The coachman said to Marquis Jing'an, "These gatekeepers aren't from the Liu Family. They don't need to know the rules of etiquette, and they've been quite polite to you. At least all they did was shut the door."
Had they been impolite, they would have sent them flying a thousand miles away.
"If they aren't from the Liu Family, who are they? What would a mere coachman know? The Ministry of Rites doesn't understand etiquette, and I'm not even allowed to say so?"
Marquis Jing'an snorted and glanced at the carriage.
It was not something an ordinary household could afford. Even Jing'an Marquis Manor had never had the budget to purchase such a fine carriage.
The coachman jumped down and brushed his sleeves. "The gatekeepers serve my master. My master said that people from the Xie family and dogs are not allowed inside!"
Those words.
Instantly enraged Marquis Jing'an.
"How dare you!" he cursed. "Do you know that I am Marquis Jing'an? A mere coachman dares show me disrespect! Who is your master? Sending his own men to guard a widow and her child-he clearly harbors ulterior motives! Give me his name! I'll bring charges against him before His Majesty!"
What sort of man would send his own men to guard a widow and her child?
He was clearly setting his sights on the Princess!
A leisurely sigh drifted from inside the carriage, followed by a man's deliberately lowered voice. "As it happens, I do harbor ulterior motives!"
"So you admit it? Heh. Deputy General Qian, seize this man and escort him to the palace!"
Marquis Jing'an's lips curled. Whoever dared court their Xie family's Princess, hoping to climb higher through that connection-
He would never allow it!
Princess Ximing could only belong to the Xie family!
Deputy General Qian