After the Old Madam finished speaking, the topic shifted elsewhere.
Not long after, Madam Wang (the Duchess) entered Songhe Hall, saying that her nephew from her mother’s family had just arrived at the mansion and was waiting outside to pay respects.
Her casual words were like a stone tossed into a calm lake—suddenly, the young ladies in the room all showed subtle changes in expression. Even Liu Qingwan, who had seemed downcast moments before, straightened slightly.
Xu Shuyao did not notice at first, until she saw a youth in a white robe embroidered with cloud patterns walk in, smiling as he greeted the Old Madam.
So it was him!
Wang Shaowei, after paying respects, sat with the Old Madam, and the two spoke warmly, elder and youth in easy harmony. The cousins sat properly, listening without interruption. Xu Shuyao did the same. By custom, as an unrelated girl, she should have withdrawn, but since the Old Madam did not dismiss her, she remained quietly seated.
She thought she could stay unnoticed, but Madam Chen suddenly spoke:
“Mother, if you ask Wang family’s boy where he has been lately, he won’t tell you the truth. But you can ask your daughter‑in‑law!”
The Old Madam laughed and scolded: “I know you well enough. You never leave this mansion—how could you meet him outside?”
Xu Shuyao’s face tightened; she knew what her aunt was about to say. She lifted her eyes toward Wang Shaowei and saw him glance at her with a faint smile.
Before Madam Chen could continue, Wang Shaowei himself spoke:
“Grandmother, you have guests here. Why haven’t you introduced them to me?”
The Old Madam followed his gaze and smiled: “Sharp eyes, aren’t you? I nearly forgot. This is your cousin from the Xu family, just arrived from Huzhou.”
She pointed to Xu Shuheng: “And that is her younger brother. Poor children, they traveled alone, but thankfully arrived safely.”
Madam Chen had no chance to interject.
Xu Shuyao rose and bowed to Wang Shaowei: “On the road, we benefited from Cousin’s protection. Allow me to thank you in person.”
The Old Madam looked surprised: “Oh? What’s this? Tell me the story.”
Xu Shuyao explained how she had followed Wang Shaowei’s ship to reach the capital.
The Old Madam laughed, clapping her hands: “You clever girl! But you were in Huzhou—how did you recognize him?”
Xu Shuyao answered playfully: “Old Madam, you may not know—news of Young Master Wang’s arrival spread through the whole city. Even common folk knew. How could I not?”
Her words made everyone laugh.
The three daughters of the second branch already knew of this, so they showed no reaction. But Liu Qingwan turned her gaze toward Xu Shuyao—she had clearly seen Wang Shaowei smile at her.
Meanwhile, Wang Shaowei, embarrassed by the girl’s teasing, cursed Xiao Mo in his heart. Xiao Mo had hidden behind his cousin’s name to investigate, stirring up trouble, and now had even used his name to grant Xu Shuyao a favor.
Wang Shaowei did not stay long before leaving, but Xu Shuyao remained in Songhe Hall until nearly noon.
On the way back, Liu Qingwan walked with them. The two cousins from the second branch asked Xu Shuheng about his journey from Huzhou to the capital.
Liu Qingwan did not ask directly, but listened intently. When Xu Shuheng mentioned how they had been stopped at the city gate and only entered thanks to Wang Cousin, she spoke softly, her tone gentle but her question sharp: “How did Cousin Wang know you were his kin? That doesn’t make sense. You truly didn’t exchange a single word on the road?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Xiao Jinshan and Xiao Jinyi echoed, looking at her with disbelief.
What could Xu Shuyao say? She wanted to retort, *Why don’t you ask Cousin Wang yourself?* But instead she smiled faintly: “Yes, I wonder too. Perhaps I simply looked like a cousin seeking refuge.”
The girls recalled what the servants had said: a shabby, weather‑worn carriage, an old servant, and a pair of poorly dressed siblings; no maids, only a single trunk. Truly pitiful.
Suddenly, they understood Wang Shaowei. He was a man of dignity. Seeing such a sight, he lent a hand. Calling her “cousin” at the gate was likely just to preserve her pride.
Xiao Jinyi smiled, taking Xu Shuyao’s hand: “Luckily, you met Cousin Wang. Otherwise, we’d have waited another day to see you.”
Xiao Jinshan laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. Liu Qingwan still looked like a willow in the wind, but her expression was uneasy.
Thus, the wave of suspicion ended.
Only Xu Shuheng, watching his sister remain silent, felt regret for his careless words. At seven, he had tasted the treachery of human hearts. His excitement vanished. He realized the cousins had questioned him deliberately, drawing him out because they did not trust his sister.
Even after returning to Jiyun Hall, Xu Shuheng was still sulky.
Xu Shuyao, however, did not mind. She had already set aside pride when she chose to seek refuge here. Her identity was that of a dependent cousin—like wild grass, resilient, growing wherever the wind blew, without rigid principles. For silver, she had even sacrificed her years of painting skill to copy erotic albums. She had not expected her figure drawings to be so striking, far surpassing those sold in the market, nearly causing trouble.
She stroked her brother’s head: “Don’t keep staring at me. Elder Sister is fine. Go wash your face and come eat lunch. I saw they prepared your favorite—crab roe and shrimp dumplings.”
The boy, hearing his sister still had the heart to mention food, realized she was not upset. Thinking of the dumplings he had not tasted in so long, his gloomy face brightened with anticipation.