Overdo

Madam Murong remarked, "I can see Third Young Master has poured all his heart into it." She then sighed softly, "But like you, I feel somewhat worried, afraid he might become too infatuated and end up being rejected. As the saying goes, 'Deep affection does not endure; extremes lead to disgrace.'" Jin Rui laughed, "It's truly my fault for making you say such things. Isn't it good that Third Young Master has changed his temperament and become focused and devoted?" After a pause, she added, "Third Young Master is a bit impulsive, but there's a long future ahead. With Susu's gentle and quiet nature, it's unlikely any trouble will arise."

Madam Murong said, "I think Susu is too reserved; she never speaks up when she's wronged. That's a strength, but it might also be a weakness. Third Young Master has a fiery temper and refuses to listen to anyone, especially since she won't even speak. I'm afraid if something happens in the future, the two of them might end up in an irreparable stalemate."

Jin Rui chuckled, "Ah, the worries of parents everywhere! Even in peaceful times, Mother sits here fretting over imaginary troubles."

Madam Murong couldn't help but smile as well, saying, "It's better that I worry unnecessarily."

Fourteen

Murong Qingyi had only been away for four days, but on the way home, his heart raced with eagerness. As soon as he got out of the car, he asked, "Is Madam at home?" The aide-de-camp opening the car door beamed and said, "Madam has gone to Fenggang. Third Young Mistress is in the small study." Murong Qingyi, having had his thoughts exposed by the remark, smiled faintly, "Nonsense, did I ask about her?" The aide-de-camp, seeing the smile in the corners of his eyes, knew he was in high spirits and replied, "Third Young Master, you didn't ask, but Third Young Mistress inquired several times when you would be back."

Murong Qingyi knew full well that Susu wouldn't have asked like that, but joy still overflowed from his heart. He hurried upstairs and saw Susu sitting there reciting vocabulary, though her eyes were fixed on the window. Tiptoeing over, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. She started, turned to see him, and let out a soft "Oh," saying, "How come I didn't see your car come in?"

He said, "I was afraid Father might be home, so I got out in front." Then he studied her carefully. Embarrassed by his gaze, she lowered her head and asked, "Have you been gone so few days that you don't recognize me anymore?" He hummed in response, "Just a few days, but it feels like months. How does that line from the Book of Songs go?"

Susu had been cramming classical studies and answered reflexively, "One day apart feels like three autumns." Only then did she notice his beaming smile and realize she had fallen for his trick, blushing as she said, "You come home and immediately bully me." He just laughed, "How is that bullying? You said it yourself." Then he asked her, "When I called this morning, they said you'd gone out. Were you shopping with Weiyi?"

Susu said, "No, Mulan invited me for tea." Upon hearing this, Murong Qingyi said, "You shouldn't associate with that Mulan anymore, to avoid future awkwardness." Susu was startled and asked, "What happened?" Murong Qingyi replied, "Chang Ning is going to be engaged to Huo Shanyun. I think if you keep spending time with Mulan, people might start gossiping."Susu was lost in thought for a long while before finally saying, "How could that be? When I last saw Mulan and Chang Ning, they were still very affectionate with each other." Murong Qingyi replied, "Chang Ning isn't a fool. Huo Shanyun is his social equal, and the Huo family is currently influential. Both families are happy to see this match." Susu was merely surprised, with a touch of sadness, and asked blankly, "Then what about Mulan?" Murong Qingyi said, "Don't worry about her. I've had someone draw a bath. Let's go bathe."

The last sentence made her face flush crimson, leaving her flustered and at a loss, so she simply pushed him out the door.

The weather was gradually growing warmer. It was afternoon, and when the wind blew, one could only hear the distant, faint roar of pine forests in the valleys, sounding like muffled thunder. The estate was surrounded by ancient trees, their dense shade covering the ground. The newly emerged cicadas beneath the leaves chirped themselves hoarse. A cool breeze blew from the northern corridor, quite pleasant. It was the kind of long, drowsy day when Susu, reading a magazine, gradually let her hand droop and was nearly asleep when she heard footsteps. Turning to look, she saw it was Weiyi, dressed in sportswear and holding a racket, who said with a laugh, "Third Sister-in-law, I've made plans with friends to play tennis. Come join us."

