The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 253: My Only Family

Chapter 253: My Only Family

For a moment, the surge of sorrow and grievance overwhelmed Fan Yunxi, her eyes quickly brimming with tears. She clenched her fists, her lips trembling slightly. "If you’re so unwilling, then why did you go through with the marriage ceremony? Xie Beihan, if you’re a real man, give me a divorce letter right now. We’ll go our separate ways from this moment on!"

Xie Beihan was shocked, unsure if she was serious or just bluffing. Despite sometimes lacking sharpness, he understood the implications and responded, "Demanding a divorce on your wedding night? How bold. Do you realize how this will affect you and your family? What about your sisters? How will they find suitable matches?"

Having lived in the capital’s social circle for a long time, he knew how vicious people could be with their words. Fan Yunxi, despite her strong-willed nature, might not withstand such scorn and ridicule.

Fan Yunxi’s face was stiff but determined. "Living with a husband who doesn’t truly want to marry me is unbearable. I care not what others think."

Her grandfather and father had reassured her that she could always return to the Fan family if she was unhappy at the Marquis’s mansion. She would always have a home in Ruyang.

Xie Beihan pouted, "Actually, I don’t..."

Before he could finish, hurried footsteps approached, followed by frantic knocking. "Young Master! The Marquis is unwell! Come quickly!"

Xie Beihan was startled, forgetting about Fan Yunxi, and opened the door to find a servant from his father’s side. "What happened? Has the physician been summoned?"

He had seen his father jovially conversing with guests at the banquet just moments ago. Could he have drunk too much?

The servant’s face was filled with sadness. "Young Master, don’t ask. Just hurry over."

Xie Beihan rushed out immediately.

Fan Yunxi, seeing the urgency, lifted her skirt and followed. Despite their argument, she was now a member of the Xie family, and it was her duty to be there in times of crisis.

As Xie Beihan hurried towards his father’s quarters, his mind was in chaos. He heard a soft cry behind him and turned to see Fan Yunxi stumble on the steps, holding onto a column for support, her brows furrowed in pain.

The night was dark, and the unfamiliar, intricate dress made it easy for her to trip. Feeling a surge of guilt, he hurried back. "Are you hurt?"

Fan Yunxi, with mixed emotions, muttered, "I’m fine. Go ahead, I’ll follow with the maids."

"Sit down," Xie Beihan insisted, guiding her to sit by the railing. He crouched to examine her ankle. "Is it your left foot?"

Fan Yunxi blushed, her foot in his grasp. She tried to pull away, but Xie Beihan held it firmly, pressing specific points that immediately alleviated her pain.

Surprised, she asked, "Young Master, do you know massage techniques?"

"I picked up a few tricks from books," he replied naturally.

After a few moments of massage, her ankle felt much better. Xie Beihan stayed by her side, helping her navigate the steps and ensuring she didn’t trip again.

Fan Yunxi followed him with a complex mix of emotions.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Xie Beihan noticed his aunt, cousin, and even Prince Ye and his sixth sister were still present.

A foreboding feeling gripped his heart. He held his breath and rushed inside.

There lay the Marquis on the bed, the dim candlelight making him look lifeless.

"Father!" Xie Beihan cried out, his voice trembling as he hurried to his side. "Where’s the physician? Has anyone called for a physician?"

But then he realized, what need was there for a physician when his sixth sister, a skilled healer, was present?

"Sixth sister, please, look at my father. Could it be a sudden illness?"

Nanli, who had been drawing talismans, paused and released several soul-stabilizing talismans to keep the Marquis’s soul from drifting away. However, his soul was so damaged that it could barely last the night.

"It’s not a sudden illness. You should know your father’s condition," Nanli said calmly.

Empress Xie couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, covering her face and weeping.

Xie Beihan, shaken, finally comprehended, "My father’s soul is damaged?"

Nanli nodded.

Xie Beihan, eyes wide with fear, looked at his father. He couldn’t see the extent of the damage, but having read many books over the past year, he quickly said, "Sixth sister, I know there are talismans and formations to repair souls. You must know them, right?"

In his terror, there was a glimmer of hope. In this vast Marquis’s residence, his father was his only family left.

"The Empress has already asked me, but my answer remains the same no matter how many times you ask. I cannot help," Nanli responded, her voice steady.

Xie Beihan grew desperate. "How can you not help? You’re my sixth sister! You’ve solved greater problems before. Why can’t you save my father?"

Nanli frowned at his hysteria.

Ye Siheng shielded Nanli, wary of Xie Beihan’s potential actions.

Xie Beihan wiped the tears from his face. "Sixth sister, you can use my soul to repair my father’s. Isn’t that possible?"

Nanli’s expression darkened. "Using one life to replace another is a forbidden technique. On your first day of learning Taoist arts, I told you never to touch forbidden techniques. Have you forgotten?"

"How could I forget? But this is my father, my only family left!" Xie Beihan roared, unable to control his emotions.

Having lost his brother, the thought of losing his father too was unbearable.

"Cousin, calm down," Ye Chengyan urged.

Xie Beihan couldn’t hear anyone. He knelt before Nanli, pleading, "Sixth sister, I beg you. I couldn’t save Beizhe back then, but now I..."

Before he could finish, a slap landed on his face.

Though it wasn’t hard, it left no mark.

It was the Marquis.

Despite his severe condition, he stood up, though his body was weak and trembling. He quickly sat back down, utterly drained.

Always vigorous before his son, he now appeared so feeble. Xie Beihan couldn’t bear the sight, his grief deepening. "Father..."

"Brother, Beihan is just concerned about you. Why hit him?" Empress Xie sobbed.