Chapter 25 The Toad Palace and the Golden Osmanthus

“Bring Sister Jiang here!”

At Madam Xiao’s command, Sister Jiang, who had just left not long ago, was dragged back in.

She had a shrewd and capable appearance, with high cheekbones and a broad face, neatly dressed as she knelt by the door: “This servant greets Madam.”

Madam Xiao confronted her directly: “What nonsense did you spout this morning when the people from the north courtyard came to fetch their meal?”

The north courtyard referred to the small courtyard where the newlyweds resided. Due to its remote location and years of disuse, it hadn’t even been given a proper name—people simply referred to it by its direction.

“Reporting to Madam—”

Sister Jiang couldn’t help but glance toward Xu Rong and Xiao Xin. She had bumped into them earlier but, after a moment of surprise, had left without a second thought. Who knew the fire would land on her? As for the Second Young Master—well, he was one thing, but this newly married Second Young Mistress was nothing more than a fallen phoenix. Whether Madam Xiao liked her or not, the servants knew best.

And knowing that, there was nothing to fear.

Sister Jiang smoothly deflected: “When each household comes to collect their meals and snacks, this servant follows the kitchen’s usual practices. Occasionally, in the rush, one or two mistakes might happen, but as for offending the masters—this servant wouldn’t dare even if she lost her mind!”

“You definitely said it—I heard it clearly!” Xin Cheng blurted out impatiently. With Xu Rong clearly backing her, she had no fear and recounted every word faithfully.

“—The masters of the household all eat like this, and if we refuse, we’re being difficult to serve. Isn’t that what you said?” Xin Cheng pressed right up to Sister Jiang’s face.

She had her own pressure too—she was the one who had relayed the words. If this confrontation went south, the blame would fall squarely on her.

Sister Jiang was stunned into silence.

She had guessed the new bride had likely complained about the shrimp cake incident, so she had already prepared her defense—the so-called “occasional mistake or two.” But she hadn’t expected Xu Rong to bypass that entirely and seize upon the offhand remark she’d used to dismiss and even mock them, turning it into such a clever accusation!

“Madam, this servant didn’t—didn’t—”

But her hesitation came too late.

Madam Xiao wasn’t the type to patiently argue with servants. She immediately ordered, “Strip Sister Jiang of her duties and drag her out—”

Then, suddenly, she paused and looked at Xu Rong.

The realization struck her.

She shouldn’t have called the servant over in the first place. Without this confrontation, she would’ve had more room to maneuver. She could’ve simply scolded Xu Rong for lying—as the mother-in-law, she had every right to do so.

Xu Rong smiled faintly. It seemed Madam Xiao wasn’t as easily fooled as her nominal mother, Madam Xu.

But this was enough.

Sure enough, after staring at Xu Rong for a moment, Madam Xiao slowly finished her sentence: “Give her twenty lashes.”

Those who bungled their tasks and made her lose face deserved punishment.

“Madam, Madam, have mercy—this servant didn’t mean it—”

Amidst the shrill cries, Sister Jiang was dragged away.

Madam Xiao reached for her teacup, her gaze returning to Xu Rong.

There was indeed some cleverness here—she hadn’t noticed it before.

“Madam.”

A maid reported from outside the door, her tone cautious, likely due to Sister Jiang’s lingering wails. “The Marquis sent this servant to inform you that it’s late today, and he has matters to attend to outside. The newlyweds’ tea ceremony might as well be postponed until tomorrow.”

Madam Xiao’s fingers paused on the teacup lid. “What matters? Didn’t the Marquis take leave from the yamen these past two days for Erlang’s wedding?”

The maid replied cautiously, “It seems he’s going to visit someone who came from the old capital to the city. As for the specific reason, Lord Xiao didn’t mention it, and this servant didn’t dare to ask.”

Madam Xiao frowned slightly. “I see. You may go.”

The maid hastily retreated.

“You go—” Madam Xiao started to instruct one of her senior maids but stopped after two words. Her gaze swept over Xu Rong and Xiao Xin as she remarked indifferently, “You both heard? Grown adults making such a fuss over a simple misunderstanding, wasting Lord Xiao’s time. Enough, both of you may go. The tea ceremony can wait until tomorrow.”

With that, she dismissed them.

**

As they stepped out of the courtyard, Xu Rong heard Sister Jiang’s pained cries.

She had been dragged to the ground not far away, still enduring her twenty lashes. A small crowd had already gathered to watch the commotion.

Xu Rong didn’t want to look, but Xiao Xin stopped in his tracks.

He watched expressionlessly as the bamboo rod rose and fell.

Xu Rong understood. The bowl of noodles Wei Shi had personally prepared months ago, the plate of stale shrimp cakes delivered this morning—though just glimpses, they revealed how much this mother and son had suffered in silence. Or perhaps not so silently.

She moved slightly behind Xiao Xin. Understanding didn’t mean she could stomach such corporal punishment.

Xiao Xin turned abruptly. “Let’s go.”

His sudden movement made Xu Rong ask instinctively, “Second Young Master, aren’t you going to watch?”

Xiao Xin replied flatly, “No. There’s nothing worth seeing.”

Noticing how Xu Rong followed beside him with visible relief, he thought to himself: So she’s rather timid after all.

Even her outspoken maid was peeking through her fingers while covering her eyes.

Unaware of his silent judgment, Xu Rong found her ears mercifully free of the punishment sounds and couldn’t help pondering again.

