Shang Mijun's heart jolted. She walked to the front of the hall, knelt, and kowtowed, speaking in a hoarse voice:
"Mijun knows that my actions were extreme and have implicated the Xie family's reputation, but the revenge was truly satisfying—it vented a great deal of pent-up resentment.
Mijun also knows that having offended both the Xie and Xiao families, my path to survival is cut off. Whatever punishment the Old Ancestor sees fit, I will accept without complaint."
Shang Mijun kept her eyes lowered. Since she had already been seen through, she might as well admit it openly.
Someone like Old Madame Wei would have even less tolerance for those who spout lies.
Seeing Shang Mijun's open and composed expression—no guilt at being discovered, not even a single word of excuse—Old Madame Wei lifted her eyelids to look at her, a faint trace of surprise surfacing in her eyes.
"Quite honest, aren't you."
"I would not dare deceive the Old Matriarch." Shang Mijun remained utterly unruffled.
[You're just admitting it like that?]
Xie Yan'an watched the commotion with relish, unbothered by the gravity of the situation.
[You don't know this, but the Old Matriarch is extremely deep. I can fool others, but I can't hide anything from her.]
The moment Old Madame Wei had entered earlier, Shang Mijun had already realized that she probably hadn't managed to fool this old ancestor.
Otherwise, why would she have come in person?
Xie Yan'an raised an eyebrow. That was true enough.
[Then how dare you still ask to marry her son? Aren't you afraid she'll kill you in a fit of rage?]
[Shut up. Don't disturb my composure.]
Shang Mijun suddenly found this male ghost utterly irritating. Once this matter was over, she would have to find a Taoist priest to drive his soul away.
As for what the male ghost had said, Shang Mijun did have some concerns, but she wanted to gamble.
On one hand, the Xie family had wronged her by marrying Xiao-huan off as a wife.
On the other hand, she wanted to bet on a mother's love.
Even if Old Madame Wei was cold and unapproachable, she was still a mother who doted on her children.
Seventh Master Xie was a dying man—wouldn't Old Madame Wei want her son to have a complete ending?
Some people even arranged ghost marriages for the dead. With a wife, there would be a place to belong, and the family's standing and ancestral rites could continue.
If Seventh Master Xie had a wife in name, then she, Shang Mijun, could also have the status of a noble lady. It was a solution that benefited both sides—what if Old Madame Wei agreed?
Since there was no other path left, she might as well gamble!
Xie Yan'an continued to chatter endlessly.
[I don't think it'll work. You'd better not provoke her. Ask for something else.]
Shang Mijun couldn't be bothered to acknowledge this motormouth.
Seeing her honesty, Old Madame Wei let out a light sigh and said:
"Very well. Causing such a scene on the wedding night—it is indeed our Xie family who wronged you. It's only natural that you harbor resentment."
She rested her forehead on one hand and said slowly:
"Although you and Qing'er have already bowed before the ancestors, you haven't consummated the marriage, so you're not yet husband and wife. I can find you another match within the clan, but don't expect too high a family standing. From now on, you will still be a daughter of the Xie family, and the Xie family's reputation outside is also your reputation. Do you understand?"
Shang Mijun's expression remained calm and composed.
"Mijun deeply thanks the Old Matriarch for her kindness. However, there is someone in my heart whom I wish to marry more…"
If she married someone of ordinary standing, Xiao Jing and Xie Zhaoqing would find it far too easy to take revenge on her.
Moreover, she was merely an orphan who had offended the Xiao family. Even if the other party reluctantly married her, her days after marriage would likely be difficult.
So that would not do.
"Oh?"
Old Madame Wei was surprised. "Then stop beating around the bush. Speak."
Shang Mijun straightened her back, raised her eyes to meet Old Madame Wei's gaze, and spoke the name with firm resolve.
"Xie Yan'an, Seventh Master Xie. Mijun is willing to be Seventh Master's wife and guard him for the rest of his life."
Old Madame Wei suddenly gripped the armrest of her chair, her sharp old eyes narrowing.
"What did you say?"
The old nurse's heart pounded with alarm. This Mistress Shang was far too bold!
Everyone knew that Seventh Master was the Old Matriarch's untouchable scale—the one thing no one dared to provoke!
After Seventh Master was gravely wounded and fell into a coma, the Old Matriarch had fallen severely ill herself, wasting away in spirit, unable to sleep night after night. A woman who had never believed in gods or spirits now burned incense and prayed daily, practically living in the Buddha hall.
How dare she bring up Seventh Master?!
