Sang Ning: ?
She suspected he might be lying to her.
As expected, news spread quickly. That very night, Fusheng arrived trembling with a message.
"Marquis He requests the third young master's presence in the main hall for questioning."
Just as Sang Ning rose to leave, He Siyu pressed her back down. "Go to bed early. I'll handle this."
With that, he strode out decisively.
Sang Ning stared blankly at his retreating figure, her fingers unconsciously twisting the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve.
This marriage had never held any of her expectations.
She had even entered it prepared for the worst, guarded and wary.
Yet she never imagined this frivolous rogue would become her unexpected pillar of support.
---
Main Hall
He Siyu entered and bowed. "Father."
He Wanjun regarded him coldly. "Did you cause a scene at the Pei Family's Old Madam's birthday banquet?"
He Siyu replied evenly, "Yes."
He Wanjun scoffed. "At least you admit it readily!"
Though his rebellious son had a long list of misdeeds, he had always upheld the principle of owning his actions.
He Siyu said calmly, "I acted impulsively. If Father wishes to punish me, I accept it."
He Wanjun snorted. "Do you think your father is some fool who only knows how to discipline his son? Blindly doling out punishments without understanding the situation?"
He Siyu glanced at him but remained silent.
He Wanjun sat down with a grim expression. "I’ve heard what happened. Someone spread malicious rumors to tarnish your wife’s reputation at the banquet. This isn’t a trivial matter. If we let it slide, they’ll think they can trample all over the He Family’s dignity."
Though He Wanjun had been dissatisfied with this marriage, now that it was done, Sang Ning was part of the He Family.
Anyone daring to stir trouble against the He Family deserved to be taught a lesson.
His eyes darkened. "The Pei Family, as hosts, allowed such behavior. They had it coming."
He Siyu’s brow lifted slightly. He hadn’t expected his father to be so reasonable this time. Suppressing a faint smile, he clasped his hands. "Father is wise."
He Wanjun pointed at him. "Cut the flattery. Do you think I don’t know what’s going through your head? I won’t interfere, but mark my words—you chose to marry her. Now that she’s here, you’d better settle down properly."
He Siyu smirked, uncharacteristically obedient. "Understood, Father."
He Wanjun took a sip of tea to calm himself. "This matter ends here. Now that you’re married, hurry up and have a child. Your mother and grandmother are waiting."
He Siyu replied cheerfully, "Yes."
Then He Wanjun’s expression darkened again. "I heard the Xie Family sent a maidservant as part of the dowry. You’d better behave. Your mother and grandmother want a legitimate heir. If you dare produce some illegitimate firstborn, I’ll flay you alive!"
He Siyu’s smile froze. A dowry maidservant?
He Wanjun had no patience left for his wayward son. Giving him an inch would only encourage him to take a mile. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out.
---
When He Siyu returned under the cover of night, Sang Ning had just finished bathing. Dressed in a white sleeping robe, she sat before the vanity combing her waist-length hair, the silken strands cascading down her back.
Hearing his familiar footsteps, she turned.
"You’re back?"
He pushed aside the beaded curtain, his expression stormy.
She rose anxiously. "Did Father punish you?"
"No."
Relieved, she asked, "What did he say?"
His dark eyes bore into her. "I heard you brought a dowry maidservant?"
She blinked. What did this have to do with today’s incident?
"Yes, I did."
His gaze turned even colder, his jaw tight. "For me?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
A vein throbbed at his temple. Seeing her answer so calmly made his blood boil.
He sneered through gritted teeth. "How generous of you."
They were married now, husband and wife. He thought they had moved beyond such archaic customs.
Yet it seemed she still didn’t take him seriously at all!
Confused, she studied his sudden intensity.
He demanded, "Xie Sang Ning, could you really stand by and watch me take another woman to bed?"
Her fingers clenched in her sleeves, lips pressed tightly. "A proper wife should be magnanimous and virtuous, free of jealousy."
He bit out each word. "Xie. Sang. Ning."
A knock interrupted them. A servant announced respectfully outside, "Madam, Nanny Cai from the marquis's wife is here."
Sang Ning quickly responded, "I’ll be right there."
Glancing at He Siyu’s furious expression, she dared not let Nanny Cai inside. She couldn’t risk her mother-in-law learning of their inexplicable quarrel.
Lowering her eyes, she said, "I’ll go speak with her first."
She grabbed a cloak from the rack, draped it over her shoulders, and stepped out without another word.
He Siyu glared at her retreating figure, seething.
Fine. Just fine.
---
Sang Ning hurried to the outer chamber where Nanny Cai waited.
"What brings you here, Nanny Cai?"
The elderly woman smiled. "The marquis's wife heard about today’s incident at the Ning Duke’s residence. She wished to speak with you, but it’s late, so she sent me instead."
Sang Ning’s heart tightened. "Please go on."
"The marquis's wife said you needn’t worry. Those gossips went too far today—Third Young Master was right to teach them a lesson! She wants you to rest easy."
Sang Ning exhaled in relief. "Thank her for me."
"Of course. The He Family won’t tolerate outsiders thinking we’re pushovers. Even if the marquis and his wife allowed it, Third Young Master wouldn’t! He protects you fiercely."
Sang Ning’s lips pressed together, an odd pang in her chest.
Nanny Cai bowed. "My message is delivered. I’ll take my leave."
Once alone, Sang Ning stood motionless, her lashes lowered.
"Could you really stand by and watch me take another woman to bed?"
Her heart clenched. For the first time, a ripple of resistance disturbed her calm composure.
Her expression hardened. "Summon Xiangcao."
Xia Zhu hesitated but complied.
Soon, the maidservant arrived, trembling. "Madam?"
Sang Ning regarded her coolly from her chair. "I’ve asked Nanny Li to find you a good match. I’ll release you from servitude and let you marry. Does that suit you?"
Xiangcao paled and dropped to her knees. "Madam, have I done something wrong?"
Sang Ning shook her head. "You haven’t. But I no longer need extra hands. You may choose to marry outside or return to the Xie Family."
Xiangcao panicked. "I—I only wish to serve you—"
Sang Ning’s voice turned icy. "If you refuse to choose, I’ll send you back to the Xie Family immediately."
The maidservant froze.
Returning to the Xie Family meant remaining a servant, eventually being wed to some lowly attendant. What future was there?
If given the choice, of course she’d take freedom and a proper marriage.
Yet she longed to stay in the marquis's household, though she knew she had no choice.
Xiangcao sobbed, bowing her head. "This servant begs the marquis's wife to release her from servitude so she may marry."
Sang Ning gazed at her. "I will select a good family for you and provide a generous dowry, so our bond as mistress and servant may be honored properly."
"Thank you, my lady."
—
Sang Ning returned to the bedchamber, where the lamps still burned brightly, the silence so deep a pin drop could be heard.
She stepped inside slowly, spotting a pair of boots by the bed. As she drew closer and lifted the bed curtains, He Siyu lay there, eyes closed as if already asleep.
Yet a shadow of restlessness lingered between his brows.
She reached out, fingertips brushing the furrow of his brow—then paused, her pulse quickening.
After a moment, she withdrew her hand and turned toward the writing desk, picking up a small seal resting there.
It was her personal insignia.
Returning to the bedside, she knelt and parted the thin fabric of his robe, revealing the firm lines of his chest.
With careful precision, she pressed the seal over his heart, leaving her mark upon him.
