Сhарter 4: Marrу Оne, Get Оne Freе (Rеvisеd)
Не Liаn felt аn оvеrwhelming urgе to сhop оff Хue Нongуuаn’s hеad right thеn аnd therе.
Wаs thаt thing реrсhеd betwеen his shоuldеrs a pig’s brain?
Hе cоuldn’t evеn kеер track оf his own daughtеr, lеtting sоmе lowlу impоster takе hеr рlасe. If hе had proреrlу аttеnded to his wife during сhildbirth bасk then, hоw cоuld a merе midwifе hаvе succееded in her sсheme?
Nоw, bесаuse оf it, еveryone was caught in а dilemmа.
Не hаd сontributеd nothing to the stаte аnd was usеless tо his family—truly unfit for any great responsibility!
Just as He Lian was about to order an edict stripping Xue Hongyuan of his noble title, a weak yet still clear and melodious voice came from the inner chamber, tinged with the hoarseness of illness.
“Cough, cough… Cousin, Mother, please don’t be angry…”
The beaded curtain rustled softly as palace attendants slowly pushed out a wooden wheelchair.
Seated in the chair was a person dressed in moon-white sleeping robes, draped with a cloak. His face was abnormally pale and gaunt from prolonged illness, yet it couldn’t completely obscure his originally jade-like, refined features.
“Since the Grand Master says… it must be her…”
He slightly raised his eyes, which, though clouded with sickness, still held a trace of clarity that saw through worldly affairs. “Then let us meet.”
He Lian quickly stood up, frowning. “Huai Jin, do you know she…”
“I know.”
Lu Yun Jue sighed, his voice so faint it seemed it might vanish the next second. “As a woman, adrift for eighteen years… it’s only natural to wish for marriage… cough, cough… to find a suitable husband. It’s just a pity that, like me, fate has played a cruel trick…”
First cast into the wilderness, then losing her husband—speaking of it, she is a pitiable woman.
The Grand Princess’s heart ached. “Jin’er, what are you saying? You will surely be safe and sound.”
He Lian’s heart also pained, his fury replaced by guilt.
Back then, that cup of wine laced with poison should have been his. If Huai Jin hadn’t mistakenly drunk it, the one now gravely ill—or even long since reduced to bones beneath the path of imperial power—should have been him.
In this lifetime, he owed this cousin a debt he could never repay.
Lu Yun Jue took a soft, labored breath. “Cousin, let us meet. I don’t wish to force her.”
“If she is willing… I trouble you, Cousin, to bestow the marriage. Even if… I pass away someday, with the protection of the Prince’s residence, at least the widow and orphan won’t be bullied…”
He Lian said solemnly, “Very well. I will arrange it for you.”
…
The next day, Pingyang Marquis Estate.
The Marquis Estate had strict rules. Morning and evening greetings and sharing meals were unshakable traditions. Even a simple breakfast required separate seating to demonstrate the etiquette of an aristocratic family.
However, during breakfast, while everyone else had taken their seats, one person was conspicuously absent.
The Old Madam asked, “Where is Heng’er? Is she feeling unwell?”
The young maid assigned to serve Ning Heng trembled as she replied, “…R-Replying to the Old Madam, the Young Miss… the Young Miss said that since she is now with child, she needs quiet rest. She asked the kitchen to bring breakfast to her room… s-so she won’t be coming…”
“This is utterly improper!”
Before the Old Madam could speak, Xue Hongyuan’s face turned ashen with anger. “She’s been back for only a day and already acts so willfully! Does she have any respect for her elders at all?”
Seeing this, Xue Wan quickly softened her voice to console him. “Father, please don’t be angry. Sister is now carrying two lives, so it’s understandable she’s more delicate… Besides, Wan’er isn’t very hungry. Shall I take breakfast to Sister? That way, she won’t go hungry.” She wore an expression of utmost consideration and self-sacrifice.
