After the Pingyang Hou finished speaking, he naturally glared at Lu Zhi who sat off to the side.
Seeing that Lu Zhi was still staring at Liu Xiyin, looking utterly unconcerned, he was so furious he nearly hurled the teacup in his hand at him!
“Zhi’er!” Zhang Shi had always been adept at reading the room.
Otherwise, she could never have held her position as the Madam of Pingyang Houfu so steadily amidst all those beauties in the back courtyard.
Only when called did Lu Zhi finally withdraw his gaze from Liu Xiyin.
“Father, what use is there in you being anxious now?”
“The engagement has already been called off, and your son has been humiliated like this. I have no face to go crawling back!”
Lu Zhi had his own calculations.
If he were to shamelessly show up at their door now, never mind the people in the capital—even his own close friends would likely mock him behind his back.
He had already lost face; he didn’t want to lose any more.
How could the Pingyang Hou not see through Lu Zhi’s thoughts? He slammed his hand heavily on the table, startling everyone in the hall into a shudder.
Zhang Shi’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced a smile to placate him.
“My Lord, please don’t be angry. Zhi’er is still young and doesn’t understand the depths of this matter. A bit more guidance from you is all he needs.”
The Pingyang Hou shot a glance at Lu Zhi. “Do you think the Emperor gave that one-month deadline for no reason? It’s to give you a chance!”
“If you don’t go, I’ll disown you as my son!”
Hearing the Pingyang Hou speak so harshly, a flicker of doubt passed swiftly through Zhang Shi’s eyes.
But she knew well what weighed on the Pingyang Hou’s mind, so she naturally wouldn’t pry.
After seeing the Pingyang Hou off, Zhang Shi turned to look at her son, who was wholly absorbed in comforting Liu Xiyin. Her displeasure toward this daughter of a servant who knew no bounds grew ever stronger.
Before Zhang Shi could speak, Liu Xiyin was already kneeling in the center of the hall.
“Today’s matter was all caused by Xiyin. I beg Madam not to be angry. Xiyin is willing to accept punishment, to be disposed of as Madam sees fit.”
Zhang Shi’s brows shifted slightly, and she regarded Liu Xiyin with a hint of surprise.
“After all, you are a Jiashengzi of the Houfu, so I cannot punish you too harshly.”
“Though Zhi’er favors you, in the end you will be but a Jianqie of the Houfu. These rules…”
Liu Xiyin’s eyes moved subtly as she cut in, “Xiyin knows she is dull and dares not hope for anything more.”
“I am willing to study the rules under Mama Fang, so that in the future I may better serve the young master and the future mistress.”
She knew well that she could not escape today’s reckoning. Rather than be at others’ mercy, it was better to take the initiative.
Besides, everyone in the household knew of Mama Fang’s methods. Her request was hardly a light one.
“Since you have such resolve, I shall naturally grant it.”
Zhang Shi tossed out a satisfied remark and shot a meaningful glance at Mama Fang standing beside her.
The latter understood and waved her hand at a nearby maid.
Two maids hoisted Liu Xiyin up. As she passed Lu Zhi, she forced a brave smile.
She cast Lu Zhi a look meant to reassure him, without making a sound.
It was precisely this that would make Lu Zhi ache for her all the more!
Sure enough, upon seeing Liu Xiyin led away by the maids,
Lu Zhi rose anxiously and went before Zhang Shi to plead, “Mother, you have always been generous and kind. Could you not make things difficult for Xiyin?”
Seeing her son so thoroughly bewitched, Zhang Shi’s face suddenly hardened as she set down her teacup with a sharp clatter.
“You have the leisure to worry about a Jianqie! If you don’t want that bastard of the second branch to completely climb over your head, you’d best do as your father says!”
At the mention of Lu Yuan, Lu Zhi’s face turned as ugly as if he had eaten something foul.
The thought that the title of Shizi of the Houfu had actually been given to that bastard made a knot of rage fester in his chest.
And he attributed every bit of Liu Xiyin’s humiliation today to Mu Yao!
“Your son understands.”
Seeing that Lu Zhi had finally come to his senses, Zhang Shi sighed and spoke earnestly, “Zhi’er, go to the Mu family tomorrow with an apology gift.”
“Understood. Your son still has matters to attend to, so I won’t trouble Mother further.”
