Chapter 12 — A Blessing in Disguise
“Actually, the heir is quite kind,” Baochan rambled on softly. “In the middle of the night, he even brought a doctor for you, Miss. I was really terrified back then—your face was burning red, and your whole body was so hot. I was so worried I ran to Qiushui Courtyard… and just happened to run into the heir as he was coming out.”
“As long as it doesn’t happen again.” Xue Ning looked at her calmly. “Even if I fall sick enough to die in the future, you are not to beg him for help again. Do you understand?”
Baochan bit her lip. “But your health is more important—”
Xue Ning lifted her eyes and smiled faintly. “No matter how important it is, a person still needs their dignity. Just as he said, I’ve already come of age. Once the New Year passes, I’ll be old enough to discuss marriage. How can I keep acting so close to a brother who isn’t even related to me by blood?”
Baochan nodded, half understanding. “This servant understands.”
Xue Ning obediently finished the bitter medicine. After bathing, she lay back down in bed.
Her whole body ached. The cold wind she’d caught earlier made her head throb painfully.
She couldn’t sleep.
So she simply stared at her still-flat stomach in silence for a very long time.
No matter what…
The child never making it into this world was probably a blessing for him too.
His father would never have loved him.
And his mother had no power to protect him.
Even if he had been born, his life would only have been miserable.
He would have come into the world for nothing but suffering.
Only after convincing herself of all this did she finally drift into a hazy sleep.
After falling ill, Xue Ning stayed quietly in Qiyun Pavilion for several days.
Once she recovered a little, she resumed her morning and evening visits to Wanshou Hall.
She was clever with her hands and particularly skilled in the kitchen, especially when it came to pastries.
Every time she visited the Old Madam, she brought along a box of sweets she had made herself.
The Old Madam saw all of Xue Ning’s careful efforts and gradually took them to heart.
Little by little, the coldness in her attitude faded. She even became noticeably more patient with her.
Still, ever since that incident, Xue Ning no longer rashly volunteered to copy scriptures for the Old Madam. Every single time, she first made careful inquiries. Only after confirming Su Zhan was absent would she go to the Buddhist hall.
Whenever she came to pay her respects, she arrived first and left last.
Aside from chatting occasionally with Su Man, she kept her distance from the other young ladies in the residence.
And unlike before, she no longer clung to Su Zhan at every opportunity.
Several times, she deliberately avoided him and lingered behind until he had already left.
The Old Madam pitied her newfound restraint and maturity. After discussing it with Madam Jiang, they selected an auspicious date for Xue Ning’s formal recognition ceremony.
It was set for the end of the tenth lunar month—not too early, not too late. They planned to wait until the Lu family returned to the capital so everyone could witness it together.
Once the ceremony was complete, she would officially become a daughter of the Marquis Xuanyi household.
Next year, Madam Jiang would begin searching for a suitable marriage match for her.
And in the future, she would marry out bearing the marquis manor’s name.
Xue Ning thanked the Old Madam sincerely for her kindness before bringing another box of pastries to Qiushui Courtyard.
Madam Jiang’s health had never been particularly strong. Every winter, her headaches would flare up from time to time.
Today, Madam Liu from the second branch and Madam Dong from the third branch had both gathered in her courtyard to discuss the details of the recognition banquet.
Princess Xiuning was there as well, nestled beside Madam Jiang, saying something amusing enough to make her laugh warmly.
Xue Ning stood quietly outside for a moment before entering with lowered eyes. She removed her cloak and handed it off for the servants to hang up.
“Oh? Miss Xue is here again.” Madam Liu spotted her immediately. Her eyes shifted, and she smiled with poorly hidden malice. “Too bad the heir isn’t here right now. Otherwise, he could’ve tasted the pastries you made by hand.”
Everyone knew Su Zhan disliked Xue Ning’s cooking the most.
Madam Liu was mocking her deliberately.
Su Zhan had been swamped with work at the Ministry of Justice lately, especially during the winter months when cases piled up endlessly.
