The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 247: Engagement with the Fan Family

Chapter 247: Engagement with the Fan Family

Nanli never misses an opportunity to make money. She recounted her day’s earnings: five fortune readings, eighteen talisman sales, and one ghost-catching mission at a large mansion, earning nearly two thousand taels.

Xie Beihan’s mouth twitched. "Sixth Sister, I thought you had something important to do, but you were out making money."

"Although I was making money, I was also helping people and accumulating good karma," Nanli said seriously. "Besides, Ruyang City is a prosperous place with strong positive energy, so there aren’t many evil spirits around. Now that the He Wen matter is resolved, we can depart for the capital tomorrow."

Xie Beihan had no objections. "I’ve been away for many days. I hope the Ninth Prince won’t blame me for not properly handling affairs in Shouling County."

Nanli understood his concern. "I’ll speak to him and ask him to be lenient."

She glanced at him and suddenly paused, looking a bit surprised. "Your peach blossom palace is glowing. This is a sign of good fortune in love."

Xie Beihan replied, "How could that be? I’ve already sworn off taking concubines."

Nanli shook her head. "It’s not about taking concubines. You’re going to marry a main wife."

She calculated on her fingers, examined his face, and added, "And it will be soon. In ten days, your bride will enter your home."

If someone else had said this, he would dismiss it as nonsense, but since it was his sixth sister, it must be true. Xie Beihan became anxious. "Marry a main wife? I haven’t even gotten engaged. How can there be a bride in ten days?"

Could it be... could it be that while he was away from the capital, his father arranged a marriage for him?

Nanli patted his arm. "Congratulations. Now even my second brother can’t keep up with you."

Xie Beihan thought there was nothing to celebrate. He had sworn off taking concubines because he wanted to marry a woman who understood him. Being suddenly saddled with a main wife was not something he welcomed.

He immediately straightened his face. "No, I need to return to the capital quickly to stop this. I can’t let my father make decisions for me."

The next day, as soon as they left Ruyang City, a large convoy entered the city. At the front was a spacious carriage made of exquisite woodwork, followed by nine carriages laden with boxes, all adorned with red silk ribbons. The convoy was accompanied by numerous maids and armed guards, showing its grandeur.

The townspeople speculated that this must be a wedding proposal convoy. There were several prominent families in Ruyang City, and they wondered which one was being courted. Some curious onlookers followed to see the outcome. To their surprise, the convoy stopped in front of the Fan residence.

A middle-aged woman, dignified and well-dressed, got out of the carriage. She appeared to be in her early thirties but carried an air of authority.

A servant from the Fan residence approached cautiously. "Madam, may I ask who you are?"

"My surname is Chen," she replied. "I am here on the orders of the Empress to visit the head of the Fan family and discuss an important matter."

The Empress?! A servant from the palace?!

The servant became even more respectful and anxious, calling someone to announce her arrival while inviting her into the residence. Seeing it was someone from the Empress’s palace, both Fan Shizhong and Fan Jiang came to receive her.

Madam Chen, adhering to protocol, presented her token to prove her identity. Seeing Fan Jiang hesitate to sit, she gently urged, "Old Mr. Fan, please sit. I am here mainly to speak on behalf of Noble Prince Xie."

"Please go ahead," Fan Jiang said quickly.

"The Empress is aware that Noble Prince Xie is young and might not handle things thoroughly, so she sent me," Madam Chen began. "When that incident happened, he immediately wrote back to the capital to inform the Marquis and the Empress, hoping to secure their support in arranging this marriage."

Fan Jiang was puzzled, not knowing which incident she referred to.

Fan Shizhong was stunned. "Madam Chen, how can this be the intention of Noble Prince Xie? That day, he..."

That day, Xie Beihan clearly looked unwilling. Furthermore, his daughter mentioned that Xie Beihan had insulted her, suggesting that she and the Fan family were desperate to climb the social ladder by marrying into the Marquis Zhenbei’s family.

Madam Chen explained, "Though Noble Prince Xie may appear unreliable on the surface, he is not irresponsible. He inadvertently behaved improperly toward the fourth young lady. Even if it was unintentional, he still needs to account for it to the fourth young lady and the Fan family."

"What? Improper behavior?" Fan Jiang’s eyebrows knitted together as he urgently inquired about the incident.

Fan Shizhong had ordered the servants to keep quiet about the matter, so it had been kept from his father. But now that Madam Chen had mentioned it openly, there was no way to hide it. He had no choice but to briefly recount the events. Fan Jiang’s face darkened, and he gripped his cane tightly, his voice cold. "How dare you conceal such a serious matter from me?"

"Father, please calm down." Fan Shizhong bowed his head slightly, not daring to meet Fan Jiang’s gaze. "Given the urgency of the situation that day, Noble Prince Xie was helping us with good intentions. How could we force him to take responsibility? If people found out, they might think the Fan family orchestrated the situation on purpose. You’ve always said that we must be cautious in choosing spouses for our daughters to avoid another disaster like my sister’s."

Fan Jiang, recalling his youngest daughter’s tragedy, felt his anger dissipate considerably.

"Indeed," he thought. "Forcing Xie Beihan to take responsibility might lead to a disastrous marriage, harming his precious granddaughter."

Madam Chen remained composed, her smile gentle. "Master Fan, you’re too severe. The fourth young lady is virtuous, dignified, and courteous. Noble Prince Xie is delighted and eagerly sought the Empress’s approval. Coincidentally, the Emperor was present and praised Noble Prince Xie’s sense of responsibility. He even gifted the fourth young lady a pair of mutton fat jade bracelets."

Without turning around, she gestured, and a maid presented a brocade box. Inside was a pair of jade bracelets, their luster and quality evident at a glance.

Fan Jiang furrowed his brow.

"The Emperor is aware of this?"

While Emperor Muwu had not officially bestowed the marriage, gifting the bracelets conveyed a similar sentiment.

Fan Shizhong clenched his fists, his chest swelling with anger.

"Are you using the Emperor to pressure us?" he asked coldly. "If Noble Prince Xie truly meant this, why did he leave hastily this morning instead of coming with you to propose in person?"

Madam Chen remained unflustered. "Noble Prince Xie rushed back to the capital to prepare for the wedding because the Marquis has already set the date for ten days later."

Fan Shizhong grew even more incensed. "The Marquis Zhenbei family is indeed presumptuous, deciding everything unilaterally!"

His daughter was his treasure, and he couldn’t bear for her to be treated this way.

Madam Chen, noticing his agitation, continued, "The Empress and the Marquis did not intend to pressure. This marriage still depends on whether the Fan family agrees."

Fan Jiang responded coolly, "You’ve made a grand entrance into Ruyang City, with nine carriages filled with betrothal gifts outside. Moreover, the Emperor is aware and has bestowed jade bracelets. Madam, do you still suggest that the decision is ours?"

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