“Although our Xie family has been preparing for a long time, the Feng family’s influence has grown day by day over these years, increasing at a much faster rate than ours. Previously, our Xie family still had the capability to oppose them, but now, rebellion isn’t something that can be done lightly. A single misstep could lead to the annihilation of our entire clan. Moreover, with the sudden departure of King Fengye from the palace at this time, I fear he might be secretly investigating our stockpiled weapons and troops. I think it’s best to postpone this matter for now and let the younger generation resolve it privately. I just hope Shaojun doesn’t cause any more trouble for me. Someone, quickly go to the palace and summon the young master back. Tell him I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Shaojun’s father furrowed his thick brows, visibly troubled. After a pause, he glanced at the elders present and thought to himself that since the Emperor had already issued an edict, even if they had the status to speak up, it would be inappropriate to say anything further.
Thinking of his reckless son, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry and muttered under his breath, instructing the servants to bring Xie Shaojun back for questioning.
“Father, you called for me?” Xie Shaojun obediently returned.
“You unfilial son! If I didn’t summon you, would you have forgotten who you are? Tell me, did you lay hands on Princess Qingya?”
Seeing his son’s clueless expression, the thought of the trouble he’d caused weighed heavily on Xie Shaojun’s father. Although this incident wouldn’t significantly impact the Xie family’s situation, the Emperor’s actions made him suspect deeper implications.
His son, who was usually so arrogant at home, had gone out and stirred up such trouble. Although the marriage alliance between the Xie family and the royal family hadn’t been publicly announced, the Emperor’s move was undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Xie family.
Given the current circumstances, the Xie family lacked the strength to directly oppose the Feng family, and Xie Shaojun’s father was mindful of his own dignity. Seeing his son kneel before him with an indifferent expression, as if nothing had happened, only fueled his anger. Though the Emperor’s letter hadn’t mentioned it, the Xie family’s spies in the palace had reported his son’s words and actions.
Thinking of how years of the Xie family’s preparations had nearly been exposed because of this fool, Xie’s father angrily stood up and slapped his son, sending him staggering to the side. Watching his son sway and then glare back at him with defiance and confusion, Xie’s father coldly trembled as he questioned his son’s fearless nature.
“I…”
Though Xie Shaojun didn’t know why his father had summoned him, he knew he hadn’t gained any advantage—after returning, he’d had to take medicine to counteract the poison the girl had given him. Despite his reckless nature, Xie Shaojun feared his father.
Though unsure why his father was so angry, he could vaguely guess the reason. Thinking of how that woman, who was supposed to be his, had acted so arrogantly in front of him—even daring to strike her own husband—Xie Shaojun couldn’t help but mutter resentfully.
“What about you? You unfilial brat! Don’t forget that while our Xie family has a marriage alliance with her, the empire now belongs to the Feng family. And she is the granddaughter the Emperor and Empress haven’t seen in years, someone they feel guilty toward. Yet you dared to act high and mighty in front of her? You…”
Seeing the guilt and defiance in his son’s eyes, Xie’s father became even more convinced that his son had indeed attacked the princess. The thought of his son assaulting a member of the royal family enraged him further, and he raised his hand to strike Xie Shaojun again.
“Even if you beat me to death, I stand by my actions! I did nothing wrong. She’s my wife, and all I wanted was to see her, to take her out for training. But not only did she refuse, she even ordered her maid to attack me! A woman who dares to raise her hand against her own husband—how is it wrong for me to teach her a lesson? Not to mention…”
Another slap from his father made Xie Shaojun frown, but it only angered him further. Despite his father’s fury, he remained kneeling upright, stubbornly glaring back.
“You scoundrel! You’ve trained in martial arts and poison since childhood, yet you attacked a delicate girl who’s lived in the inner chambers all her life? And you still think you’re in the right? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll truly forget who you are! I—”
Hearing his son admit to assaulting Princess Qingya, Xie’s father’s rage boiled over. Recalling the Emperor’s sternly worded letter and his son’s unrepentant attitude, he cursed and raised his hand to strike again.
“Enough! Beating him to death won’t solve anything. Besides, even without Shaojun’s impulsiveness, the Emperor would have acted this way. Shaojun, stand up. The Emperor has decreed that he will no longer interfere in your marriage to Princess Qingya—it’s now up to you young people to decide. What do you think?”
Just as Xie’s father was about to strike again, his younger brother stepped in and restrained him. After calming his brother down, he turned to Xie Shaojun and asked for his opinion.
“The Emperor said I was betrothed to her—how can he just back out now?”
Xie Shaojun was stunned by his uncle’s words. Taking the imperial edict handed to him, his expression darkened.
“Is the Emperor trying to humiliate our Xie family? I—”
After reading the edict, the thought of having to win over the woman who was supposed to be his was a blow to Xie Shaojun. Before meeting Wanqing, he hadn’t cared about her status as a princess. But after seeing her—his betrothed, who dared to act more arrogantly than him—his pride had been stung. As someone who had never been challenged before, he’d felt a strong urge to conquer her, to subdue her defiance.
Now, the Emperor had thrown a wrench into his plans. Worse, he’d learned that the woman had arrived with another man—a man of no ordinary status. He’d seen him: though lacking internal energy, his skill and demeanor were unmatched.
For Xie Shaojun, who had finally taken an interest in a woman, this was a slap in the face. Used to getting his way, he couldn’t accept this humiliation. His face twisted with anger as he retorted.
“Enough! Your impulsiveness will only make things worse. I’ve looked into Princess Qingya’s background. In Daming, she was very close to the heir of the Jiwang Palace—though they were cousins, their relationship was… complicated. We originally had the upper hand, but because of your reckless actions, we’re now at a disadvantage. If this marriage falls through, the Xie family’s standing in court will suffer greatly. You must steady yourself. No matter what, you must win Princess Qingya’s heart and secure her.”
Seeing his nephew’s temper flare again, the Xie family patriarch sighed but tried to reassure him. A temporary compromise with the royal family would buy them time to regroup and continue their preparations.
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