Chapter 16 Meeting Brother and Then Meeting Younger Brother

Madam Xu was at a loss: “We must have been discovered. What should we do? Zhang’er, didn’t you say you covered your face?”

Xu Huazhang replied innocently, “That’s right, Mother, I didn’t lie.”

“Then why is he still coming after us?” Madam Xu stood up, then sat back down. “What should I say when I meet Xiao Lun?”

Xu Huazhang wasn’t afraid. Having already endured imprisonment, he believed no hardship in this world could intimidate his unique talent. “Just tell the truth. I’ll go out and meet him. Hmph, I didn’t even deal with him seriously, yet he dares to come knocking on our door. First, he betrayed Sister, then he framed me. It’s time to settle the score with him.”

Madam Xu was so frightened she rushed over to restrain him: “Stay put! I’ll go see him. Since he didn’t see your face, we can just deny everything—”

“This isn’t about covering your face or not,” Xu Rong said slowly, rising to her feet and glancing at the two beside her. “If I walked down the street, wouldn’t you recognize me from behind just by seeing me, Mother?”

Recognizing someone familiar didn’t rely solely on facial features—clothing, gestures, and other details all served as clues.

Xu Rong concluded, “I’ll go see him.”

Both the stunned Madam Xu and Xu Huazhang snapped out of it: “No!”

“Why not?” Xu Rong was blunt. First, she addressed Madam Xu: “If I go to negotiate, the worst outcome probably won’t be any worse than if you went.”

Madam Xu: “…”

She fell silent in shame.

Xu Huazhang interjected, “Then I—”

“It’s not time for you yet. Stay put.”

Xu Huazhang: “Oh.”

As Xu Rong walked away, he craned his neck and called after her, “Sister, when it’s time for me, be sure to send someone to get me!”

Xu Rong didn’t turn back, merely waving a hand at him.

Xu Huazhang obediently retreated.

Madam Xu chased after her for a couple of steps, then paused, sensing something amiss. She turned back: “Zhang’er, why is it that now you don’t listen to me, but you obey your sister the moment she speaks?”

“I do listen to you, Mother,” Xu Huazhang denied at first, then glanced at her and mumbled, “You always treat me like a child. Sister is different.”

Madam Xu’s heart ached: “How is she different?”

“She just is,” Xu Huazhang insisted, though he couldn’t quite articulate the difference. Instead, he cleverly countered, “Mother, don’t just pick on me—don’t you listen to Sister too?”

“Nonsense.”

Madam Xu’s pride as an elder was pricked, and she immediately refuted.

But thinking of Xu Rong, who had just left, and how she could possibly discipline this daughter now, Madam Xu was overwhelmed by guilt and her own helplessness. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything more.

She could only sit down and, like Xu Huazhang, gaze anxiously toward the door, waiting for the outcome of Xu Rong’s negotiation.

**

Outside the Marquis of Ji’an Manor.

The autumn wind swirled desolately, blowing away a few fallen leaves.

Since arriving in this world, this was the first time Xu Rong had laid eyes on her former fiancé—the very man who had landed her in this troublesome predicament.

To her slight surprise, the young man had a square-jawed, dignified face with regular features, dressed in festive attire—likely unchanged since the incident, having rushed over immediately. He looked every bit the upright official, the ideal candidate for a son-in-law.

It was just that neither his looks nor his demeanor resembled Xiao Xin’s much. Xu Rong had learned more over the past few days and knew that the Xiao Lun before her was only nineteen this year, just two years older than Xiao Xin. Yet he already carried the composed demeanor of an adult, a far cry from the underage Xiao Xin who would still roll his eyes impatiently in people’s faces.

For example, at this moment, Xiao Lun’s pupils constricted slightly—clearly not expecting her to be the one to come out—but he quickly regained his composure. He cupped his hands toward Xu Rong and said, “Sister Xu, I came to see Aunt Xu. Or if the young marquis is here, please ask him to come out. I just need a word with him.”

After sizing him up, Xu Rong replied, “My mother and brother are busy. Whatever you have to say, you can say it to me.”

Xiao Lun paused. “The young marquis is back?”

Xu Rong nodded. “He’s back.”

Xiao Lun paused again. “Then do you know what the young marquis just did?”

Xu Rong said, “I know.”

She didn’t evade or shift blame in the slightest. This time, Xiao Lun’s pause wasn’t for thought but genuine surprise. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he said, “Was it you who sent the young marquis?”

It was a question, but his tone was certain, as if he had already concluded as much.

Xu Rong smiled and countered, “Young Master Xiao, are you interrogating me?”

Xiao Lun denied it quickly. “That wasn’t my intention.”

Xu Rong nodded. “Then what did you mean by accusing me right off the bat?”

Her words were relentless, yet delivered with calm, without a trace of petulance. Xiao Lun said, “—The young marquis caused a scene in the street and ruined my betrothal gifts.”

Xu Rong still didn’t avoid the issue. “Zhangge told me when he got home. He’s young and acts impulsively. I apologize on his behalf. As for the geese that got away, I’ll find another pair to make it up to you.”

She was being perfectly reasonable, leaving Xiao Lun with nothing more to say. Yet he couldn’t let it go: “Sister Xu, you’ve lived sheltered in the inner chambers and don’t understand the habits of wild creatures like geese. They migrate south and north every year and aren’t often here. Now that winter is almost upon us, it’s hard to find geese in the capital.”

Catching them would be even harder.

This was elementary knowledge, and Xu Rong understood perfectly well. She smiled. “If we can’t catch them in one day, we’ll try two. If not two, then three. Young Master Xiao, don’t worry. I’ll definitely make it up to you.”

