The one who grabbed Liu Xiangning was none other than Huo Rang.
Huo Rang stared in astonishment at the beautiful woman before him, but she did not resemble the image of a woman in his memory at all.
Liu Xiangning deftly brushed him aside, "Excuse me, Lord Huo, is there something you need? If you require anything, please seek out the servants in the men's section."
Huo Rang hurriedly said, "Wait, I...I'm looking for you."
Since the other party was a guest and she was one of the banquet managers, Liu Xiangning couldn't refuse directly. She could only turn around, put on a professional smile, and say, "Okay, may I ask what you need, sir?"
Huo Rang stared intently at the woman's fake smile, his mind filled with images of the first time he saw a woman entering the Xuanping Marquis's residence, and how she had captivated him at first sight.
There was the woman's shyness on their first night together, and the way she sneaked into his room late at night, begging for his affections.
But now, the woman's beautiful face is smiling, but her eyes are filled with disgust, as if she would feel nauseous if she stayed to say another word to him.
Liu Xiangning waited a little while and asked again, "My lord, what exactly do you need? If you don't need anything and just want to chat, I'm afraid I can't keep you company, as I'm busy right now."
Huo Rang looked at the woman's managerial attire and the increasingly capable demeanor that was taking shape between her brows, and felt proud of her. "I'll come find you after the Three Yuan Banquet."
Liu Xiangning couldn't control her expression, and the corner of her mouth twitched. "Excuse me, is this inconvenient? You are a man and I am a woman. Unless we have a close relationship, it's not convenient for us to meet in private. I thought it was like this all over the capital. Isn't it the same in your Xuanping Marquis's mansion? Do the men and women in your Xuanping Marquis's mansion meet in private as they please?"
Xiang Ning swore that she remembered that she represented the Anning Marquis's mansion and should not speak with veiled barbs, but... but she really couldn't help it.
Huo Rang was shocked to see the woman like this. "How did you become like this? You weren't like this before."
Liu Xiangning chuckled, "No, Lord Huo, are you really stupid or just pretending? I used to be isolated and helpless with you, and I was bullied by both the big and little bitches. I was bought by you, so I could only beg for your favor and protection. That's why I humbled myself and begged you to dote on me."
Now that I've left that wretched place of yours, why should I still grovel before you? I may indeed have a servile nature, but that servility is only for my master. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be my master. Have I made myself clear? Does Lord Huo understand?
Huo Rang was stunned by the barrage of insults, but he understood what was going on. Afraid that the woman would leave, he hurriedly said, "I understand! I understand too! I... I didn't understand before. I thought... you think I'm stupid? I was wrong before, Xiang Ning. Can you give me a chance to make amends?"
When Liu Xiangning saw that the high and mighty official had apologized, her tone softened. She thought to herself that she was still the steward of the Marquis of Anning's mansion and couldn't argue with the guests.
Besides, she felt there was no need to argue; what's past is past.
Thinking it over, Xiang Ningyu said calmly, "It is good that you can repent and start anew. But the past is the past. I hope that you can be more considerate and caring towards those around you in the future. I wish you a happy life and all things going well in the future."
She curtsied in a woman's manner and prepared to leave.
Huo Rang grabbed the woman's arm again, "Wait, don't go!"
Liu Xiangning glared at him, "Lord Huo, are you suffering from a brain ailment or a hearing problem? Didn't I make myself clear? Before, when I was with you, you treated me like trash, always chasing after Master... that is, Concubine Shen. Now that I've done as you wished and no longer crave your affection, you've come chasing after me again? So, you just like looking down on your girls, is that it? My lord, this is an illness, and it needs treatment!"
"I……"
"You are a high and mighty master, and I am just a lowly servant. I should not be pointing fingers, but since you are so eager to please me, I will say a few more words: Please choose your wife or concubine carefully in the future, and don't put just anyone around, as if you are starving and indiscriminate."
Since you've let her go, treat her well. Don't take her for granted and regret it when she's gone; there's no going back. Also, Zhou Miaoyin is indeed despicable, but you're not innocent either. You married her but constantly complained about her, which made her increasingly twisted. Women are like flowers; they need the nourishment of love.
"You like Consort Shen because the young master treats her well. If you force her to come to your side, and she is constantly disliked, tormented, and fickle by you, she will eventually change too."
Huo Rang hurriedly said, "I don't like her anymore, I like you! Come back with me..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a chilling, murderous wind gust from behind him.
Huo Rang hurriedly released the woman and turned to face the enemy.
The visitor was none other than Guan Shui.
The two quickly became entangled in a fight.
Liu Xiangning was startled, but soon, the feeling of happiness in her heart sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, growing taller and more abundant.
From the time she could remember, every time she was beaten, bullied, or felt desperate, she hoped that a great hero would descend from the sky to save her and protect her.
Unfortunately, it never happened.
She had long ago told herself that men are unreliable, women are unreliable, no one is reliable, the only one she can rely on is herself!
She thought she no longer cared about any great hero who fell from the sky, but when the day came, she found that she still... shamelessly cared about him!
Liu Xiangning watched Guan Shui fight for her with satisfaction, but then suddenly remembered, "Oh no, that won't do!"
He then shouted, "Guan Shui, stop hitting! We still have to take care of the Sanyuan Banquet. We're already short-handed, and if something goes wrong, we can't take responsibility."
Guan Shui finished his practice, panting heavily as he jumped to Liu Xiangning's side, his handsome face filled with worry. "Are you alright?"
Huo Rang angrily asked, "Who are you?"
Guan Shui turned around and stood in front of Xiang Ning, "I am her husband, and who are you?"
Guan Shui certainly knew Huo Rang's identity; asking this question was a sarcastic remark implying that Huo Rang didn't recognize his own status.
Huo Rang was taken aback. "Husband? Xiang Ning, you're married?"
Liu Xiangning, "..."
What should I do? If I say she's married... she's not married yet. But if I say she's not married, it would both undermine Guan Shui and seem like I'm deliberately distancing myself from Guan Shui, giving Huo Rang an opportunity.
Liu Xiangning paused for less than a second before making her judgment, "Yes, she's married. He's my husband."
As she spoke, she affectionately took Guan Shui's arm.
Guan Shui froze, her cheeks flushed as she looked at the woman.
Liu Xiangning rolled her eyes at him—what do you mean? You were the one who proposed the marriage, and now that I've agreed, you're unhappy? Trying to shirk responsibility? Too late!
Guan Shui realized what was happening and excitedly hugged the woman.
Xiang Ning pushed Guan Shui away, "You rascal, there are outsiders here."
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