Yingxue gnashed her molars. "Does reading more books help one evade assassins' blades?"
Yinzhu blinked her eyes and honestly shook her head. "No."
"Does reading more books help one defeat assassins?"
"No."
"Then does reading more books help one evade enemy hidden weapons?"
"No..." Yinzhu thought to herself, this girl truly knows how to draw parallels. "Martial arts have their advantages, and scholarship has its advantages, but isn't it even better to be proficient in both?"
"That's what they say..."
"Look at those great generals who command soldiers, which one of them isn't skilled in military strategy?" Yinzhu said earnestly. "To become an outstanding general, one must not only train diligently in martial arts but also study hard, so that on the battlefield, you can command thousands of troops and defeat the enemy!"
Yingxue frowned. She disliked reading the most, but she felt Yinzhu's words made a lot of sense. General Zhan was skilled in both martial arts and scholarship, Boss was also skilled in both, and even the unreliable Yu Qianmo was skilled in both.
"If I read more, will I become more formidable?"
"Of course!" Yinzhu said affirmatively.
"Alright, I'll listen to you. I'll read more from now on." Yingxue happily went about her work. Yinzhu couldn't help but smile. She used to say Qiutong was naive, but this girl wasn't much different.
However, Yingxue's worries were not entirely unfounded. If Lord Wen were not wary of the Cen family head, and if the Cen family head harbored malicious intent, Lord Wen would be in grave danger.
Perhaps she should remind the Cen family head. But... she didn't know how to. After all, Miss had already decided not to interfere with their relationship. If she were to meddle, it might displease Miss. So be it, let's wait and see. If the Cen family head truly intended harm, it wouldn't be too late to remind him then. Moreover, Miss wouldn't let him get hurt.
The weather grew colder, and Xiao Man became increasingly lazy.
"Winter Solstice is approaching, isn't it?" Xiao Man inquired.
"Winter Solstice is still quite far off," Qiutong teased. "When did Miss start to enjoy lively occasions? Looking forward to the Minor New Year already."
Xiao Man tightened her fox fur. The weather wasn't that cold yet, but she just felt incredibly cold and didn't want to move. Back in the army, she wasn't this pampered. Now, she was becoming more and more delicate.
"I've been too bored lately, so I want to look forward to something interesting."
Yingxue came in from outside. "There is something interesting."
"Oh? What interesting thing?" Xiao Man sat up, her face full of curiosity.
A gloating smile appeared on Yingxue's face. "This morning, the young lady of the Duke of Lu's mansion went to the Chu Prince's mansion and abducted Mr. Xiao Qin, a retainer of the Chu Prince's mansion!"
Xiao Man's expression froze. "Who abducted whom?"
Yingxue's smile became even brighter. "Who else could it be? It's that Xiang Huan'er young lady from the Duke of Lu's mansion, who stormed into the Chu Prince's mansion this morning and abducted Mr. Xiao Qin, saying she wants him to marry into the Duke of Lu's mansion."
Xiao Man slowly leaned back against the chair. After a moment, she burst into laughter, clearly sharing in the schadenfreude. "He must be in a terrible panic right now!"
"I suspect so too," Yingxue said with a smile. "Miss, let's not rush to save him. Let him get along with Miss Xiang for a while!"
Xiao Man smiled and nodded. "For Xiang Huan'er to be able to take him from the Chu Prince's mansion, it likely has the Chu Prince's tacit approval. The Duke of Lu's mansion is a significant power, and the Duke of Lu is a shrewd man who has always stayed out of conflicts. If the Chu Prince wants to draw him in, he has to start with Xiang Huan'er."
"Miss, will the two of them actually get married?"
"That depends on his wishes."
Yingxue thought carefully and then chuckled. The incident was simply too amusing. It was fortunate that Miss had swapped back, otherwise, it would have been Miss who was taken back to the mansion by Xiang Huan'er.
"So, are we going to save him or not? If that Miss Xiang becomes aggressive, I'm worried his frail body won't be able to withstand it."
"Don't worry, with Xiang Huan'er's intelligence, she won't hurt him. It's just that I can't figure out the intention behind Xiang Huan'er's actions. Does she genuinely fancy Xiao Qin, or is there something else..." Xiao Man pondered for a moment. "Keep a close eye on everything at the Duke of Lu's mansion and ensure his safety."
"Yes, Miss."
At the Duke of Lu's mansion, Xiang Huan'er looked at Xiao Qin, who was bound but remarkably calm. She felt a bit impolite and walked over to squat beside him. "I'll untie you, but you're not allowed to run."
Xiao Qin nodded. Xiang Huan'er happily untied the ropes. Xiao Qin rubbed his wrists, which were sore from being bound. Seeing this, Xiang Huan'er quickly handed him a bottle of medicine.
Xiao Qin took it with both hands. "Thank you, Miss."
"Aren't you angry?" Xiang Huan'er asked in surprise. If it were anyone else, they would have cursed loudly after being captured like this, but he remained gentle, refined, and polite.
"I believe Miss did not do this intentionally," Xiao Qin said softly. "May I know when I can return?"
When Xiang Huan'er heard Xiao Qin mention returning, she immediately became unhappy. "Do you know why I captured you?"
Xiao Qin shook his head. "Please, Miss, tell me."
"I fancy you!" Xiang Huan'er said seriously. "I want you to marry me!"
Xiao Zhen was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiang Huan'er to demand marriage. What should he do? This girl's behavior was a bit overbearing, but she wasn't a bad person. Moreover, the Chu Prince hadn't intervened, which indicated he intended for Xiao Qin to be abducted by Xiang Huan'er.
Xiang Huan'er was the pearl of the Duke of Lu's mansion. Although the Duke of Lu's mansion wasn't as powerful as the General's mansion, it couldn't be underestimated. If he could make her his, it would be excellent. The Chu Prince was currently trying his best to win over influential figures in the court, especially those who were neutral.
Neutral court officials, though seemingly insignificant, were all formidable. For example, the Prime Minister's mansion, the General's mansion, and the Prince Zhao's mansion. However, Prince Zhao was the Emperor's brother, and His Majesty was wary of him, so the Chu Prince would certainly not contact him. Thus, the Duke of Lu's mansion was his best choice, especially since Xiang Huan'er had taken the initiative to abduct him!
"Miss Xiang, does the Duke of Lu know that you came to my door and abducted me?"
"He doesn't know yet."
"If your father finds out, he will be angry," Xiao Qin said gently. "After all, I am a retainer of His Highness the Chu Prince."
Xiang Huan'er immediately smiled. Because she was a bit plump, her eyes narrowed into slits when she smiled. "I know you are a retainer of the Chu Prince's mansion."
"Do you know the consequences of abducting me?"
"I know His Highness the Chu Prince will not rescue you. He wishes you would marry me."
The smile disappeared from Xiao Qin's face. He looked at Xiang Huan'er silently. Who said the Duke of Lu's daughter was a simple-minded girl? Although her appearance was not outstanding, she was not foolish at all.