A warm breeze blew past, making Xiao Zhixuan’s heart sway and ripple like the lake water. The masculine scent constantly brushing against her face, along with that restless hand on her waist, made her face flush red. But she still maintained the stubbornness of a marquis manor’s young lady in her heart, refusing to show defeat before this man. So she slapped away the hand embracing her, quickly turned around, pressed her rapidly beating heart, and said: “But I don’t like you!”

Xia Qing just smiled indifferently and moved close to her again: “Not liking me now doesn’t matter. We’ll have plenty of time to cultivate feelings later. Once Third Miss knows my good points, I’m afraid you won’t want to leave my side even for half a step.”

Xiao Zhixuan hadn’t expected this man to be so thick-skinned, so she glanced at him sideways and snorted lightly: “But I like refined gentlemen, not martial men who fight and kill all day.”

Xia Qing bent slightly at the waist, forcing Xiao Zhixuan to retreat two more steps, then said slowly: “That’s because Third Miss is still young and can’t distinguish between good and bad men. Those weak scholars can’t carry loads or lift things – how could they protect their wives and children? Moreover…” His gaze circled around her body as he smiled wickedly: “I can guarantee that they’re definitely not as useful as this martial man like me in certain situations.”

Xiao Zhixuan was stunned, then understood the meaning in his words, so her face reddened again uncontrollably. But she refused to admit defeat, so she lifted her chin and looked directly at him without flinching: “But I’ve heard that those things, when used too much, become useless. Uncle Xia has a house full of concubines – I’m afraid you’re already beyond your capabilities.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Xia Qing’s eyes, then he reached out to gently pinch her chin, his thin lips close to her ear as he whispered: “Third Miss can rest assured – on our wedding night, you’ll naturally know whether I’m capable or not.”

The wicked words blew hot air straight into her ear. Xiao Zhixuan was ultimately an inexperienced young girl. Though her mouth remained stubborn, her body had gone completely soft. She felt heat throughout her body and hurriedly retreated in panic, wanting to quickly distance herself from this man. Who knew her foot would slip, sending her falling backward toward the lake.

Fortunately, a pair of large hands quickly caught her and pulled her into his embrace. But Xiao Zhixuan felt this man’s aggressive aura was more frightening than falling into the lake water. She immediately struggled frantically with hands and feet, but how could her little strength break free from Xia Qing’s restraint?

Worse still, he freed one hand to grip her small face, then slowly lowered his own face. Xiao Zhixuan was almost scared to tears. Only now did she begin to regret rashly coming to meet him alone. Big brother had clearly warned her this man was no good and to stay away from him. She only blamed herself for being too competitive, insisting on provoking him. Just as she resigned herself and closed her eyes, tears almost spilling out, she heard his laughing voice from above: “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you until you agree to marry me.”

Xiao Zhixuan opened her eyes in confusion, then felt something heavy on her head. She quickly reached up to touch it and discovered a jeweled hairpin had been inserted into her hair bun. Xia Qing lifted her chin to examine her carefully, seeming very satisfied: “This hairpin was left by my mother. Wearing it means you’re my person – you won’t be able to back out later.”

Xiao Zhixuan withdrew her hand from the hairpin, feeling somewhat dazed. After a long moment, she finally said: “Why me?”

Xia Qing’s gaze was somewhat profound: “Because from the first time I saw you, I knew we’re actually the same kind of people.”

Xiao Zhixuan didn’t understand and just stared at him wide-eyed in confusion. Her appearance with flushed cheeks and misty eyes stirred Xia Qing’s emotions considerably. He couldn’t help but lower his head to peck her forehead, then said: “As long as you agree, I’ll immediately send betrothal gifts to the marquis manor. I can’t wait even a moment.”

Xiao Zhixuan’s heart pounded chaotically, then she bit her lip and said: “If I agree to you, will you truly help big brother and our family, even willing to betray the Xia family?”

Xia Qing showed a contemptuous expression: “Don’t worry, the Xia family is nothing more than a surname to me. If this surname weren’t still somewhat useful at present, I wouldn’t bother acting for them at all.” He concealed the disgust that flashed in his eyes and looked at Xiao Zhixuan with a smile: “If Third Miss can form a matrimonial alliance with me, your family will be my family, and I’ll naturally treat them well.”

