Xu Ping’an wasn’t worried at all for the moment, and he could vaguely guess that the Crown Prince would definitely have other methods up his sleeve.
If a matter had only one beginning, then the person behind it wouldn’t be a true expert.
Most likely, the Crown Prince had already prepared for Xu Ping’an eighty-one different schemes and tricks, all aimed at gradually cooling off his once scorching presence.
To what extent it would be cooled, and whether in the end the Emperor would truly lose trust in him—those were matters for later.
But he didn’t care.
Nor was he concerned.
After all, he never intended to get involved in this messy business in the first place.
There was the Great Banquet tonight, and tomorrow they would depart for the Liuyun Sect. The Royal Family’s filthiness was their own joke to bear.
His stomach was delicate; if his digestion went awry, no one would be able to handle the fallout.
“Alright, Yuer, let’s not talk about that anymore. Tomorrow we’re going to the Liuyun Sect. Are you ready on your side? The Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence… should I meet him?”
He had already taken away the daughter—there was no way he could not meet this future father-in-law. That would be extremely improper.
Although Xu Ping’an wasn’t exactly a gentleman, he still had his principles.
“Sir wants to meet my father?”
“Hmm, if possible, it’s best to see him.”
Li Yuer lowered her eyes, pressing her lips together, a faint blush coloring her exquisite face.
“My father is currently in the residence. I will take you to him.”
“Alright.”
Xu Ping’an stood up, but Li Yuer suddenly moved closer, pressing herself against him, as if listening closely to his heartbeat.
“Sir… are you planning to confess to my father?”
Xu Ping’an did not refuse, instead pulling Li Yuer gently into his embrace and whispering,
“If I can, I will confess. After all, I took your daughter away; I have to meet this father-in-law somehow.”
Li Yuer coquettishly tapped Xu Ping’an’s chest.
“Sir~ how could it be ‘taking away’? It’s mutual affection~”
“Alright, alright, mutual affection it is. But whether it’s mutual affection or taking away, I still have to meet the Duke, don’t I?”
“Why aren’t you nervous at all?”
“Do I need to be nervous? Let me ask you, if your father didn’t allow it, would you still come with me?”
Li Yuer lowered her eyes, pondering for a long moment.
“No.”
“See, I knew you wouldn’t. So, passing your father’s approval won’t be easy.”
Li Yuer gave Xu Ping’an a sideways glance with her peach-blossom eyes.
“My father isn’t Yama or a Judge of the Underworld. He’s not as scary as you make him out to be.”
“Whether he’s scary or not isn’t up to you. It’s up to me.”
Xu Ping’an smiled, glancing toward the door.
“Let’s go see your father.”
“Mm~ Sir…”
“Hm?”
“Although Yuer cannot go with you, in her heart, there will only ever be you.”
Seeing the determination in Li Yuer’s eyes, Xu Ping’an nodded.
“I understand.”
She was the Duke of the Southern Border’s only child, the designated successor, the one he had poured all his efforts into raising.
Father and daughter ties were unbreakable; blood relations could never be forged.
So, she wouldn’t disappoint her father. At the same time, she wouldn’t give up on Xu Ping’an.
If it really came down to it, she would most likely stay in the Duke’s residence, inherit the title, and never marry again.
For filial piety, to inherit the title.
For true love, to remain unmarried for life.
That… was probably Li Yuer’s choice.
Although the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart made her quicker and smarter in many matters, sometimes she was stubborn and serious to a fault.
“Thank you for your trust, sir. Please follow me.”
Li Yuer took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, then put on the jade pendant concealing her identity before turning to walk out of the courtyard alongside Xu Ping’an.
“Sir, how do you like the scenery of my residence?”
“Not bad at all.”
At this moment, Li Yuer had completely assumed the role of the Shizi, her smile gentle and refined, giving her an unusual charm.
“If you like, later I’ll have someone build a covered corridor in your little courtyard?”
Xu Ping’an shook his head with a smile.
“That won’t be necessary. My small courtyard isn’t really suitable for a corridor like that.”
“In that case, I won’t insist then~ Oh~”
Before long, their conversation carried them to the main hall of the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence.
The Duke himself was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.
Though the Royal Family could not cultivate immortality, no one forbade them from martial training.
Moreover, the Duke of the Southern Border and the Prince of the Frontier, two princes trusted by His Majesty, were both masters of martial arts.
“Father, I’ve brought Sir Xu to see you.”
The spear moved like a dragon, endlessly shifting, with a flash of cold light arriving first.
Autumn wind and fallen leaves were swept away in its wake.
“Oh?”
Li Huan raised his brows upon hearing the announcement and turned to look at Xu Ping’an, appraising him with a smile.
“Sir Xu, it’s been several days. How is your spirit and energy?”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Grace. I am in good health.”
“You look like a scholar. Are you sure you practice martial arts?”
The Duke of the Southern Border took a few steps forward, his fierce tiger-like aura causing goosebumps to rise.
However, Xu Ping’an was prepared. He cupped his hands and said,
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace. I truly do not know martial arts. Aside from my artistic skills, which are barely presentable, I have no other talents.”
“But I heard from Yuer that you’re quite capable. Why would you hide your talents?”
Xu Ping’an raised an eyebrow. The Duke’s words carried a hint of anger.
“I don’t know what the Shizi said to Your Grace, but I have no intention of hiding my skills. I’m just being honest.”
The Duke fixed his tiger-like gaze on Xu Ping’an for a long moment. Then he raised his hand and threw the long spear back onto the rack.
“Come with me.”
Without another word, Li Huan turned and walked away.
Xu Ping’an looked to Li Yuer, who appeared somewhat somber—her thoughts unreadable.
They arrived at the back hall, which was essentially the rear courtyard of the residence, off-limits to outsiders.
But the Duke didn’t make Xu Ping’an wait outside; instead, he led him straight to a study.
“Sir Xu, please wait here. I will freshen up and come shortly. Yuer, come with me.”
Li Yuer gave Xu Ping’an a reassuring look and quickly followed the Duke.
Xu Ping’an blinked and glanced at the study beside him. Hesitating briefly, he pushed the door open and entered.
He couldn’t very well sit on the steps outside while waiting.
Inside, the air was filled with the mixed scent of paper and ink, refreshing and soothing.
The study didn’t quite match the Duke’s status—there were no lavish decorations, only rows of bookshelves packed with various books, each shelf labeled with its genre.
Xu Ping’an didn’t browse much; he picked up a volume of the Strange Records and sat in the Taishi Chair to leaf through it.
After about half an hour, the sound of steady footsteps approached from afar.
Then the study door opened, and Li Huan walked in.
“Sir Xu, are you interested in these Divine Ghost Records?”