Chapter Fourteen: How About Being Your Wife?

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“Yes. When Autumn Jade, the maid who used to attend you, served us tea just now, she never mentioned anything about it either. When we asked her, she said you were inside dressing and doing your hair,” Song Chao hurriedly added.

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, would anyone care if I were ill? If someone did care, then I would not want that person to worry about me.”

Song Tang paused, then lowered her voice and coughed twice. “Besides, Eldest Brother and Second Brother are clearly unconvinced that I am sick. Since that is the case, what difference would it make whether I told you or not? Just pretend I am not ill.”

“And I am only a little unwell. I already feel much better. Eldest Brother, Second Brother... cough, cough... there is no need to concern yourselves.”

Song Chao was blunt by nature. He said directly, “Song Tang, setting aside the matter of your illness today, we came to ask you what is going on with the cancellation of the engagement. Marriage is no trivial matter. You change your mind from one moment to the next—how is our sister Wei supposed to conduct herself?”

“What do you mean, I keep changing my mind?” Song Tang asked innocently. “Have I not already gone to Father and Marquis Mu to cancel the engagement? The matter has already been settled. Did Father not tell you?”

“Father is now worried that our cousin’s reputation will suffer, so he is hesitating over whether to marry her into the Mu household. He says he needs to think it over. Where did you hear that I was once again unwilling to cancel the engagement?”

After finishing, Song Tang coughed several more times. Song An and Song Chao’s expressions changed slightly. Song Chao took a step forward, clearly intending to say more, but Song An stopped him.

“Since our sister is unwell, we will not disturb you any longer. Rest well.” Song An pulled Song Chao out of Song Tang’s room.

Song Tang slowly closed her eyes, as though she no longer even had the strength to speak. They heard her murmur softly, “Take care, Eldest Brother and Second Brother.”

In her previous life, these two brothers had not only failed to care for her, but had also kicked her when she was down after being egged on by Song Wei.

While drinking with Mu Ziyu, they had told him to discipline Song Tang properly, saying that she had been spoiled and willful all her life. If he did not teach her a lesson, she would never become a proper marchioness of the Mu household.

As a result, Mu Ziyu would often tell her afterward that his mother’s endless torment was meant to temper her disposition. She had truly suffered every possible injustice.

In this life, these two brothers were still just as devoted to Song Wei. Even when Song Tang was ill, they continued to look straight through her.

A bitter smile touched Song Tang’s heart. The bitterness within her was like the snow falling beyond the window.

She gave a soft sigh. She had already paid the price for trusting them once in her previous life; there was no need to place any hopes in them now.

Mu Ziyu’s mother, Madam Sun, was an exceedingly forceful woman. Since Song Wei was so skilled at scheming, and had been jealous in her previous life that Song Tang would marry into the Mu household, then in this life Song Tang would simply fulfill her wish and let her marry into it instead. There was always someone worse for the wicked to contend with.

—

At that moment, Mu Ziyu was as restless as an ant on a hot pan, his heart jumping from one uncertainty to another.

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The reason was that his attendant had just told him that Song Tang had gone to see Marquis Mu again.

Mu Ziyu was afraid that Song Tang had changed her mind and no longer intended to cancel the engagement.

However, Mu Changxiao had not yet returned from the palace. Unable to sit still, Mu Ziyu went straight to Mu Changxiao’s residence.

The sovereign had ascended the throne only five years earlier, yet the old ministers around him had continually used the excuse of assisting the new emperor to seize control of the court. Over the past few years, their conduct had become increasingly outrageous.

Mu Changxiao had been the sovereign’s companion during his childhood, and His Majesty relied heavily upon him.

Three years earlier in particular, Mu Changxiao had led troops into battle under immense pressure for the sake of the sovereign. Acting with ruthless efficiency and decisive force, he had quelled the rebellion along the frontier in a single campaign and won glorious military merit, finally securing his footing at court.

His Majesty had been deeply gratified, and his trust in Mu Changxiao had grown even stronger.

Yet although Mu Changxiao now enjoyed the sovereign’s favor, he had also been caught in a difficult position amid the struggle between the factions at court. His Majesty wished to eradicate the old powers as quickly as possible and stabilize the government.

But those entrenched forces were deeply interwoven; disturbing one strand would affect the entire web, and they could not be shaken in a single day. Moreover, His Majesty had few people he could truly rely upon.

Mu Changxiao himself was, in fact, part of the old establishment. Thus, he had to tread with the utmost caution, fearful that one careless move might bring disaster upon himself.

When he emerged from the palace, the servants of the Mu residence immediately informed him that Song Tang was waiting for him there.

Mu Changxiao abandoned his carriage, mounted a horse, and galloped all the way home at full speed.

Song Tang had already drunk two cups of tea. Today, she was determined to wait for Mu Changxiao.

Still, when she actually saw him enter, travel-worn and weary-faced, her heart tightened involuntarily.

She rose somewhat stiffly and saluted him. “Marquis Mu.”

Mu Changxiao gave a slight nod. “Sit.”

Song Tang sat as instructed, her body faintly rigid. Her hands were clasped nervously together, wrinkling the handkerchief she held.

Seeing her discomfort, Mu Changxiao said to Wan Xing, “Everyone else may withdraw for now.”

The instant Mu Changxiao finished speaking, Wan Xing lowered his eyes and respectfully withdrew.

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Caidie glanced at Song Tang and, after receiving her confirming signal, followed Wan Xing out on silent footsteps.

Only Mu Changxiao and Song Tang remained in the reception hall.

“Miss Song, have you regretted your decision?” Mu Changxiao’s voice was low, as cold and沉重 as winter snow settling, making his emotions impossible to discern.

Song Tang forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart and lightly bit her lip. “I have not regretted it.”

“Oh?” Mu Changxiao deliberately drew out the sound, unconsciously rubbing the jade thumb ring on his finger.

“Then why have you come today?”

Song Tang’s heart rose into her throat. A faint flush spread across her fair face. She turned her gaze slightly aside, drew a deep breath, and summoned her courage.

“Marquis Mu, what do you think of making me your wife?”

The moment Song Tang finished speaking, she felt the atmosphere in the room freeze. It was so quiet that one might have heard a needle fall.

Mu Shu’an had been right. Mu Changxiao was her best choice. If she did not wish to be manipulated by others, she had to make plans for herself.

Since Mu Changxiao had promised to give her a commitment, she would shamelessly make use of it. But if Mu Changxiao truly did not wish to marry her, she would not force him. A melon forcibly twisted from the vine could never be sweet.

She had already prepared herself for the worst. If Mu Changxiao refused, she would say that Mu Shu’an had asked her to pose the question. Otherwise, it would be far too humiliating. In any case, the siblings were close.

She had also prepared another request: that Mu Changxiao take a hand in the great matter of her future, helping her choose a husband—or even helping her separate from her family. In this life, she had to seize control of the remainder of her life with her own hands.

Mu Changxiao’s gaze remained fixed upon Song Tang. He had polished the jade thumb ring until it gleamed. His expression was complicated and unreadable, as though he were weighing his decision.

Song Tang could not tell what he thought. Her palms had already begun to sweat, and she did not dare meet his eyes.

Did he not wish to marry her?

Song Tang felt a pang of regret. If only she had asked first whether he even needed a wife. If he said he did, she could then recommend herself; if he said he did not, she could still invent some excuse to cover her embarrassment.

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