Chapter 6 — Acknowledging Kin
Old Madam Xie’s sharp gaze once again settled on the hairpin in Xue Ning’s coiffure.
“Stand and speak.”
The room immediately fell silent.
Pairs of eyes turned toward Xue Ning in stunned confusion.
Only after giving a solemn bow did Xue Ning slowly lift her delicate, pale face.
Her mother had once been a rare beauty, and her father strikingly handsome as well. She had inherited the best of them both—features so exquisite they seemed touched by spirit itself.
In the past, though, her timid nature had hidden it. She was always trailing behind Su Zhan like a little shadow, too meek for anyone to notice the quiet grace beneath her softness.
But today, kneeling proudly in the center of the hall, the faint resilience hidden within those finely drawn brows and eyes finally revealed itself.
A beautiful young girl, raised alongside her Zhany-gege since childhood… it would hardly be strange if she had fallen for someone she should not.
Old Madam Xie frowned slightly, worried she might say something improper in front of so many people and leave everyone embarrassed.
Taking the tea Jiang-shi handed her, she sipped calmly before warning in a measured tone, “Think carefully before you speak.”
Xue Ning smiled faintly.
“A-Ning has lived under the Marquis Manor’s care for many years and has always been deeply grateful for your kindness. Today, before all my brothers and sisters, I have one selfish request. I hope Old Madam will grant it.”
Before she had even finished, Old Madam Xie’s expression had already darkened.
But then Xue Ning changed direction entirely. Turning toward Jiang-shi, she spoke earnestly:
“Madam Jiang has raised me all these years. I have nothing with which to repay her kindness. I only ask Old Madam for one favor—that you allow me to acknowledge Madam Jiang as my mother.”
The moment the words fell, the hall erupted in silent shock.
Jiang-shi, standing beside Old Madam Xie, froze in surprise.
Even Su Zhan—always cold and restrained—lifted his long phoenix eyes almost imperceptibly. His cool gaze landed lightly upon the obedient young girl kneeling in the hall, unreadable and dark.
Old Madam Xie herself had not expected such a request. For a moment, even she was stunned.
Xue Ning curved her lips into an innocent smile, her expression pure and guileless.
“Old Madam, please grant A-Ning this wish. I lost my parents young and have long since regarded Madam Jiang as my true mother. If Old Madam is willing to make this decision for me today, then in the future, A-Ning will repay the Marquis Manor with everything she has.”
Old Madam Xie turned toward Jiang-shi. “Jin-niang, what do you think?”
It took Jiang-shi a while to recover.
“I’ve always treated Ningning as my own child, but—”
Old Madam Xie, shrewd as ever, smiled and smoothly took over her words.
“If you call her Mother, then from this day on, you will truly become a daughter of the Xuanyi Marquis Manor. And that means you and your heir brother will be siblings. One family, living in harmony. You must not entertain any improper thoughts.”
How could Xue Ning fail to understand the warning hidden beneath those words?
Still smiling, she answered seriously, “In A-Ning’s heart, I have only ever regarded the Heir as my elder brother. Never anything more.”
Never anything more.
Su Zhan narrowed his dark eyes slightly, the chill around him deepening.
Every gaze in the room fixed tightly upon Xue Ning.
Perhaps Princess Xiu Ning did not know, but everyone else in the manor did. Since childhood, Xue Ning had practically grown up beside Su Zhan.
They had only begun sleeping in separate courtyards after she turned seven.
Even then, she was forever running to his residence.
Anyone could see she liked Su Zhan. Anyone could see she had always wanted to marry him one day.
So what was this now?
Acknowledging Jiang-shi as her mother?
Once she truly entered the family register, she and Su Zhan would become siblings in name. There would never again be any possibility between them.
What game was she playing?
One by one, everyone looked toward Su Zhan.
The man sat unmoving, his profile sharp and perfect.
Those long, indifferent phoenix eyes were deep as an abyss—impossible to read.
No one knew what he was thinking.
Only Su Zhan himself knew that the moment Xue Ning proposed calling his mother “Mother,” a trace of displeasure had flashed through his heart.
As for why, he did not think deeply about it.
He merely assumed he had neglected her these past few days, and this was simply another little trick to get his attention.
Just childish behavior.
Nothing worth caring about.
