TRBDM -Chapter 244 Nangong Hai’s Schemes

“Second Miss Xie, long time no see.”

Xie Wanyi coquettishly replied, “Young Master Nangong, just call me Wanyi. ‘Second Miss Xie’ sounds so distant.”

Nangong Hai didn’t refuse, smiling gently at her. “Wanyi.”

Just those two words, so intimate, made Xie Wanyi’s heart swell with satisfaction.

“Xiao Luo, go prepare the tea, and make sure to use the finest leaves in the house.”

Xiao Luo nodded and hurried off.

Xie Wanyi invited Nangong Hai inside.

It was Nangong Hai’s first time at the Xie Mansion’s annex. He looked around and realized that this residence rivaled his own Nangong Mansion.

Previously, he had looked down on Xie Wanyi. Now he realized he had overestimated himself.

Even without the Emperor granting a First-Rank Lady title, the Mingde Marquis Mansion was far more prestigious than the Nangong Mansion.

At the time Xie Wanyi showed him affection, he had just befriended Ninth Prince Zhao Jingtian and considered himself destined for greatness as the Third Prince’s supporter. Therefore, Xie Wanyi hadn’t caught his attention.

Who could have known that the tides would turn, and the Third Prince would be defeated?

Fortunately, Nangong Hai’s status was low, and he had never met the Third Prince. Otherwise, when the new Emperor ascended and the Third Prince’s faction was purged, the Nangong family would have been implicated.

During the succession struggle, the capital was chaotic. Fearing trouble, Nangong Hai stayed hidden in the Nangong Mansion, never showing his face.

Only when the Third Prince’s faction and the Gao family were nearly wiped out did he dare to leave and gather information.

He had once been close to the Ninth Prince. Hearing that Zhao Jingtian had been framed by the Third Prince and frozen his legs, Nangong Hai brought the mansion’s most precious ginseng to visit him.

The visit was a pretense; his true aim was to gather information.

Zhao Jingtian, having endured the succession struggle and now disabled, had changed profoundly in character.

After Zhao Jingheng ascended, he sentenced Third Prince Zhao Jingyan and Fifth Prince Zhao Jingrui but spared the other princes.

They retained all they were entitled to, everything conducted according to the Great Chong ceremonial system.

Zhao Jingtian was made a Prince, and his mother, Consort Yu, was allowed to leave the palace and live in Zhao Jingtian’s mansion.

Mother and son reunited—a happy ending, all things considered.

In the chess game between Zhao Jingheng and Zhao Lingchen, Zhao Jingtian had served as a critical bait, playing a pivotal role.

Seeing the condition of Zhao Jingtian’s frozen legs, Zhao Jingheng’s appointment of him as Prince was a form of compensation.

After surviving the ice pit incident, Zhao Jingtian had become indifferent to everything. Living was the most important thing; a lifetime of idle princely leisure was acceptable.

Nangong Hai spent less than an hour at the Prince’s Mansion. Although they didn’t talk much, he gained a rough understanding of the current capital’s situation.

The Mingde Marquis Mansion’s old Madam was incredibly clever, having aligned early with Zhao Jingheng to help him ascend.

Now, the Mingde Marquis Mansion was at its peak; no one in the capital didn’t want to attach themselves to it.

At this moment, Nangong Hai thought of Xie Wanyi.

If he proposed to marry her, he would have to visit the Mingde Marquis Mansion to ask formally. Becoming their son-in-law would naturally secure a bright future.

Besides, Xie Wanyi was reasonably attractive. Sure, she was not clever and had a fiery temper—not the type of virtuous wife or gentle mother Nangong Hai preferred.

But he had no better options.

Since the succession upheaval, Nangong Hai couldn’t attend the National Academy and had been self-studying at the mansion.

He was ambitious; his goal was to achieve fame and honor for the Nangong family.

Now, besides the imperial exams, a shortcut lay right before him. Naturally, he would choose the shortcut.

In the Xie Mansion’s annex: Nangong Hai stared straight at Xie Wanyi, making her blush.

“Young Master Nangong, why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”

“No, you’re beautiful, I just can’t help being captivated. Sorry.”

He looked away.

Xie Wanyi felt as if her heart was filled with honey, smiling foolishly.

Xiao Luo entered with a teapot, breaking the silence.

