100: Chapter 100 Deep Affection Between Husband and Wife

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Li Chenghao felt a strange sensation in his heart. Princess Ningxiang... she was a great beauty, the most renowned in the northern border!

To let that Lin Xiao benefit from this? What a waste...

However, she was just a woman; compared to the fate of the empire, she was insignificant!

"Father is wise!"

A look of admiration appeared on Crown Prince Li Chenghao's face. "As a founding marquis, the Marquis of Linyuan is the foremost noble of Cang Province."

"If Lin Xiao becomes the son-in-law of the Marquis of Linyuan, he naturally can no longer stay tucked away in a corner, indifferent to the affairs of the entire Cang Province!"

Emperor Hong smiled. "Doesn't this Xie Shang have money? Then let it be used to fund the Zhenbei Army, saving the imperial court from having to allocate funds."

"But... what if the father and daughter refuse..." Crown Prince Li Chenghao worried.

"They won't!"

Emperor Hong said with full confidence, "Before the situation becomes clear, the Xie Family will not choose to side with any vassal king. Therefore, he will not defy the imperial decree."

"For these old foxes, what does sacrificing one or two children matter for the sake of the family's enduring prosperity?"

It dawned on Crown Prince Li Chenghao. He thought to himself that the ginger is indeed spicier when aged; his father's claws were still sharp...

Three days later.

Another imperial decree arrived at the Zhenbei General's Mansion.

Lin Xiao and the two women sat directly to eat breakfast, letting the eunuch read it while they ate.

The eunuch originally wanted to voice some criticism, but when Lin Xiao shot him a murderous glance, he instantly lost his nerve.

"By the grace of Heaven, let this decree be known!"

"It has come to our attention that Lin Xiao of the Zhenbei Army has repeatedly thwarted the edge of the Northern Barbarians, protecting the borders and bringing peace to the people, performing great service for the state."

"Our heart is greatly comforted, and we hereby bestow special grace..."

"Lin Xiao is hereby enfeoffed as the Baron of Baishui County, with a fief of three hundred households, to be inherited in perpetuity, as a mark of his loyalty and bravery."

"A marriage is bestowed with Princess Ningxiang of the Linyuan Marquis Mansion, to form a bond like the states of Qin and Jin, and achieve the elegance of the phoenix and its mate, as a token of Our imperial favor."

"May you strictly observe the duties of a subject, support the court, and forever secure the frontiers. Respect this!"

After hearing the imperial decree, Xiao Qingxuan's chopsticks stopped. Her exquisite face showed a hint of panic and confusion.

Even during the bloody battle to defend the city, she had never been this flustered.

A bestowed marriage!?

A princess of a Marquis Mansion?!

One must know that not every daughter of a noble could have a conferred title.

Princess Ningxiang, Xie Juner, was conferred on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony because she was both talented and beautiful, and her fame was well-known throughout the north!

In the past, let alone a princess of a marquis, Xiao Qingxuan wouldn't have even spared a glance for an imperial princess.

But now, she was merely a fallen empress. This status was only a burden to Lin Xiao; how could it compare to the daughter of the Marquis of Linyuan, who possessed immense wealth?

Mu Wanying also had a complex expression. She had heard of Xie Juner, a top-tier beauty.

She was already a concubine, so it didn't matter to her, but Xiao Qingxuan...

After sending the eunuch away, Mu Wanying spoke up:

"Husband, although I'm not in a position to say... I still must say, you cannot let Qing'er down."

Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly shook her head. "Wanying, I'm fine. Actually, I've been mentally prepared for a long time. As my husband gradually rises in rank, it's not surprising for him to be granted a marriage to a noble lady of the imperial family."

"I congratulate you, Husband, on being enfeoffed as the Baron of Baishui County! I imagine that in the future, being granted a fief and becoming a marquis will not be difficult."

Mu Wanying forced a smile, but she couldn't bring herself to say words of congratulations no matter what.

"Does that dog emperor not know Lin Xiao is married? How could he issue such a decree!?"

Leng Bingyan stood nearby, fuming with anger.

Xiao Qingxuan smiled helplessly. "Even if Emperor Hong knew, it wouldn't change anything. How can I, a commoner woman, compete for the position of primary wife with a titled princess?"

