Song Tang felt a pang of regret. She should have asked him first whether he needed a wife.
If he had said yes, she could have offered herself.
If he had said no, she could have come up with an excuse.
But she had been too nervous just now and had immediately offered herself.
Now she had completely put herself in a passive position.
Still, the words were already spoken. No matter the outcome, it would at least give her an answer.
Seeing that Mu Changxiao still hadn’t spoken, Song Tang spoke again, “Marquis Mu, what I just said was only…”
Her lack of confidence was obvious.
“Fine.” Mu Changxiao instantly cut her off.
“Huh?” Song Tang looked up in surprise.
The corners of Mu Changxiao’s lips lifted slightly as he looked into her eyes and repeated, “Fine.”
Mu Changxiao’s gaze was intense, making Song Tang somewhat embarrassed. She instinctively lowered her eyes.
“However, are you marrying me just to spite the Heir?” Mu Changxiao asked, still looking into her eyes.
Song Tang was taken aback. She hadn’t thought about spiting Mu Ziyu—she only wanted to trample him underfoot.
“No,” Song Tang lifted her head, meeting Mu Changxiao’s intense gaze. “His heart is entirely set on Song Wei. I couldn’t spite him even if I tried.”
Mu Changxiao pressed on, “Then why are you marrying me?”
Everyone in the capital knew that Song Tang liked Mu Ziyu. He feared she was only tormenting herself.
Song Tang didn’t want to lie. She had always regarded Mu Changxiao as an elder, so there was no need to hide the truth.
“There’s Sister Shu An’s reason, but the main reason is that I want to marry you.”
“The Marquis knows my family situation. My father, mother, and both older brothers favor Song Wei. I have no one to rely on. I need someone who can shelter me from the storm, even if only on the surface—someone whose authority I can borrow.”
She spoke frankly, and Mu Changxiao frowned, a pang of bitterness in his heart.
The young woman before him was only sixteen, yet her eyes were filled with the weariness of a difficult world. How much hardship must she have endured to feel this way?
Over the years, he hadn’t been unaware of her struggles, but his position made it inappropriate for him to intervene directly.
Seeing Mu Changxiao remain silent, Song Tang smiled faintly. “Actually, if the Marquis is unwilling in his heart, there’s no need to force yourself to agree out of a sense of obligation for saving my life. You can refuse me. I can ask for something else instead.”
Mu Changxiao narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deepening. “If I had refused just now, what would you have asked for instead?”
Song Tang pursed her lips. So Mu Changxiao didn’t really want to marry her.
“I would have asked Marquis Mu to use your immense power to pressure my father and mother, allowing me to freely choose my own marriage or… to live separately from the family, as long as I’m not under their control.”
In truth, Song Tang never worried that Song Congzhi or Madam He or her two older brothers would harbor ill intentions. But with Song Wei, who was full of schemes and constantly targeting her, setting traps for her, she had to be on guard!
Mu Changxiao removed the jade thumb ring and set it aside.
“No need for such trouble. I’ll marry you! The position of Marquise Mu is yours. From now on, you’ll be Mu Ziyu’s elder. If you say one, he won’t dare say two. If he dares disrespect you, I’ll stand up for you.”
Song Tang was stunned. She hadn’t expected Mu Changxiao to actually agree to marry her, much less that he would directly place her above Mu Ziyu.
Was that feeling of wielding power and borrowing authority coming back?
In her childhood, she had indeed experienced the feeling of being cherished and pampered.
But everything changed after Song Wei entered the household. Everyone began praising Song Wei for her gentleness, grace, and understanding, while she was labeled as someone who bullied others with her influence and acted unreasonably.
The gazes of her father, mother, and two elder brothers gradually turned cold, even disdainful. She was no longer the treasured pearl of the family but an unwanted presence, easily discarded.
Yet now, Mu Changxiao’s words were like a beam of light, illuminating the darkness that had long shrouded her heart.
She could hardly believe her ears and asked once more, “Is what the Marquis said true? Are you truly willing to marry me?”
Mu Changxiao looked deeply at Song Tang and nodded solemnly.
“This Marquis keeps his word. Once you marry into this household, I will ensure your safety. You need not worry about this matter.”
In truth, Song Tang was quite afraid of Mu Changxiao. If not for her two elder brothers also coming to demand an explanation and seeking Mu Changxiao’s hand in marriage, she might have hesitated for a few more days.
Mu Changxiao’s ruthlessness was well-known. It was said that his second uncle had been driven mad by him. “No affection within the family, no humanity toward outsiders”—this was the highest praise the civil officials had for him.
He wielded immense power, cold-blooded and ruthless. The number of lives that had passed through his hands was likely beyond even his own reckoning. Even senior officials like Zhao Taifu and Duke Zhou, who had served three dynasties and were entrusted with the state’s affairs, dared not provoke him lightly.
As she approached the entrance of Mu Fu, Song Tang saw Mu Ziyu pacing back and forth, his expression clearly displeased.
Song Tang had no intention of engaging with him and prepared to step into the carriage.
But Mu Ziyu quickly strode over, blocking her path, his face darkening. “Song Tang, what did you say to my third uncle?”
“Young Master, please show some restraint. Miss Song is an honored guest of Marquis Mu,” Wan Xing hurriedly stepped forward, lowering his voice to remind him.
“Step aside!” Mu Ziyu shouted at Wan Xing.
Wan Xing was one of Mu Changxiao’s men and naturally understood how important Song Tang was to the Marquis. The Marquis had even abandoned his carriage and ridden back to the estate on horseback—something Wan Xing had never witnessed in all his years of service.
Thus, he did not retreat in the face of Mu Ziyu’s anger. Instead, he stood even more firmly.
“Young Master, the Marquis has instructed that Miss Song is his lifesaver and no one is to show her disrespect. If you insist on causing trouble, do not blame this subordinate for being impolite.”
Mu Ziyu was a man who valued his dignity. The entrance of Mu Fu was bustling with people, and he spent his days indulging in pleasure, with no time for martial training. Naturally, he was no match for Wan Xing.
Unwilling to lose face in front of so many onlookers, he took a step back and softened his tone. “Song Tang, I have something I wish to discuss with you privately. Could we speak elsewhere?”
“Say whatever you have to say right here,” Song Tang replied coldly.
Mu Ziyu had already been seething with anger after being chased out of Mu Changxiao’s courtyard earlier. Now, Song Tang was humiliating him in front of the servants as well. He had truly had enough!
But with Wan Xing standing nearby, he took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the fury in his heart. “Miss Song, did you seek out my third uncle today because you regret canceling the engagement and wish to take it back?”
Song Tang looked at Mu Ziyu with slight confusion. “Who told you I want to take it back? The matter of canceling the engagement has already been settled. I will not go back on my word, nor do I care to. I’ve already told you before—from now on, you may marry whomever you wish. It has nothing to do with me!”
With that, Song Tang stepped into the carriage. Mu Ziyu stood frozen in place, his expression flickering between light and shadow.
He hadn’t expected Song Tang to be so resolute, and a hint of panic stirred within him. Song Tang wasn’t one to let go easily—could it be that she truly felt nothing for him anymore?
Impossible! Back then, she had been so deeply devoted to him—how could she just cut ties so abruptly? Mu Ziyu watched the carriage fade into the distance, his heart a tumult of mixed emotions.
“Wan Xing, tell me—what did Song Tang just go to see Third Uncle for?” Mu Changxiao called out, stopping Wan Xing just as he was about to leave.