“Young Master Nangong, please have some tea.”

Nangong Hai nodded formally. “Thank you.”

His “modest” demeanor made Xie Wanyi’s heart flutter. How could such a perfect man exist?

In her mind, only she deserved Nangong Hai; no one else could.

The tea finished, it was time to get down to business.

“Xie… no, Wanyi, actually… I’ve admired you for a long time.”

“Really?” Xie Wanyi’s eyes widened, a mixture of delight and disbelief.

Could this be the fabled love where both hearts run toward each other?

“Of course it’s true. You don’t believe me?”

Fearing Nangong Hai might be upset, Xie Wanyi quickly nodded. “I believe you. I believe you.”

Nangong Hai was pleased with her reaction and deliberately spoke gently:

“Since our hearts are in sync, I want to formally propose at your family’s mansion.”

Propose?

Xie Wanyi felt as if she were about to faint from happiness.

Nangong Hai was going to propose, to marry her.

She had never dared to dream this day would come, yet here it was.

Seeing Xie Wanyi hesitate, Nangong Hai pressed on:

“Wanyi… do you accept?”

Her heart bloomed like a thousand flowers. “Yes, yes! I accept!”

Nangong Hai finally let out a sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair. “Then tomorrow, we’ll go to the Mingde Marquis Mansion. How does that sound?”

“Yes… whatever you say.”

Xie Wanyi’s love-struck mind spun around him like a whirlwind—naturally, whatever he said went.

The next day, the two of them arrived at the Mingde Marquis Mansion. Xie Wanyi knocked for a long time before the butler finally appeared.

“Second Miss?”

Xie Wanyi glared at him, scolding: “Butler, where have you been? It took you so long to open the door.”

The butler didn’t explain and instead asked, “Second Miss, what brings you here today?”

“This is Young Master Nangong Hai. Today he has matters to discuss with Madam.”

The butler glanced at Nangong Hai.

Handsome enough, but his eyes were full of schemes. The butler had seen countless people and felt no need to show deference.

“To meet the old Madam, you must first submit a formal proposal. Only if the old Madam approves may you enter.”

Previously, the Marquis Mansion’s rank was lower, and there were no such rules. Now, the Mingde Marquis Mansion had changed, and protocol was observed strictly.

Seeing the butler slight Nangong Hai, Xie Wanyi was furious. “Oh? A few months gone by, and the butler has learned to look down on people. I’m the second miss of the Marquis Mansion! Step aside, I’m going in!”

She shoved the butler, who stumbled backward, caught off guard.

“Who’s causing trouble?”

A rough, stern voice came from inside. Then footsteps approached—three tall, burly, and fierce-looking guards arrived.

These were imperial guards personally chosen by the Emperor, their imposing presence shocking. Xie Wanyi froze in fear.

“No one without a proposal may enter the Marquis Mansion. Out, now!”

Xie Wanyi shivered and instinctively stepped back.

Nangong Hai swallowed hard at her side, not daring to move rashly.

At that moment, Nanny Qi appeared.

Standing in the doorway, she looked down at Xie Wanyi. “Second Miss, why have you come today? Speak to me here.”

Xie Wanyi hadn’t expected that even after humbling herself to visit the mansion, she wouldn’t be allowed to see Madam Wei in person and had to go through a servant to convey her words.

But if she didn’t speak now, what if Nangong Hai regretted it?

After a moment of thought, Xie Wanyi said, “Young Master Nan and I have mutual feelings. He’s here to propose. I ask that Madam allow us to enter.”

Nanny Qi glanced at Nangong Hai, snorting with disdain.

“Second Miss has cut ties with the Mingde Marquis Mansion. You may arrange your own marriage; the old Madam’s consent is not required. She says, out of motherly concern, she can help organize the wedding, but the marriage must be conducted from the annex. As for dowry and bride price, the male side will offer their share, the female side hers. Beyond that, Second Miss should not expect anything more.”

Her words were blunt. Don’t expect the same level of dowry as Xie Wanru’s, and don’t expect to benefit from the Marquis Mansion’s prestige.

No matter how Xie Wanyi and Nangong Hai’s relationship turns out, it has nothing to do with the Mingde Marquis Mansion.

From the day the ties were severed, Xie Wanyi would be fully responsible for her own choices.