The Residence of Marquis Ding'an.
"Third Master has returned," a young maid announced hurriedly as she entered.
He Wanjun and Lady Guo were already waiting in the main hall.
He Siyu strode in and clasped his hands in greeting. "Father, Mother."
He Wanjun snorted. Since when had this brat ever been so proper?
Lady Guo quickly asked, "How did it go at the Xie Family? Did you propose?"
He Siyu smirked and presented the marriage contract with both hands. "The wedding date is set—next month. Here is the contract."
Lady Guo took it and examined it.
He Wanjun frowned. "Next month? How can we prepare everything in just a month?"
"It’s an imperial decree, after all. Delaying would be inappropriate."
Though his face was still pale, his lips curled in lighthearted amusement. "Assign more hands to the task. We can manage if we hurry. If you and Mother are too busy, I’ll oversee it myself."
He Jinxing nearly choked on his tea, coughing twice before casting a stunned glance at his younger brother.
Since when had he become so responsible?
He Wanjun gritted his teeth and scoffed. "How considerate of you."
Lady Guo interjected, "Enough. Third Son is right. This is an imperial marriage—we can’t delay it. Besides, the Xie girl was just jilted. Prolonging this would only harm her reputation further."
He Siyu clasped his hands again. "Mother speaks wisely."
He Wanjun glared at him and snorted heavily. "Fine, prepare the wedding quickly. Since it’s an imperial decree, His Majesty may even attend. If anything is lacking, people will say the He Family lacks propriety!"
He Siyu smiled. "Understood. I’ll take my leave now."
"Get out!"
He Siyu turned and left.
He Xingzhou and He Jinxing immediately stood. "We’ll take our leave as well."
Then they hurried after him.
The hall fell quiet. He Wanjun jabbed a finger in the direction He Siyu had gone. "Look at that lawless rascal!"
Lady Guo glanced at He Siyu’s retreating figure before turning back. "He’s much more sensible now, isn’t he?"
In all her years, she had never seen him behave so properly.
"Sensible? If he weren’t scheming something, would he be putting on this act?"
"Even pretending is an improvement," Lady Guo said, pleased. "They say a man settles down after marriage. With a wife like the Xie Eldest Young Lady—renowned as the most virtuous maiden in Yanjing, cultured, dignified, and graceful—what more could you worry about?"
He Wanjun’s expression darkened. "The Xie Family’s involvement in the Third Prince’s embezzlement of military funds is still unclear!"
As a military man, he valued his soldiers deeply. The thought of thirty thousand troops in Cangzhou starving to death because their rations had been replaced with sand and gravel filled him with fury.
Lady Guo sighed. "Whatever the Xie Family’s crimes, a young girl would have no say in them. Do you really think she knew anything about such matters? Once she marries into our family, she’ll be one of us. The Xie Family’s affairs shouldn’t concern her."
He Wanjun exhaled heavily. "Fine. Handle the wedding preparations as you see fit."
He had no interest in tormenting a helpless girl.
---
"You’re ruthless. Even after being beaten half to death yesterday, you still went to propose today," He Jinxing remarked, shaking his head.
He Siyu leaned back in his armchair, his pallor still evident, but his tone was casual. "These injuries are nothing."
"Oh? Still putting on a brave face? Come on, spar with me," He Jinxing teased, pretending to rise.
He Siyu ignored him, his face pale.
He Xingzhou pressed a hand on He Jinxing’s shoulder. "Don’t provoke him. With wounds layered over wounds, if he doesn’t recover properly, he’ll suffer later."
He Jinxing chuckled and sat back down. "Tell that to him. He’s the one who keeps running around despite being half-dead."
He Xingzhou glanced at He Siyu. "Proposing is a serious matter. If you’re courting someone, you must show sincerity. We can’t let people think the He Family lacks manners."
The words "courting" brought a faint smile to He Siyu’s lips, brightening his wan face.
He Jinxing suddenly asked, "So, how did it go at the Xie Family today?"
He Siyu smirked. "Well. They were pleased."
"And the Xie Young Lady? She didn’t slap you, did she?"
He Siyu lifted his gaze, his voice cool. "She was pleased too."
He Jinxing raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Rumors had long circulated about the Xie girl’s betrothal to the Heir of the Duke of Ning—a match praised as perfect. Even after the Duke’s family called off the engagement, the heir had resisted, suggesting their affection was genuine.
Yet He Siyu had gone straight to the palace and secured an imperial decree for the marriage.
Now, any resistance was futile. The matter was settled.
He Siyu leisurely picked up his teacup, running his thumb along the rim. "Of course. She holds me in her heart."
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou exchanged baffled looks.
"You’ve only met twice. How could she already care for you?"
He Siyu glanced at them. "You wouldn’t understand."
In this life or the last, whether she was Nan Sangning or Xie Sangning, she was always herself.
And she had always loved him.
---
Over the next month, the He Family bustled with wedding preparations.
The Xie Family’s strict rules forbade the betrothed from meeting casually, and with no festivals approaching, He Siyu had no choice but to stay home and recuperate.
Meanwhile, the Xie Household remained calm. Most preparations had been made long ago—only the groom had changed. The date remained the same.
Sang Ning carried on as usual, paying respects to her grandmother and mother each morning before reading and writing in quiet solitude, as if nothing about the wedding had changed.
The month passed swiftly, and soon, the eighth day arrived.
Before dawn, maids roused Sang Ning from bed. The wedding attendants had already arrived, and a crowd gathered to dress and adorn her.
The matron of honor combed her hair, reciting blessings.
"First comb, to the end—husband and wife in harmony."
"Second comb, to the end—wing to wing, branch to branch, flying together."
"Third comb, to the end—a life of wealth and honor!"
The matron beamed at the serene beauty reflected in the mirror. "Young Lady, you are destined for happiness!"
Sang Ning studied her reflection—clad in bright red bridal robes, her waist-length hair still loose, not yet pinned up. A surreal feeling washed over her.
She was getting married, just as she had imagined: adorned in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, amid the clamor of drums and gongs.
The wedding attendant styled her hair, then placed the phoenix crown adorned with countless pearls upon her head, making her serene, lotus-like face glow with dazzling brilliance.
She raised a hand to lightly touch the pearl tassels dangling from the crown, a faint smile curving her lips.
It didn’t matter whom she married—her remaining years must be as splendid as this day, a life woven with flowers and riches.
