Meng Jiangming heard Feng Tian's reply. He didn't question him as he used to, but his heart was undeniably sad.
It was more painful than hearing the imperial decree that stripped him of his heir status.
"Young Master, why are you here? I've been looking everywhere for you." Wu Yi, who found Meng Jiangming, breathed a sigh of relief.
Meng Jiangming looked at Wu Yi and said coldly, "I am no longer the Young Master. Don't call me that anymore."
Wu Yi was stunned. After a long pause, he bowed and said, "I understand."
"Do you need something from me?" Meng Jiangming asked.
Wu Yi nodded. "Madam wants to see you."
"Alright, let's head back!" Meng Jiangming started walking in the direction of home.
Wu Yi followed behind, scratching his head. Had something changed?
Upon returning to the Duke of Ning's mansion, Madam Jiang was greatly relieved to see Meng Jiangming. At this time, the Duke of Ning's mansion could not afford any more incidents, absolutely not. Otherwise, the Duke of Ning's mansion would be utterly ruined, as His Majesty was already displeased with them.
"Jiangming, didn't you go to apologize to Princess Xingyue? But Shaoyao said you left halfway. What's going on? Is Princess Xingyue still angry?" Madam Jiang asked worriedly.
At this critical juncture, the Duke of Ning's mansion could not afford any disturbances. They desperately needed this marriage with Princess Xingyue to regain His Majesty's trust.
Meng Jiangming looked at Madam Jiang. "Mother, did something happen?"
Madam Jiang's eyes shifted evasively. "What could happen? You just need to prepare for the wedding. The wedding is less than three days away."
"Mother, tell me, what exactly happened?" Meng Jiangming stepped forward and grabbed Madam Jiang's sleeve to ask.
Madam Jiang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. Suddenly, a voice called from outside the door, "Madam, Jiangming is grown now. There are things he needs to know. He must know that his impulsiveness and willfulness have harmed not only the Duke of Ning's mansion but also Consort An."
"Aunt? What happened to her?" Meng Jiangming asked in surprise.
Seeing Madam Jiang's reluctance and Meng Lian's cold demeanor, Meng Jiangming said, "If you don't tell me, how will I know?"
Meng Lian said, "Your aunt angered His Majesty because of your actions, and His Majesty has placed her under house arrest for a month."
Meng Jiangming breathed a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was only house arrest.
"Jiangming, you are eighteen years old now, no longer a child. There are things you should understand," Meng Lian said, uncharacteristically without anger.
Looking at Madam Jiang's increasingly haggard face and the scar on his father's forehead that had not yet healed, Meng Jiangming felt for the first time that he was truly an unfilial son.
He suddenly knelt, startling Madam Jiang, who took a few steps back. "Jiangming, what are you doing..."
"Mother, Father, I know I've made many mistakes in the past, but from now on, I will consider the consequences of every action I take. I'm sorry," Meng Jiangming said, lowering his head.
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang covered her mouth with a handkerchief, tears streaming down her face. She stepped forward and said, "My son, you've finally grown up."
Meng Lian was somewhat relieved. "It's good that you've realized this not too late. For the remaining three days before the wedding, stay in the mansion and await Princess Xingyue's arrival."
Meng Jiangming raised his head and looked at Meng Lian and Madam Jiang, speaking word by word, "Father, Mother, I want to cancel the marriage with Princess Xingyue."
Princess's Mansion
"Your Highness, are you asleep?" Feng Tian's voice sounded from outside the door.
Xue Xingyue opened her eyes and said, "No, is something wrong?"
"Your Highness, the wife of the Duke of Ning sent someone to ask if Your Highness could visit the Duke of Ning's mansion." Feng Tian said.
Xue Xingyue frowned slightly. "This late?"
"Your Highness, the person from the Duke of Ning's mansion said the Duke of Ning is going to beat young master to death." Feng Tian said.
Xue Xingyue was stunned and said, "Alright, I know. Wait outside for a moment, I'll get up immediately."
In less than half an hour, Xue Xingyue was dressed and washed. She opened the door, and Feng Tian stood outside, bowing. "Your Highness, from what I can see, the messenger was not lying."
"Prepare the horse," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Tian nodded.
Xue Xingyue rode her horse to the Duke of Ning's mansion. The servants outside the mansion saw her and quickly bowed. She dismounted and walked forward. "Where is the Duke of Ning?"
The servant said, "The Duke is in the courtyard."
"Take me there," Xue Xingyue said.
As she entered the mansion, Xue Xingyue heard a woman's cries from the courtyard and the sound of a board hitting flesh. She frowned slightly and quickened her pace.
As she got closer, she smelled blood. The servant rushed to report, but she shouted, "Duke of Ning, stop!"
Upon arriving at the courtyard, she saw the person lying prostrate on the long bench. Although his back was towards her, she recognized him as Meng Jiangming by his build.
His white inner garment was already stained with blood, a truly gruesome sight. It seemed the Duke of Ning had shown no mercy.
Upon seeing Xue Xingyue's arrival, Madam Jiang broke free from the Duke of Ning's grasp and ran over crying. She knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your Highness, this servant begs you to save Jiangming. He's about to be beaten to death."
Xue Xingyue stepped forward to help Madam Jiang up and comforted her. "Madam, please get up first. Let's talk properly."
Madam Jiang stood up and pointed at the Duke of Ning, crying angrily, "It's him! He's going to beat Jiangming to death! It's him, it's him..."
"Shaoyao, help Madam back," the Duke of Ning said coldly.
Madam Jiang cried out, "No... I won't go back! If I go back, Jiangming will be beaten to death by you."
"Shaoyao, Wan'er, quickly help Madam back," the Duke of Ning's expression turned cold.
Shaoyao and Wan'er quickly stepped forward to persuade her, "Madam, let's go back first."
Madam Jiang refused. Xue Xingyue said, "Madam, please go back and freshen up. I guarantee that the Duke of Ning will not dare to touch Young Master Meng again. What do you say?"
Madam Jiang looked up at Xue Xingyue and nodded tearfully. "Princess, this servant trusts you."
Madam Jiang left.
Xue Xingyue stepped forward and said, "Does the Duke of Ning not pay his respects when he sees me?"
The Duke of Ning stepped forward and bowed. "I am deeply ashamed that Your Highness has to handle my family affairs."
"Feng Tian, take my token and invite the imperial physician to examine Young Master Meng," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Tian nodded. "Your subordinate will go now."
Xue Xingyue said coldly, "Duke of Ning, the punishment is over. Can you send Young Master Meng back to his room? Do you truly have the heart to watch him die?"
The Duke of Ning seemed moved. He waved his hand. "Send him back to his room."
"Duke of Ning, shouldn't you give me an explanation? In three days, it will be my wedding day with the consort. Now that the consort has been beaten into this state by you, do you want me to be laughed at by the court officials on my wedding day?" Xue Xingyue looked at the Duke of Ning coldly.
The Duke of Ning suddenly knelt on one knee. "This humble subject has sinned."
Xue Xingyue was startled by the Duke of Ning's action. "Duke of Ning, what are you doing?"
The Duke of Ning raised his head and said, "It is because my son spoke rebellious words that I struck him in my grief."