"So, Miss, why did you tie me up?" Xiao Qin vaguely guessed, waiting for Xiang Huan'er to confirm it for him.
"I like you!" Xiang Huan'er said with a smile, "Didn't I say so from the beginning?"
"The Duke of Lu will not agree." The Duke of Lu has always maintained neutrality. This is a matter of principle and he will definitely not allow Xiang Huan'er to act recklessly.
Xiang Huan'er poured a cup of tea and handed it to Xiao Qin: "My father will support my actions. After all, at this time, no one can stay out of it. Sometimes the way to protect oneself is to hide oneself in murky waters, making it impossible for people to see the truth."
Xiao Qin suddenly remembered what his master had said: the young lady from the Duke of Lu's mansion was not simple. She seemed reckless and ignorant of social graces, but she was actually very shrewd.
Xiao Qin took the tea and took a sip: "Isn't it too risky for Miss to find just anyone to marry?"
"How can it be just anyone?" Xiang Huan'er said with a smile, "You are a retainer of the Prince of Chu, yet you are on good terms with the Prince of Qi and have connections with the Prince of Qin. In such a situation, there are only two possibilities. First, you are the Prince of Chu's person, and you are helping the Prince of Chu contact other princes to do something. Think carefully, what the princes want is nothing more than the throne. If the princes join forces, the person they want to deal with is probably the Crown Prince."
Xiao Qin's expression remained unchanged, but he couldn't help but praise inwardly, she was indeed intelligent, even surpassing many men.
"What's the other possibility?"
"Another possibility is that you do not belong to any prince. Your master is hiding behind the scenes, provoking disputes among the princes. I can't figure out the specific reason for now, but he should be trying to support one of the princes to ascend to the throne."
Xiao Qin couldn't help but laugh, his smile full of admiration: "Miss truly has a heart of exquisite intelligence."
"Now, let's talk about marrying me."
"Miss, you misspoke. It should be me marrying into the Duke of Lu's mansion." Xiao Qin said slowly, "However, I am just a commoner with no official title, I fear it will be a hardship for Miss."
Xiang Huan'er's eyes changed: "Marrying me, don't you feel wronged? After all, I am fat and ugly."
"I like plump girls." Xiao Qin said slowly, "Miss is precisely the type I like."
Xiang Huan'er's eyes lit up with a smile: "It seems I didn't misjudge you!"
The Duke of Lu's daughter kidnapped the Prince of Chu's retainer and forced him to marry her. Not only did the Duke of Lu not stop her, but he also used his power to suppress them, demanding that they marry his daughter!
"This Duke of Lu is too indulgent of his daughter. She's as fat as a pig, her weight alone could crush someone to death, yet she has the audacity to come and force a marriage!"
"This Prince of Chu isn't taking a stand either. He is a prince, a royal highness, and he actually allows a duke's daughter to barge into his mansion and kidnap his retainer."
"Who would dare to be his retainer after this... Look quickly, it's the Prince of Chu, the Prince of Chu is personally going to the Duke of Lu's mansion."
Nangong Yan personally went to the Duke of Lu's mansion, naturally to demand the return of his retainer. He came after a night, which was also part of his plan. However, he did not expect the news to spread so quickly. Within a short period, everyone in the capital knew that the Duke of Lu's daughter had stormed into the Prince of Chu's mansion and kidnapped his retainer.
"A rare visitor, a rare visitor. Your Highness, the Prince of Chu, gracing us with your presence indeed brings honor to this humble abode." The Duke of Lu smiled peacefully, "Your Highness, please."
The Prince of Chu's expression was calm: "Duke, you are too kind. I have come today to claim my retainer, Mr. Xiao Qin."
"My little daughter is unruly and admires Mr. Xiao's elegance. Her methods were somewhat improper in bringing him back to the Duke's mansion. I was just about to send him back, when unexpectedly Your Highness came in person. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
"I wish to see Mr. Xiao."
"Your Highness, please." The Duke of Lu led the Prince of Chu to the courtyard where Xiao Qin was resting.
When the Prince of Chu arrived, he happened to see Xiao Qin and Xiang Huan'er conversing joyfully. A smile flashed in his eyes. As expected of Mr. Xiao, he understood his intentions. However, dealing with the Duke of Lu might be difficult. If he could win over Xiang Huan'er, given the Duke of Lu's fondness for his daughter, he would surely yield.
"Mr. Xiao."
"Your Highness." Xiao Qin immediately rose to salute, and Xiang Huan'er followed suit.
"Miss Xiang, you took advantage of my absence to kidnap my retainer. Is that not too rude?" Nangong Yan said gently, his reprimanding words still spoken with great tenderness.
"I beg Your Highness, the Prince of Chu, to forgive me. I was indeed impolite. I apologize to Your Highness and to Mr. Xiao." Xiang Huan'er quickly apologized, "Your Highness, please forgive me this time, I will never dare to do it again!"
"If Mr. Xiao is willing to forgive Miss Xiang, I will naturally not pursue the matter. Mr. Xiao, are you alright?"
"Thank you for Your Highness's concern, I am fine. Miss Xiang is indeed hospitable, she has been treating me to good food and drink." Xiao Qin glanced at the Duke of Lu again, "The Duke of Lu is also quite hospitable."
"In that case, I trouble the Duke for his care. I shall take my man back now."
"It is my duty, it is my duty..."
"Father!" Xiang Huan'er immediately disagreed, "He cannot leave!"
The Prince of Chu looked at Xiang Huan'er, a little perplexed: "Miss Xiang, why can he not leave?"
"He... he..." Xiang Huan'er stammered, her face flushing red. After a moment, she gritted her teeth, "He and I have already had physical contact, and he must take responsibility. He cannot leave!"
The Prince of Chu looked at Xiao Qin, somewhat surprised. Mr. Xiao was indeed a practical man: "Sir, is what she says true?"
Xiao Qin frowned slightly, and after a long time, slowly nodded, his expression somewhat indescribable.
The Prince of Chu immediately understood. This Xiang Huan'er had always been bold and acted without considering the consequences. After this night, she had actually succeeded. It was not in vain that he had specifically given them a night.
"Huan'er, do not speak nonsense."
"Father, your daughter is not speaking nonsense. Last night... last night we slept together!"
The Duke of Lu's expression changed several times, then he looked at the Prince of Chu: "Your Highness, the Prince of Chu, I only have this one daughter. This matter, I fear Your Highness will need to give me an explanation."
"Mr. Xiao, you... how could you..." The Prince of Chu looked like he was disappointed in his protégé, "Since Sir does not deny this matter, then should you not take responsibility?"
"I... am willing to take responsibility!" Xiao Qin said through gritted teeth, looking like he had been wronged. The Prince of Chu's eyes were full of laughter, but his face was stern.
"Duke of Lu, Mr. Xiao Qin is willing to take responsibility, and I will also bear my responsibility. How about this, I will grant Mr. Xiao a residence and find a way to give him an official rank. With his talent and ability, he will surely rise to prominence and will not tarnish Miss Xiang's status. What do you think, Duke?"
"I do not agree." The Duke of Lu said slowly, "I only have this precious daughter, and I cannot bear to let her marry out. Since he is alone anyway, let him marry into the Duke of Lu's mansion."