"You're not..." The words were on the tip of Leng Bingyan's tongue, but she held them back.

Telling the truth would only make things more complicated and wouldn't help.

Lin Xiao put down his bowl at this moment, his expression somewhat solemn.

"In your eyes, am I, Lin Xiao, a heartless and ungrateful man?"

"Or... do you think I would cast aside you two, my kin who have shared life and death with me, for the sake of a princess?!"

Lin Xiao slammed the table with a 'thud'!

"Am I that lowly in your eyes!? Do you look down on me that much!?"

Xiao Qingxuan, Mu Wanying, and Leng Bingyan were all startled by the man's angry questioning.

Slowly, the women's eyes began to redden.

Yes, what were they thinking?

Why hadn't they chosen to trust their husband immediately?

Both women were filled with self-reproach...

"Husband, it's my fault. I shouldn't have made you angry." Xiao Qingxuan's heart ached so much she could hardly breathe.

"I'm also at fault, Husband, please don't be angry anymore..." Mu Wanying choked up.

Lin Xiao grabbed Xiao Qingxuan's hand, staring into her eyes, every word earnest:

"Listen carefully, in this life, I, Lin Xiao, will only have one primary wife, and that is you, my lady. Do you understand?!"

Xiao Qingxuan sniffled her delicate nose, held back her tears, and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your love, Husband."

Mu Wanying was both envious and moved. She said, "Qing'er, don't worry. If that Princess Ningxiang dares to fight you for the primary wife position, I'll go deal with her! Anyway, I'm a wanted criminal, so I'm not afraid of her!"

Xiao Qingxuan couldn't help but laugh. "It's not that exaggerated. We are both women, and both are at the mercy of fate..."

Lin Xiao thought for a moment and made a decision on the spot.

"Wife, come to the room with me for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingxuan's pretty face instantly turned red. "Husband... it was just this morning... you should go attend to official business first..."

Lin Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What on earth was she thinking!?

His image in his wife's mind seemed a bit ridiculous!!

Crucially, Mu Wanying and Leng Bingyan clearly thought so too, looking at him with somewhat strange expressions...

Is this man's body made of iron? He wants it at night, and he wants it in the morning too...

Lin Xiao was speechless. Fine, let them misunderstand if they want!

After pulling Xiao Qingxuan into the room, Lin Xiao ordered the servants not to approach.

The servants were all stifling giggles, clearly having "understood" as well.

"Husband, why have you become more and more vigorous lately? I'm even a bit afraid..."

As Xiao Qingxuan spoke, she very naturally began to undress.

If her husband had needs, as his wife, she had to fulfill them...

"Wife, you've misunderstood. I wanted to ask you, are you willing to practice martial arts?"

Lin Xiao grabbed the woman's hand and asked with a serious expression.

"Huh?"

Xiao Qingxuan blinked her beautiful eyes. "Practice martial arts?"

"Yes. Actually, since the end of the last city defense battle, I've wanted you to learn martial arts."

"After all, relying on Leng Yan to protect you isn't a foolproof plan."

"Now that the dog emperor has bestowed a marriage, I'm worried someone might try to harm you. If you can practice martial arts, I'll be more at ease."

Lin Xiao had actually long wanted to exchange for the Cold Jade Art. After all, the 600 years of power points from the Spirit-Passing Pearl were enough, but he had always been short on prestige.

But facing something like a bestowed marriage, he would rather exchange yellow grade weapons for prestige to arm his woman.

Xiao Qingxuan gave a bitter smile. "Husband, even if I start practicing martial arts now, it would be too late, wouldn't it..."

"You only need to say whether you're willing or not. As for the rest, I have my ways!"

Lin Xiao said confidently, "You know I never boast."

Looking at the man's determined eyes, Xiao Qingxuan's heart fluttered. Could it be that her husband really had a way for her to master divine arts quickly?

Thinking of her sense of helplessness when Lin Xiao went to war and during the city defense battle...

Xiao Qingxuan immediately made up her mind, her beautiful eyes sparkling with spirit:

"Husband, I want to practice martial arts! I want to go to the battlefield with you to kill enemies! As long as I can master it, I'm willing to endure any hardship!"