Chapter Twelve: Your Highness, It’s Time to Marry

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Luo Zefeng turned to stare at the tightly closed door, then left in a fury.

The two maids in the courtyard were likewise infuriated by the Luo family’s attitude. Thinking of Luo Yunqiao inside, they limped into the bedchamber.

“Miss…”

When Luo Yunqiao looked up, she saw the worry in their eyes, and warmth immediately filled her heart.

In this vast marquis’s residence, perhaps these two maids were the only ones who truly cared for her.

“Miss, the Second Young Master has gone too far. You are clearly the eldest daughter of the Luo family—how could he treat you like this…” As she spoke, Yinxin’s tears fell in great drops.

Jinxin stood beside her, heartbroken.

Hearing this, Luo Yunqiao smiled and took both their hands. “You were punished today, so rest properly tomorrow. As for the affairs among the masters of the marquis’s residence, do not concern yourselves with them. Under no circumstances should you get yourselves involved.”

“But, Miss, the Marquis, Madam, and both Young Masters all favor Miss Yunzhen. If you are truly recorded as the Second Young Miss, what will become of you?” Yinxin’s eyes reddened with distress.

Their miss was the true legitimate daughter of the marquis’s household. The position of eldest daughter had always belonged to her.

Yet, absurdly, every master of this residence seemed blind and heartless. They would rather dote on some wild girl of unknown origin than even spare a glance for their own flesh and blood.

“All right, you two little girls, stop worrying. Even if you fret over it, you cannot change the course of these matters. If they truly insist on making me the Second Young Miss and refuse to give me justice, then I shall leave this residence and make my own way in the world!” Luo Yunqiao said with a smile, unconcerned.

She had grown to adulthood outside these walls without relying on the marquis’s household. Why should she suddenly be afraid to make a living on her own after spending only a few days here? There was no reason for that.

Jinxin and Yinxin exchanged a glance, both looking troubled.

“Then this servant will leave with you!” Yinxin said after a moment’s hesitation. “A young lady always needs someone to attend her. Let this servant go with you and serve you.”

“This servant…” Jinxin hesitated, unsure how to continue.

“What are you thinking? You are not coming with me!” Luo Yunqiao made them both sit down. They had knelt for two hours, and their knees must have been aching terribly. If they remained standing, would their legs survive?

“Making a living outside is not easy. Both of you have family members serving in the marquis’s residence. Can you truly bear to leave your parents and elder brothers, who cherish you?” Luo Yunqiao looked at them with amusement.

After comforting the two maids a little longer, Luo Yunqiao sent them back to rest.

As the door closed, the smile vanished from her eyes. She let out a nearly imperceptible sigh.

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Elsewhere, Xiao Muyuan had just returned to the prince’s residence when the steward came forward to greet him.

“Your Highness, as you instructed, this servant has already delivered the medicinal ointment to Miss Luo.” Li Sheng reported what he had encountered at the Luo residence. “Oh, when this servant arrived, Miss Luo looked absolutely wretched—tut, tut, tut.”

Xiao Muyuan did not respond. He lifted his teacup and took a sip to moisten his throat.

Seeing that he received no reaction, Li Sheng smiled and continued, “When this servant went there, Miss Luo seemed to be in rather poor health. She was leaning against her maid the entire time.”

“Was she not more or less treated by Physician Lin on the road? In theory, she should not be so weak. And that Luo family—tut, tut, tut. In all this servant’s years, I have never seen a family that cares so little for its own flesh and blood, yet dotes on an impostor instead!”

He spoke with utter disdain written across his face.

Xiao Muyuan glanced at him. There was no need to be quite so theatrical.

After finishing, Li Sheng looked at Xiao Muyuan with an expression that clearly said he had something to say but did not know how to begin.

Xiao Muyuan picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth. Li Sheng glanced at him again and again.

Xiao Muyuan took another sip of tea. Li Sheng continued to stare at him, visibly bursting to speak.

…

In the end, Xiao Muyuan surrendered. “If you have something to say, say it directly. Stop making that face at me.”

At once, Li Sheng brightened. “Your Highness, look—you are already twenty-three this year and still unmarried. The children of several princes your age are practically grown already. When are you going to marry a princess consort?”

“Back then, Her Highness the Dowager Consort took this servant in and ordered me to serve you. Now that you are twenty-three and still unmarried, how am I supposed to answer to Her Highness in the afterlife?”

Xiao Muyuan pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.

Li Sheng was a man his mother had left behind for him. He was loyal and highly dependable, but also far too bold. Relying on his long-standing affection with his mother and the fact that he had grown up alongside Xiao Muyuan, he caused trouble for him day after day.

“Enough!” Xiao Muyuan interrupted. “Which young lady have you taken a liking to this time?”

“Oh, it is not someone I took a liking to. Is it not because you have been paying attention to that young lady from the Luo family lately?” Li Sheng lazily waved the horsetail whisk in his hand.

“All these years, while serving at your side, this servant has never seen you show the slightest interest in any young lady. The fact that you have taken notice of Miss Luo is a good thing. Why not…”

“Pfft…”

Lin Zhou could not help laughing aloud at those words.

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Xiao Muyuan shot him a murderous glare. Lin Zhou immediately covered his mouth and begged for mercy, though the mouth hidden behind his hand remained stretched wide in laughter.

Seeing this, Xiao Muyuan was somewhat helpless.

“I have no improper intentions toward that young lady from the Luo family. Do not make mischief and ruin the girl’s reputation.” Xiao Muyuan sounded resigned. “Enough. You may leave and attend to your duties.”

“Before Her Highness the Dowager Consort passed away, she ordered this servant to make absolutely certain that you married. You are old enough now; you must not delay any longer!”

Xiao Muyuan simply held his teacup and sipped at the tea in silence.

Li Sheng sighed helplessly. Whenever the subject of marriage arose, it always ended in silence. He was already accustomed to it.

“Then this servant will take his leave. Do give serious thought to marriage!” With that, Li Sheng withdrew.

Lin Zhou watched him leave, then lifted his own teacup and took a gentle sip.

“I think Li Sheng is right. You are no longer young. It is time you married.”

“Are you feeling too idle lately? Do you want me to find you something to do?” Xiao Muyuan’s tone was calm, yet carried a faint hint of menace.

Seeing how sensitive he was, Lin Zhou gave a soft laugh. Then he sighed. “The people who made contact with that force connected to the incident involving your mother and younger sister back then seem to have had ties to the Luo family. Even if they were not members of the Luo family themselves, they were at least people capable of making use of its influence. Your dealings with the Luo family were therefore destined to be unavoidable.”

As he spoke, Lin Zhou placed a white stone on the unfinished chessboard before them, and the game immediately became even more enigmatic.

Jing’an Marquis Residence.

Luo Yunqiao stood behind the writing desk practicing calligraphy, while Yinxin ground ink beside her.

She had originally intended to rest for a day, but who would have thought the girl would refuse to rest for even a moment and insist on coming along to serve her?

“Miss, Miss Yunzhen has arrived and wishes to see you.”

A young maid hurried in, gave a rushed curtsy, and reported the matter.

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