Watching Lu Zhi’s hurriedly retreating back, Zhang Shi rose in irritation.
Seeing this, Mama Fang quickly offered her some chrysanthemum tea to cool her temper.
“Madam, even if not for anything else, the young master will surely go to the Mu family for the sake of the Shizi position. Please set your mind at ease.”
Zhang Shi let out a sigh, a dark glint flashing in her eyes. “Go to Granny Wang’s place. Let that Mu Yao know that the Pingyang Houfu is no soft persimmon to be squeezed!”
“Yes, this servant will go at once!”
The matter of Mama Fang going to find Granny Wang that very night reached Mu Yao’s ears the next morning through Uncle Wang.
She picked through the trinkets Lu Zhi had given her—worthless little things—and casually handed them to Ningzhu.
“Did you give Granny Wang her reward money?”
Uncle Wang nodded. “As you instructed, miss, I gave her one tael of silver. Granny Wang was grinning from ear to ear and said she’d be thinking things over for you on the side.”
“Mama Fang didn’t give anything?” Ningzhu was somewhat surprised.
At the mention of Mama Fang, Uncle Wang’s face twisted with disdain.
“From what Granny Wang said, Mama Fang went there to throw her weight around and only gave a string of copper coins.”
Ningzhu couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Mu Yao raised an eyebrow and put away the jewelry box. “Go bring out the things Mother left me. From now on, I’ll use those.”
Uncle Wang and Ningzhu exchanged a glance, their faces brightening considerably.
“This servant will prepare them at once!”
Ningzhu left together with Uncle Wang, taking the jewelry box with her as she went.
Mu Yao rose slowly to her feet. The priceless Qiansichou she wore shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, making her porcelain-white skin appear even more luminous and lending her an air of refined nobility.
She glanced down at the costly garments adorning her and found it rather amusing.
Her mother had been the sole daughter of the Lan family, and the dowry she had brought upon marriage had filled several entire boats!
How could she possibly be an ordinary girl from a humble household, dressed in plain cloth with no family fortune to speak of?
In the past, she had merely been considerate of Lu Zhi’s pride, unwilling to wound his self-respect.
Now, there was no longer any need for such restraint.
Even if the Mu family had declined, they were not playthings to be crushed in anyone’s grasp!
Just as she was contemplating her next move, she saw Uncle Wang return.
“Miss, someone from Pingyang Houfu has arrived. Would you like to receive them?”
Mu Yao was about to say no, but a thought crossed her mind, and she asked, “Who came?”
“The eldest young master Lu.”
Uncle Wang’s expression was especially grim as he spoke. “If you don’t wish to see him, Miss, I’ll have the servants drive him out with sticks!”
“I’ll see him.” Mu Yao rose slowly and smoothed her skirts.
“If I don’t, he won’t leave so easily, and in the end, it’ll be the Mu family that becomes a laughingstock.”
She had anticipated Lu Zhi would come, but hadn’t expected him so soon.
If she refused to see him today, no doubt some Madam Zhang from the Houfu would soon come knocking on their door.
“This Lu family is nothing but shameless scoundrels! I’ll guard you, Miss—if he dares say or do anything to you at the Mu family’s doorstep, I’ll spit right in his face!”
Ningzhu stamped her foot in fury, looking as though she was ready to pick a fight with Lu Zhi.
Her outburst drew a faint smile to Mu Yao’s lips.
Outside the reception hall, Lu Zhi stood rooted to the spot with a grim expression, feeling that every glance from passersby behind him was mocking him.
“How much longer is this Mu Yao going to dawdle?!”
Lu Zhi’s eyes were full of impatience. Had his father not instructed him before he left, he would have turned around and walked away.
Zhu Xi, who stood beside Lu Zhi, urged him, “Eldest Young Master, just wait a little longer. At worst, you can deal with her after she’s married into the family.”
Lu Zhi furrowed his brow but continued to wait.
However, when he caught sight of a figure in the distance, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “Does the Mu family have another young miss?”
Zhu Xi craned his neck to peer into the courtyard and naturally saw the newcomer dressed in luxurious attire.
“I’ve never heard of the Mu family having another young miss. Perhaps she’s a guest visiting the Mu residence?”
“After all, that’s a full set of Qiansichou she’s wearing—I doubt Miss Mu could afford such a thing.”