Thus, Mu Changming decided to pass the title to Mu Changxiao, but with the condition that his son, Mu Ziyu, be established as the Heir.
Mu Changxiao had been raised by Mu Changming, and their bond was deep to begin with. Naturally, he could not refuse his elder brother’s request.
Later, to avenge his elder brother Mu Changming, Mu Changxiao secretly dealt with his second brother Mu Changye and two uncles within the clan. Only then did the Marquis’s Mansion enjoy peace in recent years.
However, Mu Changming’s wife, Madam Sun, harbored suspicions toward Mu Changxiao, fearing he would marry and have children. She had always wanted Mu Ziyu to inherit the title as soon as possible.
Especially in the past year or two, the rift between them had grown increasingly wide.
Everyone knew that the accident two years ago was Madam Sun’s doing, intended to kill Mu Changxiao.
Out of respect for his elder brother Mu Changming, Mu Changxiao did not pursue the matter, but this hurdle ultimately remained unresolved.
“Marquis, you should also think about your own future. Do you really plan never to marry in this lifetime? You are in the prime of your life…”
Mu Changxiao waved his hand, cutting off Wan Xing’s words. “The time is not yet right.”
“The time is not yet right?” Wan Xing scratched his head.
Mu Changxiao glanced at him calmly. “Wan Xing, find an opportunity to tell Mu Shu’an everything that happened today in detail. Say it was my order.”
“Yes.” Wan Xing did not understand Mu Changxiao’s intention, but he knew his master’s decisions always had deeper meaning. He asked no further questions and turned to carry out his task.
Mu Changxiao picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.
Song Tang coming to him today to request the annulment of the marriage contract was unexpected—perhaps it was simply fate.
Since fate had intervened, he must follow its course and ensure Song Tang left Mu Ziyu as soon as possible.
For a playboy like Mu Ziyu, it was better for Song Tang to see his true nature early, lest she suffer in the future.
By facilitating Mu Ziyu and Song Wei, he could free Song Tang completely from this farcical engagement, leaving no possibility of return.
Early the next morning, Song Tang was dragged by Mu Shu’an to view the plum blossoms.
Mu Shu’an was the youngest daughter of the Mu family’s matriarch and also the aunt of Mu Ziyu, to whom she had been Betrothed Before Birth.
The two had been friends since their private school days. In her previous life, Mu Shu’an had firmly stood by Song Tang’s side, doing her utmost to protect her until she entered the palace as a consort.
But in just over a year, word came from the palace that Consort Shu was frail and had already passed away.
How could Mu Shu’an, born into a military family of the Marquis’s Mansion, possibly be frail!
In this life, Song Tang had to find a way to protect her dear friend Mu Shu’an.
Mu Shu’an took Song Tang to a villa in the outskirts of the capital, where plum blossoms bloomed in abundance, their cold fragrance filling the air.
As Song Tang gazed at the garden full of plum blossoms, her thoughts wandered. Today, Mu Ziyu would likely go to see her father…
Charcoal had been lit in advance in the villa, filling the room with warmth.
Song Tang removed her white brocade fox-fur cloak and slowly sat down.
“Tang’er, why did you attend Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony yesterday?”
Mu Shu’an looked at Song Tang, her eyes filled with sympathy. As far as she knew, Song Tang had not relented on the matter of Song Wei’s hair-pinning ceremony for the past half year.
Mu Shu’an truly could not understand why Madam He would wrong her own child and favor her sister’s daughter. How could such a mother exist in this world?
Song Tang held up five fingers and said calmly, “Madam He gave me five thousand taels and returned Caidie to me.”
“Your mother really went all out this time. I thought your maidservant looked familiar and was going to ask you about her later.” Mu Shu’an’s voice carried a bitter edge, tinged with sarcasm.
Caidie had been Song Tang’s maidservant since childhood, fiercely loyal. Because she had “offended” Song Wei, she was driven out of the Earl’s mansion.
In previous years, Song Tang had cried countless times in front of Mu Shu’an over Caidie being expelled.
Madam He, well aware that Song Tang’s wet nurse was gone, still drove away the only maidservant close to her.
What kind of mother could be so heartless?
And Song Tang’s father and brothers too—who knows what came over them—they joined Madam He in favoring Song Wei, completely sidelining Song Tang.
If not for Song Tang’s strong will, she might have ended up like those noble ladies in storybooks, driven to hang herself in anger.
“Yes, she went all out,” Song Tang replied with a bitter smile. “It’s a good thing you didn’t come yesterday, sparing us both the annoyance.”
“Of course I wouldn’t go. Why should I lend dignity to Song Wei’s hair-pinning ceremony?”
Mu Shu’an paused, then continued, “I thought you’d be heartbroken over the canceled engagement and wanted to console you. I never expected you to be so calm.”
“Yes, I didn’t expect it either—that I wouldn’t feel sad at all. Instead, I feel a sense of relief.” Song Tang smiled faintly.
Mu Shu’an stared into Song Tang’s eyes. “Have you truly let go? You won’t regret it?”
“No regrets, truly,” Song Tang said earnestly. “Since Mu Ziyu wants to marry Song Wei, I’ll let him have his way.”
Mu Shu’an felt indignant on Song Tang’s behalf. “What right does Song Wei have? You and Mu Ziyu were Childhood Sweethearts. Ever since she entered your household, she’s been opposing you at every turn. Now she’s even stealing your engagement. How can you bear it?”
“People change. Rather than forcing things, it’s better to let go. I don’t want to force it anymore.” Song Tang sighed.
Ever since she saved Mu Changxiao that year, she had clearly felt Mu Ziyu’s attitude toward her gradually cool, his eyes growing distant.
Especially Madam Sun, who outright refused to see her anymore. Even when they did meet, she would mock and criticize her, saying she had a bad temper and lacked manners.
At first, Song Tang thought Madam Sun was prejudiced against her. It was only later that she realized she had saved someone she shouldn’t have.
Though Song Tang couldn’t be entirely certain whether Madam Sun was the one who tried to harm Mu Changxiao, she had indeed saved his life.
The marquis title that was once within reach became a barrier between her and Mu Ziyu.
These were truths she only came to understand in her previous life after marrying Mu Ziyu, by which time she had already been worn down by her mother-in-law, Madam Sun.
And Mu Ziyu hadn’t protected her in the slightest. Instead, he claimed Madam Sun was doing it for her own good, urging her to heed her teachings.
Mu Shu’an gently patted the back of Song Tang’s hand. “Tang’er, do you want to trample Song Wei underfoot?”
“Of course I do,” Song Tang replied without hesitation.
Mu Shu’an smiled slightly. “What do you think of my little brother?”
“Marquis Mu?” Song Tang was taken aback, then said, “Marquis Mu is naturally an outstanding man among men.”
Mu Shu’an shook her head. “Ah, that’s not what I meant. I meant, what do you think of how my little brother treats you?”
“Very well. After all, I once saved his life, so the Marquis naturally treats me with some courtesy.” Song Tang recalled how Mu Changxiao had blocked Song Congzhi’s slap during Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and a sudden warmth filled her heart.
Mu Shu’an said meaningfully, “Did my third brother promise you a favor? He even said it could be anything.”
“Yes.” Song Tang nodded.
“Then use that favor to marry my third brother!” Mu Shu’an exclaimed excitedly.