The Duke of Ning and the Duchess were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Had Xie Sangning lost her mind?!
Pei Songhan’s pupils constricted as he stiffly stared at Sangning’s icy expression. Her usually calm and gentle eyes now gleamed with sharp defiance—a side of her he had never seen before.
“How dare you hit me?!” Qi Ruolan lay sprawled on the ground, clutching her cheek in disbelief.
She had been secretly competing with Xie Sangning for quite some time, but as noblewomen, their rivalry had always been veiled in subtlety. To openly clash like this was utterly disgraceful!
And today, Xie Sangning’s husband, General He Siyu, was present!
How could she be so brazen?!
Sangning’s expression remained cold. “My marriage to my husband was decreed by His Majesty. Your insinuations and mockery are an insult to the Emperor. Such audacity—could it be that the Qi Family harbors treasonous intentions?”
The entire room gasped.
If such an accusation were taken seriously, the Qi Family’s nine generations wouldn’t be enough to atone for it.
Qi Ruolan panicked and hastily denied it. “How could that be? Xie Sangning, don’t spout nonsense!”
Sangning smirked. “Indeed, I assumed it was merely a misunderstanding. That’s why I reminded you—careless words invite disaster.”
“You—!” Qi Ruolan’s face flushed crimson, but she dared not utter another word.
Xie Qingyue’s eyes reddened with anger as she covered her face, feigning fragility. “Sister, if you were upset today, why drag me into it? Mother always taught us to be dignified and virtuous. Yet in front of General He, you act so wildly—aren’t you disgracing the Xie Family’s reputation?”
Sangning shot her a frosty glare. “And you think you aren’t a disgrace? As a daughter of the Xie Family, you side with outsiders to tarnish our name. As your elder sister, I’m teaching you a lesson—so you learn what’s important!”
Xie Qingyue’s face stiffened.
That wretched Xie Sangning always had an excuse for everything!
Unable to gain the upper hand, she turned teary eyes toward He Siyu, sniffling. “Sister is already a married woman. Shouldn’t she be gentle and virtuous? How can General He tolerate such a domineering wife?”
A man sought gentleness and virtue in a wife—what man could endure a woman who resorted to violence in public?
Utterly shameless!
Everyone in the pavilion instinctively glanced at He Siyu’s expression—except Sangning, who didn’t even turn around.
He Siyu stepped forward, crushing the folding screen underfoot as he strode to Sangning’s side, looking down imperiously at the two women on the ground.
His lips curled coldly. “My wife is the epitome of gentleness and virtue. If she was driven to strike you, shouldn’t you be reflecting on your own behavior?”
Xie Qingyue’s eyes widened.
What nonsense was he spouting?!
He Siyu’s gaze turned icy. “If anyone dares spread rumors or slander my wife again, a mere slap won’t be the end of it.”
The room collectively gasped, their faces paling in shock.
What kind of demon was this?!
The Duke of Ning was dumbfounded, only snapping back to his senses after a long moment. He hurried forward, forcing a laugh to defuse the tension. “Just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! No need for such a scene!”
Madam Pei quickly gestured for maids to help Xie Qingyue and Qi Ruolan up.
Glancing at He Siyu’s expression, she adopted a polite tone toward Sangning. “It’s my fault—I didn’t realize Sangning had arrived and failed to receive her properly, leading to this unfortunate incident.”
He Siyu’s voice was indifferent. “Luckily, we did witness it today, so my wife could clarify things publicly. Had we not been here, would Madam Pei have turned a blind ear and let these gossips ruin her reputation?”
Madam Pei’s expression shifted, her eyes flickering guiltily. “I truly didn’t hear anything. If I had, I would’ve defended Sangning.”
She had been seated with noble ladies at a separate table, not among the younger women, but the pavilion wasn’t large—as the hostess, she was well aware of the whispers.
The Pei Family had been humiliated when Xie Sangning broke off the engagement to marry into the He Family. Madam Pei had deliberately stayed silent, assuming Sangning would have no choice but to swallow the insult.
She never expected the situation to escalate into a full-blown scandal.
He Siyu smirked, though his eyes remained cold. “Is that so? I’d assumed the Pei Family, as generations of nobility, would host a well-ordered banquet. Who knew it’d be as chaotic as a marketplace?”
The Duke of Ning and Madam Pei’s faces darkened.
He Siyu was blatantly mocking their banquet as crude and poorly managed.
He was the one who caused the scene!
But the Duke’s influence in court had waned—while they still held their title, real power lay with the He Family.
The Duke barked at Madam Pei, “See what your carelessness has caused! How could you overlook so much?”
Swallowing her fury, Madam Pei bowed her head. “It was my oversight.”
The Duke then turned to He Siyu with a stiff smile. “Our Pei Family has failed in hospitality. Please forgive us, General He, Madam He.”
He Siyu took Sangning’s hand, his voice frosty. “I’ve already delivered the He Family’s birthday gifts to Old Madam. Since my wife has been distressed, we’ll take our leave.”
Madam Pei’s temple throbbed.
What distress?!
Sangning lifted her gaze, meeting Madam Pei’s eyes with unsettling calm. “Please convey my birthday wishes to Old Madam.”
A wave of oppressive tension washed over Madam Pei, sending chills down her spine.
“Of… of course.”
He Siyu led Sangning away without another word.
At the doorway, they nearly collided with Pei Songhan, who stood frozen in place.
His gaze fixed on Xie Sangning, his lips parting stiffly. “I’m sorry, I—”
He hadn’t realized the rumors would hurt her like this.
His family had called off the engagement.
He Siyu cut him off coldly. “The Duke has already apologized. No need for the Heir of the Duke of Ning to repeat it.”
Then he swept past, guiding Sangning away without a backward glance.
Sangning’s eyes remained tranquil, not sparing Pei Songhan a single glance.
Pei Songhan stood rooted in place, lowering his lashes to hide the emptiness in his gaze.
In her serene eyes, he no longer existed.
---
He Siyu escorted Sangning out of the Duke of Ning’s estate. Fusheng, waiting outside with the carriage, hurried over. “Master, Madam, you’re leaving so soon?”
“Return home.”
He Siyu helped Sangning into the carriage without explanation.
Fusheng didn’t question further, steering the carriage back to the He residence.
As the carriage rolled forward, He Siyu took Sangning’s hand, rubbing it gently. “Don’t mention this incident at home.”
Sangning’s fingers curled slightly. “But word will spread. Mother-in-law and Father-in-law will find out eventually.”
He raised a brow. “What? Afraid?”
She met his gaze, her clear eyes unwavering.
Truthfully, she wasn’t.
He squeezed her palm. “What’s there to fear? If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up. If they demand answers, tell them I ordered you to slap them. I’ve done plenty of reckless things—what’s one more?”
At worst, he’d just endure another beating.
Her lashes fluttered lightly as she gazed at his unrestrained expression, a faint ache tightening in her chest.
Pressing her lips together, she suddenly asked, "Aren’t you going to ask me why I hit someone?"
"I already know."
She frowned slightly. "How?"
He smirked, his tone casual. "Because I’ve seen it before."
Skeptical, she tilted her head. "In another lifetime, again?"
"Oh yes. In that life, you slapped your younger siblings in public—just to defend me."
Xie Sangning stared at him blankly. "For you?"
His eyes gleamed as he drawled, "Xie Sangning, you were utterly obsessed with me."
