When Qin Zeyan clearly saw that it was Xiao Man climbing in through the window, he was also somewhat shocked. He immediately put down the candle holder and relit the flame. Seeing that Xiao Man was still stuck in the window, he quickly helped her down.
"Why would the eldest miss come at this late hour?"
"If I came in broad daylight, then everyone in the imperial capital would know tomorrow that the General's Mansion's eldest miss used her status to bully and force the newly appointed top scholar into marriage with the General's Mansion," Xiao Man said, rubbing her forehead which had been hit.
Qin Zeyan saw that Xiao Man's forehead was red and wanted to check if she was injured. His hand reached out halfway, then retracted. He quickly opened the door and stood outside.
"What are you doing?"
"Although you and I are engaged, we are not yet married. It would be detrimental to your reputation for an unmarried man and woman to be in the same room. I will speak to you from outside," Qin Zeyan said quickly, with his back to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man was stunned by Qin Zeyan's actions and was speechless for a long time. Then she heard Qin Zeyan continue, "The first drawer of the cabinet on the left has medicine. Take it out and apply it yourself. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you. I thought..."
"You thought I was a female ghost luring scholars to harm your life?" Xiao Man reached out and opened the cabinet. Indeed, there was medicine inside. It was useless anyway, as her skin wasn't broken. "I've come to discuss something with you. How can we discuss it if you stand outside?"
"Eldest miss, just say what you need to say. I can hear you."
Xiao Man sighed, "Our engagement..."
"Eldest miss, please rest assured. Zeyan's word is his bond. I promised to enter your family through marriage, and I will never go back on my word," Qin Zeyan interrupted, knowing that Xiao Man was different from other women. Otherwise, she wouldn't have ridden alone into the bandit's lair to save him from danger. He just hadn't expected Xiao Man to seek him out so late at night. If they were seen, it would damage her reputation.
"No, I mean, it was just a joke back then, you don't need to take it seriously!" Xiao Man quickly explained. She didn't want to ruin such a fine young man who had studied diligently for ten years, only to become a live-in son-in-law because of her joke, abandoning his bright future to stay at home to manage the household and raise children.
Qin Zeyan did not answer immediately. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "For the eldest miss, it was just a joke. For Zeyan, it is a promise. If the eldest miss had not saved Zeyan from the bandit's lair back then, Zeyan would have long since become dust and bone. How could there be today's success in the imperial examinations? Everything I have is given to me by the eldest miss. I am willing to become a live-in son-in-law of the General's Mansion."
Xiao Man continued to persuade him, "If you marry into the General's Mansion, the Qin family will be without an heir. Your mother, resting in the afterlife, would not be happy."
"Eldest miss need not worry. Mother knows about this and also approves of my decision. It was also Mother's wish for me to seek you out after passing the imperial examinations. She did not want me to tarnish your name. I just didn't expect the eldest miss to have such a noble status. Even after passing the imperial examinations, I am still not worthy of the eldest miss."
"Nonsense. Since you came to the capital for the imperial examinations, you must have heard of my affairs. My reputation is not good, and people outside dislike me greatly. They will only say that I am not worthy of you."
"Eldest miss, please don't tease me." Qin Zeyan looked up at the dark night sky. "Back then, the eldest miss rode alone into the bandit's lair, which shows her bravery. She also dares to discipline the bullies in the imperial capital. I don't know the evaluation of you by the upper circles, but what I have heard are all praises from the common people, saying that you fear no authority and stand up for the people, that you have noble character and never oppress the common folk, that you are upright and kind, and always help the weak. The more I hear, the more I feel that I must be more outstanding and work harder to be worthy of you."
Xiao Man touched her face, "Am I as good as you say?"
"Yes," Qin Zeyan nodded without hesitation. "Every time I hear others praise the eldest miss, I feel honored and extremely fortunate."
"A live-in son-in-law is looked down upon."
"I am proud to be the eldest miss's live-in son-in-law," Qin Zeyan said shyly. "No matter what outsiders say or think of me, my original intention remains unchanged."
Xiao Man returned home dejected. She had intended to persuade Qin Zeyan not to take her joke seriously, but in the end, she was rendered speechless by Qin Zeyan's eloquent words.
As Xiao Man entered her room, dejected, she saw Nangong Yu sitting in her room, his face a mix of emotions.
Xiao Man poured herself a cup of tea and drank it in one gulp, then sighed and slumped onto the table, weakly asking, "Why is Your Highness here?"
"Since you didn't come to find me, I had to come find you myself." Nangong Yu glanced at the clepsydra. It was midnight. Where had Xiao Man been so late?
Xiao Man remained slumped on the table, "Is there something?"
"My relationship with Luo Bingqing is pure and innocent, we have nothing to do with each other," Nangong Yu explained. "You are the only woman of mine."
"Mm, I know," Xiao Man replied lazily. Dazzled by Qin Zeyan's heroic words, she was still somewhat dazed. How could such a fine young man have been corrupted by her?
"Don't you want to say anything?" Nangong Yu's anger flared as he saw Xiao Man's listlessness. He had waited for her for an hour, and she returned without any explanation, instead acting absent-minded.
"Say what?" Xiao Man raised her head and looked at Nangong Yu, asking in confusion.
"Tell me about that fiancé of yours!" Nangong Yu's voice was outwardly calm, but heaven knew the storm raging in his heart.
"Oh, him." Xiao Man rubbed her head irritably. "I don't know where to start."
"So, it is true then."
Xiao Man nodded. "If he were a person of poor character, I could have used my authority to deny the marriage without hesitation. But he's not. He has a righteous character and a proper attitude, and I can't find any fault with him."
"So, you went to find Qin Zeyan this late at night." Nangong Yu's voice grew deeper, carrying a sense of impending danger.
Xiao Man subconsciously nodded. As soon as she nodded, Nangong Yu, sitting opposite her, suddenly appeared before her, lifting her up and pinning her against the wall.
"Xiao Man, you are testing my limits."
Xiao Man shivered, her eyes looking at Nangong Yu in astonishment. She had been with Nangong Yu for too long, so long that she had almost forgotten how dangerous this man was.
"His Highness Prince Qin..."
"You've addressed me incorrectly!" Nangong Yu's tone was icy. When he saw Yan Yuqing, he was angry, but not this angry, because he knew in his heart that Xiao Man and Yan Yuqing would have no relationship. But at this moment, he saw hesitation in Xiao Man's eyes, and it was for another man.