Bo Siyan didn't bother with her, continuing to the last word.
"One!"
As his voice fell, Ning Xia almost instinctively nodded, loudly responding, "I choose to repay the debt, repay the debt!"
Even though she was extremely reluctant, she knew the principle that as long as the green mountains are there, one need not fear running out of firewood; going head-to-head against the little tyrant would be of no benefit to her. She definitely didn't want to gamble with her life in the hands of the little tyrant!
"Hmm? Are you sure?" Bo Siyan raised an eyebrow, pride shining in his dark eyes.
"Sure, positive, absolutely!"
Bo Siyan laughed, his tone laden with undisguised mockery, "Now you don't think you're unworthy of me? That you'd be spoiling me?"
Ning Xia curled her lips, showing eight pearly white teeth, and said with genuine sincerity, "I trust Young Master Bo's judgment."
The implication was: Since he had chosen her, she naturally deserved him.
This flattery felt especially satisfying to Bo Siyan; he gave her a glance, his gaze deep and seemingly profound. Then he said, "Very well."
"Since you have no objections, the engagement date will be notified to you. You just need to stay at home and wait!"
After issuing the command with his authoritative force, Bo Siyan didn't look back and strode away.
Ning Xia, in her anger, disregarded her image and made punching and kicking gestures behind his back, but this did little to alleviate the frustration boiling inside her.
What good? He was simply abducting a civilian girl, forcing her into dishonorable circumstances!
What kind of bride-to-be was she? Clearly, she was more like a lamb waiting for slaughter!
-
A procession left the Ning Mansion grandly while Ning Xia's father and others promptly returned to the main hall. Ning Xia's mother rushed over, took Ning Xia's hand with a face full of smiles, and excitedly said, "Xiaoxia, this is wonderful, soon you will be Young Madam Bo. Mom is really proud of you."
She had thought her daughter had no chance at all, but who could have anticipated such a turnaround? Seeing the expression on the face of the Great Mistress and her two daughters—one as unsightly as the other—she couldn't help but feel elated!
Although Ning Xia's father was also surprised that Bo Siyan had chosen Ning Xia over Ning Wei, they were all his daughters, and he would be Bo Siyan's father-in-law in any case; the Bo Family would be his backing. It was a win-win situation.
Ning Xia's father showed rare kindness to Ning Xia, "Xiaoxia, since Young Master Bo has taken a fancy to you, this is your good fortune. Starting today, you and your mother will move back to the old mansion to prepare for your marriage. Any clothes, bags, or jewelry you want, just ask. Dad will satisfy all your needs."
Ning Xia's mother grinned even more proudly, her chin lifted unconsciously.
The Great Mistress's face changed abruptly, "How can this be? She is merely a concubine's child, and Ning Xia a shameful illegitimate daughter. Why should she move back here?"
"It's because she will soon be Young Madam Bo!" Ning Xia's mother retorted with force.
"Whether she can actually become Young Madam Bo remains to be seen. Have you forgotten what kind of lewd and base character your daughter is? So young yet indulging in drunken promiscuity with strange men, and even getting pregnant with a bastard child. If Young Master Bo finds out, do you think he will still want her?"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a sharp "slap" echoed clearly across the entire hall.
"Mom." Ning Wei and Ning Xiao cried out in shock, as they immediately went forward to support the Great Mistress.
The Great Mistress covered her rapidly swelling cheek in disbelief, looking towards her husband with trembling lips, "My lord..."
"Shut up, I've said that no one is allowed to speak of this matter again. Are my words falling on deaf ears?"