Chapter 36: Is She Unwilling?

"Has King Su gone to the Qiu residence?"

When Zhao Jiao received the message, she was already planning to return home.

"He has been waiting for a while, and the Madam is currently having people look for you, Miss."

"King Su? The Sixth Prince?" Old Man Duan, who was still confused about the situation, asked with a puzzled expression.

"It is a long story. I will explain it to you later, Father. Let's head over first."

Had King Su returned from his mission already? To come in person—he must have some objective.

"Wait... let me wash my face." Old Man Duan busied himself, having already prepared a basin of water in the room.

When Zhao Jiao saw Old Man Duan after he had washed his face, she was stunned for a moment.

"Father, your face..." How had it changed?

"Princess, this is my true appearance. When I was by the Marquis's side, I used a disguise and a fake name to avoid trouble. I had thought I would never show my real face again in this lifetime... but now, it is more convenient this way."

Zhao Jiao stared for a long time, still unaccustomed to it, before finally nodding. "Indeed, you have been following my father all this time, and many people have seen you; it is certainly inconvenient... but..."

Why would he choose to reveal his true face now, when he had hidden it for so long?

As if reading her mind, Old Man Duan smiled and explained, "Do not worry. I only used the disguise to avoid unnecessary trouble. Rest assured, I am not some wanted criminal; there is no harm in reclaiming my identity. Let us go!" Perhaps by reclaiming his identity, he could offer the Princess more help.

Zhao Jiao was curious, but there was no time to ask further. "Very well, let us go... Oh no..." She had previously told the Madam that the tutor she intended to invite was introduced by King Su... and now the man himself was in the residence...

"What is it, Princess?" Both Liu Xu and Old Man Duan were startled by her exclamation.

"It is nothing. Liu Xu, after we return, take Father to my courtyard first. Wait until King Su has left before taking him to see the Madam."

"Understood!" They were accustomed to following the Princess’s arrangements.

Zhao Jiao muttered to herself the whole way. Why had Yin Sumo suddenly come to visit? By the time she arrived at the Qiu residence, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered at the gate.

"Miss!"

"Elder Sister!"

Yunxiang and Xu Yunjun, who had been waiting at the entrance, hurried to meet her when they spotted Zhao Jiao in the crowd.

Zhao Jiao nodded and quickly led Old Man Duan and the others inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, she couldn't help but ask, "What is happening?"

"Miss, King Su... King Su is here, and he has had people delivering so many things one after another!"

Zhao Jiao frowned. Was King Su taking this act too far?

"Is he in the main hall?"

"Yes!"

***

"I will go and see. Liu Xu, you take the gentleman to rest first."

"Yes!"

Zhao Jiao headed toward the main hall with Xu Yunjun and Yunxiang. Lingdang, sharp-eyed, spotted them from a distance.

"Your Highness, the Fifth Miss has returned!"

The Fifth girl is back? Madam Qiu stretched her neck to look, and seeing Zhao Jiao, she let out a sigh of relief. She had finally returned.

"Greetings, Fifth Miss!" Lingdang greeted her enthusiastically.

Zhao Jiao smiled and nodded, then crossed the threshold into the hall. The aura of Miss Xu... was truly extraordinary.

"Greetings, Your Highness. I apologize for keeping you waiting!" Zhao Jiao bowed, neither servile nor overbearing.

"Think nothing of it. It was I who came uninvited; you are not to blame. Please, sit."

Was he not overstepping his bounds as a guest?

Zhao Jiao’s brow flickered slightly as she stepped forward to sit beside Madam Qiu. "I heard Your Highness came specifically to find me. May I ask why?"

"Jiaojiao, we have only been apart for a few days; why the distance? I came to find you simply because... I missed you. As the saying goes, a day apart is like three autumns. After returning from my travels, I am even more certain of my feelings, which is why I have come today to present a marriage proposal!"

