Chapter 196: The Eight Prince

Master Xie instantly shot to his feet. Meanwhile, Old Madam Xie could only remain silent and solemn from earlier, and didn’t even mutter a word.

"Then this father only needs to step up one more time, just to protect An’an—"

"Father!" Xie Rong’s furious voice roared across the main hall, cutting him off. "What does your promise to that woman mean to you, that you are willing to protect her daughter to this extent?!"

Master Xie stared at his son, his expression heavy.

"This father owes her a great deal." He paused, his voice filled with weariness. "And what this father can do now is protect her daughter as much as I can..."

He fell silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"This father has already requested an audience with the Eighth Prince’s mother. I will meet with her and propose that An’an be taken as a consort..." His gaze shifted toward Xie An’an. "For the Eighth Prince."

"Father!"

Both Xie Rong and Xie An’an cried out at the same time, though for entirely different reasons.

Master Xie turned toward his son, his expression unusually firm. "If An’an becomes the Eighth Prince’s consort, then you can no longer touch her."

Xie Rong’s expression darkened, "Father, you know exactly what kind of person the Eighth Prince is. He is not someone you can simply—"

"Precisely because of that," Master Xie interrupted. "Once An’an becomes his woman, even you will have to think twice before laying a hand on her."

He paused, his gaze growing solemn.

"The Eighth Prince is already feared throughout the capital. A man who can make even the ruthless wary of provoking him is not someone you can simply disregard. Once An’an becomes his consort, anyone who touches her will have to consider what the Eighth Prince might do in return."

Xie Rong’s jaw tightened, "So you intend to use the Eighth Prince as a shield for her?"

"If that is what it takes to protect her, then yes," Master Xie replied coldly.

Xie Rong bobbed his head in frustration. "Then this son has no more words to say to Father..."

He turned slightly, clearly intending to end the conversation there.

But Xie An’an suddenly spun around and cried out.

"No! Father!" She rushed toward Master Xie, tears already streaming down her cheeks. "Don’t send me to the Eighth Prince! This daughter will behave! This daughter will never commit another sin again!"

Her hands desperately clutched at Master Xie’s sleeve.

"I will listen to you! I will do whatever you ask! Just... Please don’t send me to him!" Her voice broke at the end. "Please..."

Wang Gege blinked.

’Who is this Eighth Prince?’

Judging from Xie An’an’s reaction, he was clearly someone far more terrifying than Wang Gege had imagined.

She quietly glanced at Xie Rong.

Even he had fallen silent, his expression dark and unreadable.

Meanwhile, Master Xie looked down at his daughter, his expression remaining cold. "An’an, this is not something you can refuse."

Xie An’an’s face turned deathly pale. "No... Father, please..." She shook her head desperately. "Anyone but him..."

Wang Gege’s curiosity grew even stronger.

’What exactly did this Eighth Prince do to make her this afraid?’

"An’an..." Master Xie sighed heavily. "This father is doing this for your sake. If you do not marry into the Imperial Family, once your crimes are brought before the authorities, you will eventually be sentenced to death."

Xie An’an’s face turned completely pale.

"No..." She shook her head desperately. "Father, I don’t want to die either, but I don’t want to marry him!"

"Then what other choice do you have?" Master Xie’s voice hardened. "Do you think this father can shield you from everything forever?"

Xie An’an froze.

Wang Gege quietly watched the exchange before turning toward Xie Rong and tugging at his sleeve. "Husband..."

Xie Rong quietly took her hand and turned, intending to leave.

"This husband will answer your question later..." He then stepped toward the entrance.

"Rong’er!"

Master Xie’s voice rang across the main hall, stopping them in their tracks.

Xie Rong halted and slowly turned around, "What else does Father have to say?"

Master Xie looked at him sternly, "This father has already made my decision. I hope you will not make matters more difficult than they already are."

Xie Rong remained silent for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.

"The Eighth Prince is known for being exceptionally picky. Until now, he has only taken two consorts, yet he still has no principal consort. And from what this son has heard..."

Xie Rong paused, glancing over his shoulder, "He has never even touched either of them."

Master Xie’s expression changed slightly.

Xie Rong gave a cold, humorless smile. "Does Father truly believe he would willingly take An’an as his consort simply because you propose it?"

Master Xie frowned. "This father will find a way."

Xie Rong gave a faint, humourless smile, "Then Father should try."

He turned back toward the entrance. "But whether he accepts her or not has nothing to do with this son’s decision."

His footsteps paused for a brief moment.

"As long as I can pursue the truth, I will." His voice hardened, "No matter who she marries, whose protection she receives, or how powerful the person standing behind her may be..."

Xie Rong glanced over his shoulder one last time. "If she has committed a crime, this son will pursue it to the very end."

They walked out of the main hall together, leaving the tense atmosphere behind.

Wang Gege tugged lightly at Xie Rong’s sleeve. "Husband..."

"Hmm?"

"Who exactly is this Eighth Prince? Why does An’an seem more afraid of marrying him than facing punishment for her crimes?"

Xie Rong was silent for a moment. "The Eighth Prince?"

Wang Gege nodded.

A faint smile touched his lips, though there was little warmth in it. "He is a very courteous man."

Wang Gege blinked before she frowned a second after, "Husband... Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Xie Rong glanced at her. "No."

His expression gradually turned serious, "It is precisely what you should be wary of."

Wang Gege stared at him.

Xie Rong continued walking, his voice calm.

"Because the more courteous he is to someone he intends to deal with... the less likely that person is to realize they are already in danger."