Yunling was just about to reach out and feel Mu Wan’s forehead to check if she had a fever when she caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. The servant girl immediately straightened up and respectfully bowed, “Miss, you are absolutely right. It was narrow-minded of me.” Her tone was very earnest and sincere.
Now it was Mu Wan’s turn to want to check Yunling’s forehead.
But Yunling turned around and bowed again, this time to someone behind them. “Greetings to the Marquis.”
With a slight, awkward pause, Mu Wan turned to see Xie Heng and Xiao Liu standing at the fork in the path leading to Wutong Courtyard. She wasn’t sure if they had just arrived or had been standing there for some time.
Still, even if they’d been there for a while, her remarks just now were perfectly proper, yes! Having a clear conscience, Mu Wan straightened her back with confidence and curtsied. “Greetings to the Marquis.”
Xie Heng strolled over leisurely and stopped in front of her. “So, how does Eldest Miss Mu plan to make this Marquis take a fall?”
Mu Wan: “…”
‘Oh, so you didn’t catch a single flattering word, huh? Why am I not surprised?’
“What are you talking about, my lord?” She feigned confusion. “Take a fall? Oh,” she said with a look of sudden realization, “Just now Yunling was mumbling something about someone making you take such a big fall that you ended up having to marry me. I suppose you must have misheard.”
“I’ve already reprimanded her,” Mu Wan added with an air of seriousness. “Since it’s true that you’ve taken a fall, it’s understandable that you didn’t show up during the marriage proposal. Even if others mocked our Mu family, we have no right to complain.”
Her gaze flicked to his flying fish-patterned crimson robe, the official uniform of his rank, and she suddenly adopted a respectful tone. “Are you on duty, my lord? Is there anything we can help you with?”
Xie Heng: “…”
Even Xiao Liu couldn’t help but want to cover his face. Sure, this marriage might be an insult to the Marquis, but it seemed this Miss Mu wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it either. Yet, not only did the Marquis skip the proposal, but he even came on the same day for official business…
It was indeed a bit excessive, no matter how you put it.
Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed from a distance before the person even came into view. “Eldest Miss, the Xie family is here to propose. Madam has asked you to meet the guests. Even if the Marquis dislikes this marriage, you’re still the future lady of the household, so it’s just proper for you to see and greet Eldest Madam Xie, especially since the entire affairs of the marquis manor will eventually be handed over to you.”
Her tone carried no respect, only thinly veiled mockery, as if she were doing everything she could to belittle Mu Wan. And the speaker? Just a second-class momo1 from Shen-shi’s courtyard.
When the momo turned the corner and saw the group, she froze in shock. From a distance of about ten steps, she shrieked, “Who are you? What are you doing in the women’s quarters of the Mu family?”
Without waiting for an answer, she scolded loudly, “Eldest Miss, forgive this servant’s bluntness, but your usual indulgences are one thing. But with the Zhenbei Marquis Manor’s people here, how could you meet with unknown men in private?” She turned to shout for others. “Someone, come quickly! Drive these two out before the guests in front notice!”
Despite her words, her voice was deliberately loud, as if she couldn’t wait for the entire neighborhood to hear.
Xiao Liu frowned. “Now I see where Eldest Miss’s bad reputation comes from. Everyone and her dog are eager to throw mud on her name at every opportunity.” He then shouted coldly, “The Marquis of Zhenbei is here. How dare you be so insolent! Silence!”
The oppressive aura honed from years working in the Mingjing Bureau made his rebuke sharp and commanding. The momo’s screech came to an abrupt halt, like a duck whose neck had been clamped. Only then did she notice Xie Heng and Xiao Liu’s attire. When her gaze met Xie Heng’s, her legs gave out, and she fell to her knees uncontrollably. “M-my lord, please spare me!”
Xie Heng didn’t even spare her a glance. Meanwhile, Mu Wan, as if entirely used to this sort of thing, merely offered Xie Heng a faintly apologetic smile. “Please forgive the servants for their lack of discipline, my lord.”
Compared to her earlier sharp-witted sarcasm, her current expression of genuine embarrassment and grievance made it painfully clear how much she had endured.
Xiao Liu couldn’t help glancing at Xie Heng—somehow, it felt like this was all his lord’s fault.
But Xie Heng did not seem to be moved. After pondering for a moment, he spoke up, “I heard from Xie Di that your requirements for this marriage were simple: a family with influence and status, no need to serve your husband, and the freedom to flaunt your status. Is that correct?”
Mu Wan: “…”
So this is what they mean by a heart of stone? She was finally witnessing it firsthand. Unbelievable! How infuriating!
“It was just a playful joke with my servant girl. Don’t you often crack jokes with your friends, my lord?” Mu Wan plastered on a fake smile.
Xie Heng replied flatly, “No.”
Mu Wan: “…”
Xie Heng glanced at her. “As long as you don’t do anything out of line, I can indulge your ‘jokes.’ While the manor’s financial management won’t be handed to you, aside from your monthly allowance, any reasonable expenses can be freely withdrawn from the public accounts.”
‘Wait, is he stating the job benefits?’ Mu Wan pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the joy bubbling inside her. Indeed, one should not define others too narrowly—no matter how insufferable a person is, they always have redeeming qualities. Take Xie Heng, for example. While he might fail in many ways, at least he was generous.
As Xie Heng observed the way her ears perked up, for some reason, he thought of a cautious yet sly wild cat he once encountered in the mountains.
“I’m usually very busy and won’t have the time or energy to attend to your matters. For occasions like today, where my presence isn’t necessary, I likely won’t be there to support you. Is that acceptable?”
‘Of course, it’s acceptable! Very acceptable!’ Mu Wan took a deep breath to contain her excitement as she put on her best pitiful look and responded in a tone of sad resignation, “Of course, my lord. I’ll follow whatever arrangements you deem appropriate.”
Xie Heng lowered his gaze to her. “There’s no need to force yourself. If you find this unacceptable, it’s not too late to annul the engagement.”
Mu Wan cleared her throat, her tone firming up. “That won’t be necessary. To ease the Marquis’s burdens is an honor. Though I am but a commoner merchant’s daughter, I still carry a heart devoted to the country and its people!”
Xie Heng clearly didn’t buy into her nonsense. “Rest assured, matters of national concern won’t involve you.”
“Understood, my lord. I’ll leave everything in your capable hand.” Mu Wan’s smile instantly became more genuine. “Do you have any instructions?”
“There are indeed some questions we’d like to ask you,” Xie Heng said as he began walking toward Wutong Courtyard.
Mu Wan didn’t hurry to follow. Instead, she turned to the kneeling momo and said with a helpless tone, “I wonder if the reason you’ve remained second-class all these years is because of poor eyesight. Where did you get the gall to scold Marquis Xie? Since the Marquis doesn’t favor me, I can’t plead on your behalf. You should stay here and kneel until his anger subsides.”
The momo raised her head slightly, regaining a bit of her courage now that Xie Heng had walked farther away. “Is Eldest Miss intentionally punishing this servant? Madam Xie is waiting for you, and yet you leave her hanging.”
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What the.. What kind of servant is that.
One who knows to express her chief mistress’ wishes, especially as her mistress likely has her papers so to speak – from what I know of these pieces.
The sparkle in her eyes growing more and more pronounced by the moment the more he tells her not to GAF lol
Can’t wait for more. Thank you!