Chapter 56: Enduring Silently

Anxious and flustered, Tantai Jing immediately instructed her maid to pack their luggage. Mother Jiang, observing the young Third Miss Tantai Jing’s worried and panicked expression, nodded inwardly and said to her in a soft voice, "The Grand Lady is quite well; she simply misses the Third Miss and found an excuse for you to stay at the Dong residence for a while longer. Hearing about today's events, the Grand Lady was deeply concerned and sent this old servant to check on you. Please do not worry, Third Miss!"

Only then did Tantai Jing relax. Using finger-spelling and gestures to communicate with Mother Jiang, she confirmed that Grand Lady Dong was indeed unharmed, which finally set her mind at ease. Thinking that the Mid-Autumn Festival was just a few days away, she truly had no desire to spend it in her own household with Madam Ye and the others, yet she remained anxious about the domestic affairs and household accounts of her family.

Seeing her dilemma, Mother Jiang quickly stepped in to shoulder the responsibilities. Suxin and Suyue assisted Mother Jiang from the side, while Nanny Jiang and Nanny Gui accompanied Tantai Jing back to the Dong residence.

Tantai Jing assumed that the one coming out to welcome her would surely be her Second Aunt’s eldest daughter, Ouyang Miaozhen. Being naturally lively and spirited, Miaozhen would likely have been waiting at the entrance from early morning upon hearing of her arrival.

Yet this time, Tantai Jing guessed wrong. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to encounter Dong Junhao once again—the very same man with eyes as deep and dark as ink jade whom she had met in the back mountains of the Great Buddha Temple.

Dong Junhao stood with his hands clasped behind his back. With a subtle flick of his hand, Nanny Jiang and the others respectfully withdrew.

Tantai Jing felt a sense of bewilderment. Regardless of the circumstances, Dong Junhao was, after all, a male outside the immediate family, and Nanny Jiang and her companions were fiercely strict about etiquette. How could they possibly leave her entirely alone in the company of an unrelated gentleman?

In truth, Tantai Jing was unaware of Dong Junhao’s true lineage. Dong Junhao’s grandfather was a paternal cousin of Tantai Jing’s maternal grandfather. The most prominent figure in the Dong family today was Dong Junhao’s father, who had earned immense military merits during the founding of the dynasty and was specially bestowed the title of Marquis of Wenchang, having married Princess Yueling of Prince Zhuang’s estate. Properly speaking, Tantai Jing and Dong Junhao belonged to the same generation, meaning he could hardly be considered an outsider.

Before Tantai Jing could recover from her surprise, she heard Dong Junhao ask in a dark, lowering voice, with a heavy, solemn tone, "You are the Third Miss Tantai?"

Tantai Jing pressed her lips together and nodded gently, her eyes involuntarily betraying a trace of apology. Back then, at the academy gates, Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan had publicly invoked Dong Junhao’s name, claiming that Tantai Jing wished to become his concubine. Tantai Jing had chosen not to refute it at the time; in the final analysis, she had made use of Dong Junhao!

Dong Junhao looked Tantai Jing up and down, noticing the faint, reddish fingerprints still lingering on her cheek. Had she actually been struck?

Tantai Jing bit her lip, sensing that the person before her emanated an aura as frigid as a block of ice.

He must have been furious because of those rumors. Tantai Jing wanted to offer an explanation, yet she had no idea how to phrase it. Could she simply blurt out to him: I never had any intention of becoming your concubine?

That was obviously impossible. Tantai Jing sighed softly, a sound that did not escape Dong Junhao’s notice. His brows furrowed imperceptibly, and finally, he opened his mouth, speaking in a stern, biting tone, "Do not harbor any delusional thoughts of marrying into the Dong family. I will never bring a concubine across my threshold!"

Tantai Jing’s face flushed bright red. Subjected to such stinging humiliation, she found herself utterly unable to utter a single syllable in her own defense. Biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, she curtsied formally, turned on her heel, and walked away.

