Chapter 11 Still Smiling in Spring Warmth

Madam Xu was forced to sit back down, her heart once again suspended in mid-air: “Old Madam—?”

Old Madam Zhang didn’t respond to her. Squinting at Xu Rong, she said slowly, “I’m old and my eyesight is failing. Only now do I notice the scar on the young lady’s forehead. Which physicians have you consulted? Is it truly beyond cure?”

Madam Xu was taken aback. She had been concerned about it too, but with Xu Huazhang’s incident and Xu Rong herself never making a fuss, she’d forgotten. Now that Old Madam Zhang suddenly brought it up, she had to think before answering: “Just Doctor Yang from the imperial hospital, and Zhang’er—the boy was worried about his sister and sought out other miracle doctors, but—”

But he never returned.

Madam Xu’s expression turned sorrowful before shifting to urgency. “Old Madam, Zhang’er has been locked up for so many days. Who knows what injuries or illnesses he’s suffered? My heart feels like it’s being fried in oil.”

Her desire to leave was thinly veiled. Old Madam Zhang glanced again at Xu Rong.

Xu Rong’s expression was naturally relaxed. To Old Madam Zhang’s discerning eye, her posture wasn’t impeccable—there was a casualness in how she sat and stood. Yet this very casualness, set against Madam Xu’s behavior—or rather, in contrast to it—revealed an uncommon grace and ease.

Noticing Old Madam Zhang’s gaze, Xu Rong curved her lips in response.

Just basic social courtesy.

Yet Old Madam Zhang sighed inwardly.

No hatred despite humiliation, no self-pity despite disfigurement, no resentment despite being overlooked by her own family. To face life’s adversities with nothing but a smile…

In peaceful times, all young girls seem alike. Only when storms come does the true timber reveal itself.

What an excellent daughter-in-law she would have made.

“What a pity,” Old Madam Zhang murmured, this time with genuine feeling.

What a pity their families lacked the destined connection.

Madam Xu: “Ah?”

The three words, abrupt and disconnected, made no sense to her.

“I was speaking of your eldest daughter’s injury,” Old Madam Zhang said impatiently. Even looking at Madam Xu gave her a headache. When choosing a wife, one sought virtue. Marrying this sort—no wonder the late Marquis of Ji’an probably couldn’t rest peacefully in his grave.

“The imperial physicians have their skills, but they’re accustomed to prescribing peaceful prescriptions. Such minor injuries may not be their specialty. I know a Doctor Li here who excels in treating bruises and sprains—he’s been treating Ling Ge’er’s arm. When he’s free tomorrow, I’ll have him examine the young lady. A girl’s face is always of utmost importance.”

Madam Xu wasn’t ungrateful. “Many thanks to Old Madam,” she said hurriedly.

She then called to Xu Rong, who rose gracefully to offer her thanks.

Her lack of excitement wasn’t due to indifference toward her appearance—her current looks were already enough to make her narcissistic. Like exquisite brocade, her beauty was boundless. Whether that extra floral embellishment was restored or not mattered little.

Moreover, was this Old Madam Zhang’s first time learning of her injury? Zhang Weiling had shouted about it at the Imperial Music Academy—all of the capital knew her face was ruined. Yet the Duke of Ying’s Mansion had never shown any concern.

Not that she believed the Duke’s household owed her compensation—they were unrelated, after all. Just because Xiao Lun committed misdeeds didn’t mean his relatives had to clean up his mess.

The problem was: this belated compensation, absent for so long without being wrong, now that it finally arrived, carried a different implication.

Old Madam Zhang’s smile faded, her gaze deepening as she beckoned Xu Rong: “Rong girl, come here to me.”

The address became more intimate as Xu Rong walked over. Old Madam Zhang took her hand and patted it gently. “You’ve suffered unfairly. When you’re free, do come visit more often. I have a few maids here you already know. At my age, I hardly go out anymore—I just love seeing you young ladies together, lively and cheerful.”

