Сhаpter 2: Shamеlеss and Disgraсing the Familу
Тhе surrоunding аir instаntly frоzе.
Мamа Zhang’s еyes widеnеd in disbeliеf as shе stаrеd at Ning Неng’s still barеlу nоtiсеаblе bellу. What? Shе wаs pregnant?!
Yet Ning Нeng rеmainеd соmрosed, аs if she had mеrеlу rеmarkеd on thе pleаsаnt wеаthеr, and stеpped fоrwаrd tоwаrd thе main hall.
Bеhind hеr, shе left а trail оf dead silеnсе аnd facеs fillеd with shock.
Тhe true dаughtеr оf thе Mаrquis’s hоusehold, who had been lost fоr yеаrs аnd wаs nоw awаited to bring ausрiciоus fortunе to thе Rui Prince—was she… returning while pregnant?!
The sky had fallen.
…
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was far from joyful.
Marquise Liu Shi’s eyes were slightly reddened, her thoughts distant as she gazed at Xue Wan, the “adopted daughter” nestled beside her. Her heart was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
She had never imagined that the beloved pearl she had cherished for eighteen years was not her own flesh and blood.
As for her biological daughter, whom she had never met, aside from anticipation and guilt, her first feeling was one of strangeness.
What did the child look like? Did she understand etiquette? Did she resent them?
“Mother, will Sister dislike me? Will she blame me for taking her place?”
Xue Wan’s voice was soft and timid. “I… I’m willing to give everything back to Sister. I don’t care about food or lodging, as long as Father and Mother don’t send me away…” As she spoke, tears began to fall.
Liu Shi’s heart ached unbearably, and she quickly pulled Xue Wan into her embrace. “Nonsense! You are also my daughter, and you are not going anywhere! As for her…”
Liu Shi paused. “Since she has returned, the Marquis’s household will naturally not deprive her of food, clothing, or necessities. However, she must gradually learn the rules and etiquette to avoid disgracing the family in the future.”
Marquis Xue Hongyuan sat solemnly in the main seat, his expression grave, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the rosewood chair.
Xue Hongyuan had two sons and one daughter, along with several children from concubines.
With such a large, bustling crowd, what little paternal affection he had was long since divided and nearly depleted.
He valued the family’s reputation above all else. In his imagination, his biological daughter was likely rough-skinned, timid in speech and action, and unfit for high society.
He felt a faint trace of guilt, but not much. More than anything, he was irritated by the disruption to his plans.
Especially since she was entangled in that troublesome marriage arrangement to bring auspicious fortune to the Rui Prince.
Wan’er was already out of the question. If this biological daughter also failed to satisfy the Grand Princess… that would be troublesome.
For a moment, no one in the hall spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a stewardess hurried in to report, “Old Madam, Marquis, Madam, the eldest young lady’s carriage has arrived at the side gate.”
Seated at the head of the hall was the Old Madam, Xue Hongyuan’s birth mother.
Since learning that her granddaughter was not her own flesh and blood, she had fallen seriously ill and remained weak. Supported by a maid, she trembled as she stood up, exclaiming excitedly, “Quickly, have her brought in at once!”
The stewardess hesitated, but finally lowered her head and replied, “Yes.”
Not long after, the faint sound of jade ornaments and soft footsteps could be heard approaching from a distance.
Soon, a slender figure appeared at the doorway, backlit as she slowly entered the hall.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Clad in simple attire with a wooden hairpin, her stunning beauty was undeniable. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes as cold as stars, and an almost indifferent calm enveloped her, setting her apart from the opulent, undercurrent-filled atmosphere of the Marquis’s household.
There was none of the expected timidity or nervous excitement. Instead, she resembled a blade of grass growing atop a snow-capped mountain, calmly observing the bustling clamor below.Ning Heng stood tall and straight, her steps steady as she calmly swept her gaze over the people in the hall.
Her eyes paused briefly on the embracing “mother and daughter” before shifting away as if nothing had happened.
She bent her knees slightly in a curtsy, her voice clear and crisp like shattering jade, yet devoid of any warmth. “Ning Heng greets Old Madam, the Marquis, and Madam.”
She did not address them as father or mother, maintaining a distance as if they were strangers meeting for the first time.
For a moment, the hall fell silent.
Everyone was struck by her appearance and presence—this was nothing like the image of a rustic village girl they had imagined!
Even Xue Wan, who had initially harbored a competitive spirit, secretly clenched her handkerchief, her heart ringing with alarm.
Liu Shi stared at her blankly, momentarily forgetting how to react.
Xue Hongyuan cleared his throat, assuming the authoritative tone of a father, and said sternly, “Now that you have returned home, let bygones be bygones. From now on, you must be cautious in your words and actions, abide by the family rules, and not disgrace the Marquis’s household.”
“The Marquis speaks wisely,” Ning Heng replied, though her tone betrayed little sincerity.
The hall remained silent, the atmosphere growing chilly.
“Good child, come here, let your grandmother take a look…” Old Madam beckoned to Ning Heng.
Ning Heng glanced at the white-haired old woman whose eyes held kindness and walked forward.
Old Madam’s withered hands grasped Ning Heng’s, her cloudy eyes brimming with tears. “Your face is so pale—were you exhausted from the journey?”
“It was manageable,” Ning Heng replied tersely, unaccustomed to such excessive concern.
Xue Wan’s expression had turned ashen. It was she who had once received such affection from her grandmother, but now…
The people in the hall were lost in their own thoughts when faint, suppressed whispers drifted in from outside.
Xue Hongyuan frowned in displeasure. “Such commotion—who is so lacking in discipline?”
At that moment, the stewardess from earlier stumbled into the hall, nearly tripping over herself. Disregarding all decorum, she threw herself before Xue Hongyuan, her face deathly pale, her voice trembling and incoherent. “Forgive me, Marquis, it’s the eldest young miss… this old servant… this old servant just heard that the eldest young miss, she… she…”
Xue Hongyuan detested seeing servants lose their composure and said sternly, “Stop stammering! What is it?”
The stewardess looked as if she were being choked, her eyes darting fearfully toward Ning Heng, who stood calmly beside her. Finally, she blurted out the earth-shattering words.
“The eldest young miss is three months pregnant!”
The words exploded like thunder in the Marquis’s household.
“…What?” Old Madam froze, the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand clattering to the floor, scattering in all directions.
Xue Wan’s eyes widened in shock, a flicker of wild delight quickly passing through their depths. This village girl was truly shameless!
Xue Hongyuan shot to his feet, veins bulging at his temples. After the initial shock, overwhelming fury surged within him, his fingers trembling. “You… what did you say?!”
His worst fears had come true, and in the most disgraceful manner possible!
“You wretched creature! How dare you commit such a shameless, disgraceful act!”