Chapter 56: Sending Off the Bride
After returning home, Xie Miaorong had prepared dinner early. Hearing the sound of the door opening, he emerged from the kitchen, wiping his delicate hands on his apron, smiling charmingly: “Sister-in-law, you’re back.”
Xie Yi smelled the aroma wafting from the kitchen, the smile on his face gradually fading: “Didn’t I tell you not to go into the kitchen? We don’t know if your cooking will suit the wife-master’s taste.”
Xie Miaorong’s clear jade eyes sparkled as he smiled, bringing out a plate of steamed bass, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and mapo tofu from the kitchen: “I often help my brother, and I’ve learned by watching. Since you and sister-in-law came back late today, I was worried there wouldn’t be enough time if we waited for brother to cook, so I made it in advance.”
After speaking, Xie Miaorong ladled a bowl of plain congee for Su Mu, smiling: “It’s hot in summer, so I was worried sister-in-law might not have an appetite. I only made plain congee. Sister-in-law usually only eats brother’s cooking, but today please try my culinary skills.”
Su Mu lowered her eyes and smiled faintly: “Alright.”
She pulled Xie Yi to sit down and casually took a bite: “It’s indeed not bad. Xiao Yi, you should try it too.”
Hearing this, Xie Miaorong glanced at Xie Yi: “Brother, please try some too.”
Since Su Mu had praised the dishes, how could Xie Yi say they weren’t good? He reluctantly said: “It’s not bad, much better than what you cooked before.”
Xie Miaorong sat down happily: “It’s all thanks to brother’s good teaching. Now that I’ve learned to cook, I can help relieve your burden when you’re busy in the future.”
Help relieve his burden? Xie Yi sneered inwardly, afraid it was more like distracting Su Mu’s attention tirelessly. His younger brother’s little schemes had never rested for a day.
After lunch, Su Mu, who didn’t have the habit of napping, simply read books in her room to prepare for the exam. Xie Yi quietly embroidered beside her. The scorching noon light shot into the room, and the cicadas’ chirping was piercingly noisy.
Su Mu was disturbed by the cicadas and couldn’t concentrate on reading. She put down her book and sighed softly. Before she could speak, Xie Yi put down his embroidery hoop and stood up, seemingly intent on venting Su Mu’s frustration: “I’ll go catch those cicadas.”
“No need, brother. I’ve already caught the cicadas.” Xie Miaorong held a net in his hand with two cicadas entangled in it. He skillfully removed the cicadas’ sound-producing organs. Though still alive, the cicadas had become mute.
Xie Miaorong said innocently: “Sister-in-law, these little creatures won’t bother you anymore.”
“That’s thoughtful of you, Miaorong.” Su Mu’s eyes were full of amusement.
Xie Miaorong’s cheeks flushed slightly, looking shy and alluring: “Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. This is what I should do.”
Xie Yi stood silently to the side, his eyes coldly watching Xie Miaorong, wondering in his heart if Mu Jiejie really fancied him.
What’s so good about second-hand goods? Jealousy tore at Xie Yi, making him grimace hideously.
“Alright, there’s nothing to do this afternoon. You can go rest for a while,” Su Mu waved her hand at him.
“Then Miaorong won’t disturb sister-in-law’s reading anymore.” Xie Miaorong closed the door.
Su Mu glanced at the books in front of her, no longer in the mood to continue reading.
She gently pulled Xie Yi’s hand, who had been standing quietly to the side: “Why are your hands so cold?”
Xie Yi forced a smile: “It’s nothing.”
“If it’s nothing, that’s good. I want to talk to you about something.” Su Mu pulled him to the bed edge. The soft bedding sank into a gentle curve.
Xie Yi suddenly tensed up, his breathing becoming nervous. Could it be about taking in Xie Miaorong?
Although the idea of brothers serving the same wife made Xie Yi extremely jealous and uncomfortable, if Su Mu really liked him, he couldn’t be jealous and obstruct it. If a couple wanted to maintain a loving and lasting relationship, a man couldn’t be too narrow-minded. Being too jealous would only push the wife-master’s favor further away. Strong possessiveness and love were meant to restrain himself, not to restrict Su Mu.
“Mu Jiejie, although Miaorong has been married once, he’s still young. If you really like him, why not take him into your household? We brothers can serve you together.” Rather than letting Su Mu bring up the difficult topic, it was better for him to suggest it proactively.
Su Mu: “…” What are you talking about?
She was stunned for a moment before asking: “Don’t you dislike your brother? How come…”
Xie Yi didn’t understand why Su Mu suddenly brought this up, but he didn’t hide his aversion to Xie Miaorong: “I indeed don’t like my brother much, but if Mu Jiejie likes him, I’ll try to get along with him in the future.”
What getting along? What serving the same wife?
Su Mu sighed: “Who said I like him?”
Xie Yi felt a glimmer of joy: “Mu Jiejie, you don’t like him?”
“Of course not,” she said. “I originally took in Xie Miaorong out of consideration for you, but these days I’ve seen that his behavior is really unsettled. Didn’t you say before that you wanted to arrange a marriage for him?”
Xie Yi was so happy with this sudden surprise that he became incoherent: “Good, I’ll… I’ll go arrange it for him right away.”
“Don’t rush,” Su Mu held him back, smiling as she asked: “Why did you think I wanted to take him in?”