Even if Seventh Master's wounds proved fatal, she was still not worthy of him—an orphan girl with no family background whatsoever!
Shang Mijun's face remained composed, showing no sign of panic or fear. Instead, she held her ground firmly.
"If the marriage is to be changed, Mijun will marry none other than Seventh Master!"
"How dare you!"
The old nurse scolded her.
The atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to freezing point. Cold sweat broke out on Shang Mijun's forehead, her wounds throbbed with pain, and her head spun dizzily.
No one knew how long the silence stretched on. Old Madame Wei's expression shifted, her gaze deep and complex.
"What you're after is the position of Seventh Lady."
The words were spoken with certainty, her tone revealing neither pleasure nor anger.
Shang Mijun dug her nails into her palms, adding a note of genuine feeling to her words.
"Yes. But not only that. Mijun would not dare deceive the Old Matriarch. My marriage to Xie Zhaoqing was forced upon me by my elder brother. I begged, I even tried to take my own life, but nothing worked.
In truth… the one I have always held in my heart is Seventh Master. At the Spring Appreciation Banquet two years ago, that spirited young man galloped across the grounds on horseback, and from that moment, his noble, handsome face was etched into my heart.
But the gap in our stations was too vast. Mijun dared not even dream of it, so I buried those maiden feelings deep in my heart, never daring to reveal them."
Shang Mijun lowered her eyes, her thick lashes trembling slightly, veiling the shame that was difficult to put into words.
"R-really?"
Xie Yan'an's voice sounded a bit hesitant.
How could he not remember ever meeting her?
Shang Mijun replied in her heart, utterly devoid of emotion, "Of course it's fake. I've never even seen him before."
Xie Yan'an was so annoyed he wanted to roll his eyes. "You really can spin a tale, can't you?"
And so sappy too…
Hearing Shang Mijun say this, Old Madame Wei couldn't help but be moved. Yes, Yan'an had always loved horseback riding.
In that instant, Old Madame Wei seemed to age even more, her face unable to hide her exhaustion and grief.
"Do you know about Yan'an's condition?"
Seeing this, a dark glint flashed in Shang Mijun's eyes. It seemed she had a chance.
"A woman rarely gets to marry as her heart desires. Rather than marry a man I don't love and face discord after the wedding, I'd rather stay by the side of the one I love, seeking peace and comfort."
Shang Mijun discreetly glanced at Old Madame Wei's expression, then spoke again in gentle tones:
"In this way, not only do I get my wish, but Seventh Lord also has a wife by his side, at least finding some completeness. Old Matriarch, surely you can't bear to let Seventh Lord live out his days alone?"
If she could truly marry Xie Yan'an, she would need to conceive a child with him before he breathed his last.
Only then could she truly rest easy!
Was that cripple even still capable?
Old Madame Wei looked at Shang Mijun, pondering for a long while.
"A few days ago, when I went to worship at the temple, I encountered Holy Monk Huien. He said perhaps taking a wife for luck might help. I've been troubled over this matter…"
Unexpectedly, today this situation arose, and Shang Mijun willingly offered to marry Yan'an.
Could this be fate?
Old Madame Wei waved her hand and relented. "Very well, I'll go along with you."
"Daughter-in-law thanks Mother." Shang Mijun kowtowed again.
"You sure changed your tune quickly…"
Xie Yan'an remarked faintly.
The corner of Shang Mijun's lips curved up almost imperceptibly.
"Naturally."
Old Madame Wei's word was law in this household, so of course she needed to cling tightly to her coattails.
"Wait… hey… you… I… I really admire you! This actually worked?"
Xie Yan'an was beginning to question his very existence. How did he suddenly have a wife?
How awkward.
Shang Mijun gave the same reply: "What's it to you?"
It seemed she absolutely had to find a Taoist priest!
"Mother, could you send someone to look after me? I've just arrived at the Xie estate, and after going through all this, I'm truly at a loss."
Shang Mijun lowered her brows and spoke in a soft voice again.
She needed an ally, and Old Madame Wei also needed a pawn to keep watch over her. So it was better to bring it up herself.
Old Madame Wei gave Shang Mijun a deep look, then raised her hand and waved lightly. A tall, slender maidservant walked in from outside.
"Qingzhi, from today on, you will attend to Seventh Madame!"
…
On the way back, Old Nanny Qiu supported Old Madame Wei and asked in confusion:
"Old Matriarch, do you truly believe that girl's nonsense? I think she deliberately claimed to adore our Seventh Lord just to get one over on the Third Branch."