As Yin Sumo spoke, his eyes were locked onto Zhao Jiao, his face neither flushing nor his heart racing. The declaration left everyone present feeling deeply embarrassed. As the protagonist, Zhao Jiao’s calm demeanor seemed particularly... unusual.

"Madam, I hope you will grant us your blessing..."

Yin Sumo, never one to do things by halves, turned and rose to bow to Madam Qiu. Madam Qiu was so startled she nearly jumped up.

"Your Highness, this simply will not do... this matter... perhaps we should..." Madam Qiu was flustered. Although the Fifth girl called her Mother, she truly could not make this decision. She glanced repeatedly at Zhao Jiao—was she to agree or not?

Zhao Jiao sighed in resignation and stood up to intervene. "Your Highness, let us treat today as a jest. Please, take these gifts back!"

One does not use such heavy-handed tactics for a shield! What was he playing at?

"You... are unwilling to marry me?" Yin Sumo gazed at Zhao Jiao with such deep affection that it would have drawn tears of sympathy from anyone watching.

"I..." Zhao Jiao wanted to punch him, but she couldn't. Was he taking this too far?

***

"Jiaojiao, although we have not known each other for very long, our fate is one that can withstand trials. Do you not trust me? I swear, I am not joking. I am here today with a sincere heart to seek your hand in marriage!"

His gaze was more genuine than real gold. Zhao Jiao’s brows knit together; this truly did not look like a joke. "Your Highness, may we step aside to speak?"

Yin Sumo complied readily. "Very well!"

Zhao Jiao signaled for him to follow. The others, naturally, did not dare to trail them and could only watch helplessly as the two walked away.

"Madam, this..." Yunxiang did not dare to follow either; she was terrified... the Prince really wanted to marry her young mistress, and her young mistress seemed unwilling!

Yin Kou, who had been standing outside the door, lowered his head, not daring to look around, standing perfectly still and disciplined. His manners were truly beyond reproach.

"Hush..." Madam Qiu was also in a daze. What was going on? Looking at the situation, it seemed King Su was the one being more proactive.

Zhao Jiao led Yin Sumo to a small flower hall beside the main hall. It was empty, with a wide view, so there was no need to worry about eavesdroppers. Besides, Lingdang was following at a respectful distance.

"What is the meaning of this, Your Highness?" Zhao Jiao went straight to the point.

Yin Sumo leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching Zhao Jiao. He was a completely different person from the affectionate figure moments ago.

"It is all thanks to you. As the saying goes, the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. If I don't come to you, who else can I go to?"

Zhao Jiao frowned. "Could Your Highness be more clear?"

Yin Sumo stood straighter and spread his hands helplessly. "The moment I returned to the city, I heard news that the Grand Princess intends to marry Nianzhao—whose marriage you ruined—to me. It is said that as soon as I returned, I was to petition the Emperor for a marriage decree. I was so startled I rushed here to find you. Tell me, shouldn't you be responsible for this? Have I not come to the right person?"

So... that was it!

Yin Ling, oh Yin Ling, she truly knew how to put everyone to use. However... given Yin Ling’s temperament, if King Su had nothing of value, she would never have kept him in her sights. So... what was she after?

Whatever interested Yin Ling, interested her as well!

"So, Your Highness does not want to marry Princess Nianzhao? Why?" Zhao Jiao’s attitude shifted, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Naturally, I am displeased. If they had intended to marry her to me from the start, that would be one thing, but to use me as a last resort halfway through? I am very unhappy about it. Besides, that Nianzhao is truly fierce. I still prefer someone like you, Jiaojiao..."

He was being improper again! Zhao Jiao was speechless.

"Your Highness does not want to, but once the Emperor issues a decree, you cannot defy it. So you want to strike first. But... are you not oversimplifying things? Even I know that a prince's marriage is not his own to decide. Even if I were to agree today, it would not hold any weight, would it?"

What was his follow-up plan for this grand, public spectacle?