Xue Ling's ears rang from the slap.
Xie Zhizhou shouted sharply, "Grandmother!!"
Ignoring his injuries, he struggled to rise, only to collapse the moment his feet touched the ground.
Old Madam Xie rushed forward in distress, "Zhizhou, what are you doing?"
But Xie Zhizhou seized her wrist with a stern expression, "Grandmother, Miss Xue sacrificed her reputation to save me! If you lay another hand on her or speak disrespectfully, it would mean our Xie Family is ungrateful, and I would have no face left to live in this world!"
Old Madam Xie was startled. "Fine, fine! I won’t blame her anymore. Your injuries are what matter now!" She glared outside, and a physician from their entourage hurried in.
Yet Xie Zhizhou refused to cooperate, his gaze fixed intently on Xue Ling. "Miss Xue, are you alright?"
Seeing his pale face still filled with concern for her, Xue Ling pressed her lips together and held back her emotions. "I’m fine. Now that your family is here, I shall take my leave."
As she turned to leave, Xie Zhizhou summoned an inexplicable burst of strength, breaking free from the physician and stumbling after her.
"Scholar Xie?"
Xue Ling stared in surprise as he grasped her wrist, then turned back to declare firmly, "Grandmother, my mind is made up. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but Xue Ling. I beg for your blessing!"
Old Madam Xie was furious. "Have you lost your mind? At a time like this, you’re still thinking of such things?"
Xie Zhizhou knew all too well—if he didn’t force his grandmother’s approval now, once Xue Ling left, this marriage would become an impossible dream.
Gritting his teeth against the searing pain in his back, he spoke word by word, "I’ve thought it through. If not for her last night, I would have died at the hands of those villains. If I cannot give her justice today, then consider my life returned to her!"
This grandson of hers was as stubborn as ten oxen.
Old Madam Xie didn’t argue further, instead fixing Xue Ling with a cold stare. "Miss Xue, it’s not that I look down on you, but your background… Had Lord Cao, who took you in, still been conscious, there might have been room for discussion. But now, the gap between our families is vast. Surely you understand?"
Xue Ling clenched her fists.
Since her father’s downfall, she had witnessed enough of the capital’s fickleness—but to have it thrown in her face so brazenly was a first.
And that mention of "taken in" was a deliberate reminder of her shameful birth father.
"Rest assured, Old Madam Xie. Even if I lacked dignity, I would never cling to a mere Baron’s household!"
She tried to leave, but her wrist remained firmly held.
Just as she was about to rebuke him, a low, icy voice cut in, "Grandmother, did you not hear what I said?"
Old Madam Xie’s face darkened. "I’ll indulge you in all else, but not this! Zhizhou, remember—you are the Emperor’s newly appointed Scholar, destined for the Six Ministries! Must you marry a discarded daughter of a Marquis’ household who brings you no advantage?"
"Grandmother!" Xie Zhizhou’s breath was labored, but his eyes were resolute. "I’ve warned you repeatedly—do not insult her. Since age has dulled your hearing, I’ll return home and ask Mother to arrange the marriage proposal instead."
"You—!" Old Madam Xie’s eyes widened in shock and rage. "How dare you?!"
Marriage proposals were a delicate matter, traditionally handled only by the matriarch.
Now that she governed the Nanping Baron’s household, her grandson threatened to bypass her and involve his ailing mother!
What did this imply? Was he stripping her of authority?
Xie Zhizhou’s expression remained indifferent. "As you’ve said, Grandmother, my future is bright, and the Baron’s household relies on me to uphold its honor. Therefore, in matters of marriage, I decide for myself."
The unspoken message was clear—if she refused, he would find someone who wouldn’t.
After all her efforts in raising him, her eldest grandson now dared to threaten her?
Old Madam Xie’s chest burned with anger, yet she couldn’t summon a retort. A maidservant hastily intervened, "Madam, since the Young Master insists, why not agree? Once she’s married into the household, under your roof… Who knows what might happen?"
A shadow crossed Old Madam Xie’s eyes. "Very well. I consent."
With her approval secured, Xie Zhizhou’s vision darkened, and he collapsed unconscious.
Xue Ling caught him, her heart in turmoil.
That he’d fought for her despite his injuries moved her deeply. Yet, having offended his grandmother before even stepping into the household, their future would be fraught… Still, she resolved to face whatever came. For him, she would fight too.
Meanwhile, in the Yan Family residence…
Meng Yang recounted the events at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in detail. Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly. "It seems my cousin has found her path."
Yan Zheng glanced at her. "I’d have thought you’d worry about her future hardships."
Yulu nodded. "Indeed, Miss! If Old Madam Xie resents her before the marriage, won’t she make life miserable for Cousin Xue later?"
Chu Ruoyan studied them—Yan Zheng feigned ignorance, while Yulu was genuinely clueless.
She tapped Yulu’s forehead. "Silly girl. Think—Consort Liang in the Emperor’s harem was born of lowly status. The Empress Dowager once wished her dead, yet she thrives unharmed. Why?"
Yulu blinked. "Why?"
Meng Yang grasped it first. "Madam means a wife’s standing depends on her husband, not his mother. The Empress Dowager respects the Emperor, hence she doesn’t interfere. Similarly, if Scholar Xie stands firm, Old Madam Xie won’t—or can’t—bully Miss Xue."
Yulu gasped in realization. Chu Ruoyan nodded. "Exactly. People blame discord among women, but it’s men’s indifference that allows suffering. A devoted man would never let his beloved endure hardship."
The servants murmured agreement. Yan Zheng wrapped an arm around her waist. "I’d never let you suffer."
Chu Ruoyan’s lips twitched. With his parents long gone, who could possibly trouble her?
"You remind me—the New Year approaches. Should we invite the Old Dowager back? This is your first as Chief Grand Secretary. At the Imperial Banquet, it wouldn’t do for her to enter the palace with the Second Branch."
The Emperor’s grand feast required all officials’ families to attend. With the Yan Family so diminished, she refused to let gossip arise.
Yan Zheng replied indifferently, "You decide."
Aside from his elder brother’s household, he cared little for the rest.
Recognizing his detachment, Chu Ruoyan sighed inwardly and squeezed his hand. "Reputation may be trivial, but times have changed. We must consider Wen Jing too. Leave this to me."
As Yan Zheng acquiesced, Meng Yang produced an item. "Young Master, Scholar Xie asked me to deliver this ledger to you. He also said—"
Here, his expression turned odd.