Xie Yi pinched his sleeve, a hint of dimness in his eyes: “I saw that your attitude towards Miaorong has always been very good. You always smile when he says something, so…”
“So you thought I had taken a liking to him?” Su Mu pinched the soft flesh of his palm. “I treat him well because of you. You’re his older brother. If I don’t treat him well, it’s disrespecting you. How could someone as smart as you not understand this?”
Xie Yi’s breath caught. One gets muddled when concerned.
But with the reassurance from Su Mu, Xie Yi would no longer be insecure, and he would no longer tolerate Xie Miaorong’s provocations.
Early in the morning, after serving Su Mu’s breakfast, he began to go out to inquire about unmarried women, or those whose husbands had died early. He came back and told Su Mu about these people one by one.
“You can make the decision on these matters yourself. You’re the older brother, he should listen to you,” Su Mu said. Having lived in a matriarchal society for a long time, she inevitably adopted some matriarchal attitudes in certain matters. Naturally, marriage affairs of the inner courtyard should be managed by men.
“Alright,” Xie Yi smiled beautifully. He pointed to a name on the list and said, “Then let’s go with this one.”
At dinnertime, Xie Miaorong was busy in the kitchen. He brought out a plate of fragrant lotus root, which Su Mu had been fond of lately, his eyes alluringly charming.
Unfortunately, compared to Xie Yi, he was still inferior. Xie Yi’s charm was natural, beautiful without being vulgar, while Xie Miaorong’s charm seemed somewhat deliberate and fawning: “Sister-in-law, taste this fragrant lotus root and see if it’s better when I make it or when brother makes it.”
Su Mu smiled faintly without speaking: “I’ll try it in a moment.”
Xie Yi also came out of the kitchen carrying dishes. Seeing Xie Miaorong deliberately leaning close to Su Mu, his eyes seemed to have been pierced by nails: “Miaorong, I have something to tell you.”
Xie Miaorong got married. His wife-master was a butcher. Although this profession sounded rough and not elegant enough, the person was very kind and not too old. She had married a husband years ago, but he died in childbirth, and the child, deprived of oxygen in the deceased husband’s womb, followed him. Therefore, Xie Miaorong didn’t have to be a stepfather when he married over.
The butcher had no sisters, and her parents-in-law weren’t too harsh. The butcher could earn more than 1 tael of silver a month, so marrying over there was considered affluent.
Originally, Xie Miaorong didn’t agree. When he heard about the marriage Xie Yi had arranged for him, he was extremely resistant, even going so far as to slander Xie Yi in front of her. But later, Xie Yi used some method to make him quiet down and marry obediently.
“What did you say to him?” Su Mu asked curiously after sending off Xie Miaorong.
Xie Yi smiled slightly: “I just told him directly that you, Mu Jiejie, didn’t look favorably on him as a previously married man, and there was no possibility of taking him in. If he forcibly lived with us, he would be a servant for life. I also told him that while he’s still young, many people are attracted by his beauty, and he still has the chance to choose a good wife. If he’s not content now, once he’s past 20 and his looks fade, he’ll only be able to marry those who are old and poor.”
Xie Yi knew well that Xie Miaorong didn’t truly like Su Mu. He was merely coveting Su Mu’s youth and promise, and her rare good looks and temperament among women. Once told that Su Mu had no intentions towards him, cutting off his greedy thoughts, he would naturally ponder his own future.
It was already difficult for a second marriage to find a match. Being able to marry a butcher with decent character and income as the primary husband was already an extremely good outcome. Xie Miaorong weighed the pros and cons, and despite his reluctance, he still married.
Being able to send off Xie Miaorong made Xie Yi happy from the bottom of his heart. He was more energetic in bed than usual, and no longer had to worry about making too much noise for the next room to eavesdrop. The bed creaked half the night.
“In a while, I’ll set off for the exam. During this time, I plan to find two servants for you,” Su Mu said. “Don’t refuse me this time. I’m not at ease with you alone in the house after I leave.”
This time Xie Yi didn’t speak, just buried his head in her chest. After a moment, he raised his head, full of fighting spirit below: “Mu Jiejie, give me a child, will you?”
Su Mu caressed him, giving a passionate kiss.
That night, Xie Yi was especially passionate, holding Su Mu and speaking words of love all night.
Soon after, Su Mu set off. Xie Yi held her hand tightly, speechless, but his eyes full of reluctance.
“Alright, I’m accompanying Su Mu, what are you worried about?” Shen Yuxue lifted the curtain, seeing Xie Yi sending them off with red-rimmed eyes, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
She should have set off for Yun City long ago, but because of Su Mu, she had delayed for half a month.
Finally, after Su Mu coaxed Xie Yi, Shen Yuxue directly pulled Su Mu into the carriage: “Is your husband always this delicate?”
Su Mu smiled slightly, not speaking.
Shen Yuxue muttered in a low voice: “You really have a taste for this type.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Shen Yuxue looked out the window, resentful and indignant, continuing to mutter under her breath: “Women are all the same.”
Su Mu: “…”
“Hey, look!” Shen Yuxue’s eyes suddenly lit up, pointing out the window: “Isn’t that your ex-husband? He’s looking at us… He couldn’t have come to see you off, could he? Looks like he still can’t forget you.”
Su Mu lowered the curtain and casually picked up a mung bean cake from the table, stuffing it into Shen Yuxue’s mouth.
Shen Yuxue’s eyes widened suddenly. She licked her lips and began to eat obediently.