Chapter 199: The Palace Visit

Wang Gege stood in front of Xie Rong, carefully straightening his robes before adjusting the sash around his waist and making sure the jade pendant hanging from it was properly in place. Her fingers lingered for a moment before she finally looked up at him, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Why did the Eighth Prince’s mother ask for Husband’s presence as well, even though this meeting is supposed to be about Xie An’an’s marriage?" she asked with a slight pout.

Xie Rong lowered his gaze to her.

"Because this husband is her elder brother," he replied calmly.

Wang Gege’s lips pressed into a thin line. "That doesn’t make me feel any better."

Xie Rong’s lips twitched faintly.

She continued adjusting his collar, though her movements had become noticeably slower.

"Besides..." She hesitated before looking at him again. "Ever since the palace summoned Husband, this Furen has had a bad feeling."

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of his sleeve. "I don’t know why, but my heart feels uneasy."

"It is all right. This husband will be just fine..." Xie Rong smiled as he gently caressed her hair.

Wang Gege looked at him for a moment before her eyes suddenly widened.

"Should I ask Mini about it?"

Xie Rong leaned slightly toward her. "Ask about what?"

"Host, Mini can’t—"

"Oh, gosh! Mini!"

Wang Gege flinched as Mini suddenly popped into existence right in front of her, appearing directly between her and Xie Rong.

Mini’s little wings flapped awkwardly.

"Mini is sorry..." Its little wings flopped awkwardly. "Mini was just trying to answer Host’s question. Basically, Mini can only sense when Host is about to encounter danger or misfortune. Mini cannot sense another person’s danger or misfortune."

Wang Gege stared at Mini for a few seconds before her shoulders slowly drooped.

"So... you can’t tell me whether Husband is going to encounter any danger?"

Mini shook its tiny body. "Mini can only sense danger related to Host. Unless Host is directly involved, Mini won’t be able to sense it."

Wang Gege frowned thoughtfully. "So if something bad is going to happen to Husband, but I’m nowhere near him..."

"Mini won’t know." Mini finished the words for her.

"Aaaaaaa..." Wang Gege let out a long groan of frustration, her brows furrowing. "What are we going to do? Husband... can’t you refuse?"

Xie Rong shook his head. "This husband cannot."

"Why not?" Wang Gege immediately asked.

Xie Rong looked at her helpless expression before gently taking her hand.

"Because the person who summoned this husband was the Eighth Prince’s mother. Even if the matter concerns An’an’s marriage, refusing to appear after being summoned would be considered disrespectful."

Wang Gege’s lips curled into a pout.

Mini suddenly raised its tiny hand. "Can Mini give a suggestion?"

Both of them looked at Mini at the same time.

"Err..." Mini hesitated for a moment before grinning. "Maybe Host’s husband could ask brother about it?"

Wang Gege furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Brother?"

"Oh..." Mini’s little wing fluttered awkwardly. "Mini means... Mini’s brother, Gemi..."

"Oh, yes—"

"No, it is all right..." Xie Rong cut her off gently, refusing the suggestion with a slight shake of his head. "This husband will be just fine. Don’t worry."

He reached out and gently patted her head, his expression softening.

"Furen might be overthinking this matter."

Wang Gege stared at him for a moment, clearly unconvinced.

"But—"

"This husband knows how to protect himself."

"I know..." she muttered, lowering her gaze. "But I still feel uneasy."

Xie Rong smiled faintly and gently squeezed her hand. "Then wait here obediently for this husband to return."

Wang Gege looked up at him. "And if something really happens?"

Xie Rong’s smile remained calm, "Then this husband will come back and tell Furen all about it."

Mini quietly raised its tiny hand again. "Actually, Mini still thinks asking Gemi would—"

"Mini." Xie Rong instantly cut Mini’s words.

Mini immediately lowered its hand, "Mini will be quiet."

=====

After bidding Wang Gege farewell, Xie Rong left the residence with Master Xie.

Wang Gege stood at the entrance of the courtyard and watched their carriage disappear beyond the gates before finally letting out a small sigh.

’I really hope nothing happens...’

Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Xie Rong and Master Xie soon arrived at the palace.

Once they stepped down from the carriage, a palace eunuch who had been waiting outside immediately approached them and bowed respectfully.

"Master Xie, Young Master Xie."

