C7 Reason

"I also want to thank my brother for helping me marry such a wonderful wife. Being able to marry her is the greatest fortune of my life."

Xi Pei stepped forward, joining Tang Yan in their display of affection. Even though she knew he was just playing along, Tang Yan's cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.

The two stood quietly in the center of the hall, a perfect match, looking every bit like a couple made for each other.

Xi Yan's face darkened. He had intended to use this moment to humiliate Xi Pei. As for what Tang Li thought, he didn't really care. If it weren't for the engagement, he wouldn't have married her.

But now, seeing the genuine affection between them, without the heated arguments he had imagined, left Xi Yan feeling slightly unsettled, as if something had slipped from his control.

"As long as you're happy. But Miss Tang, I need to make something clear about the man beside you—"

"Enough."

Before Xi Yan could finish his sarcastic remark, his father, Xi Chuyang, cut him off.

"No matter who you married, he's a son of the Xi family, which makes you our daughter-in-law. If anything happens in the future, just let us know. We won't let you suffer any injustice."

Xi Chuyang's words clearly acknowledged Xi Pei's status in the Xi family, and Tang Yan knew when to seize the moment, immediately agreeing.

"Alright, Father."

With that, everyone headed to the dining room for dinner.

Watching the newlywed couple walking hand in hand, Xi Yan's eyes flickered with a stormy intensity. From what the old man said earlier, it seemed he had accepted Xi Pei's place in the family, which was not the outcome Xi Yan desired.

After all, Xi Pei was just an illegitimate child. How could he possibly compare to the legitimate eldest son of the Xi family?

However, Tang Li was an unexpected variable. Rumor had it that Miss Tang was usually spoiled and arrogant. Logically, upon discovering she had married an illegitimate son, she should have been furious. Yet, her behavior today surprised Xi Yan.

Originally, he intended for Xi Pei to offend the Tang family, but now it seemed his plan had backfired.

...

Perhaps due to Xi Chuyang's earlier remarks, no one troubled Xi Pei and Tang Yan during the meal.

Once they returned, the first thing Tang Yan did was confront Xi Pei.

"I know now that you're not Xi Pei, but the other son of the Xi family, right?"

Seeing him nod, Tang Yan shrugged and straightforwardly admitted, "Actually, I'm not Tang Li either. I'm her half-sister, Tang Yan."

This finally caused a flicker of emotion on Xi Pei's usually impassive face. His deep, dark eyes quietly fixed on Tang Yan as he slowly repeated her name.

"Tang Yan?"

"That's right. Like you, I was sent in place of Tang Li to marry into the family. The Xi family doesn't know about this."

Originally, Tang Li had instructed her to keep this secret from the Xi family at all costs. But now, she felt it didn't matter anymore. After all, the Xi family had also swapped someone without notice. What grounds did they have to hold the Tang family accountable?

Xi Pei didn't speak immediately, instead pondering the truth of her words. It didn't take long for him to believe her, given everything Tang Yan had done today.

"So, is that why you've been standing up for me in the Xi family?"