Sang Ning stiffened for a moment.
A heart full of devotion?
They had barely exchanged two sentences—what heart full of devotion?
Lord Xie cheerfully handed Eunuch Zhang another pouch of silver: "Thank you, Eunuch Zhang, thank you! Please, come in for some tea!"
The He Family was currently at the height of its power—if one were to compare, they were even more formidable than the Ningguo Duke's household.
Not to mention, the Emperor had made it abundantly clear that he intended to rely heavily on the He Family, who held the real authority over a hundred thousand troops!
Having just lost the engagement with the Ningguo Duke's family, and now suddenly receiving an imperial marriage decree requested by the He Family—it was as if the heavens were favoring the Xie Family!
Lord Xie grinned so widely his mouth could hardly close.
Eunuch Zhang waved his hand with a smile: "No need for tea. This servant must return to the palace promptly to report to His Majesty. Next time, I’ll come for the Xie Family’s wedding banquet. The wedding date is set quite soon—it won’t be a long wait."
"Ah, of course, of course!"
Lord Xie hastily arranged for someone to escort Eunuch Zhang out.
The First Lady immediately pulled Sang Ning aside and asked, "Do you know this young General He?"
Xie Qingyue gritted her teeth and sneered sarcastically: "Elder Sister is the model of a refined young lady in the capital. How could she possibly have secretly pledged herself to an unrelated man, even enticing him to seek an imperial marriage decree? And with a prior engagement no less—such impropriety."
"Yes, Old Madam, the Xie Family’s rules are not mere decorations," Concubine Chen chimed in.
Just when they thought Xie Sangning had finally met misfortune—having been jilted in the morning only to receive an imperial marriage decree in the afternoon, and climbing to an even loftier branch—how could they swallow such bitterness?
Old Madam also frowned at Sang Ning: "Sang Ning, what exactly is going on?"
Sang Ning shook her head: "I’ve only met this young General He once at the banquet three days ago, exchanging a single sentence. The maids and servants in the household can all testify to this."
A servant woman quickly stepped forward: "Yes, yes! Young Master Ning was also present that day. It was only because young General He and Young Master Ning were old acquaintances that Young Master Ning introduced the young lady to him, leading to a brief greeting."
Old Madam Xie’s brows knitted tightly. After barely speaking two sentences, he went to the palace to request an imperial marriage decree?
And he was even Pei Songhan’s friend?
This He Family’s young man was far too reckless.
But since the Emperor had already decreed the marriage, further objections were pointless. Moreover, if one were to weigh the matter, this marriage was actually advantageous for the Xie Family.
Old Madam Xie patted Sang Ning’s hand: "Enough. His Majesty has decreed the marriage. Prepare yourself for the wedding."
Then, she cast a sharp glance around the room, warning everyone present: "The imperial decree was sought by the He Family—it has nothing to do with Sang Ning. If I hear even a whisper of gossip or slander damaging Sang Ning’s reputation, I will make sure the culprit regrets it!"
The Xie Family members hastily bowed in agreement: "Yes."
Old Madam Xie fixed her gaze on Xie Qingyue: "Some should remember that the Xie Family rises and falls together. Petty squabbles at home are one thing, but if anyone dares to tarnish the family’s honor outside, there will be no mercy."
Xie Qingyue trembled, lowering her head without another word.
Once Old Madam Xie left, the others dispersed as well.
The hall emptied, but the First Lady remained grim-faced: "Are you certain you’ve never crossed paths with him before?"
"Mother, the He Family only returned to the capital three days ago," Sang Ning replied.
The First Lady’s frown deepened.
True, the He Family had been stationed in Youzhou all this time, never setting foot in the capital until now.
How could they have had any prior connection?
"For a man to seek an imperial marriage decree after seeing you just once—he doesn’t strike me as reliable," the First Lady fretted.
Sang Ning’s marriage was of utmost importance to her.
After all, it would determine the course of her daughter’s life.
The engagement with the Ningguo Duke’s family had been meticulously vetted—his character, family background, education, temperament, and even the elders of his household had all been scrutinized.
Now, with that engagement broken, this sudden involvement with the unfamiliar He Family, acting so unpredictably—how could the First Lady not worry?
No matter how illustrious the He Family’s status, what if He Siyu turned out to be a scoundrel? Sang Ning’s life would be misery!
Sang Ning pressed her lips together. Truthfully, he didn’t seem like a good man either.
But she understood her mother’s concerns and gently reassured her: "Mother, don’t worry. Though I’ve only met young General He once, he struck me as sincere and straightforward."
The First Lady’s expression remained troubled: "What can one meeting tell you? We know nothing of the He Family’s circumstances, and now you’re hastily betrothed. What if—"
Sang Ning squeezed her hand, her voice calm yet resolute: "Mother, no matter the circumstances, I will ensure my own well-being."
Even if it meant walking through fire or fighting to the death, she refused to believe she couldn’t carve out a path.
Xie Sangning would live well—no matter what.
---
The He Residence.
"You reckless fool!"
He Wanjun swung a rod, striking He Siyu’s back with a heavy crack.
He Siyu knelt rigidly in the ancestral hall, gritting his teeth against the pain without flinching.
"You dared to request an imperial marriage decree without even consulting me! Have you lost all sense of obedience?!"
He Wanjun struck again.
Madam He rushed in frantically: "My lord, stop! Siyu is already injured!"
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou arrived as well, stepping between them: "Father, His Majesty has already decreed the marriage, and he doesn’t seem displeased with our family. Please, no more!"
"All of you, step aside!"
He Wanjun roared, pointing at He Siyu: "Do you not realize the Xie Family’s current standing? His Majesty is already displeased with them! Even the Ningguo Duke’s family withdrew from the engagement, yet you rush headlong into trouble!"
He Siyu didn’t turn, his dark eyes fixed on the rows of ancestral tablets before him, sweat beading on his forehead.
"I know."
"You know, and you still acted so foolishly?!" He Wanjun was livid. How could he sound so unrepentant?
He Siyu’s voice was firm: "I want to marry Xie Sangning. The Xie Family’s affairs are irrelevant—she is an innocent young lady and shouldn’t be implicated."
He Wanjun’s hands trembled with fury: "Have we ever stopped you from marrying? From Youzhou to the capital, how many eligible young ladies have we presented to you? When have you ever agreed? And now you suddenly decide you must wed?"
He Siyu stated plainly: "I only want Xie Sangning."
Madam He, He Jinxing, and He Xingzhou were stunned. Since when had he fallen so desperately in love?
Had they even met before?
He Wanjun bellowed: "Have you even spoken to her before deciding she’s the one?!"
This was absurd!
"I was captivated at first sight."
He Wanjun raised the rod again: "Captivated my foot! You shameless brat—you’re just swayed by her looks!"
