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After the young man finished speaking, he looked at Yuchi Siguang and said, "Siguang, it's fortunate that this daughter is not married."

Yuchi Siguang felt even more helpless and couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle softly.

The young man looked at Di Xiu again and said, "Boy, I have fulfilled your wish. But you were rude to me just now, and I won't let it go so easily..."

Before Di Xiu could speak, Yu Chi Mingyue angrily rebuked, "How dare you! How dare you threaten us!"

The boy was startled and fell silent.

"Now that you're free, why aren't you leaving!" Yu Chi Mingyue frowned and said.

The boy frowned slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, and said, "So fierce... I'll just leave..." He glanced at Di Xiu again, "What exactly is it about you that I don't?"

Before Yu Chi Mingyue could utter her angry rebuke, the young man had already vanished, leaving behind only a string of laughter, joyful and delightful.

Seeing this, Yu Chi Mingyue could only frown and feel secretly dissatisfied.

Di Xiu smiled and let out a long breath.

At this moment, Yu Chi Mingyue suddenly spoke up and asked him, "Why are you still wearing this outfit?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu smiled helplessly, "My fourth young lady, can you please just ignore this dress?"

"No!" Yu Chi Mingyue pinched his collar and said, "Look, it's so wet..."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu's initial helplessness transformed into a gentle warmth. All the troubles and setbacks had been self-inflicted. With just this, everything would settle down effortlessly…

end

May was a turbulent month for Yuchi Mountain Villa.

The marriage of the second young lady, Yuchi Caiyao, had already alarmed everyone, and the explosion was even more dangerous. Fortunately, the manor lord, Yuchi Siguang, handled the situation well, and there were no major casualties. Although Yuchi Caiyao was injured, she is now fine. Before this turmoil had subsided, the departure of the celestial fox kept by the Yuchi family stirred up another considerable storm. However, Yuchi Siguang remained calm and even persuaded the relatives who wanted to cause trouble one by one. The various methods he used in the process are not worth mentioning.

What was most surprising was that Princess Qingyun, who had already divorced, stayed at the manor with her fourth daughter, Yuchi Mingyue. The elite soldiers from the Nanling Prince's manor who had come with them also remained at the manor. For a time, the forces were indistinguishable and the situation was unclear. Those who had initially harbored doubts gradually had to abandon their pursuit and give up their desire to fight.

As June drew to a close, the people of the Prince of Nanling's residence finally prepared to return. They chose a date, and early in the morning, they swept the roads clean and prepared to set off.

Yuchi Siguang accompanied them all the way, until they reached the Shili Pavilion outside the village, where the carriages and horses paused briefly for a final farewell.

Yuchi Siguang had nothing more to say, exchanged a few polite words, and then called Di Xiu to his side.

Di Xiu frowned, unsure how to face him, and could only respectfully address him as "Master" before remaining silent.

Yuchi Siguang didn't say anything, but simply took out a sword manual and handed it to him.

"The Falling Cloud Sword Technique?" Di Xiu looked at the sword manual, slightly surprised. This was a secret technique of the Yuchi family, never to be passed on to outsiders. He hesitated, not daring to accept it easily.

Seeing his reaction, Yuchi Siguang spoke up, saying, "You've already secretly learned this sword technique, so why are you being so polite now?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu looked up at Yuchi Siguang, his expression revealing a hint of wariness.

"The Falling Cloud Sword Technique has always been passed down within the family..." Yuchi Siguang placed the sword manual in his hand and said, "I originally intended to teach it to Mingyue, but she insisted on not learning it. Since you are her chosen husband, it is the same to pass it on to you."

Di Xiu glanced at the sword manual in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then said, "If that's the case... why did you go to Yu..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yuchi Siguang interrupted him, saying, "Why mention this person again?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu said with slight anger, "Does the Master of the Manor dare not answer?"

Yuchi Siguang glanced at him and said, “‘A place of outstanding natural beauty,’ why did I keep you by my side? Don’t you understand the reason?”

Di Xiu was puzzled.

Yu Chi Siguang smiled helplessly, "Because you're the silliest."