But then, with unconcealed joy, Xue Ning turned toward Jiang-shi and called softly,
“Mother.”
Jiang-shi’s smile turned awkward, unsure whether she should answer.
Even Su Zhan had not expected her to be serious. His brows knitted tightly, his gaze darkening.
Xue Ning’s eyes shone brightly as she called again, earnest and sweet.
“Mother. From now on, Ningning is truly your daughter.”
Only then did Old Madam Xie look at her properly.
She had always assumed the girl was foolish and dull-witted. But today, she realized Xue Ning was far more clever than she appeared.
By willingly becoming Jiang-shi’s daughter, she had severed every possibility of marrying Su Zhan. Naturally, that earned the old matriarch’s approval.
“Enough, stand up.” Old Madam Xie smiled. “This is hardly a bad thing. You’ve been raised under her care for years—it’s long overdue that you changed how you address her. Jin-niang, pick an auspicious date and hold a formal kinship banquet for A-Ning. Invite the noble families of the capital so they may see what a sensible young lady our Marquis Manor has raised. Besides…” Her gaze swept over Xue Ning thoughtfully. “A-Ning has already come of age. It’s time people saw what she looks like.”
Jiang-shi forced a smile. “Yes, Mother.”
Only then did the tightness in Xue Ning’s chest finally loosen.
The rigid line of her back relaxed ever so slightly.
Once the matter was settled, several of the young ladies came over to offer their congratulations, their words dripping with barely concealed mockery.
The young masters of the manor watched her with unreadable expressions.
Only Su Man, Third Miss of the eldest branch and one of the few genuinely close to her, hurried over and whispered quietly, “Are you serious?”
Xue Ning lowered her eyes shyly. Her voice was soft and sweet with the delicate warmth unique to girls her age. A faint blush colored her cheeks, making her look unbearably obedient.
“Third Sister, of course I’m serious. We’ll truly be sisters now. Aren’t you happy?”
“I am, but…”
Su Man glanced instinctively toward her eldest brother.
She had been hoping Ningning would become her sister-in-law someday.
How had things changed from that to sisters in the span of a single day?
Still stunned, Su Man reached out to touch Xue Ning’s forehead, worried she had somehow fallen ill and would regret this later.
But Xue Ning only shook her head.
She never once looked toward Su Zhan.
Smiling softly, she said, “A-Ning will never regret it.”
Su Zhan looked at her deeply.
Then he rose without expression and walked out.
Su Man watched him leave, suddenly anxious. She wondered if her elder brother had heard that sentence.
For the first time, Xie Ningtang approached Xue Ning directly and warmly took her hand.
“A-Ning-meimei, congratulations.”
Xue Ning looked up at her, emotions tangling silently in her chest.
For the sake of one Su Zhan, she had hated this woman for an entire lifetime.
Envied her for an entire lifetime.
Jealous of her for an entire lifetime.
And now, meeting again at the beginning of everything, all she felt was an indescribable sense of relief.
She only wished for Xie Ningtang and Su Zhan to live happily together, to grow old side by side in perfect harmony.
Xue Ning smiled openly.
“Thank you, Princess.”
Xie Ningtang blinked in surprise. “Would you like to take a walk together later?”
Xue Ning refused gently. “No, I still need to stay behind and copy scriptures for Grandmother.”
Even if she no longer wished to oppose her, she still could not become close sisters with her.
After all, at that spring banquet years ago, the one who had truly caused Su Zhan to completely despise her… was this very girl standing before her now, looking so harmless and innocent.
Xue Ning’s smile remained faint as she gave a graceful curtsy.
“Please enjoy yourself, Princess. A-Ning will take her leave first.”
After leaving Old Madam Xie’s main hall, Jiang-shi caught hold of her beneath the covered corridor.
Snow drifted down in thick white flurries, like scattered salt from the heavens.
The magnificent Marquis Manor, adorned in gold and jade, became a breathtaking world of silver.
Xue Ning noticed a few flakes gathering upon Jiang-shi’s shoulders. She stepped closer and gently brushed them away before nestling into the woman’s warm embrace just as she had as a child.
“Mother, the wind is cold and the snow is heavy. Why are you standing here waiting for me?”
Jiang-shi dismissed the servants around them and clasped Xue Ning’s icy little hands.
“You silly girl…” she said softly. “What exactly are you thinking?”