Xu Rong smiled. “Of course.”

She agreed readily, though it went in one ear and out the other. Who wanted to deal with these so-called noble families full of scheming? Too much intrigue would age her faster, ruining her rejuvenated looks.

She already had her future planned: once Bai Quan sent word, she’d retrieve her dowry and make her escape to Jiangnan, living out her days in leisurely beauty.

Old Madam Zhang: “…”

She didn’t want to admit she felt a rare frustration for her age.

Was this girl really only seventeen or eighteen?

There was simply no way in.

“Your mother is a fool.”

Old Madam Zhang finally lost patience for beating around the bush. Xu Rong accepted every favor and every word without leaving the slightest opening. At this rate, they’d circle until nightfall without getting anywhere.

The unjustly implicated Madam Xu: “…?”

She knew the criticism wasn’t entirely undeserved—she had that much self-awareness—but she’d been sitting quietly to the side. Why suddenly drag her into this?

Feeling wronged: “Old Madam—”

“You wouldn’t have bungled things so badly if you weren’t a fool,” Old Madam Zhang said bluntly, her age and status giving her every right to scold Madam Xu. “Such a fine girl, and you mistreat her like this—promised to one brother, then another. Ask around—who handles matters this way? Thankfully Rong’er is broad-minded. If she’d taken it to heart and something happened, you’d be weeping with regret!”

Madam Xu fell silent briefly, then grew even more aggrieved and indignant. “Old Madam, was this my wish? It was Xiao Lun who acted disgracefully, and Madam Xiao shielded her son. You refused to show understanding at first too. I had no choice but to let Rong’er suffer.”

“Marquis Xu broke Ling Ge’er’s arm over some performer. That I didn’t lead a mob to your doorstep was already showing restraint,” Old Madam Zhang said coolly. “Ling Ge’er is indeed unpromising, but he grew up under my care—never so much as scratched a fingernail. To suffer such harm outside—a mother’s heart knows no difference. You feel your pain; should this old woman not feel hers?”

Xu Rong found the mention of “skin” faintly familiar.

Madam Xu had said something similar.

Mothers really were all alike when protecting their own.

Just none ever protected her.

Xu Rong lowered her head with a faint smile. It didn’t matter. She’d always been a lone star, fending for herself. A mother fussing over her like a treasured jewel would probably just make her uncomfortable.

Madam Xu had no retort, only a meek: “Zhang’er didn’t mean it. Besides, Young Master Zhang said unkind things about Rong’er first. Zhang’er just lost his temper.”

To her surprise, Old Madam Zhang conceded this time. “Ling Ge’er has indeed been spoiled by me—speaks without thinking. At home, everyone indulges him, and outside, a few provocations easily set him off. But at heart, he isn’t truly bad.”

Madam Xu, feeling she had gained the upper hand, puffed out her chest and said, “Our Zhang’er is also a good child.”

“…” Old Madam Zhang found even speaking a single word to such a person utterly tiresome.

“Rong girl, what do you think?” Old Madam Zhang turned her attention elsewhere.

Xu Rong replied straightforwardly, “I defer to your judgment, Old Madam. Since both are good children, this was merely a misunderstanding. Let’s consider the matter settled.”

It wasn’t her arm that had been broken, nor was she the one who had been jailed. To delve deeper, it wasn’t even her head that had been injured. Having suffered no losses, she saw no need to demand justice. The priority was to return home quickly and secure her dowry.

Her referring to both Zhang Weiling and Xu Huazhang as “children” was somewhat amusing, as if she were playacting the role of an elder. Yet Old Madam Zhang didn’t point this out, merely smiling and saying, “Good girl, you truly are more sensible than your mother.”

This was the graceful way to smooth things over—some matters were best left unresolved. At this point, insisting on assigning blame like Madam Xu would only strip everyone’s dignity bare, leaving a bloody mess. Who would benefit from that?