Xue Hongyuan said sternly, “Sit down, Wan’er. There’s no need for you to go.””Truly raised in the countryside, with no sense of propriety whatsoever. Just because she’s pregnant, she puts on airs at home!” The dissatisfaction in the words was unmistakable.
Liu Shi also frowned, her displeasure with Ning Heng growing yet another layer.
She simply felt that this biological daughter had caused nothing but trouble since her arrival, disrupting the household peace and even making Wan Jier suffer.
“Propriety?” Old Madam said coldly, “If you hadn’t been careless back then, how could Heng’er have ended up lost outside? And now you talk about propriety? Shame on you for being a father—what a fine, loving father you are!”
The Old Madam of Pingyang Marquisate was born into a family of wealth and nobility, the eldest legitimate daughter. Having managed the household for decades, she carried immense authority.
Xue Hongyuan, despite his age, was left speechless by the scolding. “Mother, I…”
“Eat what? My appetite is completely gone.” Old Madam set down her chopsticks, and Qiu Momo immediately helped her up as she left.
The morning meal was tasteless for everyone, the atmosphere unbearably tense.
Just as the table was cleared, Xue Hongyuan was about to send someone to check on Liting Courtyard, lest his mother continue to look at him with disdain.
But the steward stumbled in from outside, his voice trembling with panic.
“Master! Master! Someone from the palace is here!”
For Xue Hongyuan, this was hardly good news. His heart had been heavy since yesterday, fearing for his own head.
Hearing this, he shot to his feet, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead.
He hastily straightened his attire and went out to greet the visitor, only to find it was none other than the Emperor’s favorite, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Directorate, Defu Gonggong!
Xue Hongyuan was both flattered and terrified. “Defu Gonggong, what brings you here in person?”
Defu Gonggong’s expression was calm, but his cloudy eyes were sharp.
“Marquis Xue, greetings. I come by the Emperor’s oral decree. Is the eldest young lady present?”
“Yes, yes! But my daughter still needs to dress. Please wait a moment, Gonggong. Come, take a seat in the main hall!”
Xue Hongyuan responded while ordering someone to wake Ning Heng.
…
Ning Heng had quite the temper upon waking.
Having been disturbed repeatedly, her displeasure was written plainly on her face, the air around her cold enough to freeze anyone to death.
If this were back home, even stray dogs wouldn’t dare approach her, afraid of getting slapped twice.
Unfortunately, the trusted Mama Wei sent by Liu Shi was oblivious. Seeing Ning Heng move slowly, even lazily trying to crawl back into bed, her old face darkened.
“Young Lady, this is the Marquisate, right under the Emperor’s feet. It’s not like the countryside where you can act without manners… If you continue behaving so crudely, not only will you be laughed at by distinguished guests, but you’ll also bring shame to the Marquisate. I hope you’ll consider this carefully.”
Ning Heng’s head throbbed from the disturbance, her patience completely gone.
She lifted her eyelids, her gaze icy. “Slap her.”
The maid behind Mama Wei was stunned. Slap her? Slap whom?
Aside from Mama Zhang, Mama Wei was the most trusted by the Madam. Having served in the Marquisate for decades, even the young masters showed her some respect.
Mama Wei was taken aback. “What did you say?”
Ning Heng said, “I told you to slap yourself. Are you deaf?”
Mama Wei laughed in anger. “Young Lady, I was sent by the Madam to wake you. It’s you who’s dilly-dallying and wasting time. What fault is that of mine?”
Ning Heng casually draped her outer robe over herself. “Since you call me Young Lady, I am your master. If the master says you’re wrong, then you’re wrong.”
“Unless… you think my words carry no weight?”Her gaze fell on Nanny Wei’s face. “Even a nanny dares to defy her superiors—the Marquis’s household truly has fine rules. Aren’t you afraid outsiders will mock the mistress of the house for failing to manage her subordinates, bringing shame upon the Marquis’s household? I wonder if you, Nanny, can bear such responsibility?”
A direct accusation was thrown at her.
