“It’s from the Song family,” Wan Xing replied truthfully.
Mu Ziyu was taken aback. “The Song family? Which Song family?”
“The eldest legitimate daughter of Earl Song.”
“Song Tang?” Mu Ziyu widened his eyes in shock. He never expected Mu Changxiao would marry Song Tang.
The day he proposed to Song Wei was set for the twentieth, so he hadn’t considered the Song family before. It never crossed his mind that it would be Song Tang!
“Yes, Heir, it is indeed the eldest Miss Song you speak of.”
“How is this possible? Why would Third Uncle marry her?” Mu Ziyu’s face instantly darkened.
Wan Xing said earnestly, “It’s true, Heir. The Marquis is indeed proposing to Eldest Miss Song Tang.”
“Is Song Tang willing? She couldn’t possibly be willing!” A storm of emotions surged in Mu Ziyu’s heart; he couldn’t accept this reality.
“If Eldest Miss Song were unwilling, our Marquis wouldn’t have made such a grand display of going to the Song Residence to propose today,” Wan Xing explained seriously once more. “Heir, I must take my leave now. If you wish to follow, you may simply trail behind.”
Mu Ziyu: “…”
Impossible, absolutely impossible. How could Third Uncle marry Song Tang?
Song Tang was once betrothed to him.
Doesn’t Third Uncle find this shameful?
With Song Tang’s temperament and behavior, Third Uncle could never possibly take a liking to her.
This must be fake; this must be a dream!
Mu Ziyu abruptly slapped himself across the face. The stinging pain on his cheek snapped him out of his shock.
“Heir, why did you hit yourself?” The servant standing beside Mu Ziyu was bewildered, not understanding why his master would slap himself in the middle of the street.
Mu Ziyu glared at the servant beside him, his expression grim. He found a horse and prepared to rush to the Song Residence ahead of the others. He needed to ask Song Tang personally why she agreed to marry his third uncle.
Wouldn’t she feel awkward?
Song Tang must be doing this on purpose, deliberately trying to anger him. How could she possibly have feelings for Third Uncle!
The more Mu Ziyu thought about it, the angrier he became. An inexplicable fury welled up inside him, and he viciously kicked the horse’s flank, speeding up.
However, as soon as he reached the side of Mu Changxiao’s procession, he was stopped.
Mu Ziyu’s horse abruptly reared up on its hind legs, nearly throwing him from the saddle.
In a panic, Mu Ziyu tightly gripped the reins to steady himself.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mu Changxiao gazed coldly at Mu Ziyu.
Mu Ziyu hurriedly dismounted. Without caring if there were others around, he directly asked, “Third Uncle, why are you proposing to the Song family?”
“Ziyu, this is a matter for adults. You have no right to ask,” Mu Changxiao replied coldly.
“Third Uncle, how am I supposed to face others if you do this?” Mu Ziyu was on the verge of tears. He couldn’t bear the thought of Song Tang becoming his elder, and even less could he accept having to call her Third Aunt in the future!
Mu Changxiao’s eyes swept coldly over Mu Ziyu. “That is your concern. What does it have to do with this Marquis?”
“Third Uncle, I beg you, you can’t marry her.” Mu Ziyu urgently grabbed Mu Changxiao’s sleeve, his eyes filled with pleading.
If Mu Changxiao really married Song Tang, he would lose all face in the capital.
“Outrageous!” Mu Changxiao pulled back his sleeve, his expression impassive. “This Marquis’s actions are not for you to dictate. Get out of the way!”
Mu Ziyu took a direct kick from Mu Changxiao and fell to the ground.
Wan Xing gave a meaningful glance, signaling two nearby guards to help him up.
Mu Ziyu immediately shook off their hands.
But the two guards still “assisted” Mu Ziyu to his feet.
Mu Ziyu struggled in vain and could only be “escorted” back to Mu Fu.
Madam He also learned late at night that Mu Changxiao would come to deliver the betrothal gifts today.
