Yu Xiao Yun frowned upon learning that her son had brought a girl home.
Which proper young lady would casually go home with a man? She couldn't help but wonder if he'd been ensnared by some hussy from a brothel.
“Go, tell the young master to bring the girl to me.”
The maid, Qiu Lan, bowed and left, intercepting the pair just as they were about to enter the inner courtyard. “Third Young Master, Madam wishes to see the young lady with you.”
Mo Sang was indifferent, but Cheng Bei Zheng was on high alert. “Miss Mo has had a long journey. I still need to take her to get settled. Once she’s rested, I’ll bring her to pay respects to my mother.”
“But……”
Cheng Bei Zheng, with a dark expression, snapped, “What? Am I no longer in charge in this household?”
Qiu Lan quickly pleaded, “This servant wouldn’t dare.”
“If you don’t dare, then get out.”
Cheng Bei Zheng’s irate voice startled Qiu Lan. As the head maid to Madam, she had never been treated with such disdain by the Third Young Master.
She cast a covert glance at Mo Sang and hurried away, already formulating her report to Madam.
Mo Sang playfully twirled a small braid in front of her chest. “Husband, it’s actually fine to meet your mother first. It’s just that I’ve only just arrived in the capital and haven’t had time to prepare a gift for her.”
“Ancestral tablet, there’s no rush for this matter. I’ll prepare the gift, but may I discuss something with you?”
“What is it?”
“When we meet my family, could you please not let your Wan Wan out to scare them?” A venomous snake, his mother might faint just from a glance.
Mo Sang smiled with disarming innocence. “If they don’t make things difficult for me, Wan Wan will naturally behave.”
Cheng Bei Zheng: ……
Never mind, he’d better inform his parents first. Once Situ Yan returns…
As soon as Situ Yan came to mind, Mo Sang exclaimed with delight, “Situ Yan didn’t lie to me. You’re really super rich. This estate alone is so grand.”
The sweet-faced young girl looked around and said this.
Cheng Bei Zheng could already imagine how Situ Yan had sold him out. He gritted his teeth. “Actually, my estate isn’t just grand, there are quite a few of them. If you prefer quiet, I can arrange for you to stay in a different residence.”
“That won’t do. You are my husband, so naturally, we should live together. Wives in Da Yin still have to pay morning and evening respects to their mothers-in-law. I understand this rule.”
Cheng Bei Zheng’s expression was on the verge of cracking. He quickly changed the subject. “What kind of courtyard do you like? The back garden is quite spacious, you can pick whatever you like.”
“A big one, and cool. Preferably with a small pond. That way, Wan Wan can soak in it when it gets hot.”
“The courtyard with a pond is a bit out of the way.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Cheng Bei Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led her towards the south. The Ting Feng Yuan there was planted with bamboo and bordered a small pond, perfectly fitting Mo Sang’s requirements. Most importantly, the courtyard was far enough away.
Mo Sang was quite pleased. Her little darlings didn’t like to be disturbed. “Hmm, it’s not bad, just a bit dusty, and the furniture is a little lacking.”
“I’ll have the servants clean it immediately. As for the furniture, we can replace it all.”
“Can I pick it myself then?”
“This is… naturally.”
“Husband, you’re so good,” Mo Sang praised him sincerely.
Cheng Bei Zheng quickly said, “Since you think I’m so good, can you keep Wan Wan from leaving this courtyard? You know, ordinary people are quite afraid of snakes. And your Wan Wan is so thick…”
Mo Sang extended her hand. “Six hundred taels of silver for living expenses a month.”
“My mother’s monthly allowance is only fifty taels.” As a merchant, Cheng Bei Zheng instinctively began to negotiate. Even the wealthiest man’s money wasn’t gotten from a gust of wind. Of course, he couldn’t tell her that his mother had private assets in addition to her allowance, nor about his various filial gifts.
Mo Sang said pitifully, “But fifty taels isn’t even enough for Wan Wan’s food. I don’t mind, it can find its own food when it’s hungry. I’m just afraid that if it goes foraging everywhere, it might scare Madam.”
“Stop talking. Six hundred taels it is.” He’d ask Situ Yan for it later. How shameless! This wasn’t him finding a wife for him, but rather dumping a money-sucking hot potato on him.
Damn it, Da Yin didn’t stipulate that the rich had to be suckers.
Mo Sang immediately extended her fair and tender hand. “Can I have this month’s in advance?”
Her outstretched hand was fair and delicate, with slender fingers. Cheng Bei Zheng thought, as expected, appearances could be deceiving. Who would have thought such hands belonged to a snake charmer?
“Silver or bank notes?”
“Silver, it’s more convenient to use. I’m full for today, I’ll take a nap. You can take me out shopping tomorrow.” Actually, she still had some belongings at Cheng Bei Yu’s. Hmm, it wouldn’t be too late to retrieve them tomorrow.
Cheng Bei Zheng said, “This courtyard won’t be ready in a moment. How about I take you to the guest room first?”
“Okay.”
Cheng Bei Zheng let out a relieved sigh. He had truly feared the girl would ask to consummate their marriage tonight.
Fearing that her snake might harm someone, he didn’t dare assign her any maids, only having people stand guard outside. He repeatedly instructed them not to disturb her unless Mo Sang herself gave the order.
Who knew if she had morning temper.
Mo Sang asked for water to wash her hair and bathe. Cheng Bei Zheng, meanwhile, summoned a group of servants to clean the Ting Feng Yuan and ordered all existing furniture in the courtyard to be moved to another residence.
This commotion was quite significant.
Yu Xiao Yun, having heard from Qiu Lan about her son’s protection of Mo Sang, was already displeased. Now, with such a large disturbance, she could no longer tolerate it and, leading her retinue, she strode over with great urgency.