Chapter 130: The Ruse

Red Apricot had not expected the Second Miss to be so calm about the matter.

Upon reflection, it made sense.

They were only days away from leaving the Xu residence; what did it matter whether the lady of the house or Liu Cui was triumphant?

Whoever it was, the Second Miss was still the mistress upon her return, and no one could afford to neglect her.

“But you still need to choose your dowry maids and attendants carefully. After all, someone must be by your side to serve you, and someone must help manage the estate.”

Hearing this, Xu Ruo Jin took the list over.

There was no need to mention the dowry maids—they included Chun Cao and Hong Xing, both first-class senior maids, while Xiao Ke and Yang Tao were second-class. The list also contained names of maids from other courtyards, some of whom Xu Ruo Jin had met once or twice.

As for the attendants...

Xu Ruo Jin searched carefully for the name He Miao but found none.

This was a hidden move by Concubine Liu, waiting for Xu Ruo Jin to ask before she could call in this favor and secure an alliance.

Hong Xing noticed Xu Ruo Jin’s face fall and was puzzled, unaware of the reason.

Chun Cao came over, inquiring kindly, “Is Sister He Miao on the list?”

Only then did Hong Xing realize, “Ah, she’s not. I’ll go find her right now.”

“No need,” Xu Ruo Jin stopped Hong Xing and instructed Chun Cao, “After dinner, take the time to visit He Miao. Have her and her husband manage the household affairs and wait for my instructions.”

“Yes,” Chun Cao agreed, but Hong Xing still stood there, confused.

Xu Ruo Jin didn’t want to leave Xu Zi Mo alone outside; she patted Hong Xing on the shoulder.

“You haven’t been away from Concubine Liu long, yet you don’t notice her changes? Where has your cleverness gone? Think carefully, and you’ll understand.”

Hong Xing nodded blankly, while Xu Ruo Jin went outside to have tea with Xu Zi Mo.

Seeing Hong Xing still puzzled, Chun Cao pulled her aside and whispered, “Why are you so stuck on this? Doesn’t Concubine Liu know how much the Second Miss cares about He Miao?”

Hong Xing nodded immediately. “Of course she does, otherwise, why would I be so confused?”

“The absence of He Miao’s name on the list means she’s waiting for the Second Miss to send someone...”

When Chun Cao finished, Hong Xing suddenly understood, her expression darkening. “To scheme against the Second Miss like this—is it worth it?”

“That’s why the Second Miss said what she did just now.”

Hong Xing was displeased, and Chun Cao went ahead to prepare the wedding clothes.

She needed to call Yang Tao for help, or the embroidery would never be finished...

Meanwhile, Xu Zi Mo was feeling very downhearted these days.

Since the household started to unravel, he had been cast aside, ignored by everyone.

Whenever he came to see his second sister, she was either studying or making wine. If he lingered, his mother would drag him away sternly, forbidding him from getting too close to his sister.

Now that his second sister’s marriage had shifted from the Zhang family to the Liang family, it made no difference in his eyes.

What saddened him most was losing his playmate.

Xu Ruo Jin noticed his listlessness, smiled, poured him a cup of hot tea, and asked, “Why so glum?”

“Second Sister, once you marry, will you still come back often?”

Xu Zi Mo asked seriously. Xu Ruo Jin hesitated, then shook her head. “That will be difficult. Maybe only during festivals.”

“Can I come visit you?”

He puffed out his chubby face and mumbled, “Big Brother doesn’t come back, Mother doesn’t show up, and if Second Sister leaves too, I’ll be all alone! Father has no time for me and even put a concubine in charge. I feel... I feel life’s just unbearable!”

“Why can’t you live with a concubine in charge?”

Xu Ruo Jin suspected this wasn’t Xu Zi Mo’s own idea but influenced by someone around him.

“Qi Er said since Mother doesn’t manage the money anymore, and the concubine does, my monthly allowance will be much less,” Xu Zi Mo bit his lip and frowned. “Besides, Mother subsidizes more than half my expenses every month.”

