Xue Heng was currently the most powerful person in the Xue family with the highest official position. His visit as a representative of the bride’s family showed how seriously the Xue family took this marriage.

Of course, this visit was just to discuss preliminary matters and address important issues upfront. For instance, Xue Heng needed to explain Xue Jinqiao’s “condition,” while Shen Yueshan needed to disclose Shen Yun’an’s situation – whether he had any women by his side any hidden ailments, and so forth.

This showed the sincerity between both families, preventing the potential situation where a failed marriage arrangement could lead to enmity.

“Father, will everything go smoothly?” Shen Xihe worried.

Though the Shen family currently enjoyed high positions and wealth, everyone knew that extreme prosperity inevitably leads to decline, and they were well aware that His Majesty wouldn’t tolerate the Shen family’s power. Xue Heng’s visit was truly unexpected for Shen Xihe – after all, many great families wouldn’t risk such an alliance. But the Xue family was a centuries-old noble house.

“Lord Xue said the Xue family has left this matter to him. He only hopes your brother will treat Miss Xue Seven well,” Shen Yueshan was satisfied with Xue Heng’s attitude.

Shen Xihe also hoped everything would proceed smoothly. It was rare for her brother to want to marry, and if he weren’t in the Northwest and their father wasn’t so open-minded, this might have become mere gossip fodder – Cui Jinbai was a prime example.

When Xue Heng brought Xue Jinqiao to the Princess’s mansion, few people suspected anything since Xue Jinqiao was already a frequent visitor. No one thought about marriage prospects, but this matter couldn’t be kept from the Xue family.

As Xue Jinqiao’s birth father, Xue Bi was the first to object: “Fifth Uncle, this cannot be!”

“I’m not consulting with you, I’m informing you,” Xue Heng said coldly.

“But… but we are Seven Miss’s birth parents…” Madam Wan, Xue Jinqiao’s mother, said softly.

“Where were you when Seven Miss was handed over to bandits? Where were you when she was nailed into a coffin? Where were you when people tried to burn her alive as a monster?” Xue Heng swept a scornful glance at the couple as they slowly lowered their heads. “I raised Seven Miss. Do you think you would have achieved your current position without her?”

He had no sons, and since he had the most successful career in the Xue family, everyone wanted to adopt a child into his household. His late wife had brought Seven Miss to raise, but they hadn’t formally adopted her because they were elderly and feared they couldn’t accompany her for long, hoping she would have someone to support her in the future.

Because of Seven Miss, Xue Heng had groomed Xue Bi as his heir, helping him become head of the Six Ministries before he turned forty.

“Fifth Uncle, Seven Miss is my flesh and blood. I feel much guilt toward her and also hope for her happiness. But how can the Northwestern Prince’s mansion be a good place? Your Excellency surely understands His Majesty’s thoughts better than I do,” Xue Bi persisted.

“I know you’ve always valued face above all else, fearing that if the Northwestern Prince’s mansion falls from grace, you’ll be implicated through Seven Miss and unable to hold your head high among your clan brothers,” Xue Heng snorted coldly. “Therefore, I’ve decided to have Second Young Master adopt Seven Miss.”

The Second Young Master of Xue Bi’s generation was his second cousin, Xue Heng’s son – a brilliantly talented youth who had unfortunately died young.

“Fifth Uncle, Seven Miss is the flesh of my flesh…” Madam Wan cried out.

“You may have some care for Seven Miss in your heart, but when it comes to her brothers, when have you ever considered her feelings?” Xue Heng didn’t wish to say more to his nephew’s wife, instead fixing his gaze on Xue Bi. “I haven’t retired yet, and you’re not the only one in the Xue family. Though Xue Cheng is from a branch line, he’s still of our Xue family. Don’t forget, he’s already the Minister of the Court of Judicature.”

Xue Bi’s heart trembled. The Xue family valued both legitimate and capable members. Xue Cheng had always been pursuing closely behind him, putting considerable pressure on him.

“Go tell the clan leader yourself that my household is empty and you want Seven Miss to be adopted by the Second Young Master to fulfill filial duties.” Xue Heng directly ordered, his gaze sharp. “I intend to marry Seven Miss to the Northwestern Prince’s heir. If word of this leaks out, see if I can’t make you fall from your position as Minister of Personnel.”

Madam Wan’s crying stopped abruptly. The couple’s reaction made Xue Heng’s expression even colder.

Xue Jinqiao stood in the courtyard watching inside, her expression wooden. Huahua and Caocao worried about her, but Xue Jinqiao showed no concern – this was an expected outcome, just as when they had traded her for a transfer back to the capital years ago.

“But… but…” Madam Wan hesitated, “I’ve been discussing Seven Miss’s marriage with the National University’s Director’s family.”

“The Director’s family?” A sharp light flashed in Xue Heng’s eyes. “Which Third Young Master?”

Director He Zu had two legitimate sons, born just two years apart. The elder son, He Third Young Master, had become the top scholar at eighteen with a bright future ahead. The younger son, He Fourth Young Master, was unlearned and spent his days in theater houses, reportedly having an unclear relationship with an actor.

Madam Wan mumbled, “With Seven Miss’s condition, how could the He family allow Third Young Master…”

Before she could finish, a teacup exploded at her feet with a bang, the scalding tea splashing onto her shoes, making her cry out in pain.

“So you can feel pain? I thought people as heartless as you had iron hearts, and your skin should be too, otherwise, how could you do such inhuman things?” Xue Heng was so angry the veins on his neck stood out. “You thought because I don’t interfere with household matters, I wouldn’t know you were trying to trade Seven Miss again for your youngest son’s place in the National University! For parents like you, Seven Miss would do better to cut ties early and escape this den of wolves.”

Still not satisfied after his tirade, he continued: “Go, call Xue Ji here. I want to ask him if living off his sister’s blood makes life more comfortable if his sister’s blood tastes sweet!”

“Fifth Uncle, please calm down.” Xue Bi fell to his knees with a thud. “This matter hasn’t been settled, it was just idle talk. I’ll go report to the clan leader now about having Second Brother adopt Seven Miss.”

“Get out!” Xue Heng shouted.

Xue Bi immediately pulled Madam Wan away. Turning to leave, they met Xue Jinqiao’s gaze. While Xue Bi didn’t know what to say, Madam Wan whimpered pitifully: “Seven Miss, you are the child I carried for ten months and bore with great difficulty. How could I not care for you? If your brothers do well, others won’t dare bully you in the future…”

Xue Jinqiao raised her hand to smell the fragrance on her wrist, barely controlling herself from rushing forward to die together with her birth mother. She said hoarsely: “Leave this courtyard before my ‘illness’ acts up.”

Xue Jinqiao’s pupils were as black as death. Madam Wan’s face paled in fear as she remembered the past. Just then, another teacup crashed out from the room, and she dared not linger, pulling her husband away hurriedly.

Xue Jinqiao rushed inside to support Xue Heng, the killing intent in her eyes completely gone, replaced by reddened rims: “Great-granduncle.”

Xue Heng sat down weakly, taking several sips of tea before calming down. He looked at Xue Jinqiao with heartache: “Great-granduncle fears I won’t be able to protect you much longer…”