“Is there anything else?” Song Tang was slightly taken aback, somewhat puzzled.
Mu Changxiao looked deeply at Song Tang: “The Heir and Song Wei’s marriage will wait a couple more days. Let them clear your name first before proceeding.”
Song Tang waved her hand: “Marquis, actually, it doesn’t matter much to me. People have mouths, and if they want to gossip, let them. I’ll just pretend not to hear it.”
Being able to live a second life and not having to marry Mu Ziyu was already a blessing from heaven. Gossip and rumors were truly insignificant to Song Tang.
Mu Changxiao looked into Song Tang’s eyes and said seriously: “Soon, you will be this Marquis’s wife. I will not allow anyone to slander my wife in the slightest.”
Hearing the word “wife,” Song Tang’s face flushed crimson in an instant, her heart racing, and an inexplicable shyness spread across her cheeks.
Mu Changxiao took in Song Tang’s reaction, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting slightly. He turned to Wan Xing and said: “Summon Mu Ziyu here.”
“Since the Heir is coming, Marquis, I should take my leave now.” Seeing that Mu Changxiao had called for Mu Ziyu, Song Tang stood up, preparing to bid farewell.
“Wait.” Mu Changxiao stopped Song Tang. “If you return like this, how will you explain it to your father and the others?”
Song Tang thought for a moment: “I’ll say that the Marquis needs a few days to consider.”
“Will that explanation convince your father? Stay here for a moment.”
Song Tang, slightly puzzled, sat back down. In no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mu Ziyu appeared before them.
“Third Uncle, you’re finally willing to see me.” Mu Ziyu was somewhat excited, clasping his fists and bowing deeply to Mu Changxiao.
Mu Changxiao glanced at him indifferently: “Kneel.”
Mu Ziyu: “……”
He glanced at Song Tang sitting in the guest seat, then gritted his teeth and knelt down.
“Third Uncle, what do you mean by this?” Mu Ziyu began to feel aggrieved.
Mu Changxiao’s voice was cold and stern: “When do you plan to announce to the public that you and Song Wei have long been involved in a secret affair?”
“A secret affair?” Mu Ziyu was stunned. “Didn’t we agree to announce it as having developed feelings early on? ‘Secret affair’ sounds too harsh…”
Mu Changxiao narrowed his eyes, his expression turning cold. Mu Ziyu felt a chill run down his spine, knowing Mu Changxiao was angry, and hurriedly corrected himself: “As Third Uncle wishes, secret affair it is.”
With that, he secretly glanced at Song Tang, only to see her expression calm, as if it had nothing to do with her.
After all, Song Wei wasn’t truly of Song family blood. Her poor character wouldn’t affect the other sisters in the family.
Seeing that Mu Ziyu was being somewhat sensible, Mu Changxiao continued: “Have the two hundred thousand silver notes been prepared?”
At this moment, Song Tang still didn’t know that the two hundred thousand Mu Changxiao mentioned was for her. She was somewhat confused, not understanding why Mu Changxiao was bringing up silver, as two hundred thousand was no small sum.
“They’ve been ready for a while.” As he spoke, Mu Ziyu took a stack of silver notes from his waist and handed them to Wan Xing.
Mu Ziyu gave a meaningful look, and Wan Xing immediately understood.
He took the silver notes, turned to Song Tang, and said with a serious expression: “Miss Song, this is the compensation the Heir is giving you as per the Marquis’s request.”
Song Tang was stunned. She hadn’t expected the silver notes to be for her. Surprise and joy filled her heart—was she about to become a little rich lady? Song Tang looked up at Mu Changxiao, her eyes brimming with delight.
Mu Ziyu, kneeling nearby, saw Song Tang smiling as she looked at his third uncle and felt very displeased. After all, the silver note had clearly been given by him.
Mu Changxiao then said to Mu Ziyu, “Tomorrow evening, your grandmother is hosting a banquet. You and your mother must attend.”
“Mother is still ill,” Mu Ziyu replied with some difficulty.
Mu Changxiao said coldly, “Whether she is truly ill or pretending, she must show her face. This is an order!”
Mu Ziyu said helplessly, “Third Uncle, if Mother truly refuses, I can’t exactly drag her out of bed.”
“Figure it out yourself. If you still want to marry Song Wei, find a way,” Mu Changxiao said calmly.
Only then did Mu Ziyu understand that Mu Changxiao intended to pressure his mother. He had to make his mother appear in person.
“Understood, Third Uncle. I’ll find a way,” Mu Ziyu said, his face showing a pleased expression.
Mu Changxiao waved his hand. “You may leave.”
Mu Ziyu glanced at Song Tang before responding and withdrawing.
He was eager to see a look of despair in Song Tang’s eyes. With Third Uncle agreeing in her presence to help him marry Song Wei, Song Tang must be deeply upset.
However, Mu Ziyu did not see the expected disappointment on Song Tang’s face—not even a trace!
He consoled himself, thinking that Song Tang must be pretending not to care, but she was surely heartbroken inside.
After Mu Ziyu left, Mu Changxiao turned to Song Tang and brought up another matter.
“The woman in black who held you hostage last night hasn’t been killed yet. She has a grievance.”
“Oh,” Song Tang replied indifferently. After all, she hadn’t been injured, and killing someone outright for holding her hostage seemed too severe.
“What grievance?” Song Tang felt that since Mu Changxiao had mentioned the word “grievance,” he likely had no intention of hiding it from her.
“It involves a court official. I’ve already sent her to a safe place in your name. If you have time, I’ll accompany you to see her in a few days.”
Song Tang was a bit confused. “In my name?”
“You lack a maid who knows martial arts by your side. This woman is skilled and relatively innocent. She could stay with you in the future.”
If Mu Changxiao said she was good, she must be good.
Song Tang nodded slightly. Currently, she only had Caidie, who was loyal and capable, but she was indeed short on help. Having someone skilled and reliable by her side would be ideal.
“Tang’er, why didn’t you tell me in advance that you were coming to Mu Fu to see my brother?” Mu Shu’an walked in, looking at Mu Changxiao and Song Tang with a gossipy expression.
Mu Changxiao coughed. “Miss Song came to see me on official business.”
“Oh, I haven’t even said much, and you’re already defending her?” Mu Shu’an teased.
Song Tang’s face flushed again. “Sister Shu’an, don’t tease like that.”
“Alright, alright, you’re a shy one. I won’t say more,” Mu Shu’an said with a smile. “What official business were you discussing just now?”
“My father was very angry last night and asked me to come today to discuss the marriage between the Heir and Song Wei with Marquis Mu,” Song Tang said calmly.
Mu Shu’an’s expression darkened. “Your father really is something, making you plead with my brother for Song Wei’s sake!”
“Shu’an, watch your words,” Mu Changxiao glanced at Mu Shu’an, signaling her to stop.
Song Tang didn’t mind. “It’s fine. Sister Shu’an and I often complain about them in private.”
“Yes, young master, don’t you know how much Tang’er has been bullied by them all these years? Can’t we even talk about it behind their backs?” Mu Shu’an felt aggrieved on behalf of Song Tang.
Mu Changxiao: “Shu An, have you arranged everything for the banquet Mother is hosting tomorrow?”
“Everything that needs to be prepared is ready. The stage is already set, ready for the show to begin at any moment!”