Chapter 25: None of Them Are Exaggerated

"It is the one from the Song family," Wan Xing replied truthfully.

Mu Ziyu was stunned. "The Song family? Which Song family?"

"The eldest legitimate daughter of Earl Song’s house."

"Song Tang?" Mu Ziyu’s eyes widened in shock. He had never expected Mu Changxiao to marry Song Tang. He had scheduled his own proposal to Song Wei for the twentieth, so he hadn't even considered the Song family in this context; he never imagined it could be Song Tang!

"Yes, Young Master, the very Miss Song you speak of."

"How is this possible? Why would Third Uncle marry her?" Mu Ziyu’s face darkened instantly.

Wan Xing said earnestly, "It is true, Young Master. The Marquis is indeed presenting betrothal gifts to Miss Song Tang."

"Is Song Tang willing? She couldn't possibly be!" A storm raged in Mu Ziyu’s heart; he could not accept this reality.

"If Miss Song were not willing, our Marquis would not have made such a grand display of going to the Song residence to propose today," Wan Xing explained patiently. "Young Master, I must be going. If you wish to follow, you may simply trail behind."

Mu Ziyu was left speechless. It was impossible, absolutely impossible. How could his Third Uncle marry Song Tang? Song Tang had once been betrothed to him. Did his Third Uncle not feel ashamed? Given Song Tang’s temper and ways, his Third Uncle could never have taken a liking to her. It had to be false; it had to be a dream!

Mu Ziyu slapped himself hard. The stinging pain on his face brought him back from his shock.

"Young Master, why did you hit yourself?" his attendant asked, confused, not understanding why his master would slap himself in the middle of the street.

Mu Ziyu glared at the attendant, his face grim. He found a horse and prepared to rush to the Song residence ahead of the procession. He had to ask Song Tang in person why she had agreed to marry his Third Uncle. Didn't she feel awkward? She must be doing this on purpose, just to spite him. How could she possibly have feelings for his Third Uncle?

The more Mu Ziyu thought about it, the angrier he became. A fire burned in his chest as he kicked his horse's flanks, accelerating. However, as soon as he reached the side of Mu Changxiao’s procession, he was intercepted. His horse reared up, and Mu Ziyu nearly fell from the saddle.

In his panic, he gripped the reins tightly, steadying himself.

"What are you doing?" Mu Changxiao looked at him coldly.

Mu Ziyu hurriedly dismounted. Ignoring the presence of others, he asked directly, "Third Uncle, why are you going to the Song residence to propose?"

"Ziyu, this is a matter for adults. You have no right to ask," Mu Changxiao replied with icy detachment.

"Third Uncle, how does this make me look?" Mu Ziyu was on the verge of tears. He could not accept Song Tang becoming his elder, and he certainly could not accept having to call her 'Third Aunt' in the future!

Mu Changxiao’s gaze swept over him coldly. "That is your concern. What does it have to do with me?"

"Third Uncle, I beg you, you cannot marry her." Mu Ziyu grabbed Mu Changxiao’s sleeve, his eyes full of pleading. If Mu Changxiao truly married Song Tang, he would lose all face in the capital.

"Insolent!" Mu Changxiao pulled his sleeve away and said expressionlessly, "I do not need you to interfere with my affairs. Get out of the way!"

Mu Ziyu was sent sprawling to the ground by a kick from Mu Changxiao. Wan Xing signaled for two guards to help him up, but Mu Ziyu swatted their hands away. Despite his resistance, the guards "helped" him up and escorted him back toward the Mu estate.

Lady He had only learned in the middle of the night that Mu Changxiao was coming to present betrothal gifts today. Since early morning, she had been bustling about the courtyard, directing servants to hang red silk and lanterns. Nurse Chen came running to her, beaming, to report that Mu Changxiao’s procession had departed.

"Madam, the Marquis’s display is truly magnificent! Leading the way are sixteen guards on tall steeds, swords at their waists, looking majestic. Following them are thirty-six chests of betrothal gifts, a massive spectacle. The Marquis is at the very center of the procession, wearing a moon-white silk robe embroidered with silver dragons, riding a snow-white stallion..."

Lady He was overjoyed. What woman would not want to marry such a man? When the Earl had told her in the middle of the night that the Marquis was coming, she had been shocked and disbelieving. It was only after much questioning that she learned Song Congzhi had been uncertain, waiting until the Marquis confirmed the news late in the evening to tell her.

The procession moved toward the Song residence, with the common people along the way stopping to watch, all marveling at the Marquis’s immense wealth. Soon, they arrived at the gates. Steward Lu had already led the household staff to welcome them, bowing to Mu Changxiao with a beaming smile.

"The Marquis honors us with his presence. The Earl and Madam have been waiting for some time."

Mu Changxiao dismounted, his voice clear and resonant. "My thanks."

Steward Lu led him into the residence, where every corridor was decorated with lanterns and silk. In the main hall, Song Congzhi and Lady He sat in the seats of honor, with Song An and Song Chao seated below them. Song Wei did not yet know. Lady He, fearing Song Wei would be upset, had sent her to the temple to pray for blessings that morning.

Mu Changxiao entered the hall and bowed to the couple. "Lord Song, Lady He, I have come today under the instruction of my mother to present betrothal gifts, hoping to forge a bond of marriage with the Song family."

When the Dowager Marchioness had first heard of her son's intention to marry Song Tang, she had objected. After all, Song Tang had been betrothed to the Young Master, and since he had previously sought to cancel that engagement, it meant her youngest son was marrying a woman his own nephew had rejected. How could that be? It would surely invite ridicule. But Mu Changxiao was stubborn; once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him. The Dowager Marchioness, unable to change his course, had finally relented.

After speaking, Mu Changxiao gestured, and the guards brought in the gifts in an orderly fashion, opening them one by one. Instantly, the hall was filled with a brilliant, dazzling radiance.

The first chest contained a Guanyin statue carved from mutton-fat jade, its expression serene, with every strand of hair meticulously detailed—an exquisite work of art. The second held a fine white jade ruyi, the stone warm and flawless, with carvings of lingzhi mushrooms on the head, symbolizing good fortune. The third contained a hundred bolts of vibrant Shu brocade, light as cicada wings, with flowers, birds, and insects embroidered so vividly they seemed ready to leap off the fabric.

Following these were various gold and silver jewelry, rare antiques, precious calligraphy and paintings, valuable medicinal herbs, and top-tier tea. All thirty-six chests were filled to the brim, occupying the entire hall.

Song Congzhi and Lady He stared at the bounty, realizing that every single item was authentic and valuable. Astonishment was written clearly on their faces. They had not expected such a heavy dowry from Mu Changxiao, and they felt both gratified and somewhat uneasy.

Song Congzhi stood and bowed to Mu Changxiao. "I had not expected the Marquis to hold my daughter in such high regard. These gifts are truly too generous."