The news of the bride entering the wrong bridal chamber spread through the Marquis’s residence like wildfire. At the Spring Blossoms Courtyard, where Tang Rong and Tao Yiran resided, the servants were on edge at the crack of dawn. However, Tang Rong quickly stabilized the situation.
Next door, in the Autumn Harvest Courtyard, things had initially been chaotic but were soon quieted down by a single angry roar from Tang Mo.
By the time Madame Wang and the matriarch arrived at the Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Tang Mo and Xin An were already up, still dressed in their wedding robes. Without needing to discuss it, the two instinctively knew how to handle what was to come.
Half-asleep, with one of them red-eyed and portraying a look of utter despair while the other exuded the grumpiness of someone rudely awakened, they played their roles convincingly. Tang Mo, despite his irritable demeanor, didn’t let on that his mood was purely due to lack of sleep.
Seeing Xin An’s slightly swollen eyelids,Madame Wang immediately stepped forward, taking her hand affectionately. “My dear child, you’ve suffered such injustice.”
Tang Mo, seething with rage, clenched his teeth. “When I realized the mistake last night, I went to confront my elder brother. Who would’ve thought he’d act so quickly? We’d only just parted at the courtyard gate, and by the time I got to him, he had already ‘retired’ for the night. Was he that eager to consummate the marriage?”
“Drunk to the point of not recognizing anyone, yet capable of entering the bridal chamber? He truly has remarkable skills.”
With Tang Mo leading the charge, Xin An only needed to lower her gaze and let tears stream down her cheeks. Strangely, she felt a sense of relief. In her previous life, Tang Rong had played the role of the noble gentleman, always forcing her to fight for everything while he reaped the benefits without so much as a word of thanks, often even criticizing her for her efforts.
“My elder brother must give me an explanation for this,” Tang Mo demanded relentlessly.
The family matriarch, already partial to Tang Mo, now viewed him even more favorably. He was, after all, handling such a grave injustice with composure and respect for the family’s reputation. In contrast, the couple in the neighboring courtyard seemed utterly lacking in decorum.
“Good child, Grandmother knows you’ve been wronged,” the matriarch said gently. “But what’s done is done. No matter how much we dislike it, we have to accept it.”
She spoke earnestly, and Madame Wang followed with comforting words for Xin An, though her focus was on persuading Tang Mo. “He’s your elder brother. Even if he’s at fault, it’s up to your father and grandmother to address it. There’s no need for you to shout about it.”
“Xin An is a a good girl. Marrying her is a blessing for you. Don’t take it for granted.”
“You call that comforting him?” the matriarch snapped at Madame Wang. “Why are you reprimanding him? The second young master has already endured enough. As a mother, you should be consoling him, not scolding.”
Softening her tone, she turned back to Xin An. “My dear child, Grandmother knows you’ve suffered greatly. Rest assured, I won’t let this wrong go unanswered. Your parents have been summoned to discuss the matter, and you will be given an explanation.”
Xin An nodded, tears still in her eyes. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Good child, don’t cry. Fix yourself up, you’re a beautiful new bride. I have a set of jewelry adorned with rare pigeon-blood rubies that will suit you perfectly. I’ll have it sent over for you to wear today, alright?”
“Everything will be as Grandmother arranges,” Xin An replied obediently.
Xin An knew the headpieces well. In her previous life, she had worked hard to please the matriarch. After saving her from a stroke, she had been gifted the same set of jewelry. But no sooner had she received it than Tang Rong declared that such grand, eye-catching ornaments were unbefitting of a noblewoman like her and better suited for Tao Yiran.
Back then, blind and foolish, Xin An had handed the jewelry to Tao Yiran, who had pretended to refuse it but ultimately wore it the very next day. The matriarch had been displeased, and all of Xin An’s efforts to win her favor had been in vain.
Thinking of this, Xin An felt a surge of frustration. She silently berated herself for being so spineless.
Seeing her composed and cooperative demeanor, the matriarch was pleased. Madame Wang smiled and mentioned that she had prepared a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with gemstones for her daughter-in-law. “They’ll complement the headpieces beautifully.”
She ordered someone to fetch the jewelry. For someone who had known poverty, such treasures were a reminder of their worth. After the household was raided in her past life, Xin An had struggled to provide for everyone. Though her mother had secretly sent her valuables, the family’s scandal made selling them difficult, and they fetched little money. Those days of anxiety and sleepless nights left her with an indelible mark of hardship.
Upon hearing this, Xin An stood and curtsied deeply. “With Grandmother and Mother here, I feel at ease. Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Mother.”
As soon as the matriarch and Madame Wang departed, the jewelry was delivered. The sight of the dazzling headpieces made Tang Mo click his tongue in amusement. “I remember these ended up with you before, but you couldn’t hold onto them.”
Picking up a bird-shaped hairpin, Xin An sighed. “When the household was raided, we couldn’t take anything with us. Who knows whose hands this ended up in?”
Ignoring Tang Mo’s probing gaze, she called for Chunyang to help her dress. The maid, still teary-eyed, avoided speaking in Tang Mo’s presence.
“What should the young lady wear today?” Chunyang asked tentatively, hoping this marriage might still unravel.
“I’m newly married, so something festive to match the jewelry,” Xin An replied.
As a child, Xin An had always worn the finest clothes and brightest jewels, enjoying lively and colorful occasions. To please Tang Rong, however, she had dressed plainly, like a nun. Now, she detested such attire.
“Take all those drab, plain clothes out of my trunk and give them away. I don’t care what you do with them, but I don’t want to see them again.”
Seeing her so composed, the old servant Wang smiled approvingly. “I’ve always said, the second young mistress is too beautiful for such drab clothes. The master worked so hard to give you the best—fine silks and dazzling jewels.”
“In the capital, married ladies dress in vibrant colors, competing for attention. It’s a feast for the eyes.”
Tears welled in Xin An’s eyes. Her father had worked tirelessly to provide for her, not to have her sacrifice everything for Tang Rong’s ambitions.
“I was wrong before,” she murmured. “But this marriage is settled. From now on, I am the second young mistress of the Marquis’s household. Go pay your respects to the second young master.”
Tang Mo raised an eyebrow. Was she planning to cling to him?
Then again, with her scheming nature and eagerness to claim everything in sight, perhaps they were a match. At least she was better than the ungrateful Tao Yiran.
The servant Wang led the Xin family staff to pay respects to Tang Mo. Generously, he gave each a reward of twelve taels of silver for good fortune.
Not to be outdone, Xin An followed suit, gifting the household staff the same amount.
The twelve taels—a year’s salary—left everyone overjoyed. Their enthusiastic gratitude filled the courtyard with laughter, lifting Xin An’s spirits.
Her generosity delighted the servants, earning smiles and thanks without a single murmur of disdain for her as vulgar or money-obsessed.
The joyous sounds from the Autumn Harvest Courtyard drifted over the wall to the Spring Blossom Courtyard, where Tang Rong, unaware of the situation, remained in the bedroom pouring his heart out to Tao Yiran.
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