Madam Xiao’s reaction was intriguing. Xu Rong suspected she had hurriedly scolded them to free herself to investigate Lord Xiao’s whereabouts.

But upon reflection, that seemed unlikely—would she really monitor him so closely? They were long-married; surely she wouldn’t still treat him like a thief.

Unable to puzzle it out, she abandoned the thought as they reached their courtyard. The morning’s events had taken their toll—her back ached even more now.

Entering the courtyard, Xu Rong collapsed onto the heated kang in the Warm Pavilion. “Someone free? Help massage my back and legs.”

Hong Liu eagerly volunteered, “Me! Miss, let me do it.”

She and Qing Zao, being younger, were usually spared heavy chores by Xu Rong. Both knew this and eagerly seized such small opportunities to prove themselves.

The warm kang beneath her, the beauty massage hammer wrapped in red silk tapping rhythmically against her back—Xu Rong stretched comfortably, pulling a pillow under her head.

Though midmorning wasn’t her usual naptime, the cozy atmosphere lulled her eyelids downward. Through drowsy ears, she heard Bai Fu moving quietly in the outer chamber, likely unpacking their belongings…

Then she drifted asleep.

She awoke to Bai Fu’s gentle call: “Miss, miss, time to rise for lunch.”

“…Hmm?”

Xu Rong sat up clutching the quilt—her maids must have covered her—and blinked at the bright daylight outside. Rubbing her face, she finally responded, “I’m up. Has Second Young Master been invited?”

As soon as Xiao Xin returned, he parted ways with her and went into the eastern side chamber.

Bai Fu said, “I’ll go after the young lady has freshened up.”

Xu Rong stepped down from the kang while giving her a glance: “What’s the matter?”

She noticed Bai Fu’s tone carried some reluctance, which was unusual.

Bai Fu didn’t speak at first, adjusting Xu Rong’s clothes before finally muttering, “The second young master shows no consideration for you at all.”

Xu Rong asked curiously, “What?”

She had only taken a nap—where did this come from?

“The kitchen sent over lunch. Seeing you were still asleep, I went to tell the second young master that you were tired and asked him to wait. Or if he was hungry, he could eat first and leave some for you.”

Xu Rong nodded—that sounded reasonable. “What did the second young master say?”

“He asked me why you were sleeping during the day.”

Xu Rong burst into laughter.

That was exactly the kind of thing Xiao Xin would say—she was sure of it.

Bai Fu grew anxious. She was crouched by Xu Rong’s feet, smoothing out the slightly wrinkled hem of her skirt, and looked up. “How can you laugh, young lady? Doesn’t the second young master know why you’re exhausted? He didn’t even ask after you or come to see you—just turned around and left.”

Xiao Xin truly had no idea.

After all, he hadn’t done anything.

Xu Rong chuckled and pulled her up. “I was just sleeping—what’s there to see? You mentioned the kitchen sent lunch?”

“Yes. Since you were asleep, I didn’t rush Xin Cheng to fetch it, but the kitchen sent someone over on their own.” Bai Fu’s attention was diverted as she continued, “I checked carefully—there were no issues this time.”

Xu Rong nodded. “They reacted quickly.”

The warning example had worked so well—it seemed the servants trained by Madam Xiao were truly efficient.

“Alright, set the table and invite the second young master over.”

The meal passed in silence. Xiao Xin didn’t ask her about napping during the day—in fact, he didn’t speak at all. After finishing a large bowl of rice without looking up, he returned to the eastern side chamber.

The whole process was as brisk as a military march.

A while later, Xin Cheng came in carrying a small white porcelain teapot and exclaimed, “The second young master is so diligent! I heard him reciting again over there.”

Xu Rong felt a sense of recognition and remarked, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

She had been the same way in school. The only difference was that after meals, she had to help the cafeteria with chores like clearing dishes and wiping tables to earn a monthly subsidy of three hundred yuan. But in return, she was alone, without the family troubles Xiao Xin faced, so her mindset could be more single-minded.

Much later, she leisurely finished her meal, sipped some tea, and took two laps around the courtyard as post-meal exercise.

Through the window, she could see Xiao Xin bent over his desk, holding a book. He seemed to be reciting—eyes closed, lips moving. After a while, he would open his eyes to glance at the text before closing them again to continue.

Throughout Xu Rong’s two laps, he never once looked out the window.

Xu Rong: “…”

With that level of focus and discipline, it felt like she was set to win effortlessly.

Smart and hardworking—he could probably even top the imperial exams.

Xu Rong sighed in admiration. Choosing the right partner really was crucial. There was nothing better than watching someone else strive while she did nothing.

A sudden cold wind swirled through the courtyard, making the red silk ribbon tied to the withered tree at the entrance tremble.

Xu Rong also shivered. Bai Fu came out of the main hall holding a cloak and, seeing this, quickened her steps to approach: “It’s still cold outside, miss. Why did you come out without adding more layers?”

Xu Rong took the cloak and draped it over herself, then turned to look at the withered tree: “This tree isn’t good. When the weather warms up, we’ll buy another one to plant in its place.”

Bai Fu nodded: “What kind of tree does the miss prefer? I’ll make a note to tell the servants outside and have Hong Liu’s father handle it.”

Xu Rong thought for a moment: “An osmanthus tree.”

She had planted one by the courtyard gate at the Marquis of Ji’an Manor—fragrant, and with auspicious symbolism.

Plucking the laurel from the moon.