After visiting the Jiedushi Residence, Xiao Chu borrowed the Zhao family's steward and a Governing Mama from Zhao Tianhe.
Working with great vigor, within just a day, as Mi Yao stepped out after a full meal for a stroll, Xiao Manor had already taken on a more orderly appearance.
After Zhao Tianhe took control of Shu, he had replaced the prefects of several provinces multiple times. Now serving concurrently as the prefect of Yi Zhou, he already had his own residence and thus gave the Prefectural Residence to Xiao Chu.
It was debatable whether giving the Prefectural Residence to Xiao Chu was a waste.
The residence had four courtyards, and everywhere one could see the former owner's extravagant yet refined tastes.
On her first day there, she marveled for a moment at the flying eaves adorned with glass lotuses and the carved door porch.
But upon stepping inside, she saw the Taihu stone covered in dust, the stagnant withered lotus pond, and rows of neglected, half-withered plants along the nine-bend corridor.
She then realized that for Xiao Chu, this was merely a place to live—he didn't care about the scenery within the residence.
Since the master of the house didn't mind, she, as an outsider staying temporarily, wouldn't interfere unnecessarily.
She only thought that after marrying Xiao Chu, she would gradually tidy up the areas she could see.
Now, seeing the residence revitalized under the steward's management, she felt like applauding herself—she had truly given Xiao Chu an excellent suggestion.
She just wondered if Xiao Chu could keep the two stewards at Xiao Manor a little longer. With the New Year approaching, there were still many matters to handle in the residence. Without someone to coordinate, she would likely only stockpile her own food and clothing, neglecting the others in the manor.
"Finally meeting Lady Yu. I hope you are well, Lady Yu."Pan, standing beside the Governing Mama, saw Mi Yao approaching with Xiao Shan and took the initiative to greet them, 'Ninth Brother and I are foster siblings.' Since Ninth Brother is marrying Lady Yu, Father sent me to see how I can assist him."
Pan had met Mi Yao in her previous life, and seeing her again now, she was still astonished by Mi Yao's beauty.
While Pan considered herself quite attractive, that attractiveness paled in comparison beside Mi Yao. Both had flawless fair skin, yet Mi Yao's fairness was distinctly different from others'.
Like snow, like jade, like an immortal from a dream.
And her jet-black, thick hair—perhaps the climate of Jiangnan was especially nurturing, making Lady Yu exquisitely refined in every way.
Perhaps due to her preoccupations, the more Pan observed Mi Yao, the more she felt she seemed different from her previous life.
In her past life, Mi Yao was beautiful but still a mortal beauty, whereas now she was so beautiful she seemed unreal.
Thinking this, Pan glanced at Xiao Shan beside Mi Yao. Xiao Shan wore an auspicious beast brocade hat, from which two thin braids hung down. She held a small sleeve stove in her hands, her eyes bright as she surveyed her surroundings, looking at everything with fresh curiosity.
In her previous life, she had been busy remarrying and hadn't paid attention to the Xiao family's affairs.
So she didn't know what relationship Lady Yu had with Xiao Shan initially when she first arrived at the Xiao family. Did Lady Yu not dislike Xiao Shan from the start?
Or was this a method to make Xiao Chu let down his guard, so he would entrust the child to her with peace of mind.
"Thank you for your efforts, Lady Ma."
Pan was more particular about the etiquette of being a guest than the Ma mother and daughter, so Mi Yao had known in advance that she was coming to help. After greeting her with a slight bow, Mi Yao intended to change direction and continue her walk.
But clearly, Pan hadn't finished speaking with Mi Yao.
"From now on, Lady Yu can think of me as an elder sister. If there's anything inconvenient, just tell me. I felt an instant connection with Lady Yu upon meeting you, and we must visit each other frequently."
Hearing Pan say she felt a connection but not praising her beauty, Mi Yao understood that Pan's fondness wasn't genuine. Her most praiseworthy feature was her face—if a woman truly wished to befriend her, she would specifically mention and admire it to build rapport. But Pan deliberately avoided it, and regardless of Pan's intentions, Mi Yao felt no need for frequent interactions.
With a slight smile, Mi Yao politely replied, "Naturally."
"Shan'er, your Brother Hu Tou has come with your aunt. Would you like to go play with him?"
Noticing Mi Yao's lack of enthusiasm, Pan crouched down and spoke gently to Xiao Shan. But at the mention of Hu Tou, Xiao Shan's brow furrowed, and she retreated a step behind Mi Yao.
Seeing this, Pan was taken aback. Grandma Ma had often claimed the Xiao children got along well with Ma Hu, even suggesting that if Xiao Shan grew up without severe impairment, they could be childhood sweethearts. Clearly, Grandma Ma hadn't spoken a word of truth.
"Did Brother Hu Tou bully you, Shan'er? Tell your aunt, and I'll punish him for you."
Xiao Shan remained hidden behind Mi Yao. As Pan persisted, she looked up pleadingly, blinking her eyes to ask Mi Yao to handle the situation.
Finding her adorable, Mi Yao reached out and picked her up. But she immediately regretted it—though Xiao Shan wasn't heavy, her thick clothing added considerable weight, making it somewhat burdensome to hold. Without hesitation, she handed the little turnip to Shi Ya, who was trained in carrying basins.
Noticing Mi Yao's unconcealed distaste, Pan inwardly sneered. Lady Yu was no different from her previous life's perception—arrogant, willful, and even half-hearted in acting, with flaws evident everywhere.
"Shan'er is quite shy. When questioned like this by Madame Ma, she's too embarrassed to speak up. I'll ask her privately later. If Young Master Ma has done anything to bully her, I'll inform you then."
