The sky gradually darkened.
Nangong Ye finished the business his master had assigned him and headed back to the Marquis's Residence alone, still pondering along the way how to whisper into A Huan's ear in bed and get him to bring the Goddess of War into the household soon.
But when he reached the gates of the Marquis's Residence, a clamor caught his attention:
"A Little Squirt like you could be that Xie brat's confidante?"
"Who are you calling Little Squirt?!"
"You're not even taller than the threshold. Who do you think I'm talking about..."
"Huh?! You Ugly Freak, you're asking for a beating..."
Nangong Ye paused in surprise, then hurried forward to look. There stood Chief Steward Hou, with his shifty eyes and ratlike face, on the steps outside the gate, a folding fan in hand as he struck the opening stance of a wild, flailing fist technique.
The Braided-Hair girl had a bundle slung over her shoulder, her face livid with rage. Holding a five-foot Horse-Slaying Saber, she looked ready to charge.
"Hey! Stop!"
Nangong Ye darted forward to stop Miss Xiao Biao and looked at Steward Hou, who apparently had no fear of death:
"She is an honored guest of the Marquis's Residence. How could you treat her so rudely?"
"Is she?"
Only upon seeing Nangong Ye did Chief Steward Hou drop his stance, still half doubtful:
"This Little Squirt came over just now and immediately said she was that Xie brat's friend. I was thinking, that Xie brat's so tall and strapping, finding himself a confidante like this—isn't that pairing a thousand-mile steed with a short-legged donkey..."
"Hey?! Y-you... I'll fight you to the death!"
Shing-
Jiang Xian's hackles rose on the spot. She drew her saber, ready to chop down the undying old bastard.