novelaction Chapter 392 (122 words added)
Chapter 392 (122 words added)
As soon as Xue Ruanruan stepped into the General's Mansion, she sensed an unusual atmosphere. The servants looked at her with a mixture of awe and evasion. Before she could react, a sarcastic voice came from behind her: "Oh, isn't this Xue Ruanruan? What brings you back?" Turning around, she saw a maid from the Second Madam's quarters. Xue Ruanruan was displeased, but she suppressed her anger and coldly said, "I'm returning to my own home; it's none of your business." The maid sneered, about to say something more, when suddenly the steward rushed in and respectfully said to Xue Ruanruan, "Miss, Master is waiting for you in the study." Xue Ruanruan was slightly taken aback, wondering why her father wanted to see her, and followed the steward towards the study. Along the way, her heart was filled with anxiety, wondering what had happened in the mansion and what her father would say to her. When she pushed open the study door, the scene inside was far beyond her expectations…
When Old Madam Xue saw her granddaughter return, a hint of emotion flickered across her usually stern face. Xue Ruanruan was surprised; why was the old lady, who usually ignored her, in her father's study today? Before she could speak, the old lady said, "Ruanruan, you've finally returned." Xue Ruanruan curtsied and said softly, "Old Madam, what brings you here?" The old lady sighed and slowly said, "A few days ago, a distinguished guest came to our mansion, saying he was engaged to you." Xue Ruanruan was shocked; she had never heard of any engagement. At this moment, her father also spoke up, "The other party is a favorite of the current emperor, wielding immense power. This marriage is probably impossible to refuse." Xue Ruanruan felt her head buzz. She looked at the old lady and her father, trying to find a glimmer of hope on their faces, but only saw helplessness and resolute determination. She clenched her fists, a surge of resentment rising within her, but what could she do to resist in this secluded mansion?
With border provisions desperately scarce, the 100,000-strong Xue family army was in dire straits. This marriage seemed to be a ploy, hinted at by the Emperor, to solve the army's food shortage. Xue Ruanruan knew in her heart that her fate might be completely altered by this marriage contract. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm, and said, "Since it is the Emperor's will, Ruanruan will naturally comply. But I wonder what kind of person my fiancé is?" The old lady and her father exchanged a glance. Her father said, "He is the third young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. I've heard he is young, promising, and handsome." Xue Ruanruan nodded slightly, but her heart remained uneasy. Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the door. It turned out that the Second Madam had barged in with a group of people. The second wife said shrilly, "This marriage can't be settled like this! Ruan Ruan is unruly by nature; how can she be worthy of the third young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? In my opinion, my daughter should go instead." Xue Ruan Ruan looked coldly at the second wife, her heart burning with anger. Just as she was about to retort, she heard the old lady say sternly, "This matter is settled. No one is allowed to raise any further objections." Seeing this, the second wife had no choice but to give up in resentment. Xue Ruan Ruan's fate was thus pushed into an unknown direction.
Xue Ruanruan took out lychees from her spatial storage. She was annoyed by this sudden arranged marriage and thought she could use the lychees to ease her mind. Xue Ruanruan peeled a lychee; it was juicy and sweet, its flavor spreading in her mouth. She had just eaten a few when the steward rushed in to report that the third young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had come to visit. Xue Ruanruan was startled and hurriedly hid the lychees.
When the third young master entered, Xue Ruanruan looked up and saw that he was tall and straight, with a handsome face and an extraordinary temperament. The third young master bowed, and his gaze inadvertently fell on the corner of Xue Ruanruan's dress where she had hidden lychees, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened, fearing that he would be discovered eating lychees in her private quarters—a behavior she deemed "unseemly." However, the Third Young Master merely smiled and made no fuss.
After exchanging a few words with Madam Xue and the general, he steered the conversation towards Xue Ruanruan, his words carrying a hint of gentleness and concern. Although Xue Ruanruan still harbored resentment towards the marriage, she gradually relaxed in the face of the Third Young Master's refined manner.
When the Third Young Master took his leave, Xue Ruanruan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, praying that there would be less awkwardness and trouble in her future interactions with him.