I slept like a log that night. It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky the next day that I leisurely got up to dress and do my makeup. Once I had eaten and drunk my fill, Princess Yunyang, beaming with smiles, prepared the tea ceremony.
However, on the other side of the manor, someone was about to go mad with rage. Xiao Lang was throwing a massive tantrum in his courtyard, smashing the room's furnishings to pieces.
"How do you do your job? How dare you serve tea this hot? Are you trying to scald me to death?"
The servant knelt on the floor, trembling with fear. "Young master, please spare my life. This is the exact same temperature you usually drink."
"Useless wretch, how dare you talk back?"
Xiao Lang screamed in exasperation, his face contorted in anger. Of course he knew it wasn't the tea's fault. He just had a fire raging in his chest and desperately needed an outlet to vent.
Just then, a voice came from outside the door. "What is all this shouting about, Xiao Lang?"
This female official, seasoned by years in the imperial palace, wore a stern face that commanded respect without anger.
"Since things had come to this, what use is it for you to be indignant? Are you going to cling to it like a nuisance and throw away the last bit of your dignity as the eldest young master?"
Xiao Lang's anger vanished in an instant. He feared this cousin, Aunt Mei, but he also knew she genuinely cared for him.
Seeing him back down, Aunt Mei's tone softened slightly, but still carried a warning. "That lady has already woken up, and the princess is currently preparing the tea ceremony. Pull yourself together and don't let others make a laughingstock of you."
At the mention of the tea ceremony, Xiao Lang's face turned as black as soot again. He said through gritted teeth, "It is all my fault for not hardening my heart back then and making it a done deal. She must have been forced into this. She has feelings for me."
Listening to this narcissistic man's speech, Aunt Mei looked utterly helpless.
"A real man doesn't have to worry about finding a wife. Her feelings for you were not steadfast, so why do you still brood over it?"
"No, Aunt, you don't understand." Xiao Lang shook his head, looking absolutely certain. "Her marriage to my second brother was entirely out of helplessness. It was Commandery Princess Xiuhua who plotted against us. She only has me in her heart."
Aunt Mei sneered and threw cold water on his delusions immediately.
"So what if she was helpless? She and Xiao Yu have already consummated their marriage, and the marriage certificate has been registered with the Ministry of Revenue. She is now completely and legally Xiao Yu's wife. You are unwilling to accept this, but can you steal her back?"
This series of heavy blows finally left Xiao Lang utterly speechless and defeated. Yes, they consummated the marriage. It is registered. She is not coming back.
He covered his face in pain. "It is because I am too weak."
Aunt Mei sighed. "Pull yourself together. I will find you someone better in the future."
As for myself, who was seen as a prized catch, there might still be a chance in the future. Of course, she did not say these words out loud.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the main hall was bizarre to the extreme. Princess Yunyang was smiling radiantly. The Prince Consort smiled with reserve, and my eight-year-old brother-in-law, Xiao Zi, had also taken his seat early, looking highly curious.
The most awkward part was that Xiao Lang, as the elder stepbrother, sat there with dark circles under his eyes, and Aunt Mei was also seated upright beside him. The entire room was dead silent. After all, the elder brother once wanted to marry his younger brother's wife. The entire capital knew about this. If my father hadn't looked down on him for being a scholar without any official rank, there was no telling who would be sitting up there right now. Yet the one who ended up winning the beauty's hand was Xiao Yu, whose sharp tongue had offended the entire capital.
In this situation, whoever speaks first will face embarrassment.
Just then, that was when I made my entrance, leading a group of maidservants, dressed in my finest attire, and walking with exquisite grace. I walked inside with poise and confidence, a flawless, polite smile without showing even a single flaw.
As I approached, I curtsied gracefully and offered an apologetic smile. "My apologies, everyone. Yaoyao is late."
"We don't blame you. It is our family that has wronged you. Did you sleep well in Xiao Yu's courtyard last night?"
I lowered my head slightly, feigning the bashful demeanor of a young maiden, but the words I uttered were a bombshell.
"I have adored Xiao Yu for many years. Being able to marry him brings me great peace of mind."
That is a total shutdown. Since we're breaking things off, I had to cut ties completely, and it serves as a warning to certain people not to long for what doesn't belong to them, and not to cling to past affection. It is all an act.
Sure enough, when Xiao Lang heard these words, his face instantly turned deathly pale, and he clutched his chest, nearly fainting. He couldn't believe that my exchanging gifts with him over the past two years and my eager reciprocation had all just been an act.
Although Princess Yunyang was surprised, she went along with the flow.
"After all the twists and turns, it seems you and Xiao Yu are truly destined to be together."
To spare the feelings of the embarrassed father and son, she did not press further. The consort quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"As long as you are at peace, this is your home from now on. Princess, the auspicious hour has arrived. Let us begin the tea ceremony."
"Mother, please have some tea."
"Good girl, please rise."
Next, it was Master Xiao's turn. As the elder brother, to drink a cup of entrance tea from his sister-in-law was only right and proper. Holding the teacup, I curtsied and presented it before him.
However, one second, two seconds, three seconds passed. It was as if he had been frozen in place. He simply refused to reach out and take it. Those resentful eyes of his stared intently at me, as if silently interrogating me.
From the side came a sharp warning call. It was Aunt Mei.
Xiao Lang shuddered all over, only then realizing he had lost his composure. Looking at him in that state, I knew he regretted it. After all, in terms of looks, I am of the highest tier. And in terms of temperament, I am gentle and sweet. Yet now, I have become someone else's wife. He was probably still burning with jealousy toward his rogue of a second brother. Xiao Yu must have tasted unparalleled sweetness last night.
"Xiao Lang." Aunt Mei called out once more.
Xiao Lang could only let out a low sigh, reluctantly pulling back that look of abandonment, and took the tea from my hands.