After visiting the governor’s residence, Xiao Xu borrowed Zhao Tianhe’s steward and a matron to help manage household affairs.
The two bustled about energetically, and within a single day, when Mi Yao stepped out after a meal to take a walk, the Xiao residence already showed signs of order.
Since Zhao Tianhe had taken charge of Shu, he had replaced the prefects of several provinces multiple times. Now, serving also as Prefect of Yizhou, he already had his own residence, so he gave the prefectural mansion to Xiao Xu.
Whether giving Xiao Xu the prefectural mansion was a waste or not was uncertain. The estate had four courtyards, everywhere revealing the former owner’s taste for luxury and elegance.
On her first day, Mi Yao had marveled at the flying eaves adorned with glass lotus flowers and the carved verandas. But once she stepped inside, she saw Taihu rocks covered in dust, a lotus pond reduced to stagnant water, and rows of neglected plants along the winding corridors, half-dead from lack of care. She realized then that, to Xiao Xu, this was merely a place to live. He cared nothing for the scenery within.
Since the master himself was indifferent, as a guest, she naturally would not meddle. She only thought that after marrying Xiao Xu, she would slowly tidy up the places within her sight. Now, seeing the mansion renewed under the steward’s management, she wanted to applaud herself—she had truly given Xiao Xu a fine suggestion. Whether he would keep the two managers long-term was uncertain. With the New Year approaching, the estate still had many matters to oversee. Without someone to coordinate, she would likely only stockpile food and clothing for herself, ignoring the rest of the household.
“At last, I see Lady Yu. I hope you are well.” Beside the stewardess stood Madam Pan. Seeing Mi Yao approach with Xiao Shan, she stepped forward to greet her. “Ninth Brother and I are foster siblings. Since he is to marry Lady Yu, my father sent me to see how I might assist him.”
Madam Pan had seen Mi Yao in her previous life, and now again she was struck by her beauty.
By looks, Madam Pan considered herself outstanding, yet beside Mi Yao she paled. Both had flawless white skin, but Mi Yao’s whiteness was unlike any other—like snow, like jade, like a celestial being from a dream. Her hair, black and lustrous, seemed nourished by the southern lands, making her exquisite in every detail.
Perhaps it was her own unease, but the more Madam Pan studied Mi Yao, the more she felt she was different from before. In her past life, Mi Yao had been beautiful, but only as a mortal woman. Now, she seemed too beautiful to be real.
Thinking this, Madam Pan looked at Xiao Shan beside her. The child wore a brocade cap embroidered with auspicious beasts, two tiny braids hanging beneath it, and held a small hand warmer, her bright eyes roaming curiously over everything.
In her past life, Madam Pan had been busy remarrying and paid no attention to the Xiao household. So she did not know what Lady Yu’s relationship with Xiao Shan had been at the start. Could it be that Lady Yu had not disliked her? Or perhaps she used this method to lower Xiao Xu’s guard, so he would entrust the child to her with ease.
“Many thanks, Madam Ma.”
Madam Pan was far more mindful of guest etiquette than Old Madam Ma and her daughter, so Mi Yao already knew she had come to help. She offered a polite bow, intending to change direction and continue her walk.
But clearly Madam Pan had not yet said enough.
“From now on, Lady Yu may treat me as an elder sister. If anything is inconvenient, just tell me. From the moment I saw you, I felt a natural affinity. We must keep in close contact in the future.”
Hearing Madam Pan speak of affinity without once praising her beauty, Mi Yao understood at once—Madam Pan did not truly feel any bond with her.
Her face was the most praiseworthy thing about her. If another woman sincerely wished to befriend her, she would surely mention it, offering admiration to draw closer. Madam Pan’s deliberate omission, whatever her motive, told Mi Yao that there was no need for them to “keep close contact.”
Smiling faintly, Mi Yao replied with courtesy: “Of course.”
“Shan’er, your Hutou brother has come with Aunt as well. Do you want to play with him?” Sensing Mi Yao’s coolness, Madam Pan crouched halfway and spoke gently to Xiao Shan.
But at the mention of Hutou, Xiao Shan’s brows furrowed tightly. She stepped back, hiding behind Mi Yao.
Madam Pan was taken aback.
Old Madam Ma had often claimed that the Xiao children were fond of Ma Hu, even saying that once Xiao Shan grew older—if she were not too foolish—they would arrange a childhood betrothal between her and Ma Hu. Now it seemed Old Madam Ma’s words had been nothing but lies.
(*) Hutou is Ma Hu’s nickname.
“Did Hutou bully you? Tell Aunt, and Aunt will punish him for you.”
Still hiding behind Mi Yao, Xiao Shan looked up pleadingly, blinking her eyes for help.
Finding her adorable, Mi Yao lifted her into her arms. But the moment she did, she regretted it. Though Xiao Shan was not heavy, her thick winter clothes added weight, and holding her was tiring.
Without hesitation, Mi Yao passed the little radish to Shi Ya, who had practiced carrying trays.
Seeing Mi Yao’s unconcealed distaste, Madam Pan sneered inwardly. The Lady Yu she knew from her past life was no different—arrogant and spoiled, unable even to act convincingly, her flaws showing through.
“Shan’er is shy. Madam Ma, asking her so directly makes her too embarrassed to answer. I will ask her privately. If your son truly bullied her, I will inform you then.” Mi Yao did not brush the matter aside by claiming Xiao Shan had not been bullied. Instead, she intended to ask her privately. If bullying had occurred, Madam Pan, as the mother, should be impartial. Why should Mi Yao pretend magnanimity?