Xue Ning knew that before the year ended, a major case would shake the capital. While pursuing the serial killer responsible, Su Zhan would nearly lose his life.
Afterward, he would devote himself entirely to solving cases, earning repeated merits and steadily rising through the ranks at the Ministry of Justice.
That was exactly why she had intentionally chosen a time when he wouldn’t be here.
Xue Ning had Baochan place the osmanthus cakes on the table. She paid Madam Liu’s words no mind and politely bowed to the two women.
“Greetings, Aunties.”
Madam Dong was the gentlest among them, always seeming detached from worldly disputes. Smiling kindly, she said, “Ningning has become more and more sensible. Just look at her bearing now—she truly resembles Elder Sister-in-law’s own daughter.”
Madam Jiang clearly enjoyed hearing that. Smiling, she beckoned Xue Ning over to sit beside her.
Xue Ning gently massaged her temples, and Madam Jiang closed her eyes in relief.
“Ningning was raised by me from the start,” she said warmly. “She’s even more thoughtful than Manman.”
Madam Dong laughed. “Sister-in-law really knows how to raise children. Unlike my girl—she still acts like a little monkey even now.”
“Mother, what are you saying? How am I mischievous?” Su Qing clung to Madam Dong’s arm in protest, though her eyes flicked toward Xue Ning with unconcealed smugness and disdain.
After all, Xue Ning was nothing more than a parentless orphan.
So what if she was pretty?
Wasn’t she still just an unwanted girl with no family to rely on?
Madam Jiang’s smile deepened. She patted Xue Ning’s hand gently.
“Good child, stop fussing over me for now. Come look at the bracelet I prepared for you.”
She opened a box and took out a jade bracelet.
The jade was luminous and flawless, its color rich and translucent at a glance.
Xie Ningtang sat beside Xue Ning, and the moment she saw it, her eyes lit up with admiration.
“I didn’t know Madam had something this fine hidden away.”
Madam Jiang replied casually, “I originally intended to save it for my future daughter-in-law.”
Xie Ningtang’s expression stiffened instantly. She forced out an awkward smile but said nothing.
Xue Ning hurriedly said, “Mother, you should save this bracelet for my future sister-in-law instead. Ah Ning can wear anything.”
“A woman’s jewelry should never be treated carelessly, especially yours.” Madam Jiang lifted her wrist gently. “You’re about to become my daughter. Naturally, you should wear beautiful things.”
In truth, Madam Jiang had noticed long ago.
Xue Ning used to wear the same old silver bracelet every single day until the metal itself had dulled with age.
Su Man had one too.
Several years ago during New Year celebrations, Su Zhan had gifted matching bracelets to the younger girls of the family.
Su Man had long since changed hers countless times.
But Xue Ning had treasured hers like a precious keepsake, wearing it day and night without ever removing it.
Even when others mocked her for being too poor to afford jade, she never defended herself once.
Yet after the incident where she fell into the water, Madam Jiang noticed the bracelet was gone the very next day at Wanshou Hall.
She didn’t know why.
But if a bracelet someone had worn constantly for years could suddenly be taken off…
Then it could only mean this girl had truly let go.
She had sincerely accepted Su Zhan as nothing more than an elder brother.
No longer clinging to those impossible dreams.
But as her mother, how could Madam Jiang bear to let this child suffer such grievances?
Whether the bracelet went to a daughter-in-law or a daughter made no difference to her.
Deep down, she loved Xue Ning more.
Xue Ning was overwhelmed by the favor shown to her. Only after hearing Madam Jiang call it a gift for her daughter did she finally agree to wear it.
“Ningning’s skin is so fair, and her wrists are so slender,” Madam Jiang praised softly. “It looks beautiful on her.”
Su Qing and Xie Ningtang exchanged a glance, both remaining silent.
Madam Liu and Madam Dong chimed in one after another, agreeing that the bracelet suited Xue Ning perfectly.
The room was lively with conversation when suddenly the curtain at the entrance was lifted.
A gust of winter cold seeped in from outside.
Xue Ning had just opened her mouth to speak when she saw Su Zhan step through the doorway.