Di Xiu was stunned, and then a sense of displeasure arose in his heart.

“Look. Your emotions are always on your face… You can’t seem to shake this habit.” Yu Chi Siguang looked at him and sighed softly. “As far as I know, your swordsmanship wasn’t stolen; it was taught to you by Yu. And his swordsmanship was taught to him by Cai Yao…”

"You know?" Di Xiu asked.

Yu Chi Siguang said, "Sometimes it's better not to know than to know... Back then, someone secretly reported to me that you were secretly learning swordsmanship. I sent people to investigate and that's how I found out." He smiled, "...You should be able to guess who the informant was by now."

Di Xiu was shocked and it took him a long time to calm down. His hand holding the sword manual trembled slightly, and his expression was full of sorrow.

“Stealing sword techniques and harming colleagues, I can turn a blind eye to all of that,” said Yuchi Siguang. “However, if someone dares to deceive my daughter or plot against me, I will make them wish they were dead…”

After saying this, Yuchi Siguang mounted his horse and said to Di Xiu, "You'd better take care of yourself."

Di Xiu watched him leave, paused for a moment, and then let out a long sigh. He put away the sword manual, turned and left, never looking back.

...

It was more than half a month later when they returned to the Prince of Nanling's residence.

Ming Shuangchen had already sent a letter informing him of everything that had happened at Yuchi Manor. The Prince of Nanling, naturally, had no interest in the affairs of the Yuchi family. His only concern was Yuchi Mingyue's marriage.

After everyone had rested for a while, the Prince of Nanling sent someone to summon Di Xiu to his study for questioning. He carefully examined Di Xiu and asked, "Boy, what makes you think you can marry my granddaughter?"

After a moment's consideration, Di Xiu replied, "Di Xiu has no illustrious background, nor does he possess vast wealth. However, in terms of talent and martial arts, he is no less than others."

The Prince of Nanling laughed and said, "I have many good generals and strategists under my command. Relying solely on talent and martial arts is a bit too weak."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu knelt down and said humbly, "Di Xiu remembers what His Highness once said: if a man cannot achieve great things, he has wronged his wife. Di Xiu deeply agrees. Di Xiu would never dare to ask Ming Yue to marry him now."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Nanling was slightly surprised, his smile widening as he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Di Xiu's voice remained respectful as he said, "What I just mentioned about my talent and martial arts was merely a way of recommending myself to Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will grant me an opportunity to make a name for myself."

The Prince of Nanling smiled and asked, "Then what about your marriage to Mingyue?"

"It's not too late to talk about marriage after we've achieved success and fame," Di Xiu said.

The King of Nanling laughed loudly, "Hahaha, good lad. Although you have such good intentions, I'm afraid my granddaughter can't wait, hahaha." He took a token from his desk, stood up and walked to Di Xiu, "Here's what we'll do. Recently, there have been bandits causing trouble in the western part of Nanling. Since you have the ambition to make a name for yourself, then take my order and lead your troops to suppress them."

Di Xiu extended both hands to accept the token and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

The Prince of Nanling helped him up and patted him on the shoulder. "I hope I haven't misjudged you. Speed is of the essence in war, so you should set off immediately."

"Yes," Di Xiu replied, bowed, and left the study.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Mei Ziqi pressed against the window, looking quite strange.

Di Xiu frowned slightly, raised the token in her hand to him, and said, "I thought it was some kind of test... but it's nothing special."

Mei Ziqi shook her head and sighed with a smile, "Hey, Ah Xiu, you sound quite disappointed."

Di Xiu put away the token, remaining noncommittal.

Mei Ziqi walked to his side with a smile and said, "That's fine then. However, I have a few words to tell you..." He cleared his throat, "Ahem, Ah Xiu, with your abilities, dealing with those bandits is naturally a piece of cake. But you must restrain yourself from harming your colleagues or climbing over others to get ahead. Remember that, remember that..."

Di Xiu frowned and replied with dissatisfaction, "Thank you for reminding me, sir. I will keep it in mind."

After saying that, he snorted coldly and walked away.

