“Your room has been cleaned and prepared in the side wing. Your things have already been moved. Starting tonight, you’ll stay there,” Xin An declared as Tang Mo entered the Autumn Harvest Courtyard. She stood with the unmistakable authority of the mistress of the house, banishing him from his rightful place.
Tang Mo let out a mocking laugh, feigning indifference. “As if I’d want to share a room with you.”
Xin An ignored him entirely, her patience worn thin after a long, chaotic day. Though her body was youthful, her soul felt aged, burdened by weariness. She was determined to rest, hoping to rejuvenate both her spirit and her attitude.
That evening, Tang Mo begrudgingly settled into the side wing. Not long after he entered, a maid named Nan Feng brought in water to serve him. Moments later, the sound of a furious “Get out!” echoed from the room, followed by Nan Feng fleeing in tears.
Curious, Chunyang went to investigate and returned with a smirk. “Apparently, Nan Feng has been serving Second Young Master since childhood and was hoping to become his concubine after his marriage. She tried her luck tonight, only to be thrown out.”
“Serves her right!” said Chunlü, helping Xin An remove her hairpins. “At least Second Young Master seems straightforward compared to the pomp and ceremony around the Heir.”
Xin An raised an eyebrow, amused. “The Heir certainly enjoys his comforts. He even has two personal maids, Xueyu and Yingyue. They’re pretty, educated, and perfectly suited for a refined gentleman like him. I wonder if they’ve been as obedient in this lifetime as they were in the last.”
Chunlü, arranging Xin An’s hair, chuckled. “I still think Second Young Master is more genuine, even if he’s rough around the edges.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Chunyang scolded. “Today he even talked about strangling our lady. He looked serious enough to make me worried. We’ll need to be extra careful from now on.”
Xin An laughed. “Don’t worry. He’s all talk. He wouldn’t dare.”
She adjusted a ruby earring and turned to her maids. “Keep an eye on the household, especially Spring Blossom Courtyard. Report anything amusing to me. I could use some entertainment.”
Chunlü nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t worry, ma’am. Now that we’re rivals with Spring Blossom Courtyard, we won’t miss a chance to see their missteps.”
Meanwhile, in his new quarters, Tang Mo lay awake, straining to hear sounds from Xin An’s room. Perhaps she’d start mumbling in her sleep, and he could sneak over to extract more secrets.
At dawn, Xin An rose to prepare for the ceremony of serving tea as a new bride. Her maids carefully dressed her, while Tang Mo, having lost Nan Feng’s service, struggled to dress himself and had a young servant boy, Lai Lai, help comb his hair.
Adjusting her appearance in the mirror, Xin An sought to brighten her expression. Before she could perfect her look, Tang Mo’s mocking voice cut through the air.
“You should smile more. You’re so stiff and sour—like an old lady who’s had enough of life.”
Xin An’s maids bristled with indignation. Chunyang snapped, “How could she smile after all she’s endured? She’s barely slept, and you expect her to act like nothing happened?”
Chunlü chimed in, “If she were all smiles now, people would think she’s thrilled to have traded husbands!”
Tang Mo smirked. “You two maids have quite the attitude.”
Xin An turned, her ruby earrings catching the light. “Your maid was so ‘sweet and considerate,’ yet you threw her out. My maids are new and unsure of your preferences. Perhaps they thought you liked the ‘fierce and menacing’ type.”
Her maids, emboldened by her words, puffed up proudly while continuing to dress her. They brought her a sweet soup and peach blossom pastries for breakfast, leaving Tang Mo entirely ignored.
Watching this camaraderie, Tang Mo’s stomach growled. No one even noticed I haven’t eaten. Aren’t I worthy of a meal? Already sidelined!
As Xin An and Tang Mo left the courtyard, they encountered Tang Rong and Tao Yiran waiting at the gate. With his ever-present polite smile, Tang Rong greeted them, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, let’s head over together.”
Tang Mo barely suppressed an eye roll. Here he goes again, putting on a show of brotherly love and unity.
While Tang Rong’s time in the ancestral hall had been cut short after just an hour, Tang Mo knew he wouldn’t have been so lucky. If it were me, I’d be kneeling until my legs broke.
Xin An studied the pair. Tang Rong, ever the master of appearances, showed no sign of discomfort despite the prior day’s drama. Tao Yiran, stunning as ever, was adorned in festive colors. Her bright eyes and delicate blush betrayed her recent intimacy with Tang Rong.
As Tao Yiran’s gaze met Xin An’s, her confidence faltered. Unlike her composed self in the past, she now seemed unsettled, her lashes fluttering as she looked away. Tang Rong, noticing her discomfort, tenderly held her hand and led her ahead.
Xin An and Tang Mo exchanged knowing glances. Without speaking, they both silently mocked their former partners: See? The ones you trusted never cared about you.
For Xin An, her love for Tang Rong had long since burned out, replaced by disdain. Tang Mo, on the other hand, felt a complex mix of emotions. His disappointment in Tao Yiran was raw, but he resolved to move forward with renewed clarity.
Crossing the gardens and bridge, the group arrived at the hall, where Tang Gang, Lady Wang, and other family members, including Tang Yong and his family, were already waiting.
A servant announced their arrival with a beaming smile, “The Heir and the Heir’s Wife, along with Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress, have arrived.”
Tang Rong and Tao Yiran entered first. Behind them, Tang Mo thoughtfully helped Xin An over the threshold.
As he did so, he recalled Xin An’s earlier remark about how his father valued appearances. He decided to put it to the test, starting with this gesture of newfound maturity.
After all, he was now an official with an important appointment—though he hadn’t reported for duty yet.
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