Mi Yao didn't brush off the matter or claim Xiao Shan hadn't been bullied. Instead, she planned to inquire privately. If there was any bullying, since Pan, as the mother, claimed to be impartial, why should Mi Yao pretend to be magnanimous?
"That's reasonable."
Pan agreed without taking it seriously. But shortly after, her son's wails echoed loudly. Rushing to the scene, she saw Grandma Ma gripping Xiao Liang by the collar, hand raised high, clearly about to strike.
"Stop!"
"If you dare lay a hand, don't expect to leave the Xiao residence unscathed today."
Mi Yao's threat echoed simultaneously with Pan's shout.
After parting with Pan, Mi Yao had intended to balance work and rest, walking awhile before returning to her room to lie down. On her way back, she encountered Xiao Liang's nursemaid frantically pacing like a headless fly. Realizing something must have happened to Xiao Liang and knowing Xiao Yi was away at school, leaving no one to protect him, she asked for details.
"Make her release your master's clothes at once!"
Mi Yao glanced at the Xiao servants hiding nearby, allowing Xiao Liang to be manhandled, and snapped sharply. At her command, led by Shuang Hua, the servants promptly pried Grandma Ma's hands away, freeing Xiao Liang.
"Mother…"
Xiao Liang, afraid to let Mi Yao see his tears, hastily wiped them with his sleeve before burying his head and sniffling as he addressed her.
"Come here."
Seeing Grandma Ma still looking ready to make a scene, Mi Yao turned to Xiao Liang.
Xiao Liang hesitated for a moment before walking over to Mi Yao’s side.
As soon as he arrived, Shan'er struggled out of Shi Ya’s arms and landed on the ground. She took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped his tears.
"Shan'er…"
Xiao Liang had been about to stop crying, but when his sister’s fingers touched his face to wipe his tears, he couldn’t hold back and burst into loud sobs.
"What is going on here, Madam? Why are you, a grown adult, picking on Xiao Liang?"
Seeing Xiao Liang’s state, Pan felt a headache coming on.
She had come to Xiao Manor today, but Grandma Ma insisted on tagging along. When Grandma Ma saw that the person managing the Xiao household was the steward from the Jiedushi Residence and realized there were no advantages to be gained, she stormed off in a huff.
Pan had assumed Grandma Ma had left Xiao Manor, never expecting her to go to Xiao Liang’s courtyard to throw her weight around.
"Look at what he’s done to Hu-tou!"
Even with Mi Yao present, Grandma Ma refused to admit any fault, pointing at her grandson sitting on a nearby chair.
As everyone turned to look, Ma Hu puffed out his right cheek, showing off the spot where Xiao Liang had hit him—though no mark remained—and even pulled down his pants to display the faint red marks on his leg that were nearly gone.
"Xiao Liang hit me, Grandma, beat him to death!"
With that, he jumped off the stool and tried to drag Xiao Liang out from behind Mi Yao.
Naturally, Shi Ya and the others wouldn’t let him get close to Mi Yao.
With his arm caught and unable to break free, Hu-tou glared at Mi Yao: "You fox spirit, I’ll beat you to death too!"
No sooner had he spoken than Mi Yao stepped forward and slapped him squarely across the face.
A sharp crack echoed through the courtyard. Mi Yao hadn’t held back just because Ma Hu was a child. After striking him, she spread her stinging, burning palm to let the breeze cool it.
"What kind of upbringing is this? Are you here as guests or to cause trouble?"
"You wretched woman, how dare you hit my grandson!"
Mi Yao’s slap not only stunned Ma Hu but also left everyone else in the courtyard speechless. Grandma Ma was the first to react, raising her hand and charging toward Mi Yao, intent on avenging her grandson.
"Stop her!"
Fearing Grandma Ma might hurt herself or the maids in her frenzy, Mi Yao glanced at the servants in the courtyard, especially Xiao Liang’s nurse.
Under Mi Yao’s gaze, several of them rushed to intervene.
But they were afraid of offending Grandma Ma, so while they managed to restrain her, they ended up taking several slaps themselves.
"Several of you can’t even hold back one person? Utterly useless. I don’t know why Xiao Lang keeps you in the manor to serve."
At Mi Yao’s words, they mustered more resolve, and in the struggle, Grandma Ma’s hair was tousled, and she fell hard on her backside.
"Aiyo, murder! This vicious woman is trying to kill me! Someone, help!"
Pan hadn’t expected the situation to escalate so quickly and stood frozen in place.
She had no desire to deal with Grandma Ma, but she couldn’t ignore her son’s ear-splitting wails. Pulling Ma Hu aside, Pan examined the red handprint on his cheek.
Even though she didn’t care much for this son, she felt the sting of humiliation from this public slap.
"No matter what, Yu Niangzi, you shouldn’t have laid a hand on a child."
"He insulted me. Was I supposed to take it without a word? If you’re upset he was hit, you should teach him properly, so he doesn’t grow into a fool who invites a beating. Hitting him only tired my hand."
As she spoke, Mi Yao shook her hand disdainfully, making no effort to smooth things over.
"The child spoke without thinking, but as an adult you shouldn't take it to heart… and you even hit him so harshly. Tiger Head is just a four-year-old child."
Noticing the subtle change in Pan's tone and the sudden glistening tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, Mi Yao seemed to sense something and turned around.
Brushing against Xiao Chu's crimson gold silk robe, before anyone else could react, she had already lifted her skirt and trotted over, clutching his sleeve and gently shaking it. Though her eyes showed no tear stains, her glistening pupils overflowed with grievance: "Wuwu, Xiao Lang, someone bullied me and said extremely nasty things to me."
As she spoke, she spread open her palm.
"Look, my hand is all red, it hurts so much."
Xiao Chu lowered his gaze to the woman's fair and delicate palm. It was indeed red, but it was unclear whether it was red and swollen from injury or simply reddened by the wind.