Nanny Wei’s face turned pale and then flushed with anger. Clenching her teeth, under Ning Heng’s unwavering stare, she slowly raised her hand and slapped herself lightly on the face.
“…Is this enough, Eldest Miss?”
Ning Heng smiled. “Not quite enough.”
Everyone was taken aback. They had assumed the eldest miss, having just returned to the household, would be timid and fearful. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be a tough one.
Nanny Wei, humiliated and furious, dared not disobey. She had no choice but to slap herself several more times in succession.
Only when the old woman’s face showed symmetrical red swelling did Ning Heng leisurely say, “That’s enough.”
She took two steps closer, examining Nanny Wei’s face. “Tsk, tsk, it’s all red. Nanny truly lives up to being an old-timer in the household—your hand is quite heavy, even so harsh on yourself.”
Nanny Wei: “…”
A surge of anger choked her chest, nearly making her faint.
“Let’s go.” Ning Heng adjusted her collar, her expression turning indifferent again. “Didn’t someone from the palace come? We mustn’t keep the esteemed guest waiting.”
…
Main Hall.
Xue Hongyuan and Liu Shi were chatting with Defu. When they saw Ning Heng enter looking drowsy-eyed, dressed simply—almost carelessly—Xue Hongyuan’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Liu Shi also felt embarrassed, wishing she could immediately send Ning Heng back to her room to tidy up.
Where was the slightest trace of a refined young lady from a noble family?
“Master, Madam, Eunuch Defu, the Eldest Miss has arrived.”
Liu Shi’s gaze fell on the distinct red marks on Nanny Wei’s face. Her expression shifted slightly, and she glared at Ning Heng with displeasure.
Upon seeing Ning Heng, Defu immediately felt reassured.
The woman before him had a straight, elegant nose and lips of a pale hue. Combined on her face, they created a breathtakingly cold and stunning beauty.
Even though she was a widow, such looks and bearing were entirely worthy of being a princess consort.
Even if the child wasn’t Rui Prince’s, the wife was!
Now, marrying her would come with an extra child. Surely, Rui Prince’s illness could be cured this way. Then, Emperor Jingxing could rest easier, and the lives of the eunuchs serving before the emperor would improve as well!
Truly a brilliant plan that killed three birds with one stone!
Defu stood up politely. “Eldest Miss Xue, by His Majesty’s oral decree, you are invited to Rui Prince’s residence for a discussion.”
Ning Heng: “My surname is Ning.”
Xue Hongyuan’s face instantly turned grim, but Defu smoothly corrected himself. “Miss Ning, this servant will wait while you freshen up.”
“No need. Let’s go as I am.”
Xue Hongyuan couldn’t help but scold her. “What kind of appearance is this! Hurry back and change into proper clothes. Be careful not to offend the prince!”
Ning Heng lazily glanced at him. “Either go like this, or not go at all. Which do you choose?”
First, there was the blind nanny, and now this foolish father. Ning Heng was utterly annoyed, her eyes clearly saying, “Don’t bother me.”
Xue Hongyuan choked with anger.
In the carriage, Ning Heng leaned against the wall, resting with her eyes closed. After having some snacks and light tea, her mood improved slightly, and she found the leisure to ask about the purpose of this trip.
“Why is Rui Prince looking for me?”
Defu was somewhat surprised. The matter of the wedding to ward off misfortune had caused quite a stir in the capital—how could the person involved not know?
He briefly explained Rui Prince’s critical illness, Emperor Jingxing’s intention to arrange a marriage to ward off misfortune, and how Master Huitong’s divination had specifically pointed to her as the only suitable candidate.Ning Heng showed no surprise, merely raising an eyebrow with a hint of amusement in her tone. “So even you royal family members are of Cao Cao’s ilk?”
Defu was momentarily taken aback. “…Who is Cao Cao?”
A faint smile touched Ning Heng’s lips as she closed her eyes. “A sage.”
One who particularly favored married women.