Xie Laofuren once again fixed her sharp gaze upon Xue Ning’s hair bun.
“Rise and speak.”
The crowd fell silent.
All eyes turned to Xue Ning in astonishment.
Xue Ning respectfully kowtowed before lifting her delicate, fair face.
Her mother had been a rare beauty, and her father was exceptionally handsome.
She had inherited the best features of both parents, her appearance radiating an ethereal charm.
In the past, her timid and submissive nature, coupled with her tendency to trail behind Su Zhan like a little shadow, had obscured her true temperament.
But today, as she knelt, everyone could see the faint resilience in her exquisitely flawless eyes and brows.
Such a lovely young girl, who had grown up as childhood sweethearts with her Zhan, might well have developed feelings for someone she shouldn’t.
Xie Laofuren furrowed her brow, fearing she might say something improper.
In front of so many people, it would be embarrassing for her to lose face.
She reached out to take the tea offered by Madam Jiang, took a sip, and spoke sternly, “Think carefully before you speak. What is it you wish to say?”
Xue Ning smiled gently. “A-Ning has been cared for by the Marquis’s residence for many years and is deeply grateful for its kindness. Today, in front of all my brothers and sisters, I have an audacious request. I hope Laofuren will grant it—”
At this point, Xie Laofuren’s expression had already darkened slightly.
But Xue Ning shifted her tone, turning her earnest gaze to Madam Jiang. “Madam Jiang has raised A-Ning to this day, and A-Ning has no way to repay her. I only wish to beg Laofuren for a favor—to allow A-Ning to acknowledge Madam Jiang as my mother.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Madam Jiang, who was attending to Xie Laofuren at her side, was momentarily taken aback.
Even the aloof and reserved Su Zhan imperceptibly lifted his long, phoenix-like eyes, his cool gaze lightly settling on the obedient girl kneeling in the center of the hall, his expression inscrutable.
Xie Laofuren had not expected Xue Ning to say such a thing and was momentarily stunned, somewhat surprised.
Xue Ning’s lips curved into an innocent, guileless smile. “Laofuren, you must grant A-Ning’s wish. A-Ning has been orphaned since childhood and has long regarded Madam Jiang as my own mother. If Laofuren is willing to grant A-Ning this favor today, A-Ning will devote herself wholeheartedly in the future to repay the Marquis’s residence and Laofuren.”
Xie Laofuren turned her face slightly. “Jinniang, what do you say?”
It took Madam Jiang a long moment to regain her composure. “I have always treated Ningning as my own child, but—”
Xie Laofuren, being shrewd, also smiled and took over Madam Jiang’s words, addressing Xue Ning, “If you call her mother, from now on, you will be a daughter of our Xuanyi Marquis Mansion. You and your Shizi brother will become siblings, all part of one harmonious family. Do not harbor any improper thoughts.”
How could Xue Ning not understand Laofuren’s meaning?
Her lips curved into a smile as she spoke earnestly, “In A-Ning’s heart, I have always regarded the Shizi as nothing more than an elder brother, with no other thoughts.”
What a perfect declaration of “no other thoughts.”
Su Zhan narrowed his dark eyes, his expression growing even colder.
The gazes of everyone present converged intently on Xue Ning’s face.
Princess Xiuning might not have been fully aware, but every other young lady in the mansion knew that Xue Ning had grown up sleeping beside the Shizi since childhood.
It was only when she turned seven that she moved into her own courtyard.
Even after moving, she frequently visited the Shizi’s courtyard.
Anyone could see that Xue Ning was fond of Su Zhan and wished to marry him when she grew up.
But what was she saying now?
Acknowledging Madam Jiang as her mother?
Once she truly changed her address and acknowledged the kinship, there would be no possibility between her and Su Zhan in the future.
What trick was she playing now?
Everyone turned their gaze toward Su Zhan, who sat at the forefront.
The man remained unmoved, his profile sharp and distinct.
A pair of deep, indifferent phoenix eyes, as unfathomable as an abyss, made it impossible to see through his thoughts.
No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.
Only Su Zhan himself was aware that when Xue Ning proposed to acknowledge his mother as her own, a faint sense of displeasure flickered in his heart.
