Chapter 31: Xu Jingtian’s Humiliation

Xu Jingtian and the Third Prince, Ling Haoxuan, had been in the study for quite a while before they finally left. The air around them seemed heavy with lingering tension, the weight of secret schemes and hidden motives hanging between the two.

The next morning, a carriage left the Xiping Marquis Residence, heading toward Chongfu Temple.

Summer Qingfeng had just finished her morning meal when a little novice came to deliver a message: someone from the Xiping Marquis Residence had arrived to take her back.

“Who is it?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“The Marquis’s steward,” the young monk replied.

“Please tell the steward that I need to stay in the temple a little longer to accompany Lady Wu of the Wu Pavilion. I won’t be returning just yet.”

“Understood,” the little novice said and left.

Soon after, Xia He came in with news that the steward from the Marquis’s house had departed.

Summer Qingfeng smirked. “Sending only a steward to fetch me… Is this supposed to be a warning?” she muttered, her tone tinged with amusement.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao had been embracing her new freedom. After training, she would stay at the temple, never returning to the manor. Every day, she spent time with Ling Xiaoyu, reading books together. When she came across characters she didn’t recognize, she would ask Ling Xiaoyu. He patiently taught her, and when her small hands couldn’t properly write, he would help her clean up the mess. He looked at her with a doting yet helpless expression, just like in their past life.

Xu Xiaoxiao was certain that this was her lover, Ling Xiaoyu. Even if he didn’t remember their past, she would make him fall in love with her again in this lifetime. She would find a way.

Ling Xiaoyu, on his part, was quite happy as well. He felt as if something important had been returned to him, something he had been missing. Being around Xu Xiaoxiao felt right, and he was determined to protect her no matter what.

Through Xu Xiaoxiao, Ling Xiaoyu had also learned about the plans Summer Qingfeng and her daughter had. He had long suspected that some of the royal family members had been scheming, but he hadn’t realized that they were targeting the Grand Marshal’s estate. The Xiping Marquis Residence wasn’t idle either; they were trying to push around people they thought were weak. If they thought they could bully others just because they were small in stature, they were mistaken. It seemed like the Xiping Marquis Residence might soon find itself irrelevant.

Later, that same morning, Summer Qingfeng sat in the Dharma Hall, as usual, listening to the teachings. A little novice came up to Xia He and whispered something in her ear. Xia He, in turn, stood up and leaned over to Summer Qingfeng, saying that someone from the Xiping Marquis Residence had arrived. The steward’s son, Xu Jingtian, had come to see the madam and young miss.

Summer Qingfeng was unimpressed but knew she had to meet with him. After all, he was her legally recognized husband. She took Xu Xiaoxiao along to meet Xu Jingtian, both of them walking toward the guest area.

When they arrived, Xu Jingtian was waiting for them. He was quite the handsome man, with thick brows, large eyes, and a fair face—one of those types that seemed to be favored by certain women who didn’t know better. However, Summer Qingfeng couldn’t hide her disdain. She had seen through his shallow, self-centered nature long ago.

Xu Jingtian, upon seeing Summer Qingfeng, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of awkwardness. She looked the same as the day he had married her, but there was a difference. There was a coldness in her demeanor now, a sort of aloofness that made him uncomfortable. She wasn’t the same soft, docile woman he had married. 

“Madam,” Xu Jingtian began with a forced smile, “I’ve come to see you and the young miss, to check how you’re both doing in the temple.”

“You should know that I am not someone who enjoys being ‘checked on’ by others,” Summer Qingfeng replied coolly. “But since you are here, you may say what you need to.”

Xu Jingtian’s face faltered for a moment but he quickly recovered. “I’ve heard rumors… and I just wanted to make sure that you are alright.”

Xu Xiaoxiao, still holding onto Ling Xiaoyu’s hand from earlier, glanced up at Xu Jingtian with a strange look in her eyes. He was her father, and yet he felt like a stranger. The memories from their past life tugged at her heart, but she suppressed the surge of emotions and chose to remain silent.

“You’ve heard rumors?” Summer Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “I am not sure what rumors you are referring to, but you should know that the Xiping Marquis Residence does not concern me anymore.”

Her words were sharp, and Xu Jingtian’s expression shifted from one of feigned politeness to one of frustration. It was clear that this was not the warm reception he had hoped for. He had expected some form of submission from his wife, or at least some signs of the meekness she once had. Instead, he was met with a cold, confident woman who clearly didn’t need him.

