Chapter 15 Did a Great Thing

The next day, the weather was indeed fine.  

Xu Rong, unusually, rose early. She washed, dressed, and had breakfast—a bowl of fragrant Ingot Wontons paired with four side dishes including pickled bamboo shoots and tofu skin rolls. Half a day later, she had lunch—with Madam Xu and Xu Huazhang—rested briefly afterward, and then, another half-day passed before the sun set. Just like that, the day was over.  

The servants in the courtyard saw nothing amiss. They had grown accustomed to Xu Rong’s listless, idle demeanor since her “heartbreak,” seemingly content to eat and do nothing all day. Only Bai Fu knew better. That evening, as she removed Xu Rong’s hairpins, she noticed the pensive expression in the mirror and comforted her: “Don’t worry, miss. It’s only natural for Madam Xiao to drag her feet out of reluctance.”  

Xu Rong nodded. “Mm.”  

But in her heart, she disagreed.  

Madam Xiao was neither trustworthy nor reliable, but Old Madam Zhang was decisive and swift. She had released Luo Er and Xu Huazhang, made her promise, and immediately sought out Madam Xiao—all without delay. Xu Rong didn’t believe she would falter at the final step of fulfilling her word.  

She hoped she was overthinking it, so she decided to wait a little longer, as Bai Fu suggested.  

Another day passed in waiting.  

When the sun rose on the new day, Xu Rong lay in bed, unwilling to get up.  

Something had gone wrong—she knew it.  

Holding onto false hope would only be deceiving herself. Since she couldn’t pretend otherwise, she had to rise and face this new setback.  

…She didn’t want to get up.  

It was exhausting.  

“So hard,” Xu Rong murmured under the bed curtains.  

She didn’t want to fight, scheme, worry, or toil. Yet being a carefree slacker was proving so difficult.  

“Miss?” Bai Fu, hearing the rustling, lifted the curtain halfway and smiled. “Are you getting up? I’ll have them fetch hot water.”  

Xu Rong pulled the blanket over her face and muffled, “No.”  

Bai Fu rarely saw her like this anymore and chuckled. “Then rest a little longer, miss. I’ll step out so I don’t disturb you.”  

The curtain fell back into place, and light footsteps retreated.  

Xu Rong lay there lazily.  

She wasn’t sleepy—just unwilling to move.  

Outside the window, young maids chattered while sweeping.  

“The weather’s nice again today, though a bit colder. I snuck a handful of chestnuts under the Tea Stove. When we’re done, let’s roast them together.”  

Another gasped in delight. “Where’d you get such a treat?”  

“From Zhi Tao’s sister-in-law,” the first replied. “Our families are neighbors. Yesterday, I slipped home for a bit and saw her packing—giving away heavy things they couldn’t take. When she spotted me, she handed me a fistful of chestnuts.”  

The second asked, “Packing? Are they moving?”  

“Yes,” the first said. “Didn’t you know? Zhi Tao redeemed herself from the household.”  

The other was clearly shocked—even the sound of her sweeping paused. “How would I know? No one told me—I bet even the miss and Bai Fu-jie don’t know!”  

The first voice carried a hint of pride at having exclusive news. “No wonder. Zhi Tao left just yesterday, quietly too—didn’t even come to bid farewell to the miss. So no one knows yet.”

Another one chimed in urgently, “That’s right, why wouldn’t she come? Sister Zhi Tao used to serve the young lady closely. If she came, the young lady would surely reward her with a few things.”

“She holds a grudge,” the first voice lowered. “Sister Zhi Tao was originally first-rank, but after one mistake, she wasn’t even kept as second-rank—she was directly demoted to a menial servant…”

“True. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to accept it either…”

The two young maids finished their work in that area and moved elsewhere, their idle chatter gradually fading from earshot.

Zhi Tao bought her freedom?

Xu Rong’s gaze fixed on the pink canopy above. She truly had no knowledge of this matter and was certain Bai Fu didn’t know either—otherwise, she wouldn’t have failed to mention it even once.

The conclusion was obvious: undoubtedly, this was another masterpiece of Madam Xu’s doing.