Susu smiled and said, "I don't know how to play. You go ahead." Weiyi insisted, "The house is so quiet—it's rather dull. Let's go together."

Susu replied, "I've made plans to have afternoon tea with a friend." Weiyi then said, "Oh, it's rare to see Third Sister-in-law's friends visit." Susu explained, "We're meeting at a coffee shop outside." Weiyi stuck out her tongue and said, "Then I'll be off first."

Since they were meeting at a coffee shop, Susu changed into a Western-style dress before going out. As soon as she entered, Mulan teased her, "It's only been a few days, but you've grown even more dignified. Dressed up like this, you look like a young lady returned from studying abroad."

Susu merely smiled and said, "It's just the way things are in their family." A waiter approached and said with a smile, "Third Young Mistress is a rare guest. Today we have excellent cherry ice cream. Would you like a serving?" Then, turning to Mulan, he added, "The coconut cake Miss Fang likes has just come out of the oven."

Mulan exclaimed, "Oh my!" and said to Susu, "Look at this—this coffee shop is almost becoming like an old Chinese restaurant."

This left the waiter quite embarrassed, and he quickly said, "Yes, I spoke out of turn."

Feeling sorry for his discomfort, Susu hurriedly said, "We'll have both the ice cream and the cake you mentioned. You may go." Turning back, she heard Mulan ask, "Is Third Young Master not at home?"

A faint trace of melancholy appeared on Susu's face as she said, "He's always very busy." Mulan chuckled lightly and said, "He's a man of important affairs. It's only natural for him to be busy."

Just then, the cake and ice cream were served. Mulan remarked, "The cakes here are getting worse and worse—even the presentation is poor." Susu took a bite of the ice cream and said, "I ordered this last time I was here. It's thoughtful of them to remember." Mulan said, "It's one thing if others forget, but if they can't even remember what Third Young Mistress likes to eat, they're probably not far from closing down."Susu could only smile and say, "They still remember your favorite cake." Mulan replied, "Just old customers and old sentiments." As they were speaking, Susu looked up and saw someone entering the doorway, her expression involuntarily shifting slightly. Mulan, being highly perceptive, immediately noticed and turned to look—it was none other than Xu Changning. He wasn't alone; by his side was a female companion whom Susu recognized as Fifth Miss Huo. Her heart raced with anxiety, yet there was nothing she could do. The weather was already hot, and now the fan's breeze felt sticky against her clothes, clinging to her skin. She was both frantic and distressed, but Mulan showed not a trace of emotion. Susu, lacking quick wit in emergencies, grew even more flustered.

Xu Changning had also spotted the two of them and slowed his pace, while Huo Shanyun happened to notice as well. She approached with a cheerful smile and said to Susu, "Third Young Mistress, what a coincidence today." Susu had no choice but to nod and ask with a smile, "Miss Huo, are you here for coffee too?"

Fortunately, Huo Shanyun didn't recognize Mulan and focused solely on chatting with Susu. "Last time, at my engagement party with Changning, we had a Yue opera performance at home, and I noticed you seemed to enjoy it. The day after tomorrow, the famous Yue opera actress Shen Yulan will be coming to our house. I wonder if Third Young Mistress would honor us by joining for a simple meal?"

Susu, hearing her polite tone, could only reply, "I'm an amateur when it comes to Yue opera, just watching for the fun of it."

Huo Shanyun beamed, "Third Young Mistress, you're too modest. Everyone says that when it comes to the arts, you're the true expert." She added, "The weather is hot, but our house is an old one and quite cool. I'll send you a formal invitation when I return today—I've been rather careless and impolite."

Susu had no choice but to agree. Huo Shanyun turned to Xu Changning and said, "Remind me later; I've been so forgetful, it's quite rude." Only then did Xu Changning ask, "Third Young Master must be very busy lately? We haven't seen him around."

Susu said, "Yes, he has a lot of official matters these days." She couldn't help but sneak a glance at Mulan, who was calmly eating her cake bite by bite, as if nothing were amiss. Huo Shanyun, ever so polite, chatted for a while longer before finally leaving with Xu Changning. As soon as they were gone, Susu said, "Let's go. It feels stifling sitting here."