Chapter 200: The Question Of Interest

The question left the entire hall in stunned silence.

The Eighth Prince suddenly let out a low, amused laugh.

"What is wrong with this prince’s question?" he asked lightly. "This prince was merely asking..."

He took another step forward, his gaze shifting toward Xie Rong.

That’s when Xie Rong finally let out the breath he had not realized he was holding.

"Forgive this subject, Your Highness. This subject was merely caught off guard for a moment." He lowered his head slightly, "Of course, if His Highness wishes to propose to someone else, who is this subject to object?"

The Eighth Prince’s lips curved faintly.

"Good." He then turned his gaze toward Master Xie.

The faint smile on his lips remained, but there was a trace of sarcasm in his voice. "After all... not a single piece of news escapes this prince’s ears."

Master Xie’s expression stiffened.

The Eighth Prince tilted his head slightly, "Does this prince’s rank truly seem so low that he needs to marry a woman accused of murder?"

The entire hall fell silent once again.

Master Xie’s expression darkened and Xie Rong tried his best to remain calm.

The Eighth Prince, however, remained perfectly composed, as though he had merely made an ordinary observation.

"This prince may be difficult to please," he continued calmly, "but surely the Imperial Family has not fallen so low that a daughter of the Xie family must be offered to this prince merely to escape the consequences of her crimes."

The words fell like a thunderclap.

Master Xie’s face went pale. He immediately stepped forward and dropped to his knees.

"This subject deserves death for his presumption!" His forehead lowered toward the floor. "Your Highness, this subject had no intention of insulting the Imperial Family. This subject merely hoped to find a way to protect his daughter from—"

"Protect her?" The Eighth Prince interrupted him calmly.

Master Xie froze.

The prince’s gaze lowered toward him, his expression still composed. "Master Xie, this prince has not accused you of anything."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Why are you already confessing?"

Master Xie’s heart sank, but Xie Rong remained silent. He had known the Eighth Prince was not someone to underestimate, and interrupting right at that moment seemed like a bad idea.

Master Xie clenched his fists beneath his sleeves before lowering his head even further.

"Your Highness, this subject was merely concerned for his daughter. This subject would never dare to deceive the Imperial Family."

"Is that so?" The Eighth Prince’s smile deepened slightly. "Then perhaps this prince misunderstood."

He paused for a moment before casually adding, "After all, this prince merely heard that Miss Xie had been involved in the death of another person."

Master Xie’s face immediately turned pale.

Xie Rong’s expression also changed slightly.

The Eighth Prince continued as though he had said nothing particularly significant. "This prince thought Master Xie was aware of the matter."

Silence descended over the hall.

Master Xie lowered his head. "Your Highness..."

"There is no need to explain." The Eighth Prince waved his hand lightly. "This prince has no interest in interfering with how the Xie family handles its own affairs."

His gaze shifted toward Xie Rong for a brief moment. "But neither does this prince intend to become involved in them."

Xie Rong understood immediately that this marriage proposal was over.

"This subject apologises to His Highness." Xie Rong instantly knelt and bowed his head.

"This subject had no intention of causing His Highness any trouble. My father only wished to seek His Highness’s protection for my younger sister, but this subject did not expect that His Highness would already be aware of the matter."

The Eighth Prince looked at him for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh.

"Young Master Xie, you need not apologise." His tone was surprisingly relaxed.

"This prince merely wishes to make one thing clear. Whether Miss Xie has committed a crime or not is a matter for the authorities to decide."

He paused, his gaze briefly falling upon the kneeling Master Xie.

"As for marriage..." The faint smile returned to his lips. "This prince has no intention of taking a woman merely because someone wishes to use this prince’s name as a shield."

Xie Rong lowered his head further, "This subject understood."

"Good." The Eighth Prince turned slightly toward his mother. "Then, Mother, this son believes there is no need to continue discussing this marriage."

His mother sighed softly, clearly knowing there was little point in trying to persuade him once he had made up his mind. "Very well. Since you have already decided, this palace will not force you."

Master Xie immediately bowed his head. "This subject thanks Her Highness for her understanding."

Xie Rong also rose from the floor after receiving permission and bowed respectfully. "Then this subject shall take his leave."

The Eighth Prince merely nodded.

Xie Rong and Master Xie turned toward the entrance.

They had barely taken a few steps when the Eighth Prince’s voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Young Master Xie."

Xie Rong stopped and turned around. "Yes, Your Highness?"

The Eighth Prince regarded him for a moment before asking casually, "Has Young Master Xie rested enough?"

Xie Rong’s brows furrowed slightly. "This subject does not quite understand what His Highness means."

A faint smile appeared on the prince’s lips. "This prince heard that you have been away from the battlefield for quite some time."

Xie Rong remained silent.

The Eighth Prince continued, his tone light. "Could it be that Young Master Xie is already considering returning to the battlefield?"

Xie Rong’s expression changed subtly. He had not expected the conversation to turn in this direction.

"This subject has not made such a decision yet."

"Is that so?" The Eighth Prince nodded thoughtfully. "Then perhaps this prince was merely curious."

Xie Rong inclined his head. "If His Highness has nothing else to ask, this subject shall take his leave."

But instead of replying to Xie Rong’s words, the Eighth Prince suddenly walked toward him.

Xie Rong watched him approach, his brows furrowing slightly.

The prince stopped beside him and leaned closer.

Then, in a voice low enough that only the two of them could hear, he quietly asked, "Is Young Master Xie taking care of your wife well these days?"

Xie Rong’s expression immediately froze.