"Man'er, what on earth is going on?" Xiao Zhen asked, his head aching. The man had shown up with Xiao Man's jade token, claiming to be her fiancé. He still hadn't figured out what was happening.
"Father, I can explain this," she said.
"Perhaps I should explain?" Qin Zeyan, seeing Xiao Man’s hesitation, thought she was shy and spoke up immediately.
"No need, Father has a bad temper. It's better if I explain," Xiao Man's forehead beaded with cold sweat. Looking at her father's face, which was so dark it could drip water, she knew it was bad. How could she brush this off?
Veins bulged on Xiao Zhen's forehead. A bad temper? How could he *not* have a bad temper? A man had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be his beloved daughter's fiancé. It would be a miracle if he *didn't* lose his temper!
"Young Master Qin, what is your relationship with Man'er?" Wen Mohan asked calmly. Marrying into the family as a son-in-law, and at this particular moment? In the capital, there were no shortage of people wanting to marry Xiao Man or become a son-in-law in the General's mansion. Was this man also trying to take advantage of the situation?
Qin Zeyan bowed before speaking, "I am the Eldest Miss's fiancé."
"Fiancé? Who decided that?"
"The Eldest Miss."
"Lies! Marriage is a serious matter, decreed by parents and arranged by matchmakers. It cannot be treated as child's play!" Wen Mohan rebuked. "Young Master Qin, you had best think carefully before you speak. A woman's reputation is very important."
Qin Zeyan was also worried about Xiao Man's reputation. However, a true man's word, once spoken, cannot be taken back. He secretly glanced at Xiao Man, and seeing that she wasn't angry, breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Eldest Miss of the Xiao family saved my life, Zeyan's life. When she saved me, she commanded me to pledge myself to her in marriage, to become a son-in-law in her household. As I have an elderly mother to care for, I agreed. Once my mother passes on, I would come to fulfill my promise."
"Young Master Qin, do you know that marrying into a family is looked down upon? Once you marry in, you must bear the responsibility of managing the household."
"A man should repay kindness and keep his word. If one forgets their debt and their promises simply because they are looked down upon for marrying into a family, then they are no different from beasts."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhen finally looked at Qin Zeyan properly. When this man had shown up with Xiao Man's jade token, declaring himself her fiancé, Xiao Zhen had assumed he was a shameless scoundrel trying to tarnish his daughter's name. It turned out his own daughter had brought this upon them.
"Steward Lu, prepare a guest room for Young Master Qin," Xiao Zhen decided immediately. "Please stay at the General's mansion temporarily, Young Master Qin. As for the matter between you and Man'er, we will discuss it at length."
Qin Zeyan bowed immediately. "Thank you, General. For the Eldest Miss's reputation, Zeyan cannot stay in the General's mansion. I have only come today to meet the Eldest Miss and discuss the matter of becoming a son-in-law. Once everything is settled, I will enter the household. Zeyan bids farewell."
"Where will you stay?" Xiao Man asked.
"Number sixty-seven, Yongxiang Street," Qin Zeyan replied softly. "I've rented a courtyard there. Though it's humble, it's clean. Eldest Miss need not worry about me having nowhere to go. Zeyan bids farewell. If the matter is settled, Eldest Miss can send a servant to find me."
"Wait," Nangong Yi called out to Qin Zeyan.
"Your Highness Prince Qi, do you have any other instructions?" Qin Zeyan asked, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Are you marrying into the General's mansion to climb the social ladder, to seek rapid advancement?"
Qin Zeyan frowned slightly upon hearing this. "When Zeyan learned of the Eldest Miss's identity, I was quite shocked. I never expected she would be of such noble status. Indeed, it does seem like I might be trying to climb the social ladder and rely on her."
"To put it plainly, you want to use Xiao Man to achieve your own goals."
Qin Zeyan immediately looked at Xiao Man. Seeing her expression was calm, he walked in front of her and smiled shyly. "I thought you were merely the daughter of an ordinary official's family, and planned to seek you out after achieving fame through examinations. Who knew I would unexpectedly learn that you are the Eldest Miss of the Protector General's mansion? My status as a 'Tanhualang' (third-ranked scholar) indeed falls short."
"I know your true nature is kind and you have no intention of using me."
Qin Zeyan's face blushed slightly. "Since I've decided to fulfill my promise, I am naturally not afraid of others saying I'm climbing the social ladder or relying on you. If Madam dislikes me pursuing officialdom, I will resign from my post, tend to your needs, manage the household affairs, raise our children at home, and everything will be centered around you."
Xiao Man chuckled upon hearing this. "Tend to my needs? Can you cook?"
"Before I decided to come and fulfill my promise, Zeyan thought about what would be necessary. Therefore, I specifically learned cooking, needlework, and household management. Madam can rest assured, Zeyan will surely be able to fulfill the duties of a son-in-law."
Xiao Man's laughter died. Her casual remark back then, and he had taken it seriously and was actually carrying it out. What a good man, almost ruined by her.
"A man's ambition lies in exploring the world, how can he be confined to the inner court?" Nangong Yi interjected. "This is you relying on her."
"Isn't marrying into a family as a son-in-law exactly that?" Qin Zeyan said earnestly. "Even if I am relying on her, I will do my utmost to manage the household well while also increasing the family's income and reducing the Eldest Miss's burden."
Nangong Yi glared at Qin Zeyan. Relying on her, and you say it so righteously? Don't you have any masculine pride left? Resigning to stay in the inner court and raise children, that's laughable!
"You justify relying on her!"
Qin Zeyan's smile remained pure. "I also think relying on her is not good, but there is no other way. The Eldest Miss insisted I rely on her, and I could not refuse."
Nangong Yi was furious. "Xiao Man, what do you see in this fellow?"
"I... I don't know..." Xiao Man appeared very innocent. After all, it was the former Xiao Man who had fancied him, not her. However, this fellow's disposition suited her tastes well.
"After all, this concerns your lifelong happiness, you cannot be rash," Wen Mohan advised gently. "You are now also the Princess Yongning, personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. Your marriage will likely require His Majesty's consent."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. "Young Master Qin."
"Zeyan."
"Alright, Zeyan, you should return to your residence first. After I discuss this matter with Father, I will inform you of the outcome, is that acceptable?"
Qin Zeyan nodded obediently and bid farewell.
"Your Highness Prince Qi, Minister Wen, we have family matters to attend to, so we will not be keeping you any longer."
"Farewell."
As soon as the two left, Xiao Man immediately shrank behind Steward Lu and hid. "Father, I can explain this! It's truly a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding? He showed up with your jade token, how could it be a misunderstanding?"
Xiao Man poked her head out. "This is truly a misunderstanding. Daughter was just speaking in jest back then. Who knew that blockhead would actually take it seriously and come here to become a son-in-law."