Xiao Zhixuan stared at him intently, as if judging how much sincerity was in his words. Finally, as if making up her mind, she said: “Fine, then swear an oath!”

When Xia Qing’s betrothal gifts were delivered to the marquis manor, Xiao Du’s reaction could almost be described as explosive fury. The matchmaker who had been expecting a reward was so frightened she could barely speak, only stammering: “General Xia said this marriage was personally agreed to by Third Miss.”

The more Xiao Du heard, the angrier he became, kicking a package wrapped in red cloth to the ground. Yuanxi feared his anger would aggravate his wound and quickly grabbed him: “Don’t get upset yet. Let’s find Xuan’er and ask her about it.”

So Xiao Zhixuan was anxiously summoned to the flower hall. Seeing the room full of betrothal gifts, she quickly lowered her head and twisted the handkerchief in her hands, looking like someone who had done something wrong. Xiao Du became even more displeased, pointing at the matchmaker cowering in the corner: “I really want to ask when you agreed to this marriage!”

Xiao Zhixuan’s gaze circled around the room, then she finally took a deep breath and looked directly at Xiao Du: “That’s right, I agreed to it. Big brother, I’m willing to marry him.”

Xiao Du felt his blood surge, suddenly covering his mouth and coughing several times. Then with trembling hands, he pointed at her but couldn’t speak for a moment. Seeing this situation, Yuanxi quickly gave the matchmaker some silver and had her leave first, then grabbed Xiao Zhixuan urgently: “Xuan’er, do you know what kind of person Xia Qing is? I’ve heard he not only has a complex background but is also skilled at manipulating women. You’re still young and inexperienced – you mustn’t be deceived by his sweet words.”

But Xiao Zhixuan raised her head stubbornly: “I know everything. He hasn’t hidden anything from me. Sister-in-law, Xuan’er understands what she’s doing. I’m not a child anymore.”

Xiao Du caught the implications in these words and quickly walked to her: “You’ve met with him? When did you meet? Did he do anything to you? Did he threaten or force you!”

Xiao Zhixuan met his concerned gaze, feeling both moved and somewhat ashamed, so she lowered her head: “No, he didn’t do anything. In any case, I willingly agreed to this marriage. I’ll go tell father later to set a date, and then I’ll marry over. You… you don’t need to worry about me.”

Seeing her like this, Xiao Du thought his little sister had been deceived by that man into not knowing right from wrong. His heart ached with urgency as he pointed at her: “I’m your big brother – how can I not worry about you? As a marquis manor’s young lady, you actually snuck around to have secret meetings with that rake. If word gets out, how will you marry anyone in the future?”

But Xiao Zhixuan stiffened her neck and stared at him with determination: “I won’t marry anyone else anyway – only him. Big brother, I’ve come of age and have the right to choose my own husband.”

Xiao Du was so angry his eyes turned red. He raised his hand looking at Xiao Zhixuan’s stubborn little face, but couldn’t bring himself to strike. This was his little sister whom he had cherished and protected since childhood – how could he bear to hurt her in the slightest? But how could he watch her fall into a pit of fire? Yuanxi saw the situation between the two becoming increasingly tense and quickly stepped forward to pull Xiao Du’s sleeve: “A’du, it’s time to change your medicine. We can talk to her about these things slowly later.” Then she gave Xiao Zhixuan a look to leave quickly and forcibly pulled Xiao Du back to his seat.

Xiao Du’s right hand gripped the table edge tightly, as if thinking of something that filled his heart with grief. He closed his eyes wearily: “Yuanxi, I feel somewhat tired.” Hearing his tone, Yuanxi felt her heart ache. She gently held his head in her embrace and softly comforted: “Xuan’er is just temporarily confused. She’ll eventually understand your good intentions.”

Xiao Du leaned against her and sighed: “No matter what my true identity is, I truly regard Xuan’er as my real sister and this family as my only responsibility. Since childhood, I wanted to protect them and not let them suffer any harm. But what about now? Second brother sees me as an enemy, and Xuan’er also… Yuanxi, I can’t do anything. I don’t deserve to be their big brother.”

Yuanxi sighed: “Have you considered that perhaps they’ve all grown up and no longer need your protection?”