Xue Ning smiled softly, wrapping her arms around Madam Jiang’s waist. “I wasn’t thinking of anything else—I just want to acknowledge you as my mother, so I can honor and care for you for the rest of my life.”
Madam Jiang frowned. “Why didn’t you discuss this with your Brother Lu?”
Xue Ning replied self-deprecatingly, “Brother Lu is busy with countless affairs every day. How could he possibly concern himself with such trivial matters of mine?”
Madam Jiang sighed helplessly. “Weren’t you always saying in the past that you wanted to become your Brother Lu’s wife—”
Xue Ning was taken aback, not expecting Madam Jiang to say such a thing.
She suddenly lifted her head to look at Madam Jiang, who was holding her.
Madam Jiang’s gaze was gentle, her eyes soft as water, without a trace of the disappointment and disdain she had shown in her previous life. Instead, they were filled with affection.
A sudden realization dawned on Xue Ning, leaving her astonished.
Could it be that Madam Jiang wasn’t unwilling to have her as a daughter-in-law, but rather didn’t want her to degrade herself or ruin her reputation for the sake of a man?
So, in her past life, Madam Jiang’s disappointment stemmed from her destroying her own life.
At this thought, Xue Ning’s eyes reddened, and her heart swelled with regret and sorrow.
It turned out that Madam Jiang had always treated her exceptionally well.
It was she… she herself who had failed to live up to expectations.
“Mother, Ningning used to cling to Brother Lu because she was still immature. Now that she has come of age, she naturally understands propriety. Don’t worry—Ningning will keep her distance from Brother Lu from now on and remain his sister for life.”
Madam Jiang asked, “Do you truly not wish to marry your Brother Lu?”
Xue Ning pursed her lips slightly, smiling with determination. “I do not.”
Madam Jiang let out a slow sigh, seeing that Xue Ning was not joking.
Today’s matter of acknowledging kinship had been brought before Xie Laofuren. Once the Acknowledgment Banquet was held, there would be no turning back.
Even as a mother, she was unwilling to force her children’s marriages.
Zhan’er had always been strong-willed since childhood.
And Ningning was someone she had raised with her own hands.
She had watched Ningning humble herself time and again in front of Zhan’er, while Zhan’er remained indifferent, and it pained her heart.
Now, it was for the best if Ningning could see things clearly on her own.
She would choose an auspicious day and host a grand Acknowledgment Banquet for Ningning.
This would also be an opportunity for Ningning to make an appearance before the noble ladies, so she could select a suitable husband and settle her marriage.
Madam Jiang patted Xue Ning’s hand gently and smiled. “It’s good that Ningning can think clearly. I’ll go back first to check the almanac. Once you finish copying the scriptures, come to my Qiushui Garden for a visit.”
Xue Ning softly replied, “Yes,” bowed respectfully, and saw Madam Jiang off.
Afterward, she led Bao Chan toward the Buddhist hall in Xie Laofuren’s rear courtyard.
In her later years, Xie Laofuren devoted herself sincerely to Buddhism, copying Buddhist scriptures daily.
In recent years, her eyesight had gradually weakened, so she began having the children of the household assist with the copying.
In her previous life, Xue Ning rarely took the initiative to visit Xie Laofuren, as she was not fond of her.
But now, for Madam Jiang’s sake, even if Xie Laofuren disliked her, she would strive to show her worth.
“Miss Xue, we’ve arrived.”
“The Buddhist hall is a quiet place, Miss Xue. Please keep your voice low. Bao Chan, you may wait outside. Once the young lady finishes copying, you may return to attend to her.”
After rounding the corridor pillar, they reached the entrance of the Buddhist hall.
Momo Ye gestured for her to enter but did not proceed further, indicating that Xue Ning should go in alone and that even her maid could not accompany her.
Xue Ning had not known that the rules for copying scriptures in Xie Laofuren’s Buddhist hall were so strict.
But she wisely refrained from asking any questions, bowed slightly, and tiptoed into the hall.
The Buddhist hall was not large, with thick curtains hanging everywhere.
As soon as Xue Ning stepped inside, she felt the dimness envelop her, and the faint scent of incense filled her nostrils.