Madam Xu had previously wanted to sell off the two negligent senior maids. Now that Zhi Tao had requested to leave on her own, she probably didn’t give it a second thought and immediately agreed.

To be honest, Xu Rong didn’t “give it a second thought” either, but that was due to her laziness—she didn’t interfere with anything unrelated to her goals and interests, not because she thought Zhi Tao was blameless.

Compared to the other demoted senior maid, Zi Yan, Zhi Tao was too “restless.”

Xu Rong didn’t know the reason for this restlessness, nor did she care to find out. But one thing was clear: Zhi Tao believed she deserved a role in the drama.

Now, Madam Xu had let this dramatic maid go.

Xu Rong wanted to sigh but reconsidered and held it back.

This was just Madam Xu’s usual behavior—why be surprised? It would be strange if she acted otherwise.

Xu Rong also put the matter out of her mind. She closed her eyes and lay still for a while, but her mind was unsettled. She couldn’t relax, her limbs stiff and tense. Frustrated, she rolled over—she refused to get up, as rising would only bring more annoyance.

Yet, after a while, she got up anyway.

Bai Fu came to report that a guest from the Duke of Ying’s Mansion had arrived.

Xu Rong hurriedly freshened up and asked, “Who is it?”

Bai Fu shook her head. “I don’t know. The person sent from the madam’s side only urged the young lady to hurry over.”

Had Old Madam Zhang finally run out of excuses and come personally to give her an explanation?

Or had she sent some junior family member instead?

Suppressing her speculations, Xu Rong quickly dressed and headed to the main courtyard with Bai Fu.

Upon entering, she realized she had guessed wrong both times: the visitor was a doctor.

It was Doctor Li, the highly skilled physician who had been treating Zhang Weiling’s arm.

Having paid little attention to the minor wound on her forehead, Xu Rong had nearly forgotten the goodwill Old Madam Zhang had initially shown. But Old Madam Zhang herself remembered and, though delayed by two days, had finally sent him over.

Madam Xu was delighted and quickly urged Xu Rong to sit down, personally lifting her bangs for Doctor Li to examine.

Doctor Li, a man nearing fifty, didn’t need to overly concern himself with propriety between men and women. He focused solely on his task, examining Xu Rong’s forehead before stepping back and cupping his hands respectfully. “The young lady’s injury is indeed quite severe. The imperial physician who treated her previously was very diligent—achieving this level of recovery is already commendable. My humble skills are insufficient to promise further improvement or restore the young lady’s appearance to its former state—”

Madam Xu said disappointedly, “So you can’t treat it?”

She was about to sit down and weep over Xu Rong’s misfortunes when Doctor Li coughed awkwardly, “Madam, this old man hasn’t finished speaking. Though I cannot guarantee complete success, having been entrusted by Old Madam Zhang, I shall exhaust all my knowledge. I believe I can make the young lady’s scars fade somewhat further.”

Madam Xu immediately turned grief into joy: “That would be excellent. Treat her diligently, and I shall reward you handsomely.”

Seeing Doctor Li speak with such confidence, she realized his medical skills must indeed surpass those of Imperial Physician Yang. This reminded her of another matter, and she instructed a servant, “Go fetch Zhang’er and have the miracle doctor examine him as well.”

Xu Huazhang had spent so many days in prison, and no matter how lively he appeared, Madam Xu couldn’t rest easy without having a physician check his pulse. A doctor had already visited earlier, but in her maternal concern, since a better one was now available, it wouldn’t hurt to have another examination.

The maid took quite some time before returning, panting heavily, “Madam, the Marquis—the Marquis has gone out.”

Madam Xu was startled, “What? When did he leave? Where did he go?”

The maid hesitated, “This servant doesn’t know. When I reached the front courtyard, the Marquis was already gone. I asked around and learned that the Marquis said he felt stifled at home and went out early to get some air.”

Madam Xu was furious, “This Zhang’er! He promised me he would stay home quietly, yet he couldn’t even last a few days before growing restless. When he returns, I must punish him severely!”

Xu Rong glanced sideways.

Her silent judgment was too obvious, making Madam Xu’s cheeks flush slightly. She raised her voice sternly, “I will punish him harshly, so he won’t dare do it again!” Then she ordered the maid, “Go wait at the front. The moment Zhang’er returns, bring him to me immediately.”

