Guo Xue was momentarily stunned upon hearing that, unsure how to respond.
If she said no, it would seem unreasonable. What woman doesn’t love beauty?
With a chance to remove her scars, how could she refuse?
But if she said yes and that so-called Beauty Retaining Pill was really auctioned off and bought, what then? The scars on her face were part of a disguise, a mask—how could they possibly be removed?
“Your Highness, something bad has happened!”
Just as Guo Xue was in a dilemma, Qiu Jian suddenly walked into the courtyard and came straight to Qiu An, bowing respectfully.
Upon seeing Guo Xue, he remembered yesterday’s incident and quickly bowed to her as well.
“Greetings, Princess Consort.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned to Qiu An, looking anxious.
“Your Highness, something bad has happened! They’ve come to our door!”
“Qiu Jian, speak clearly. Who’s come that’s got you so flustered?”
Qiu An frowned at his panic.
“Your Highness, the daughters of the four deputy generals and the daughter of the Left Vice Minister of War have come, and they brought their brothers with them!”
Qiu Jian looked worried.
Qiu An was a bit surprised but didn’t take it seriously.
“Just their brothers? Or did they bring powerful cultivators to break into the estate?”
“They didn’t bring any guards, just the five noble ladies and their brothers.”
Qiu An chuckled coldly.
“Qiu Jian, are you trying to embarrass me? If it’s just them, what are you so worried about?
At most they’re at the Martial Lord level, while you’re already at the peak of Martial Lord. Are you afraid of them?”
“This is the Zhenbian Prince’s residence. We even have Martial Emperor-level experts here. What’s there to panic about?”
“Your Highness, I’m not afraid for myself. I’m worried they’re targeting you.”
Seeing Qiu An misunderstood, Qiu Jian quickly explained.
“They are your peers, so if they make trouble for you, it would be considered a squabble among juniors.
As long as your life isn’t at risk, the household guards can’t intervene. Otherwise, the Prince’s residence would become a laughingstock.”
Qiu An paused. He had indeed forgotten this rule. What now? Expose his cultivation level? Or let himself be humiliated?
“They want to challenge me? What kind of honor is that? I’ve already lost my martial arts—don’t they fear being mocked themselves?”
“And why are they even causing trouble here?”
“They claim you insulted their sisters yesterday and have come to demand justice.”
Qiu Jian glanced at Guo Xue, then lowered his head again.
“Hmph! Are they delusional? I never even interacted with those five women yesterday. How could I have insulted them?”
Qiu An snorted, but then remembered what the Princess Consort said yesterday and turned to Qiu Jian, surprised.
“Is it just because I didn’t choose them, and instead chose someone else, that they feel insulted?”
“Mm.”
Qiu Jian nodded, glancing between Qiu An and Guo Xue. He thought to himself:
You’d rather marry a disfigured maid than any of them. To them, that’s the ultimate insult—they think they’re not even as good as a scarred servant girl.
But after yesterday’s experience, Qiu Jian dared not say that out loud.
Qiu An fell silent in thought, then a smile formed on his face. He turned to Guo Xue with a beaming grin.
“Wife, have you heard a saying before?”
‘Husband and wife are birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly apart.’
“No,” Guo Xue replied, shaking her head.
“Do you understand what it means?”
“Yes,” she nodded.
“Do you agree with that saying? Do you think it’s right?”
“No. I think a married couple should face difficulties together, not abandon each other.”
“If you abandon your spouse at the first sign of trouble, what kind of couple is that?”
She shook her head, still not realizing where Qiu An was going with this.
“Wait, Your Highness—don’t tell me you’re that kind of person?”
Qiu An responded solemnly, “Of course not! I’m not heartless or ungrateful.”
Then, his smile returned, playful and mischievous.
“Hehe… Wife, since you also believe that couples should face hardships together—well, I’m in trouble. I’ve been challenged. Will you help me?”
“What? You want me to fight in your place?”
Guo Xue looked at him in shock, finally understanding what he’d been hinting at.
Qiu Jian’s eyes widened in disbelief as well.
“Your Highness, this doesn’t seem appropriate! The Princess Consort doesn’t know martial arts. You’re sending her to her death!”
“Who said she doesn’t know martial arts? Are you looking down on her?”
Qiu An shot him a glare.
Qiu Jian turned to Guo Xue in shock. A maid who knows martial arts? At best, she’d be a Martial Novice.
“Wife, will you help me?”
Qiu An looked at her pleadingly, his face full of exaggerated misery.
“Or… do you want to see me get beaten up badly?”
Seeing his pitiful expression, Guo Xue thought of what she told Ning Xiang yesterday—that even if Qiu An was a cripple, she could still support the Zhenbian Prince’s household on her own.
She nodded.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
“Princess Consort, are you sure? Even the weakest among those military daughters is mid-stage Martial Warrior, and the strongest is already early Martial Lord!”
Qiu Jian looked doubtful. He really couldn’t believe a maid could match that.
“And even if they lose, their brothers might jump in out of anger. Some of them are peak Martial Lord! Are you really sure?”
He turned a puzzled gaze toward Qiu An. Didn’t you say you liked her yesterday? Why are you sending her to her death today?
Qiu An smacked Qiu Jian on the head.
“What kind of look is that? You think I’d send my wife to die?”
Qiu Jian didn’t dodge and took the hit, bowing his head.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Even though he answered, Qiu An could tell he was still unconvinced, but he ignored him and turned back to Guo Xue to gauge her reaction.
Seeing Guo Xue calm and composed, without the slightest fear, Qiu An was stunned.
She was only at peak Martial Warrior, and the enemy had someone at peak Martial Lord.
“Wife, Qiu Jian just said they’re strong. Aren’t you afraid?”
“What’s there to be afraid of? Worst case, I get hurt. It’s not like they’d dare kill me.”
Guo Xue looked at him with a steady gaze.
But in her heart, she had her own thoughts.
She knew the Princess Consort wouldn’t recognize her as the true consort, but if she fought on Qiu An’s behalf—even if she lost—it might change her standing in the household.
Hearing her words, Qiu Jian looked at Guo Xue again.
Only now did he start to accept her as the Princess Consort. Regardless of her strength, at least she genuinely cared for Qiu An—enough to take a hit for him.
Qiu An didn’t know what Guo Xue was thinking, but he was deeply moved.
“Wife, don’t worry. How could I let you get hurt? I’ll make sure you win.”
He grasped her hand and looked at her with sincerity.
Guo Xue blushed and pulled her hand back, then turned to Qiu Jian.
“Lead the way.”
Qiu Jian glanced at Qiu An, and after receiving a nod, he responded,
“Yes, Princess Consort.”
With that, he took the lead.
Guo Xue looked at Qiu An one more time before walking ahead.
Qiu An smiled, then followed right behind.
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