To feign ignorance now was the mark of true wisdom.

Old Madam Zhang gave Xu Rong another penetrating look. “Rong girl, truth be told, these boys are all quite unruly. A little lesson wouldn’t hurt them. But throughout this ordeal, you’re the one who truly suffered. Are you sure you have no grievances? If you do, speak them now—in your mother’s presence—and this old woman will stand by you to ensure you find peace. Otherwise, harboring unresolved resentment at such a young age would be unfortunate.”

She still didn’t trust Xu Rong’s compliance.

Xu Rong found it amusing. “Old Madam, truly, I have none. My mother already acknowledged her oversight and promised to compensate me with an extra dowry gift. While I don’t particularly care for such things, it’s the thought that counts, and that’s enough for me.”

Heh, she cared very much indeed.

So she seized the opportunity to mention it, lest the marriage arrangement with Xiao Xin fall through later and Madam Xu renege on her promise. As for not explicitly saying “dowry,” she took a cue from Xiao Xin—this little stickler probably disapproved of such direct talk from an unmarried maiden. Better to keep it vague.

Old Madam Zhang, as expected, noticed nothing amiss and nodded approvingly. “That’s only fair.” Turning to Madam Xu, she added, “When Rong girl’s marriage is settled, send word on the day of her departure. This old woman also has a dowry gift for her.”

Madam Xu, still struggling to keep up, blurted out foolishly, “Huh? Madam Xiao said the wedding is already set for next February. I wanted to keep Rong’er longer, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Old Madam, perhaps you could speak to Madam Xiao and ask her to delay—Old Madam, what’s wrong? Never mind, never mind. I’ll stop talking. Just release Zhang’er, and that’s that.”

Her aggrieved tone made Old Madam Zhang suppress a scowl with great effort. Taking a deep breath, she said, “This matter—Yingyu will explain it to you tomorrow.”

Yingyu was Madam Xiao’s maiden name.

Madam Xu was bewildered again. Explain what? Did Old Madam Zhang agree or not?

Old Madam Zhang issued the dismissal. “Enough. Aren’t you worried about your son? Hurry back to your residence and see to him. I won’t keep you any longer.”

This worked like magic. Madam Xu immediately stood up, gave a hasty farewell, and rushed toward the door.

Only when she reached the doorway did she remember she’d left Xu Rong behind. Flustered, she turned back and beckoned, “Rong’er.”

Xu Rong had intended to leave, but Old Madam Zhang hadn’t released her grip, so she lingered half a step behind.

“Rong girl,” Old Madam Zhang not only didn’t let go but tightened her grip on her hand, speaking in a low, aged voice, “Be honest with me—don’t you harbor even a sliver of suspicion that this old woman might have wronged you too?”

So the truth was finally coming out in the open.

Xu Rong smiled gently and replied, “I trust in your deep maternal love, Madam. In your eyes, Young Master Zhang’s safety must be worth more than any family dispute. No matter how foolproof a scheme might seem, you would never allow Young Master Zhang to be involved.”

Thus, Second Master Luo’s appearance must have been solely orchestrated by the Xiao Family, with no collusion from the Duke of Ying’s Mansion.

This was precisely why she had dared to send Bai Quan to lure them into the trap—she was certain of this fact.

Not wanting to appear too clever in front of Old Madam Zhang—which would bring no benefit—she added, “Even my mother understands such a simple truth. That’s why, even when Madam Xiao hinted at it, my mother never suspected a thing.”

Old Madam Zhang snorted disdainfully.

Xu Shi wasn’t perceptive—she was simply foolish! The reasoning might be straightforward, but she couldn’t even begin to grasp such subtleties!

“Good child, you may go now. Return home and rest well, waiting for the physician to see you tomorrow,” Old Madam Zhang finally released her hand. “Don’t dwell on these troubles anymore—they have nothing to do with you.”

Xu Rong curtsied with a smile. “As you wish.”