“Then go ask Father for it.”

Seeing his distraction, Xu Ruo Jin said, “If you find home boring, come to Liang’s house to find me.”

Xu Zi Mo’s eyes brightened. “Can I really come?”

“Of course.”

“That’s great!”

Relieved, Xu Zi Mo sighed deeply. “This was the worst thing. Now that you said that, I feel totally at ease!”

“Look at you, such little ambition.”

Though Xu Ruo Jin chided him, her face was full of smiles.

In this cold-hearted family, this brother was the one closest to her, needing no scheming or second thoughts.

“Second Sister, do you think Father can handle the Zhang family? They’re all so fierce.”

Mentioning the Zhang family, Xu Ruo Jin’s thoughts drifted to Zhang Zhong Liang.

He had been sent from the capital by the Zhang family to approach their father—how could Father respond?

“I don’t know if Father can outtalk them, but I’m the only one. Father has accepted the betrothal gift from the Liang family, so the Zhang family probably has no choice. Zhang Zhong Heng also wants to cut ties with us but doesn’t want to lose face.”

Though Xu Ruo Jin said this, she felt quite relieved.

How many things had Zhang Zhong Heng smashed at home?

His most treasured possession was his face.

Surely, failing in his schemes must have infuriated him.

Xu Zi Mo clicked his tongue. “I think the Zhang family is annoying. Brother Liang is much nicer.”

“You’ve met Liang Xiao?” Xu Ruo Jin asked curiously.

“Yes, when I met him at the county magistrate’s office. Then I ran into him at a street restaurant; he treated me to food and drink and even asked about you.”

“When was that?”

“Hmm... I think it was after Brother Yan came.”

Hearing this, Xu Ruo Jin raised an eyebrow.

He had deliberately asked about her?

Liang Xiao… Could he have planned this all along?

Was he trying to lure Zhang Zhong Heng and Yan Hong Wen into a trap?

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhong Liang, furious over a few words from Xu Yao Hui, stormed out of the Xu residence.

Xu Yao Hui’s response to the broken engagement was simple.

Since the Zhang son insisted that the Liang son had touched the daughter, implying an intimate relationship, he obviously wanted to break the engagement. Xu Yao Hui said nothing, but the Xu family took it as such. If it was otherwise, it was already too late.

Moreover, Xu Ruo Jin was a delicate young lady, and now that someone was willing to take responsibility, the Zhang family should just give up. If they didn’t, there was nothing to be done. Zhang Zhong Liang was told to discuss it with Elder Jiang. The betrothal gifts had already been kept, including the dowry.

The Zhang family’s betrothal gifts were on their way back...

Zhang Zhong Liang had no retort.

Ignoring Elder Jiang, Zhang Zhong Heng’s behavior had indeed lost the Zhang family’s standing.

If they insisted on forcing the Xu family to accept the match, Elder Jiang likely wouldn’t agree.

But...

But the humiliation was unbearable!

Zhang Zhong Liang left the Xu residence, boarded a carriage, and headed straight to the capital without returning home.

He needed to report this immediately to the family head. As for the mother and daughter in Zhonglin County, it was up to Elder Jiang to decide their fate!

At the Liang residence, Liang Xiao informed Lady Liang of the wedding date and arrangements.

Lady Liang was heartbroken and wished she didn’t have such a son.

He had gone to Elder Jiang without permission, not only to uphold the Liang family’s face but also to silence her.

That was the Liang family’s pillar in Zhonglin County. How could she dare to embarrass Elder Jiang?

Liang Xiao’s actions were out of necessity.

Kneeling and striking his head to the ground, his voice hoarse and deep, he said, “Mother, things have come to this. Please grant your son this wish and acknowledge this marriage!”

Lady Liang looked at the back of the son kneeling before her, his clenched fists revealing his unwillingness.

But given the circumstances, what else could she do?

Tears welled in Lady Liang’s eyes...