Not for any other reason, but because the last vestige of stubborn pride within her heart had utterly collapsed. By what right should she be subjected to such insult? She was merely twelve years old; she was, after all, the legitimate daughter of a fifth-rank prefect. She ought to have had a peaceful and joyous destiny—a loving mother, filial piety, a good husband, and a life of safety and happiness. Yet what was she facing now? Beatings from her stepmother, malice and scheming from her younger sister, and now, the undisguised contempt of strangers. Why must she endure all of this?

Watching Tantai Jing’s slightly trembling shoulders, Dong Junhao realized he had reduced her to tears. He froze momentarily. Although Tantai Jing had lost her voice, her situation hardly warranted her becoming someone's concubine, did it? He hadn't said anything wrong, had he?

Someone gently patted Dong Junhao on the shoulder and stepped out from the shadows. It was none other than Tantai Jing’s cousin, Song Wenxuan, who was of the same age as Dong Junhao.

Song Wenxuan patted Dong Junhao’s shoulder with a smile and said, "My little cousin has had a hard enough life; why did you have to terrify her like that? She didn't intentionally drag your name into the open. Since you weren't in Zecheng, you naturally have no idea what actually happened!"

Dong Junhao glanced at Song Wenxuan. Noticing several dry leaves clinging to his dark-green patterned robe, Dong Junhao frowned slightly and reached out to pluck the leaves from his garments and hair-bun. Looking up at the crooked-necked tree behind them, he said in a deep voice, "Since you are within your own courtyard, what on earth were you doing climbing trees?"

Looking a bit sheepish, Song Wenxuan loved martial arts, but his father constantly kept him under tight rein. Dong Junhao was the most skilled martial artist among their generation of youths, which was why Song Wenxuan invariably clung to him whenever he visited the Dong residence. Having just witnessed Dong Junhao confronting his cousin with a dark expression, Song Wenxuan had instinctively scrambled up the tree.

Now, hearing Dong Junhao point it out, he realized his behavior was somewhat improper. Indeed! This was his own home; even if he wanted to eavesdrop, he ought to have done so openly and honorably!

Scratching his head and blinking his small eyes, Song Wenxuan hastily changed the subject. "I helped you look into it. The person who went around claiming my Jing-meimei wanted to be your concubine wasn't her at all, but her fifth younger sister. That fifth sister of hers is utterly detestable and has made a habit of snatching Jing-meimei's belongings since childhood. Once, when my grandmother was talking with Mother Jiang, I overheard a fragment of conversation: it was precisely that Fifth Miss of the Tantai household who pushed Jing-meimei into the lake, causing her to lose her voice!"

"My Jing-meimei is obedient and sensible—you cannot imagine how lovable she is. My grandmother often says she will find her a fine husband in the future. Who would have expected that after my aunt passed away, she would be bullied to such an extent? A few days ago, my grandmother assigned two nannies to her, which finally managed to keep the household under control. Nanny Jiang, who went along, sent word back saying that Jing-meimei is exceptionally clever and will not be easily pushed around!"

"Yet trouble has broken out again today. Today happens to be Jing-meimei's birthday, and her stepmother went to great lengths to host a celebration for her. My grandmother remarked from the start that the woman harbored malicious intentions. I was somewhat skeptical then, but now I truly believe it! I heard that after midday, the Tantai household’s Sixth Miss was discovered unconscious in the back garden. That happened to be the Sixth Miss—if it had been Jing-meimei, goodness knows what might have befell her!" Song Wenxuan frowned, speaking up indignantly on behalf of his cousin.

Seeing Dong Junhao staring intently at him, Song Wenxuan regained his composure and continued, "Therefore, Jing-meimei has never had any desire to marry you as a concubine! Those messy, groundless rumors were all fabricated by those two troublesome younger sisters in her household, who deliberately splashed dirty water on her reputation! You saw her just a moment ago—my Jing-meimei has both looks and grace. More than that, her scholarly attainments surpass those of us brothers. While one cannot claim she has mastered every single art, her reading, writing, and painting skills are unquestionably exceptional!"

"With my Jing-meimei’s character, poise, and talent, coupled with the fact that she is the legitimate daughter of a fifth-rank prefect, she is entirely worthy of marrying into a prominent family in the capital as a principal wife. There is simply no reason for her to lower herself to become your concubine!" Song Wenxuan nudged Dong Junhao’s shoulder with his elbow, pouting as he spoke.