Early in the morning, she bustled about in the courtyard, directing the servants to hang red silk and lanterns.
Mother Chen ran to Madam He with a beaming smile, saying that Mu Changxiao and his party had already set out.
“Madam, Marquis Mu’s betrothal procession is truly grand this time. Leading the way are sixteen guards riding tall horses, each wearing a long sword at the waist, looking majestic and imposing. Following them are thirty-six loads of betrothal gifts, an impressive and magnificent sight. Marquis Mu is at the center of the procession, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with silver dragons, riding a snow-white steed…”
Madam He listened with delight, her heart blooming with joy. What woman wouldn’t want to marry such a man?
When the Earl told her last night that Marquis Mu would come to deliver the betrothal gifts today, she was so shocked she could hardly believe it.
After questioning him for a long time, she learned that Song Congzhi himself was uncertain, so he only told her in the evening after receiving confirmation from Mu Changxiao’s side.
The betrothal procession moved grandly toward the Song Residence, with passersby stopping to watch along the way, all marveling at the Marquis’s Mansion’s wealth and extravagance.
Before long, the procession arrived at the entrance of the Song Residence.
Steward Lu had already led a group of servants to greet them at the door. Upon seeing Mu Changxiao, he hurriedly bowed, his face brimming with smiles.
“Your Lordship’s esteemed presence is a great honor. My Lord Earl and Madam have been waiting in the residence for some time.”
Mu Changxiao dismounted from his horse, his voice clear and bright: “Thank you for your trouble.”
Steward Lu led Mu Changxiao into the Song Residence. Along the covered corridor, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere.
In the main hall, Song Congzhi and Madam He sat solemnly in the main seats, with Song An and Song Chao seated below. Song Wei, for the time being, remained unaware.
Afraid that Song Wei might be unhappy, Madam He had deliberately sent her to the temple early in the morning to offer incense and pray for blessings.
Mu Changxiao entered the main hall and bowed to Song Congzhi and his wife: “Lord Song, Madam He, today, under my mother’s orders, I have come to deliver the betrothal gifts, hoping to form a marital alliance with the Song family.”
When Old Lady Mu learned that Mu Changxiao intended to marry Song Tang, she had also objected.
After all, Song Tang had once been engaged to the Heir, and the Heir had previously proposed to annul the engagement. It was as if her younger son was marrying a woman her grandson had discarded.
How could this be allowed?
If word got out, wouldn’t it become a laughingstock?
But Mu Changxiao had always been stubborn. Once he set his mind on something, not even ten horses could pull him back. Old Lady Mu couldn’t sway him and had no choice but to let him have his way.
After speaking, Mu Changxiao raised his hand to signal, and the guards orderly carried in the betrothal gifts, opening them one by one.
In an instant, the room was filled with dazzling brilliance and radiance.
The first load was a jade Guanyin statue carved from mutton-fat jade. The Guanyin’s expression was serene and peaceful, with each strand of hair finely detailed, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
The second load was an exquisite white jade ruyi scepter. The jade was warm, smooth, and flawless, with a lingzhi mushroom pattern carved at the head, symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune.
The third load consisted of a hundred bolts of colorful Shu brocade, vibrant in hue and as light as cicada wings. The embroidered flowers, birds, fish, and insects seemed almost ready to leap off the fabric.
Next came various gold and silver jewelry, as well as rare antiques, calligraphy and paintings, precious medicinal herbs, and premium tea leaves. In total, thirty-six loads of betrothal gifts filled the entire hall.
Song Congzhi and his wife looked at the betrothal gifts filling the hall, not a single one of which was empty or insignificant, and expressions of astonishment appeared on their faces.
They had not expected Mu Changxiao to present such a substantial betrothal gift, feeling both gratified and somewhat uneasy.
Song Congzhi stood up and bowed to Mu Changxiao. “We never imagined the Marquis would hold our daughter in such high regard. This betrothal gift is truly too generous.”