After much effort reaching the front of the Buddha statue, she discovered someone was already seated beside the carved rosewood altar.
Xue Ning took two steps closer, clearly seeing the man's refined features, then couldn't help but retreat a step.
That sensation of flesh being scorched resurfaced.
It made her breathing somewhat difficult.
"Just arrived and already leaving—is this the sincerity with which you wish to copy scriptures for Grandmother?"
Xue Ning was astonished. "You… how did you—"
Su Zhan scoffed, "Didn't you come precisely because you knew I was here?"
"I—" Xue Ning felt utterly wronged, on the verge of tears.
No wonder when she had mentioned coming to copy scriptures earlier, the man had given her a meaningful glance, and Xie Laofuren's expression had also turned unpleasant.
So, in everyone's eyes, she had come deliberately, just to get close to Su Zhan.
But she truly hadn't meant to…
Having been married to Su Zhan for ten years and reborn into this life, after who knows how many years had passed, she had long forgotten that during this period, Su Zhan would come daily to copy scriptures for a while to pray for Xie Laofuren's blessings.
Embarrassed and annoyed, she stood rooted to the spot, twisting her fingers, caught in a dilemma.
Leaving abruptly might displease the old lady.
But having to copy scriptures alongside Su Zhan was something she didn't want either.
Su Zhan lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping indifferently over Xue Ning's pale little face. "What are you still standing there for?"
Xue Ning tried to find an excuse. "This is my first time—"
Su Zhan said calmly, "Come here. Brother will teach you."
Under the dim candlelight, the man wore a robe of deep ink-black, his brows like distant peaks, eyes as cold as frost. His features were exquisitely handsome, his profile sharp and flawless.
Merely sitting there, he inspired awe.
Moreover, since childhood, she had grown up under his strict guidance.
If not for romantic feelings, and considering only their sibling bond, she had no reason to defy him.
With no other choice, Xue Ning removed her embroidered shoes and knelt on the empty cushion beside him.
Su Zhan glanced at her feet, casually tossed her a soft cushion, then took a sheet of xuan paper, spread it out for her, and handed her the brush.
In truth, when not acting as her husband, he harbored no particular malice toward her—one could even say he doted on her as much as he did Aman.
It was only after learning of her feelings that his attitude toward her changed.
Xue Ning sighed inwardly.
She tried her best to remain calm, pursed her red lips as she accepted the brush, avoided looking at him as much as possible, and shifted her body repeatedly away from him.
Su Zhan couldn't stand her timid demeanor. Extending a long arm, just as he had in their childhood, he hooked her slender waist and pulled her toward him, intending to make her sit properly.
But Xue Ning, having died once, now feared contact with Su Zhan the most.
Her blood ran cold, and her eyes widened in shock. Just as he nearly pulled her into his embrace, she pushed him away urgently.
However, the man's strength was great, his breath washing over her—how could her feeble strength possibly push him away easily…
Xue Ning only felt the large hand resting on her waist was scorchingly hot, unsettling her heart.
She bit her lip tightly, as if touching something unclean, her entire being filled with terror and fear. "Brother, I… I can manage on my own."
Su Zhan raised his eyes, his expression indifferent. "Since when?"
Xue Ning didn't dare meet his gaze, lowering her eyes instead. "Since when what?"
Su Zhan said casually, "Since when did you decide to be my sister?"
Xue Ning answered honestly, "Last… last night…"
So it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
A young girl's infatuation is always pitifully naive.
Such a petty trick, and she even brought it before Grandmother.
However, Xue Ning was always like this—appearing soft and guileless, yet cleverer than anyone in her schemes.
She always had a way to prevent the Acknowledgment Banquet from taking place, only to come before him later to curry favor.
Su Zhan’s heavy heart suddenly felt a little lighter. He let out a soft scoff, his handsome face stern as he lowered his gaze and leaned closer.
Catching sight of the pallor on the girl’s face, he found her little tricks to seduce him utterly uninteresting.
“Copy the scriptures properly.”
As her elder brother, he had always been this strict.
Only when the man had moved slightly away did Xue Ning dare to breathe.
She forced herself to sit up straight, taking a deep breath. “Alright…”