"Father, stop! Third Brother is still injured!" He Jinxing and He Xingzhou rushed to intervene.
He Wanjun flung them aside with a sweep of his arm and brought the rod down hard on He Siyu’s back.
He Siyu’s hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched abruptly, and a metallic taste rose in his throat.
A muffled groan escaped him as blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
Madam He was horrified and hurried forward to support him. "Siyu! Siyu!"
She turned to glare at He Wanjun, furious. "What are you doing? Are you trying to kill him?! The Emperor has already spoken—issuing an imperial decree for the marriage and bestowing honors upon the He Family. Why must you keep punishing him? He’s your own son!"
He Wanjun’s expression faltered when he saw He Siyu’s ashen face and the blood staining his lips.
He Xingzhou immediately ordered, "Send for a physician!"
"Yes!" Fusheng scurried away in haste.
The He household descended into chaos.
---
At the Duke Ning’s residence.
A servant stepped forward again, anxiety lacing his voice. "Young Master, please stop kneeling. It’s been a full day—you haven’t eaten or drunk anything. If you keep this up, you’ll collapse!"
Pei Songhan remained kneeling outside the study, his back rigidly straight. His face had paled, his lips devoid of color, yet he didn’t move an inch.
"Young Master, why torment yourself like this? The Duke won’t change his mind."
Pei Songhan remained silent.
Duchess Ning watched with distress before hurrying into the study. "My lord, Songhan has been kneeling for an entire day!"
Duke Ning snapped, "Let him kneel! Let’s see if he’ll kneel himself to death! A worthless fool, throwing his life away over a woman!"
"This child has never been so unreasonable before. I don’t know what’s gotten into him this time—he’s never been this stubborn..."
Duke Ning scoffed. "He’s inexperienced! What’s so special about Xie Sangning? Just because she has some reputation for talent? There are countless women in this world!"
Duchess Ning’s expression darkened with displeasure. "It must be that Xie Sangning—she’s bewitched him, making him so defiant."
She had once thought the girl well-mannered and educated, but now it seemed she was far more cunning than expected.
With the engagement already called off, Duchess Ning’s only concern was her son.
Just then, a servant rushed in urgently, announcing from outside the study, "Your Grace, news from the palace!"
The urgency in his voice made Duke Ning stride out immediately. "What is it?"
The servant hastily reported, "Word from the palace says that Young General He went before the Emperor and used his military merits to request an imperial marriage decree for himself and the Eldest Daughter Xie. The Emperor has already granted it."
At these words, Pei Songhan’s lowered head jerked up, his face drained of all color, disbelief written across his features.
"What?!"
Duke Ning and Duchess Ning were stunned, taking several breaths before they could react. "Who did you say the marriage decree was for?"
"Young Master He and the Eldest Miss Xie."
Pei Songhan’s entire body stiffened. His already weakened frame swayed, and he braced a hand against the ground, his face now deathly pale.
A ringing filled his ears, drowning out all sound except the words, "The Emperor has already granted the marriage."
Duke Ning was aghast. "You’re saying He Siyu went to the Emperor to ask for Xie Sangning’s hand?! Do they even know each other?!"
Duchess Ning frowned. "That can’t be. The He Family only returned to the capital three days ago. Could it be because they attended the Xie Family’s banquet yesterday?"
The servant nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! From what I’ve heard, Young General He claimed it was love at first sight."
Duke Ning’s expression twisted in shock. "Just like that?!"
"So it seems..."
Duke Ning was speechless. "I’d heard the third son of the He Family was reckless, but I never imagined he’d go this far!"
The state of the Xie Family was common knowledge in the capital.
Yet here he was, rushing headlong into misfortune—all because he was smitten at first glance?!
Utter madness!
Duchess Ning’s face also darkened. The He Family was now at the height of influence, with many families in the capital eager to forge marital ties.
Of the three He sons, the eldest two were already married, leaving only the youngest—the most accomplished, no less—still unattached.
Moreover, this youngest son had distinguished himself in the Battle of Cangzhou, earning the Emperor’s favor. His future prospects were undeniable.
The Duke’s residence had also hoped to secure a match, as they had a daughter of marriageable age.
Given their existing connections, they had even considered themselves at an advantage.
Who could have imagined the Xie Family would snatch him away?
Duchess Ning gritted her teeth. The Xie Family certainly knew how to raise daughters—skilled in ensnaring men.
As they spoke, several maids entered, carrying boxes.
"These are the betrothal gifts returned by the Xie Family, along with the presents Miss Xie is sending back."
Private exchanges between unmarried men and women were forbidden, but since they had been engaged, gifts had been permissible.
Now that the engagement was broken, keeping such items would only invite scandal.
Duke Ning stared at the returned betrothal gifts, feeling as though he’d been slapped in the face.
"Breaking off the engagement in the morning and getting engaged in the afternoon—this is a direct insult to our Pei Family!"
Pei Songhan’s face whitened further. With stiff movements, he reached out and opened the box before him, revealing the gifts he had given her.
The violet-hair brush he’d presented for her birthday this year, the rabbit lantern he’d crafted for her last Mid-Autumn Festival, and the pair of exquisitely made clay dolls he’d bought for her the year before in Youzhou’s market.
In the three years of their engagement, they had met only a handful of times. Each meeting had been precious to him—every gift carefully chosen, every word weighed with care.
Now, she had returned it all, severing ties completely.
---
The next morning.
The He Family arrived at the Xie residence to formally propose.
Lord Xie personally greeted them. "Young General He."
He Siyu bowed slightly, his movements slow, his expression taut. "Lord Xie."
Noticing his pallor, Lord Xie asked with concern, "I heard your injuries haven’t fully healed. If you’re unwell, there was no need to come in person—your brothers could have handled this."
Though his presence did underscore the family’s sincerity.
He Siyu forced a faint smile, masking the weakness in his voice. "Since the Emperor himself decreed the marriage, I dared not neglect my duty."
Lord Xie gestured for him to sit, and He Siyu lowered himself carefully onto the chair, keeping his back straight, not leaning against it.
Lord Xie turned to a maid. "Bring the Eldest Daughter here."
"Yes."
He Siyu’s lips pressed into a thin line as he addressed Lord Xie. "This marriage was granted by imperial decree. My parents attach great importance to it and wish for it to proceed swiftly."
Lord Xie nodded eagerly. "I share the same sentiment!"
Of course, it had to be soon—who knew if another twist of fate might arise?
They couldn’t let this heaven-sent opportunity slip away.
He Siyu heard familiar footsteps approaching the door.
He turned and saw her stepping into the room, bathed in the morning light, clad in a pale blue spring dress. She curtsied gracefully. "Father. Mother."
When she lifted her head, her gaze met his—deep, unfathomable, and dark. Her fingers tightened imperceptibly within her sleeves.
His dark eyes locked onto hers as he spoke deliberately, "Then let's set the wedding date for next month."
