Sang Ning's fingers holding the soup spoon paused slightly, her lashes lowering.
The Ning Duke's residence was even more heartless than she had anticipated.
She set down the spoon. "Have Father and Mother been informed?"
"They have. His Lordship flew into a rage and directly drove the Ning Duke's people out!" Xia Zhu said anxiously.
Sang Ning stood. "I'll go see them."
Front hall.
Lord Xie picked up a teacup and smashed it fiercely onto the ground. "Utterly outrageous! What does the Pei Family take our Xie daughter for?! To discard her at will?! The entire capital knows of Sang Ning's virtuous reputation! Even if I refuse to annul the engagement, what can they possibly do?!"
The First Lady's expression was equally grim. "The Pei Family is truly cold-hearted and ungrateful! The Xie Family hasn't even been convicted yet, and they're already scrambling to sever ties!"
Lord Xie couldn't swallow his anger, his voice venomous. "This betrothal isn't something the Pei Family can dissolve just because they say so. Sang Ning's virtue is widely known—unless they can find fault with her, annulling the engagement is out of the question! Do they truly think the Xie Family is easy to bully?"
Breaking an engagement requires justification. Both families are noble houses—if the Pei Family acts unreasonably and the Xie Family stands firm, the Pei Family will still have to proceed with the marriage!
But the First Lady abruptly rose to her feet. "No! The Pei Family has already resolved to annul the engagement, which shows their dissatisfaction with the Xie Family. Even if Sang Ning is forced into the marriage, she’ll surely suffer a miserable life. I won’t gamble away her future for the sake of pride."
Lord Xie quickly countered, "Given the Xie Family’s current predicament, if Sang Ning’s engagement is broken, she’ll never marry into such a prestigious family again! Besides, Songhan adores Sang Ning—once she enters their household, he’ll surely protect her..."
The First Lady sneered. "And how long will that adoration last once she’s married? Who’s to say he won’t take a new concubine next year and cast her aside?"
Lord Xie choked, his face flushing red.
The First Lady’s voice turned icy. "Moreover, as a woman confined to the inner chambers, a man’s protection only extends so far. The inner household is rife with unseen, bloodless schemes!"
Lord Xie pointed at her. "You’re being paranoid! Sang Ning would be entering as the rightful wife, the legitimate future Duchess! Who would dare mistreat her?!"
"The Duke’s residence already resents the Xie Family. If Sang Ning is forced into this marriage, won’t the Pei Family’s resentment fall squarely on her? If the elders don’t accept her, how will she establish authority in the Pei household?"
A bride who cannot command respect in her marital home is one who invites abuse from all sides!
For the first time, the First Lady stood her ground with unyielding resolve. "I know what you’re thinking—you want to bind the Pei Family through this marriage. But I will never allow Sang Ning’s future to be sacrificed for it!"
Her gaze bore into him. "Sang Ning is my flesh and blood. Even if I die, I won’t stand by and watch her thrown into a pit of fire."
Lord Xie paled, a chill crawling down his spine.
He stammered, "Sang Ning is my daughter too—it’s not that I don’t care for her. But she and Songhan have been betrothed since childhood, their affection deep. She may not be willing..."
"I consent to annul the engagement."
A clear voice suddenly rang from the doorway.
Sang Ning stepped inside, her expression as composed as ever.
Lord Xie was stunned. "You—"
Sang Ning met his gaze and spoke softly. "Father, I am a daughter of the Xie Family. I must uphold its dignity."
---
Ning Duke’s Residence.
"Why did Father send someone to annul the engagement without consulting me?! When did I ever agree to this?!" Pei Songhan stormed into Duke Ning’s study.
Duke Ning roared, "You’ve grown utterly lawless! How dare you question me?!"
Pei Songhan clenched his jaw. "I will not break the engagement. Sang Ning and I are to be wed next month. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but her!"
"Marriage is decided by parental authority and matchmakers! Since when do you get to shout demands at me?!"
Duke Ning hurled his brush onto the desk, pointing furiously at his son. "The Xie Family is embroiled in turmoil! I’m sparing you from being dragged into their mess! That Xie Sangning is merely a talented girl—if you fancy scholars, your mother can find you another! How dare you raise a fuss over a woman?!"
Pei Songhan’s fists tightened in his sleeves, veins bulging at his temples. "Sang Ning is my betrothed. If she faces hardship, I will share it with her! I beg Father to retract your decision and permit me to marry her!"
"Worthless fool!"
Duke Ning bellowed, "Get out of my sight!"
"Father!"
"Guards! Drag him out!"
Two servants immediately entered and forcibly escorted Pei Songhan out.
Standing outside the study, his entire body trembled faintly.
He swept his robes aside and dropped to his knees, back straight, his voice resolute. "The family’s future rests on my shoulders—not on the sacrifice of a woman! I will marry Sang Ning, regardless of the Xie Family’s rise or fall. In this life, I will wed no other! If Father refuses, I will kneel here until you relent!"
A teacup shattered against the door.
"Rebellious son! Disgrace!"
---
News of the Ning Duke’s residence annulling the engagement soon spread throughout the capital.
He Residence.
Madam He remarked to General He, "Have you heard? The Ning Duke’s residence called off the engagement. They say the young Duke and the Xie eldest daughter were a golden couple—when they were betrothed, the entire capital praised their match. Who could’ve guessed the engagement would be broken so close to the wedding?"
General He scoffed. "Golden couple? Just a marriage of convenience. Now that the families are unequal, the Pei Family shows their true colors—ruthless and ungrateful."
"Such a pity for that Xie girl. A talented lady of noble birth, suffering this unjust calamity. Once the engagement is broken, not only will her reputation suffer, but finding another match of equal standing will be near impossible..."
Before Madam He could finish, she glanced toward the doorway and startled at the sight of a tall figure standing rigidly there.
"Third Son, when did you arrive?"
He Wanjun frowned. "No sense of propriety—arriving without greeting your parents?"
He Siyu’s stiff expression finally flickered to awareness. He bowed slightly, clasping his hands. "Father, Mother. My injuries have healed. I plan to enter the palace today to report to His Majesty."
He Wanjun was taken aback, unused to his usually unruly youngest son suddenly behaving with such deference.
"His Majesty instructed you to recover fully before returning. There’s no need to rush—"
He Siyu lifted his head, dark eyes unreadable. "Reporting to His Majesty is of utmost importance. I cannot delay official duties. I will depart for the palace at once."
