The border retreat looked far from habitable. Dull walls, a courtyard choked with weeds, and a wooden door that creaked loudly whenever it was pushed open all emphasized how long this place had been forgotten.
A-Man let out a heavy sigh and rolled up his sleeves. "Miss, this place is filthy. You should rest in the inner room. Pak Kusir and I will clean the hall."
"Don't go to so much trouble," Qingyan cut in quickly as she brushed dust from a stone garden bench. "A-Man, you and Pak Kusir should go to the nearest market or village now. Find four or five honest, hardworking female servants to help us here."
"But, Miss... leaving you alone with this strange man..." A-Man glanced hesitantly at the 'pregnant woman,' who had now removed her veil.
"Don't worry. He won't be able to cause any trouble," Qingyan replied confidently. "Go."
After A-Man and Pak Kusir left, the courtyard of the retreat fell silent. Qingyan gestured for the man to sit on the stone garden chair, then reached for his wrist without asking permission and checked his pulse.
The man tensed briefly, but allowed Qingyan's delicate fingers to press against his pulse point.
"Amazing," Qingyan murmured, raising her brows in astonishment. "You've only been treated for a few days, yet your pulse is already this strong. Your internal injuries are healing incredibly quickly. People with great physical strength and martial arts training really are different."
The man slowly pulled his hand away, then lowered his head slightly, his expression solemn. "Miss... thank you very much. You saved my life, treated my injuries, and protected me from pursuers throughout this journey. I will never forget your kindness."
Qingyan leaned back against the stone chair and gave him a faint smile. "You're welcome. But remember... there are no free lunches in this world, Muscle Man. My medical treatment and protection naturally come at a price."
The man chuckled softly, assuming that Qingyan was merely asking for money. "How much gold or silver do you want? Just name the amount. I'll pay you once I've finished dealing with my affairs."
"I don't need your gold or silver," Qingyan replied casually, staring straight into his eyes. "I want... you to marry me."
"WHAT?!"
The man jolted in shock, nearly rising from his seat, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Are you crazy?! We've only known each other for a few days! Marriage isn't a game, Miss! There has to be parental consent, a matchmaker, and proper formalities! Besides... we're from different castes. You're the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, while I—"
"Enough," Qingyan interrupted with a crisp, mocking laugh. "How much longer are you going to keep pretending to be beneath me... General?"
The shocked expression on the man's face instantly froze. The air around them suddenly seemed to grow colder.
Qingyan propped her chin on one hand and fixed the man with an intimidating stare. "The Grand General of the Northern Border Army... and the biological son of the most feared King Feiyang. Am I right, Prince?"
SWISH!
A movement as fast as lightning flashed before them. Before Qingyan could even blink, the man had already leaped forward. A small, cold black-steel dagger was now pressed tightly against the veins in Qingyan's neck!
The man's thumb pressed against Qingyan's shoulder, unleashing an overwhelming murderous aura. His sharp, eagle-like eyes stared at Qingyan without mercy.
"When did you learn my identity?!" the man hissed in an extremely dangerous low voice. "Who are you really?! And what was your purpose in helping me from the beginning?!"
In the magnificent Marquis Residence, the sandalwood-scented study was utterly tranquil. Morning sunlight streamed through the carved window slats, illuminating a handsome young man with a cold expression as he diligently examined a stack of military documents spread across his large desk.
Lu Cangfeng—the sole heir to the Marquis title—looked imposing in his dark blue silk robe.
The wooden study door was gently pushed open. Madam Marquis—Cangfeng's biological mother—stepped inside with a warm smile, carrying a tray with a cup of hot tea and a small plate of sweet rice cakes.
"Cangfeng," his mother called softly as she set the tray down in the corner of the desk. "Are you still busy reviewing the border reports?"
"Mother." Cangfeng stopped his brush and gave a brief, respectful bow. "There are several military reports that need to be completed immediately."
Madam Marquis sat in the wooden chair across from her son, gazing lovingly at Cangfeng's stern face. But before long, her expression turned slightly melancholy.
"Cangfeng... I want to have a serious talk with you," Madam Marquis said quietly. "When exactly will your marriage to Qingyan take place?"
Cangfeng let out a faint sigh, then dipped his brush back into the ink. "Mother, why are you bringing that up again all of a sudden?"
"I had a dream last night," Madam Marquis whispered, her eyes glistening with tears. "I dreamed I met Madam First Lin—the biological mother of Qingyan. In the dream, she was crying and looked deeply worried about the condition of her only daughter. I can't shake the feeling... it's a sign from the afterlife telling us to hurry and bring Qingyan home and protect her."
"Mother, it was only a meaningless dream," Cangfeng replied in a flat, reluctant tone. "My political position in the government isn't completely stable yet. There are still many factions in the imperial court targeting me. We can discuss this marriage later, once all the military affairs have settled down."
"Later until when?!"
A deep, authoritative voice cut in from the doorway. The Senior Marquis—Cangfeng's father—stepped inside with his hands on his hips and a stern expression.
"Father." Cangfeng straightened.
"Your mother is right, Cangfeng!" the Senior Marquis declared, fixing his son with a sharp look. "Your betrothal to Prime Minister Lin's legitimate daughter was arranged when the two of you were still in the womb! There is no reason to keep delaying it!"
The Senior Marquis stepped closer and slapped his hand on Cangfeng's desk. "Besides, you need to think rationally and strategically. Becoming Prime Minister Lin's son-in-law will greatly benefit your career and political standing in the imperial court in the future! The military and civil factions will unite behind you. You won't lose anything at all!"
Cangfeng clenched his fingers beneath his sleeves. He hated it when marriage was used as a political transaction, especially since he had heard rumors that Lin Qingyan was a weak and timid girl.
Before Cangfeng could respond to his father's pressure, the hurried pounding of footsteps rang loudly through the corridor outside.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
A trusted guard of the residence came running without the slightest concern for etiquette and dropped to his knees at the threshold, panting heavily with a deathly pale face.
"My Lord! Young Master!" the guard cried out in panic.
The Senior Marquis furrowed his brows and scolded him harshly. "How dare you! Why are you running around the residence like you've been possessed?!"
"F-Forgive me, My Lord!" The guard wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling violently. "There is major and extremely urgent news from the Prime Minister's Residence in the capital!"
Cangfeng looked up, his stern brows drawing together. "What happened?"