Chapter 5 The False Girl and the True Boy

Xu Rong didn’t have time to think it through.  

The very next day, Madam Xiao from the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion arrived with her newly prepared fiancé, Xiao Xin, in tow. A message came from the main courtyard summoning Xu Rong to meet them.  

Bai Fu panicked, pacing frantically around the room. “Miss, what should we do? How could Madam Xu really listen to the Xiao Family’s schemes? If this goes through—how will you ever live in the future?”  

The absurdity and awkwardness of the situation were beyond words. Just the thought of it made Bai Fu’s legs go weak. She had harbored some faint doubts about Xu Rong before, but now, she cast them all aside. A servant shares her master’s shame—if her mistress was about to suffer, where would she, a mere maid, find her footing?  

Xu Rong reassured her, “It’s fine. It’s just a meeting.”  

Since there was no avoiding the Xiao Family, meeting them would help her assess the situation.  

Granny Qian, who had come to deliver the message, had been closely watching Xu Rong’s expression. Seeing her calm, she sighed in relief and hurriedly instructed Bai Fu to help her dress.  

Granny Qian was Madam Xu’s trusted confidante. Though reluctant, Bai Fu had no choice but to obey.  

This was a task she was accustomed to. In no time, she had styled Xu Rong’s hair, adorned it with a pair of pearl hairpins, applied Snail Ink for her brows, dabbed on Lip Rouge, and dressed her in a new outfit—a seasonal Chrysanthemum Embroidered Pale Yellow Shirt, with Embroidered Shoes peeking out beneath a Twelve-Panel Silk Skirt.  

Once Bai Fu stepped back, Xu Rong turned to examine herself in the mirror. The Gold Pearl Earrings swayed at her cheeks as her lips curved into a smile—she was utterly satisfied.  

Her beauty had reached new heights.  

Granny Qian cautiously urged, “Miss, shouldn’t we be going now?”  

“Let’s go.”  

In high spirits, Xu Rong blinked at her reflection, lifted her skirt, and headed out to meet her guests.  

They were unwelcome guests, arriving with ill intentions.  

But Xu Rong was no pitiful maiden being pushed into a pit by her mother. She stepped over the threshold and glanced up lightly.  

At the head of the room sat two women—one, naturally, was Madam Xu, who plastered on a flustered smile at the sight of Xu Rong. The other was a woman in her forties, plump and composed, her eyes faintly mocking, exuding an air of superiority.  

She looked more like the mistress of the household than Madam Xu did.  

This noblewoman, without a doubt, was Madam Xiao.  

Xu Rong didn’t linger on her. Instead, her gaze shifted to the figure standing slightly behind Madam Xiao.  

A young man.  

He was thin and tall, dressed in an Ink Blue Straight Robe. The fabric was fine, and a small piece of white jade—smooth as Congealed Fat Jade—adorned his cap. At his waist hung a Gourd Jade Pendant of similar quality, along with a pouch and other accessories. His Black Boots were spotless. In short, like Xu Rong, he had clearly dressed up for the occasion.  

But only external appearances could be polished.  

The young man’s head hung low, revealing only a stretch of pale neck. His face was barely visible. His shoulders were straight—no sign of a hunch—but his feet were splayed slightly apart, betraying a hint of listlessness.  

An awkward air clung to him, the very picture of a troubled youth.  

Xu Rong arched a brow and stepped forward.  

She approached to offer her greetings. Madam Xu, ever indulgent in trivial matters, immediately rose to support her. “Enough, you’ve only just recovered. Don’t strain yourself.”  

The very image of a doting mother.  

Madam Xiao, seated to the right, let out a faint, inscrutable chuckle at the sight before turning to instruct, “Second Young Master, you should greet the young lady as well.”

The problem youth didn’t move his feet or his head, maintaining that lazy posture, merely raising his hand in a casual salute toward Xu Rong and saying, “Greetings, sister-in-law.”

…

Madam Xiao’s expression changed.

Madam Xu’s face turned pale, then flushed, her reaction even more pronounced.

In the frozen atmosphere of the room, Xu Rong curved her lips and returned the greeting with a smile: “And to you.”

After speaking, she cast an amused glance toward Madam Xiao—daring to bring along such a troublemaker?

No business deal could survive this.

Though her expression had shifted, Madam Xiao held her ground, lowering her voice to admonish: “Second Young Master, such mischief might be tolerated at home, but must you carry it outside as well?”

The youth remained silent, merely letting his hand drop back to his side, appearing either chastened or indifferent—it was hard to tell.