Master Xie nodded. "Her Highness summoned us. Please announce our arrival."

"Yes, Master Xie." The eunuch bowed once more before turning and entering the hall.

Not long afterward, he returned and respectfully gestured toward the entrance.

"Master Xie, Young Master Xie, Her Highness has granted you permission to enter."

Xie Rong inclined his head. "Thank you."

He followed Master Xie into the hall, his expression calm and composed. Yet beneath that calm exterior, his mind remained guarded.

If Her Highness truly wished to discuss only Xie An’an’s marriage, it would have been enough to summon his father alone, and that was precisely what made him uneasy.

Xie Rong’s expression remained calm as he followed Master Xie into the hall, though his mind was already considering the possible reasons behind the summons.

The palace had never been a place where one could afford to assume that a simple invitation meant a simple conversation.

As they reached the center of the hall, Master Xie stopped and bowed. "This subject pays his respects to Her Highness."

Xie Rong followed suit. "This subject pays his respects to Her Highness."

A moment of silence passed before a calm female voice came from above.

"There is no need to be so formal. Both of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Xie Rong slowly straightened. His gaze remained lowered, but his attention had already shifted toward the woman seated before them.

The Eighth Prince’s mother looked composed, her expression neither warm nor cold. There was no obvious displeasure in her features, nor was there any hint of urgency.

Almost as though summoning the father and eldest son of the Xie family together was nothing unusual at all.

"Master Xie," she said after a brief pause, "this palace has heard about the marriage proposal."

"Yes, Your Highness." Master Xie bowed his head slightly.

"This palace would gladly accept the marriage proposal, but as Master Xie knows, His Highness has always been the one to make the final decision."

Master Xie nodded respectfully. "This subject is understood."

The woman seated above them remained silent for a moment before continuing, "His Highness has never been one to accept a marriage simply because someone else wishes for it. Even this palace cannot force him into something he does not desire."

"This subject knows." Master Xie lowered his head again. "However, this subject sincerely hopes that Your Highness will speak on this subject’s behalf."

Xie Rong’s brows furrowed slightly.

’Speak on behalf?’

His father truly intended to go this far.

"This palace can mention the matter to him," she said calmly. "But whether he agrees is not something this palace can promise."

"That is enough for this subject." Master Xie said politely.

Xie Rong finally raised his gaze slightly.

"Your Highness," he said, "this subject also wishes to make one thing clear."

Master Xie immediately glanced at him.

"My sister’s marriage is ultimately her own matter. If His Highness agrees to take her as his consort, this subject will naturally have nothing to say. However, if he refuses..." Xie Rong glanced at his father, "this son hopes Father will not attempt to force the matter."

Master Xie’s expression darkened. "Rong’er—"

"This son merely speaks the truth." Xie Rong’s voice lowered.

The woman did not appear displeased. Instead, she studied Xie Rong for a few moments before a faint smile appeared. "Young Master Xie is rather direct."

"This subject apologises if his words were improper."

"There is no need to apologise. At least this palace knows what you are thinking."

Before anyone could say another word, footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the hall.

The palace attendants immediately lowered their heads.

Xie Rong’s expression changed subtly. He knew that calm, measured presence even before the figure appeared.

A moment later, a man dressed in dark blue robes embroidered with golden cloud patterns stepped into the hall.

The Eighth Prince’s gaze swept calmly across everyone before settling on Xie Rong.

His lips curved into a faint smile, "Mother, this son has heard that you wished to discuss a marriage."

"Indeed." His mother nodded. "Master Xie has proposed his daughter, Xie An’an, as a consort for you."

The Eighth Prince’s gaze shifted briefly toward Master Xie before returning to Xie Rong.

"Xie An’an..." He repeated the name quietly, as though considering it for the first time.

Master Xie immediately stepped forward and bowed. "Your Highness, An’an is—"

"There is no need to explain." The Eighth Prince interrupted him with a calm smile. "This prince has already heard enough."

Master Xie fell silent.

The Eighth Prince’s gaze returned to Xie Rong. "Unfortunately, the young lady does not particularly catch this prince’s interest."

Xie Rong’s brows lifted slightly.

The prince’s smile deepened by the slightest degree.

"Young Master Xie..." He paused, his tone remaining as courteous as ever. "If this prince were to propose someone else instead, would Young Master Xie object?"