Chapter 6: The Jade Pendant Is Lost

"Your Majesty, it is a tremendous honor to be granted a marriage, but Xianyue is my foster daughter, and Tuyu is my youngest brother. This arrangement seems somewhat improper."

Xiao Zhengting finally managed to speak, his voice trembling. The surrounding air grew even quieter.

Shen Xianyue could not immediately grasp the Emperor’s true intentions. She stole a glance at Xiao Tuyu; his expression remained as calm as ever, though for some reason, the tips of his ears were slightly flushed.

"What of it? Shen Xianyue’s father sacrificed his life as a hero of Donglin. It is only natural that I look after his orphan. Looking across the entire court, who could be more suitable than the Marquis of Champion?"

"Besides, she is merely a foster daughter with no blood relation, and Minister Xiao has long since established his own household. I find this marriage to be absolutely perfect."

Even the dullest person present understood the Emperor’s persistence. Those who were sharper immediately followed suit, shouting, "My Emperor is wise!"

In an instant, everyone seemed to have agreed to the union, save for the two people caught in the center of the vortex.

Madam Xiao nudged Xiao Zhengting gently, nodding almost imperceptibly. Only then did Xiao Zhengting wipe the sweat from his forehead and bow respectfully, saying, "His Majesty is wise."

The Emperor’s expression softened. He signaled for everyone to rise and turned to ask Xiao Tuyu, "Does Minister Xiao intend to defy the imperial decree?"

Xiao Tuyu stood tall and upright, bowing his head: "Since it is His Majesty’s wish, I shall naturally accept the decree."

Shen Xianyue calculated silently. She had intended to use her father’s name to ward off any potential marriage, but she had never expected the candidate to be Xiao Tuyu.

To look at the bright side, the Marquis of Champion possessed influence and prestige in the capital far exceeding others. If she were to seek revenge in the future, she would certainly need a status that could command respect. Furthermore, Xiao Tuyu was a man of integrity and held weight within the Marquis’s estate; he could serve as a shield against Xiao Liyang.

Thinking of it this way, the marriage was perhaps not so terrible.

It was just a pity for Xiao Tuyu.

"Why are you dazed? The Emperor asked you a question, why don't you answer?"

Madam Xiao, watching Shen Xianyue who had clearly been lost in thought, felt her anger rise and gave her sleeve a sharp tug.

"Er... answering His Majesty, this subject’s daughter lost her parents at a young age. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace in granting this marriage!"

No sooner had the words left her lips than the sound of a shattering wine cup rang out from across the hall. Looking toward the source, Xiao Liyang’s face was ashen, his chest soaked with wine. The maid beside him fell to her knees in terror.

"Spare me, young master! I did not do it on purpose."

But Xiao Liyang’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Xianyue. The shards of the wine cup cut into his palm, and blood dripped down, though he paid it no mind.

Madam Xiao’s expression darkened. She signaled to Xiao Liyang’s personal manservant and half-dragged her son to his feet.

"Your Majesty, please forgive us. My son has a poor tolerance for alcohol and must be intoxicated. Please allow him to go and change his clothes."

The Emperor cast a meaningful look at Xiao Liyang and nodded. A court lady attending to them stepped forward to lead him away.

The banquet resumed its former liveliness, though everyone present harbored their own hidden thoughts. The most obvious was the young noblewoman beside Shen Xianyue, who looked as if she could gnash her teeth in fury. Shen Xianyue had no choice but to silently change her seat.

Eventually, unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, she stepped out to catch some air.

By the time the banquet ended, it was nearly dusk. Shen Xianyue leaned against the wall of the carriage, swaying as she cleared her mind. The complex relationships of the Xiao family slowly surfaced in her memory.

The old Marquis had three sons. The eldest wife had passed away from illness years ago.

The eldest son, Xiao Zhengting, was weak-willed and had one son and two daughters. His son, Xiao Liyang, was the heir to the Marquis estate. The eldest daughter was the fourth child, and the youngest, Xiao Liyin, was the sixth; she was too young to be brought along today.

The second son, Xiao Yuqing, was upright and incorruptible. He had two daughters, the second and fifth born.

The third son, Xiao Tuyu, was a child born in the old Marquis’s later years. He had left to fight in the wars early on, risking his life to earn merit. Upon his first triumphant return at the age of fifteen, he had requested a residence from the Emperor.

The reason for his falling out with the old Marquis remained unknown.

However, as Xiao Tuyu’s rank climbed, he now stood on equal footing with the old Marquis, making his presence in the estate uncomfortable for everyone. Consequently, he only returned during holidays or when the old Marquis had business with him.

Shen Xianyue felt a headache coming on. How did it feel as though she had just left a wolf's den only to enter a tiger's lair?

She subconsciously reached for the jade pendant at her waist, but her hand met empty air.

"Yingxia, are you certain I was wearing the hibiscus-carved jade pendant when we left today?"

Yingxia was bewildered: "Yes, miss, you always wear that pendant when you are nervous."

Shen Xianyue’s heart sank. Her father’s death had been sudden, and he had left few possessions; the white jade hairpin and the hibiscus pendant were among the few.

Thinking back, she must have dropped it somewhere while she was out catching her breath.

What was she to do?

The carriage slowed to a stop. Yingxia lifted the curtain to see Xiao Liyang standing at the entrance, as if waiting for her.

"Yueyue, you..."

Before Xiao Liyang could finish, Shen Xianyue spoke in a rush: "Brother, can you help me look for a jade pendant? I lost my hibiscus pendant in the palace!"

The elder Mr. and Mrs. Xiao cared little for her, and she had no way to enter the palace herself. Thinking it over, only Xiao Liyang could help.

Seeing her distressed expression, the words Xiao Liyang had intended to say were interrupted, and the courage he had finally mustered dissipated.

"What pendant? Is it important?"

"It is an heirloom from my father. It is all my fault—such a precious object, I should have kept it close to me. I never imagined I would lose it!"

Shen Xianyue’s eyes welled up with tears. Xiao Liyang looked conflicted: "The palace gates are already closed at this hour. Even if we wanted to go back, we couldn't get in."

"However, I do know an Imperial Guard in the palace. I am not sure if he is on duty today..."

Before Xiao Liyang could continue, Madam Xiao stepped down from the carriage, supported by her maid. She cast a cold, indifferent glance at Shen Xianyue, though her words were directed at Xiao Liyang.

"You are a minister, yet you dare to claim acquaintance with an Imperial Guard? If the Emperor were to hear of this, he would think the Xiao family harbors seditious intent."

"Why are you still standing there? Are you afraid someone might not hear you?"

Xiao Liyang’s face fell instantly. He had been so focused on helping Shen Xianyue that he had forgotten this concern. He had already displeased the Emperor today; if word of this were to spread, the Xiao family could face disaster.

"Yueyue, Mother is right. Let’s go inside first."

Shen Xianyue masked her anxiety, but she had no choice but to follow Xiao Liyang through the gates.

They did not stop until they reached a fork in the path of the inner courtyard.

Xiao Liyang looked troubled, his head bowed, not daring to meet Shen Xianyue’s eyes.

"Brother?"

Seeing his expression, Shen Xianyue’s heart plummeted.