“I only wish to clarify a few things,” he muttered, clearly displeased by the tension in the air. 

Summer Qingfeng stared at him for a moment, her gaze unwavering. “Then speak quickly,” she said. “But understand this: any business you have with me or my daughter will be handled on my terms, not yours.”

Xu Jingtian’s temper flared, but he controlled it. The last thing he wanted was to lose face in front of these monks and novices. He gave a curt nod, signaling that he had finished with his visit.

“Very well,” he said through gritted teeth. “I will leave for now, but this matter is far from over.”

After he left, Summer Qingfeng watched him go with a look of quiet satisfaction. She had made her point, and it was clear that Xu Jingtian had learned nothing in their time apart. He still believed he could control her, but he was sorely mistaken.

“Come, let’s return to the temple,” Summer Qingfeng said, turning to Xu Xiaoxiao. “We have work to do.”

As they walked back together, Xu Xiaoxiao smiled, her heart light. She had her mother’s strength and her love, and that was all she needed.

But deep down, both mother and daughter knew that the storm was far from over. Xu Jingtian’s arrogance would surely lead to further conflict, and the political games played by the Xiping Marquis Residence had only just begun.

The moment Summer Qingfeng entered the guest hall, she saw a man approaching her with quick steps. Without thinking, he reached out to take her hand. But Summer Qingfeng swiftly dodged, pulling Xu Xiaoxiao behind her.

Xu Jingtian, standing before her, sighed dramatically. “Ah, Feng’er, it’s been so long. How are you? Do you know how much I’ve missed you during these months?”

Summer Qingfeng felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound of “Feng’er” coming from his mouth. His voice carried an insincerity that made the nickname feel more like a weapon than an expression of affection. She barely suppressed the disgust rising within her.

“That day, I came to Chongfu Temple to pray for blessings. By chance, I met Master Kongzhi, and he told me that I have a connection to the Buddha, so I’ve stayed here to focus on prayer and offer blessings for the Xiping Marquis Residence.” Summer Qingfeng spoke in a calm, measured tone, her eyes cast downward with long, delicate lashes trembling slightly. Her posture was serene, her expression composed.

Xu Jingtian raised an eyebrow. This woman was certainly different now. There was an air about her, a quiet elegance, and a sense of unapproachable grace that made her even more intriguing. He couldn’t help but step forward again, reaching out to grab her hand.

But Summer Qingfeng swiftly moved away, her voice cool: “This is the sacred ground of the Buddha, please have some respect.”

Xu Jingtian felt his temper flaring, but he tried to mask it with a forced smile. “Sigh, Feng’er, why are you so distant? Come back with me, it’s been too long. You know, the house is so lonely without you.”

Summer Qingfeng glanced up at him, her gaze sharp. “Lady Wu of the Wu Pavilion and I have become fast friends. She invited me to stay and keep her company for a few more days.”

Xu Jingtian’s face darkened slightly, but he pressed on, trying to sound more earnest. “Feng’er, do you know? The entire time you’ve been gone, I’ve missed you terribly. Can you really bear to make me return alone?”

Her face remained neutral, but the mocking edge to her voice slipped through when she spoke: “Your concubines surround you, and your children cling to you. As for me, the daughter of a disgraced minister, with no dowry to my name, I’m hardly worthy of such kindness.”

Mentioning the dowry caused Xu Jingtian’s face to darken. He gritted his teeth. *What do you keep bringing up your dowry for?* In truth, he’d given her no dowry, and her family had been destitute when they married. It wasn’t as though he had truly fulfilled his obligations as a husband. Yet, she kept bringing up her lack of dowry as if it were a glaring mark of his failure.

Xu Jingtian had come with the expectation of finding a woman more eager to return with him, one who would be humbled by his presence. But what he was met with was a woman who had clearly moved on, whose self-assurance had grown with her time away. And that only further irked him.

His patience began to wear thin. “Wind, don’t be so obstinate,” he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. “We’ve been apart for half a year. Can’t you return with me? Do you really intend to stay here forever?”

Summer Qingfeng’s eyes flashed with disdain, and she responded with a sharp edge. “You may have your beautiful concubines, and your children may surround you, but I am not a woman to be swayed by such things. Don’t think you can control me with your words anymore.”

