must be impeccable. Do you plan to take the imperial exams this year?”  

After witnessing his study habits, she realized she might have underestimated him earlier—perhaps the timeline could be accelerated.  

“…Cough—!”  

Xiao Xin choked abruptly. The tea was hot, scalding his tongue. He set the cup down, grimacing as he pressed a hand to his mouth and glared at her.  

His eyes suddenly sharpened with focus.  

Bai Fu hurried over with a cloth to wipe the spilled tea. Xu Rong half-rose, leaning closer. “Did you burn yourself? Let me see—are you alright?”  

Xiao Xin refused to lower his hand, his tongue pressing against his cheek. After a long pause, he finally shook his head.

Xu Rong set her mind at ease, looked up, and poured him another cup of tea, saying, “Second Young Master, what I just said—”

Xiao Xin suddenly stood up.

Xu Rong was puzzled. “Hmm?”

“I,” Xiao Xin finally spoke, his voice muffled—perhaps because his tongue had been scalded—unlike his usual cold and steady tone, “I won’t go this year.”

Xu Rong was accustomed to his brevity and nodded. “Next year is fine too. You’ll have a better chance then. Second Young Master, I didn’t mean to rush you. I was just asking casually. Don’t feel pressured.” After a moment’s thought, she added praise, “With Second Young Master’s diligence, your name will surely be on the Golden List in the future.”

Xiao Xin: “…”

He said nothing, turned, and pushed aside the curtain to the eastern chamber before disappearing inside again.

Bai Fu was momentarily stunned and whispered, “Second Young Master hasn’t drunk his tea yet.”

One cup had been spilled, and the other remained untouched.

No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Xin returned, looking at Xu Rong and saying, “I’ll sleep there tonight.”

Xu Rong met his gaze for a moment before smiling and nodding. “Alright.”

Bai Fu glanced around in confusion and alarm—the situation had arisen abruptly, yet there seemed to be an unspoken understanding between the two that she couldn’t penetrate. As soon as Xiao Xin’s figure vanished behind the curtain, she hurriedly asked, “Miss, Second Young Master—is he not coming to the bridal chamber?”

Xu Rong replied naturally, “Second Young Master needs to study. Just bring him a pot of tea later.”

Bai Fu hesitated, but she had witnessed Xiao Xin’s relentless studying firsthand. Moreover, Xu Rong and Xiao Xin had conversed smoothly, with no sign of an argument that might have led to separate quarters. Unable to find fault, she could only agree.

Xu Rong had nothing else to attend to after finishing her meal. After bathing, she went straight to bed and slept soundly through the night.

**

Morning arrived.

The so-called “tea ceremony” was, in a way, the first social activity for a new bride in her husband’s home, primarily serving as an introduction to the family and an opportunity to receive gifts.

Bai Fu carefully checked the items in the mother-of-pearl box before her once more: “First Young Miss’s, Second Young Miss’s, Third Young Master’s, Fourth Young Master’s…”

The Xiao Family was large. Apart from his elder brother Xiao Lun, Xiao Xin had several younger siblings below him. Among them, the First Young Miss and Fourth Young Master were also born of concubines, their birth mother being Lord Xiao’s other concubine, Ruan Yiniang. The Second Young Miss and Third Young Master belonged to the second branch of the family. Since they all lived together in the same residence, their rankings were unified, and they were expected to appear today, requiring Xu Rong to present them with gifts.

After confirming everything was in order, Bai Fu reported to Xu Rong, “Miss, everything is ready.”

“Good, let’s go.”

The curtain was lifted to reveal Xiao Xin’s tall figure leaning against the doorframe of the main hall, one foot resting on the threshold in a waiting posture.

Hearing the movement, his handsome but cold face turned toward them, his brow slightly raised.

Xu Rong gestured with her hand. “Second Young Master, please.”

Xiao Xin straightened and walked out with her.

Bai Fu followed behind, carrying the box. Seeing their figures side by side, the faint worry in her heart gradually faded: Miss and Second Young Master seemed to treat each other with respect and were quite well-matched, after all.

They arrived at the main courtyard peacefully and ahead of schedule, adhering to etiquette. When they arrived, Madam Xiao was still having breakfast in her room.

A maid came out to relay the message: “The eldest daughter-in-law is attending to Madam during her meal. Please wait a moment, Second Young Master and Second Madam.”

So they waited in the courtyard.

Xu Rong seemed lost in thought.

Xiao Xin glanced at her, looked away, and then glanced at her again after a moment.

Xu Rong sensed something and looked up to ask him, “Second Young Master, is something the matter?”

Xiao Xin suppressed his irritation. “—It’s you who has the problem.”

Xu Rong was puzzled. “What?”

She had been standing here quietly, neither saying nor doing anything.

But Xiao Xin said nothing more, his expression indifferent—not angry, yet clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.

Xu Rong was left scratching her head. Bai Fu couldn’t hold back any longer and tugged at her sleeve discreetly, whispering, “Miss, your expression changed when you heard ‘Eldest Madam’… It was quite noticeable.”

So obvious, in fact, that even she had spotted it at a glance. No wonder the Second Young Master had suspicions.

As for this “Eldest Madam”—who didn’t know who it was originally supposed to be?

“Oh.” Xu Rong suddenly understood and explained, “Did you hear what that maid said? Eldest Madam is already inside serving, arriving even earlier than us. Doesn’t that mean she had to get up before dawn?”

She lowered her voice further. “I was just thinking—what if they expect the same from me in the future? I can’t wake up that early.”

