In the bitter cold of deep winter, Mu Ziyu’s forehead was beaded with cold sweat.
He knew Mu Changxiao’s temperament. Song Tang had saved Mu Changxiao’s life, so naturally, Mu Changxiao would protect Song Tang. However, this time, it was Song Tang herself who had proposed to dissolve the engagement—it had nothing to do with him.
“Third Uncle, I did mention it before, but I changed my mind later. I think the engagement with Song Tang is still feasible. This time, it was Song Tang who requested to dissolve the engagement. I did not force her. If Song Tang regrets it now, I have no objections. We can still set a date and I will marry her as planned.”
Mu Changxiao gave Mu Ziyu a deep, inscrutable look but said nothing more. He toyed with the jade thumb ring on his finger, his expression unreadable.
Time passed minute by minute, and the atmosphere in the study grew increasingly stifling.
Mu Ziyu had never suffered much hardship since childhood and had rarely knelt in the ancestral hall. After kneeling for so long, his knees were already aching, but he dared not show it, forcing himself to endure.
“Marquis, the evening meal is ready,” Wan Xing reminded softly from outside the door.
Mu Changxiao slowly raised his head and said calmly, “Bring it in.”
Wan Xing placed the evening meal on the desk, instantly filling the study with a tantalizing aroma.
Mu Changxiao picked up his chopsticks and began to eat slowly.
Mu Ziyu remained kneeling on the floor. The scent of the food intensified the hunger in his stomach, but he dared not move without permission, continuing to endure.
Only after Mu Changxiao finished his meal did he speak again, slowly and deliberately. “Ziyu, why did you want to break off the engagement back then, and why did you change your mind later? Tell me.”
Mu Ziyu swallowed nervously. “It was because Third Uncle promised to give me that large estate in Jingjiao.”
That vast estate in Jingjiao was Mu Changxiao’s personal property, not part of the Mu family assets. When the family divided its property in the future, that estate would not be included in the division.
Moreover, the estate generated an annual income of at least over a hundred thousand taels. Mu Ziyu was well aware of this, which was why he had been tempted in the first place.
Mu Changxiao narrowed his eyes slightly. “Song Tang saved my life. The Jingjiao Manor is my gift to her as a token of gratitude. As long as you comply with her wishes, the Jingjiao Manor will remain yours. I will not take it back.”
“However! Dissolving the engagement with Song Tang this time has greatly affected her personal reputation. You must find a solution to make amends.”
Mu Ziyu finally understood. The Jingjiao Manor would not be taken back, and he could still cancel the engagement with Song Tang.
Third Uncle’s only requirement was to ensure Song Tang’s reputation remained untarnished.
A weight lifted from Mu Ziyu’s heart. He could not bear to part with the Jingjiao Manor—after all, it brought in over a hundred thousand taels annually.
“Third Uncle, I understand. I will come up with a way to protect Song Tang’s reputation,” Mu Ziyu said, a relieved smile spreading across his face.
Mu Changxiao took a sip of tea. “You don’t need to think about it. I’ve already thought of a solution for you.”
“What?” Mu Ziyu looked up in surprise, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
“Yesterday, at the Song Residence, you publicly defended that woman named Song Wei in front of everyone. Are you interested in her?”
Mu Ziyu was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Third Uncle to bring this up. He had planned to ask for Song Wei’s hand in marriage after this matter settled down.
He admitted openly, “Song Wei is gentle and kind-hearted. I do have feelings for her.”
“Do you want to marry her?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s just that she is not Madam He’s biological daughter. I’m afraid Mother will not allow it.”
“Leave that aside for now. I only ask you: do you wish to marry her?”
“Yes,” Mu Ziyu answered firmly.
Mu Changxiao looked meaningfully at Mu Ziyu, his expression unreadable.
“Very well. I can agree to your marriage with Song Wei, but on one condition: you must personally go to the Song Residence to formally apologize to Song Tang, and publicly announce that you and Song Wei developed feelings long ago, and that you were the one who wronged Song Tang. Additionally, you must separately provide two hundred thousand taels of your private assets as compensation to Song Tang for canceling the engagement.”
“Two hundred thousand taels?” Mu Ziyu’s mouth fell open in shock. This year’s income from Jingjiao Manor hadn’t even reached two hundred thousand taels yet—it hadn’t even warmed his hands, and now it would all go to Song Tang?
“You’re unwilling?” Mu Changxiao frowned slightly, his gaze cold as he stared at Mu Ziyu.
Mu Ziyu felt a pang of heartache inwardly, but then reconsidered: Jingjiao Manor brought in over a hundred thousand taels annually, so this compensation wasn’t actually excessive.
“I’m willing, I’m willing. But, Third Uncle, can you really ensure I marry Song Wei?” Mu Ziyu was still worried about getting past his mother.
Although he did mind somewhat that Song Wei wasn’t the legitimate daughter of the Earl’s mansion, at least her late father had been the new Imperial Examination’s third-ranked scholar, so it wasn’t too disgraceful.
“As long as you do as I say, I can ensure you smoothly marry Song Wei,” Mu Changxiao said calmly, though his expression grew colder.
Mu Ziyu was thrilled. He desperately wanted to rescue Song Wei from her predicament.
Song Wei had once told him that while everyone said Madam He and Earl Song doted on her like their own daughter, she knew their true intentions. She only felt familial affection toward her brothers Song An and Song Chao, not romantic feelings.
At that time, seeing Song Wei weeping pitifully before him, Mu Ziyu became even more determined to marry her. However, bound by his engagement to Song Tang, he hadn’t voiced those words aloud.
Now, a perfect opportunity lay before him—he had to seize it!
He would marry Song Wei. He would make Song Tang regret it. He was the Heir of the Marquis’s Mansion; aside from him, Song Tang could never marry into a better family.
Mu Ziyu declared resolutely, “Third Uncle, I agree. As long as I can marry Song Wei, I’m willing to do anything.”
Mu Changxiao gave him a cold look. “Leave now.”
Mu Ziyu felt as if granted amnesty. He immediately rose, though his legs were numb from kneeling too long. Struggling to stand steadily, he slowly exited the study.
His heart was filled with joy; he could hardly wait to share this good news with Song Wei.
“Marquis, by agreeing to let the Heir marry the Song family’s second young lady, the First Branch’s Madam likely won’t consent easily,” Wan Xing reminded in a low voice after Mu Ziyu had left.
Mu Changxiao smiled disdainfully. “If she dares obstruct, I have ways to silence her.”
“Is it worth offending the First Branch’s Madam just for the Heir to marry the Song family’s second young lady?”
Wan Xing felt some concern for his master. Mu Changxiao’s attainment of the Marquis position hadn’t been easy; the First Branch had always watched covetously, waiting for Mu Changxiao’s death so Mu Ziyu could directly inherit the title.
If the First Branch perceived that Mu Changxiao deliberately forced a non-biological Song daughter upon their son as principal wife, making them suspicious, that would be troublesome.
Mu Changxiao replied mildly, “There’s no question of worth. Since her son Mu Ziyu wishes to marry her, I’ll simply fulfill his desire.”
That year, just after finishing a battle, he had received a pigeon post that his elder brother Mu Changming was dying.
He rushed back to the Mu residence on fast horses and saw Mu Changming one last time.
On his deathbed, Mu Changming revealed the true cause of his worsening condition to Mu Changxiao. He knew that his son, who had recently inherited the title, was struggling to secure his footing and might even be in mortal danger.