The previously amused Old Madam Xie suddenly glared in fury. "What did you say?"
Xie Zhizhou replied, "Some days ago, my mother and I met with Miss Xue at Huguo Temple for a formal introduction. Now, due to my younger sister's circumstances, I have had frequent interactions with her. As an unmarried maiden, it is improper for her reputation to be seen so often by an unrelated man. Thus, I humbly ask for your permission, Grandmother, to propose marriage to Miss Xue."
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Chu Ruoyan was also taken aback—she hadn’t expected Xie Yaozhi’s elder brother to be so responsible!
And listen to his words—"improper for her reputation to be seen so often by an unrelated man"...
He had outright shouldered all the blame himself!
Old Madam Xie was left speechless, her finger trembling as she pointed at him. "Y-you... have you lost your mind? You, a newly ranked Tanhua scholar, about to enter the Censorate with such a bright future ahead—and you want to marry the daughter of a discarded woman?"
"Grandmother, mind your words!" Xie Zhizhou interrupted sharply. "Miss Xue’s mother parted ways with Marquis Chengen by yijue—by our dynasty’s laws, that is not abandonment! Moreover, the rights and wrongs of the matter are well understood. How can you turn a blind eye to the truth?"
"Outrageous!"
Old Madam Xie, overcome with rage, forgot they were in another family’s residence and stormed forward, slapping him across the face.
"Master Xie!" Xue Ling gasped.
Xie Zhizhou raised a hand to reassure her, then knelt upright, his gaze unwavering. "Grandmother, my mind is made up. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but Miss Xue."
Just moments ago, Old Madam Xie had been sneering at Chu Jing’s delusions—only to have her own grandson publicly defy her. Humiliated, she flicked her sleeves with a cold snort.
Xue Gui, seeing this, began to reconsider.
After all, Xie Zhizhou wasn’t just a Tanhua scholar. When the Huai River embankment collapsed and refugees fled north, it was his swift actions that prevented a natural disaster from spiraling into uncontrollable civil unrest.
The Emperor himself favored him, appointing him to the Censorate—a clear stepping stone to the Six Ministries in the future.
With such a son-in-law, his own prospects would flourish. So what if he lost the backing of Chu Huaishan?
Seizing the opportunity, Xue Gui stepped forward eagerly. "Excellent, excellent! Tanhua Xie is young and accomplished, and his discerning taste matches his brilliance. My daughter’s grace and beauty make them a perfect pair. Rise, my good son-in-law!"
His abrupt change in attitude was transparent to all.
Chu Ruoyan smirked disdainfully, glancing toward the door.
Why hasn’t he arrived yet? Did Nanny Zhou fail to find him?
Old Madam Xie brightened. "Marquis Xue, does this mean you acknowledge this daughter?"
Her initial objection to the match had been rooted in Xue Ling’s lack of status—Chu Jing, a discarded wife, raising a nameless girl. But if Marquis Chengen recognized Xue Ling as his legitimate daughter, her standing would be restored.
Xue Gui stroked his beard, feigning magnanimity. "Well, though Lady Chu and I parted by yijue, I never disowned my child. Naturally, this depends on Ling’er’s own wishes..."
He deftly shifted the burden to Xue Ling.
The choice was hers—to stand by her mother, who had nothing, or return to her powerful father.
Xie Zhizhou remained silent.
This was her family matter. He had done all he could.
Xue Ling lowered her gaze, lost in thought. Though Chu Jing's heart ached unbearably, for the sake of her daughter's future, she couldn't help but speak up: "Ling'er, just let him go! After all, he is—"
"Mother, wait."
Xue Ling gently interrupted, raising her eyes to her father. "Father, I have a question for you. When you betrothed me to Zhang Ji back then, was it because you admired his character and talent?"
What talent could Zhang Ji possibly have? A mere seventh-rank petty official—in the capital, even a falling leaf was more likely to hit a higher-ranking official than him.
As for his character, he was nothing but a despicable man.
