Xue Ning furrowed her delicate brows, struggling a few times but unable to break free from the man’s grip.
The young masters were followed by attendants, maids, and matrons, making the scene rather awkward, yet no one stepped forward to help her out.
In the past, she would have gazed tearfully at Su Zhan, hoping he would lend a hand.
But having returned to this moment, Xue Ning had grown.
She did not cry, nor did she show fear. Instead, she mustered her courage and met Su Yu’s gaze.
“I came to pay my respects to the Old Madam. Second Brother, please let go of me.”
“Second Brother?” Su Yu seemed to find this amusing, his fingers tightening slightly as he rubbed Xue Ning’s soft, pale hand, teasingly saying, “My surname is Su, yours is Xue. Since when have you become my sister?”
Before Xue Ning could respond, another clear, melodious voice came from nearby. “So everyone is already here. It seems we’re late.”
Several elegant figures soon approached.
The young ladies of the Marquis’s residence were dressed in vibrant colors, each draped in exquisite fox fur.
They gathered around Xue Ning, their expressions mocking as if watching a spectacle.
Second Miss Su Yin, seeing the scene, couldn’t help but laugh. “Second Brother, what game are you playing? Why are you tugging at Miss Xue in front of Grandmother’s courtyard?”
Yet Su Yu, with a smile that concealed a sharp edge, still refused to let go.
After all, Xue Ning was a woman, and her strength was no match for a man’s.
She bit her lip, her cheeks flushed with anger, and glared fiercely at Su Yu.
Su Yu only felt the skin beneath his hand was unbelievably soft and tender.
At first, he had intended to tease Xue Ning, but now, for some inexplicable reason, he was reluctant to release her.
He chuckled, “Since you call me Second Brother, then let Second Brother take you to see Grandmother.”
Xue Ning pressed her lips together. “No need. I have my own feet and can walk myself.”
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. “Yesterday, after falling into the water, you were carried back by Eldest Brother. How is it that you suddenly have your own feet now?”
The man’s words were laced with sarcasm and disrespect.
Xue Ning’s face instantly turned pale, and she couldn’t help but glance toward Su Zhan.
The tall, imposing man stood to the side, dressed in a dark brocade robe, his demeanor cold and his presence overwhelming.
Amid the hazy snow mist, she couldn’t make out his expression.
She only felt a wave of humiliation wash over her.
Indeed, being associated with Su Zhan brought her no benefit whatsoever.
Even if Madam Jiang hadn’t said anything, once yesterday’s incident spread among the maids and servants, everyone would assume that she, an orphan girl, was scheming and cunning, attempting to seduce the Shizi of the Marquis’s residence.
So, she didn’t expect Su Zhan to help her either.
Instead, she lowered her head and bit down hard on the back of Su Yu’s hand.
Su Yu winced in pain and finally released her.
Xue Ning was naturally exquisite, with large, dark, and profound eyes.
A faint smile curled at the corner of her lips as her gaze swept over the noble young masters and ladies. “I said I have my own feet. Unless absolutely necessary, I will never rely on others.”
As she spoke, her eyes rested openly on Su Zhan’s face.
The man’s stern features remained indifferent, as if he were forever heartless and emotionless, showing not the slightest fluctuation.
Xue Ning didn’t know what he was thinking at that moment. She only knew that in this lifetime, she must spare no effort to sever all ties with him.
After saying this, she didn’t look at anyone’s expression. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she strode ahead into the main hall of Wanshou Hall.
“Eldest Brother, look at how smug she is—”
“What does she mean by ‘unless absolutely necessary’?”
“Did Eldest Brother make a mistake by saving her?”
Su Zhan's sword-like brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, yet his gaze fell upon the back of Su Yu's hand where someone had bitten him.
Recalling the snow-white wrist that Su Yu had just grasped.
For some reason, a faint, elusive irritation stirred in his heart.
"Be quiet."
Su Yu's lips twitched. Seeing his elder brother's stern expression, he dared not speak further.
…
Xie Laofuren, being of advanced age, slept little.
