Nanmen Xu — the man said in legend to be marrying her next month.

Feng Jiu’er turned back to look at the man who was glaring furiously at her. He appeared to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, and did not look at all like the worthless, pampered noble’s son she had imagined.

However, standing up for Feng Qingyin? Toward him, Feng Jiu’er naturally felt not even half a trace of goodwill.

She merely glanced back, then turned and walked away again, without the slightest reluctance to linger.

Xiao Yingtao had no idea how to explain things to Nanmen Xu. She had not personally seen any imperial decree, but if what Feng Qingyin had said was true, Jiu’er would very soon be marrying this Young Lord Xu.

In that case, she also hoped that Jiu’er could make a good impression in Young Lord Xu’s eyes.

But looking at how things stood now, a good impression was probably out of the question.

Left with no other choice, Xiao Yingtao could only hurry after her: “Jiu’er, wait for me!”

“Ha. It seems this future wife of yours doesn’t regard you at all.”

Nanmen Jie stood not far away, watching Feng Jiu’er’s retreating figure.

That figure — indescribably beautiful, indescribably alluring. More striking than any young woman he had ever laid eyes on.

But what a pity. She happened to have a face like that — look at her straight on, and she was utterly hideous.

Nanmen Xu said nothing and turned to leave.

Nanmen Jie, standing behind him with his two friends, still smiled as he called out: “I say, Sixth Brother — bringing home a wife like that, there’ll be no rules and no discipline at all. Would you like Fourth Brother to do something about it, rein in that temper of hers?”

At those words, Nanmen Xu stopped. He turned to look at him, his expression completely serious.

“Fourth Brother, since she is my wife, there is no need to trouble you. If there’s anyone whose temper needs reining in, perhaps you might start with the several sisters-in-law in your own household.”

Nanmen Jie gave a cold huff; the smile faded from his eyes: “The ones in Fourth Brother’s home are naturally all obedient and well-behaved. Fourth Brother was only trying to help you.”

“What’s this? The woman hasn’t even been brought home yet and you’re already defending her — are you afraid Fourth Brother might bully her?”

Nanmen Jie let out another cold snort and said with disdain: “Look at that face of hers — you’re the only one who would truly be willing to take her as your future wife. Hmph!”

“By saying that, is Fourth Brother implying that even His Majesty is joking and does not stand by his own word?”

“What nonsense are you talking? Why drag someone else into this out of nowhere?” The moment he mentioned His Majesty, Nanmen Jie panicked.

This fellow spoke without thinking — if he wanted to offend people, that was his own business, but he had better not drag him into it.

“She’s just an ugly wretch. What could I possibly want from her? Even if she were stripped bare and delivered to my bed, I’d kick her right off with one foot. I…”

“Fourth Brother, please show some respect!” Nanmen Xu’s expression darkened, and his palm clenched tightly.

Nanmen Jie truly wanted to roll his eyes at him: “This decision was only just made. Before all this, you probably hadn’t even heard of this girl.”

“And now, you truly take her as your own wife?”

Seeing that Nanmen Xu paid him no attention whatsoever, Nanmen Jie found it all rather tiresome and walked off with his two friends.

Nanmen Xu was also about to leave when a coquettish voice called out from behind him: “Young Lord Xu, thank you for stepping in to help me just now.”

Feng Qingyin had composed herself and was walking toward him slowly, every step graceful and enchanting, alluring and bewitching.

“Young Lord Xu, just now I truly owe it all to you — if not for you, I wouldn’t have known… I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Nanmen Xu merely glanced at her coolly. “A trifling matter. Farewell.” He turned to leave, but Feng Qingyin still pressed after him: “Young Lord Xu, my name is Qingyin. In the future, I will certainly find an opportunity to properly repay the Young Lord.”