The maid obeyed and left.

For the time being, there was nothing else to discuss. Doctor Li wrote a prescription, prepared the medicine, and instructed the servants on how to prepare it. After Xu Rong applied the medicinal paste to her forehead, he left a few more medical instructions before picking up his medical box and taking his leave.

Coincidentally, no sooner had he stepped out of the mansion than Xu Huazhang returned.

Beaming with excitement, his face radiant with delight.

Madam Xu sat rigidly in her seat and demanded, “Where have you been?!”

Xu Huazhang sauntered in cheerfully, “Mother, I’ve done a great deed.”

Madam Xu eyed him suspiciously, “What deed?”

“I ruined Xiao Lun’s little scheme, haha!” Xu Huazhang turned and, seeing Xu Rong present, boasted to her, “Sister, this time I’ve avenged you.”

Xu Rong had been feeling stifled all morning, but her younger troublemaker brother’s antics dissipated some of her gloom. She poured a cup of tea, pushed it forward, and raised an eyebrow, “Go on.”

Xu Huazhang, pleased with himself, sat beside her, gulped down the tea in one go, wiped his mouth, and said, “Originally, I planned to find Zhang Weiling today—”

Madam Xu grew anxious, “Why are you still seeking him out? I told you to stay away from such people! If you cause trouble again, do you want to kill your mother?”

Xu Huazhang replied, “Mother, don’t worry. I wasn’t looking for trouble with him. I just wanted to clear the air. Whatever grievances he has, let him state them plainly, and I’ll face them head-on. That way, no petty schemer can stir up trouble between us.”

His words were crude, but the reasoning was sound. Madam Xu reluctantly accepted this, “Then what? What does this have to do with Xiao Lun?”

“I saw him on the way.” Xu Huazhang narrowed his eyes with a cold smile, a hint of murderous intent flashing at their corners. “Mother, you didn’t know, did you? Today was his big day—he went to the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion to present the betrothal gifts. Riding a tall horse, with half the street lined with gifts behind him. Hmph, what a grand spectacle.”

Madam Xu froze. “…”

She truly hadn’t known.

Xu Rong asked, “Did you cause trouble?”

“I seized a chance to let his geese escape.” Xu Huazhang, unable to hold back any longer, switched from a cold smirk to a foolish grin. “Mother, Sister, you should’ve seen how satisfying it was. Their whole household was stunned, scrambling to chase after the geese. But they don’t have wings—how could they catch them? Xiao Lun’s horse even got spooked by the servants, dragging him all over the street. I hid and watched—his face turned green with fear. Hahaha!”

Clutching his stomach, he collapsed into a chair, laughing gleefully.

Presenting geese as betrothal gifts was an ancient custom, the most significant of all betrothal presents, symbolizing fidelity and loyalty. For prestigious families like the Marquis of Changxing’s and the Duke of Zheng’s Mansions, the half-street of gifts might not carry as much dignity as this pair of geese.

“You—” Madam Xu felt faint, unable to handle such a shock. “We’d just settled into peace—why must you stir up trouble again?”

Xu Huazhang’s face fell, clearly resentful of the scolding.

“If it’s just this little trouble, so be it,” Xu Rong said calmly. “No valuable property was damaged. If they come demanding compensation, we’ll just repay them with another pair of geese.”

Xu Huazhang immediately puffed out his chest, flashing her an ingratiating smile. He defended himself, “Sister, don’t worry—I’m not that stupid. I covered my face before doing it.”

Xu Rong gave him a once-over. No injuries on his head or face, clothes neat and tidy—he’d gotten away unscathed.

Still, considering the chaos, she asked, “You weren’t hurt anywhere, were you?”

Touched, Xu Huazhang puffed out his thin chest further. “No, the crowd was huge. I slipped right into the spectators—they didn’t lay a finger on me.”

Xu Rong nodded, and even Madam Xu sighed in relief. “Ah—”

“Madam!”

A young maid from the courtyard gate rushed in, her voice crisp. “The gatekeeper sent word—Young Master Xiao from the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion is here to see you!”

Madam Xu: “…!”