Chapter 426

First Volume, Chapter 426: Will You Marry Me?

The serving maids in the back courtyard wisely left, leaving only Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er in the vast empty space.

Although there were matchmakers' words and Xie Yun'er had long been familiar with Qin Feng, this was their first time alone together like this.

Xie Yun'er felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest, her breathing quickening along with it.

Especially when she recalled how Qin Feng had beaten the Imperial Prince for her, she felt as if her whole body were burning.

At this moment, Xie Yun'er had none of her usual arrogance and capriciousness; she was as nervous as an untried maiden.

Xie Yun'er stole a glance at Qin Feng and found his sneaky eyes constantly stealing glances toward her private chamber.

Instantly more flustered, she cleared her throat lightly, and Qin Feng finally pulled himself together.

Qin Feng grinned, masking his embarrassment, and stared at Xie Yun'er so close: "Yun'er, you've been wronged."

"Even though the Qin family has moved entirely to Beixi County, as long as I remain in Jingdu, you need not fear for the safety of the Xie family!"

This time, Xie Yun'er narrowly escaped death because she took the blame for the Qin family; Qin Feng was filled with guilt. Moreover, from Jing Qianying, he learned that after the Imperial Guard dragged her out of the city gate, she never uttered a word, refusing to cooperate no matter how they threatened her. Clearly, Xie Yun'er had already considered herself part of the Qin family—even before marrying in.

Qin Feng silently vowed to repay Xie Yun'er.

And this step was naturally to make up for past debts.

Qin Feng seized Xie Yun'er's small hand; the gesture made her body jerk in shock, yet she did not pull away.

Although Qin Feng was a scholar, even after special training from Li Lang and Jing Qianying, he was still a weakling—had Xie Yun'er wished, two moves would have forced him to kneel and call her sister.

Yet this scholar's hand was so hot and firm, leaving Xie Yun'er utterly tense.

"Y-you… what exactly are you trying to say?"

Xie Yun'er's voice was barely audible, no louder than a mosquito's hum.

Watching the once ferocious tigress now so docile, Qin Feng felt a surge of joy and immediately declared: "After the National War ends, will you marry me?"

At these words, Xie Yun'er's body trembled again.

Although the Qin and Xie families had long been betrothed, this marriage had always felt distant, even unreal, to Xie Yun'er.

Now, hearing Qin Feng say it outright, she suddenly felt the wedding was within reach, as if right before her eyes.

Xie Yun'er's breathing quickened, her cheeks flushed hot; gathering courage, she glanced at Qin Feng, then immediately lowered her head and whispered: "Y-you… what are you talking about? Aren't we already betrothed?"

"We're only missing the ceremony. Besides, Beixi County's finances are strained, and we must concentrate our strength against the Northern Di army. Rather than waste money on lavish celebrations, it's better to save funds and channel them into the war effort."

Hearing this, Qin Feng found it unbelievable.

Why had he never noticed Xie Yun'er was so sensible before?

Qin Feng silently cursed himself—what had he missed until now?

Qin Feng tightened his grip on Xie Yun'er's hand, gazing at her shy, blushing expression—so adorable—and took a deep breath, speaking firmly: "Everything can be saved, but the ceremony cannot. Since you are my Qin family's Young Madam, you will be married to me in an eight-litter palanquin, with proper matchmakers and formal rites!"

Xie Yun'er bit her thin lips and nodded like a chick pecking grain: "As you wish."

Unbelievable!

Truly unbelievable!

This tigress Qin Feng had so feared had such a docile side behind closed doors!

Qin Feng's courage swelled; he glanced sideways at the chamber and whispered low: "Since you'll listen to me on everything, I have one request."

"You know the Qin family is now just an empty shell—only my father and I remain. We two spend our days staring at each other, utterly boring."

"How about, starting today, I move in here to live with you?"

The shy, blushing Xie Yun'er's face instantly fell; she snatched her hand back, glared fiercely at Qin Feng, and spat: "You shameless lecher! Your fox tail's finally showing—I knew you had no good intentions!"

Xie Yun'er grabbed Qin Feng's shoulder and threatened: "I advise you to forget this idea. Your Qin family may have no honor, but mine still does!"

"Get out of here!"

Xie Yun'er kicked and slapped, chasing Qin Feng running all over the courtyard.

Qin Feng cursed inwardly—just moments ago they were tender and heartfelt, now she turned on him like this—what kind of person is she?

As Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er scrambled around the courtyard, on the other side of the wall, Xie Bi leaned against it, listening to the laughter and scolding inside, a look of quiet satisfaction crossing his aged face.

In Xie Bi's heart, the Qin-Xie alliance had always been merely a product of imperial politics.

In the end, Xie Yun'er was just a sacrifice.

He had only one daughter—how could he bear it? He feared she'd suffer later, but after hearing their earlier conversation and seeing Qin Feng's decisive beating of the Sixth Prince to defend her, Xie Bi finally revealed the deep smile of a father.

At least it proved Xie Yun'er's marriage into the Qin family was an utterly correct choice.

But as Xie Bi left the back courtyard and headed toward the front, his smile vanished, his expression growing stern, even cold.

The Sixth Prince's harassment of Xie Yun'er, nearly costing his beloved daughter her life, would not be easily forgiven!

The fire of vengeance burned fiercely in Xie Bi's eyes.

As Marquis of Ning, to be treated like grass and cannon fodder—how could this stand?

On the other side, Qin Feng, though unable to stay at the Xie residence, at least stayed for dinner; by the time he returned to the Qin Residence, it was already the third watch.

Since the Qin family's relocation, the density of military patrols in Jingdu had clearly increased.

The Liang Emperor had evidently learned from his mistake, fearing court ministers would follow suit by relocating their Jia Guan (hostages) out of Jingdu, thus cutting off his supply lines.

The City Patrol Bureau's soldiers, seeing Qin Feng stroll back with his hands behind his back, dared not question him—after all, a large group of Imperial Guard accompanied him.

Back at the Qin Residence, Qin Feng shut the door.

The Qin Residence now had almost no servants; temporary ones had not yet been hired.

The vast Qin Residence held only Qin Feng and Qin Tianhu, two bare commanders.

Qin Feng was perfectly content with the quiet; he ordered the Imperial Guard to form a platoon, hands behind their backs, pacing back and forth, their eyes gleaming with a chillingly cunning look.