Madam Xiao’s expression grew colder still, while Madam Xu suddenly found inspiration and quickly interjected: “Madam Xiao, since your family hasn’t reached an agreement either, perhaps we should call this matter off?”

At least she was trying to stand up for Xu Rong.

Madam Xiao’s gaze shifted over, but she replied coolly: “Madam Xu, what a jest. How can we treat marriage matters so capriciously? The Second Young Master is young and foolish—surely you won’t hold it against him?”

Though ostensibly scolding Xiao Xin, her words implicitly rebuked Madam Xu as well. Skilled at winning others over with tears but lacking in verbal sparring, Madam Xu was immediately silenced.

Madam Xiao, ever the decisive one, continued: “Well, our discussions as elders may not interest you youngsters. Why don’t you go out for a stroll to clear your minds?”

She glanced meaningfully at Madam Xu.

Madam Xu said haltingly, “…Rong’er, the garden is in full bloom. Since this is Second Young Master Xiao’s first visit to our home, why don’t you play host and show him around?”

Lacking Madam Xiao’s commanding presence, her tone ended on a tentative note. Xu Rong, indifferent, nodded: “Very well.”

Madam Xu immediately exhaled in relief.

Madam Xiao paid her no further mind, her slightly relaxed eyelids lifting as she fixed the youth Xiao Xin with a stare and said: “Behave yourself. Don’t forget Wei Shi’s teachings.”

It sounded like an ordinary reminder, especially after Xiao Xin’s shocking remark that left everyone uncomfortable. But as Xu Rong turned to wait for him, she saw him abruptly raise his head, jaw clenched, his sharp profile and fierce, piercing gaze—

Xu Rong finally got a clear look at his face.

It matched his demeanor perfectly—no gentle features here. A stormy intensity gathered between his brows, his outward gloominess dulling what might have been handsome features.

As she studied him, Xiao Xin slowly unclenched his jaw, his expression smoothing into cold compliance—or perhaps it was more like hurling out a single word: “Understood.”

Out to stroll in the garden.

Madam Xu’s claim had been inaccurate—what flowers could possibly be “in full bloom” in late autumn? The osmanthus had mostly fallen, while the chrysanthemums lining the path, neglected by lazy gardeners during the Xu Huazhang affair, drooped listlessly, exuding decay.

Had Xu Rong actually been the family head, she might have felt embarrassed by this display. Fortunately, she was neither, nor had she come to truly admire the garden. Spotting a hexagonal pavilion with stone table and chairs, she casually walked in.

The garden offered little worth seeing—better to order some tea and snacks and rest awhile.

Xu Rong instructed Bai Fu accordingly.

Bai Fu hesitated: “Miss, shall I go now?”

Xu Rong didn’t travel with many attendants at home, and only Bai Fu had followed her out this time. With her departure—the young lady and that Xiao Xin would be left alone together, unchaperoned.

Xu Rong didn’t see anything wrong with it: “What’s the matter? Is it not mealtime yet? Then just bring whatever’s ready in the kitchen.”

Bai Fu was baffled by her composure. The young lady was different now—full of ideas, and ideas Bai Fu would never have thought of. Bai Fu found herself thoroughly subdued without realizing it and didn’t feel she could raise any objections. Hesitating, she eventually left.

The garden was now empty, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. Though the scenery wasn’t particularly beautiful, it was peaceful.

Xiao Xin stood outside the pavilion, not entering. His head was lowered again, and from a few steps away, he stared at his shoes as he spoke: “Miss Xu.”

His tone was cold and distant, but the address itself was perfectly proper.

It seemed that hostility wasn’t indiscriminate after all.

Xu Rong responded amiably, “Second Young Master Xiao, please speak your mind.”

“This matter won’t come to pass. Don’t dwell on it.”

When he said “this matter,” Xiao Xin didn’t bother to hide the disgust and aversion dripping from his voice.

Xu Rong wasn’t surprised, just mildly intrigued: “Oh? Does Second Young Master Xiao have a plan?”

Xiao Xin answered without hesitation: “That’s none of your concern.”

Clearly, he had no intention of further discussion.

Xu Rong studied him for a moment, noting the resolute air about him, and understood. She smiled. “Are you planning to run away from home?”

Xiao Xin’s brows twitched. He jerked his head up, his icy gaze piercing straight at her.

Given the ties between their families, he had naturally met Xu Rong before, but the encounters were few and left little impression. Until now, she had occupied only two words in his memory: female.

