As night deepened, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom weaved through the traffic on the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong Island.
Inside the car, Ning Zhengkun's sharp gaze fell on Ning Bing'an beside him: "Bing'an, please take good care of this banquet."
His tone carried a hint of elder's affection, yet also subtly revealed an undeniable authority: "That girl grew up in the countryside and doesn't know the rules. Don't let her embarrass the Ning family at the banquet."
Ning Bing'an was dressed in a plain blue Tang suit, which made him look like a tall and straight green bamboo, aloof and otherworldly.
He had a pair of phoenix eyes that were completely different from those of the Ning family. They were long and narrow with a cold and aloof look, and the corners of his eyes were slightly upturned, which added an indescribable charm to his handsome face.
"I understand, Daddy," Ning Bing'an replied calmly, his tone so even that it was impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"It's good that you know." Ning Zhengkun nodded in satisfaction.
But then, as if remembering something, he said, "I know you've been wronged. I know it's unfair to you to marry Ning Yuan. That girl, apart from having Ning family blood in her veins, is ultimately just a country girl who grew up in the interior."
“You haven’t received an elite education and you’ve been married before. People will laugh at you if they find out, but you have to understand your father’s good intentions.”
Ning Bing'an's voice remained indifferent—
“I heard she’s still married, and her husband has a certain status in mainland China. If the paparazzi find out about this, it will affect our family’s reputation.”
Ning Zhengkun gently patted his shoulder: "You don't need to worry about this. Daddy will handle it for you. It's very difficult for paparazzi to get into the mainland now. Nobody knows she was married."
He paused for a moment: "The significance of your presence by her side is to let everyone know that your marriage partner will be a young lady from the Ning family, and no one can look down on you—you are Daddy's son."
Ning Bing'an spoke as if he were talking about something unrelated to himself: "Daddy, I know what to do."
Ning Zhengkun looked into the distance and said gently, "Bing'an, you are a sensible child. Daddy knows you are unhappy, but it's all for the sake of the family."
He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, trying to make the marriage more palatable—
“I originally thought that if she was not presentable in terms of speech and appearance, and the old master did not approve of her, then I would never make you marry her, after all, your mother suffered a lifetime of grievances for me.”
Ning Zhengkun sighed, a sigh that contained a multitude of emotions.
There is longing for his deceased lover, and also guilt towards himself as his adopted son.
"But as you can see, she's not bad looking, and her manners and demeanor are acceptable. The old man approves of her, so you should marry her and just treat her like a decorative vase in the house."
Ning Bing'an looked up at Ning Zhengkun: "Daddy, what do you mean..."
A glint of light flashed in Ning Zhengkun's eyes: "What I mean is, although your eldest sister Man'an is outstanding, the old master prefers your eldest brother Ayu, so my generation after me will most likely be the era of your eldest brother Ayu."
He looked at Ning Bing'an and pondered, "But Ning Yuan and your child are not only of the pure bloodline of the Ning family, but also a testament to the harmony between the two branches. After your elder brother A Yu passes away, your child is more qualified than anyone else to inherit the Ning family."
Ning Bing'an's eyes darkened, and he remained silent.
Ning Zhengkun gently patted his shoulder: "I'm sorry you had to suffer, but your mother's last wish was to marry me and become a member of the Ning family. I'm the one who let her down."
"As long as you marry Ning Yuan and she gives birth to your child, you can treat her like royalty. You can do whatever you want outside, and whatever woman you want, Daddy will let you have your way, just don't go too far!"
Ning Bing'an simply said, "I'm afraid Second Aunt, the matriarch of the Ning family, won't agree to this. Don't forget, the Ning family shares held by Grandma are in Second Aunt's hands."
Ning Zhengkun chuckled dismissively.
"Your second aunt comes from a good family herself, and she's known for a long time that men in our position can't possibly have only one woman. It's normal for them to have casual flings. Besides, don't A-Yu and A-Chao have few scandals outside?"
He paused for a moment: "Besides, her son Ayu will be the next heir, and her grandson will be the heir of the generation after that. What could she possibly be dissatisfied with?"
Bing'an replied calmly, "I understand, Daddy. I'll handle it."
The father and son were each lost in their own thoughts, and neither of them spoke again.
...
Repulse Bay, Ning Family Old House.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire room in a golden hue.
Ning Yuan sat in front of the dressing mirror, letting the makeup artist and stylist work on her.
"Miss, you are truly blessed with natural beauty. This dress looks as if it were made just for you."
The stylist couldn't help but admire Ning Yuan as she adjusted her skirt.
The girl in the mirror wore a champagne-colored DIOR haute couture gown, the skirt adorned with delicate floral embroidery that shimmered under the lights.
Her already fair skin appeared even more radiant and translucent under the dress, resembling solidified white jade.
Her long, black, curly hair was piled high, revealing her slender, fair neck. A few strands of hair fell beside her ears, adding to her charm and allure.
Dressed in a classic style gown, she looked like a noble lady who had stepped out of an oil painting.
"My darling daughter is getting more and more beautiful. She will definitely outshine everyone tonight."
Madam Ning stood to the side, watching her daughter dressed up so beautifully, her eyes filled with joy and love.
"Mom, please stop making fun of me." Ning Yuan winked playfully at Wen Huifang in the mirror.
"Miss, what do you think of this necklace?" The maid held up a box lined with black velvet, inside which lay a dazzling diamond necklace.
Ning Yuan took a look and saw that the main diamond was huge, surrounded by a dense array of small diamonds that refracted a dazzling light under the lamp.
It was the Cartier necklace that Cha Mei-ling had given her.
Looking at the necklace, Madam Ning thought of Cha Meiling and sighed, "Your sixth sister is very thoughtful. This necklace is the most precious gift she has given you. She will be here today, and I will order a sapphire necklace for her. She loves sapphires the most."
"That's too much," Ning Yuan said casually, looking at the necklace.
The items are nice, but since they were given to her by Cha Meiling, she doesn't want to wear them.
She looked at Madam Ning and said, "I like the emerald necklace that Mommy gave me."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ning smiled helplessly: "That gemstone isn't big enough; it's more suited to everyday use."
But Ning Yuan insisted: "Today is the official announcement of my return to the family, but I would rather say that I am returning to my mother's side, so I want to wear my mother's!"
Madam Ning hugged her with immediate relief: "Alright, then I'll listen to my good girl."
The maid brought over a delicate emerald necklace in the shape of lace, which Madam Ning herself put on her.
Ning Yuan looked at herself in the mirror, smiled, and took Madam Ning's arm: "Mom, it's almost time, let's go."
She has another tough battle to fight tonight.
Madam Ning could sense her daughter's nervousness, so she patted her hand and said gently, "Don't be nervous. If you hear anything unpleasant, just pretend you didn't hear it. If you don't like it, just yell back. Mommy will back you up. No one can bully my daughter."
Ning Yuan felt a warm feeling in her heart: "Mmm."
The two walked toward the door, where a stretched Lincoln was already waiting.
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