301: Chapter 301 It's Leaky

"I still have work to finish! You old man are just wasting my time!!"

Xie Yu looked displeased. "Lin Xiao, it's not that I wanted to come; my father dragged me here! You don't have to give me any face!"

"You don't have any face! I brought you here to thank General Lin!!"

"Well, I've already thanked him! Besides, I've done plenty of work for him! So what if he saved my sister!?" Xie Yu retorted, unconvinced.

Marquis Xie Shang was so angry his beard fluttered and his eyes glared, his face full of embarrassment.

"Marquis, let Xie Yu go. He really is busy. You are an elder; if you have something to say, just say it directly," Lin Xiao said, giving him an out.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu acted as if he had received a get-out-of-jail-free card and immediately bolted out the door.

Marquis Xie Shang looked helpless, then turned back with a smile. "To be honest, due to some past events, there were some misunderstandings between the General and me."

"But now, I have realized that those were the problems of my Linyuan Marquis Mansion. Thanks to the General, we have the opportunity to correct them."

Lin Xiao nodded. "Recognizing one's mistakes and changing them—the Marquis has great character. Did you come all this way just to say this?"

"Of course not!"

Marquis Xie Shang hurriedly said, "The General is busy with official duties; how would I dare disturb you for such a small matter?"

"I came today for two matters that require the General's decision. First, regarding the marriage contract between the General and my daughter, Juner..."

Hearing this, Xie Juner's heart immediately leapt into her throat. She widened her eyes and looked at her father nervously.

"In fact, I also know that the General has already taken a wife, and that you two are a deeply devoted couple."

Marquis Xie Shang sighed. "Matters of the heart cannot be forced. I know that because of the imperial decree for the marriage, the General is in a difficult position."

"But the General has been kind to our Xie Family. Therefore, I am willing to petition the imperial court to revoke this bestowed marriage..."

"I imagine that given the reputation of my Linyuan Marquis Mansion and the Xie Clan, His Majesty should not be displeased..."

Hearing this, Xie Juner hurriedly spoke up to stop him. "Father! You absolutely must not!"

"Juner, I know you have feelings for General Lin, but a forced marriage won't be happy..."

Marquis Xie Shang winked frantically. This foolish daughter of his! Lin Xiao was now the Lord of the Northern Territory, someone the Marquis Mansion couldn't afford to offend. Forcing him to marry her—wasn't that like putting the Marquis Mansion on a roasting fire?!

"It's not what you think..."

Xie Juner's face turned bright red. She found it too embarrassing to say out loud.

At that moment, a hand reached out from the side and pulled Xie Juner by her slender waist.

Xie Juner felt as if she had been hit by a bolt of electricity. Her entire body stiffened, and her heart raced like a deer's.

"Marquis, I'm taking this daughter of yours."

Lin Xiao spoke very bluntly, looking at Marquis Xie Shang with a calm gaze.

Marquis Xie Shang was stunned for a good while before he realized what was happening!

This matter... it worked!?

But something wasn't right. This didn't look like he was asking for her hand in marriage; it looked like he was just taking his daughter away!

While Marquis Xie Shang was full of joy, he also felt a bit depressed. Having a son-in-law who was too powerful was also a problem!

"So that's how it is... Juner, why didn't you say so earlier!"

"How was I supposed to say it..." Xie Juner said coquettishly.

"Haha! It truly is hard to bring up!"

Marquis Xie Shang said happily, "It is my daughter's fortune that the General has taken a liking to her!"

He had seen long ago that Lin Xiao would soar to the heavens, and might even have a great chance to rule the world. The speed at which the Northern Territory was being unified now made him even more certain that he hadn't misjudged the man.

If he didn't value Lin Xiao, he wouldn't have let his only precious son work in a factory every day as a soot-covered craftsman.

However, since Lin Xiao didn't have any of the Marquis's people by his side, things weren't entirely secure.

If his daughter became Lin Xiao's bedmate... that would be for the best!

Compared to the potential rewards in the future, the small grievances he had suffered before were nothing!

"Marquis, you said just now there were two matters. What is the other one?"

Marquis Xie Shang then straightened his expression and said, "Oh, the other matter concerns my cousin, the minister of personnel, Official Xie Tong."

"Official Xie Tong sent me a letter earlier saying that he might be in mortal danger."

"While in Yong Province, someone indeed tried to harm him."

"Official Xie Tong is grateful to General Lin for secretly protecting him and wishes to meet the General privately."

Privately?

That meant not in his capacity as an imperial envoy.

Lin Xiao was also quite curious about who wanted to kill the imperial envoy and frame him for it.

"Very well, but today I want to reunite with my family. Let's discuss it another day."

Marquis Xie Shang nodded repeatedly. "Of course, the General has been away for a long time and must spend more time with family."

"I wonder which day specifically would be convenient? My cousin arrived in Yangquan two days ago and has been waiting for the General."

Lin Xiao sighed. "It's hard to say; there are many things to do. Marquis, go back and wait for now."

Marquis Xie Shang looked speechless. That was an imperial envoy, the minister of personnel, a high-ranking official of the Second Rank in the Grand Secretariat!!

Marquis Xie Shang looked helplessly at Xie Juner.

But Xie Juner silently lowered her head and smoothed her hair, pretending not to see.

Marquis Xie Shang's heart went cold. She hadn't even officially married out yet, and his 'quilted jacket' was already completely leaking wind!?

After Marquis Xie Shang left helplessly, Lin Xiao looked down at the woman.

"Does it make you unhappy that I treat your father and the people of your Xie Family like this?"

Xie Juner smiled and shook her head. "Father doesn't know that the General is a Land Immortal. Why would a mere Second Rank minister be in your eyes?"

"Actually, you could tell him about my strength. I imagine he would feel better if he knew."

"No, the General's strength is our trump card. How can it be revealed so easily?"

Xie Juner suddenly realized something and pouted. "General, you aren't doubting my feelings, are you? Do you think I, Xie Juner, would tell everything about you for the sake of my family?"

"I am not like those consorts sent into the palace who are the Emperor's women on the surface but are actually gathering intelligence for their families."

"Although I, Xie Juner, am not as talented or skilled in martial arts as my sisters, I also disdain being someone else's puppet!"

"Since my heart is set on the General, I am not even afraid of death. How could I be controlled by my family?!"

Lin Xiao was left somewhat speechless by her retort and felt quite embarrassed.

"The way you are now is somewhat similar to Princess Ningxiang when I first met her—that same arrogance!"

Xie Juner's face flushed, and she lowered her head nervously. "General, please don't be angry. I'm not truly upset; I just didn't want you to misunderstand..."

"How could I be angry with you?"

Lin Xiao leaned into the woman's ear. "I like conquering proud women. Tonight, you shall serve this General in his bath..."

Xie Juner's face grew even redder, looking as beautiful as a ripening fruit. Her body trembled slightly, but she was extremely happy.

"This... this servant will surely serve the General well..."

Just as Lin Xiao intended to tease this tsundere princess further, he heard the butler come to announce someone again.

"General, there is a monk who wishes to see you!"

Lin Xiao was a bit frustrated. Why was there no end to this as soon as he returned to Cang Province?

"A monk? What's his name?"

"He calls himself Liaojie and says that you, General, were the one who invited him."

Lin Xiao froze for a moment. Damn, he had almost forgotten about this guy!

"Let him in!"