“That is how it should be.” Madam Pan agreed lightly, not taking it to heart. But moments later, her son’s cries shook the air. Rushing to the scene, she arrived just in time to see Old Madam Ma clutching Xiao Liang by the collar, her hand raised high, clearly about to strike.
“Stop!”
“If you dare lay a hand on him, don’t expect to leave the Xiao household unscathed today!”
Mi Yao’s threat rang out at the same time as Madam Pan’s.
After parting ways with Madam Pan, Mi Yao had intended to balance rest with activity—walk for a while, then return to her chamber to lie down.
On the way back, she ran into the matron assigned to Xiao Liang, wandering about like a headless fly. Mi Yao immediately knew something had happened to Xiao Liang. With Xiao Yi away at school and no one to protect him, she asked what had occurred.
“Why haven’t you loosened your master’s clothes yet!” Mi Yao cast a sharp glance at the Xiao servants standing aside, letting Xiao Liang be dragged about, and spoke sternly.
At her words, Shuang Hua took the lead, and the other servants pried open Old Madam Ma’s grip, freeing Xiao Liang.
“Mother…” Xiao Liang dared not let Mi Yao see his tears. He rubbed them away clumsily with his sleeve, then lowered his head, sniffled, and called out to her.
“Come here.”
Seeing Old Madam Ma still ready to make a scene, Mi Yao beckoned Xiao Liang. He hesitated, then walked to her side.
As soon as he did, Xiao Shan wriggled down from Shi Ya’s arms, pulled out a handkerchief from her pouch, and began wiping his tears.
“Shan’er…” Xiao Liang had nearly stopped crying, but the touch of his sister’s fingers wiping his tears made him burst out sobbing again.
“What is the meaning of this? You’re a grown woman—why quarrel with Xiao Erlang?”
Seeing Xiao Liang’s state, Madam Pan felt a headache coming on. She recalled that when she came to the Xiao residence today, Old Madam Ma had insisted on following. Finding the household managed by the governor’s stewards and realizing there was no advantage to be had, Old Madam Ma had stormed off.
Madam Pan thought she had left the estate. Who would have guessed she had gone to Xiao Liang’s courtyard to throw her weight around?
“Look what he did to Hutou!”
Even with Mi Yao present, Old Madam Ma showed no remorse, pointing to her grandson seated nearby.
Everyone turned to look. Ma Hu puffed out his right cheek, showing where Xiao Liang had struck him—though no mark remained. He even pulled up his trousers to reveal a fading red welt on his leg.
“Xiao Erlang hit me! Grandmother, kill him!” With that, he leapt from the stool, intending to drag Xiao Liang out from behind Mi Yao.
Naturally, Shi Ya and the others would not let him near her.
Seized by the arm, Hutou struggled in vain, glaring at Mi Yao: “You vixen! I’ll kill you too!”
At those words, Mi Yao stepped forward and directly raised her hand, delivering a slap.
The crisp sound echoed through the courtyard. Mi Yao did not hold back simply because Ma Hu was a child. After striking, she opened her tingling, burning palm and let the wind cool it.
“What kind of upbringing is this—are you here as a guest, or to run wild?”
“You vile woman! How dare you strike my grandson!”
That slap stunned not only Ma Hu but also silenced everyone in the courtyard. Old Madam Ma was the first to recover, raising her hand and rushing toward Mi Yao, determined to avenge her grandson.
“Stop her!” Afraid Old Madam Ma might injure her maids, Mi Yao turned her sharp gaze on the household servants, especially Xiao Liang’s nanny.
Caught under Mi Yao’s eyes, the servants had no choice but to intervene. Yet unwilling to offend Old Madam Ma, they restrained her half-heartedly and suffered several blows themselves.
“Several of you can’t even hold back one woman—utterly useless. I don’t know why Xiao Lang keeps you in this household at all.”
At her words, the servants gathered their strength. Old Madam Ma’s hair was pulled into disarray, and she fell hard onto the ground. “Help! Murder! The wicked woman is killing me!” she shrieked.
Madam Pan had not expected things to escalate so quickly and stood frozen. She did not want to involve herself with Old Madam Ma, but she could not ignore her son’s wailing. Pulling Ma Hu aside, she looked at the slap mark on his cheek. Even though she cared little for this son, she still felt humiliated that her face had been struck.
“No matter what, Lady Yu should not have laid hands on a child.”
“He insulted me. Am I supposed to endure it without temper? If you pity him for being struck, then teach him properly. Don’t let him grow into a fool who deserves a beating. Hitting him only tires my hand.” Mi Yao flicked her hand with disdain, making no effort to smooth the situation.
“A child speaks without malice. As an adult, you should not take it to heart, and yet you struck him so hard. Hutou is only four years old.”
Hearing the subtle shift in Madam Pan’s tone and seeing the sudden glimmer of tears in her eyes, Mi Yao turned knowingly. Her fingers brushed against Xiao Xu’s crimson robe embroidered with golden threads. Before anyone else could react, she had already lifted her skirts and run to him, clutching his sleeve and shaking it lightly. Her eyes brimmed with grievance, though no tears fell: “Wu wu… Xiao Lang, someone bullied me, and cursed me with the most awful words.”
As she spoke, she opened her palm. “Look—my hand is all red. It hurts so much.”
Xiao Xu lowered his gaze to her delicate, pale hand. It was indeed red—but whether from injury or simply from the wind, he could not tell.