"I had heard earlier that you and the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng were getting married today, and I intended to come and offer my congratulations. However, my elder brother asked me to leave the capital on business a few days ago, so I returned a little late. On the way, I met Miss Lian Tao, so we went together."

Qin Su still felt puzzled. Although her father had been granted the title of Marquis after being recruited by the imperial court, he was hardly conspicuous in the capital, a place full of royalty and nobility. Otherwise, her marriage wouldn't have been delayed so many times.

Given their family's circumstances, how could His Highness Prince Chen value them so much?

It's unlikely that it's from the Duke of Cheng's mansion.

Over the years, the Duke of Cheng's mansion has fallen into ruin, otherwise, why would they look at her, a noblewoman from a bandit family?

But how could she ask about it? She didn't know, and she really wasn't in the mood.

...

The Duke of Cheng's residence and the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence were not far apart, but the road seemed to stretch endlessly for Qin Su. She couldn't help but quicken her pace, even forgetting that Prince Chen was beside her.

From afar, Qin Su saw her parents pacing back and forth at the gate. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she lifted her skirt and ran over quickly.

"Father! Mother!" She hugged Qin's mother tightly, like a bird lost at sea finally finding its harbor, but her grievances, like waves, swept over her again.

"What's wrong? Who bullied our Susu?" Qin's mother stroked Qin Su's hair with concern and tenderness.

"Is it that brat Xue Huai'an?! I've said he's a scoundrel for a long time!" Compared to the gentle Qin mother, Qin father had a much fiery temper. He rolled up his sleeves and looked at Lian Tao, hoping that Lian Tao could give him a clear answer.

Lian Tao lived up to expectations, speaking with a strong and clear voice: "Xue Huai'an condoned the Duchess of Cheng's bullying of the young lady, and he also had affairs with other women outside."

Although there is no evidence, that doesn't matter. As long as the girl says it, it's the truth.

As for the girl almost stabbing Xue Huai'an to death? He didn't die, did he?

"That Xue Huai'an, you bastard! Old Hu, grab your weapons! I'm going to cripple him today! How dare you bully my daughter!"

He rolled up his sleeves and was about to leave when Old Hu immediately grabbed him and gave him a meaningful look.

Only then did Qin's father notice Prince Chen not far away. He paused for a moment, then looked at his daughter, who was clearly extremely aggrieved, and scratched the back of his head. "Daughter, are you planning to find me a new son-in-law?"

Qin Su was also stunned.

Prince Chen stepped forward from the darkness, saying, "I happened to witness your daughter's affair with Young Master Xue, and I was worried about her safety, so I brought her back."

Qin's father was slightly disappointed. Was he not his future son-in-law?

Qin Su was extremely embarrassed. She quickly pulled her father back, saying, "Don't be rude to His Highness Prince Chen."

"It is getting late, so I shall take my leave now."

"Thank you very much for today, Your Highness. I will definitely bring my wife and daughter to visit and express my gratitude another day."

Qin's father thought that Prince Chen would say a few polite words, but to his surprise, he only nodded slightly and then left with his men.

With only his own people remaining in front of the Marquis's mansion, Qin's father immediately instructed Old Hu beside him, "Today I must get justice for my daughter!"

The daughter had never suffered any grievances while living with her parents since she was a child. The biggest anger she ever felt in her life came from Xue Huai'an.

Now that his daughter is awake, he has to go and beat the man half to death.

Qin Su pulled the person back.

Mr. Qin immediately frowned as he looked at his daughter, his hair turning white from worry. He was both disappointed and heartbroken. "You're regretting it again?"

He felt that Xue Huai'an was not a good man, but his daughter really liked him... Should he teach him a lesson and get rid of that woman who had started a relationship?

"Daughter, I actually think that man was quite good, better than that Xue family boy. Why don't you consider liking someone else?"

"Father, I have no relationship with Prince Chen. As for Xue Huai'an, I almost stabbed him to death today and also taught the Duchess a lesson."

Qin's father and mother exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with joy.

"As expected of my daughter! Well done! Did she really think that anyone could bully my Qin family's precious daughter?" Father Qin patted his daughter on the back, and then added as they entered the mansion, "I'll take some people to vent my anger after he recovers from his injuries."

Another tentative question drifted from the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence: "My daughter, are you really not considering marrying Prince Chen? I think he's quite good."

...

That evening, Qin Su held her mother's hand and talked for a long time. Qin's mother was worried that her daughter would be traumatized and might do something rash, so she didn't dare to rest until the early hours of the morning when she finally couldn't hold on any longer and went to sleep.

Qin Su had not yet gone to bed. Her boudoir was exactly the same as she remembered. Unlike the exquisite rooms of noble ladies in the capital, her room was much simpler, and most importantly, it contained weapons.

Qin Su stroked the dark brown soft whip and asked, "Have you taken care of the things I asked you to do?"

"You can trust me to handle things. But..." She hesitated, thinking about what the young lady had asked her to do. If it was true, then Xue Huai'an was truly a beast.

Qin Su knew what she was thinking. Xue Huai'an presented himself as a gentle and refined young nobleman in front of the world, so it was inevitable that Lian Tao would be deceived.

"He was very cautious, and no one else knew about this."

On the 18th of this month, Xue Huai'an arranged to meet Chen Yirou, a fact she had learned from Chen Yirou in her previous life.

"Will anyone believe the rumors we spread?"

Qin Su rarely smiled, but the smile was meaningful and looked somewhat dangerous. "Lian Tao, have you ever heard the saying 'rumors are more ferocious than tigers'? People don't care about the truth of things; they only care about how interesting and sensational the after-dinner conversation is."

"A refined and virtuous young master from a noble family secretly meets with a woman, then abandons her to marry someone else. Doesn't that sound intriguing?"

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