Xiao Xu naturally had no leisure to call her by her maiden name or flirt with her in the cold wind.
Seeing that she was unafraid of his threats, Xiao Xu withdrew his gaze.
Those who had never been beaten could not know how painful a rod striking the body truly was. Yu Shaoyang had not yet arrived in Shu, so for now Xiao Xu had to tolerate her. But in time, he would have ways to make her understand every word he spoke.
Without a word, Xiao Xu flicked his sleeve and left. Watching his broad, inverted-triangle back recede, Mi Yao’s smile slowly collapsed. She did not know whether she had managed to humble Xiao Xu, but she still felt stifled.
“Have you ever heard that Xiao Xu bore a grudge against his late elder brother?”
Knowing that Yu Xiu liked to pry into household secrets, Mi Yao asked her this as they walked toward Tingsong Courtyard.
“The Xiao servants never mentioned it. If Sister is curious, I can inquire.”
Seeing Mi Yao’s interest in meddling with the Xiao sons’ affairs, Yu Xiu was displeased, but still reported what she had learned: “Whether Brother-in-law hated his elder brother, I don’t know. But the servants all say he is not close to the three children. They say it’s because before the old Madam passed away, she forced him to register two of the children under his name. He resented it, so he treats them coldly.”
“If he disliked being called ‘Father,’ he would never have taken in foster sons.” Mi Yao replied. She did not believe Xiao Xu hated the little radishes. Rather, she thought this was his way of raising children. He spent years away from home, with no time to care for them closely. So he raised them like wild beasts, teaching them not to rely on him. Since he clearly disliked the Ma family, he was not the sort to value others’ opinions above his own. Even so, she did not think Xiao Xu was right. When his own children were visibly wronged, he listened to outsiders and blamed them. Whatever his methods, his head was full of water.
The three radish siblings lived together in Tingsong Courtyard—the courtyard farthest from the main residence. Though remote, the courtyard itself was fine: carefully positioned, with rooms that caught the light. It was clearly well-kept, the garden full of thriving plants, the servants diligent. But what use was tending flowers, if the young masters were beaten and left unattended?
Mi Yao’s anger lasted until she entered Xiao Liang’s room and saw him asleep with his sister, their heads resting together. Only then did it ease.
Usually, the little radish avoided her two brothers, acting as if she did not know them, lest they carry her off. But now, seeing Xiao Liang wronged, she clutched his hand tightly. When she heard movement, she opened her eyes slightly, saw Mi Yao, yet did not let go of her brother’s hand. Instead, she nuzzled his face, pressing closer.
Seeing this, Mi Yao stroked her cheek. When the little radish pushed Xiao Liang’s face toward her hand, she stroked his too.
Two small faces—equally smooth, equally plump.
“Alright, sleep now.” Seeing the little radish close her eyes again, Mi Yao finally left the room.
“After Second Young Master returned, he spoke with the young lady in the room. After a while, the two of them fell asleep.”
Xiao Liang’s nanny explained to Mi Yao: “I changed Second Young Master’s clothes, washed his face, and the kitchen has prepared porridge. When he wakes, I’ll bring it over.”
Looking at the uneasy Nanny Zhou, Mi Yao did not intend to make things difficult for her. She only thought Xiao Xu truly had no eye for choosing household managers.
This Nanny Zhou was not Xiao Liang’s wet nurse, but the widow of one of Xiao Xu’s subordinates. Because her husband’s family could not tolerate her, she sought refuge with Xiao Xu, who kept her in the household to care for Xiao Liang.
A woman bullied to the point of being unable to survive in her own home would naturally not stand firm at Xiao Liang’s side. Her character was decent enough, but timid and fearful. When trouble arose, she only thought of seeking help, yet dared not speak up—wandering aimlessly like a headless fly.
“As long as you know how to find work for yourself, that’s fine. No household has so much silver to waste, raising a crowd of useless servants to eat and drink for free.”
Mi Yao was not only admonishing Nanny Zhou, but also looked over each servant in the courtyard—especially Nanny Fan, whose guilty expression stood out.
Neither of the two matrons were wet nurses. Nanny Zhou was at least somewhat conscientious toward Xiao Liang, while Nanny Fan relied on her kinship with Old Madam Ma to live out her old age in the Xiao household.
“Without the young lady to serve, Nanny Fan, you spend your days in leisure—either sleeping or cracking melon seeds with relatives. Your life is more carefree than mine. I’m narrow-minded, so I cannot stomach such things.”
“Lady Yu, I’ve been wronged! I do tidy up the young lady’s clothes every day…”
“Or should I be the one to tidy them?” Mi Yao’s lips curled in mockery. “Don’t just wait for me to tell you how to do your work. I came here to be mistress, not to teach you how to be servants. Use your own heads—think about what tasks justify the wages you take each month. If today’s negligence happens again, I don’t care for excuses. Those who should be dismissed will be dismissed, those who should be sold and replaced will be sold and replaced.”
She knew that without a permanent steward overseeing the inner quarters, her admonitions would not last long. So when she returned to her chamber, she bathed and tended herself, smoothing fragrant balm over every inch of skin, trying to let the comfort of indulgence cover the irritation she had just felt.
Children would grow up regardless, as long as she did not, like the original heroine, cause their deaths. As for caring for them—that should not be her responsibility. If she gave in to pity even once, they would become her burden thereafter.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xu, as their father, could vanish perfectly, never needing to concern himself with his children at all.
Even if the children were pitiful, she would never forget: she was here to be the pampered wife, not the self-sacrificing supporting role meant to gratify Xiao Xu, the supposed protagonist.