He did not dwell on why he felt displeased.
He simply assumed that after neglecting her these past few days, Xue Ning was deliberately trying to get his attention.
It was nothing more than a little girl's trick, and he wouldn't take it to heart.
But soon, Xue Ning joyfully called out to Madam Jiang, "Mother!"
Madam Jiang didn't know whether to respond, her smile awkward.
Su Zhan hadn't expected her to be serious either. His brows furrowed, and his gaze deepened.
Xue Ning's eyes sparkled as she earnestly called out again, "Mother, from now on, Ningning will be your daughter."
Only then did Xie Laofuren take a proper look at Xue Ning.
She had always thought her foolish, but today, she realized she was actually clever.
By willingly proposing to become Madam Jiang's daughter and cutting off any possibility of marrying Su Zhan, she, as a grandmother, naturally held her in higher regard.
"Very well, you may rise," Xie Laofuren said with a smile. "This is long overdue. You've been raised under her care for many years and should have changed your address long ago. Jin Niang, have someone choose an auspicious day to hold an Acknowledgment Banquet for A Ning. Invite the nobles from other aristocratic families in Dongjing to see what a sensible young lady our Marquis's residence has raised. Besides, A Ning has already come of age this year, and it's time for people to see her."
Madam Jiang forced a smile. "Yes, Mother."
Xue Ning finally let out a sigh of relief, the tension in her chest easing.
Her stiffly straight back relaxed slightly as well.
With the matter settled, several young ladies stepped forward to offer insincere congratulations.
The young masters of the Marquis's residence exchanged ambiguous glances.
Only Third Miss Su Man from the eldest branch remained somewhat close to her. She leaned in and whispered, asking if she was truly sincere.
Xue Ning's voice was soft and sweet, carrying the gentle charm of a teenage girl. With downcast eyes, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, she appeared utterly obedient. "Third Sister, of course. From now on, we'll be sisters. Aren't you happy?"
"I am happy, but—"
Su Man glanced at her eldest brother.
She had been hoping for Ningning to become her sister-in-law.
How had they become sisters in just one day?
Su Man looked at Xue Ning in surprise, reaching out to touch her forehead, worried she might be feverish and regret it later.
But Xue Ning shook her head, not even glancing at Su Zhan, and smiled. "A Ning will never regret it."
Su Zhan gave Xue Ning a deep look, stood up, and left expressionlessly.
Su Man didn't know if her eldest brother had heard those words and felt secretly anxious.
Xie Ningtang approached Xue Ning for the first time, affectionately taking her small hand. "A Ning, congratulations."
Xue Ning looked up at her, a mix of emotions swirling in her heart, indescribable.
For the sake of Su Zhan, she had hated her for a lifetime, envied her for a lifetime, and admired her for a lifetime.
Now, meeting again at the beginning of life, she felt an inexplicable sense of comfort and relief.
All she wished for was that Xie Ningtang and Su Zhan would have a harmonious and happy marriage, growing old together, for a lifetime.
Xue Ning curved her eyes and replied generously, "Thank you, Junzhu."
Xie Ningtang said unexpectedly, "Shall we go for a walk together later?"
Xue Ning gently declined, "No, I still need to stay and copy scriptures for Grandmother."
Even though she no longer regarded her as an enemy, she couldn’t bring herself to become as close as sisters with her.
After all, it was this seemingly harmless young girl before her who had truly caused Su Zhan to utterly despise her during that spring banquet years ago.
With a faint smile, Xue Ning curtsied slightly. "Please make yourself at home, Princess. A-Ning will take her leave now."
After leaving the main room of the old madam, Madam Jiang stopped her under the corridor.
Snowflakes fluttered down like scattered salt, rustling as they fell.
Enveloping the Marquis's residence, as splendid as gold and jade, in a breathtaking beauty of its own.
Noticing a few specks of snow on Madam Jiang’s shoulders, Xue Ning stepped closer to carefully brush them away, then threw herself into her warm embrace just as she had in childhood. "Mother, the snow is heavy and the wind is cold. Why are you waiting for me here?"
Madam Jiang dismissed the maids and servants, then took her cold little hands. "You silly girl, what exactly are you thinking?"