It’s not like counting money.

Bai Fu’s face froze. “…”

Xiao Xin abruptly turned his face away.

Xu Rong was certain he had heard her—holding back a laugh but failing to hide it. Even without seeing, she could guess. Maturely, she chose not to expose him and instead asked for his advice, “Second Young Master, are such household rules strictly enforced here? How many daughters-in-law usually serve Madam Xiao during meals?”

“I don’t know.” Xiao Xin cleared his throat before turning back, his expression calm. “Madam only gained her first daughter-in-law late last year.”

Xu Rong thought about it—true. Then she dismissed the matter entirely. She had no intention of being a filial daughter-in-law to Madam Xiao, and Madam Xiao ought to be prepared for that.

Madam Xiao took her time with breakfast. Xu Rong waited a while longer, but no one in the courtyard paid them any attention. Instead, two figures—one tall, one short—slowly entered through the gate.

One was a middle-aged man around forty, dressed in a crimson robe with a jade belt, exuding an air of distinction. Xu Rong narrowed her eyes, finding him familiar—he bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Lun, whom she had met once. Not just in features, but also in that official demeanor, as if cast from the same mold.

Xu Rong could immediately confirm: this was Lord Xiao.

“My Lord.”

“This servant greets the Lord.”

The soft greetings from the maids around them confirmed her guess.

Xu Rong’s gaze dropped to the ten-year-old boy holding Lord Xiao’s hand.

The boy was dressed exquisitely from head to toe, even his lambskin boots adorned with pearls. His features were delicate, with large eyes and a pointed chin. Though small—standing no taller than four feet—he carried the innate arrogance of one raised in unparalleled luxury.

After studying him, Xu Rong turned her head.

The boy didn’t resemble Lord Xiao in appearance but bore some likeness to Xiao Xin beside her—his chin was also pointed, unlike the square jaws of Lord Xiao and Xiao Lun.

But that was where the resemblance ended. Xiao Xin’s shoes, far from being studded with pearls, were frayed at the edges. His demeanor wasn’t refined or dignified but cold and sharp, as if he could freeze over at any moment and shatter ice shards in one’s face.

“Second Brother!” the boy called out cheerfully. With his good looks, his smile was sweet. “Second Brother, is this the new Second Sister-in-Law?”

Xiao Xin bowed to Lord Xiao and answered curtly, “Mm.”

“The new Second Sister-in-Law is so pretty,” the boy added, his words honeyed.

Xu Rong smiled at him while stealing another glance.

She recognized that voice—it was the same one that had remarked during the wedding procession the night before, “What’s so special about the new sister-in-law? We just saw her last month.”

The boy, with the characteristic chatter of children, continued, “Second Brother, do you know the great scholar Mr. Su from Qixia Academy? He’s come to the capital, and Father is taking me to visit him today.”

Xu Rong’s interest was piqued. She glanced at Lord Xiao, but he remained silent, releasing the boy’s hand and heading toward the eastern courtyard.

Left behind, the boy stared at Xiao Xin with wide eyes until Xiao Xin finally replied, “No, I don’t know him.”

Disappointed, the boy let out an “Oh,” but quickly perked up again. “It’s alright, Second Brother, I’ll tell you all about him.”

He launched into a vivid description of Mr. Su’s scholarly achievements—how vast his knowledge was, how renowned his reputation, and how many students longed to meet him, hoping to study under his guidance.

Xu Rong caught on: Was this bragging?

Yes, it definitely was.

She couldn’t help but feel amused. How could such a young child already have such cunning?

Xiao Xin remained unresponsive throughout, and eventually, the boy grew bored of his own monologue and stopped. He wandered to the edge of the main hall, peering into the eastern courtyard.

Xu Rong leaned closer and whispered, “Second Young Master, is this your fourth brother?”

Xiao Xin gave a slight nod.

Xu Rong sighed. “The competition in your household is truly fierce.”

Even a child this young was already engaging in domestic power struggles.

Xiao Xin: “…?”

Xu Rong chuckled. “Look at Brother Zhang—he’s fifteen or sixteen and still rolling around in the mud.”

She was referring to the time Xu Huazhang had come to pick a fight with Xiao Xin. Xiao Xin’s lips twitched at the memory, but he offered no comment.

Xu Rong sensed that his mood had soured since Lord Xiao’s appearance. It was understandable—Lord Xiao’s favoritism knew no bounds. Even Xu Huazhang had heard indirectly about Xiao Xin’s diligent studies, so Lord Xiao couldn’t possibly be unaware. Yet now, with a great scholar in town, he was taking his youngest son to visit without even mentioning Xiao Xin.

Xu Rong thought for a moment. She didn’t have a great scholar to offer, nor could she conjure one up. But she could at least offer some encouraging words. “Second Young Master, the tree by our courtyard gate seems to be dying. I plan to have it removed soon and plant an osmanthus tree instead—to wish you success in your imperial examinations.”

She was serious about this plan, her gaze sincere and earnest, filled with trust as if she could already see Xiao Xin’s name shining brightly on the Golden List.

Xiao Xin seemed momentarily shaken, as if wrestling with something. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “I might not—”

“Second Young Master, you absolutely can,” Xu Rong encouraged him. “Hard work never betrays those who strive. Besides, this is just for good luck—many scholarly families do the same. If you really dislike osmanthus, we can forget it.”

“No.”

Xiao Xin paused, his voice softening. “If you want to plant it, go ahead.”