After bathing, Mi Yao lay on the long couch, smoothing whitening and moisturizing balms from head to toe. Once her body had absorbed everything, she saw there was still an hour before dusk. She instructed Shuang Hua and the others to fetch balsam flowers: “If you can’t find them, bring other brightly colored blossoms instead.”
When the little radish returned to Mi Yao’s quarters, she happened upon a small jar on the table, where petals of balsam flowers and powdered alum had already been pounded into a paste for nail dye.
Curious, Xiao Shan leaned close to the shallow agate dish, sniffing at the mixture.
“I dropped in peony dew. What you smell is peony mixed with balsam.” Mi Yao explained. Seeing Xiao Shan nod in understanding, she added: “How is your second brother? Since you’ve come here, he must have recovered—no longer feeling wronged, isn’t that so?”
Xiao Shan nodded again, then stretched her arm high, indicating a height taller than herself.
“You mean your elder brother came back to comfort him, so he no longer feels wronged?”
Xiao Shan nodded once more.
Satisfied, Mi Yao let her climb onto a stool, where she stared wide-eyed at the red paste being scraped into a silver dish.
“This is for dyeing nails. I’ll dye yours first.”
Seeing her curiosity, Mi Yao decided to test the color. She took Xiao Shan’s plump little hand, dipped a fine brush into the liquid, and carefully painted her tiny rice-grain nails.
The original heroine had mastered delicate calligraphy from childhood. With her inherited muscle memory, Mi Yao’s brushwork was just as precise. Though she had little interest in calligraphy, this was only her second time holding a brush since arriving. Yet the training proved useful—she managed to coat Xiao Shan’s minuscule nails without spilling over the edges.
Watching her nails turn red, Xiao Shan’s eyes grew brighter. Mi Yao had Shiya wrap her hands, then continued painting her own fingers and toes.
“If you like, you can all paint yours too.”
With their fingers and toes wrapped in silk, Mi Yao and the little radish lay on the bed unable to move. Seeing plenty of paste left, Mi Yao encouraged Shuang Hua and the others.
Even the maids who were not fond of adornment grew curious after watching Mi Yao’s daily routines. Knowing she was generous in such matters, they soon had their fingers wrapped as well.
The next day, at the wedding, Xiao Xu caught sight of Xiao Shan’s reddened nails. At first, he thought she had injured herself, but on closer look, he realized the red was dye. Strange and peculiar—yet she was proud, spreading her fingers to show her brothers.
After being caught off guard by Xiao Shan, Xiao Xu later saw Mi Yao’s maids, each with crimson-tipped fingers, moving with exaggerated grace. Then he understood.
But when the bridal sedan revealed that alabaster hand, its fingertips gleaming scarlet, his grip tightened involuntarily. Hearing the culprit cry out softly in pain, he finally released her hand, satisfied.
Although Xiao Xu’s wedding was rushed, thanks to Zhao Tianhe’s early instructions to prepare the necessary items, it was not handled carelessly.
The residence was festooned with lanterns and decorations. At the main gate, ram’s horn lanterns covered in gold foil bore the double-happiness symbol, while even the stone lions guarding the entrance were wrapped in red silk, with bright red flower knots tied around their necks.
From the gate, a red carpet stretched out to welcome guests, and crimson silk lanterns lined the path, filling the entire estate with festive light.
Since Mi Yao was marrying far from home, the bridal sedan was carried out from the Xiao residence, paraded twice around Yizhou city, then returned to the Xiao household.
After arriving in Yizhou, Mi Yao had not stepped outside the Xiao residence because of the cold. Sitting in the bridal sedan this time, she finally gained a clear sense of Xiao Xu’s reputation in Yizhou. At first, she thought the crowds were gathered because of Zhao Tianhe’s fame as Xiao Xu’s foster father. But listening to the people’s chatter along the way, she realized the grains and coins they scattered were all in honor of Xiao Xu himself.
Before, Xiao Xu had quelled unrest in Jingzhou, and Yizhou had taken in many refugees from there. Moreover, he had long defended Yizhou against repeated Tibetan incursions.
Thus, Zhao Tianhe held prestige as governor, but Xiao Xu’s standing as military commander was no less.
The cheers of the people, mingled with showers of grain, distracted Mi Yao so much that she did not notice Xiao Xu’s grip tightening on her hand. Only once they entered the residence did she glance down and see her reddened skin. She could not help but complain inwardly—Xiao Xu had clearly never held a woman’s hand before, his clumsy strength kneading her fingers as if they were clay.
With Xiao Xu’s parents gone, the two only needed to bow before Zhao Tianhe in the wedding hall.
Mi Yao held a sandalwood fan adorned with jade tassels embroidered in gold and silver thread with mandarin ducks and double-happiness motifs. For a long while, she listened to guests praising her grace and beauty, calling her a perfect match for the groom. Once seated in the bridal chamber, whether or not Xiao Xu recited the customary fan-poem, she spared him the trouble—lowering the fan without hesitation to ease her aching hand.
After setting the fan aside, she felt his gaze upon her. Looking up, she met Xiao Xu’s eyes beneath his golden crown and silver fish pouch.
Their eyes locked, neither speaking.
She refused to indulge him. If he would not speak, she would play the statue, staring at his eyes, then his nose, then his thin lips. Only after she had counted the gems and pearls on his crown did Xiao Xu finally open his mouth: “I will go keep the guests company. You wait here.”
Wait for what?
Mi Yao shifted her head, her hairpins swaying. Did he simply want her to sit there, beautiful and adorned, so that when he returned, he could feast his eyes on her again?