Her words were a slap to his pride. He stood there for a moment, fuming, but eventually, he managed to mask his anger behind a forced smile. 

“Very well, if you won’t come with me now, I’ll be patient,” he said, though his words were heavy with resentment. “But remember, I won’t tolerate this indifference for long.”

As he turned to leave, Summer Qingfeng muttered to herself, “It’s a shame how some men think they can manipulate others with the same tired tricks. Such arrogance…”

Xu Xiaoxiao, who had been silently standing behind her mother, gave her a sideways glance. “Mother, are we really going to let him go so easily?”

Summer Qingfeng’s lips curved into a wry smile. “Let him go for now, but we’ll see who has the last laugh.”

The two women exchanged a knowing look, a silent understanding passing between them. Xu Jingtian had made his move, but this time, Summer Qingfeng was not the woman she once was. She would not let him have his way. 

As Xu Jingtian stormed out of the guest hall, his anger was palpable. He had come to force Summer Qingfeng back to the Xiping Marquis Residence, but instead, he had been humiliated by both her and the emperor’s grandson, Ling Xiaoyu. The last straw was his encounter with Ling Xiaoyu, who had decisively put him in his place.

“Humph, if that’s the case, then wait here and accompany Old Lady Wu. I’ll return to the residence myself!” Xu Jingtian tossed his words over his shoulder, turning to leave, never sparing a glance at Xu Xiaoxiao.

But just as he reached the door, he collided with a figure that made him stop in his tracks—Ling Xiaoyu, the Emperor’s grandson. 

“Xu Jingtian, you, a mere illegitimate son of the Xiping Marquis, have such a bad temper. You think you’re something special?” Ling Xiaoyu’s voice was sharp, filled with derision.

Xu Jingtian immediately dropped to his knees, his face pale. “Your Highness, Xu Jingtian greets the Emperor’s grandson.”

Ling Xiaoyu scoffed, “Oh? You still know you’re just a ‘grass-root’ commoner? From the way you’re acting, I thought you were some royal relative.” He then walked over to Xu Xiaoxiao, gently pulling her onto a chair beside him.

Xu Jingtian’s eyes widened as he saw his daughter sitting next to the emperor’s grandson. The little girl he had never cared about was now treated with such respect by someone of such high standing. It stung deeply.

Ling Xiaoyu didn’t even glance at Xu Jingtian as he continued, “Your wife has been staying here at Chongfu Temple for more than half a year, doing a great service. And yet, the Xiping Marquis Residence comes to collect her in such a low-key manner? Not only that, but your wife is also cherished by Old Lady Wu, a person even the Emperor respects. Your wife is valued by her, and your child is loved by her. Do you know what a privilege that is? And you come here without a bit of pomp or ceremony to fetch her back? It seems you’re not even willing to let her stay a few more days with the old lady?”

Xu Jingtian was sweating profusely now. His knees were still on the floor as he quickly bowed again. “Your Highness, I am wrong. I will definitely come back to personally greet Madam in a few days.”

Ling Xiaoyu gave a dismissive grunt. “I heard your residence is full of concubines and lowly servants. Why not bring them along to serve outside the carriage?”

“Of course, Your Highness. I will do so. Please rest assured.” Xu Jingtian’s voice quivered with fear.

Ling Xiaoyu waved a hand, signaling for him to leave. “Now go, and don’t come back until you’ve prepared properly.”

Xu Jingtian, feeling utterly humiliated, stumbled to his feet and quickly made his exit, his head hanging low.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao was already dragging Ling Xiaoyu towards the dining room, ignoring her father completely. “Let’s go eat, Master. I’m starving!”

Ling Xiaoyu smiled warmly at her. “Alright, let’s go. I’m sure the pastries you liked before are waiting for us.”

Without sparing Xu Jingtian a second glance, the two of them walked off, leaving him standing there in the dust, feeling like nothing more than a shadow.

Xu Jingtian clenched his fists, trembling with rage. The humiliation of being publicly reprimanded by an eight-year-old child, and in front of his own daughter no less, was unbearable. His face contorted with anger. *How dare they treat me like this?*

A cold, cruel thought entered his mind. He would make them regret this, starting today. *They will pay for this disgrace.*

But his departure, full of fury and spite, went unnoticed. No one cared.