Chapter 4 — Nine Times Rejected

Master Xiao is truly formidable. Raising a hand against someone belonging to the Empress was not enough; he actually dared to lay a violent hand upon a princess of the blood.

Is this truly the manner in which the Duke of the State’s illustrious mansion disciplines its legitimate heir?

The color drained entirely from Xiao Xuan's face, leaving him a ghastly shade of pale, flecked with humiliated ash. His raised hand remained frozen in mid-air, trembling awkwardly, unable to complete its descent, yet equally impossible to retract with any semblance of dignity. Nguyen Tri Tri hastily pushed forward through the tense air, desperate to smooth over the jagged edges of the confrontation.

Mother Kong has clearly misunderstood the situation. Ah Xuan was merely acting out of a moment of frantic anxiety...

Anxious?

Mother Kong emitted a cold, derisive snort, her piercing gaze sweeping over the elaborate, imperial phoenix crown resting precariously upon Nguyen Tri Tri’s head.

An object bestowed directly by the sovereign, yet you dare to place it upon your own unworthy brows?

Men, seize her at once!

At Mother Kong’s sharp command, a retinue of burly attendants strode unceremoniously into the chamber, directly manhandling Nguyen Tri Tri away. Overcome with sudden terror, she flailed and ducked repeatedly, her voice shrill with panic.

No... I did not mean to wear it... Ah Xuan, save me! Ah Xuan, you must save me!

Xiao Xuan instinctively made a move to intervene, but catching a chilling glimpse of the imperial warrant clutched tightly in Mother Kong’s hand, he forced his limbs to halt, swallowing his fury. As Nguyen Tri Tri’s frantic shrieks faded into the distant corridors, Xiao Xuan finally turned his furious, bloodshot eyes toward me.

Are you completely satisfied now?

I concede defeat. I am willing to marry you, but you must take proper care of Tri Tri.

If any harm should ever befall her, even if it costs me my life, I swear I shall never take you as my wife.

Before the final syllable had fully escaped his lips, Mother Kong burst into a sharp, mocking peal of laughter.

Master Xiao must surely be suffering from a deranged mind, does he still labor under the delusion that the Princess would ever lower herself to marry the likes of you?

The true groom of our revered Princess, the bridegroom for this very day, is none other than the Second Young Master!

Xiao Xuan froze in place, utterly paralyzed by disbelief, his mind reeling. Only now did he truly observe the garments worn by Xiao Zhu. Were those not the magnificent robes of a wedding groom?

How... how can this be? Doan Shu, you actually consented to marry the base-born son of an outside concubine?

As the summoned imperial physician hurried into the courtyard, I offered no reply to his frantic questioning. Fearing that Xiao Xuan might lose his senses entirely and inflict further violence upon me, Xiao Zhu reached out and unceremoniously dragged him backward out of the chamber.

Release me! Let go of me at once! Xiao Zhu, how dare you treat me in such a manner? I am the rightful heir apparent to the Duke's estate!

Observing a figure approaching steadily from not far away, a faint, enigmatic smile touched the corners of Xiao Zhu’s lips.

Before long, you shall be nothing of the kind.

Before Xiao Xuan could fully decipher the ominous weight of those words, the Duke himself strode swiftly into the courtyard, an imperial decree clutched tightly in his hand.

Father?

A fleeting expression of astonishment crossed Xiao Xuan’s features before he surged forward eagerly.

Father, Doan Shu is merely consumed by anger toward me. She would never truly consent to marry this illegitimate nobody, would she?

The Duke offered no words of comfort, his countenance dark as a gathering storm as he fixed his gaze upon Xiao Zhu.

Is the Princess injured?

The physician has already arrived and is currently tending to her wounds.

Upon hearing this, the Duke ground his teeth together until the jaw muscles ached, squeezing his eyes shut in bitter resignation. Xiao Xuan, still oblivious to the gravity of the calamity, persisted.

Father, what is the meaning of all this?

A resounding slap cracked through the heavy air, cutting short Xiao Xuan’s bewildered inquiries.

Do you still possess the shameless audacity to ask?

Before His Majesty and the Empress choose to exact their wrath, get yourself to the threshold of the Princess's manor and kneel. Otherwise, not even the immortals of the highest heavens can deliver you from your fate!

Clutching his burning cheek, Xiao Xuan remained rooted to the spot for a long, uncomprehending moment, his soul refusing to return to his body. His lips trembled violently as he cast a sidelong glance of sheer disbelief at Xiao Zhu.

Then... is it truly him whom Doan Shu wishes to marry?

Indeed!

But he is nothing more than a worthless parasite who has never applied himself! By what right is he worthy of Doan Shu? Father, have you lost your mind?

The Duke let out a bitter, humorless laugh, raising the imperial decree high above his head. Every servant and retainer present in the courtyard immediately dropped to their knees in reverence.

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xiao Zhu, the previously overlooked son of the Duke's household, has rendered meritorious service in shielding the sovereign and preserving the realm. For his monumental contributions to the state, he is hereby specially elevated to the position of heir apparent to the Duke of the State, destined to inherit the noble title.

As the decree echoed through the courtyard, the strength vanished from Xiao Xuan’s legs as though he had been struck by lightning, sending him crashing to his knees. Within the entire capital, who was unaware that the position of heir to the Duke’s mansion had long been secured within his grasp, given that he was the sole legitimate son? The rims of Xiao Xuan’s eyes flushed crimson, and he slowly forced his head upward.

Father, why?

Since when has he ever shielded the sovereign? Where did such monumental service to the nation ever materialize?

Could it be that Pei Doan Shu merely sought to spite me and maliciously fabricated this entire falsehood?

The Duke maintained a heavy silence for a long time, offering no defense or explanation. After all, there were certain truths that even he had only just discovered, truths that would require a considerable span of time to fully absorb. Xiao Zhu rose gracefully to his feet, stepping forward to receive the imperial edict from the Duke's trembling hands.

The two of you may continue your discussion at your leisure; I shall step inside to check upon her.

By what authority do you presume to enter?

Xiao Xuan roared with uncontainable fury, lunging forward with the intent to force his way past, only to be met with a brutal kick from the Duke. The blow struck him squarely in the chest, sending him tumbling violently down the stone steps until he came to a bruised and battered halt far across the courtyard. Lowering his voice to a menacing hiss, the Duke pointed an accusing finger at the fallen youth.

I told you long ago, whoever Doan Shu deigns to accept shall become the true heir of this household. It was your own arrogance and folly that cast the opportunity aside; what ground do you now have to question my decisions?

Violently shaking his head, Xiao Xuan wept openly, tears streaming freely down his distorted features.

I refuse to believe it. I will never believe Doan Shu could be so ruthlessly cold-hearted. She is merely punishing me in her anger, I shall go and beg for her forgiveness.

He struggled desperately to push himself up from the ground, only to be shoved down once more by the heavy foot of his own father.

With Xiao Zhu standing in your path, you no longer possess even the slightest shred of opportunity!

He is merely a concubine-born...

Another resounding slap cut short whatever venomous words remained in Xiao Xuan's throat.

He is no longer the base-born son of years past!