Madam Jiang, as the daughter-in-law of the eldest branch, had long been attending to her in the room.
Princess Xiuning, who had stayed overnight at the Marquis's residence, was also by the old lady's side at this moment.
After the old lady had finished her morning ablutions, she walked to the rosewood luohan bed carved with swastika patterns in the main hall and sat down.
"Everyone is here?" Xie Laofuren surveyed the grandchildren who had come to pay their respects, and at first glance, she noticed Xue Ning dressed in a plain-colored jacket and skirt. "What wind has blown Xue girl here today?"
Xue Ning walked at the very back. After everyone had paid their respects, she stepped forward to the old lady and performed a proper, respectful bow.
"A-Ning was ignorant in the past, but from now on, I am willing to come daily to serve you with filial piety."
Xie Laofuren seemed taken aback by her words, a faint, ambiguous smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she instructed someone to help Xue Ning up.
"It is excellent that you have such filial intentions. If you have spare time, you may come and copy Buddhist scriptures with this old woman."
Xue Ning rarely appeared before Xie Laofuren, only thinking of performing well to make things easier for Madam Jiang. "Laofuren, A-Ning is free today."
As soon as these words fell, the hall fell silent for a moment, and several young ladies turned their eyes in unison toward Xue Ning.
Su Zhan's brow moved slightly, his gaze settling on the girl's radiant cheeks. His eyes cooled instantly, as if he had long anticipated what she would say and do.
Xie Laofuren had merely spoken offhandedly. Hearing Xue Ning agree, she frowned with dissatisfaction but still said, "Then you may stay behind later."
Madam Jiang smiled at the corners of her mouth. Although she found Xue Ning's appearance today somewhat unexpected, she was also quite pleased.
Back when she had brought this child home, the Marquis's residence had originally disapproved.
Xie Laofuren came from a distinguished family of scholars and officials, who looked down upon military households the most. Moreover, they said this child's parents and siblings had all perished, fearing her fate was inauspicious and brought misfortune and conflict. Years ago, they had urged her to send Xue Ning away.
It was only after she persisted for a long time and knelt in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights that she managed to keep the child.
The child was still young when she arrived, with her parents gone. She was prone to tears, afraid of strangers, and would only grow close to her and Zhan'er.
She had expended considerable effort to ensure the child could live comfortably within this household.
Now, it seemed this child was finally willing to consider her feelings.
Madam Jiang said with a smile, "I see that after falling into the water, this girl's temperament has softened. She is older now, and you, Mother, come from a noble background. Please guide and instruct her more."
Xie Laofuren replied, "It can hardly be called guidance. Over the years, with you personally raising and teaching her, how could she turn out poorly?"
The smile on Madam Jiang's face deepened. Hoping that the old lady would accept Xue Ning, her heart grew even happier.
After paying her respects, Xue Ning dutifully took a seat toward the back.
Su Zhan was the eldest grandson of the Marquis's residence and the most beloved by the old lady. Seated at the very front, he was naturally separated from her by a vast distance.
In the past, she had only hoped to cross that insurmountable chasm to draw closer to him.
Now, having lived a second life, and looking again at the man's retreating figure, she finally understood what it meant for some people to be like the lofty moon hanging high in the sky—forever visible yet ultimately unattainable.
Princess Xiuning was the legitimate daughter of the Xie clan.
Noble in status and exquisite in beauty.
She was the most suitable match for Su Zhan.
The young maiden, bashful and timid, took a seat beside Su Zhan.
Xie Laofuren looked at them with eyes full of affection, and Madam Jiang was also pleased with Princess Xiuning's gentle and virtuous nature.
The others in the hall were filled with laughter and chatter—the liveliness was theirs, but she had nothing.
A bitter ache rose in Xue Ning's chest, an indescribable sorrow welling up bit by bit.
Yet she maintained her composure, a faint, perfectly measured smile still lingering at the corners of her lips.
Only after the others had finished their banter did she lift her lowered head once more, stepping forward to kneel respectfully before the elderly lady.
"Laofuren, A-Ning has one more matter and wishes to seek your judgment."