Chapter 7: 007 Escape, A Single Copper Coin

At this moment, there were long gone were the tears in Xia Yulin's eyes, yet she still cried out with feigned grief, "Marquis, I truly cannot bear to part from you! Although we were not born on the same year, month, and day, I only pray that we may die on the same year, month, and day—"

The Marquis stared at her "all-in" face for a moment, then smiled slowly.

Though he was a man, this smile was truly radiant, stunning the large crowd of onlookers both in the hall and below. Everyone thought to themselves: *To be so handsome, no wonder the Xia family ladies fight tooth and nail for him!*

"Prefect Ma," the Marquis said, pulling Xia Yulin into his arms and looking up at the Prefect, "Miss Xia is but a weak woman and is currently injured. If she were to be detained in prison, I fear her body would not be able to withstand it. I would like to ask Prefect Ma to be magnanimous and allow Miss Xia to recover at home while awaiting the next interrogation. I am willing to act as her guarantor; should she flee while recovering at home, I will take full responsibility!"

As a noble and distinguished Marquis, he was naturally extremely displeased to be threatened by a mere young woman in such a manner.

But at the same time, her bold and decisive actions felt very fresh and interesting to him, leaving a restless, itching sensation in his heart.

After all, ever since they were young, women had used every possible means to seduce and please him upon meeting him. Who had ever threatened him like this?

He was almost impatient to know why she had undergone such a transformation, what was going on in that head of hers, and how she would behave next.

While he did not fear her threat, seeing as she had performed so excellently and had piqued his anticipation, he would save her this once.

Prefect Ma: "..."

Since the Marquis had put it that way, what else could he do?

Even if it was the Xia family, they couldn't blame him for following the Marquis's words, could they?

Immediately, he took the opportunity to step down: "Since the Marquis has provided a guarantee, this Prefect is at ease."

Then, he announced in court: "Regarding the case of Xia Laixiang's poisoning, due to the emergence of new doubts and witnesses, this official requires further investigation. The charge of murder against the defendant Xia Luokui is not established, but as she remains a person of interest, and considering her physical weakness and injuries, I hereby allow her to return home to recover and await further interrogation once the investigation is clear. As for the suspect Xiao Qing, she is to be detained in prison pending further interrogation. Court is adjourned—"

He said this aloud, but in his heart, he cursed: *Further investigation and trial, my ass!*

Who didn't know that the Xia family was cursed, frequently seeing deaths and leaving a basketful of unsolved cases? What kind of result could they possibly find from this death of Xia Laixiang?

Once he finished speaking, the crowd had no more entertainment to watch, so they dispersed one after another. The Xia family servants also left out of embarrassment; no one paid Xia Yulin any mind.

Hearing that she could leave, Xia Yulin immediately pushed the Marquis away, held her waist, turned around, and began limping toward the exit.

She had only taken one step when her hand was grabbed.

She turned her head, frowned, and glared at the Marquis who had caught her: "What are you doing?"

The Marquis looked at her strangely: "You're just leaving like this?"

Xia Yulin looked shocked: "Could it be that you can't bear to see me go?"

Marquis: "..."

What was there for him to be unable to bear? He simply disliked her rude attitude of leaving without so much as a word after he had helped her.

Thus, he kindly reminded her: "I have done you a great favor."

Xia Yulin tilted her head, looking puzzled for a long while before letting out an "Oh." She fished a copper coin out of her sleeve and stuffed it into his hand: "Keep the change."

Then, she forcefully pulled her "contaminated" hand away and continued walking slowly toward the exit.

The Marquis stared at the copper coin: "..."

Just as he was about to chase after her, Prefect Ma blocked his path, saying obsequiously, "Marquis, I have prepared a banquet in the garden; please grace us with your presence!"

He was just about to refuse, but the legal advisor, the head constable, and others had already run over, surrounding him and incessantly pestering and pleading with him, acting as if they would die rather than let him leave. Having no choice, he had to stay for the meal, instructing a follower to go and keep an eye on Xia Yulin first.

Her behavior just now was truly too strange; he needed to figure out exactly what was going on with her.