She leisurely added her next words, “At worst, won’t the geese return next spring?”

“…”

Xiao Lun took a deep breath and looked at her.

Due to certain feelings, he hadn’t actually made eye contact with Xu Rong until now. This look made him momentarily dazed.

Since the incident, he hadn’t seen Xu Rong again. In terms of time, it had only been a little over a month, but perhaps because so much had happened in between, it felt like a lifetime ago.

There was just—something indescribably unfamiliar about her.

The girl’s smile was like a flower in bloom, but this flower wasn’t the one he used to see often, placed in a vase. Instead, it was like one glimpsed in passing on a galloping horse through the streets, perhaps seen fleetingly or never at all, growing in someone’s courtyard wall.

…

Xiao Lun forced himself to snap out of it. He shouldn’t find it strange.

Of course she would change. Anyone who went through such things would change.

Xiao Lun collected himself and averted his gaze. “Sister Xu, I know I’ve wronged you. I understand if you hate or resent me. But it’s impossible for us now. What’s the point of you still acting like this?”

Xu Rong said nothing.

This scumbag really had a high opinion of himself. Having been obsessed with making money for years, she was at a disadvantage when it came to matters of the heart—it took her a moment to think of a retort.

Xiao Lun had no idea what she was thinking. He continued, “You might not want to hear this, but I’m sincerely advising you. Your marriage to my second brother is approaching. If you’re still hung up on the past, it won’t do you any good. Second Brother—” He paused, as if to emphasize his point, “You’ve met him. He’s always had a quick temper, and he’s… different from others.”

Xu Rong looked up. She had caught the information she wanted.

Just as she thought.

The unease that had lingered in her heart for the past two days settled into clarity.

If Old Madam Zhang had already persuaded Madam Xiao, Xiao Lun wouldn’t be ignorant of it—he wouldn’t be saying these things to her now.

She lowered her lashes, veiling her eyes like a dense curtain. “Young Master Xiao, you’ve misunderstood. I never asked Brother Zhang to do anything. Your mother’s methods are formidable—the Xu family has already learned that lesson. He’s my only brother. I wouldn’t risk his safety just to vent my anger.”

Her explanation was humble, as if she wanted to smooth things over. Xiao Lun finally caught a glimpse of familiarity in her—the Xu Rong of the past had the arrogance typical of noble ladies, but what young girl could maintain her pride in front of a handsome man she admired? The Xu Rong he remembered had always been gentle and compliant.

Occasionally, she would dare to glance up at him, her eyes filled with admiration. If their gazes accidentally met, her expression would melt into the pure, captivating shyness of a startled deer, tinged with a hint of reproach, as if blaming him for deliberately catching her off guard…

Xu Rong couldn’t keep up the act any longer. She lifted her lashes again.

Her eyes were cool and clear, like a mountain spring in late autumn, silently flowing through his heart and lungs, dissecting and scrutinizing everything within.

Xiao Lun shuddered, abruptly snapping out of his reverie.

“You—” He masked a trace of awkwardness. “If that’s what you say, then I’ll believe you.”

“Xu Rong,” he continued, regaining his composure, “I didn’t tell my mother about today’s incident. She doesn’t know it was the young marquis.”

Xu Rong let out a soft laugh. “Oh? Thank you.”

He was indeed raised as the heir—after squeezing their family dry, he still had the audacity to act like he was doing her a favor.

Her face, untouched by hardship, always appeared delicate and innocent when she smiled, no matter what thoughts churned beneath. The slight narrowing of her eyes concealed the cold mockery in her gaze. Xiao Lun didn’t notice anything amiss and continued his magnanimous act. “It’s nothing. But Xu Rong, you should advise the young marquis not to do such things again. If word gets out next time and reaches the elders, it won’t just be bad for him—you’ll be dragged into trouble too.”

His voice softened, feigning sincerity. “Xu Rong, I know I’ve wronged you—some things were decided by the elders, not my own will. I know it’s too late to say this, but if you ever face difficulties in the future, come to me. I’ll help you however I can.”

Xu Rong listened, then nodded. “No need to wait for the future. I have a problem right now. Will you help me?”

Xiao Lun hesitated. “…”

He was sharp—Xu Rong knew he had guessed her intentions. But she pressed on regardless. “I don’t want to marry Xiao Xin. Since you said it wasn’t your idea, help me call off this engagement. Once it’s done, all grievances between us will be settled. I’ll never bring it up again, and I’ll even wish you and Second Miss Chang a harmonious and happy marriage. How about it?”

Xiao Lun did not answer immediately. After a long pause, he said, “Sister Xu, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but as I’ve said, this was decided by the elders. In this matter, I truly can do nothing.”

Since he could do nothing, there was nothing more to say.

After a moment of silence between them, Xiao Lun cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.

Xu Rong stood where she was, watching him go.

From this scene alone, it seemed like any other parting of former lovers—affection spent, ties severed, returning to the paths of strangers.

Xu Rong’s gaze was icy.

She wished it were that simple.

She closed her eyes—wearily—then opened them again and froze.

In her line of sight appeared a figure with a cold, determined stride, approaching with unmistakable intensity.

What a coincidence—he shared the same surname as the one who had just left.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed Xiao Xin. At the main gate of the marquis’s residence, where only two or three servants had been idling about to greet guests in the cold weather, seven or eight had now gathered during her conversation with Xiao Lun, all craning their necks to watch and comment.

“The young miss is quite something—meeting with the elder brother, then the younger one.”

“Shh, keep it down. Don’t let her hear you.”

“Hehe, impressive…”