Rong Tangtang saw right through the steward’s intention to embarrass her—he was clearly acting with malicious intent. She let out a scornful chuckle and said, “What really opens my eyes is… that a servant of the Huo family actually dares to walk side-by-side with his master!”
With that, she shot Uncle Li a meaningful look and mouthed the words: ‘Dog, ser, vant.’
Then, she offered a provocative smile, practically on the verge of making a face at him.
The steward’s face instantly turned bright red with rage. This was the new era, and Uncle Li was the personal steward chosen by the Grand Marshal’s wife herself. He held a respectable position in the Huo family—which of the women in the various households didn’t address him respectfully as Steward Li? This was the first time anyone had ever called him a dog servant.
Rong Tangtang strode forward triumphantly, putting some distance between herself and the steward.
Ever since she could walk, she had run around playing in the courtyards of the former imperial palace, and later, when she followed her grandfather to England, she lived in castles. A mere Grand Marshal’s Mansion was supposed to have broadened her horizons? Dog servant, if you want to bully someone, you should at least check who your target is!
Hmph!
Following Huo Siyu, Rong Tangtang arrived at the east courtyard of the Grand Marshal’s Mansion, which was where the elders of the Huo family lived.
Inside the courtyard stood a spacious, old-style mansion surrounded by a lotus pond, small bridges, pavilions, rockeries, and various rare flowers and trees.
Compared to the grand and majestic front courtyard of the mansion, the east courtyard used for living quarters possessed a unique, classical, elegant, and serene atmosphere.
Stepping into the main parlor, she looked up and immediately saw the Northern Grand Marshal, Huo Zhenting, sitting on a carved wooden chair.
Although he was already past fifty, he still possessed an upright and well-built figure. Dressed in a brown long gown, he looked poised and luxurious. His hair was meticulously combed back, and his square face, though bearing the faint traces of time, was still quite handsome.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes were resolute and intense, radiating an unquestionable majesty—he was a man with enough presence to overawe all directions.
Back at the wedding, Rong Tangtang hadn’t even had the chance to take a careful look at her “father-in-law.”
Sitting across the tea table from Huo Zhenting was the Huo family’s Old Ancestor, Huo Zhenting’s biological mother, Lady Ding.
Seeing Huo Siyu coldly and casually greet his father and the Old Ancestor, Rong Tangtang stepped forward gracefully and offered her bows. “Greetings to the Old Ancestor and Father.”
Huo Zhenting took a deep breath and didn’t respond.
Instead, the Old Ancestor smiled kindly. Noticing that Rong Tangtang’s arm was bandaged, she couldn’t help but worry, “Granddaughter-in-law, what happened to your arm?”
“I had a small, accidental injury, nothing serious,” Rong Tangtang replied with a smile, her deep dimples making her instantly endearing.
Huo Siyu furrowed his brows and asked with an impatient air, “Father, it’s my wedding night. Why did you summon me here?”
“You scoundrel, do you not know what you’ve done?” Huo Zhenting burst into a rage. “You were absent during the wedding ceremony, letting your wolf stand in for you. And you had your adjutant tell the outside world that you had urgent matters to handle concerning the safety of the North. Ha! Do you take me for a fool who doesn’t know what you’re up to? This wife of yours publicly chopped off your mother’s hand at the wedding—it’s an act of unfilial rebellion, yet you brought her back into the house anyway. What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
Realizing the situation, Rong Tangtang deliberately rushed to admit her fault, a flash of shrewd calculation darting through her eyes. “Father, it’s all my fault; please don’t blame Siyu. Chopping off Mother-in-law’s hand was my grave, unforgivable mistake.
I’ve suffered from a psychiatric illness since I was a child. Although I went abroad for treatment for over a dozen years, it still flares up occasionally when I’m triggered. I suddenly had an episode at the wedding today, and I’ve been filled with regret ever since I regained my senses.”
Huo Zhenting looked at Rong Tangtang in disbelief. “What? You’ve had a psychiatric illness since childhood?”
Rong Tangtang nodded. “Yes. When Mother-in-law went to my family to propose the marriage, my family informed her of it.”
Huo Zhenting had been completely unaware of this; his eldest son’s marriage had been entirely orchestrated by his wife, Shen Yaoyu.