This was his first real look at her today—and likely the first time he had truly regarded this unfortunate former sister-in-law.

She had a delicate appearance—fair skin, refined features, a slight flaw at her temple that did nothing to diminish her beauty but instead accentuated the brightness in her eyes. Her pale yellow gown lent her an air of fragility, giving her an overall slender, almost frail impression.

Xiao Xin averted his gaze.

No particular thoughts. She was just unfamiliar. Noble young ladies in the capital mostly looked like this.

Xu Rong strolled out of the pavilion, smiling. “Seems I guessed right.”

Xiao Xin neither confirmed nor denied it. His expression cooled again as he only countered, “Why would you say that?”

Xu Rong answered with a smile, “Because I was thinking the same thing.”

Xiao Xin was taken aback. His surprise was evident before quickly turning into realization.

Compared to him, Xu Rong’s situation was far more difficult. She was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ji’an Manor, once held in the highest esteem. Now, struck by misfortune—jilted, disfigured—she couldn’t even hide at home to nurse her shame but was being pushed into sacrificing her future to clean up her brother’s mess.

If his resentment was five parts, hers ought to be ten.

Yet, he saw no trace of hardship on Xu Rong’s face. She remained smiling, her expression bright: “Second Young Master Xiao, since we share the same stance, I hope you don’t mind me asking—how do you plan to go about it?”

Xiao Xin frowned slightly. “What?”

Just leave. What was there to plan?

So young.

Xu Rong sighed with emotion, looking at his face—still youthful despite the gloom and temper that couldn’t hide his boyishness—and smiled. “Are you leaving alone? Where do you plan to go? How will you settle in a foreign place? At your age, you should still be studying, right? Or perhaps training in martial arts? How will you continue your future—”

Xiao Xin couldn’t take it anymore. His expression darkened as he interrupted her, “Miss Xu, that’s not one question.”

It was endless!  

Where did all these words come from? And what did any of it have to do with her?  

Xu Rong nodded with a smile, admitting, “True. But, Second Young Master Xiao, each of my questions is important. Unless I’m mistaken, it seems you don’t yet have a complete plan for these matters?”  

Xiao Xin’s thin lips parted slightly, then firmly closed again after a moment. His lashes lowered halfway as his gaze swept over her dismissively.  

It was like a restrained eye roll.  

Xu Rong: “…”  

Being repeatedly pushed away and even met with an eye roll should have made her angry, yet she found it hard to stay upset.  

This young body housed a genuinely youthful soul—even his aloofness felt vibrant, unlike her.  

This made her naturally lenient.  

“Second Young Master Xiao, don’t misunderstand. I mean no harm. It’s just that we’re both victims here. Perhaps we could form an alliance and think of another way,” Xu Rong patiently explained. “Even if you must leave, you can’t just storm off impulsively. You need to plan your next steps. You’re still young and might not yet understand the saying, ‘At home, you’re comfortable for a thousand days; outside, every step is a struggle’—”  

Xiao Xin listened as this clearly unfamiliar girl rambled at him, his gaze growing increasingly impatient and mocking.  

“I don’t understand?” He cut her off. “Miss Xu, I think it’s you who doesn’t understand.”  

“Do you really think Madam Xiao sent me out with you just to admire flowers? Wrong. She ordered me to take advantage of you—so that if you don’t marry me, you’ll never marry anyone else.”  

The Xiao Xin who uttered these words could no longer be described merely as “gloomy.” It was as if a dark cloud loomed over his head, his voice low and hoarse—a result of suppressed resentment, anger, and defiance. “I’m too young? Sister-in-law, you’re the naive one here.”  

Xu Rong: “…”  

Well.  

This was awkward.  

She truly hadn’t expected Madam Xiao, who appeared every bit the dignified noblewoman—far more respectable than her own mother—to stoop so low as to resort to such underhanded tactics.  

After three seconds of awkward silence, Xu Rong decisively made up her mind—the conversation had to continue. Madam Xiao had exposed her true character, but Xiao Xin had also revealed his. This was an unusually proud young man, his head held high. The mere idea of carrying out such orders, let alone actually doing so, was an insult to him.  

Given the limited options in this unfamiliar world, she couldn’t let go of such a rare potential ally. The specifics of their cooperation could be discussed later.  

To lighten the mood, Xu Rong, after collecting herself, said as casually as possible, “Oh, that’s quite the plot twist?”  

Xiao Xin: “…”  

Xiao Xin: “…?”