Ning Huanyi entered the main hall to find her father practically starry-eyed. If this went on any longer, he might just transform into a woman and marry Xiao Ning’an himself.
“Father!” Ning Huanyi called softly, tugging at Ning Yuanxun’s sleeve. “How could you be won over so quickly?”
Ning Yuanxun composed himself, swallowing back the drool that had nearly escaped. He had intended to make things a little more difficult, but then he remembered that the person standing before him, so respectful and deferential, was none other than the ruthless and decisive regent who held sway over the imperial court. His courage faltered.
Pei Ruan pulled Ning Yuanxun aside and whispered something in his ear. Ning Yuanxun shot a surprised glance at Ning Huanyi before rising and leading Xiao Ning’an to the study.
Ning Huanyi watched their retreating figures uneasily. Pei Ruan patted her hand and teased, “What’s this? Not even married yet, and you’re already worried your father will give her a hard time? Don’t worry—he’s just giving her a few words of advice.”
Ning Huanyi shook her head earnestly. “Mother, it’s just… she’s a woman too, yet she has no parents to look out for her. If she suffers any grievances, there’s no one to comfort her. It makes my heart ache. Please, you and Father shouldn’t be too harsh on her…”
Xiao Ning’an had just stepped out of the main hall, but her sharp hearing, honed from years of military campaigns, caught Ning Huanyi’s soft, tender voice uttering words she had never heard in her twenty years of life.
Xiao Ning’an’s heart, usually so steady, now churned with an unfamiliar ache. Her eyes stung, threatening to redden.
Fortunately, Ning Yuanxun walked ahead without turning back, giving Xiao Ning’an time to collect herself.
Hearing her daughter speak so thoughtfully of another, Pei Ruan felt that all these years of doting on her had not been in vain. Even though others had called her a sickly child, she had grown up kind and gentle, never straying from the right path.
In the blink of an eye, her daughter had reached marriageable age. Pei Ruan looked at the courtyard piled high with betrothal gifts and finally understood why her own father had always found fault with Ning Yuanxun back in the day.
Inside the study, precious ancient texts lined the shelves in meticulous order. Ning Yuanxun sat solemnly behind the large desk, while Xiao Ning’an stood before him.
Neither spoke. Ning Yuanxun rummaged through a locked cabinet and carefully retrieved an embroidered box, placing it at the center of the desk. The box appeared untouched for years, but when opened, even Xiao Ning’an’s expression turned reverent.
“The Ning family of Yongchang Marquisate has been hereditary nobility for generations. Since the founding of the dynasty, our ancestors have been instrumental in its establishment. The Yongzong Emperor himself bestowed upon us an imperial decree of immunity—a testament to our ironclad merit. Do you understand its weight?” Ning Yuanxun’s expression was grave.
The Yongchang Marquisate’s lofty status was not solely due to Ning Yuanxun’s own contributions to the court but also owed much to the legacy of his forebears.
The Ning family had risked life and limb to protect the sovereign since ancient times. The founding emperor granted them this exceptional honor, ensuring that every subsequent ruler would show them deference—at the very least, allowing them a role in central governance.
The Yongchang Marquisate was hereditary, and the Ning descendants had always distinguished themselves with meritorious service. Yet, by Ning Yuanxun’s generation, the main lineage had no male heir to inherit the title.
Ning Yuanxun had originally intended for Ning Huanyi to inherit the title of Marquis of Yongchang. However, if she were to become a princess consort, inheriting the marquisate would no longer be possible to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Thus, Ning Huanyi’s marriage was intricately tied to the family’s interests. Yet, Ning Yuanxun did not dwell much on these matters. Bringing them up now served two purposes: first, to let Xiao Ning’an know that the Marquis of Yongchang’s household was not to be trifled with, and second, to make it clear that if Ning Huanyi were mistreated, even if she were to return home after a separation, she could still retain the prestigious title of Marquis of Yongchang.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning’an took a seat in the grand chair opposite the desk, carefully placing the embroidered documents back into their box. With measured words, she pledged, “As the current Regent, my position already attracts too much attention. To ensure Huanyi’s safety, once the realm is stable, I vow that she will still inherit the title of Marquis of Yongchang and enjoy a life of prosperity and honor.”
This declaration left Ning Yuanxun utterly stunned. Fearing it might be empty rhetoric, he was about to press further when Xiao Ning’an took up brush and ink to draft a formal guarantee. She affixed her Regent’s seal at the end of the document before lifting her gaze.
“Father-in-law, does this satisfy you?”
Ning Yuanxun held the black-and-white guarantee in his hands, rendered speechless by sheer astonishment. This was no ordinary marriage proposal—Xiao Ning’an seemed intent on handing over the entire Regent’s estate to Ning Huanyi as a dowry.
Every word of the document was solely for Ning Huanyi’s benefit, with the Marquis of Yongchang’s household receiving not a single advantage. Ning Huanyi would have full authority over all the Regent’s wealth and resources.
Such a marriage arrangement was likely unprecedented and would remain unmatched.
As a scholar-official, Ning Yuanxun meticulously scrutinized the document multiple times, ensuring there were no hidden loopholes or traps. Only then did he carefully store it in the same box as the embroidered documents.
Unable to fathom why Xiao Ning’an was so devoted to his daughter, Ning Yuanxun couldn’t resist asking. Xiao Ning’an sighed wistfully, “Your daughter once saved my life, though she may not remember.”
So you’re repaying her with the entire Regent’s estate? Ning Yuanxun sensed there was more to the story but chose not to pry further. Since both parties were willing and he, as the father, had received assurances, he decided to let events unfold as they would.
When they returned to the main hall, Ning Huanyi hurried to Xiao Ning’an’s side upon seeing her, her beautiful eyes brimming with unspoken worry.
Xiao Ning’an awkwardly raised a hand, wanting to pat Ning Huanyi’s head but fearing the gesture might be too forward, she instead offered an apology.
Ning Yuanxun and Pei Ruan did not linger in the hall, and Xiao Ning’an tactfully took her leave. Ning Huanyi watched her retreating figure with a pang of loneliness.
As Xiao Ning’an reached the gates of the Marquis of Yongchang’s residence, she felt a gentle tug on her dark robe from behind.
“R-Regent… Your Highness…” Ning Huanyi bit her lip, addressing her timidly, just as Xiao Ning’an turned to meet her gaze. Those phoenix eyes were inscrutable, revealing no emotion.
The intensity of that gaze made Ning Huanyi shrink back, too afraid to continue.
Realizing she had frightened the young woman, Xiao Ning’an attempted a gentle smile, though it came off somewhat stiff. “What is it, miss?” she asked.
Ning Huanyi saw her forced smile and thought her father had been difficult with her, so she quickly explained, “My father… he’s just… reluctant to let me go. If he said anything offensive, please don’t take it to heart…”
Her illness lingered between her brows, and as she spoke, her breath was unsteady. No sooner had the words left her lips than she began to cough, a sight truly pitiable to behold.