The only reason she had been married off to him was to silence him regarding the weapons exchange.
When Xue Gui failed to respond, Xue Ling gave a sorrowful smile, though her eyes no longer held grief. "So it was. Back then, you gave me to Zhang Ji simply because he was useful to you. Today, you’re willing to acknowledge me as part of the Xue family again only because of Young Master Xie’s influence. In your heart, I was never your daughter—just a convenient tool, disposable the moment I ceased to be of use."
"But to my mother, I am a jewel. I am her only one."
There was no need to say more. Old Madam Xue sneered, muttering, "Ungrateful wretch."
Xue Ling ignored her, turning instead to Xie Zhizhou with a graceful bow. "Thank you for your favor, Young Master. Xue Ling is too stubborn to recognize what’s best for her. I have failed your kindness."
By choosing her mother, she was effectively rejecting the marriage alliance with the Xie family.
Xue Zhizhou said solemnly, "To stand by a mother in hardship rather than cling to a father’s high status—such integrity makes me unworthy of you!"
Old Madam Xie nearly choked on her fury. Wasn’t this an indirect insult, calling her opportunistic?
But what did these young fools understand? Having powerful connections in court was invaluable!
Though Xue Ling’s mother was also of the Chu family, she had married out—would the Duke of Chu truly spare any effort for her daughter?
Integrity? What was integrity worth in the end?
Old Madam Xie said coldly, "Since the marriage alliance cannot proceed today, Zhizhou, let us leave."
Xue Gui, having stirred up a scene yet failing to find his mistress and illegitimate son or reclaim his daughter, now directed his rage at Chu Jing. "Are you satisfied now? It’s because of your jealousy that we’ve lost such an advantageous match! Chu Jing, you venomous shrew—may you die alone!"
The moment his last word fell, a familiar, infuriating voice drifted in from outside the hall.
"Whether Lady Chu will die alone, this official cannot say. But Marquis Xue, the Ministry of Justice would like to invite you for a cup of tea."
The Xie family matriarch and her grandson paused at the doorway.
Outside, officers from the Ministry of Justice stood in formation as Cao Yang, clad in official robes, strode in with a stern expression.
Xue Gui immediately felt a headache coming on. "Why must you appear everywhere?"
Last time, he had shown up during the Xue family’s ancestral rites—and now he’d followed them all the way to the Duke of Chu’s Mansion?
Cao Yang let out a cold laugh, his glare sharpening as it landed on Chu Ruoyan. "Indeed, why must this official appear everywhere?"
Chu Ruoyan forced a smile. "Naturally, it’s because Lord Cao is just, incorruptible, and capable of handling many responsibilities!"
Hah.
"Capable" only because his mother had been threatened into it!
Cao Yang turned back to the matter at hand. "Enough idle talk. Marquis Xue, Zhang Ji has implicated you in the embezzlement case involving military weapons. This official is here to escort you to the Ministry of Justice for questioning."
Xue Gui stiffened. "But His Majesty already said that matter wouldn’t be pursued—"
He cut himself off abruptly.
However, Chu Ruoyan could still tell that the emperor had intervened once again.
Of course—Xue Gui was none other than Consort Xue’s own elder brother.
Moreover, this embezzlement case ran deep. With just a scapegoat or two, Xue Gui could easily be shielded. No wonder, despite Cao Yang’s capabilities, Xue Gui had been allowed to roam free for so long!
Cao Yang said calmly, "His Majesty did indeed issue a secret decree. Therefore, this official is merely requesting Marquis Chengen’s cooperation, not arresting him for questioning."
Xue Gui had nothing more to say.
Suddenly, Old Madam Xie sprang up, her finger nearly jabbing Cao Yang in the face. "Cao, don’t think this old woman can’t see what you’re after! Time and again, you’ve abused your authority for personal gain—all because you’ve set your sights on Chu Jing, haven’t you? Well, let me tell you, she’s barren! Even if you marry her, she’ll never bear you a son!"