Mei Ziqi shook her head with a smile, just then she heard Ming Shuangchen's voice from behind:

"gentlemen."

Mei Ziqi turned around and bowed, respectfully saying, "Princess."

Ming Shuangchen raised her eyes and glanced at Di Xiu as he walked away. She said helplessly, "It seems that this kid passed my father's test so easily because of Mr. Mei's brilliant plan?"

Mei Ziqi quickly shook her head, "Not at all, not at all."

Ming Shuangchen smiled and said, "Sir, you have guided him so many times, why are you so stingy with your guidance to Shuangchen?"

Mei Ziqi was slightly puzzled by these words.

Ming Shuangchen slowly said, "The Celestial Fox is not all-powerful or all-seeing. For the past hundred years, the Yuchi family has only used its power to perform curses or bewitch people's minds. Moreover, the marriages of the Yuchi family have never been simple. Every wife married by the lord of the manor in succession has been someone who could help them expand their power. Using the Celestial Fox to bewitch these women's minds is also a common tactic of the Yuchi family..."

"I learned this from Meigu Sanren," Ming Shuangchen said with a touch of melancholy. "Thinking back on it this way, from their meeting at the lantern festival to their later vows of love, he never used the Heavenly Fox's curse. Perhaps there was genuine affection involved..."

Mei Ziqi looked slightly wistful.

Ming Shuangchen looked at him and said, "With your intelligence, sir, you must have known about this long ago. Why didn't you tell me directly?"

Mei Ziqi glanced at her, gave an awkward smile, but couldn't reply.

“Sir…” Ming Shuangchen said, “Even if he was sincere, it is a fact that he divorced his wife and concubine, and it is also a fact that he wanted to seize the land of Nanling. Even if Shuangchen has regrets, he has no regrets now.”

Mei Ziqi lowered her eyes and replied with a smile, "That's very good..."

Ming Shuangchen smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Sir, you have not only underestimated Shuangchen, but also yourself... Now, would you be willing to do me the honor of playing a game of chess with Shuangchen?"

Mei Ziqi was slightly surprised. He looked up at Ming Shuangchen and remained silent for a long time.

After a moment, he laughed, clasped his hands in a bow, and replied, "It is my great honor."

The two looked at each other and smiled, then said no more.

...

That afternoon, the Prince of Nanling mustered his troops and set off to suppress bandits in Xijun.

Yu Chi Mingyue stood at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, looking at the soldiers who were fully prepared for battle, feeling displeased.

Di Xiu rode his horse to the front of the group, discussing departure arrangements with his deputy. When they left Yuchi Manor earlier, they had retrieved the fine horse "Xi Zhui," which was now his mount. He was lightly dressed and unarmored, appearing somewhat frail among the fully equipped soldiers. Yet, his composed demeanor revealed a remarkable air of authority.

After much deliberation, Yu Chi Mingyue stepped forward and reached out to grab the reins of the horse.

Seeing her like this, Di Xiu asked, "What's wrong?"

Yu Chi Mingyue frowned slightly and said seriously, "It's okay if you can't win... We can always elope..."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu glanced awkwardly at the soldiers around him. Lowering his voice, he smiled helplessly and said, "Even now you say I can't win? Just how much do you underestimate me?"

Yu Chi Mingyue shook her head, "I didn't underestimate you, it's just..."

Di Xiu interrupted her, smiling as he said, "Don't worry, Fourth Miss. I am ruthless, cold-blooded, and unscrupulous... When it comes to killing, I am most confident."

Upon hearing his words, Yu Chi Mingyue couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing her like this, Di Xiu smiled gently and called out, "Mingyue..."

Yu Chi Mingyue looked up at him, waiting for him to speak.

Di Xiu bent down and gently kissed her forehead in front of everyone.

Yu Chi Mingyue was shocked and blushed instantly, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Di Xiu smiled happily. He sat up straight and said, "At the earliest, ten days, at the latest, one month, I will propose marriage and take the bride. I will never break my promise."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Mingyue had already forgotten her embarrassment and was filled with joy, which made her smile brightly and beautifully.